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Chien Hong School of Kung Fu

4.8 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Decatur, Georgia

Certified Seniors welcome Beginners welcome Qigong Private lessons

Certified instruction — reviews and the studio's own info point to a recognized tai chi program or lineage (think Tai Chi for Health / Dr. Paul Lam, the Taoist Tai Chi Society, or a named family-style teacher). If credentials matter to you, ask which program the instructor is certified in and which style they teach.

Plan your first class

  • Great for seniors welcoming to older adults, with slow, low-impact movement for balance, mobility and fall prevention
  • Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
  • Qigong & breathing qigong and breathing practice — gentle "moving meditation" — taught alongside the tai chi form
  • Private lessons one-on-one lessons available — a focused way to learn the form at your own pace; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule chienhong.com — see the live class schedule and book
  • Phone (404) 525-3226

Hours

Monday 7–9 PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5–9 PM
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 AM–1 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and seasonal outdoor sessions — worth a quick check before a special trip, and class times can differ from the studio's front-desk hours.

The classes they run

Tai chi and qigong classes on the schedule at Chien Hong School of Kung Fu, drawn from students' own reviews and the studio's info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

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🧓 Seniors 2 mentions

“Gary and his lion dance team were professional, and their performance really was the icing on the cake for my dad's birthday celebration.”

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🌬️ Qigong

“I have been studying Qigong and Tai Chi with Shifu Gary for 6 months now.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Plus private lessons to build around your schedule.”

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Styles taught here

Tai chi grew into several family styles. Here's the lineage students mention learning at Chien Hong School of Kung Fu — mined from their reviews and the studio's own info.

🐉 Chen Style

“As far as I am aware he is the only teacher who offers authentic Chen style Tai Chi in my area.”

Other studios that teach chen style →

Styles are mined from reviews and the studio's own info — they show what students mention learning, not a formal guarantee of the current timetable. If you specifically want a certain style, confirm the schedule with the studio.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 66 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 patient, skilled instructor 3 mentions

“I have been training at Chien Hong for years, and I have found Shifu Gary to be a great teacher with passion, encyclopedic knowledge and a straightforward no-nonsense approach.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Thanks to the leadership of Shifu Mitchell, the students are incredibly welcoming.”

🧓 great for seniors & mobility 2 mentions

“Gary and his lion dance team were professional, and their performance really was the icing on the cake for my dad's birthday celebration.”

🏮 authentic, traditional style 13 mentions

“Plus he teaches Hong Quan (southern style 5 animal kung fu) which is unique compared to many standard "northern / traditional" styles you see offered everywhere else.”

⚖️ improved balance & health 3 mentions

“Whether you want to learn for health and well being or for martial aplications and self-defense this is the best place.”

🤝 strong, friendly community 4 mentions

“The class I’ve been in is a diverse group that has become like family and it’s been great for both my physical and mental fitness.”

From the reviews

After almost 3 decades in martial arts I discovered Chien Hong School of Kung Fu in Decatur GA. I wanted to get back into martial arts after taking a break for a few years and having moved to Georgia from Los Angeles, looked into different martial arts school in the Atlanta area.

★★★★★ — Christopher, Aug 2022

I've been a part of Chien Hong School of Kung Fu for a little over a year. I had done some martial arts as a teenager and decided that I wanted to get back into it but wanted to learn more about Kung Fu. I found Chien Hong on Google and decided to try it out.

★★★★★ — Joy, Feb 2017

I've been regularly practicing Tai Chi with Shifu Gary Mitchell for almost 3 years. As far as I am aware he is the only teacher who offers authentic Chen style Tai Chi in my area. Whether you want to learn for health and well being or for martial aplications and self-defense this is the best place.

★★★★★ — Vladimir, Jul 2018

I am incredibly grateful to have found Chien Hong, and to take part in the training and community lead by Shifu Gary Mitchell. Since moving to Atlanta three years ago, I have visited a number of martial arts academies, and Chien Hong was the first place at which I could immediately see the expectation and practice of…

★★★★★ — Nathan, Feb 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 66 reviews →

New to tai chi? Start at Chien Hong School of Kung Fu

Chien Hong School of Kung Fu comes up as a beginner-friendly studio, going by its listing and students' reviews. If you've never tried tai chi, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first session. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — the movements are slow and gentle, you set your own pace, and many can be done seated if standing is hard. Second, there's nothing to buy and nothing to keep up with — wear comfortable clothes and flat, flexible shoes, and simply follow along. Third, all ages and abilities really are welcome — ask whether there's a dedicated beginners or all-levels class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most studios are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first tai chi class at Chien Hong School of Kung Fu

Nervous about walking into a tai chi class for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a gentle warm-up, then learning a few slow movements of the form, step by step — no pressure to get it perfect, and you can rest or sit whenever you need to. What to wear: loose, comfortable clothing you can move in, and flat, flexible shoes (some studios practice in socks or bare feet). What to bring: water, and that's about it — there's no equipment to buy. Arrive a few minutes early to say hello to the instructor and mention it's your first class. It comes together faster than you'd think — most people feel far more at ease by their second or third visit.

Tai chi is gentle and low-impact, but it's still exercise, and the health notes here are general information, not medical advice. If you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them to the instructor before class, and check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Where to find Chien Hong School of Kung Fu

1697 Candler Rd, Decatur, GA30032

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Teach here or own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.