Fitness Gear Apps, Classes, and Memberships Best Online Tai Chi Classes Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Energy is the best online tai chi class because it's free and easy to access By Sara Lindberg Sara Lindberg LinkedIn Twitter Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, nutrition, parenting, and mental health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 04, 2023 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Sara Clark Reviewed by Sara Clark Facebook Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer. Learn about our Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Sean Blackburn Fact checked by Sean Blackburn LinkedIn Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tai chi classes are known for their gentle approach to movement and ability to improve flexibility, balance, breathing, and strength. Tai chi emphasizes the mind-body connection and encourages students to adopt a regular practice for maximum physical and mental health benefits. Tai chi's low-impact movements originated in China as a martial arts discipline but have transformed into a practice of meditation in motion appropriate for all ages and skill levels. This roundup includes online tai chi classes from websites that offer on-demand, subscription-based programs, as well as a few videos and apps available for download. With that in mind, here are our top picks for the best online tai chi classes. Best Online Tai Chi Classes in 2023 Best Overall: Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Energy Best for Morning Movement: Tai Chi Morning Ready Routine with Mike Best for Beginners: Master Moy Lin Shin Demonstrates Taoist Tai Chi Best for Seniors: Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong LEAP Service Best When You’re Short on Time: 7 Minute Chi—Tai Chi for Beginners Best for Arthritis: Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Arthritis Best for In-Depth Learning: Tai Chi Online Classes Verywell / Designed by Lara Antal Best Online Tai Chi Classes View All Best Online Tai Chi Classes Our Top Picks Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Energy Tai Chi Morning Ready Routine with Mike Master Moy Lin Shin Demonstrates Taoist Tai Chi Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong LEAP Service 7 Minute Chi—Tai Chi for Beginners Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Arthritis Tai Chi Online Classes See More (4) Final Verdict Guide to Choosing FAQs Methodology Best Overall : Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Energy Tai Chi Productions Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Free single class; about $25 for 2-month subscriptionPlatforms: YouTube; subscription program available for iOS, Android, or web browser Duration: 50 minutes Why We Chose It We chose Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Energy because it's free, easy to access, has excellent verbal cues, and is packed full of information about getting started in tai chi. Pros & Cons Pros Excellent verbal cues Subscription access to comprehensive classes and programs Comprehensive program on DVD available Cons Subscription requires a two-month commitment Access to global community requires a subscription Class might be too basic for some Overview The eight virtual lessons (20 to 60 minutes long) included in Tai Chi for Energy from Dr. Paul Lam will help you relax, refresh, and revitalize. The class featured in this roundup includes the first lesson, plus an introduction to tai chi’s principles. Dr. Lam combines two different styles of tai chi: Chen and Sun. Chen combines complex, fast and slow movements, while Sun focuses on agile steps and powerful qi gong for healing. Combining both methods can help improve your internal energy (qi), decrease stress, and boost your overall health. It’s easy to see how this course earned the best overall ranking. In addition to detailed instructions, this class includes close-up views of the moves, diagrams, and a user-friendly format that allows you to follow along with ease. If you enjoy this free lesson from Dr. Lam, head over to his website and check out the online subscription service. For about $25, you’ll get access to the 8-part class for two months. For roughly $10 more, you can add Tai Chi for Energy 2. You can cancel after two months, and all memberships come with access to an online community. Best for Morning Movement : Tai Chi Morning Ready Routine with Mike Strala Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: About $20 per month Platforms: Web browser, iOS, and Android Duration: 10 minutes Why We Chose It We love that Tai Chi Morning Ready Routine with Mike is only 10 minutes long, making it easy to fit into a morning routine. Pros & Cons Pros Appropriate for all levels Classes combine tai chi, yoga, and qi gong Variety of live and on-demand classes available Cons More expensive than other apps App focuses more on yoga than tai chi Lectures and workshops might be too advanced for beginners Overview Get your morning started on the right foot with this Tai Chi Morning Ready Routine with Mike Taylor on the Strala Home Studio yoga app. In about 10 minutes, you’ll be able to loosen up your joints and muscles and kickstart your energy for the day. A favorite among students, Taylor has a wide variety of classes and workshops on the app, says Tara Stiles, founder of Strala Yoga. "He has a lifetime of experience in practical tai chi, which really makes his instruction of the principles and the form applicable to moving better in life, not just about memorizing a sequence." Other tai chi classes with Taylor range from 10 to over 60 minutes and include: Tai Chi for BeginnersTai Chi Bedtime RoutineTai Chi for a Healthy Back After a seven-day trial, the Strala Home Studio app costs about $20 per month or roughly $200 for a year. This fee includes live weekly classes; access to the complete library of classes in yoga, meditation, tai chi, and qi gong; private community groups; and exclusive workshops and lectures. Best for Beginners : Master Moy