Tai Chi Walking: from beginners to advanced (Tutorial)

The simple yet surprisingly powerful art of tai chi walking... 🚶‍♂️
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Join me on a journey through the art of Tai Chi Walking.
In this tutorial, I'll guide you through a mindful and meditative practice that strengthens your legs, improves balance, and enhances overall movement. Experience the incredible benefits of Tai Chi Walking and walk together towards a harmonious mind and body.
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[@SirBoden]

You take me back almost 50 years when teacher had me silly walking around. You have an amazing journey ahead of you, my friend. ☯️🙏

[@George-Thompson]

Appreciate you 🙏

[@George-Thompson]

Discover the gentle power of Tai Chi walking in this video! Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to deepen their practice. BTW - if you’d like to learn Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Taoist Philosophy with Master Gu, you can join his Free 4-Week Wellness Wisdom Course! Click the link to sign up 🫶 www.taoistwellness.online/free-course - Hey thanks for opening up this comment! I’d like to tell you more about the story of the Taoist Wellness Online, Master Gu’s Online Academy. How the Academy started is quite a funny story 🙈. We could never have imagined that today we are now the biggest Tai Chi school IN THE WORLD! It all began when I was 3 years into my journey living with Master Gu in his mountainous Tai Chi School. Master Gu is fluent in English and has always seen it as his life mission to share the healing Taoist arts of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation with the world. He shared with me his vision to create not only online courses, but an online Academy. I was excited by this vision and shared how I could use my filmmaking and inter-web skillz to make it happen. We then had a cup of tea and Master Gu sang Chinese opera while playing the guitar… 🤠☯ We are really proud of what we have built. We now are a 16-person team from 7 countries and we are on a mission to create films, communities and transformative education to help people and planet live in balance. The Online Academy is one of the best ways you can help us on our mission and you get so much learning! If you become a student of the online Academy, you get: - Access to 100+ hours of teaching with Master Gu, recorded with love from the heart of China. - Learn with him in forests, caves and temples - all from the comfort of your own home. - An awesome student community! With regular online meet-ups. - Monthly livestreams with George and Master Gu - A (new) Taoist Wellness App so you can learn easily on the go. Best of all you can start for free with Master Gu’s free wellness wisdom course. 70,000 people have completed it so far. Click the link below to start learning for free, and see for yourself why so many people are getting excited! 💪 👉👉 www.taoistwellness.online/free-course Happy learning! With love, George 🌎🫶☯

[@WorldOfSimChannel]

Thank you for this video and your others. I would certainly say a video regarding glute strengthening would be very useful, especially for me personally as traditional methods dont work for me due to a back problem I have, so I would greatly appreciate such a video!

[@murraywood7480]

After 38 yrs of massive anxiety/panic attacks on a daily basis I am now all better, thanks to acupuncture. However I do have to learn to walk again correctly (something I did not do during my anxiety years, simply because I was too scared to) My wonderful acupuncturist referred me to this particular link & even after a few sessions with it, I find that I am slowly starting to re-distribute my weight correctly which will lead over time to correct posture/balance . It is not until I started to recover, that I realised how natural/gentle this particular type of walking really is & how 'normal' it feels. There is a lot to be said about Traditional Chinese methods, with this you tube lesson being a perfect example. Thank you so much Peggy Wood (Aotearoa)

[@adamqadmon]

I've been doing this about 2 years ago after a certain spiritual breakthrough. It's amazing. Didn't know it was part of Tai Chi! Thank you, sir.

[@Huineng10]

Yes, please. A video on strengthening the glutes would be very welcome.

[@Das_Pepe]

Thank you so much. Tai Chi Walking for me was always a fixed pattern of steps but I’ll definitely try this one out for myself and then with my students. I always found that the very beginners really struggled with the fixed pattern so just focussing on basic steps and playing with it might actually get a better learning curve. I’d really like to see the video of your strengthening exercises because many of my students struggle with hip strength and I’d really like to give them some tai chi-y exercises to work on that

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found it valuable. Best of luck on your practice! 🙏

[@sporti7867]

Hi George, I've been practicing Chen Tai Chi for years, so my focus is also on the feet and walking slowly. As a meditation, I have recently been intuitively performing all of the walking methods you have presented_walking backwards even after jogging. Nice that you make this video accessible to many people here! For me personally, I have found that mobilizing the many joints of the feet we have before Tai Chi Walking brings an additional effect: place one foot over the knee, bring four fingers of the opposite hand between the toes and close the hand tight. Now the toes are bent by vigorous movements of the hand, first up and down, later to the left and right, thereby massaging and mobilizing the joints. Duration according to feeling and desire. I like to do this mini-training before a jog and especially before Tai Chi Walking, because the feet are optimally "prepared". Good walking!

