CAN YOU LEARN TAI CHI ONLINE?
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For some people it's a crazy idea to think that you can learn Tai Chi online? But these days you can learn to swim, learn to fish and learn almost anything online. In this short article, the teapotmonk explores the top 5 reasons more and more people are choosing to learn tai chi online.
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5 REASONS WHY EACH YEAR MORE PEOPLE START LEARNING TAI CHI ONLINE
People think that learning Tai Chi online is all to do with the age of the internet. That's partly true - as today we have faster connection speeds and mobile devices. But there are other important reasons too. After teaching in local classes for over 20 years, I began teaching online about 5 years ago, when students pointed out to me 5 important advantages of online classes.
WE ALL LEARN AS INDIVIDUALS
1: WE ALL LEARN TAI CHI IN DIFFERENT WAYS
We all learn in different ways. When a teacher shows a new move, some people learn it straight away, others need to have it repeated 20 times. Some people learn by watching, others by doing and yet others by having it explained in detail. Some people have had experience with other martial arts, or sports and they will learn moves quickly. Others have difficulty with balance or co-ordination and need more time. It's difficult to balance all these needs in the same class. We are all different.
Learning online means you get to play back the move as often as you need. If you need to see it 30 times - no problem. You won't be holding the class up as you are working at your own pace, according to your own abilities.
We all learn in different ways. When a teacher shows a new move, some people learn it straight away, others need to have it repeated 20 times. Some people learn by watching, others by doing and yet others by having it explained in detail. Some people have had experience with other martial arts, or sports and they will learn moves quickly. Others have difficulty with balance or co-ordination and need more time. It's difficult to balance all these needs in the same class. We are all different.
Learning online means you get to play back the move as often as you need. If you need to see it 30 times - no problem. You won't be holding the class up as you are working at your own pace, according to your own abilities.
CHOOSE WHEN AND WHERE YOU TAKE A CLASS
2: IF YOU HAVE TO MISS A TAI CHI CLASS - NO PROBLEM
If you can attend a regular class every week at the same time and on the same day, that is great. However, if work or family pressures prevent you from committing yourself to a regular time, the same day each week, then finding a class is almost impossible. Nurses, taxi-drivers, shift workers, doctors and teachers work when they are most needed, so what other choice do these people have?
Online classes mean that you fit the class into your schedule and not the other way round. If you want to practice a class at 3am or 3pm thats up to you. Want to practice 2 classes back to back? That's up to you. Want t practice once a day or once a month - it's all down to you.
And what about when you get sick? What happens when you take that holiday? Missing a one or two classes may mean you begin to fall behind and might have to struggle to catch up. The class will have moved on to new postures.
With online classes you never feel you are lagging behind or waiting for others to catch up. You move at your own pace. Take a class with you on holiday with you if you wish. They are there for you to pick up whenever and wherever it's right for you.
If you can attend a regular class every week at the same time and on the same day, that is great. However, if work or family pressures prevent you from committing yourself to a regular time, the same day each week, then finding a class is almost impossible. Nurses, taxi-drivers, shift workers, doctors and teachers work when they are most needed, so what other choice do these people have?
Online classes mean that you fit the class into your schedule and not the other way round. If you want to practice a class at 3am or 3pm thats up to you. Want to practice 2 classes back to back? That's up to you. Want t practice once a day or once a month - it's all down to you.
And what about when you get sick? What happens when you take that holiday? Missing a one or two classes may mean you begin to fall behind and might have to struggle to catch up. The class will have moved on to new postures.
With online classes you never feel you are lagging behind or waiting for others to catch up. You move at your own pace. Take a class with you on holiday with you if you wish. They are there for you to pick up whenever and wherever it's right for you.
PICK YOUR TEACHER FROM ANYWHERE
3: A GLOBAL CHOICE OF TAI CHI TEACHERS AND STYLES
There are many varieties of Tai Chi out there, all with different content, different approaches to teaching and all falling into two major camps: a martial art or health art. So you need to decide which you are looking for, and what sort of teacher you want? Someone who has won medals, trophies and has certificates on their wall or someone who can explain in simple terms how to do the moves? A teacher that is serious or one that laughs a lot? Someone who listens or someone who speaks a lot?
