My sons (8 and 11) have been attending ZRC for 7 months. In that short time I have seen such a growth in their sense of self and community. ZRC teaches students to truly value those around them, which is very important to me. The instructors help guide the students to gain confidence and betterment for themselves and their classmates. They have the students think about why they are in the class and what being in the class means.My children are not only learning martial arts but are learning how to be better humans. Within a week of them attending the instructors had already understood my sons and what to focus on with them as individuals within the complexity of the class as a whole. I am truly grateful for this experience my children are able to enjoy.

My 4 year old son attends instructer Charles classes every week for 9 months. He is very patient and takes the time to teach all the kids not only martial arts but also courtesy and life lessons.We saw so much improvement in our son and I definitely recommend it.

While my son and I have been with the school for less than a year, our experience has been very rewarding. Instructor Charles and all the other instructors and assistant instructors have been knowledgable, professional, welcoming and supportive. Additionally, I appreciative the diversity of styles and techniques that are offered, ranging from Tai Chi and Muay Thai to traditional boxing and basic weapons training. Another huge advantage of the school is the wide range of times that classes are offered with options 7 days a week ranging from early morning to evening. Finally, the facility and equipment (pads, punching bags, dummies, medicine balls, etc) are high quality and in excellent condition.

ZRC is an incredible place, and its been a pillar of support for us as new immigrants. Charles and all the other instructors are extremely patient, and my child is learning so much more than martial arts, such as discipline, kindness and courtesy. Its also an excellent workout for kids with too much energy after remote school! Highly recommend this place-for us, it represents the welcoming community that is Arlington.

Instructor Charles has very good martial arts practicing and he practices with your kid/ or you to be very good at martial arts. Im a Zhen Ren Chuan Student in the 10-15 (Juniors) age group he has been teaching me a lot about martial arts and meditating and life skills.

Our sons (age 10 and 7) have been studying martial arts since Nov. The instructors have been amazing! They work tirelessly to help support their students even with all this social distancing now. The instructors encourage each child to do their best. The lessons encompass values and life skills that go well beyond martial arts. In the few short months I have already seen a positive change in our children! I would highly recommend checking this place out if you are considering martial arts for yourself or your child.

When i see this guy punch he just lacks everything and his instructors are in very poor shape just terrible.

Our son has been training with Zhen Ren Chuan Martial Arts for a few months. The instructors have been great...communicative and very supportive. We are very happy with the interactions and impact that this has already had for our son. I am happy to recommend them if youre looking for martial arts training in the Arlington/Lexington/Cambridge area!

My 9 year old son has been attending the school for a year now, and we cannot be happier with all of the instructors and their teaching philosophy. The approach of Zhen Ren Martial arts is all encompassing - from physical strength to mental wellbeing. Since my son is on the Autism Spectrum, I particularly appreciate how the instructors are incorporating the skills of self awareness, self confidence, and concentration into every lesson. I find that these valuable teaching points help me reinforce his developing skills beyond the school walls. Zhen Ren Chuan is more than a school - it is a community of people dedicated to helping each other grow into better human beings.

My 6-year-old daughter has been a student at Zhen Ren Chuan for almost a year and a half and it has been a great experience.  Charles and the assistant instructors combine just the right amount of discipline and gentle encouragement, which works like magic for getting a class of young kids to focus and follow instructions, while still having fun.  Charles is also heavily involved in the community and provides several opportunities for students to volunteer and give back. I highly recommend Zhen Ren Chuan if you are considering a martial arts studio in the Arlington area.

Our 6 year old loves going to Martial Arts class here (he is in the Peewee group). The instructors are very good with kids, especially Charles, the owner. Were very happy to have found this place, and strongly recommend it to others!

I highly recommend this center to anyone one looking into activites for their children. This had been by far one of the most positive and rewarding extra circular activity for my children and myself. It teaches them so many life lessons in a fun and exciting way. Everyone we have had as a teacher has been great. Charles is easy to talk to and very helpful, when I was looking for a center I went to many and I knew instantly after touring this center it was right for us. I highly recommend and encourage anyone curious to give a class a try!

