TEACHING TAI CHI

AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RESOURCES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE FOR ANYONE TEACHING TAI CHI

You may be a teacher of many years standing or a someone just wanting to share what you have learned. I hope this selection of resources will be useful to you for it includes: 3 Steps to Teaching Online, videos on keeping your tai chi fresh and alive, articles on the avoiding jargon in the classroom and links to the library of further resources on the training site.

*Plus, for ongoing ideas for workouts, warm-ups, webinars, discussions, exercises and running an online class, join the Academy as a Ninja and get access to all this every week plus the Tai Chi library of resources.

Whether you have been initiated as a Shaolin monk, an ordained Taoist priest or blessed by the Chen Village to go forth and spread the message, when it comes to teaching there is more to getting it right, than letters of introduction or the colour of your satin suit. Learning how to teach is as important as what to teach. And when you start, I’m hoping you’ll question whether you are the best candidate for the job. For that’s good, for this humility will guide your efforts.

But don’t let it get stop you either. Start with exploring who you are and what you can bring to your class. Want an example? Take a look at this…

TEAPOTMONK AND CUP OF TEA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

I started teaching Karate when I received my brown belt back in the 1970s. After working through different styles and practices, I qualified in teaching Health and fitness classes in the 80s, before focussing exclusively on Tai Chi from the 1990s. I taught in gyms, martial-art studios, town-halls, evening classes, hospitals and community centres and since 2015 online.

My approach is to teach Tai Chi as a language of the body, which I found helpful when I started teaching in Spanish during the 20 years I lived in that country. Being an English guy, teaching a Chinese art in Spanish could have been confusing - for both my students and I - but I always reminded myself that the essentials of the art were rooted in simplicity, direct communication and leaving the ideas to take root in the lives of those around me.

OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME

➠ Just Start. People might say you need to have been training for 20 years before showing others what you now. This is nonsense.

If you know more than the person you are teaching, then go ahead. Yes, you may make mistakes, but hey, so do teachers with 20 years experience. Don’t let that put you off. Teaching (and making mistakes) is part of our learning, and is all part of the process that will help consolidate our knowledge and skills.

Where to start? Well, there is no universal formulae for teaching. But you may find the following helpful:

  1. Looking for ongoing help and a library of resources with back-up support? Take a look at the 🥷 Ninja membership over on the training site.

  2. 👉 Or if you are looking for a one of resource - with inspiration for classes, training ideas, exercises, drills and themes. Take a look at the comprehensive Workout Library that is building throughout 2022.

Need more help? 📩 Contact me anytime here.

THE ESSENTIAL FIRST 3 STEPS TO TEACHING ONLINE

  • part 1 essential tools for teaching online

    1: Essential hardware

    Part 1 in the series looks at Hardware - the essential tools you will need to record raw footage to later use for classes. Working with just a smartphone you can do everything these days, but there are also benefits to acquiring this list of accessories including tripods, mics, and green screens.

    Read the Hardware article
  • Software for teaching online

    2: Essential software

    In part 2 of this series, we focus on the software that will help you turn your raw footage into a slick series of tutorials using either free or cheap programs for your phone or laptop. From editing videos, creating gif and short snippets to designing attractive thumbnails for promotional use.

    Read the Software article
  • Comparing platforms for teaching online

    3 Essential Platforms

    In the final part of this series, we look at where to host your material so that students will be able to easily access your resources, classes, webinars etc. I compare and evaluate 4 different platforms: Teachable, Udemy, Gumroad and Podia and look at each explaining why I joined them, and why I left (most of) them. Updated for 2022

    Read the Platfroms article

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Eliminate the complex and uncover the simplicity in Tai Chi with these 3 videos examples on general principles and guidelines. Free to watch

Sessions on Teaching Practices

MORE RESOURCES

If you are already teaching or want more resources and support then take a look at joining the Academy as a Ninja. You’ll get access to full library and all the workouts this year for inspiring add-ons to your classes.

Get access to weekly workout suggestions and sessions, the tai chi library, all the teaching webinars, mini-courses on postures, drills and warms-ups, audio recordings, worksheets and more.

More free teaching articles…

teapotmonk walking with hands in pockets

NOW COME AND VISIT THE TRAINING HALL

NOW COME AND VISIT THE TRAINING HALL