Many people recognize Tai Chi as a slow, flowing practice, but few realise that Chen Tai Chi is the original form, and it carries a powerful blend of softness and explosive strength.
Where it came from
Chen Tai Chi (or Chen-style Tai Chi) began in Chen Village, in the Henan province of China, over 300 years ago. It laid the foundation for all other Tai Chi styles practiced today. While it still includes the slow, mindful movements people associate with Tai Chi, it also introduces fast bursts of energy, known as fa jin. This combination makes it both meditative and physically dynamic.
All the other styles of tai chi that became popular in the 20th century trace their lineage directly back to Chen Village. Each of those styles simplified and adapted the original for broader audiences, removing much of the martial content and the explosive power that defined the source material.
What remained in Chen Village was the complete system: slow flowing movement combined with sudden, dramatic power release, deep rooting through the legs, and the continuous spiralling energy known as silk-reeling that runs through every technique.
What makes Chen Tai Chi different
The most visible difference between Chen Tai Chi and other styles is the presence of fajin. This is the explosive release of internal power that appears at specific moments in the form, a sudden contraction and release that sends force through the body and out through the technique with remarkable speed and efficiency. In Yang Tai Chi, fajin is largely absent. In Chen Tai Chi, it is central.
Less visible but equally important is silk-reeling, or chan si jin. This is the continuous spiralling movement that originates in the body’s core and travels outward through the limbs in every single technique. It is what gives Chen Tai Chi practitioners their characteristic quality of movement, fluid and connected, with no isolated or mechanical-looking parts. Developing silk-reeling takes time and attention. It also produces a quality of whole-body coordination that carries into everything else you do.
The third distinguishing feature is the stance work. Chen Tai Chi trains deep, rooted postures that develop structural strength from the ground up. They are the reason experienced Chen practitioners move with such stability and groundedness.
Who it is for
Chen Tai Chi suits adults of any age and any level of prior experience. The physical demands are scalable. A beginner in their 20s and a beginner in their 60s work with the same material, at different intensities, and both develop real skill. The internal principles do not require youth or athleticism. They require attention, consistency, and a willingness to follow the process.
It suits people who want more than exercise. If you are looking for a physical practice that also develops mental clarity, internal power, and a genuine connection to one of the world’s oldest and most sophisticated movement traditions, Chen Tai Chi gives you all of that within a single system.
It also suits people who have tried other styles of Tai Chi and felt that something was missing. If you have practised a gentler style and sensed that the surface was not the whole picture, Chen Tai Chi is where that picture becomes complete.
Where to start
The five-level Chen Tai Chi program at the Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy begins exactly where you are, with no prior experience required. Sifu George Michielsen teaches the system as it was passed to him through authentic lineage, with the same depth and the same respect for the source material that has kept this art alive for centuries.
Beyond martial application, people practice Chen Tai Chi for its health benefits. It can improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and mental clarity. Because it combines slow control with occasional bursts of intensity, it also helps build strength without putting excessive strain on the joints.
So, what is Chen Tai Chi in simple terms? It’s a complete system — part meditation, part movement, part martial art. It teaches you how to stay calm under pressure, move with intention, and develop strength from the inside out.
Whether you’re exploring Tai Chi for health, self-defence, or personal growth, Chen Tai Chi offers a well-rounded and deeply rooted starting point.
