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Inner Research Institute
5 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in San Francisco, California
Certified instruction — reviews and the studio's own info point to a recognized tai chi program or lineage (think Tai Chi for Health / Dr. Paul Lam, the Taoist Tai Chi Society, or a named family-style teacher). If credentials matter to you, ask which program the instructor is certified in and which style they teach.
Plan your first class
- Tai Chi for Arthritis & fall prevention gentle, joint-friendly classes — often based on the Arthritis Foundation / Dr. Paul Lam program — that may help with balance and stiffness; check the studio's schedule
- Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
- Online & Zoom classes live online or Zoom classes you can follow along with from home
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule iritaichi.org — see the live class schedule and book
- Phone (415) 621-2681
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7:15 PM |
| Thursday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They had the amazing ability to detect postural and movement errors, even though the classes were via Zoom.”
“The several highly skilled instructors have been very generous, patiently giving me, as a beginner, individual attention at every session.”
Styles taught here
What students say
“Excellent teachers, and a nice place where you can connect with your inner strength to make changes you need in your life and to connect with others.”
From the reviews
I live in the East Bay. I don't like driving, so for the past 10 months. I have commuted to classes by transit for an hour each way, 2 or 3 times each week. It has been well worth it.
I've been practicing here for almost 20 years. Tai Chi, as taught by IRI, is now a central element of my life. It's been quite interesting to experience the gradual development of the movement of chi through my body. This is a journey that requires patience and steady practice, but the rewards are great.
The teachers were great! They had the amazing ability to detect postural and movement errors, even though the classes were via Zoom. They were patient and thorough with their instruction. Everyone will benefit from taking classes from Inner Research Institute.
A silver lining during the pandemic was finding this t'ai chi form correction class on Zoom. As a decades-long practitioner, this class provides me with an opportunity to practice, learn, refine, AND correct some of my wayward interpretations, along with the in-studio class and fellow zoomers.
New to tai chi? Start at Inner Research Institute
Inner Research Institute comes up as a beginner-friendly studio, going by its listing and students' reviews. If you've never tried tai chi, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first session. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — the movements are slow and gentle, you set your own pace, and many can be done seated if standing is hard. Second, there's nothing to buy and nothing to keep up with — wear comfortable clothes and flat, flexible shoes, and simply follow along. Third, all ages and abilities really are welcome — ask whether there's a dedicated beginners or all-levels class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most studios are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first tai chi class at Inner Research Institute
Nervous about walking into a tai chi class for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a gentle warm-up, then learning a few slow movements of the form, step by step — no pressure to get it perfect, and you can rest or sit whenever you need to. What to wear: loose, comfortable clothing you can move in, and flat, flexible shoes (some studios practice in socks or bare feet). What to bring: water, and that's about it — there's no equipment to buy. Arrive a few minutes early to say hello to the instructor and mention it's your first class. It comes together faster than you'd think — most people feel far more at ease by their second or third visit.
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