Timetable & Bookings

We are running live Zoom online according to the timetable/schedule below, during the current lockdown. Our London classes start back in venue, at St Paul’s in Camden Square and the Islington Chinese Association when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please book and pay for all your weekly Tai Ji Circle classes with Shifu Liu and Chris below, with an online or in venue option, as a TJC member or non-member, (non-members are limited to 8 classes in Venue and 15 classes Online).

We can no longer accept cash or drop-ins at our venues, and as numbers are limited all classes must be pre-booked here.

Membership is £100 for new students for the training year (January to December), and £70 for renewal, which makes big saving on classes and workshop costs. Then pay as a Member when booking, either by Single Class or with Class Pass credits option to save on costs (when selected it will deduct classes booked automatically).

On the Schedule timetable classes are listed as ‘In Venue’ or ‘Online’.

Class Passes (8, 15 or 30 credits) you can book in all the classes you may want to take, or just a few at a time, and the system will know when you have used them up automatically. If you cannot make a class you can transfer it to another time or date, only before the class takes place. If you wish to do classes ‘Online’ and ‘In Venue’ it is best to buy two different passes for each option as the passes are not interchangeable.

When booking it will be best to set up a Bookwhen account with an email and password, so that you can sign-in later to see all your bookings, classes and payments. Your email address is used to identify you when booking with a pass. An email reminder is sent out before your classes after payment, with the online link. With Online Class booking, click on the class online link to add it to your calendar and see the joining class Zoom link. (Please email Chris if any problems)

https://bookwhen.com/taijicircle

Payments

Ticket fees for ‘In Venue’ or ‘Online’ classes are listed by Member or Non-Member. All ticket/pass payments are processed either by credit card or through a Paypal account. When you have paid you will receive an email with class details and a separate PayPal email receipt for your records.

To Book & Pay: First click/highlight the class you want to attend and then you will see the class details and price options, click on the Single payment option or Passes to select credits for cheaper class fees. When buying a Pass you must book one class at the same time.

NHS workers, carers can attend some ‘online’ classes for free or at Members rate, please contact Chris for links. Overseas students can also have a discount and book ‘Online’ classes paying the Members fee.

Chen Taiji Beginner students who wish to pay for the Foundation Course Classes should buy an 8 class non-members pass, and email Chris your intended start date. Those valid for a concessionary rate can buy their class/pass at the Members rate (see the Beginners Course page for all details). We will send you information and the online links.

Below is a full guide for TJC students using Bookwhen system for the first time and any queries you may have.

https://helpforbookers.helpsite.com

If you prefer you might find it easier to use the main TJC Bookwhen booking and payment site here for your first booking and to set up an account: https://bookwhen.com/taijicircle

When you have an account you can log-in below to book more classes.

The time zone is London UK BST, and payment in GB pounds.

The booking system is by Bookwhen, when you set up an account with email and password, you can check all your classes and how many classes are left on your pass.

Booking: You need to select one class first before selecting payment either by single ticket or class pass – here’s a guide to follow:- https://helpforbookers.helpsite.com/articles/38035-purchasing-class-passes
Please note that class tickets or class pass bookings can ONLY be transferred BEFORE the class takes place.

Class levels
• Foundation Chen is suitable for new students to taiji and all levels for essential technique practice and correction
• Chen 19 Form is suitable for students progressing from Foundation (3-6 months)
• Laojia Yi Lu (classic Old Frame 1 Form) practice with thorough understanding of Foundation training and knowledge of the 19 Form
• Laojia Er Lu (classic Old Frame 2 Form) knowledge and understanding of previous levels
• Chen Sword and weapons, good hand forms practice is required
• Xinjia Yi Lu and Er Lu (Chen New Frame Form 1 and 2) are advanced routines
Due to the unknown situation of Covid-19 we are currently teaching a reduced syllabus. There are no push hands classes.

If you had a previous TJC Members Subscription for Online classes in 2020 and wish to unsubscribe please click on the button below.

Donations

Donate here if you wish to support Tai Ji Circle’s work – thank you

If you have any problems please email us.

CLASS TIMETABLE 2021 – Online only Jan– 16 May 2021

There will be changes to our timetable when we start in venue classes from 17 May if government restrictions are lifted and our venues reopen.

Mondays
07:30-08:30    Morning Practice with Shifu – Online Zoom
Evenings: Islington Chinese Association + Online Zoom 
18:00-19:00    Tai Ji 2: Chen Laojia Yi Lu (Form)
19:00-20:00    Tai Ji 3: Cannon Fist Laojia Er Lu

Tuesdays
07:30-08:30    Morning Practice with Shifu – Online Zoom 
11:00-12:00    Tai Ji Community Class – with Chris at St Paul’s Church Hall, Camden Square + Online Zoom
18:00-19:00    Tai Ji Ball training – Online Zoom
18:00-19:00    Tai Ji 2: Chen Laojia Yi Lu in depth – Online Zoom

Wednesdays
07:30-08:30    Morning Practice with Shifu – Online Zoom 

Thursdays
07:30-08:30    Morning Practice with Shifu – Online Zoom
Evenings: St Paul’s Church Hall, Camden Square + Online Zoom
18:00-19:00    Tai Ji: Chen Foundation Course
19:00-20:00    Tai Ji 2: Chen Laojia Yi Lu (Form) 