[@George-Thompson]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@elenafourcroy4175]

Thank you George! You look as joyful as during the retreat, it's great to see you 😊

[@George-Thompson]

Appreciate you Elena 🙏

[@SanAntonioRosie]

Hey George. Thank you for the video. You are part of the reason that I am so into Qi Gong. I was searching for more out of life shortly before the pandemic or in the middle I don’t remember. But I saw your videos from the beginning on your journey with master Gui. not sure if I spelled that right. Anyways, brother, thank you for the video again. You look wonderful.❤

[@hitguy360]

I love this! It's really satisfing. I just wanted to mention that when using subtitles, as I do, one can't see the very bottom of the screen and so to watch the feet I have to turn off subtitling...the benefit though is that I get to watch it twice! Thanks for all these great vids...

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for the feedback! I’m so glad you found it valuable 🙏

[@TheStb87]

Hi George, I love your videos, keep up. In this video I found a tiny issue, when walking we should roll from the heel, through the arch towards the big toe (you said small toe side). The big toe is more natural, more Dao, as it uses fascia prestretch and recoil to minimize muscle energy consumption. E.g. natural observation of frogs or kangaroos where the fascia recoil is more clearly visible during their preload and then jumps.

[@TheStb87]

Work with what is, and Use What is Not (the empty arch of the foot)* to use Dao De Jing language ;)

[@avistamientosfortin]

9:16 Releasing the energy could weaken, right? 10:30 If the energy beats the brain, could it cause harm?

[@chemedian9813]

Thank you for posting this George, when I was learning Yang Style tai chi at the midst of pandemic this is my first training, at first this is very hard for me since I dont have the foundation. My routing is night shift work from home call center and I do barely have physical activity aside from walking outside, Kudos George, you just earned a new subscriber.

[@sylvanstrength7520]

I love this! Thanks so much for sharing. It reminds me a lot of things I’m already doing. See, I really can’t afford lessons and as a stay at home parent I don’t have a ton of time for self study, so I try to work my own understanding of some of the principles into conscious movement flow inspired by Tai Chi whether it’s empty handed, sword, cane, staff, etc! I will definitely be working this walking into what I do to give my legs a greater workout since what I’ve been doing has been mostly working upper body :)

[@George-Thompson]

Hi Sylvan! Thanks so much for following the channel and commenting. So great to hear you're progressing on your journey ❤️

[@MelissaFortune]

Brother you have no idea how on time you are! I desperately needed this right now! Sharing also be well and thank you so much again

[@MelissaFortune]

Oh yeah and definitely I'd love to see your glute strengthening video also if you create one

[@George-Thompson]

I’m so glad you found it valuable 🙏

[@MelissaFortune]

@@George-Thompson I definitely did, thnx again!

[@SIWCO98]

George, fantastic timing, one of my students requested help for her mother and this is a perfect start. Be well, Michele

[@George-Thompson]

I’m so glad you found it valuable 🙏

[@Boooooooooka]

I hope you do a video about strengthening the gluteal muscles ✨

[@Downhaven]

I would love to see the strengthening exercises you found beneficial!

[@cl8693]

I agree!

[@Cody_Ramer]

It's for strengthening glutes so squats glute bridges ext.

[@Huineng10]

Very good! Thankyou - I'll be using this.

[@hammersaw3135]

I learned this walking trying to sneak into a tree stand and not step on branches and dried leaves during bow hunting season.

[@tomstern9498]

Oh yes please do a Tutorial about the context of your injury - what went wrong and how we can do better. In my opinion it's the main point when Tai Chi can have a unhealthy turnaround.

[@George-Thompson]

Well said!

[@Captin7Seas]

Kewl back drop - where was that filmed - just being there would be a tranquil step in the right direction?

