Chicago Tai Chi

Rob Benetti

4 and a half years ago I began studying Wu Style Tai Chi and Qigong with Chris Cinnamon at Chicago Tai Chi because at the age of 56 I was suffering from a variety of issues affecting my professional and personal life. They ranged from: -- Cervical (two bulging herniated discs,) thoracic (T1-4 injuries) and lumbar spine issues (I was hit by 60 pounds of concrete that fell two stories in 1983) - chronic pain made it difficult for me to sit or stand for any length of time. -- Reflex Symphathetic Dystrophy - nerve pain in my arms, hands, and feet -- Knee pain (tore my PCL and meniscus in 1976 - three surgeries in the 80s and 90s left me with very little cartilage and an unstable knee). -- I've also had surgery on my left shoulder (slap tear/labrum), right elbow (two ulnar nerve transpositions due to radial head fracture), right wrist (ganglion cysts), arthritic pain in my hands that forced me to stop my event photography business as I could no longer hold a camera for any length of time. -- PTSD - I was an air traffic controller who was involved in a near mid-air incident (I received an award for my actions) but suffered a stroke-like event two years later while working at a radar scope, ending my career and sending me into a bit of a spiral. Again, I was suffering, losing function, and on a bad wellness path. Western medicine had taken me as far as it could and I knew that I needed to find a system that could help me take back control of my life. I zeroed in on Qigong/Tai Chi as a practice that I believed could give me the best chance to accomplish my goal. After a thorough search I came across the Energy Arts System. It caught my eye because it is Taoist system based on the Water Method. It's soft and gentle practices seemed like a good fit for my current physical and mental states. Master Bruce Frantzis brought the system to the US and luckily for me one of his senior students, Chris Cinnamon owner of Chicago Tai Chi, was teaching in Chicago. Over the past 4.5 years I have benefited greatly from training with Chris. I no longer suffer from the conditions outlined above. I'm not saying that I'm fixed or cured but I can say that my quality of life, on every level, has improved greatly as a result of having developed a regular Qigong/Tai Chi practice. Chris Cinnamon's dedication to the art, his students, and local community is inspiring. He's a gifted instructor (former Air Force Aviator and Attorney) with the unique ability to teach to all levels, from beginner to seasoned practitioners, creating a comfortable and engaging environment. He offers a variety of Tai Chi and Qigong classes, private instruction, and corporate programs. I am grateful for the chance to study with Chris Cinnamon, owner/lead instructor at Chicago Tai Chi.

Adam Gabbert

Chris is a great teacher and has the ability to make complicated movements simple to learn. The forms I've learned are challenging and fun.

Richard Stump

I’ve practiced Tai Chi on and off for a number of years, and I felt the need to seek out a sifu (instructor) after having been in Chicago for a couple of years. Chris Cinnamon is an excellent instructor for anyone new to Tai Chi and Qi Gong as well as practitioners who have a lot of experience. He takes pride in his knowledge of the forms, ability to relate to and to teach others, and in sharing his dedication to the Energy Arts. He is very approachable and easy to learn from. For those who recognize the name, Chris actively studies with Bruce Franzen, who is one of the most seasoned and knowledgeable Tai Chi and Qi Gong masters in the United States.

Sam Hollis

Chicago Tai Chi is everything you could ask for in a Tai Chi school/class. Most of my life here living in the city-limits, I've looked for and tried a few different Tai Chi places - I was always on the quest to find the most legitimate and authentic school around. Lo-and-behold, Chicago Tai Chi is that match. With a legitimate, authentic form & curriculum that is from mainland China, Chicago Tai Chi delivers it all. The head instructor - Chris Cinnamon - is all you could ask for. He teaches the form very clearly, patiently, with joy, and with such a desirable ease. He knows and teaches the internal applications of Tai Chi, as well as the Martial applications. Every time I think I've gotten to a point of understanding Tai Chi, I am wowed by learning something else to apply to the form and to the practice of Tai Chi overall. 10/10 would recommend!