Austin Chen Tai Chi Association

Classes held Tuesdays at 7:30 at the Austin Rec Center 1301 Shoal Creek

The Austin Chen Tai Chi Association has been giving free tai chi classes in Austin, Texas since 2010. And, there has never been a better time for you to join us. 

Maybe you’ve heard of the benefits of tai chi – improved health, reduced stress, better mobility and flexibility.  Maybe you want to get in shape.  Maybe you’re intrigued by the history or the martial aspects.  Maybe you are hoping for a connection to something greater than yourself, or maybe you are looking for a community to be a part of.

Very few activities in life promise all of this and live up to it.  But, for those of us that have been practicing tai chi for a long time, it is this all-encompassing nature of tai chi that keeps us always interested and practicing for decades.  No matter your age, gender, experience, or physical limitations, you can participate and benefit from tai chi.  And don’t think it’s for the injured or the old!  Whatever you do, you can benefit from greater strength, flexibility, balance, breathwork, and reaction times.

You don’t need a uniform. Our tai chi classes in Austin are free because our goal is to spread tai chi.  So you just need to show up and try it out!

Come by and join us for a free tai chi class!

We meet each Tuesday night at the Central Austin Rec. Center at 7:30. Improve your health, challenge yourself mentally, and have a great time.   After attending the 7:30 tai chi class for a while, we invite class member to arrive at 7:00 to begin weapons classes. 

Who can attend the tai chi classes?

Brand new to tai chi or a seasoned veteran?

Taichi practitioners of all levels are welcome!  We are very proud of the fun, friendly community that we have built.  Practitioners range from age 18-70.  Many are brand new and many bring years of martial arts, yoga, and dance experience to tai chi class.  The interactions between attendees and wealth of experience are one of the reasons attendees advance quickly. 

The unifying element that we share is a belief that certain internal abilities are innate to our movements and health.  By building internal strength, we can positively affect our health and martial ability. We have a great respect for all practitioners in town and do not see our existence as competitive, but rather a mutual pursuit.

About Austin Chen Tai Chi

We are an association of Chen Tai Chi practitioners in Austin, TX who are interested in improving our abilities and introducing Chen Tai Chi to all who are interested.  We train together and attend or host workshops of Chen Masters and related martial artists in order to get instruction more directly from these sources.  Please see the Events and Conferences page for a list of everything that we have attended or have hosted over the past few years.

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What is the cost of your Austin tai chi classes?

Tai chi classes are free with a suggested donation of $1-$5.  Donations go to Austin Area organizations such as Goodwill and the Humane Society or to pay for hosting Grand Masters in weekend events. Our priority is to increase the number of people practicing tai chi by offering free tai chi classes to the Austin community.

How are your Austin Tai Chi classes organized?

Our Austin tai chi classes begin with a series of stretching exercises and standing meditation. Most classes we work on the tai chi ball set, standing meditation, the short form, and end with specific focuses and/or pushhands.

The class is led by Will Adams and Scott Prath. Both have 20+ years experience practicing and teaching tai chi, have studied in the United States, England, and China. The class benefits from the Ph.D. level of analytics that Will brings from his work in IT. Scott has a health background and works as a bilingual speech language pathologist and works locally at an Austin Speech Therapy Clinic.

Tuesday classes are focused on the fundamentals of Chen Tai Chi.  In addition to several open-hand and weapons forms, Chen Tai Chi includes extensive supporting activities that improve strength, flexibility, power, and movement.   The knowledge and improvement from the complete curriculum (not forms alone) have a huge impact on health and the accuracy of the form.   Tuesday night activities include:

• Warm up
• Qigong: standing, breathing
• Taiji sphere/ball: members can use a bowling ball or follow the form with empty hands.   Chen Qing Zhou’s school in China begins the practice with empty hands to work up to the weight of the 20 pound ball.
• Lao Jia Yi Lu (Old Road First Frame) and/or the Short Form
• 8 Energies

Tai Chi Weapons Classes

After attending the 7:30 classes to become familiarized with Chen TaiChi, participants will be invited to begin class at 7:00 PM to work on weapons forms.  Weapons forms are designed to further develop attention, poise, intent, and balance.  They are not only beautiful but a lot of fun.  We focus on:

• long pole
• broadsword
• straight sword
• pole-shaking exercises

Why Chen Tai Chi?

Chen Tai Chi offers a complete system of Qi Gong, Tai Chi open-hand frames, and weapons forms.  Several Chen Tai Chi Masters routinely tour the US giving us undiluted access to correction and instruction.   The results from training in Chen are not murky, mystical, or philosophical.  Tangible, physical gains can be made from dedicated practice.

The second benefit to studying Chen style tai chi is that Chen tai chi retains both the focus on fitness and strength as well as a focus on mental wellbeing.  Whether you goals are to get in shape, gain flexibility, or reduce stress, it can all be obtained from doing the same form practice.

If you already have studied in the martial arts, then you are probably familiar with the false summits, incomplete instruction, and foggy understanding of studying an Asian system.  We would be lying if we didn’t say that Chen is not often frustrating, a lot of work, and elusive!  However, by working together we have made serious progress, and there are many documented, videoed, and live-in-the-flesh examples of what is possible by pursuing Chen Tai Chi. 

Chen Tai Chi History

Chen Tai Chi Chuan has a rich history and there are many great resources on the web that provide great information.  Rather than reiterate what others have shared, this description is intended to give you an idea of what class is like.

Chen Tai Chi is practiced in a continuous and relaxed manner with movements based on Chan Si Gong (‘silk reeling’ or spiraling energy). These spiraling movements help to exercise both the internal and external parts of the body, promoting a calmer mind and improved health. The training develops martial techniques that can be used for attack or defense with emphasis on fa jin (explosive release of energy) and qinna (neutralization). The training consists of individual exercises and forms (sequences of movements), and `pushing hands’ (tui shou), a series of drills performed with a partner.

Chen Tai Chi is the oldest of the five major styles of Tai Chi (Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu, Sun), and the original source of them all. Chen Tai Chi was created by Chen Wangting (1600–1680 CE) in Chen Jiagou (Chen family village, literally `Chen family ditch’), Wenxian County in Henan Province in central China. Today there have been many generations of Chen family masters with disciples around the world promoting this beautiful gem of Chinese wushu (martial art).

Note: Parking at the rec center is free.  However, you will need to park and go to the desk to get a tag for your window.  After attending for a few classes, they will issue you a pass for your window so that you don’t have to stop at the desk.

Further Reading and Resources:

• Chinese Internal Martial Arts – a great collection of related articles
• Chen Qingzhou Martial Arts Association
• Chen Fake
• Early Photograph of Chen Masters
• 5 DynamicLevels of Development – Kung Fu Magazine article by Chen Qing Zhou

If you have any questions, please reach out!  Otherwise stop by and attend a class.

Comments or questions are welcome.