Practising tai chi can bring many physical, cognitive and emotional benefits. It improves balance, coordination, it can lower blood pressure and it develops muscle strength. It stimulates brain function and encourages a sense of confidence and calm.

So, what types of people can learn tai chi? Anyone, obviously! Young people, chair bound, those with different abilities, the aged or the middle aged. However, looking more closely at the nature of tai chi, only some people will last beyond a few weeks.

Tai chi is different from other exercise regimes. Tai chi movements and forms are taught. One lesson builds on to the next. Students accumulate knowledge and skills over time so a degree of competency is acquired. Tai chi classes are sequenced so participation is required on a regular and consistent basis. Turning up now again is not going to cut it.

Considering the above points, learning tai chi requires 3 things:

Commitment. I understand learning tai chi will take time. I will commit to attending 2 classes a week and to practice at least 10 minutes a day, each day.
Patience. I will be patient with myself. I will have no expectations about what I should be able to do, to learn, to remember. I am a clean slate.
Humility. I know I will make mistakes. This is part of the learning curve. I will accept constructive feedback, knowing it will help me develop a greater knowledge and understanding. I am a beginner. I will not compare myself to others.

Hopefully, the student will grow to love the challenges of learning tai chi, they will embrace the complexity of tai chi and will enjoy the sense of achievement and growth.

How long will this take? Some people just ‘get it’, while others need more time to absorb the many principles involved in movement, balance, breathing, intent and flow. Time is of little consequence. There’s no hurry forward.

Making ‘mistakes’: this is a good thing! Mistakes are an important part of learning. If we’re perfect, there’s nothing more to learn, nothing to challenge us, the journey has ended. Embrace mistakes, enjoy the challenge and immerse yourself in tai chi.

And, to illustrate how we should respond to our mistakes, here’s a fabulous video from Kelly Jawhari