A curated collection of guides, practices, books, videos, and other resources for exploring Tai Chi, Qigong, and mindful living.
🌿 Start Here
New to Tai Chi?
A few answers to common questions.
Is Tai Chi difficult to learn?
Tai Chi has a learning curve, but you don’t need to be flexible or experienced to begin. Start by following the movement; understanding develops with practice.
Why is Tai Chi so slow?
Slow movement gives us time to notice balance, alignment, tension, breathing, and how the body moves as a whole.
Do I need to memorize the whole form?
No. In the beginning, following along is enough. Over time, the movements become familiar and you can begin to explore their deeper principles.
What’s the difference between Tai Chi and Qigong?
They overlap, but they aren’t the same. Qigong often focuses on cultivating qualities such as breathing, relaxation, posture, and attention, while Tai Chi explores these qualities through connected movement and form.
What should I wear to class?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely. Comfortable, stable shoes are recommended; you don’t need any special Tai Chi clothing or equipment.
Can I practice Tai Chi at home?
Once you learn the basic movements, practicing at home can be a wonderful way to build familiarity and make Tai Chi part of your routine. Start with a short, comfortable practice and focus on moving slowly and mindfully rather than trying to perfect the entire form.
🎥 Video & Music For Practice
Selected videos and online resources for practice and exploration, along with a few pieces of music I enjoy for creating a calm practice atmosphere.
Practice With Me
Follow-Along Tai Chi
A gentle follow-along practice to help you become familiar with Tai Chi movement.
Recommended Videos
A few videos from other instructors that I find useful for practice, learning, and exploring different approaches.
Qigong
Eight Brocades
A gentle introduction to this traditional Qigong practice. I like this video because it shows the front and back views together and explains the movements step by step. The movements are somewhat different from the version we practice in class, but it can still be a helpful reminder for follow-along practice.
Tai Chi Forms
A few demonstrations I enjoy for exploring different Tai Chi styles and forms.
Chang Style Tai Chi by Dr. Chi-Hsiu D. Weng
This is where my own Tai Chi journey began. Once upon a time, I watched this video almost every evening and practiced in our backyard. It remains a significant part of my Tai Chi story.
Yang Style Tai Chi by Master Wu A-min
A clear demonstration of Yang-style Tai Chi. She was my mother‘s favorite instructor, which makes this video especially meaningful to me.
Music for Practice
Tai Chi practice doesn’t require music. But for beginners, a gentle rhythm can sometimes help with pacing and make it easier to stay with the flow of movement. If you enjoy practicing with music, below is one piece you might like to try. This is the one I enjoy while practicing Tai Chi and Qigong.
Tai Chi Practice Music, with Chinese Gu Qin and flute
A note on online practice: Online videos can be useful for practice, but they vary in teaching style and quality. Choose practices appropriate for your experience and listen to your body.
📚 Reading & Learning
Books and classic texts that have influenced my understanding, teaching, and practice.
Tai Chi & Qigong
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi by Peter M. Wayne, PhD, with Mark L. Fuerst
What it is: A bridge between traditional Tai Chi principles and modern medical research.
Why I recommend it: A useful starting point for anyone curious about both the traditional practice and what contemporary research can—and cannot—tell us about it.
Chang Style Tai Chi Chuan: Modified Short Form by Dr. Chi-Hsiu D. Weng
What it is: A book from my Tai Chi teacher, Grandmaster Dr. Chi-Hsiu D. Weng, whose teaching has been an important part of my journey.
Why I recommend it: This is the form I first learned and practiced, and it remains personally meaningful to me.
Daoist Philosophy
Tao Te Ching (道德經) by Laozi (老子)
What it is: One of the foundational texts of Daoist philosophy. Its reflections on the Dao, simplicity, naturalness, softness, balance, and non-forcing have deeply influenced Chinese thought and culture.
Why I recommend it: For me, reading it offers another way to think about some of the principles we encounter through Tai Chi.
Zhuang zi (莊子) by Zhuang zi
What it is: One of the two foundational texts of classical Daoist thought, traditionally associated with the philosopher Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BCE). Through stories, paradoxes, humor, and imaginative tales, it explores themes such as freedom, naturalness, perspective, and living in harmony with the Dao.
Why I recommend it: Zhuangzi was a wonderful storyteller. Many of the stories and ideas we explore in class come from this book. I especially enjoy how he uses simple, sometimes humorous stories to invite us to look at life—and ourselves—from a different perspective.
🔗 FURTHER EXPLORATION
A small collection of trusted external resources for those who want to learn more.
🔬 Health & Research
Explore evidence and research on Tai Chi, Qigong, acupuncture, and integrative health.
Harvard Medical School / Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
An evidence-based introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, Tai Chi, Qigong, and related practices from the National Institutes of Health.
🏮 Daoism, History and Traditional Chinese philosophy
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — Daoism
A scholarly introduction to Daoist philosophy, including Laozi, Zhuangzi, Dao, and related ideas.