Our family is very grateful to be part of a holistic and genuine community dedicated to, aptly named, (Zhen Ren Chuan) The Art of The True Human Being. The focus of instruction is dedicated to the constant development and expression of ones soul, integrating both internal and external worlds.Our experience is based, thus far, on the childrens classes. We find that the balance of life lessons concerning mental, spiritual, and physical integrity is emphasized remarkably well here. The culture of warmth, acceptance, and understanding is quite prevalent amongst all who attend, as well as, instruct. The positive engagements between one another carry over into a multitude of situations that are indefinitely applicable, outside of class.We find ourselves at peace, hearing how carefully words, gestures, and tones are chosen and communicated before, during, and after instruction. All activities are inclusive of various learning techniques, in an enjoyable and memorable manner. To see the impact of the overall alchemy that transpires on impressionable children (once they comprehend the messages and gain confidence in their truth), is assuring. It is acknowledged that all who walk through that front door of Zhen Ren Chuan, are gladly embraced and encouraged to participate in and contribute towards a transformative experience.Worth spending your time (schedule is flexible!), energy, and smiles here!

Zhen Ren is an amazing place! Both my children and myself have been training here here for about a year and couldnt be more pleased with how beneficial the experience has been in all aspects of our lives. Instructor Charles is extremely knowledgeable, patient and makes the demanding classes enjoyable. I wish I started my practice here earlier. I highly recommend.

This is an excellent way to instill character, strength (mental and physical), discipline, and great life skills. Each kid is treated as an individual, and there is ample flexibility in the schedule to fit busy lifestyles.I knew this was a special place when I heard the instructor mention something on the lines of - You have to visualize yourself performing an activity before you actually do it, for best chances of success.

We have sent our son to other martial arts schools in the area that were not able to control 5 and 6 year olds. At this age it is less about the actual punches and more about self control, listening and respect. Instructor Charles had my (very antsy) son listening within the first 3 minutes of meeting him. He has a very nice way of getting the kids to listen, learn and respect the instructor, the other students and the school. There is also a good mix of learning movements, generallessons and expending the energy that is needed in order for them to focus again. My only wish was it was easier to observe the class. I do however think that helps kids focus because they aren’t worrying about their parents watching. Then again this school isn’t about me, it is about my son. I would highly recommend this school.

Both my daughter and I have trained here. I have been training for 3 years and always appreciate instructor Charles patience, skill and balance. Balancing the martial/self defense aspect with the personal growth is particularly challenging, and is done very well at this school

I enjoy learning with Instructor Charles, he has taught me more than just moves. His classes have helped me redefine myself, finding more physical and spiritual strength with every new lesson.Something that Im most grateful for is that as a new mom I dont have a lot of time for myself and Instructor Charles very kindly allowed me to bring my baby to the class and made sure of her comfort and safety during it.

Instructor Charles is absolutely wonderful! He has worked wonders for my son and continues to do so. He has taught my son not only martial arts but, also manners, self discipline, meditation, how to speak up, how to listen, and given him the confidence which he didn’t have up until a few months ago before we came to Zhen Ren Chuan! We have seen many good changes come from my son coming here and many others have told us the same. Instructor Charles and the other instructors are amazing and extremely patient. I would recommend any parent to bring their children here; you’ll see great changes that’ll help them now and in the future!Jatinder

From my freshman year to junior year in high school I was a student training at Zhen Ren Chuan with Instructor Charles. I also became an assistant during the summer programs offered to children during those years. The physical training along with schools values built my confidence, character and leadership skills to where the mindset I acquired helped inspire me to join the National Guard. I can honestly say my experiences here helped shape my life in the positive direction it is still going. I unfortunately dont have time to attend anymore as both a full-time student and worker but I wholeheartedly recommend; I will never forget the hours of practice and fun Ive enjoyed.

I would not recommend this Martial Arts studio. When you start you are forced to sign a 1 year irrevocable payment plan that ultimately adds up to well over $2K. Subsequently your child is asked to pay extra for demonstrations and worse, $25 for every time there is an examination which is presented as a requirement to increase a level. If you do not pay this sum, which may come up multiple times per month, you are relegated to repeating the same practices over and over again. Unfortunately and regrettably, we found the the organization to be driven by the need to derive additional revenue from the students than to be about their progress.

My name is Charles Im the business owner feel free to ask for me when you come in and I will work with you on a no cost private evaluation as we set your goals for the coming year. In 2018 Zhen Ren Chuan was recognized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as the Community Business of the Year. Please see this link for further information. http://arlington.wickedlocal.com/news/20180221/arlington-chamber-to-honor-new-community-businesses-of-year

My son started a few months ago and he absolutely loves it. Instructor Charles is a great teacher and role model, he teaches the children so much more than martial arts, he speaks to building character, honesty and the value of hard work. We would without hesitation , highly recommend this outstanding program!

