Tai Chi and Qigong have always been practices of experience—felt in the body, refined through repetition, and understood over time.
Many instructors now see that student engagement grows when experience is paired with understanding of why. When students can connect what they feel with clear explanations of what is happening inside the body, practice becomes more meaningful.
The premium articles/tutorials created by ATCQA support this process by translating scientific research into clear, practical language. They help instructors give words to experience, strengthening students’ trust and long-term commitment to practice.
In this article, three of our certified instructors share their experience in keeping their students engaged in their classes by teaching the science behind Tai Chi and Qigong.
Jeff Belton, Certified Master Instructor, Tampa, Florida
Jeff, who has taught Tai Chi both in Trinidad and Tobago and Tampa, FL, has long seen how understanding why Tai Chi works strengthens commitment—especially in healthcare settings.
(Jeff Belton and his students in a class)
He points to the tutorials created by ATCQA as a key bridge between experience and evidence. “Those articles are very beneficial,” he said. “They’re wonderful for instructors to use to educate their patients or their students.” The clear, professional format gives instructors credible language for explaining Tai Chi to both students and medical providers.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Jeff spent seven years teaching Tai Chi within the VA’s Whole Health program, working closely with veterans, healthcare staff, and clinicians. There, he learned that explanation matters as much as demonstration. “Veterans become more committed when they understand why they’re doing it—and how it works,” he explained.
In his classes, Jeff regularly connects Tai Chi practice to physiology and nervous system regulation, explaining how breath, gentle movement, and focused attention influence stress and balance.
At times, he invited students with scientific interests to offer brief explanations, turning learning into a shared inquiry. He refers to this approach as sharing the “wisdom of Tai Chi,” something he has found consistently draws people into sustained practice.
Emily Feng, Certified Instructor (Level III), Brookings, South Dakota
(Emily Feng)
Emily has also observed how teaching the science behind Tai Chi strengthens student engagement in tangible ways. She regularly shares the articles created by ATCQA with her classes to help students understand what is happening in their bodies as they practice.
One article—on Tai Chi and diabetes—quickly became central to her teaching. “I talked about that in almost every class,” she said. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is exactly what I have been telling my students.’”
With that understanding, students began to practice with more intention. Emily noticed them spending more time on balance-focused movements such as one-leg standing and heel kicking, and many reported improved balances. “My students trust me more after they read this article,” she observed, “and they put more time into balance training.”
For Emily, teaching the science does not distract from experience—it strengthens it. When students understand why a movement matters, they feel its effects more clearly and stay engaged longer.
Linda Henderson, Certified Instructor (Level III), Bellingham, Washington
Linda, who teaches Tung Style Tai Chi and Qigong, believes grounding Tai Chi instruction in science is essential to the integrity of the practice. She regularly studies research on Tai Chi, body mechanics, breathing, and mind–body connections, drawing from sources such as the Mayo Clinic, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, PubMed, and the NIH. She shares these insights with her students through weekly handouts to support clearer understanding and consistent practice.
(Linda Henderson)
Conclusion
Teaching the science behind Tai Chi and Qigong strengthens, rather than replaces, experience. When students understand what they feel, they trust the practice and stay engaged.
The articles created by ATCQA help bridge experience and understanding, supporting clearer teaching and stronger student commitment.
