Planning the Lesson

Planning each lesson will ensure classes run smoothly and, from week to week, there will be an obvious development of skills and principles. The instructor should be mindful of the following:

  • Each person leaves the class feeling uplifted

  • Your teaching has a natural progression

  • Explain concepts simply and vary explanations if a student has difficulty understanding instructions

  • Use imagery when explaining postures and techniques

  • Be confident with your own Form

  • Know how to break down each movement and each transition

  • Students may take 10 or 12 or 15 weeks to accomplish an ‘8 week’ programme.  The length of time in the teaching framework is not important and it is not an issue if students require further practice, repeating the previous week’s practice. 

  • Ask open questions – How did you feel?  What do you think you did well?  What would you like to improve?  Students will begin to identify whether they were relaxed, whether transitions were smooth, whether they remembered the sequence of the postures, etc.

  • During each session, make sure students have the opportunity to ask questions.  As students develop an understanding of tai chi, their questions will become more complex and thought provoking and can often be the subject of deep discussions.  Their understanding of various concepts can be gauged by the type of questions they ask.  Hence, encouraging questioning is an important tool in understanding the progress of the student.

  • If a student asks a difficult question, don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know, but I will find out for you and we can discuss it next week.’

  • The tai chi instructor should encourage independence in their students.  If students are constantly looking at sifu, or other students, their own form will not be grounded.  This will take many weeks (or months) but it is desirable that students gradually develop a certain amount of independence when practicing tai chi.

  • The tai chi instructor should encourage their students to set goals for themselves. 

  • The tai chi instructor should cultivate a friendly and inclusive environment

Sample Lesson Plan

Below is a simple lesson plan for a Beginner Tai Chi class

Salute (with explanation for new students)

Warm Up (10 mins)

  • Swing arms (emphasize turning from the waist)

  • Arm circles

  • Light stretches 

Relaxation (5 mins)

  • Hands on lower dantian and focus on breathing and relaxation (or, Zhan Zhuang)

Qigong (5 mins)

  • Rooster crowing in the morning

  • Separating heaven and earth

  • Wise owl turns its head

Principles of Movement (15 mins)

  • Shifting weight (from side to side, forward and back)

  • Stepping to the side (Cloud Hands stepping) (eyes looking forward)

  • Tai chi stepping (Yang style)

  • Tai Chi stepping with Zhan Zhuang arms

  • Practice turning from the waist

Tai Chi Form  (20 mins)

  • Commencement

  • Part Wild Horse’s Mane in bow stance

  • Part Wild Horse’s Mane with stepping

Cool Down (5 mins)

  • Gathering chi

  • Raise hands, opening chest

  • Arm circles

  • Pat downs

Salute