Lin Shin Demonstrates Taoist Tai Chi Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: FreePlatforms: Web browserDuration: 13 minutes Why We Chose It The 108 movements demonstrated by Master Moy Lin Shin are an excellent introduction or refresher to Taoist Tai Chi arts. Pros & Cons Pros Appropriate for most levels; beginners might need more review Visual demonstration of all 108 moves Free and unlimited access Cons No verbal cues Duration is fairly short Not much information on next classes to take Overview In this 13-minute tai chi class, Master Moy Lin Shin—the founder of Taoist Tai Chi—demonstrates the 108-move set, which is the foundation of tai chi. Each move corresponds to a name in the set. The narrator describes the principles of tai chi as they walk you through the practice. Some of the common moves include: Opening of Tai ChiGrasp Bird’s TailBrush KneeStep UpParting Wild Horse’s ManeFair Lady Works ShuttlesCross Hands Like many tai chi classes, the Taoist Tai Chi class covers the history of the topic and gives tips on how to move and breathe through the sequence. You will learn about the flow of tai chi as the instructor shows you how to move from one posture to the next without pausing. This class is an excellent introduction to the practice of tai chi. The 13-minute Taoist Tai Chi Arts class is free. Best for Seniors : Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong LEAP Service Toronto Rehab Brain and Spinal Cord LEAP Service Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Free Platforms: YouTubeDuration: 24 minutes Why We Chose It We chose the Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong class from Toronto Rehab because it’s taught at a slow pace; it's appropriate for beginners, older adults, and rehab patients; and it includes modifications provided by the instructors. Pros & Cons Pros Appropriate for beginners, older adults, and rehab patients Three instructors demonstrate different moves and modifications YouTube channel offers more tai chi and yoga options Cons Too easy for intermediate levels Movements are basic Lacks in-depth information about tai chi Overview Tai chi is an excellent activity for older adults of all fitness levels, and video classes make it easy for them to do these simple exercises at home. The Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong LEAP Service course is a top pick since it shows three people demonstrating different options for each exercise, with one person standing and two seated. The instructor takes the modifications further by having each person, including both seated students, modify moves for different mobility levels. This allows you to choose from three different examples. The total time for the routine is 24 minutes. But there is a natural break about 10 minutes into the class. Participants can choose to stop here or continue with the rest of the routine. The Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong LEAP Service class is free on YouTube. If you like the course, you can subscribe to Toronto Rehab's LEAP Service YouTube channel, which has other tai chi and yoga videos appropriate for older adults. Best When You’re Short on Time : 7 Minute Chi—Tai Chi for Beginners 7 Minute Chi Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Class is free; 7 Minute Chi app is free to download, with in-app purchasesPlatforms: YouTube; app is iOS onlyDuration: 7 minutes Why We Chose It 7 Minute Chi makes it easy to squeeze in a short, yet effective, tai chi class when time is tight. Pros & Cons Pros Class is only seven minutes long Stresses the importance of correct breathing and posture Excellent verbal cues and instructions Cons Does not offer any longer classes May not be challenging enough for all levels Requires an upgrade to unlock other videos Overview When life gets busy, physical activity is often the first thing we skip. That’s why shorter sessions throughout the day are sometimes easier than squeezing in one long class. The 7-Minute Chi—Tai Chi for Beginners class is part of the popular 7-Minute Chi—Meditate & Move app. In under 10 minutes, Master Li will teach you the proper breathing techniques and demonstrate simple moves from Chinese qi gong and tai chi. This free class on YouTube gives you a sample of what you’ll get if you download the app. Each of the lessons on the app leads you through a step-by-step demonstration with verbal instructions, so you can follow along. These short routines make learning tai chi accessible and easy. They are appropriate for all ages and levels. You can try the 7 Minute Chi—Tai Chi for Beginners video free on YouTube. If you enjoy the class, consider downloading the app, which expands on correct breathing techniques and postures for every move. The 7 Minute Chi—Meditate & Move app is available for free on the App Store, with in-app purchases of about $2 per additional class. Best for Arthritis : Dr. Paul Lam Tai Chi for Arthritis Tai Chi Productions Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: About $25 for a two-month subscription Platforms: iOS, Android, and web browserDuration: 12 lessons Why We Chose It We chose Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis because it provides participants with a safe and gentle routine specifically designed for arthritis. Pros & Cons Pros Classes specifically designed for arthritis Visual demonstration includes different angles and views Access to online global community for support Cons Requires a paid subscription to use The next level costs an additional $15 Must purchase two months at a time Overview Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis may allow you to get moving with minimal discomfort if you're living with chronic inflammation and pain in the joints. This in-depth program includes 12 lessons that are safe, easy to learn, and designed specifically for people with arthritis. Dr. Lam introduces the online videos with a lesson about the benefits of tai chi for arthritis, followed by a gentle routine. In the lesson, he teaches with step-by-step instructions