This instructional activity set is available to the public. There are three different versions:
#1 TAI CHI MOVES FOR KIDS – for preschool and elementary school children
#2 TAI CHI MOVES – upper elementary, middle school, high school and adults
#3 TAI CHI MOVES FOR KIDS FROM 4–94 in English and Spanish
Tai Chi Moves for Kids , for elementary school, includes 12 pictures showing the movements as well as a DVD to guide you in learning the moves and a downloadable MP3 file of the audio for regular practice.
I hope you will learn the moves using the DVDs or online video and then practice with the music and voice so that the concentration and focus can be on the movement of energy within the body and the visualization of the animal we are imitating.
You may use them in any order by forwarding to the appropriate track on the CD.
Tai Chi Moves for older children consists of an online video and an audio CD. The online video allows you to see the moves so they can be easily learned. There is also some written material explaining what is happening inside the body as we do the moves. This can be incorporated in the practice giving an opportunity for reading, understanding, vocabulary building. The audio CD is used in regular practice so the focus can be on the internal energy of the body and the feeling of relaxation. It is always best not to be looking at a screen, but focusing inside.
It is suggested that you start each session with movement #1, Tapping the Body, to wake up the energy and focus the attention.
Each session should end with one of the quiet activities. You may use any number of movements appropriate to your situation. A 5 minute session would consist of 2 moves and is a perfect break in a busy Scool day. Several movements in a row can start or end an academic activity, release tension, serve as a transition or as a valuable break. Use all 12 movements as a half-hour class.
All Tai Chi movements relax the body, improve balance, muscle tone, flexibility, concentration and focus, however there are subtle differences. The twelve movements may be used as follows:
Frequently Asked Questions
Kids as young as 3 can begin to learn Tai Chi for Kids. They love the visualization of the animals. They aren’t just imitating the elephant or the lion. They become the animals while they do Tai Chi. Infants can also benefit from the chi flow when held by an adult who is focusing on the chi and the breath. If you want to learn a traditional form, which is more difficult and exacting, it is better to wait until a child is 7 or 8 or older. Starting with Tai Chi for Kids when the child is young makes the traditional forms easier later on.
Tai Chi helps children relax by using gentle movements, breathing, and imagination. As they visualize animals in nature or hold a chi ball (an energy ball) that is warm and comforting, their minds begin to quiet down. Focusing on peaceful images helps let go of fears and worries, creating a sense of safety and calm. In this relaxed state, it becomes much easier for children to drift peacefully into sleep
Traditional Tai Chi is a beautiful martial art that has brought health and peace to people for centuries — but it can be hard to start and even harder to fit into busy lives. That’s why I simplified the movements.
Tai Chi for Kids is easy to learn, easy to feel, and easy to enjoy — even on your own. The video has 12 tracks, so you can do one, two, or more depending on your time. The book includes 8 simple movements with an audio guide to follow along. You can do them in any order — whatever feels right in the moment.
Kids often pick it up quickly and love doing it by themselves. It just feels good!
It is for all ages. The simplicity of this program makes it a great way for anyone to begin. It can be done for short periods of time and still feels good. It’s wonderful for older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone with learning or emotional challenges — because it’s easy to enjoy and feel the benefits right away.
The movements support the organs, bones, joints, circulation, balance, flexibility, and mental focus. They help the chi flow smoothly through the body’s energy pathways.
Any time is a good time for Tai Chi!
It’s wonderful in the morning to wake up your energy — try gently tapping the body to get started. In the afternoon, it can refresh you when you’re feeling tired. When you feel nervous or tense, Tai Chi helps you breathe, focus, and calm down. And before bed, it relaxes the mind and helps you fall asleep more easily — the Energy Ball is especially nice at bedtime.
There’s no special time or place to practice. Choose the movements that fit how you feel and what you need at the moment.
In Tai Chi, we often imitate animals because they move naturally and effortlessly, just as nature intended. Animals and trees exist in harmony with their surroundings — balanced, calm, and aware. When we copy their movements, it helps us visualize the flow of chi energy and understand how to move with relaxation and focus. These images give us something concrete to concentrate on, making it easier to let go of daily distractions and experience a sense of peace and connection with nature.