Seeking Balance Series
A Foundation Program at Tao Tai Chi Studio
Building a Steady Practice Through Changing Rhythms
New Paltz, New York
Quick View
Understand the Program in About a Minute
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What Is It?
A seasonal Tai Chi learning program for current and returning students who would like to continue building a steady practice.
Current Learning Status
2026 Learning Season Complete
The 2026 Seeking Balance Series has concluded.
The final session of the year was completed on September 8, 2026.
Next Learning Cycle
Winter Learning Cycle
February–March 2027
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When
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of each month
Time
6:00–7:30 PM
Format
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
Tuition
Full Learning Cycle
$180 Advance Registration
$220 Regular Tuition
Returning Students
$150
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Flexible Entry
$40 per session
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Optional Practice Pass
$200
Six sessions • Valid for three months
Valid for three months
Attend any combination of
Seeking Balance
and
Advance reservation required.
Plan Ahead
You do not need to decide everything now.
Future Learning Cycles are announced early whenever possible so that students have time to think, prepare, and choose a rhythm that works for their lives.
Want to Explore More?
You do not need to read everything below right now.
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The following information is available for students who would like to understand the program, learning rhythm, and available options in greater depth.
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Read as much or as little as you need.
You can always return later.
About Seeking Balance
The Seeking Balance Series is designed for students who wish to continue strengthening their Tai Chi foundation while balancing the changing rhythms of everyday life.
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Rather than emphasizing rapid progress or completing a fixed curriculum, this program encourages steady development through consistent practice, careful observation, and gradual understanding.
Life does not always follow the same schedule.
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Work changes.
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Family responsibilities shift.
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Travel, seasons, energy, and personal priorities all influence how and when we are able to practice.
Seeking Balance offers a way to continue learning without asking every student to follow exactly the same weekly rhythm.
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This program provides structure, continuity, and room to breathe.
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You do not need to rush.
But when you are ready to continue, there is a clear path forward.
The Winter Learning Cycle
February –March 2027
Classes meet on the:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of each month
6:00–7:30 PM
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
Each session is 90 minutes.
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This two-month rhythm offers continuity while still leaving room for the changing responsibilities of everyday life.
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Students are encouraged to plan ahead, but there is no need to rush.
Winter Weather Support
During severe winter weather, registered students may receive an online practice option when travel is unsafe.
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Additional in-studio practice or review opportunities may also be offered when appropriate.
Details will be shared with registered students.
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​This support is being introduced gradually as we continue to explore practical ways to help students maintain continuity during difficult weather.
Seasonal Learning Rhythm
Seeking Balance is organized around seasonal learning cycles.
Each cycle provides a complete period of guided practice while allowing students to pause, reflect, and plan before continuing into another season.
Winter
February–March
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
6:00–7:30 PM
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Spring
May–June
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
6:00–7:30 PM
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Summer
July–August
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
6:00–7:30 PM
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Autumn
September–October
6 Sessions • 9 Hours
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
6:00–7:30 PM
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Seasonal Pauses
Pauses are also part of a sustainable learning rhythm.
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January
Preparation & Planning Ahead
The beginning of the year offers time to settle, reflect, and consider what kind of practice may support you in the coming months.
April
Experience & Review
A natural pause between the Winter and Spring Learning Cycles.
Students may use this time to review their experience, continue independent practice, and consider their next step.
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November–December
Reflection & Seasonal Pause
The end of the year often brings holidays, travel, family responsibilities, and changing schedules.
Rather than creating unnecessary pressure to continue on a fixed schedule, this period offers time to rest, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead.
Planning Your Practice
You do not need to decide everything now.
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One purpose of the Seasonal Learning Rhythm is to help students look beyond a single class or month and consider how they would like to continue practicing over time.
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Whenever possible, future Learning Cycles are announced before the current cycle concludes.
This gives students time to:
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• understand the available options;
• consider work and family schedules;
• think about personal learning goals;
• prepare for a future Learning Cycle;
• make a plan when the timing feels right.
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Some students participate in one cycle.
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Others continue through several seasons.
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There is no single rhythm that is right for everyone.
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The goal is not to attend as many classes as possible.
The goal is to develop a practice that you can realistically continue.
Flexible Entry
Freedom with Direction
Sometimes a student is interested in participating but cannot commit to every scheduled session.
For this reason, Flexible Entry may be available during a current Learning Cycle when space permits.
Students who know in advance that they can attend only selected sessions are welcome to contact the studio before registering.
Together, we can consider whether Flexible Entry is appropriate for your current stage of learning and whether space is available.
Flexible Entry provides practical flexibility while maintaining continuity and fairness for students who enroll in the complete Learning Cycle.​​
Full Learning Cycle Registration
Students who are ready to participate in the complete Learning Cycle are encouraged to register before the cycle begins.
