Beginner priorities
- Keep steps small until balance feels secure.
- Practice near a stable support if needed.
- Focus on smooth weight shifts rather than low stances.
- Repeat a few movements instead of rushing into a long form.
Tai Chi
Balance, coordination, and calm in motion.
Tai Chi uses slow, linked movements with attention to posture, weight shifting, breathing, and control. Beginners can start with short sequences before learning longer forms.
Free learning links
NCCIH: Tai Chi—What You Need to Know ↗
Tai Chi for Health Institute: free lessons by Dr. Paul Lam ↗
Tai Chi Foundation: free videos of Master Moy's 108-move set ↗
By form length
Tai Chi comes in sets of different lengths — shorter forms are easier to start with.
8-form: Tai Chi for Arthritis, free lesson (Dr. Paul Lam) ↗
Mountain Rock Tai Chi and Qigong — free Billings practice group
A free, drop-in Tai Chi & Qigong practice group in Billings. Schedule as of June 2026 — it's always worth confirming before heading out, especially for outdoor sessions.
- Monday · 5:30–6:30 pm · Tai Chi & Qigong open practice · Pioneer Park, east side, 3rd Street West, between the tennis courts. Runs Memorial Day through roughly the Daylight Standard Time change; canceled above 90°F or if the grass is wet.
- Tuesday · 2:00–3:00 pm · Tai Chi, Traditional 108 Yang style · Billings Community and Senior Center, 360 North 23rd Street.
- Thursday · 5:30–6:30 pm · Qigong & Tai Chi open practice · Billings Public Library, 510 North Broadway.
- Friday · 11:00–11:45 am · Qigong · Mission Ridge Senior Living (St. John's United campus), 3840 Rimrock Road. A small fee is requested from participants visiting from the surrounding community.
- Saturday · 10:00–11:00 am · Qigong · Westpark Village, 2351 Solomon Avenue, lower level.