I am on a mission to get the most people practicing tai chi as possible. I hear it in my class all the time that so many lifelong practitioners began tai chi because they saw a tai chi dvd or video online, it introduced them to the art, and they began their life long journey. But probably just as many people may have tried a not-so-great video and just figured tai chi was not for them.
As a whole, good tai chi videos online fall into four categories: easy, beginner, advanced, and specific videos that are intended for a population such as seniors or for a goal such as relaxation.
Here we are going to share the best tai chi videos for seniors, beginners or people who want an easy start. We’ll describe the difference between the three so that you know which one is right for you. We are not affiliated with anyone you see here. They are just doing good work so we are happy to share.
If You Are Looking For Tai Chi Instruction Videos, Free Might Not Get You What You Want
Before we begin, I have to tell you truth about many of the free ta chi instruction videos because I don’t want you to get disappointed. They are a perfect introduction to tai chi but if you are serious about starting tai chi, the free videos on YouTube might frustrate you or worse yet, cause you to quit. Here’s why:
- The audio can be questionable
- They aren’t typically taught in sections
- You usually only see the front angle
- It may not be a traditional form which means you won’t find someone to practice with
- You can’t ask the teacher a question
The good news is that there are a few great tai chi instructional videos online. You just have to pay a few bucks. We reviewed our best-of for the best-price for you to read next or when you are ready for complete instruction.
There is no 1 Best Tai Chi Video, You Need Best-For-You
People who haven’t done tai chi before often believe it is just one thing. This is totally understandable. I think there is only one way to knit. I bet I just made knitters drop their pin cushions and fall over with laughter. But, I don’t know any better because I haven’t ever done any knitting. Same holds true for tai chi. There are forms that are easy and hard, for beginners and advanced students, tai chi youtube forms for anyone and forms modified for seniors. So we have to make sure that you find the best tai chi videos on YouTube that match who you are and what you want out of it.
Specific Tai Chi Videos for Seniors
If you are a senior, welcome! You are probably feeling that there are limited options for fitness activities already and may have some goals in mind such as muscle strength, balance, or attending group activities. All of this is possible and you can find a lot of tai chi videos for seniors.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that tai chi is JUST for old people. In China and increasingly in Western countries, tai chi is done by everyone. The difference is that tai chi is STILL done in later decades. There are a real limited number of “lifetime sports” like golf, tennis, or swimming. Tai chi is one of these sports that can be done forever and just gets modified as you go along. The reason why you see seniors doing tai chi is that it is good for them and they can do it well.
I certainly don’t or can’t do the sports I did as a child. But I can do tai chi now, and can continue to do the form standing and then sitting for the rest of my life. Here are some tai chi vides for seniors on YouTube with standing and sitting examples.
Best Tai Chi Video for Seniors Seated and Standing
Seated Tai Chi Exercises
This one is really nice to follow along to because it has nice music and David-Dorian Ross took the time to film it in a really nice looking place.
Tai Chi and Qigong for Seniors
This tai chi video for seniors was put together by the Toronto Brain and Spine Center. It is also outside and the quality of the voiceover is great. What is unique about this video is that it is a series of useful movements that combine tai chi and qi gong. If you are not familiar with qi gong, it is a moving meditation practice and you can learn more about it in this article.
Top Tai Chi YouTube Videos for Beginners
The best tai chi videos on YouTube for beginners give you an introduction to the art, teach a handful of movements that contain the core postures of tai chi, and don’t overwhelm you with foreign vocabulary or concepts. Beginners means beginners! We’ve tried to exclude videos with too much Chinese terminology, were too long, or had complicated movements
In our favorite choice here, Chris Pei combines a bit about tai chi and its history which is pretty interesting. Then, the form is demonstrated with a voiceover. He is really methodical about talking you through the different body parts so that you can make adjustments from the toes to the top of the head as you go along. This one is about an hour and he has put together some really nice tai chi videos for beginners for free. He also has paid courses which are worthwhile after he has demonstrated his level of expertise.
Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Beginners Videos
If you have been looking around for tai chi videos for beginners, Paul Lam’s videos and name have probably come up several times. There is a very good reason for this. He is a medical doctor as well as a high level tai chi practitioner. He not only runs a medical practice but a martial arts institute. For those of you wanting some research and data about the benefits of tai chi, he sprinkles that throughout his videos. He also talks about the practical aspects of practicing such as how long you should do it, where, etc.
Tai Chi for Beginners Videos – 30 minutes
I wanted to include one more here that is a bit shorter (about 30 minutes) and is led by a female instructor. Tai chi on YouTube is dominated by male teachers performing the form but women are often more adept at tai chi early on. This comment isn’t meant to be sexist but the fact is that as we advance in tai chi we learn to improve our posture, move gracefully, and rely on intrinsic strength rather than external strength. I will add to this that a person who has done choregraphed physical movements (dance, yoga) has an easier time memorizing the movements of tai chi. So you, man or woman, will benefit greatly from seeking out tai chi on YouTube lead by women. Men, you (me!) need to see what soft, strong movement looks like. Women, you need to see what is possible and how much a class benefits from your presence.
Finding Easy Tai Chi Videos
If you have stopped and started one or more tai chi YouTube videos or are trying to figure out which tai chi dvd on Amazon to pick, then this section is for you. Some teachers, as skilled as they are, forget what it is like to be new to tai chi. They can move through the form too quickly or skip over parts. This is true whether you are in a class or watching online. Easy tai chi doesn’t mean bad tai chi. If taught right, it is just the boiling down of the essentials so that you benefit from tai chi immediately and don’t abandon it. Here is another David Dorian Ross video. In his easy tai chi videos he mainly stays in one spot and the movements are joined by written explanations that pop into the sides of the video to enhance what is going on.
Easy Tai Chi Video Broken Into Segments
Last one! I wanted to include an easy video that is broken into doable segments. This is another great tai chi you tube video series if you have been overwhelmed by other programs. You can work on this video and move on to the next segment once you have it memorized.
If you have doubts about whether you can learn tai chi from a video, read this next. Then find out what path most people are on.
