Seated Tai Chi: What the You Tube Videos don’t tell you

Tai Chi classes for people who need to sit exist for a very simple reason. The student finds it difficult to stand for part or all of the class. 

But it’s so much more than that!

At one extreme, a chair might just be a source of confidence for someone who, through age or infirmity, think that there may be a point in the class where they need to sit down. But there are also those who need to sit, and cannot or should not consider practicing from a standing position. In the latter instance, we may be thinking about classes in a Care Home or Day Centre.

And here is the rub. 

You Tube is a useful source when reviewing how other Instructors teach seated Tai Chi. After all, good teaching is about being open to new, different or good ideas. But, these videos rarely, if at all, consider the student and the environment in which they are being taught.

Let’s be honest. 

Someone who needs to sit cannot practice the full range of Tai Chi movement. For a start, standing, stepping and hip rotation are out of the question. 

But let’s dig a little further.   

Practitioners who sit will have conditions that make sitting down a necessity. It may be a question of frailty, an injury that needs to recuperate, or conditions that inhibit movement such as a stroke or osteo-arthritis. And let’s not forget the debilitating effects of heart disease or those undergoing treatments for cancer.

In short, we have individuals who not only need to sit, but will need chairs that provide support. And taking a step further, the only available chairs may be settees and / or armchairs. 

Do you see my point yet?

To teach seated Tai Chi, you have to consider the student, their health and the circumstances within which they are able to practice. Suddenly, the well shot video of an Instructor sitting on a bench with no back support, enabling them to easily turn their waist, lean forward, and put their arms not only above their head but behind their shoulders doesn’t feel real.

I teach seated Tai Chi in a Care Home. Before I started the obvious question to ask was how many could stand? The answer was none. As I have returned each week, it is also apparent how many have difficulty supporting themselves even when sitting, don’t have full use of all their limbs and find tiredness and lethargy ever present. 

So as I think about how to teach, my immediate focus is on the student’s health and physical situation. I don’t focus on teaching Tai Chi as an end in itself. I focus on my students and work within their restrictions. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t still possible to teach exercises that relax, loosen, mobilise and co-ordinate. 

But it may also be the case, that for some, most other forms of exercise are now beyond their reach, and Tai Chi is an extremely valuable option in the fight to keep healthy and well.

And at the end of the day, what if you can’t teach conventional Tai Chi, the real win is when you realise that Tai Chi is the only really sustainable form of exercise over time.   

If you want to learn Tai Chi in Pinner and Northwood check out the ‘Classes’ page.