New students are welcome to join our classes at any time. Beginners start with a short practice form, the 24-movement First Routine, which takes three to four months to learn. We do not try to rush the learning process. We work to balance outer form with inner understanding and ability, going in depth from the very first day to explore the actual feeling and expression of the first four fundamental taiji energies: peng, liu, gi, and an.

Students at every level practice basic foundation exercises together in class, including zhang zhuang (standing meditation), qigong (energy cultivation), chanssugong (silk-reeling warm-up exercises) and taiji ban (taiji practice stick). Each of these practices is an art in itself. Together, they build a strong foundation for Hunyuan taiji practice.

After learning the 24-movment First Routine, intermediate level students go on to learn the 38-movement Second Routine, the sword routine and basic push-hands skills. Advanced students learn the full 83-movement First Routine and the 77-movement Second Routine (the "Cannon-Fist"), advanced push-hands, and advanced internal energy skills.

We strongly encourage students of every age and level of athletic ability to participate. Hunyuan taiji can challenge the most athletic, but has been specifically designed to help serious students at every level develop real gongfu (internal skill). Hunyuan is also very good for those seeking to strengthen their health. For times and locations, see Classes. For more information about the curriculum, see Forms. (Back to Top)



Hunyuan taiji was developed by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, of Beijing, China. Hunyuan is a modern evolution of Chen style taiji, the original martial form of taiji, known for it's internal spiraling energies and focus on inner awareness. In developing Hunyuan taiji, Grandmaster Feng retained all of the fundamental principles of Chen style taiji, but added elements of qigong and other martial arts such as tongbei, to encourage cultivation of chi and development of gongfu. Hunyuan is a large, round, flowing style, full of life and energy. It's very good for overall health and fitness, development of core body strength, and stress management. It's also a good foundation for self-defense training. (Back to Top)




Malcolm Dean is certified to teach by the Feng Zhiqiang Tai Chi Academy USA. He is a senior indoor student of Zhang Xuexin, head of the Academy (an "indoor" student is an inner circle disciple, a traditional student-teacher relationship). Malcolm has studied with Master Zhang for the past 14 years, both in public classes and in twice-weekly private lessons.

"Taiji is easy to do, but hard to learn. I've spent many years translating the lessons my teachers taught me into simple exercises that anyone can use to discover the inner secrets of taiji. Everyone has the potential to become a "tiger with wings," whatever their age or experience. It doesn't matter when you start to practice, only that you do start. In this lifetime, I'll never achieve the levels my masters achieved, but I try to study hard and honor them for everything they've taught me. I would therefore like to thank Zhang Xuexin, my teacher, and Feng Zhiqiang, his teacher and the founder of Hunyuan Taiji, for all their efforts, and for the great gift of Hunyuan Taiji." (Back to Top)




Malcolm Dean, senior student to Zhang Xuexin
Zhang Xuexin, senior student to Feng Zhiqiang
Feng Zhiqiang, senior student to Chen Fake
Grandmaster Chen Fake, 17th-generation lineage holder of Chen Style Tai Chi.

Biographies:

Zhang Xuexin, (1928 - )
Zhang Xuexin is one of the top Chen style taiji practitioners in the United States. He began studying martial arts in China when he was nine, then began studying Chen-style taiji in 1963. His teachers included Li Ruiyuan, Rui Mongni, and Chen Zhaokuai, son of Chen Fake. In 1970, he moved to Beijing and began studying with Feng Zhiqiang. He became Feng's top senior indoor student. In 1990, he moved to the United States.

Feng Zhiqiang, (1926- )
Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang is one of the top Tai Chi practitioners in China today. He was born in 1926 in Hebei Province, and trained as a young man with Grandmaster Chen Fake, the famous 17th-generation Chen style taiji master and Chen Family lineage holder, and with Grandmaster Hu Yaozhen, the father of modern qigong. Master Feng is the Vice President of Beijing Municipal Martial Arts Association, President of Beijing Municipal Chen-style Taijiquan Research Institute and head of Zhiqiang Martial Arts Club. He is noted for his development of the Chenshi Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan system, the "Hunyuan taiji" we practice in our classes.

Chen Fake, (1887-1957)
Grandmaster Chen Fake was the seventeenth generation lineage holder of Chen style Tai Chi. He became famous in his hometown (Chenjiagou, or Chen Family Village, in Henan Province) for victories in leitai (free fighting) competitions, and for defeating opponents armed with spear and saber while he stood barehanded. In 1929, he left Chenjiagou and moved to Beijing, where he taught Chen style Tai Chi until his death in 1957. He emphasized wu de (martial virtue) in his teachings, and late in his career created the New Frame style of Chen taiji. Chen Fake had many famous students, including Feng Zhiqiang, who later developed Hunyuan Taiji based on Master Chen's New Frame. Chen Fake is considered by many to have been the greatest taiji master of the 20th century. (Back to Top)