Fridays
07:30-08:30    Morning Practice with Shifu– Online Zoom
11:00-12:00    Tai Ji Community Class – with Chris Online Zoom 

1st Saturday of the Month –  Currently Online Zoom
11:30 – 12:30  FREE Virtual Tai Chi Class with Shifu Liu  – see website for details

Saturday Workshops 
St Paul’s Church, Camden Square + Online Zoom
13:00 – 16:00  Chen Tai Ji Workshops – see website Events

Sundays 
Islington Chinese Association + Online Zoom
10:00-11:00    Tai Ji: Chen Foundation Class/Course
11:00-12:00    Tai Ji 1: Chen 19 Part Form – general 
12:00-13:00    Tai Ji 3: Chen Sword – New Frame 1

Standard Bearer of Chen Taijiquan

Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang was born in 1945 in Chenjiagou (Chen Village), Henan Province, China and is currently the standard bearer of the 19th generation of the Chen family. He is a senior national martial artist and professor in the Chinese Martial Arts International Promotions Centre. Upon the solid foundation of the experience of his ancestors, Chen has not only been successful in Taijiquan himself, but has tirelessly promoted his “family martial art” throughout the world. He is direct descendent of the legendary Chen Wang Ting, originator of Chen Taijiquan in the 17th Century, and the grandson of Chen Fa’ke, renowned as the greatest Taijiquan master at the beginning of the 20th Century.

At a very young age, Chen received rigorous training in Chen family Taijiquan theory, forms, weapons, push hands, and free sparring from his father, Chen Zhaoxu, and his uncles, Chen Zhaopi and Chen Zhaokui. In 1980, he became a board member of the Henan Institute of Sport and began teaching Taijiquan professionally. He entered the National Taijiquan Competition winning gold medals for three consecutive years (1980-82). In 1985, he represented China in the First International Martial Arts Invitational Competition in Xi’an receiving the World Champion title for Taijiquan. Chen continued to compete in sizable competitions and was awarded the title of champion in Taijiquan more than twenty times.

Chen served as the sole deputy elected from Taijiquan circles to the Chinese National People’s Assembly. In 1988, he was awarded the Contribution to Martial Arts prize by the National Institute of Martial Arts, and the Chinese Government recognised him as a “Living National Treasure.” He is recognised as one of four “Buddha’s Warrior Attendants,” the four outstanding exponents of the 19th generation in Chenjiagou. Chen Xiaowang was chairperson of the Henan Province Chen Push Hands Taijiquan Association; deputy head of the Wushu Academy of Henan Province; and technical advisor and official assessor for the standardised competition routines for the Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun styles of taijiquan. In 2010 he was honoured with the highest distinction in Chinese martial arts, the 9th duan wei.

Chen has created two condensed forms of the Laojia and Xinjia forms; a 38-posture form and a 19-posture form, and the 9-posture form for beginners. He told inside Kung-Fu Magazine in 1991, “I have tried to do away with all the repetitions and simplify the exceedingly difficult moves without destroying the characteristics of Chen Style Taijiquan, with special emphasis to attack/defense and the chansi technique.”

He has represented China sharing martial arts knowledge with people all over the world. His deep Taijiquan skill has allowed him to defeat all martial artists who have challenged him. Over many years, Chen has taught tens of thousands of Taijiquan students both in and outside of China.

Chen has held many positions of leadership in areas of martial arts, calligraphy, culture, and Chinese medicine and currently holds various positions in many international and Chinese Taijiquan institutions. He was the principal in the films on Chen family Taijiquan produced by Chinese Central Television (CCTV) and has choreographed and directed martial arts films. Additionally, he authored a number of renowned books and essays on Taijiquan. His books and videos have been translated into many languages and have been published worldwide.

Chen is also leading a project to rebuild the house of Chen Changxing, the fourteenth generation Chen family. A project made possible by the contribution of his disciples and all the students who have bought his beautiful calligraphy, (example right) “Jing , Qi, Shen”, Essence, Energy, Spirit, which TJC use the motto on our T shirt.

Chen has contributed significantly to the international promotion of Taijiquan. In 1990, he left China on a mission to promote Taijiquan to the world. He established the World Chen Xiaowang Taijiquan Association and has since been touring Europe, North America, South America, and Asia promoting and teaching Taijiquan. The distance he travels each year is equivalent to twice the circumference of the earth. In February 2003, he accepted an invitation to return to his hometown, Jiao Zuo, to author a Taijiquan book for elementary and high school students. Both the people and government of Jiao Zuo warmly welcomed him.

Chen’s big heartedness, his outstanding Taijiquan skills, and his personal characteristics make him highly respected around the world. He is truly the most outstanding Chen family Taijiquan master of his generation and a world-renowned martial artist.

Coronavirus 2020
Check the link on information about Yifei Gong, created by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang to support and strengthen immune system and lung health in the flu season following the Coronavirus outbreak of 2019-2020.

Chen Xiaowang’s website

Video of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and other masters talking about the history and demonstrating the Chen style