Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How much time will it take up?
Answer: There is little point in paying for Tai Chi classes if you only come once a week, and do not practise in between. The Chen Form has 74 moves and the Yang form is even longer at 108.  They take about 20 to 25 minutes to perform and have to be carefully memorised.  Sections are added from week to week and failure to memorise one section properly before moving on to the next will ultimately frustrate your efforts to complete the form.
To start, five minutes per day may be enough, but realistically that will have to increase as you add sections.  Eventually, half an hour per day is a reasonable guideline.  However, it is better to practise for a few minutes each day than to do nothing for several days and then do a lot at one go.  "A little and often" is the rule to follow.

Question: How long does it take to learn the Form?
Answer: This will depend on how hard you practise and how regularly you attend classes.  It is reasonable to expect that you will complete the Form in one year.

Question: How long will it be before I can use Tai Chi for self-defence?
Answer: To use Tai Chi effectively for self-defence, you need to develop various skills: the ability to relax and co-ordinate the mind and the whole body, and also sensitivity to both your own energy and that of an opponent.  These skills have to be built and honed over time.  If you are looking to develop self-defence skills very quickly, Tai Chi is not for you. However, with patience, good instruction, and a conscientious approach to practice, very considerable capabilities can be built up over several years.

Question: Does Tai Chi have a grading system?
Answer: No.

Question: My son is nine years old. Is he too young to learn Tai Chi?
Answer: There is no reason why a nine year-old should not learn Tai Chi. In China we recently saw a three year-old doing the Form!

Question: How do I find a good teacher?
Answer: This can be difficult if you had no previous experience of Tai Chi. However there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Check whether the instructor is a bona fide member of reputable body such as the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts, or the Chinese Internal Arts Association.
• Check whether the instructor has been practising seven years or more.
• Most instructors will only charge a nominal sum for a “taster session”.  See whether you like the teacher and the atmosphere in the class.
• Talk to the other students informally, and find out what they like and dislike about the class.

Question: I am retired, is it too late to take up Tai Chi?
Answer: Definitely not, it is not unusual for people to continue practising Tai Chi well into old age. There are Tai Chi practitioners in their 80s and even their 90s.

Question: I have just started studying an external martial art. Can I learn Tai Chi at the same time?
Answer: You can, but the approaches are different and may confuse you at first.  It is more usual to study an external style before moving on to learn Tai Chi. Alternatively, try both and concentrate on one or the other, according to your preference.