Hopefully, by now you have become convinced of the benefits of tai chi instruction. Finding the appropriate instructor is your next step. What sort of qualities and qualifications should you look for in a Tai Chi instructor? Here are just a few.

You will want to know how long the instructor has practiced Tai Chi. Ask who his or her teachers were, or what school he or she attended. In order for a tai chi instructor to be suitable for your own personal learning style, his philosophy should be in concert with your own. Don't be afraid to ask questions regarding his philosophies. This should not only include a personal philosophy about Tai Chi, but you will want to know about his philosophy of teaching in general.

If you have some specific form of disability, ask the instructor if he ever worked with a student who had the same sort of issues. You will also need to decide for yourself how much you want to be pushed. Does your potential instructor adhere to the "no pain, no gain" philosophy, or does he or she allow you develop at your own pace?

You can get a good idea of a tai chi teacher's teaching skills by asking him how he would describe tai chi to someone who had never heard of the form. Also, ask him how he keeps his students engaged in the learning process, and how he brings freshness and creativity to the learning experience. Finally, if you want to get a sense of our instructor, Jack Livingston, we ask in deep humility that you read his writings, and bio.