Sun Wukong Wing Tsun Kuen · Vancouver

This Is Not
Health Tai Chi.

Chen Gongfu Jia is a complete martial system — Fa Jin, Qinna, silk-reeling force. Taught in Vancouver by Edmond Chow, 21st generation disciple of Shifu Marin Spivack.

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01 · The Teacher

Edmond Chow

21st Generation Disciple (Tudi) · Chen Zhaokui Line · Shifu Marin Spivack

Edmond Chow, 21st generation disciple (Tudi) of Marin Spivack, offers traditional Chen Style Taijiquan classes in Vancouver, B.C. He has been passionately pursuing Chinese Martial Arts for over 20 years.

As a disciple of the Chen Zhaokui line of Chen Style Taijiquan, he is devoted to master the art under the tutelage of Shifu Marin Spivack, and to preserve and promote the art to other keen martial artists.

Edmond Chow and Shifu Marin Spivack at the Bai Shi discipleship ceremony

拜師帖 · Bai Shi Ceremony

The formal Bai Shi (拜師, "paying respect to the teacher") ceremony marks Edmond's official acceptance as a Tudi — a lineage disciple — of Shifu Marin Spivack. The 拜師帖, the traditional letter of discipleship shown here, is the written covenant between teacher and student. It is a lifelong commitment to the art, to the lineage, and to the transmission of what cannot be written.

02 · The Lineage

The Lineage

The Gongfu Jia (Gongfu Frame) line of Chen Style Taijiquan follows the training passed down from Chen Yu of Beijing. The art has a history of over 400 years.

The Beijing branch was created when Chen Fake (Chen Yu's grandfather) moved to Beijing and made a name for himself with his martial skill, morality, and integrity.

Origin
Chen Fake
Founded the Beijing branch
Beijing
Chen Zhaokui
Son of Chen Fake
Beijing
Chen Yu
Son of Chen Zhaokui
North America
Marin Spivack
Shifu · direct disciple
Vancouver
Edmond Chow
21st generation Tudi
Chen Style Taijiquan martial applications — historical photographs

Chen Fake demonstrating martial applications — the fighting heritage at the root of the Gongfu Jia line.

This lineage of Chen Style Taijiquan differentiates itself with richness in details, vigorous Fa Jin (explosive release of power), and intricate Qinna (joint lock) applications.

03 · The Name

What is Gongfu Jia?

Gongfu means "skill acquired through hard work and practice". This line is called Gongfu Jia to emphasize that ability and skill are acquired through consistent practice. The progression is well-mapped out, but instruction is tailored to the progress of the student. As the student's ability grows through practice, further instructions are provided to refine or develop new skills. It's a personal journey, although we all follow the same map.

04 · The Method

Why Traditional Practice?

Traditional practice brings consistency in delivering results. By observing Chen Yu, Marin Spivack, and Marin's students, one can see the skill being transmitted from one generation to the next through the form practice, Tuishou (push hands), and martial applications.

Each generation may carefully improve the teaching and training methods, but the path of the practice and the skill produced remain the same.

05 · Benefits

Modern Benefits of Practice

First and foremost is learning good body mechanics and alignment for more efficient movement and injury prevention. The rich details in the solo forms help drill these patterns into healthy habits that can be applied in daily life. Whether you're shovelling snow or throwing an opponent, these habits keep us safe and healthy in the long-term.

A close second is developing more integrated and holistic strength. On top of good body mechanics and alignment, we build functional strength that can be used in common tasks and physical activity in everyday life.

Last, but not least, we develop some unique martial skills that make use of that body mechanics, alignment, and integrated strength. We all hope we don't need to use these in a dangerous situation, but it's there when we need it. Otherwise, it's all interesting and fun to play and explore with fellow classmates.

08 · The Training

What the Practice Develops

01

Structural Mechanics

How your body actually generates and absorbs force. We begin with stance and alignment — not as formalities, but as the literal foundation of everything that follows. Most people move around a body they have never properly organized. This is where that changes.

02

Silk-Reeling Force

纏絲勁

Chansiijin — the spiral energy of Chen Taijiquan — is not a metaphor. It is a specific coordination pattern running from the ground through the kwa, spine, and into the hands. You will learn to feel it and produce it. This builds a different kind of strength: whole-body, connected, and available under pressure.

03

Martial Application

The form is a manual. Each posture encodes specific applications — Fa Jin (explosive power release), Qinna (joint locks), and entry timing. We work these. Not as performance, but as the reason the form has the shape it does.

09 · Who This Is For

Who This Is For

This training is not for everyone, and that is intentional. If you want gentle movement for stress relief, there are good options in Vancouver for that. This is not one of them. Gongfu Jia is demanding, detailed, and built on the premise that skill requires time — measured in years, not sessions. Two classes per week, every week. That is the pace.

We keep classes small — never more than ten students — because real instruction requires real attention. There are no drop-in spots. Enrollment is by cohort. You commit to the practice, and the practice rewards you for it.

If you are the kind of person who reads this and thinks finally — this is probably for you.
Maximum 10 students No drop-in Cohort enrollment
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06 · Shifu

Marin Spivack

Chen Style Taijiquan in Action

10 · Enrollment

What It Costs

First Session
$40
A single assessment session — for both of us. If the fit is right, you will know.
Monthly Cohort
$180 /month
Two sessions per week. Maximum ten students. No drop-in. Cohort enrollment.
3-Month Commitment
$480
$160/month. For those who are certain. The practice rewards commitment.

11 · Questions

Frequently Asked

Do I need prior tai chi or martial arts experience?

No. Most cohort students begin with no prior Chen-style training. Prior martial arts experience is useful but not required. What is required is patience and the willingness to work carefully.

How physically demanding is this?

More than most people expect. We train standing postures, structural mechanics, and eventually Fa Jin practice. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be willing to be physically challenged. The training builds the body over time.

Is this the same as the tai chi taught at community centres?

No. Community centre tai chi is primarily Yang style, taught for health and relaxation. Chen Gongfu Jia is a different art — a complete martial system with a different technical foundation, different training methodology, and different goals. The name may be similar. The practice is not.

How do I apply?

Email Edmond directly at info@talkinghands.ca. Introduce yourself briefly — what drew you here, what you are looking for. He reads everything and responds personally.

Next Cohort · Maximum 10 students · No drop-in · Cohort enrollment · Enquire

07 · Schedule

Upcoming Classes

All times are Vancouver local time.

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