Join an International Master Tai Chi Instructor on a path to improved health, strength, wisdom, and compassion.
Mastering Tai Chi
Step on the path to balance, wisdom, willpower, compassion, and enlightenment. (Remember to breathe.)
Rated 5 out of
5
by
gary_T from
Excellent course. I love the way the instructor goes into the philosophy of Tai Chi, as the way he breaks down the movements into easy to follow steps.
Would highly recommend this course.
Date published: 2024-07-12
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Rocket Man from
Lessons Will Provide A Lifetime Of Learning
Mastering Tai Chi along with others taught by The Master allows me to enjoy my weekly Tai Chi Classes offered at our Senior Center with my classmates while enjoying my quiet time at home to view lessons and practice on a solo basis. The two enhance one another and I highly recommend it to others to combine the two activities. Enjoy socializing with classmates and then enjoy quiet practice by yourself.
Date published: 2024-01-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Bethro from
Nicely made video. Highly qualified teacher!
I was in a great Tai Chi group 30 years ago so I knew what to expect. This training series by David Dorian Ross meets and exceeds my expectations!
Date published: 2023-01-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Lorri Ann from
I’m 70 years old and this really helping with me.
It gets moving and helps me to active. My limps are still working. The course is really set-up to help you stay active with simple routines.
Date published: 2022-03-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Absent Minded Prof from
I very much enjoyed the course
I appreciated the bits of history and philosophy between learning the steps. Steps were nicely demonstrated. Instructors peaceful and friendly demeaner had a calming effect. It is always helpful when mirror images are presented along with frontal view as I can better mimic the instructors movements.
Date published: 2022-03-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
bette from
Wonderful informative course with great instructor
Wonderful content with instructor well versed in Tai Chi!
Date published: 2022-02-04
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Jumaris46 from
Good breakdown of steps!
I am halfway through, but already have a better understanding of the steps and technique. The instructor uses the philosophy of the steps for better understanding. I do find it a little difficult to follow because of the turning away from camera.
Date published: 2021-09-03
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DrTonyL from
The best yet
I have other courses by Master Ross, but by far this is the most helpful. I am 80 so looking for more than just how-to and in this course he explains what to do, how to do it, and most importantly, why each lecture is connected to mind-body balance. Each builds on the previous and the focus is on learning to perform exercises by name, not memorization. My learning has dramatically improved and I am now comfortable practicing at my gym.
Date published: 2021-08-29
Overview
About
David-Dorian Ross is the founder and CEO of TaijiFit and the creator of the TaijiFit mind-body exercise program. He has a B.A. in Human Movement Studies from San Francisco State University, has completed graduate course work in Physical Education and Chinese, and is currently developing a project with the head of the Harvard Medical School research department to study the stress-reduction benefits of tai chi (taiji) in the workplace. Trained in China with championship martial arts coaches, Mr. Ross has had an illustrious career in competitive tai chi, winning seven U.S. gold medals, two world bronze medals, and a world silver medal—the highest awards ever given to an American for international tai chi performance. He was the founder and chief instructor of the Honolulu T’ai Chi Academy and a certified continuing educator for the American Council on Exercise. Mr. Ross is the host of the PBS series T’ai Chi: Health and Happiness and the author of five books on health and wellness, including Exercising the Soul: How Tai Ch’i Connects You to Your Authentic Self. Since 2012, he has collaborated with international action film star Jet Li on a mission to introduce tai chi to 100 million new people worldwide by the year 2020. Professor Ross participated in our Professor Chat series. Read the chat to learn more about how to bring your whole life into better balance and harmony through the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong.
Trailer
01: The Path toward Mastery
Welcome to the guan, or tai chi studio. Start your journey on the path of mastery by discovering how taijiquan is a complex system that weaves together martial artistry, the pursuit of health and longevity, and the philosophy of harmony and balance. Then, practice several stances that you will use throughout the Yang-style 40-movement form, and learn your first tai chi principle....
37 min
02: Harmony Is the Ultimate Goal
Continue your study of the principles of tai chi with the art's most fundamental concept: when you're in harmony and balance, everything works better. Consider how this applies to your body, your mind, and your relationships with others. Learn the first two movements of the Yang-style 40 form: commencing and grasp the bird's tail....
32 min
03: Walking like a Cat
Movements in tai chi are graceful, balanced, and unhurried, and this is accomplished through mindful awareness of your body, thoughts, and emotions. Mindfulness is an essential element of tai chi and a vital tool for a harmonious life. Use this awareness as you learn the next two movements of the form: single whip and step up and raise hands....
32 min
04: Mind over Muscles
The power in tai chi comes from your intention-your mind and will-not the physical exertion of your body. Muscular tension and emotional stress inhibit the flow of chi and waste your energy, making you weaker. Feel the strength and power within softness as you move with a weighted tai chi ball. Learn the next two form movements: white crane spreads its wings and brush knee and twist step....
28 min
05: Taming the Monkey Mind
The monkey represents our impulses, uncontrolled thoughts, desires, and flight/fight/freeze responses. Practice taming the monkey mind, cultivating the chi and the character by releasing points of tension, clearing energetic bottlenecks, and accumulating merit and virtue. Continue your study of the form with the hands strum the pipa and parry and punch....
31 min
06: The Bow and Arrow
A tai chi master is like an archer who never misses a target. Gaining clarity and calm through practice, you will learn to craft noble desires like straight arrows and release them from your bow with the force of your intent to manifest in the world. Ponder the power of your focused will, and learn the next form movements: sealing and closing and diagonal flying....
