We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Become a Tai Chi Instructor?

By Meghan Perry
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,990
Share

The most effective way to become a tai chi instructor is to earn tai chi instructor certification. There are several ways to become certified, often through a combination of classes and instructor training. This training can take several forms, including in-person classes, distance education, and workshops.

There are many different styles of tai chi, which is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes flow of movement to help reduce stress and improve flexibility and balance. While it is generally useful to know as much as possible about as many styles as possible, before choosing to become a tai chi instructor, it is usually best to choose one specific style in which to specialize. Taking classes is one of the best ways to determine if someone wants to become a tai chi instructor, and as class hours are generally part of the certification process, the student will already be on the way to receiving instructor certification.

Within the certification process, there are several levels a student can complete. The class hours required for certification usually range from 200 to 700 hours. Along with class hours, there are often instructor or leadership training courses to take, and a range of 20 to 150 hours is usually required. The combination of class hours and leadership training teaches not only everyday tai chi skills, including the movements and body positions, but also teaching skills and the history and theory behind the art.

Education to become a tai chi instructor can be obtained in several ways. Perhaps the most useful is by taking classes in person, either in a group or one-on-one with a tai chi master; this is often recommended because mistakes in body positioning can be easily and immediately corrected. There are other options, however. Some organizations offer training DVDs and manuals. Web-based distance education is also an option, and sometimes workshops are held several times a year.

Depending on the organization, the certification evaluation process may differ. All potential tai chi instructors usually must pass an exam before becoming certified. For example, to become a tai chi instructor, a written exam as well as a performance/demonstration exam usually must be passed. For people training through distance education, a video or DVD of the student completing the required demonstrations is sent to whoever is in charge of approving the certification.

There are professional and accredited tai chi organizations that offer certification. One of the benefits of belonging to an organization is that it may list the instructor once certification has been completed, which may provide potential clients for the instructor. These organizations often offer continuing education classes as well, so the tai chi instructor can stay up-to-date or increase knowledge to be more effective.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-tai-chi-instructor.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.