Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that consists of a sequence of movements performed in a slow graceful manner. It is often practiced to increase stamina, energy, flexibility, reduces stress and produces muscle strength. There are over 100 possible positions and movements in tai chi. You are given the option to choose several moves and stick to them. Anyone, regardless of physical capacity or age can perform tai chi. In addition, studies have shown that tai chi can help improve flexibility and balance and is especially helpful for preventing falls among senior citizens.
Step 1
Contact the main office in your local public park and ask if it has tai chi instructors that offer tai chi classes free of charge. Tai chi instructors normally have to register with the park office before they can teach there. Scout all the parks in your area during the morning to look for people performing tai chi exercises. If you do find a class, ask the instructor if she offers free classes. Most tai chi classes in parks are free or donation-based.
Step 2
Go to your local library and borrow a book about tai chi that includes pictures with descriptions of each movement. Some books come bundled with charts or audio aids. It is also beneficial to find a partner to practice with you so you can get a third person visual interpretation of each movement.
Step 3
Go to the video rental section of your local library and rent and watch a video about tai chi. When browsing through the video catalog, look for a video that is more up to date for better production quality and better picture. Additionally, take notes when watching a movement that confuses you; rewind to view these scenes again if needed.
Step 4
Learn tai chi online. There are numerous free tai chi videos and resources online. One example is martialartstutor.com, which lets you learn tai chi fast at home and at your own pace (see "Reference").
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