Tai Chi Music

What music is good for Tai Chi?
There are many studies that show that music has a profound effect on us. It can help us to focus, lower our blood pressure, calm our minds and soothe our souls. For every individual, different music can have a different effect, and on any given day you might find yourself more in tune with a different style of music to suit your mood on the day.

Find the music that makes your Tai Chi flow
While practising Tai Chi it is important to move in a slow, smooth and continuous flow. Some people practise in silence so they are not distracted, while some prefer music to help focus their mind and keep themselves at a slow, steady pace. Neither is better than the other. You might find that one day silence feels golden, and on another day you want to turn it up and disturb the neighbours! Using music when practising together in a group can help keep everyone at the same pace so it's a useful tool for us to use in class.

What is your Favourite Music for Tai Chi?

Dr Paul Lam's Music for Tai Chi
Dr Paul Lam has commissioned a beautiful collection of music specifically designed for practising Tai Chi. We often use this music in class. You can find his music by searching for Dr Paul Lam on Spotify or your music streamer of choice, or purchase CDs from the Tai Chi for Health Institute . The best thing about using this music is that he has timed each piece to suit different Tai Chi forms. So if we practice Tai Chi for Arthritis to the music it helps us to keep at a slow even pace and all finish together at the end. It's also a great guide to choose other music. Dr Lam's Tai Chi for Arthritis 1 music runs for 3 minutes 20 seconds. I use this as a guide to choose other music that runs for close to 3 minutes 20 seconds knowing it will suit the Tai for Arthritis 1 Form.

Traditional Tai Chi Music
In China, Tai Chi is often practised with traditional Chinese music, and so in Australia we tend to also use traditional Chinese music. Anyone who has grown up in China listening to these tunes, whether they are folk tunes or Chinese classical music, will have a connection to the music even before they start to use them for Tai Chi practice. There are many beautiful pieces you can use and a quick search online will bring you a wide choice.  If you did not grow up in China, this music may just be beautiful background noise to you. Why not try something different that resonates with your own personal music listening history? 

Classical Music for Tai Chi
Western classical music is also a good choice for Tai Chi practice. Choose something slow and calming. Compilations like classical music for sleep, or calming classic tunes for babies are a good place to start looking. Start with Erik Satie's Gymnopedie, Debussy's Clair de Lune, or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Modern Tunes for Tai Chi
Sometimes the best way to get out of your head and focus on your Tai Chi is to practise to a familiar tune that you can sing along with. You can choose a song with lyrics or an instrumental version if the lyrics are too distracting. The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Michael Bublé are some of our favourites for slow ballads. More recently Adele or Billie Eilish have produced some beautiful tunes you can slow down to. Slow acoustic cover versions of popular songs are also a great place to find Tai Chi music. 

Movie Soundtracks for Tai Chi
Movie soundtracks are a great place to find slow, calming music to practise Tai Chi. Think of your favourite movies and that moment when the protagonist is staring into the distance reminiscing about a beautiful moment in a flash back. Even action movies like James Bond can have a slow, smooth theme song that's good for Tai Chi practice. The first time my Tai Chi instructor put on the Lions King's Can you Feel the Love Tonight?  I was laughing to myself at how ridiculous it was. By the end of the song I was smiling and singing along in my head and realised I'd done the entire Tai Chi Form slowly, smoothly and without any hesitation or second thoughts about which step came next.

Music for Yoga and Meditation
There is a whole world of music produced for meditation, yoga, help with sleep, and to play in waiting rooms to keep you calm. This music can also be good for Tai Chi as a soft background noise that calms you without distracting you from your practice. Whale song, forest birds, trickling brooks and pan flutes, if it calms your mind and slows your breath then it's perfect.

Other Music for Tai Chi
If heavy metal, hip hop or EDM calms your nerves, slows your breathing and takes you away from your every day stresses, then go for it. As long as you can move slowly and smoothly and you take deep slow breaths while practising Tai Chi, you can use whatever music helps you to do that. It might seem a wild choice for some, but there are no rules nor judgement here!