The "Force" is strong with this one... (The Chi, that is!) I’m sharing a clip today from a video that went viral with over 2.7 million views. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV61h8hj-vN/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== It’s a great reminder that you don’t always have to practice the full Yang Style 24 Form to feel like you’re getting ahead. Sometimes, the best progress happens in the simple moments of Qi Gong and Qi/Chi work. Just like cultivating a "Tai Chi ball," these basic fundamentals build the foundation for everything else we do in our Tai Chi practice. If you’re feeling short on time this week, don't skip your practice, just simplify it. Spend five minutes with the "Tai Chi Ball" and reconnect with your flow. Prompting Question: How is your Chi flowing this week? Are you keeping it simple or diving deep into the form? Let me know in the comments! 👇

We are officially in our second month of our weekly free community Tai Chi class here in Oaxaca, Mexico. A student recorded this video during yesterday’s session and shared it in our WhatsApp group with the caption: "Best class yet." The class started in January with about eight students, and over the past several weeks, it has grown into this beautiful, vibrant circle! This is such a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we combine the art of Tai Chi with a spirit of service to the community. How is your journey going? I’d love to hear form all of you: - How are things going with your practice? Are any of you teaching your own classes yet? What are some of the challenges or wins you’ve experienced recently? A nudge for those in the Teacher Training... For those of you further along in the course, have you thought about completing your Community Class assignment? The task is simple: teach one free community Tai Chi class and record it. 1. The Plan: Create a simple class outline (feel free to copy the format from my Tai Chi for Beginners class, and then add your own flavor to it). 2. The Invite: Create a flyer, post it, and invite people. I’ve heard from many of our graduates that this is one of the most impactful parts of the course. It creates massive personal breakthroughs and often has the "happy side effect" of attracting new students who want to keep working with you! Check out the energy from yesterday's class in the video below! 👇

Happy Monday, everyone! Wow. Our Live Session this past Friday was incredible. We had a beautiful mix of brand-new students, seasoned practitioners, and certified graduates tuning in from all corners of the globe, including the US, Europe, and Africa! It is profoundly inspiring to watch our community come together to share real-world teaching breakthroughs, discuss challenges, and support one another in the craft of instructing. Here is a high-level summary of the golden nuggets, breakthroughs, and actionable takeaways from our time together: 💡 Key Teaching Insights & Takeaways - Slowing Down the Mind: Several instructors noted that one of the greatest hurdles for modern students is simply slowing down and quieting a racing mind. We discussed using targeted breathing exercises, walking meditations, and sensory grounding work right at the start of class to help students drop into their bodies before moving. - The "Slow and Steady" Approach: A great question was raised about supporting a 500-lb student looking to reclaim his health. The collective wisdom? Meet students exactly where they are, celebrate their sheer presence at class, and anchor them in the idea that slow and steady wins the race. - Managing Mixed-Level Classrooms: We heard an excellent strategy from our instructor in Zimbabwe, who runs separate beginner tracks but seamlessly integrates new students into main group classes using heavy repetition, clear narration, and pairing up veterans to help guide the newer flows. - Adapting for Seniors & Limited Mobility: We celebrated a beautiful story about a 90-year-old student performing a modified form elegantly.  - Seated Tai Chi: We touched briefly on how the ischial tuberosities (your sit bones) serve as the vital root and foundation for power when a student cannot stand. - Trusting Body Memory: A newer student shared the common challenge of remembering sequence transitions. The veteran instructors on the call reminded all of us to stop trying to intellectualize the form. Tai Chi is built on repetition, relax, let go of the thoughts, and trust your body's muscle memory.

I’m really having a hard time finding a partner willing to practice applying the martial applications. Anyone else have similar issue or possible suggestions?

Hi, and welcome to SOHMA Tai Chi! I’m Dr. Daniel Hoover, the creator of the School of Healing Martial Arts and the SOHMA Tai Chi Instructor Certification Program. We’re excited to have you here as you build your practice, deepen your understanding, and work toward becoming a confident Tai Chi practitioner and/or a certified instructor. This community is your space to learn, ask questions, and grow alongside others on this path. How about you? Will you introduce yourself and share what you’re looking forward to in this program? I'm looking forward to learning with you, supporting your journey, and seeing you progress every step of the way. 🌿