If you’re unsure about learning Tai Chi via Zoom, give it a try!  I have taken Tai Chi classes from Michael Ward both in-person (before Covid-19) and via Zoom, so I can offer a comparison.  Although the in-person classes are terrific, the Zoom classes are also outstanding, and easy to follow.  Michael is an excellent teacher.  He clearly explains, demonstrates and repeats all of the movements (as well as the principles of Tai Chi), and thoroughly answers everyone’s questions before moving on to new material.  He positions himself in front of the camera in a way that makes it easy for students to clearly see (and copy) what he is doing on the screen.  I intend to keep taking Michael’s online classes for as long as they are offered.   I’ve learned a lot through these online classes, and I think anyone new to Tai Chi would benefit from them.

• Maureen C

Michael Ward has seamlessly transitioned his Tai Chi instruction to online classes. His teaching style is superior. Michael is friendly, patient, and his love of Tai Chi is contagious. Online Tai Chi works because he engages with his students on every detail of the movements, postures, and responds to all questions as if in-person. What I enjoy the most about learning Tai Chi online is that I get front row at every class from the comfort of home.

• Victoria P

” Michael Ward’s virtual classes are highly instructive, personally-related, and fun.  A skilled teacher with excellent understanding of the Internet, he conveys the grace, precision, and rewarding uplift of t’ai chi with every on-line session.”

• Robert Goldstein M.D.

Your online classes have answered so many needs that it is hard to keep comments to a sentence or two.  They are dynamic and responsive to class members, focused and effective.  Regardless of physical distancing, I prefer them because of the sheer challenge of getting to the classroom given my work schedule.  I would encourage anyone considering to give them a try–they are worth far more than you charge for them. 

• Dottie C

Michael Ward is an outstanding T’ai Chi teacher. He is patient and kind. His attention to detail is especially appreciated since he’s had to adapt to teaching on Zoom. He clearly demonstrates each new posture from different angles and then has students repeat the posture several times. He constantly gives verbal cues as we move through the form, so we (the students) don’t have to keep turning back to look at our screens. One thing I really admire about Mike is his creative use of imagery to help students learn the subtleties of the movements. In each class, I feel like I learn something new about my own practice. I highly recommend him as a teacher.

• Edwina

Thanks so much for offering the Tai Chi classes on Zoom during the pandemic. Your careful demonstrations, your soliciting questions, and your patient repeating of requested sections have made the experience very effective. I am grateful to be able to keep progressing with Tai Chi. In fact, I hope you will still offer some classes on Zoom even when the pandemic is over. Your approach makes Tai Chi very accessible! Again, I am grateful.

• Kay

Taking Tai chi classes with Mike is always amazing! As experienced instructor who loves what he does, Mike masters the forms so well, and creates such an engaging atmosphere in the class that allows you notice positive physical and psychological changes in few weeks.

Mike classes via Zoom have been an incredibly positive experience now that I moved to Massachusetts, facilitating things so much: no rush after work to get into a class, or stress myself in traffic!

But on top of this, Mike has been so good and creative Tai chi instructor, that figured out exactly how to teach the new forms to his students in the virtual Zoom setting, repeating as necessary until we get it right during the class. I was able to learn new forms, follow the flow with the class, and greatly improved my flexibility and body balance in these last 12 weeks. Moreover, the tai chi classes with Mike via zoom filled me with vitality, strength, and sense of purpose during this COVID difficult times. I will certainly sign up for the next course this fall.

• Cecelia B.

Who would have thought that Tai Chi on ZOOM was possible? Michael makes it work remarkably well. His real-world analogies to the Tai Chi movements helps you remember them. His calm demeanor answering every question is clearly a product of his long study of the art.  

• Alan L

Took Michael’s classes in Bethesda for several years.  I moved, and his on-line classes have been my salvation for re-learning the form and practicing regularly.  His teaching is clear, the classes are focused and smooth, and the entire experience has completely jump-started my practice.

• Gordon Adams

“Michael Ward is an outstanding teacher who clearly communicates the principles of tai chi and the elements of the tai chi form both online and in person.  

As an instructor, Michael has infinite patience as he goes over poses, explains, and repeats ensuring that his students understand.  

Michael Ward’s teaching style illustrates teaching philosophy, and he shares a wealth of information and resources. 

My tai chi practice has been enriched through studying with Michael Ward” 

• Popsy Kanagaratnam

I want to comment on how much I have enjoyed and benefited from Mike Ward’s online classes. Online I get a “bird’s eye view” in which I often see details better than I do live.  Mike makes a point of demonstrating the form and flow from a variety of angles, thus ensuring that everyone is able to grasp whatever point of body alignment or movement he is making.  Unlike a live class where students view the teacher from a distribution of random angles, with sight lines often partially blocked by others, online everyone sees clearly and from the same vantage point.  This melds well with Mike’s patient responses to questions from students, which are as much encouraged online as live.  Aside from reinforcing everyone’s learning, this lends an essential participatory element that might otherwise be lost online.  Finally, another advantage to the online format is that, unconstrained by room size, Mike allows students to attend additional sessions of the same class taught at different times; there’s great reinforcement of learning as well as guided practice in taking each class twice, as I have often done.  That also makes the online classes a bargain!  Much as we all miss the human company of live classes, I would not hesitate to take these classes online.

• Joel

“I have studied T’ai Chi with Michael Ward for 15 years, and have found taking lessons via Zoom to be an excellent alternative to in-person classes. You can watch Michael in detail as he demonstrates various movements and answers questions you and other students may have.  One of the unexpected benefits of Zoom is that Michael can focus the camera on his feet so that you will have a close-up view of foot placement, weight-shifting, and other important aspects of T’ai Chi that could otherwise be difficult to observe in a classroom.  Michael can also watch you in close-up detail if you ask a question about whether you are correctly performing a particular move, and then provide a detailed explanation as to how you can correct things.  In the end, although taking a class in person is optimal, I can highly recommend learning T’ai Chi via Zoom until such time as in-person classes are available.  T’ai Chi is an immensely rewarding exercise, and one that you will enjoy practicing for the rest of your life.  So, if you are interested in learning T’ai Chi, there is no time like the present.  Zoom is a great way for the interested student to begin learning this ancient and wonderful art (indeed, a way of life), and by the time you do start in-person lessons, you will have already learned key principles and movements and come to class not as a complete newcomer, but as someone with months of preparation and training.  This can only be to your benefit.”

• Michael G

While not the same as in person, Michael’s Zoom Tai Chi classes have been very well done and have helped me continue to learn and improve my Tai Chi practice. While I miss the comradeship of the other students, Zoom classes have the advantage of doing Tai Chi in the comfort of home. I can watch and follow Michael’s lead very easily on Zoom. Michael is very good about making time for questions from students throughout the class. 

Thank you for making the Zoom classes work through these difficult times!

• Adria S. Zeldin