How to Become a Tai Chi Teacher

Tai chi instructors get a tremendous amount of satisfaction watching their students go through gentle movements that improve energy, strength and balance. The simple routines of tai chi have changed lives by rebuilding minds, bodies and spirits. Tai chi uses low-impact exercises and simple body movements that eventually strengthen the muscles and steady the body. The ancient art of tai chi in a sense retrains the brain to make the body alert. It is for people of all ages. In fact, seniors have been known to use it to return balance to once unsteady bodies following stroke, arthritis and other disorders that afflict their age group.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Educational materials
• Courses
• Instructors

1. Check out or buy DVDs, watch special TV programs, visit websites or read articles on tai chi. There are free instructional videos available from such people as Master Jesse Tsao or from companies such as include Tai Chi Healthways. There is much more information on tai chi today than just a decade ago.

2. Find a tai chi class or studio that specializes in tai chi or includes it in its martial arts curriculum. Everyday Tai Chi is a wonderful organization that can point you to the variety of classes you can take. Many martial arts instructors at local teaching centers have added tai chi to their education in recent years because of its growing popularity in the West.

3. Learn the importance of the slow-moving form of tai chi. You will soon notice a smoothness in your motions and an elimination of tension throughout your body. When you get to the point when you feel as if you can move your body like a master conducting a symphony orchestra, it may be time to seek teacher certification. Your certification instructor should know such exercises as "push hands." Have your instructor push you so you can feel if he or she has some power. Ask if you can push the instructor so you can feel if her or she knows how to neutralize a push.

4. Look for a class, school, institute or center that offers tai chi teacher certification. Some classes offer about 200 hours of training in order to receive their certification. Many practitioners of tai chi believe it is the instruction itself that allows a person to teach others the art, and they do not relate to any kind of certification. But an institute or class that specializes in tai chi offers teacher certification for acceptance as an instructor in our culture. Organizations such as the Taoist Tai Chi Society and others offer certification and continuing education courses on tai chi.

5. Know that the learning of tai chi can be a lifelong process, even when you are an instructor. So continuing education courses are offered. Many people want to know more about the teaching of tai chi so they can use it better in their particular professions, such as in the health-care or recreational fields.

Tips & Warnings

• When first starting to look for good tai chi teachers, asked about their training and what they have learned. Asked them about the things you had read about or watched during your initial learning, so you have an idea if the instructor is in the same mindset as you.

Resources

• Finding a tai chi teacher
• Everyday Tai Chi
• Tai Chi Healthways
• International Taoist Tai Chi Society

Who Can Help Sponsored

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on 11/7/2009 Great article. I will look at these websites.