Hosting Chen Style Tai Chi Events


Thank you for your interest to host a Chen style tai chi event, and sharing the wonderful benefits of tai chi with your community.  Below you will find information about hosting an event.  Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Thanks a lot!
Dr. Bob Bacher

Workshops & Retreats Available
  • Introduction to Chen Style Tai Chi - includes tai chi basics and introduction to Chen style tai chi Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Routine).  The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the theory, principles, and training methods necessary to build a strong foundation for your own personal tai chi practice. (Offered as a weekend workshop)
  • Silk Reeling Power Training Skills - this workshop focuses on how to cultivate tai chi's full body spiral movements for health, healing joints and soft tissue injuries, and developing strong healthy Qi (vital energy) flow. You will learn lower body silk reeling, and single hand and double hand silk reeling patterns with fixed and moving steps.  Develops dynamic strength, flexibility, and endurance for both health and self defense. (Offered as a weekend workshop)
  • Tai Chi Form - this workshop focuses on the careful memorization of the movements in the different Chen style tai chi solo forms (Laojia Yilu, Laojia Erlu), with emphasis on correct structural alignment and movement, how to open the body for healthy Qi circulation, developing the qualities of softness and smoothness, and eliminating tension from your body. (Offered as both a weekend workshop and a 6 day intensive)
  • Tai Chi - Yoga Connection - this workshop is designed especially for yoga practitioners to enhance their current yoga training.  Emphasis is on cultivating inner softness and smooth, flowing movements, and how to relax fully during asana practice and meditation.  You will develop a heightened awareness of areas in your body where you store tension, and learn how to intentionally release them ("fangsong", or "let go").  You will learn a formula that goes into great detail how to align every part of your body with gravity, and how to use gravity to your advantage.  This workshop is very helpful and enlightening for taking your yoga practice to a much higher level of skill and understanding.  (Offered as both a weekend workshop and a 6 day intensive)
  • Taiji Qigong - this workshop emphasizes the training methods for cultivating the internal part of tai chi (taiji).  It includes the following components (Offered as a weekend workshop):
  1. Loosening Up - a series of simple joint rotation exercises for each major joint area of the body to prepare for the internal work ahead
  2. Zhan Zhuang - sometimes translated as "Standing Post", this technique involves holding a specific posture and focusing one's attention on specific movements, but without moving and without physical tension.  This method programs the nervous system for these moments in stillness.  Then when you actually do the movements, they are generated internally rather than with external force.
  3. Kai He Qigong - a very  old and very special technique practiced standing, sitting, or lying down, that combines movement, breathing, and imagination / visualization, to open and close joints, soft tissues, and organs for strengthening Qi flow and healing the body.  Includes Reverse Breathing, Raise and Lower Hands, Open and Close Hands,  and sitting practices.
  4. Chansijin Gong - tai chi's unique continuous full body spiral movements enhance Qi circulation and build internal power for health and self defense.
  5. Spinal Qigong -  a simple spinal stretching / opening movement practiced while standing, to open the spine and release tension, and to realign vertebrae to their normal position.  The best exercise to relieve and prevent back pain!
  6. Taiji Closing Form - A standing practice to return the Qi (vital energy) to the Dantian (center of body where Qi is stored at rest) after completing the above sequence of exercises. May also be practiced as a solo exercise to relax the body and quiet the mind.
  7. Wuji Qigong - (Quiet Standing) - a standing form of meditation to achieve inner stillness and harmony.  Possibly the greatest method to manage and prevent stressful tension.
  • Tai Chi for Corporate Stress Management - this workshop utilizes basic tai chi breathing and foundation exercises for dissolving  tension, loosening up the body to improve circulation, and cultivating a very calm mind. (Contact us for scheduling)
Event Format
  • Weekend Workshop # 1 - Friday 7 - 8:30 PM* (optional) and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM - 12 noon and 2 - 5 PM*
  • Weekend Workshop # 2 - same as Weekend Workshop # 1 as explained above, plus the following Monday thru Friday classes each morning from 6 - 7:30 AM*

(The above 2 workshop formats are perfect for working people as they do not conflict with the daily work schedule)

  • 6 Day Tai Chi Intensive - Sunday thru Friday - 9 AM - 12 noon and 2 - 4 PM*

(Our 6 day tai chi intensive is perfect for martial arts teachers and students, as well as those involved in all kinds of movement arts - dance, yoga, and physical fitness - 30 hours of concentrated training over 6 days).

  • Customized Workshop/Retreat - When you like to host a special event, please contact us via email at chenti@mac.com and together we will design the best program for you and your group.
How to Host an Event
  1. Send us an email with your name, proposed event date and location (city and venue), event theme, and event format (as described above).
  2. Secure a venue for the event and enroll minimum number of students as early as possible before event start date.  Minimum enrollment for a weekend workshop is 20 students.  For a 6 Day Intensive 10 students minimum.
  3. Plan your event minimum 3 months in advance to allow enough time to promote it.
  4. Once the exact event details are confirmed, a deposit will be required to secure the event dates.  Deposit must be received 60 days before event start date.
  5. The host is responsible for securing the teaching venue and lodging accommodations.
  6. All expenses (flight, local transportation, promotional fees, lodging, and venue) will be deducted from the total funds collected for the event and reimbursed 100% to the party that has paid them.
  7. The host of the workshop is invited to attend all classes at no charge.  As the host, I will continue to support you as a group leader, and encourage you to maintain a regular group practice.