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Full Cycle Registration may be a good choice for students who would like to:
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• develop a more consistent practice rhythm;
• experience the complete Learning Cycle;
• return regularly to the same group;
• build understanding through repetition;
• make a realistic plan and follow through with it.
Each Learning Cycle includes:
6 Sessions
9 Hours of Guided Practice
90 Minutes per Session
Is This Program Right for Me?
Seeking Balance may be a good choice if you would like to:
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• continue strengthening your Tai Chi foundation;
• improve body awareness and movement quality;
• revisit essential principles through regular practice;
• balance learning with changing work or family schedules;
• return to practice after time away;
• develop a steadier practice rhythm;
• continue learning in a supportive small-group environment;
• learn without pressure to move quickly through a fixed curriculum.
Guided Practice
What You Will Experience
Each Learning Cycle combines foundational practice with focused exploration of selected Tai Chi principles and forms.
Individual topics may change throughout the year, allowing students to revisit familiar material from different perspectives while continuing to develop their understanding.
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Every session emphasizes:
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• body organization;
• movement quality;
• balance and coordination;
• foundational training methods;
• practical applications of Tai Chi principles;
• careful observation;
• repetition and review;
• independent practice.
Students are encouraged to develop understanding gradually through repeated experience rather than attempting to master everything at once.
The emphasis is not simply on learning more.
It is on learning how to notice more.
Learning Through Changing Rhythms
Life changes.
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Schedules shift.
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Energy rises and falls.
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Interests change with the seasons.
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A sustainable Tai Chi practice needs enough structure to support continuity and enough flexibility to remain connected with real life.
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Seeking Balance is designed around this understanding.
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Rather than viewing every interruption as failure, students are encouraged to learn how to pause, return, adjust, and continue.
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Practice does not always move in a straight line.
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Sometimes we move forward.
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Sometimes we review.
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Sometimes we pause.
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Sometimes we return to the basics.
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All of these experiences can become part of learning.
Experience & Review
Every Learning Cycle offers an opportunity to experience Tai Chi over time.
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The purpose of a cycle is not simply to complete six sessions.
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It is to give students enough repeated experience to begin noticing changes in:
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• movement;
• balance;
• coordination;
• awareness;
• attention;
• personal practice habits.
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At the end of a Learning Cycle, students are encouraged to take a moment to consider:
What did I experience?
What did I begin to notice?
What would I like to continue exploring?
Am I ready to plan my next Learning Cycle?
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There is no requirement to continue immediately.
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Some students pause.
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Some return for another season.
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Some choose another Foundation Program.
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Some begin private study.
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The next step should support your actual life and your real interest in continuing.
Part of the Foundation System
Seeking Balance is one of the Foundation Programs at Tao Tai Chi Studio.
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Together with:
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Seeking Balance forms part of a broader learning system designed to support long-term Tai Chi practice through different learning rhythms.
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These programs are not simply different levels.
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They are different learning pathways.
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Some students prefer a regular weekly rhythm.
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Some prefer seasonal learning cycles.
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Some return after time away.
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Some combine group learning with private instruction.
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You are encouraged to choose the learning rhythm that best supports where you are now.
Questions?
If Seeking Balance does not fit your current schedule, another learning option may be more appropriate.
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You may wish to consider:
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• another Foundation Program;
• Sunday Morning Weekly Practice;
• private Tai Chi instruction;
• Qigong or standing practice;
• a customized learning plan;
• returning during a future Seasonal Learning Cycle.
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Not every student learns best in the same way.
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If you are unsure which option best supports your current goals, you are welcome to begin with a conversation.
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Together, we can explore the possibilities and consider a learning rhythm that makes sense for you.
Clothing
Wear anything comfortable.
If you enjoy the feeling of traditional practice,
studio clothing is available:
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Cotton-linen set (top and pants): $50.
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Thick velvet top: $40
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Clothing is optional,
comfort is the only requirement.
Textbook: (Optional)
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“Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan
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Here is the link you can find it:
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The Journey Continues
Seeking Balance began in 2025.
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Perhaps you were one of the first students to practice with us.
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Perhaps you have only just discovered this program.
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We cannot return to an earlier season, but we can still look ahead.
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There may be a future Learning Cycle when the timing feels right, when your schedule, your interest, and the season come together.
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And perhaps, at that time, we will have the opportunity to practice together.
A Gentle Closing
You are welcome to move at your own pace.
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You do not need to decide everything today.
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Learn about the available options.
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Think about your schedule.
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Consider what you would like to develop.
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Plan ahead when you are ready.
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Then take the next step.
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Tao Tai Chi Studio · New Paltz, NY
A quiet studio for those who wish to learn Tai Chi
with sincerity, steadiness, and respect for timing.
- Jing Shuai