Balanced, centered, focused.
These are some words used to describe the feelings and benefits involved with Tai Chi. But if you have never experienced a Tai Chi class, you may be wondering, what do I wear to get the most out of my experience?”
In this article, we will outline the best attire to wear to practice Tai Chi and why choosing the right outfit matters for you to get the most out of your class.
Choosing the right attire for Tai Chi is essential to get the most out of the class.
According to Harvard Health, Tai Chi is a light form of exercise for all ages that helps with balance, strength, and flexibility. You must wear attire that allows you not only to relax but feel the energy and posture of the movements. This is important to maintaining connection and peace with your body.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors offer a variety of classes both online and in person. Interested in Tai Chi, but don’t know where to start? Learn more about the benefits of Tai Chi or sign up for one of our classes today.
When looking for what to wear to a Tai Chi class, it is important to understand that the purpose of Tai Chi exercise is to balance your vital energy (Qi) ~ so it makes sense to wear clothing that doesn’t constrict the flow of energy. Look for the following clothing features to ensure you get the most out of your class:
With these features in mind, let’s learn a little more about the practice of Tai Chi and why these factors can help when taking a Tai Chi class.
Tai Chi exercise involves stretching and moving your body in new ways to promote mental flexibility, balance, and muscle strengthening. An important aspect of Tai Chi is being able to relax and feel each movement with the proper posture. It is certainly okay to wear athletic clothing, but the looser the clothing the better.
Additionally, because deep stretching is involved, having comfortable clothing allows your body to feel its best. Restricted clothing can hinder your ability to connect with your breathwork, use the right muscles, and develop your sense of energy flow.
It is not necessary to wear any high-intensity clothing materials like moisture-wicking fabric or any items that are too tight on the body.
Although a Tai Chi class may not be as fast-paced as an aerobic class or as hot as a hot yoga class, the movement involved will heat your body. You’ll want the clothing you wear to be breathable. Wearing items that are lightweight and allow heat to escape will be a lot more comfortable throughout your experience.
In addition to fluid movement, there are aspects of Tai Chi that involve some flexibility. Some of these movements are:
Being able to perform these actions without distraction or discomfort will allow you to connect to your body and the fluidity of the motions.
When starting Tai Chi, feeling comfortable and open to new movements is important. It is not necessary to buy new clothing to participate, but rather to wear clothing that meets the factors listed above.
Wearing modern athletic clothing options such as pants made of stretchy fabric are certainly welcomed as long as you feel comfortable and the clothing is loose enough to perform the actions of class. Make sure that these pants or tops are not tight ~ your clothing shouldn’t restrict your Qi circulation and or pull tight across your stomach during breathwork as you practice Tai Chi.
Although not required, Tai Chi or simple martial arts uniforms are great options for those wanting to feel the fluidity and relaxation of the body and the movements. But you can still learn the technique without it. Do not feel limited from attending a class due to uniform or clothing requirements — all are welcome.
When attending a Tai Chi class, it is not necessary to purchase new clothing as most people have options at home that will work just fine. Some items that you can wear that you might already have in your wardrobe are:
In Tai Chi, the type of footwear that you wear is just as important as the clothing you wear. Tai Chi uses hands and feet throughout the entirety of the class. It is important to have balance and grip on the floor making the appropriate footwear essential. Without it, it is difficult to feel the posture throughout class. Some examples of appropriate footwear are:
Socks with grip or Tai Chi/Martial Arts shoes are great options to allow for the balance and grip needed in class. It is important to make sure these types of footwear do not have a raised sole as it can make practicing Tai Chi difficult. Instead, Tai Chi shoes have thin soles and are lightweight. If you are choosing Tai Chi shoes for indoor classes, be sure that they are soft enough not to damage padded flooring used for Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi classes ~ check with your instructor first.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to wear to a Tai Chi class, you are ready to begin your Tai Chi Journey.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors offer a variety of movement classes at over 70 locations throughout the United States. Not only do we offer Tai Chi, but other forms of body connection classes such as Yoga, Rhythm and Vibration, and Core.
Find your closest studio today or join us online to get started on your journey to connection and peace.