while explaining the reason behind every move. Participants of all levels will appreciate the different angles he uses to demonstrate the moves. Tai Chi for Arthritis is part of Dr. Lam’s online subscription service. For about $25, you’ll get access to the class for two months. For $25 more, you can add Tai Chi for Arthritis 2. Or jump up to $99 annually and receive instant access to both levels of arthritis, plus Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Osteoporosis. You can cancel after two months, and all memberships come with access to an online community. Best for In-Depth Learning : Tai Chi Online Classes Tai Chi Online Classes Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: About $400 for 12 months Platforms: iOS, Android, or desktop device Duration: Varies Why We Chose It Tai Chi Online Classes allows you to begin and then deepen your practice, with more than 100 instructional videos for the first year and a second-year option, too. The program allows you to track your progress, work with a partner, and connect with a support community. Pros & Cons Pros Comprehensive, in-depth program and classes Study with a tai chi master instructor and get direct access to him Exclusive access to a private online group Cons Very expensive compared to other programs Might be too advanced for beginners Overview If you’re ready to expand your practice into something more than the occasional tai chi lesson, consider trying Tai Chi Classes Online. This monthly membership program gives you access to a library of training videos and courses. Year-one beginner courses include stretch and warm-up; Yang Style Tai Chi 108 Form; basic skills, stances, and weight positions; 13 Jins, Yang Cheng Fu’s 10 Essential Tai Chi Principles; and more. In year two classes, you will deepen your practice with intermediate and advanced training. To get a better idea of the program, you can watch Tai Chi Online Classes Intro by Michael Paler free on YouTube. There are four membership options available for the Tai Chi Classes Online program. The easy plan consists of 24 payments of about $40 per month (you can cancel anytime) and includes instant access to new videos each month. The second option is the year one instant access membership for about $400 for 12 months. This gives you instant access to all of year one’s videos, and there is no waiting period for the next monthly video. Once you’ve completed year one, you can sign up for year two instant access for around $400. And, if you’re really committed to your practice, consider the most popular option: all videos and lifetime access for approximately $500. This gives you instant, lifetime access to all of the year one and two videos. Final Verdict Online tai chi classes are more accessible and easier to fit into a busy schedule than in-person options. And finding the right online tai chi class to meet your needs can help you stay motivated and continue to progress in the practice. The good news is that there are several free options as well as informational sessions about tai chi to help get you started. For a well-rounded introduction to tai chi, try Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Energy class. It excels as a free option for beginners with the option for comprehensive upgrades. Guide to Choosing an Online Tai Chi Class There are so many online options for tai chi classes that you'll want to research a few before trying one. You also may want to check out several different classes before making a financial commitment. Be sure to consider: Physical needs, such as living with arthritis or other mobility limitationsSkill level, whether you're a beginner at tai chi or looking for more advanced optionsTime commitments that work for your scheduleCosts that are affordable and sessions that provide real value Once you've decided on an online class, stick with it for a few sessions to be sure it's what you'll want. Some options can be quite expensive and you'll want to make an informed decision about them. To get a solid foundation and learn proper techniques, make sure a qualified tai chi instructor teaches the course. Look for teachers and institutes that are reputable and have a long-standing reputation. Frequently Asked Questions Can Tai Chi Be Learned Online? Yes, but be sure to choose a reputable and qualified tai chi instructor. You'll also want to consider the session length, whether in modular segments or in short classes you can do in just a few minutes. If you want to build a deep knowledge of tai chi, look for a comprehensive program that builds from beginner to advanced levels. How Many Times a Week Should You Do Tai Chi? Experts recommend doing tai chi exercises two or three times a week. In studies on achieving tai chi's benefits for people living with a range of health conditions, most participants did tai chi between one and four times a week. Who Should Use Tai Chi Classes? Tai chi classes are appropriate for most ages and fitness levels—especially older adults and people with chronic health conditions like arthritis. The benefits include improvements in your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. If you are pregnant or have a serious health condition, consult your healthcare provider before beginning tai chi. Methodology The best online tai chi classes are taught by expert instructors trained on tai chi techniques and skills. For this roundup, we also looked for courses appropriate for all ages and levels, and made sure to include options for a variety of class lengths. You can view all of these tai chi classes on a phone, tablet, or computer. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Tai chi: what you need to know. Chang WD, Chen S, Lee CL, Lin HY, Lai PT. The effects of Tai Chi Chuan on improving mind-body health for knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:1813979. doi:10.1155/2016/1813979 By Sara Lindberg Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, nutrition, parenting, and mental health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit