Taiji (tai chi), meaning "grand ultimate" or "grand extreme", first appeared in Yi Jing, Book of Changes. Taijiquan (tai chi chuan) is a complete martial arts system incorporating the taiji principles: yin and yang, the hard and the soft, etc.

Traditional Chen Taijiquan (Lao Jia) is widely acknowledged as the oldest and the ancestor of all other taijiquan styles. It was created by Chen Wangting, 9th generation ancestor of the Chen Family. He created taiji as a family art with the intention of passing it to his descendants.

Out of respect to Chen Wangting and to give the Chen family credit for being the inventor of this art, Traditional Chen Taijquan is commonly known as Chen Shi Taijiquan, meaning Chen Family Taijiquan. In the United States today, many Taiji practioners have benefited from the teachings of Grandmaster Chen Qingzhou (19th generation direct Chen family descendant from Chen Village) and he is highly respected for his lifetime devotion in preserving the Traditional Chen Taijiquan of the Chen Zhaopi line without modification to its true original form.

Master Wong Wai Yi

The ancient art of Traditional Chen Taijiquan can be practiced solely for its health benefits and/or as an internal martial art.

Research has shown that when Taiji is practiced with a graceful, slow, and light movement, it can enhance longevity in old age, with its deep regulated natural breathing, relaxed frame of mind, and smooth circular movements. Taiji has had remarkable success as a curative for many health problems.

Traditional Chen Taiji also offers a complete martial arts system. It is characterized with low powerful stances, supple whole-body twining/coiling movements, stomping, and explosive releases of power. This internal martial art embodies both soft and hard, yin and yang. It builds up the practitioner's qi (vital energy) and concentrates on developing the practitioner's stability, balance, leg strength, and correct body alignment.