28 min
07: Practicing in a Small Space
Learn the qigong form 8 pieces of brocade, which is an excellent warm-up or adjunct to tai chi chuan. Review all of the moves you have learned so far, and get strategies for how to do the form in a small space. With these techniques, you can practice anywhere-which means you'll practice more often....
31 min
08: Hips and Waist: The Center Is the Commander
In tai chi, the whole body is connected in smooth motion, and the hips and waist lead the movement. Relax your midsection and low back, and practice with the weighted tai chi ball to help you get the feeling of circling and spiraling. Continue with the next movements in the form: punch under elbow and repulse the monkey....
30 min
09: Feet: Separate Empty from Full
Begin with a new stepping practice to get you focused on footwork. To have the proper balance and leverage, it's important to know which foot is weighted, or full, and which is empty-and to shift your weight smoothly and completely. Apply this new insight to the next form movements: fair lady works at the shuttles and part the horse's mane....
31 min
10: Shoulders: Finding Reasons to Let Go
Tai chi becomes easy when you let go of mental and physical resistance and tension. By sinking the shoulders and relaxing the elbows, you improve your flow. Incorporate pivots to adjust your steps and alignment, and discover when the hands move in different rhythms. Learn the move cloud hands....
31 min
11: Inside Reflects the Outside
When your clear intention guides the chi and the chi directs the body, then your external actions are a reflection of your internal motivations. This unifies you into a coherent being, physicality led by spirit. Continue your study of the form with high pat on horse and kick with right heel....
32 min
12: Chest, Posture, and the Natural Curve
Watch Mr. Ross with the tai chi straight sword, moving in tai chi's circles and spirals that are natural to the body. Your body has five natural curves, or bows, that increase the power of your movements. Learn relaxed postures that emphasize these gentle curves, and maintain your awareness of the body bows as you learn box both ears and separate the left foot....
30 min
13: Bring Out Your Flow
Tai chi relies on continuous, harmonious motion, or flow. Maintaining your physical flow supports your ability to connect with universal flow-the exchange of ideas, information, and energy that creates new things in the world. Watch Mr. Ross demonstrate flow with the tai chi staff, and review all of the form movements that you have learned so far....
30 min
14: Transitions as Smooth as Silk
Explore the history of silk and its connection to the principles of tai chi. Learn exercises to develop the motions of silk reeling and silk pulling, which are advanced techniques hidden within many form movements. Feel this smoothness and connection as you continue with the form with turn body and kick with heel and needle at the bottom of the sea....
32 min
15: Legs to Arms: Connecting Upper and Lower
Discover the history, philosophy, and importance of tea in tai chi. As you savor this knowledge, contemplate the next tai chi principle: connecting upper with lower. The upper body moves in coordination with the lower body, and the energy at the top of the head is connected to the energy at the bottoms of the feet. Maintain this connection in the form movements open arms like a fan and snake stick...
31 min
16: A Movable Meditation
Tai chi is both moving meditation and movable meditation-you can perform the form anywhere, and you carry the mental aspects with you in every situation. This exemplifies the principle of tranquility within movement, and movement within tranquility. Continue your study of the form with turn and pat the foot and ride the tiger....
30 min
17: Bouncing Away Conflict
Explore the eight original intentions of tai chi, and see how they are exemplified in the form movements. These eight concepts also have practical applications in your daily life as conflict management strategies. Consider how to deal with conflict, and learn some stretches that will help you with the next form movement: snake creeps down....
33 min
18: The Peaceful Warrior
Continue your consideration of the eight original intentions and their application to conflict. Ponder the wisdom of the Dao De Jing, and discover the five recommendations for cultivating the spirit of a peaceful warrior, as codified by the legendary founder of tai chi. Learn the next movements in the form: rooster stands on one leg and punch groin....
32 min
19: Qigong Breathing
Deepen your understanding by reviewing all the movements you've learned so far, focusing on your internal sensations as you gently and continuously flow from movement to movement. Explore qigong meditative breathing, and uncover how the breath creates the continuous link from intentions to chi to body....
33 min
20: Partners: The Whole Body Is the Hand
Learn the game of pushing hands with a partner, an essential pillar of tai chi chuan. This exercise will increase your sensitivity and understanding as well as your martial prowess. The secret: instead of focusing on how to defeat the opponent, a tai chi master focuses on recreating harmony....
32 min
21: Five Stages of Mastery
Tai chi is a living art that grows and changes, as it has always been. Hear the story of Chen Won Tang, one of the most influential tai chi masters in history, and draw inspiration from his innovation and leadership. Learn a new hand position that is used in the form movement seven stars posture....
31 min
22: Lotus Kick and Laughing Buddha
Listen to the tale of the wandering monk and the two temple brothers, contemplate the Laughing Buddha, and gain an appreciation of the importance of not taking life too seriously. The Wu way of non-striving allows you to let go of control, tension, and expectation. Keep this playful attitude as you step back to ride the tiger and turn body and lotus kick....
30 min
23: Conserve Your Energy
Discover the sources of the chi in your body, and consider the importance of circulating and cultivating the chi. Deeper states of relaxation permit smoother and more complete circulation, and the cultivation of chi refines and purifies your energy. This gives you more power-and allows you to conserve it....
33 min
24: Another River to Cross
Add the last movements of the form: shoot the tiger, sealing and closing, cross hands, and closing form. Go through the entire 40-movement form, feeling the flow. Ponder the significance of your journey to tai chi mastery, and consider the next steps on your path-because studying the art of tai chi chuan yields rewards for a lifetime....
32 min