[@George-Thompson]

It was in the Cairngorms, Scotland!

[@TaichiMotion-wx]

Thank you for this amazing class.

[@George-Thompson]

My pleasure! I’m so glad you found it valuable 🙏

[@elizabethsplendor5225]

Thank you George, many blessings!

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for watching Elizabeth! Sending warmth 🫶

[@mokuho]

Today i practice this for 10 minutes and i begin to walk faster…thank you so much! I will practice daily! 🙏🏼

[@George-Thompson]

Awesome!

[@anne-alexpackard2360]

Thank you George. This is really helpful to warm up with, play with, and share. Good point about the knee-over-the-feet thing. Many appreciations. Just wish those captions weren't right on your feet. Hard to see them.

[@only_biggs]

I think a video about alignment and strengthening would be great to see! I have a Ba Hons in Dance Practices and I believe good alignment is hugely important and helpful to everyone in daily life, whether they are practicing dance, tai chi, or neither!

[@George-Thompson]

That's a great suggestion! I'll bear it in mind. Thanks for your comment. 🙏❤️

[@kfirlevy8800]

Please do make a video about straighting the knees! I've started doing Tai chi a few months now, and my teacher always corrects me to move my knees over my toes, but when I try to do it, it makes my knees hurt a lot. I'm probably correcting myself wrong. This is frustrating, disturbs my Tai chi practice of course, and just walking in general

[@ahbeans2341]

Knees should be able to go past the toes (relatively) easily and pain free. However, that doesn't mean we are all in that place currently. We can all build up towards proper squatting patterns, though. Progressively deep knee flexion (think getting your calf to touch your hamstring) along with some strengthening of the quads and hamstrings (leg extensions, leg curls, sled pushes/pulls, walking backwards, glute bridges, etc) will go a long way towards relieving knee pain in deep knee flexion. "Knees over toes guy" on KZbin has a lot of good resources for helping with these kinds of issues. Best wishes in your practice!

[@George-Thompson]

I'll try and do a video on it! 💜💪

[@funnymicepacman4457]

i'm interested in strengthening the glutes. please do a video

[@yarik6591]

Brilliant. Thank you George.

[@George-Thompson]

Appreciate you 🙏

[@dass717nrn]

George if you see this, what is your position on the lateral distance between the feet? On one "hand" you have better balance and stability, where as if your heals are slightly more aligned, in parting the horses main for instance, your knees are safer. Thoughts?

[@HurairaHerbals]

Oh I love this so much. Thank you!

[@George-Thompson]

Appreciate you 🫶

[@lotus5781]

According to TAOISM,Have the sprits/ souls power to feel or can they feel anything( meterial Or Non metrial things) after death & liberation? Please explain🙏🙏

[@chriss6971]

This reminds me of when I switched from normal runners to toe shoes I had to be way more aware of where and how to place the foot every step.

[@George-Thompson]

Hi Chris! I hope you found the video valuable 🙏

[@chriss6971]

@@George-Thompson yes thanks 🙏

[@speedyspeedgirl12]

i'm going to try this right after i watch it and practice everyday before or after my meditation. thank you a lot for this tutorial George!!

[@yowfu]

Release yourself, like a puppet hanging from the middle of your head with a string. Chin down, soften gaze, focus on tummy, exhale as you put your feet on the ground. there are more things to focus on when we get used to it. Great video keep it up!

[@George-Thompson]

Appreciate you 🙏

[@moosemanzz]

Thanks so much for this simple practice. I still remember that, in karate, they ALWAYS stressed "knees over toes."

[@George-Thompson]

I’m so glad you found it valuable 🙏

[@davidstapley7203]

Thank you

[@timtaler2826]

Danke für diese Farbkombinationen 😆

[@emmsue1053]

Thank you George.

[@alwayscuriousalwayslearnin]

I have been doing that type of walking since I learn Tai Chi in the 1990s now I pretty much always walk that way but at a normal pace but when paroling at work and know one is around I slow right down, if a person pays attention you can watch people that are regular practitioners of tai chi when they are walking you can tell I used to do this and as time went by I could tell even people that I didnt know practiced which I actually asked many of them if they practiced Tai Chi and the majority of then confirmed they did, Tai Chi isnt really a work out its more of a way of life you can use parts of it in everyday life

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks so much for commenting. So great to hear about your journey ❤️

[@shenymartinez192]

Thanks! ❤❤❤

[@lotus5781]

I know that our body composes into nature & energy can not be destroyed,it chages one to another form.But.....According to Taoism, can one feel anything after death? I mean have Taoism believe in immortal soul or sprit? What is the highest ultimate goal of Taoism after death? ( please explain )

[@domingosneto864]

great and peaceful video! i also love pants like that, where can i get one??