Zhen Ren Chuan is a place where I have gained strength and have pushed myself to places I wasn’t sure I’d be able to go. After going to the gym for months and not quite seeing the results I wanted I was looking for something else to add to my routine. I found Zhen Ren Chuan while walking around Arlington center after meeting Instructor Charles for an introductory lesson I could see the benefits early on that this could have on the body and mind. I’ve found when I go to a class here that it really helps me clear my mind of anything that might of been bothering me from my day beforehand. Doing martial arts helps you stay present and when you leave class your mind feels cleansed of whatever was stressing you out. You forget all about it because you’re focused on your body and the task at hand. In the fast paced world we live in I think practicing martial arts is a great way to help you maintain a balance in your life. As someone who has never done any martial arts training like this before I’ve also really appreciated the patience of instructor Charles DeVirgilio and his staff. I’ve learned a lot in the first few months training here it hasn’t come without it’s challenges though I have had a lot to work on with body control but Instructor Charles is great at breaking down movements and will keep working with you and pushing you until you get them. My advice to any student starting out would be to give yourself time to overcome any challenges you have at the beginning with body control. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Everyone struggles with this at first to an extent some more then others. Patience and persistence are key if you want to see the improvements and results your seeking. It won’t happen overnight but I’ve found I have small breakthroughs every time I go to a class and those add up to bigger changes in your body control over time. I have seen major improvements in my balance and flexibility and have lost a significant amount of weight in the 3 months I’ve been studying at Zhen Ren Chuan. It’s a inspiring place to learn and grow both the teachers and fellow students are fantastic to work with.

My son (now 8 years old) and I have both been training at Zhen Ren Chuan for the last 4 years or so. I have studied at a number of Martial arts schools over the years, and I can say without hesitation that Zhen Ren Chuan is entirely in a class by itself. From my very first lesson with Instructor Charles, it was immediately clear to me that he teaches much more than just physical movements or techniques. I have learned more about myself and how to strive to become the kind of human being I want to be from Instructor Charles than most other people in my life. Furthermore, there is no one my wife and I trust more to help our son learn these lessons for himself. For anyone who is interested in a path to real personal growth through both hard work and genuine self-examination, I strongly recommend Zhen Ren Chuan Martial and Healing Arts.

Ive been attending Zhen Ren Chuan since May 2015 and have grown a lot as a martial artist. Instructor Charles does a great job contextualizing that practice as a practice for general quality of life, which has helped me in my professional life as well.

I have been training at Zhen Ren Chuan for about 7 years --- Instructor Charles has taught me a great deal regarding movement, self-defense and the mental and spiritual context for improving myself and increasing mindful awareness through the practice of tai chi, baghwa, and the other martial arts practiced at the school. It is a welcoming environment and offers many different types of training at different levels. Highly recommended.

Love this martial art school a lot!! The instructor is also very kind. I highly recommend this wonderful school!!!

I first encountered Zhen Ren Chuan through my son, now six, who has been studying there for about a year. Observing his classes with the youngest group of students, the “pee wees”, I was very impressed by how Instructor Charles keeps the class moving at a fast pace, while also being constantly aware of each student’s personal level of engagement. If a student’s mind is wandering, Instructor Charles notices immediately, and firmly but kindly helps the child regain focus. It is amazing to see a room full of five-year-olds working so hard and taking the training so seriously. I have seen my son, who is a natural day-dreamer, improve in his physical coordination and ability to focus on a task. ZRC has also recently added a component of parental and classroom teacher input into belt-level tests. Parents and teachers are asked to suggest areas of personal improvement, and will be asked about progress before the next promotion. In this way, the training is tied into the whole life, the whole person.After watching the positive effects of ZRC on my son, I decided to try the adult classes myself. Since my second child was born, I have been struggling with brain fog, difficulty focusing, and being on a short fuse emotionally. Since starting the training about two months ago, I have found myself finally breaking through the fog. I feel more energized. I am more able to stop procrastinating and focus on work tasks. I find it easier to laugh with my kids and enjoy their silliness, instead of being constantly annoyed and overwhelmed by the chaos. It is not just the regular exercise, because other exercise programs have not had this effect. Zhen Ren Chuan’s program combines the mental benefits of meditation, the physical benefits of regular exercise, and the camaraderie of a team sport. I recommend it highly.

