Mastering Tai Chi

Course Overview

Step on the path to balance, wisdom, willpower, compassion, and enlightenment with this comprehensive course on tai chi. Mastering Tai Chi combines health and longevity practices with martial arts, promoting harmony and balance through gentle, flowing movements. These accessible techniques improve posture and are suitable for all fitness levels.

Taught by International Master Tai Chi Instructor David-Dorian Ross, this course features 24 half-hour lessons centered around the Yang-style 40-movement form. Each lesson is designed to guide you toward personal mastery, enriching your physical and mental well-being.

Course Lessons

1. The Path toward Mastery

Begin your journey by discovering the philosophy behind taijiquan and practicing fundamental stances used in the Yang-style 40-movement form.

Duration: 37 min

2. Harmony Is the Ultimate Goal

Learn about the principles of harmony in tai chi and practice the first two movements: commencing and grasp the bird’s tail.

Duration: 32 min

3. Walking like a Cat

Explore mindful awareness in tai chi while practicing the single whip and step up and raise hands movements.

Duration: 32 min

4. Mind over Muscles

Understand power through intention, and practice movements like white crane spreads its wings and brush knee and twist step.

Duration: 28 min

5. Taming the Monkey Mind

Cultivate mental focus by releasing tension and practicing forms like hands strum the pipa and parry and punch.

Duration: 31 min

6. The Bow and Arrow

Learn to craft noble desires through tai chi movements, including sealing and closing and diagonal flying.

Duration: 28 min

7. Practicing in a Small Space

Study the Qigong form “8 pieces of brocade” and discover tips for practicing tai chi in limited space.

Duration: 31 min

8. Hips and Waist: The Center Is the Commander

Focus on how your hips and waist lead movement while practicing punches in the form: punch under elbow and repulse the monkey.

Duration: 30 min

9. Feet: Separate Empty from Full

Master a stepping practice to understand balance and leverage, applying this knowledge to movements like fair lady works at the shuttles.

Duration: 31 min

10. Shoulders: Finding Reasons to Let Go

Learn to relax your shoulders and improve your flow with the movement cloud hands.

Duration: 31 min

11. Inside Reflects the Outside

Discover how intention guides movement in tai chi while practicing high pat on horse and kick with right heel.

Duration: 32 min

12. Chest, Posture, and the Natural Curve

Explore body posture and curves that enhance movement efficiency while learning box both ears and separate the left foot.

Duration: 30 min

13. Bring Out Your Flow

Review movements you’ve learned and practice flow with the tai chi staff, reinforcing the connection between movements.

Duration: 30 min

14. Transitions as Smooth as Silk

Learn about the connection between silk and tai chi movements, focusing on smooth transitions while practicing turn body and kick with heel.

Duration: 32 min

15. Legs to Arms: Connecting Upper and Lower

Understand how upper and lower body movements connect while practicing movements such as open arms like a fan.

Duration: 31 min

16. A Movable Meditation

Experience tai chi as a form of moving meditation and review previous movements in the lesson turn and pat the foot.

Duration: 30 min

17. Bouncing Away Conflict

Explore the eight original intentions of tai chi and their applications for conflict management while practicing snake creeps down.

Duration: 33 min

18. The Peaceful Warrior

Reflect on tai chi philosophy and learn the next movements in the form: rooster stands on one leg and punch groin.

Duration: 32 min

19. Qigong Breathing

Integrate qigong meditative breathing into your tai chi practice while reviewing the moves you’ve learned.

Duration: 33 min

20. Partners: The Whole Body Is the Hand

Learn the pushing hands game with a partner, an essential tai chi chuan exercise that increases sensitivity and understanding.

Duration: 32 min

21. Five Stages of Mastery

Explore the legacy of influential tai chi masters and learn a new hand position while practicing seven stars posture.

Duration: 31 min

22. Lotus Kick and Laughing Buddha

Contemplate life through tai chi lessons and practice step back to ride the tiger and turn body and lotus kick.

Duration: 30 min

23. Conserve Your Energy

Understand how to circulate and cultivate chi through relaxation practices while performing the form.

Duration: 33 min

24. Another River to Cross

Conclude with the final movements of the form and reflect on your tai chi journey, recognizing the lifelong benefits of this practice.

Duration: 32 min