Move · Videos · Tai Chi · 24 min

Tai Chi Basics for Beginners: Posture, Weight Shifts and First Moves

Video by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on YouTube · Open on YouTube

A cancer hospital's tai chi class breaks the Yang short form into building blocks: posture, sinking and rising, weight shifts, steps, holding the ball and brush knee, then links them, with seated versions on an exercise ball. Made for people during or after cancer treatment and any beginner.

  • 24 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment

Step by step 10

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Posture: feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, tailbone tucked slightly and chin drawn in. 0:32
  2. Sink and rise by bending the knees, then let the arms float slowly up and down as if under water. 1:31
  3. Shift your weight side to side, knee above the foot, then add rising and falling hands and a gentle turn. 2:44
  4. Seated versions on an exercise ball: hands rise and fall, scoop as if holding a ball, then turn the body. 6:17
  5. Shift onto one leg and lift the other heel, then step out, toes forward, keeping the knee above the foot. 8:48
  6. Front stance: turn the back foot out about 30 degrees, shift forward and back, then add pushing arms. 13:11
  7. Holding the ball: turn back as the hands form a ball, then compress it as you shift forward. 15:50
  8. Brush knee: one hand brushes down past the knee, then the back hand comes round and presses forward. 17:55
  9. Link the moves: turn 90 degrees, step forward and shift your weight as the hand rises, each side. 20:17
  10. Grasp the sparrow's tail: form the ball as you turn, then step and compress it, staying upright. 21:46

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Soften the knees, let the tailbone tuck slightly and the chin draw in
  • Keep the knee above the foot as you shift your weight; don't push it past
  • Stay upright as you shift forward and back, without leaning either way

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesarm floats, holding the ball, push
  • Hips movesweight shifts, turning the torso
  • Knees movessoft bent knees, front stance shifts
  • Ankles & feet movesheel lifts, stepping out
  • Standing on one leg. Keep a chair or a wall within reach.

Easier option from the coach: Seated versions on an exercise ball for the arm and turning moves

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety