Tai Chi classes in Austin
Increase inner peace, harmony and relaxation with the ancient internal art of Tai Chi. Improve balance, flexibility, mindfulness, and more with our relaxing classes.
Studies Show Tai Chi is Healthier Than Vigorous Walking
Over 1,000 medical studies have shown Tai Chi to help with over 25 different health conditions.
Try a FREE intro class today.
🧘♂️ Proven Health Benefits of Tai Chi for Adults in North Austin
✅ Improves balance & coordination – Reduces risk of falls (proven more effective than walking or stretching)
✅ Relieves chronic pain – Especially effective for arthritis, joint stiffness, and knee pain
✅ Lowers blood pressure – Supports cardiovascular health naturally
✅ Reduces stress & anxiety – Promotes a calm, focused mind
✅ Boosts immune function – Gentle movement supports lymphatic and immune system health
✅ Enhances flexibility & mobility – Without high-impact strain
✅ Improves sleep quality – Calms the nervous system for better rest
✅ Supports brain health – Enhances memory, focus, and mental clarity
✅ Strengthens muscles & posture – Especially core and leg strength without heavy lifting
✅ Adaptable to all fitness levels – Safe for beginners, seniors, and those recovering from injury
💡 Backed by Research:
Annals of Internal Medicine (2018): Tai Chi improved balance and reduced falls more than brisk walking.
J Am Geriatr Soc (2017): Tai Chi outperformed physical therapy in managing chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.
Harvard Medical School: “Tai Chi is often described as ‘meditation in motion’—but it might well be called ‘medication in motion.’”
Learning Tai Chi from Master Joe and Sheryl Schaefer at Austin Kung Fu & Tai Chi offers a rare blend of authentic lineage, modern understanding, and decades of teaching experience. They’ve been teaching this art since 1987, and in North Austin since 1991, blending deep traditional knowledge with an academic foundation in science and human performance. Master Joe has a PhD in neuroscience from UT Austin and Master Sheryl has a Masters in Physiology. Their approach bridges Eastern wisdom and Western science—helping students not only move with balance and grace but also understand why Tai Chi works to master the nervous system, improve coordination, and build lasting health from the inside out.
Best School in Austin
3 years in a row
“At 75, after two near falls and reflecting on past injuries—a broken hip, a severe motorcycle accident, and a pacemaker—I knew I needed to act. I found Austin Kung Fu & Tai Chi and began classes in April 2025. Five months in, attending twice a week, I have no regrets. Master Joe, Master Sheryl, and the advanced students have been incredibly supportive. The pain in my left shoulder has eased, and my balance has significantly improved. I now move with more deliberation and control, something I am truly grateful for.”
Bill G. 8/2025
Tai Chi Makes Life Better
We’ve been teaching Tai Chi in Austin since 1991, and we’ve seen the many ways it has improved countless people’s lives.
Why Choose Our Austin Tai Chi Classes?
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Beginner-Friendly: No prior experience needed. Our instructors guide you through each movement.
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Senior-Focused Programs: Special classes tailored for seniors, enhancing mobility and reducing stress.
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Flexible Scheduling: Multiple class times to fit your lifestyle.
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Affordable Rates: Competitive pricing with no contracts.
Free Introductory Class: Experience the benefits of Tai Chi firsthand.
Health Benefits of Tai Chi
Tai Chi is more than just a martial art; it’s a holistic approach to health:
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Improves Balance and Coordination: Reduces the risk of falls, especially beneficial for seniors.
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Enhances Flexibility and Strength: Gentle movements increase muscle tone and joint mobility.
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Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Promotes relaxation through mindful breathing and movement.
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Boosts Mental Clarity: Encourages focus and mental discipline
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Step into a space where time slows down and every movement reconnects you to something deeper. Tai Chi is more than exercise—it is a centuries-old art of internal transformation, guiding you toward balance, strength, and peace. With roots in ancient wisdom, this practice invites you to soften stress, build energy, and move with intention. Whether you’re seeking clarity of mind, relief from tension, or a return to your body’s natural rhythm, Tai Chi meets you right where you are. The path begins not with force, but with a simple choice: join us for a free introductory class and experience the quiet power that lives within.
Flexibility
Focus
Stress Relief
Balance
& Much More.
Teaching In Austin Since 1991
After moving to Texas for grad school in 1991, Joe Schaefer and Sheryl Schaefer decided to switch gears from science into sharing their passion for Kung Fu & Tai Chi. They wanted to build a community that was fun, friendly, and supportive, where people of all ages could learn traditional martial arts without any hidden prices, clicks or big egos. Now, over 30 years later, Austin Kung Fu & Tai Chi is a strong and supportive family that’s still growing every day. Thousands of students have passed through their school, and the martial arts community they helped build has expanded into several more cities.
Our Tai Chi program has especially expanded over the years. We now offer discounts for our many senior students, and have helped hundreds of adults find their focus & peace with this ancient internal art.
A Complete Internal Chinese Martial Arts Curriculum
Our Tai Chi program is more than a single form — it is a full internal-arts curriculum designed to develop your body, mind, spirit, and energy over time.
Year One: Foundation in Yang Style
You begin with the Yang 24 Posture Form, followed by Yang Straight Sword, and then a longer Yang family sequence.
This early training develops:
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Calm, steady movement
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Clear intention
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Smooth, continuous energy flow
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A grounded, balanced nervous system
This is where you build the clarity and stillness that makes all higher internal work possible.
Pa Kua (Bagua): Flow, Mobility & Circular Power
Alongside your Yang training, you learn Pa Kua, a rarely taught art based on circular walking and continuous spiraling energy. The movement is based on 4 animal characteristics (Tiger, Dragon, Eagle and Monkey)
Pa Kua helps you:
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Move smoothly in all directions
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Coordinate the entire body as one unit
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Develop mobility, grace, and fluid power
Pa Kua is the perfect complement to Tai Chi’s slow control — it teaches you to flow.
Chen Style Tai Chi: Power, Spirals & Fajing
Once your foundation is strong, you progress into Chen family Tai Chi and begin learning to release stored energy in short, focused bursts known as Huajing (Fajing).
This stage deepens:
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Whole-body power
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Spiral mechanics
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Expressive martial energy
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The unity of softness and strength
It is the bridge between internal cultivation and outward expression.
Xing Yi (Mind-Form Fist): Pure Intention, Direct Power
At higher levels (Black Sash and above), you study Xing Yi, the second great internal art.
This training teaches you to:
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Channel a clear mind into direct movement
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Harmonize intent and action
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Generate incredible power through simplicity
Xing Yi transforms intention into motion.
Liushing (Meteor Fist): Heart-Driven Expression
Your final internal art is Liushing, a rare system that harnesses emotional energy as fuel for movement.
Here you learn to:
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Use heart, passion, and spirit as power
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Integrate all previous training into one expression
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Move with true internal freedom
This is the culmination of the entire internal journey.
Fun To Learn
You might not know that there are dozens of Tai Chi forms to learn. You start with Tai Chi for beginners (Yang 24) and move on to Chen Tai Chi style and others. This keeps you interested and learning new things for years to come. This becomes your secret longevity strategy.
Supportive Friends
As you learn these fascinating ancient movements, you will be surrounded by new friends and supportive Tai Chi instructors that are on the same journey.
Inspirational
Nothing has a better impact on your life than the pride of accomplishment. Quality of life comes from challenges met.
Relaxing
Tai Chi Class in Austin is meditation in motion. Chi Kung are deep breathing exercises that have been shown in study after study to raise quality of life. Tai Chi increases calmness, peacefulness and relaxation.
Improves Balance & Flexibility
All the studies show that a Tai Chi Program is better for increasing balance than physical therapy and other balance training methods. Students have less risk for falls. Overall flexibility increases through complete relaxation.
Increases Mental Sharpness
The most powerful part of learning at a Tai Chi School just might be the very special impact it has on mental clarity and sharpness. As people age, we often experience “cognitive decline”. Tai Chi has been shown to slow and even reverse this process, but it also has many other health benefits.
Video
The Essence Of Austin Kung Fu & Tai Chi
This video, shot in 2017, showcases the positive community we strive to create in our school. After being at this location for 10 years, we went fully online for most of the pandemic. NOW, we’ve moved to a new, bigger studio space in North Austin and are excited for the future.
Read Some Inspiring Posts From Master Joe’s Blog
Our Path Through Internal Martial Arts
Internal Arts Overview: The Path of Shen (spirit)–Yi(intent)–Chi(energy)–Li(power) Training in the internal arts isn’t just about learning forms or memorizing movements — it’s about learning how to organize yourself from the inside out. Through this practice, we...
The Mindful Body
Ellen Langer, often called the "mother of mindfulness," is a renowned psychologist whose research has explored the profound connection between the mind and body. While her work does not directly address Kung Fu or Tai Chi Classes, her principles of mindfulness and...
Kung Fu For Kids in Austin
Austin Kids Kung fu teaches a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for centuries. It is known for its fluid and graceful movements, as well as its focus on discipline and self-control. Kung fu is an excellent activity for kids, as it helps to...
