​Do you offer classes online?

In April 2020 we launched a free live-streaming channel at twitch.tv/aipingtaichi where we teach Yang Style Tai Chi, Health Qigong, meditation and stress management techniques. Our indoor classes are also available as Zoom classes. Email us if you are interested in joining our online classes.

Where is your school located?

Aiping Tai Chi Center is headquartered inside Wudang Kung Fu Academy located at 518 Boston Post Rd in Orange, CT, in the same plaza as Applebee's.

Aiping Tai Chi - Fairfield County classes are held outdoors at a private residence in Fairfield when weather permits or indoors at 420 Post Road West, Suite 202 in Westport when weather is inclement. 

Aiping Tai Chi Center - Austin opened in April 2018 and classes are taught inside the Asian American Cultural Center located at 11713 Jollyville Rd, Austin, TX. 

When are classes and how much do they cost?

​Visit our Class Schedule and Fees page to learn about our Connecticut class schedule, fees, and discounts. Visit the Aiping Tai Chi - Austin website to learn about our Austin class schedule. 

Can I visit to watch or try a class?

You are welcome to visit to watch or try a class whenever our classes are in session. Visit our Class Schedule and Fees page to find our class schedule. All trial classes are free of charge.

What should I wear to class?

Wear loose, comfortable clothes that will allow you free movement in comfort. Tai chi must be practiced with your body relaxed. Loose clothes is much more conducive to being able to relax your body than tight fitted clothing.

Note about our Orange, CT headquarters:
We do not allow street shoes on the training carpet. You can bring indoor shoes for practice or just remove your shoes and practice in socks / barefoot.

I am new to tai chi. Do you have beginner classes?

Beginners are always welcomed in our school. Every advanced tai chi practitioner started out as a beginner student. Our system of instruction ensures every beginner student receives individualized instruction learning the building blocks of tai chi. Beginner classes are offered throughout the week. Visit our Class Schedule and Fees page to see the schedule. 

Do I need to be physically fit to learn tai chi or qigong?

Tai chi and qigong can be practiced by people of all fitness abilities. They can be practiced in higher stances with smaller movements for those who need to build strength. They can be practiced in lower stances with fuller movements for those who are in strong physical condition. Tai chi principles are the same whether you practice in high stance or low stance. 

I am experienced with tai chi. What level will I start in at your school?

All new students will be assessed on their proficiency in tai chi fundamentals and ability to move with tai chi principles. Students who have studied tai chi forms and have a solid grasp of tai chi fundamentals will be placed in the appropriate forms class. Students who have studied forms but require additional training in fundamentals will be placed in the basics class to improve fundamentals. Grandmaster Aiping always says your tai chi is only as good as your basic movements.

What do you emphasize at the school?

Our school's emphasis is teaching students authentic tai chi chuan (taijiquan), the internal martial art of using soft power to overcome hard power. The only way to fully learn this art is to have solid tai chi fundamentals which are learned through basic movements. Our school's emphasis is mastery of tai chi's basic movements and understanding how to move with tai chi principles. Students only start learning forms when they have proficiency in the basic movements. Tai chi forms performed without tai chi principles is a dance, not the martial art.    

I learned a different style of tai chi. Will it be difficult to learn your style?

Tai chi is an ancient art with a long lineage and many different branches. However, the core principles of all tai chi are the same in all styles and all lineages. If you have grasped the core principles of tai chi in one style, learning the nuances of other styles will be much easier than learning tai chi as a new beginning student. 

How long do I need to study basic movements before I start learning forms?

Every person's level of progression is unique. Some students are able to progress quickly and others need a longer time to master the fundamentals. On average, beginner Yang style tai chi students should be ready to learn the 10 Form in their 3rd session. Students who take classes only once a week and are not able to practice outside of class may experience slower progression.

Do you still teach wushu /kung fu, bagua, or xingyi?

We are currently only teaching tai chi and qigong in our curriculum. Wushu / kung fu is taught at the Wudang Kung Fu Academy. They have their class schedule on their website. Group bagua and xingyi classes are permanently off the curriculum. Private bagua or xingyi lessons can be arranged with Grandmaster Aiping Cheng in Austin, TX. You can sign up to be on our mailing list to get notified if we add offerings to our curriculum. 

How do I register for classes?

Fill out our registration form. Come try a class for free and see how you like it. We would love to meet you and teach you this wonderful ancient art of tai chi.

Do you teach private lessons?

Private lessons with Grandmaster Aiping Cheng, Shifu Shirley Chock or Shifu Jonas Karosas can be arranged at our centers or offsite. Please fill out our registration form if you are interested in private lessons.

Are gift certificates available for purchase?

Yes, gift certificates to our Connecticut centers are available for purchase. Please visit our online store to purchase gift certificates in the amounts of $50, $100, $225 and $360. Gift certificates for other dollar amounts can be purchased in person at our during school hours. 

Are you on social media?

We have a facebook page, instagram and youtube channel. Click on the icons to connect with us:

Aiping Tai Chi Center - Austin has its own facebook page for ease of communication with our Austin students.

How do you pronounce tai chi and qigong?

Qigong is pronounced chee gong (with a long o sound). Qigong is spelled using the modern pinyin system of phonetics. The qi in qigong is not the same word as the chi in tai chi. The spelling of tai chi is from the older system of phonetics. The correct pronunciation of tai chi is tai jee. Using the modern pinyin system, the spelling is taiji. This is why you sometimes see the spelling of our martial art as "tai chi chuan" and sometimes as "taijiquan". They are the same thing and pronounced the same way. Pinyin is the current standard in translating Chinese into English phonetics. However, the spelling of tai chi from the older system has already been ingrained in American linguistics and we continue to use this more common spelling.