8 Best Apps for Learning Tai Chi Using Your Smartphone

Tai chi is an excellent form of exercise for both physical and mental well-being, and you can start learning it at home using just your smartphone.

Tai chi is an ancient form of martial arts that can seriously benefit your mind and body whether you're old or young. On the physical side, it can improve your balance, muscle strength, and flexibility. On the mental health side, the gentle, flowing movements can help get rid of stress and anxiety.

Tai chi is relatively simple to understand, and with the help of the proper videos, instructions, and resources, you'll get the hang of it in no time! These are the best mobile apps to help you learn tai chi.

1. Yang Tai Chi for Beginners 1 by Dr. Yang

Join Master Yang as he teaches the complete traditional Yang-style form of tai chi—one of the most popular styles in the world. He takes you through each movement step by step, so you can follow along comfortably. The video demonstrations performed by Master Yang are available with back and front views as well as English narration.

Simply tap to download any of the instructional videos you'd like to watch. For beginners, it's best to start from the top with the introductory video and work your way down. The app offers a few instructional videos for free, and you can unlock all the full-length videos with a single payment.

Download: Yang Tai Chi for Beginners for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. Tai Chi Chuan

The Tai Chi Chuan app provides a lot of helpful content, including information on the benefits of tai chi as well as detailed guides on each of the 24 movements of the Simplified form of tai chi.

For those who are just starting out, some tai chi movements can be tougher than others to grasp. When reading the instructions doesn't help, this app lets you watch video demonstrations in full screen. Additionally, when you download the Tai Chi Chuan app, it automatically downloads another app that provides a 3D interactive demonstration.

Download: Tai Chi Chuan for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

3. Tai Chi Martial Applications

Similar to Yang Tai Chi for Beginners, Tai Chi Martial Applications is an app that features instruction by Master Yang. However, in this app, Master Yang guides you through more advanced fighting applications for every tai chi movement.

As with the other app, only a few videos are free. If you want to unlock the rest, you'll have to pay a single fee. It's advised that you download and use this app after you've learned everything on Yang Tai Chi for Beginners.

Download: Tai Chi Martial Applications for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Tai Chi For Health

There are multiple online resources to learn tai chi, but the Tai Chi For Health app is a great way to find lots of information in a single app. The app features interesting content and guides on everything from the benefits and foundations of tai chi to the principles and terminology of the practice. This aspect is great for newbies!

To help you get started learning the movements, the app explains and demonstrates all 24 forms in great detail. Each video goes through a single form in a slow and easy-to-follow manner.

Download: Tai Chi For Health for Android (Free)

5. Tai Chi at Home

Tai Chi at Home teaches you the ins and outs of this martial art, from the absolute basics of each movement in the White Crane tai chi form to silk reeling and using a fan. As a beginner, it's recommended that you start practicing without hand movements until you get the hang of the footwork. There are even lessons that you can do seated at a desk—this is perfect for office workers or people with certain medical conditions.

The lessons are conveniently categorized, so they're simple to find depending on what you want to learn. For example, if you want to learn the animal forms—Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey, and Crane—you can easily dive into that category. Each lesson is complete with a demonstration video that shows the movements from the front and rear.

Download: Tai Chi at Home for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

6. Tai Chi Trainer

Tai chi is an enjoyable art form that requires little to no equipment, but it takes some practice to perfect the moves. The Tai Chi Trainer app provides an awesome, precise 360-degree demonstration of every one of the 42 movements of Competition form. You have the ability to rotate, zoom in and out, and adjust the speed of the demonstration.

Beginners can take full advantage of these features to learn the correct forms and avoid injuries. Unfortunately, once you've learned the first few forms, you'll have to pay to unlock the other demonstrations.

Download: Tai Chi Trainer for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

7. Martial Arts Training and Workouts

This app is perfect for those interested in the wonderful world of martial arts. To learn tai chi, you can work your way through the list of instructional videos, all taught by Master Wong. This form of tai chi is more of a fighting style, so prepare to learn the Cannon Fist and much more!

As the name suggests, it offers guides on all kinds of martial art forms. In addition to tai chi, you can use the app to learn how to do kickboxing, kung fu, and taekwondo. Once you've practiced tai chi, consider trying something different.

Download: Martial Arts Training and Workouts for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

8. How To Do Tai Chi

If you love tai chi, or you're learning it for the first time, you'll love this app. It's as basic as it gets, making it extremely user-friendly for people of all skill levels. How To Do Tai Chi takes you through practicing and technique, positioning your body, adding in arm movements, and more. In addition, the instructions are straightforward and the guidance—both written and visual—is easy to follow.

Download: How To Do Tai Chi for Android (Free)

These Tai Chi Apps Help You Learn to Meditate and Move

Tai chi is a unique form of exercise. It's gentle enough for all ages to enjoy, and the benefits are endless. The best part is that the movements are so simple that they're safe to do from the comfort of your own home, so you can learn tai chi using only your smartphone.

Who wouldn't want to improve their mood, sleep better, and reduce stress by doing something so effortless? Feel free to download and try out these tai chi apps to get started.