| Tai chi is a very deep internal martial art that | | | | this can put people off in the beginning, and I'd |
| covers a broad range of teachings from external | | | | suggest talking to a teacher, and maybe |
| physical movements and positions, through to | | | | scheduling some private lessons to begin with, and |
| internal breathing and meditation. | | | | maybe moving on to class lessons at a later date. |
| So, is it possible to learn tai chi online? | | | | If expense is the issue, then talk to an instructor, |
| Well, while it might be possible to learn some of | | | | they may be understanding, and as I've said, it is |
| the postures, and the very basics with exclusive | | | | possible to find free classes. Attend occasional |
| online learning, you would be unable to reach a | | | | classes when you can, and by all means |
| high level, and your progress would be slow. To | | | | supplement your instruction in classes with |
| get the most from learning tai chi, you really need | | | | research and study from online materials. |
| to be taught by a qualified instructor, and you | | | | I added 'not committed enough' because this is a |
| need immediate feedback about what you're | | | | reason for a lot of people, and I want you to be |
| doing. | | | | honest with yourself, and ask if that's a reason |
| However, there are some situations where | | | | you don't want to attend classes. If none of the |
| learning using online resources can be a benefit. So | | | | other reasons are appropriate, it's probably |
| the thing to do is to ask yourself why exactly | | | | because of commitment, so if you really want to |
| you want to learn without going to lessons. | | | | learn tai chi, strengthen your resolve. |
| The main reasons I can think of that people | | | | With all that being said, I still use online resources |
| would not go to a regular class are: | | | | to supplement my training. One of my favourite |
| - - Inaccessible - there are no regular classes | | | | resources is the great YouTube - there are so |
| nearby, or they're at times that are inappropriate | | | | many tai chi videos on YouTube theses days, |
| to the student | | | | that the form you're learning is no doubt on there |
| - - Lack of confidence | | | | too, probably performed by numerous different |
| - - Expense | | | | practitioners. |
| - - Not committed enough | | | | When I'm learning a form, I try my best to |
| These days, it's not difficult to find a tai chi | | | | remember how to do it at home, and if I get |
| instructor - there are classes in nearly every | | | | stuck, I find a video on YouTube of the form to |
| town and city in most parts of the world. Some | | | | give me some pointers - I'll follow the masters. |
| instructors even do lessons for free (I was | | | | This really accelerates my learning in class. |
| offered free lessons by an instructor many years | | | | Another thing that can help is to find a good |
| ago - he survived an accident because of his skill | | | | forum - there are forums for everything on the |
| in tai chi, and felt that he should pass his skill on | | | | net, find a tai chi forum that fits your sentiments |
| without charging so that he could help as many | | | | (some will focus more on the martial and external |
| people as possible). | | | | aspects, and some more on the internal and |
| However I realise for some people it will be | | | | health aspects). Get involved, and ask questions - |
| impossible to find regular classes nearby, or that | | | | people are often very helpful. It is important |
| time commitments prevent them from being able | | | | however to learn who you should listen to, and |
| to attend any of the nearby classes. If this is the | | | | who you shouldn't. |
| case I'd strongly suggest looking into the possibility | | | | So in conclusion, I strongly suggest you do all you |
| of weekend courses - often, big tai chi schools in | | | | can to find an instructor, but that you supplement |
| cities will run occasional weekend courses. | | | | this using the free resources available to you on |
| If the issue is a lack of confidence, I understand | | | | the internet. |