[@George-Thompson]

I got them in China!

Thank you for the video!

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for watching Solveiga 🙏

[@ShoshanaBrand]

Thanks for this great exercise. I'll be teaching it to my students.

[@RaviChandran-lh9nd]

❤Thanks🎉

[@lisasimmelink8262]

Beautiful!

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for watching Lisa 🫶

[@نوفاببالعلم]

This is slow walking, what about regular walking for everyday life?

[@ahmedjpl5110]

its amazing how only tai chi walk benefits all the body because as kungfu masters say : "all in one & one in all " ...thanks for sharing

[@George-Thompson]

Indeed! and thanks for watching 🫶

[@samuelcooper1305]

Put your step in your own foot 🦶 print going back and forth.❤

[@mattiacacciatori2826]

Thanks 👍🍀✨

[@lifelife1334]

❤

[@40JoCharles]

That backdrop though 😮🙂🥰👊🏼

[@George-Thompson]

🫶

[@GerritDeSmedt]

A thing I wondered since I got news of this "fad"(?) of foot gloves. the way Ethiopian runners won marathons for decades. the total inverse of tai chi walking : front first, roll back to heel. Is that possibly the way Tai Chi will evolve ??? a more jumpy , elastic way of moving through forms ?

[@nithsdalelady]

I do not think/believe there is only one right way to walk/run. I personally found that environment + footwear requires my own personal adjustment. My TaiChi teacher (25 years ago) had us learn to walk with feet parallel, toes pointed forward with knees over toes ... I still walk like that now. Also, she told us to adjust the weight back and forth between your feet to improve our flexibility and balance. I would stand in line slowly moving weight from one foot (90% - 10%) in such a way that no one would notice that you were doing these adjustments, usually in bow-arrow or horse stance. Also still do this now. I did fully go over to barefoot type shoes at 70 and found that to be very beneficial for my knees.

[@dirlynorberg8255]

💞Thank you, George!💞

[@andresi9288]

George, I'm sorry for the question. You tuck your sweater into your pants...does it have some sacred meaning for energy practice? Once again, I apologize for such a delicate question, I hope it will not embarrass you.

[@josephbarker1151]

❤❤❤

[@V4K4R14N]

Hmm... Can't say I agree with this. Walking heel to toe, specifically landing on our heel is detrimental to our joints.

[@thedoctor7151]

Salt!😉

[@monkeytomyself]

Did you know, that the natural walking of humans is not stepping on the heel first (like we have to do with shoes that have hard soles), but instead stepping on the ball of the foot first?

[@SpodyOdy]

😎👍

[@CultivatingHarmony]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@sg3085]

Too bad that the writing is on your feet making difficult to follow the movements

[@billypeek7186]

so everything Tai Chi is slow motion, slow motion walking slow motion dancing slow motion bending slow motion and memorizing all the slow motion steps.

[@George-Thompson]

indeed!

[@romedbucher2854]

hmmmm....

[@bodhiklema5498]

Don’t wake up the worms 😮

[@mochiirvan9635]

Like when your went to your going to girlfriend room at 3 night on second floor when her parents next her room

[@manhnguyen5]

This is not Tai Chi walking….. Please….. non-sense…..

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Yet another video of floppy sloppy baggy pants hiding most of the important visuals of this exercise! Has nobody who teaches this , ever heard of shorts? Or yoga pants?

[@Glen-uy4jt]

Squatting is not walking. Asian squat is not a Taoist squat.

[@marcphillips31]

Both are true but I also don’t think he made either of those claims

[@Glen-uy4jt]

@@marcphillips31he states that it is Tai Chi walking, which it is not, then he shows an Asian squat for a Taoist martial art when Tai Chi has their own style of squatting.

[@swenic]

In case you are unaware, there is another content creator @TheKneesovertoesguy who is worth while.