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Manhattan Tai Chi

5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in New York, New York

Tai chi studio Tai Chi for Arthritis Certified Seniors welcome Beginners welcome Private lessons Online classes

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
  • Great for seniors welcoming to older adults, with slow, low-impact movement for balance, mobility and fall prevention
  • Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
  • Private lessons one-on-one lessons available — a focused way to learn the form at your own pace; ask about availability and rates
  • Online & Zoom classes live online or Zoom classes you can follow along with from home
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule taichiray.com — see the live class schedule and book
  • Phone +1 646-600-8804

Hours

Monday 8 am–9 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9 pm
Thursday 8 am–9 pm
Friday 8 am–9 pm
Saturday 8 am–9 pm
Sunday 8 am–9 pm

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and seasonal outdoor sessions — worth a quick check before a special trip, and class times can differ from the studio's front-desk hours.

The classes they run

Tai chi and qigong classes on the schedule at Manhattan Tai Chi, drawn from students' own reviews and the studio's info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“As a beginner, I have enjoyed each session and I find that I am becoming more energetic.”

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🧓 Seniors 3 mentions

“I started as a senior with balance and strength issues and now I can actually stand on one leg and not fall over!”

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⚖️ Fall Prevention & Balance 4 mentions

“I started as a senior with balance and strength issues and now I can actually stand on one leg and not fall over!”

All studios that run fall prevention & balance →

💻 Online Classes 3 mentions

“I recently took my first zoom Tai Chi class with Ray and couldn't be happier with the experience.”

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🧘 Meditation & Mindfulness 3 mentions

“Ray combines movement and meditation with great explanations and patience.”

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What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 40 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“I find that he gives very clear instructions during the zoom class and that he is easy to follow.”

🧓 great for seniors & mobility 7 mentions

“In one hour of a very easy super effective low impact lesson/workout I had the energy and positivity and excitement of my 19 year old self!”

🏮 authentic, traditional style 2 mentions

“He is a very reliable teacher because he has a wide and deep knowledge and understanding of martial arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

⚖️ improved balance & health 13 mentions

“In one hour of a very easy super effective low impact lesson/workout I had the energy and positivity and excitement of my 19 year old self!”

🤝 strong, friendly community 7 mentions

“He has also given excellent advice and suggestions regarding caring for yourself even after the class has ended regarding staying hydrated and rest.”

📘 clear, well-structured classes 5 mentions

“I always enjoy going to his group classes because I admire his educational and thoroughly detailed lessons and instructions on how Tai Chi works in the body and mind.”

From the reviews

I love taking classes with Raymond Li. He is a talented, talented teacher and a lovely person. We've been practicing together for almost a year and I am seeing many benefits. I started as a senior with balance and strength issues and now I can actually stand on one leg and not fall over! This is a huge big deal.

★★★★★ — Janet, Aug 2019

We booked a private corporate event with Tai Chi Ray and could not recommend more! Ray came to our office and taught a 45 minute class to our employees in person and on zoom. The movements were easy to pick-up and Ray did a great job teaching movements that can be applied in daily life and at the office too.

★★★★★ — Analynn, Jun 2022

I recently took my first zoom Tai Chi class with Ray and couldn't be happier with the experience. Ray's instructions were very clear and easy to follow. He's also experienced with online teaching as he demonstrated each movement in different angles.

★★★★★ — Y, Mar 2023

Raymond has the unique ability to communicate the essential principles and underlying philosophy of Tai Chi -- as well as the subtle particulars of the movements -- in a way that Westerners can understand and apply to their daily lives.

★★★★★ — Mscmmamus, Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

New to tai chi? Start at Manhattan Tai Chi

Manhattan Tai Chi 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first tai chi class at Manhattan Tai Chi

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.

Tai chi is gentle and low-impact, but it's still exercise, and the health notes here are general information, not medical advice. If you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them to the instructor before class, and check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Where to find Manhattan Tai Chi

131 W 72nd St, New York, NY10023

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Teach here or own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.