In a recent online article, Chennai, India-based Tai Chi instructor George Thomas drew a parallel between Yoga and Tai Chi, saying, “Tai Chi is a combination of Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, and Raja Yoga.”
(See: The Federal – Tai Chi in Chennai)

Whenever I describe Tai Chi as a “standing form of Yoga,” my comparison is generally more aligned with Hatha Yoga—or what most Westerners refer to as physical yoga practice. Let’s take a closer look at these three branches of Yoga and how they correspond with Tai Chi.

1. Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga focuses on physical postures (asanas), alignment, and balance to prepare the body for meditation. It emphasizes strength, flexibility, and body awareness through slow, deliberate movements.

How Tai Chi is Similar:
Tai Chi involves slow, flowing movements that require precise body alignment and coordination, much like Hatha Yoga asanas. For example, movements in the Yang Style Long Form—such as Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail or Hold the Bagua Fish—require balance and core engagement, similar to yoga poses like Warrior II or Tree Pose.

Instructor George Thomas’ reference to Hatha Yoga likely emphasizes Tai Chi’s physical discipline and mindfulness in motion. When I teach Tai Chi, I highlight footwork and hand positioning (e.g., in Turn to the Diagonal), which mirrors Hatha Yoga’s focus on posture and alignment to facilitate energy flow.

2. Pranayama

Pranayama is the yogic practice of breath control, using techniques like deep, rhythmic, or alternate nostril breathing to regulate energy (prana) and calm the mind.

How Tai Chi is Similar:
Tai Chi naturally integrates breath with movement, creating a rhythmic flow that mirrors the goals of Pranayama. During movements like Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail, we guide students to coordinate breath with motion—inhale while rising or expanding, exhale while sinking or contracting.

This breath-movement harmony fosters relaxation, mental clarity, and energy regulation, much like the breathwork in Pranayama. For instance, guiding students to “sink, rise, and push” with natural breath awareness supports the same inner balance sought in yogic breathing.

3. Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga, the “royal path,” emphasizes mental discipline, meditation, and self-awareness to achieve spiritual growth. It includes practices such as concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and ethical living as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

How Tai Chi is Similar:
Tai Chi is often referred to as a form of “moving meditation,” which directly reflects Raja Yoga’s emphasis on mindfulness and mental focus. Tai Chi requires sustained awareness, encouraging practitioners to remain fully present in each moment.

In teaching, I often remind students to engage their whole body—not just the arms—in movements like Push, reinforcing a connection to internal awareness. Transitions such as those in Fair Maiden Works the Shuttles develop meditative flow and concentration, aligning with Raja Yoga’s goals of inner stillness and spiritual clarity.

Tai Chi as a Synthesis of Yogic Traditions

Instructor George Thomas’ description of Tai Chi as a “combination” of Yoga’s major branches is both accurate and illuminating. Consider how Tai Chi mirrors these elements:

• Physical (Hatha Yoga): Builds strength, flexibility, and alignment.
• Breath (Pranayama): Integrates breathing and movement to regulate energy.
• Mental/Spiritual (Raja Yoga): Cultivates focus, mindfulness, and inner calm.

Tai Chi is more than exercise—it’s a holistic, integrative discipline. In our classes, we emphasize fluid movement, body awareness, and breath, creating a rooted, flowing practice that supports physical health and mental clarity.

Final Thoughts
Whether you come to Tai Chi from a Yoga background or vice versa, exploring the shared principles between these traditions can enrich your practice. Both aim to harmonize body, breath, and mind. If you already enjoy Yoga, you may find in Tai Chi a complementary discipline—grounded in movement, balanced in breath, and rich in meditative focus.

As the saying goes,

Let the journey continue—one step, one breath, one movement at a time.