With Online classes you have a world of classes to choose from. It pays to look around and evaluate: the teacher, the style and the content. Try a session online - most offer a free taster session. And don't confine yourself to just a locality. The world, literally, is your oyster.
There are many varieties of Tai Chi out there, all with different content, different approaches to teaching and all falling into two major camps: a martial art or health art. So you need to decide which you are looking for, and what sort of teacher you want? Someone who has won medals, trophies and has certificates on their wall or someone who can explain in simple terms how to do the moves? A teacher that is serious or one that laughs a lot? Someone who listens or someone who speaks a lot?
With Online classes you have a world of classes to choose from. It pays to look around and evaluate: the teacher, the style and the content. Try a session online - most offer a free taster session. And don't confine yourself to just a locality. The world, literally, is your oyster.
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS
4: CARBON FOOTPRINTS, THE ENVIRONMENT & DIGITAL CONTENT
Leave only a minimal footprint! A truly Taoist approach to learning. No travel time, no travel costs and no parking issues.
Content: Often classes just do not have the time to teach anything more than the basic moves only. Class times, room rentals, student numbers and expectations mean few teachers get to vary what they offer.
With online classes, you get to choose which aspects interest you. Prefer to work more on balance and coordination? No problem. Less on martial applications and more on breathing? No problem. Like to learn something of the history of Tai Chi? The culture? The philosophy? No problem.
Leave only a minimal footprint! A truly Taoist approach to learning. No travel time, no travel costs and no parking issues.
Content: Often classes just do not have the time to teach anything more than the basic moves only. Class times, room rentals, student numbers and expectations mean few teachers get to vary what they offer.
With online classes, you get to choose which aspects interest you. Prefer to work more on balance and coordination? No problem. Less on martial applications and more on breathing? No problem. Like to learn something of the history of Tai Chi? The culture? The philosophy? No problem.
COMPARE THE PRICES OF CLASSES
5: AN AFFORDABLE TAI CHI PROGRAMME
Here in the UK, classes vary from around £8 an hour to £15 or more. Attending just ONE class a week, over the course of a month you will pay between £30-70 per month. This doesn't take into account time and money to travel to and from each class.
Online classes vary in price, according to quality and the content they offer. Some offer just the moves, others offer background, training manuals and support. For example - Take a look at my Complete Tai Chi Course for example: it contains 12 months of workshops with over a 100 training videos, 12 workbooks and lots of materials - and costs £150. That's approximately £12 per month for classes on Breathing, Posture, warm up exercises, Tai Chi Form, applications, history and culture - every month!
Here in the UK, classes vary from around £8 an hour to £15 or more. Attending just ONE class a week, over the course of a month you will pay between £30-70 per month. This doesn't take into account time and money to travel to and from each class.
Online classes vary in price, according to quality and the content they offer. Some offer just the moves, others offer background, training manuals and support. For example - Take a look at my Complete Tai Chi Course for example: it contains 12 months of workshops with over a 100 training videos, 12 workbooks and lots of materials - and costs £150. That's approximately £12 per month for classes on Breathing, Posture, warm up exercises, Tai Chi Form, applications, history and culture - every month!
Questions to ask yourself
FINAL ADVICE
My final words of advice are to take a good look around. Check out your neighbourhood and go and watch any class that is running near to where you live or work. See what you think of the teacher, the students and the atmosphere. Ask yourself the 5 Questions above and then check out the online offers, there are no plenty of good schools online that offer free introductions, breathing courses, Form courses, Complete Tai Chi course and even Tai Chi Sword for beginners. Every year there is a better choice online. Good luck with your search and let me know if I can help. You can always email me here.
Find out more about the range of online classes here.
My final words of advice are to take a good look around. Check out your neighbourhood and go and watch any class that is running near to where you live or work. See what you think of the teacher, the students and the atmosphere. Ask yourself the 5 Questions above and then check out the online offers, there are no plenty of good schools online that offer free introductions, breathing courses, Form courses, Complete Tai Chi course and even Tai Chi Sword for beginners. Every year there is a better choice online. Good luck with your search and let me know if I can help. You can always email me here.
Find out more about the range of online classes here.
