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Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tai chi studio Certified Beginners welcome Qigong

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

  • Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
  • Qigong & breathing qigong and breathing practice — gentle "moving meditation" — taught alongside the tai chi form
  • Website & schedule mindfulmotiontaichi.com — see the live class schedule and book
  • Phone +1 612-876-7915

The classes they run

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

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“You may feel slightly intimidated at first as a beginner since you'll be integrated into the main class, but you'll find the atmosphere is completely welcoming and supportive.”

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🌬️ Qigong 2 mentions

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🧘 Meditation & Mindfulness 3 mentions

“I never hesitate to recommend the Mindful Motion Tai Chi Academy to anyone.”

All studios that run meditation & mindfulness →

Styles taught here

Tai chi grew into several family styles. Here's the lineage students mention learning at Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy — mined from their reviews and the studio's own info.

☯️ Yang Style

“The forms he teaches were transmitted to him by renowned Yang-style masters T.”

Other studios that teach yang style →

Styles are mined from reviews and the studio's own info — they show what students mention learning, not a formal guarantee of the current timetable. If you specifically want a certain style, confirm the schedule with the studio.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 patient, skilled instructor 2 mentions

“) Sifu Ray has a gentle and patient style of teaching, with close attention to details and to explaining the principles involved.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“You may feel slightly intimidated at first as a beginner since you'll be integrated into the main class, but you'll find the atmosphere is completely welcoming and supportive.”

🏮 authentic, traditional style 3 mentions

“If you want to learn authentic Tai Chi, Hsing-Yi or Bagua from a highly skilled teacher who has authentic verfiyable lineage, there is no better place.”

🌬️ qigong & breathing work 2 mentions

From the reviews

I switched to Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy after studying tai-chi and qigong elsewhere for three months -- just long enough to know I wanted to stick with it long-term and should find the best possible teacher to study with.

★★★★★ — Jason, Oct 2019

Ray Hayward has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Tai Chi and it shows in all aspects (physical, mental, historical or philosophical) of his instruction. Ask him anything! There are students at his school who've been with him over twenty years.

★★★★★ — Robert, Oct 2019

Classes are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. The emphasis is on learning and doing and improving. If you want to learn authentic Tai Chi, Hsing-Yi or Bagua from a highly skilled teacher who has authentic verfiyable lineage, there is no better place.

★★★★★ — Frederick, Dec 2019

I highly recommend Mindful Motion Tai- Chi Academy. Under the watchful direction of Sifu Ray Hayward, one will be introduced to novel insights of T’ai Chi, no matter what your past experience has been.

★★★★★ — John, Oct 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to tai chi? Start at Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy 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 Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

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 Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

3244 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN55406

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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.