Tai Chi Master? 7 Qualities of a Good Teacher of Tai Chi

Tai Chi Master? In this video I am going to talk about 7 qualities of a Good Teacher of Tai Chi. There are many teachers of Tai Chi out there, but it is extremely challenging to find a good teacher and one that can elevate your tai chi learning.

If you want to learn tai chi, finding a good Tai Chi teacher is a must. It can be confusing because many unqualified teachers assume names such as “Master” or “Sifu” which may lend assumed credibility without the substance behind it. In truth there are very few true Tai Chi Masters so it is unlikely that in the beginning you will study with a true Tai Chi Master.

However, there are still great tai chi teachers out there. So let’s take a look at the qualities you should look for in a good Tai Chi (or Qigong) teacher so you can learn tai chi well.

First and foremost figure out if they are really teaching Tai Chi! I have had students come to me after years of being with a so called Tai Chi instructor only to find out what they learned is not Tai Chi at all or was some hybrid form of exercise that may have included a resemblance of Tai Chi but was not Tai Chi. Familiarize yourself with some basics of what Tai Chi is and isn’t. For instance, you can peruse my YouTube channel! Yes, that is a plug! Lol (and don’t forget to subscribe please!)

Look for substance instead of uniforms, titles and formalities. My experience is true Masters of Tai Chi often wear t-shirts, and are cloaked in unassuming humility. My Master wore a t-shirt and loose exercise pants when he taught. By the way - He never posted on FB. He did write a book though! The best Tai Chi teachers can be overlooked if you don’t have a keen eye. Search for the essence of Tai Chi, not the outward appearance of Tai Chi.

A word on Tai Chi certifications. For those most involved in Tai Chi, certifications are considered fluff. Sometimes we have to get certified for the contract with the local facility, but a certification in the real world of Tai Chi, often means little, especially one that is obtained over a short time, like a weekend! It is like saying you are certified in Life. Tai Chi is as big and as vast as life. Getting certified in Life would be a laughable achievement! If the instructor touts their certification, maybe have a quiet question mark in the back of your mind.

Ask your potential Tai Chi teacher these two questions and see what their answer is:
What is Tai Chi?
What are the Benefits of Tai Chi?

Listen carefully to their answers. You will be able to discern. Feel their heart as they speak. Are they enthusiastic? Can you feel their passion for Tai Chi? Trust your instincts. Furthermore, can they articulate the answer (good communication), are they answering with authority (confidence), is their answer accurate (credibility) and are they educating with a kind and patient heart (non-condescending)?

5. Watch their Tai Chi. Look for ease of movement, flow and a certain outward viscosity to their movements (Qi). If they are rhythmic, clunky, stop and go they may not a good choice. Also look at their Kua. The Kua is the hip area. I think you can discern so much about a Tai Chi practitioner by what is happening in their Kua. It should be down and back, in a position of receiving. Not forward and flat. You should see a crease or see a gentle arch right here. What’s happening at the Kua is sort of a tell to their level of Tai Chi and Tai Chi understanding.

6. Do they TEACH the MOVEMENTS or is it just follow along. A good teacher of Tai Chi will actually teach you the movements. A great Tai chi teacher will teach you HOW to move with good posture and alignment and internal principles which will apply to all Tai Chi styles and movements. Just following along is not a quality of a good Tai Chi teacher.

7. Learning TAI CHI SHOULD BE FUN! If your teacher is way too serious, never laughs, and is all about correcting minutia, well….you might want to look elsewhere. You should laugh, you should feel energized and revitalized, and even inspired.

That is it! Now go find a good teacher of Tai Chi! In the meantime, you can watch some of my videos, subscribe and leave some comments. Your engagement helps my channel so thanks for watching.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Tai Chi Terminology
01:05 What is a Tai Chi Master?
02:10 Seven Qualities of a good teacher of Tai Chi
02:17 Are they Teaching Tai Chi?
03:00 Substance over Appearances
03:37 Qualifications/Certifications?
04:30 Ask them these two Tai Chi questions
05:35 Watch Their Tai Chi - Is it Good Tai Chi?
07:15 Teaching or just follow along Tai Chi?
07:40 Are you having fun?

For private lessons, retreats, workshops and live streaming lessons & classes, please visit me at: www.taichisusan.com

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Thanks for letting me part of your Tai Chi Journey!