A comprehensive approach to living and martial arts that includes meditation, informed instruction, personal attention, and giving back to the community. The area around the storefront, the flower boxes and small garden reflect the studios consideration of others and the care that is applied to the offerings, whether for young children or adults.

My 9 year old son has been a student of Instructor Charles at Zhen Ren Chuan for about 7 months now. It has been a completely positive experience for our family.Previously, my son was doing soccer and that was cheaper, but it was chaos. And he wasnt into it. We also tried T-ball, basketball and swimming, but none of those really worked. I think the reason why martial arts is great for my son is because he enjoys being in his body and he enjoys the fundamentals and movements; also he does well with the structure Instructor Charles places around the classes. There is a sense of camaraderie among the students, but it is non-competitive. And this is a real plus, I believe, for kids to be able to learn that the biggest challenge is to challenge yourself. Charles calls this Success, and I agree with him.At first I was a little concerned about the cost ($125 per month on my plan--it can be cheaper), but now it feels like a bargain. We go three days a week, and my son is on board. Once he is in his uniform it is martial arts time. Three days a week boils down to about 10 bucks a class and I think its a good value. The classes are well attended but never too full, and my son gets lots of personal attention (as do all the kids). He is learning a lot, and I can see from watching and observing the other kids and families that he has much more to learn. He knows it too.So, who is the Instructor Charles guy? Well, aside from being the heart and soul of the operation, Charles sets the standard for the school. He is friendly and welcoming, he invites respect, he in clear in his speech and expectations (a quality I really admire), he is fair, he is a natural teacher, he loves children, and he is very skilled in the martial arts. Is he strict? Yes. He is strict, but the kids know he is fair.What do the kids learn? Well, I have no background in martial arts, but my understanding is that Charles teaches Chinese-based kung-fu forms with a combination of tai chi forms. The kids also learn meditation techniques and self-defense. There is a great focus on martial arts fundamentals, flexibility, coordination, body awareness, personal conduct, school traditions (like rank, showing respect, etc) and learning a little bit about Chinese philosophy. They do not spar and they do not engage in any activities which are likely to cause an injury (I havent seen an injury in 7 months). The practicing they do with weapons appears to me to be more decorative routines that emphasize coordination and body awareness and NOT fighting.I think if you want your kids to be able to really beat on other kids, this is not the school. This school is much more likely to teach your kids to be disciplined and make good decisions....and to be able to protect themselves if needed.Bottom Line: I wouldnt change it! Its a great place. Great vibe. Charles is really cool and great with kids, and a fine martial arts instructor. Definitely come by and observe a class and even better if you can see a community demonstration. Its amazing to see what the kids (and the adults) do at their big events!The intangibles:-great location in Arlington Center-lots of girls. Not all boys-opportunities for adults to participate and/or train too-its fine to watch, all are welcome.

Excellent Martial & Healing Arts Environment – Having visited a number of schools during my stint in the area, I can comfortably and honestly say that Zhen Ren Chuan Martial Arts & Healing Center is one of the best. Both instructors are knowledgeable, dedicated and enthusiastic, and willing to work with students of all age and skill levels. During my time as a student there I would occasionally be in early enough to observe the kids classes taught by Mr. Charles DeVirgilio, the owner of the school, which was always a lot of fun. He would engage the kids with games and interesting learning devices to help teach them basics, and he always approached the classroom with great passion and a sense of humor which the children responded to and thoroughly enjoyed. It was great to watch some of the younger students move through the curriculum as they learned more intricate physical movements and important life lessons through their training. Zhen Ren Chuan is truly a gem in the realm of martial arts for kids-- where else are you going to find a group of five year olds who know (and can enthusiastically tell you.. at volume..!) the difference between victory and success? Who demonstrate control and respect to one another? Not many places, and certainly not many martial arts schools.The adult lessons were always demanding and invigorating. In addition to working well with kids, Mr. DeVirgilio runs a great adult class. There were many students I trained with during my time there who reached, and exceeded most if not all of their personal goals under the guidance of their teachers. Mr. Ian Factor, the senior instructor at the school, teaches the advanced classes at Zhen Ren, and I would not hesitate to say that he is one of the most qualified and inspiring teachers or practitioners active in the area.Most importantly, what was demonstrated at this school on a daily basis was the unwavering dedication of both instructors and students towards building a happy, healthy lifestyle for themselves, and maintaining a clean and inviting environment for their community.I highly recommend Zhen Ren Chuan to anyone interested in a serious education in martial training, either for themselves or their children