Taijiquan Private Lessons Cost

[hinokata]

One guy locally (don't know him, just some average joe) paid BJ Penn to come here to Seattle for ONE day of training.....rumor has it $3500!!!

Pure craziness. I went ahead and scheduled an appointment for this evening with Mr. Olmstead, so hopefully that will give me a better idea of both the art and exactly what I am getting into. I'll let you know how it goes if you're interested. By the way, I checked out your website and if I'm ever in Seattle, I'll most likely swing by.

[Three Harmonies]

Good call. The best way to see about something is to experience it.

Thank you for the compliment on the site (wish I could take credit). You are always most welcome anytime!

Good luck with your journey.
Cheers
Jake

[cjurakpt]

A few points:

1) amazing how it takes someone who's only just come onto the forum only one post to figure out what the rest of us know, which is the Lunghushan is a real pill with a chip on his shoulder about, well, just about everything...

2) re: TCMA and privates; here's how it works with my teacher, maybe this will give you some useful info: when I first started at the school (actually his loft), group class was the only option - in my teacher's case, he generally doesn't do privates with beginners; of course, the "goal" was to get to the point where I could work one on one with him; after about a year of study, at the suggestion of a senior training sister, I asked him if I could study privately; he said it was fine, and suggested 2x a month; the rate, same 10 years ago as it still is today, is $85/hour, which is pretty good for NYC (not to mention that in the 10 years doing privates I have never felt that I have gotten less than at least twice my $$$ worth each and every time); one other "hint", it may help, it may not: when sifu asked me what I wanted to do the first lesson, I said "I don't know, whatever you think I should do." (this was at my senior training sister's suggestion) - let's just say that, what we ended up doing was way cooler than anything I could have thought of, and it was actually just what I needed to do at the time - nine times out of ten, when he asks this question, I give him the same answer - and I never regret it when I do; of course, this is predicated on the notion that your teacher actually has a direct interest in you the student as an individual, not just looking to take your $$$ (after so many years in the arts, I suspect you know the difference between genuine teaching and a con game though)

good luck, enjoy

[hinokata]

A few points:
1) amazing how it takes someone who's only just come onto the forum only one post to figure out what the rest of us know, which is the Lunghushan is a real pill with a chip on his shoulder about, well, just about everything...

I think Helen Keller would be able to spot that one

2) re: TCMA and privates; here's how it works with my teacher, maybe this will give you some useful info: when I first started at the school (actually his loft), group class was the only option - in my teacher's case, he generally doesn't do privates with beginners; of course, the "goal" was to get to the point where I could work one on one with him; after about a year of study, at the suggestion of a senior training sister, I asked him if I could study privately; he said it was fine, and suggested 2x a month; the rate, same 10 years ago as it still is today, is $85/hour, which is pretty good for NYC (not to mention that in the 10 years doing privates I have never felt that I have gotten less than at least twice my $$$ worth each and every time); one other "hint", it may help, it may not: when sifu asked me what I wanted to do the first lesson, I said "I don't know, whatever you think I should do." (this was at my senior training sister's suggestion) - let's just say that, what we ended up doing was way cooler than anything I could have thought of, and it was actually just what I needed to do at the time - nine times out of ten, when he asks this question, I give him the same answer - and I never regret it when I do; of course, this is predicated on the notion that your teacher actually has a direct interest in you the student as an individual, not just looking to take your $$$ (after so many years in the arts, I suspect you know the difference between genuine teaching and a con game though)

good luck, enjoy

Thank you for the useful information. I actually attended the class tonight (just got back actually), and well, I'm going to post another thread with my newbie questions because I have very mixed feelings about the class (and I'm hoping to get some more knowledgeable eyes than mine to look at the information I was provided), which I can't tell if it's from the lessons, or the fact that it is completely different than anything that I have studied prior.

[jon]

"I don't know, whatever you think I should do."

This is 'very' good advice, I follow this to the letter and it has always worked out for the best. If your going to learn from someone you know is better than you then respect their judgement.

[wujimon]

I would advise on seeking private instruction after you have learned the whole form. This way, the private lessons are targeted with detailed forms corrections and/or application training.

As for rate, the most common I hear is roughly $50/hr or around $100/hr. I think most of the touring masters charge around $150/hr. I've heard of a grandmaster charging $250/hr. So it really varies and would be quite beneficial if you knew exactly what you wanted from private lessons.

I'm sure someone would be very happy to teach you choreography and have you follow behind them for 1 hr and charge you $50 or so dollars. To me, this type of low level choreography can be learned in public classes in a pretty short amount of time. Plus, if you show the instructor you're serious, he/she may come over and either give you corrections in class or use as a 'demonstration partner'. This way, you'll get a sampling of their private instruction at public rates

However, if a reason for seeking private lessons is due to time constraints, that's a whole other story..

Good luck.
w.

[8palmmojo]

I am in Taiwan now, but I was living in Sacramento, Ca. and studying Cheng-style Bagua privately with my teacher once a week, on Sunday afternoons. My teacher, during the day, is a physical therapist. So his medical knowledge of the body, its tissues, healing, etc. was also given in our time. We worked out for at least an hour and a half each lesson. If things were flowing well and there were no other students scheduled behind my time, we would work out longer. I never had to pay more for this time. I paid thirty dollars per meeting/lesson and I consider the instruction to have been very sincere and first rate. If I did not have the money one week I could defer to another week. His main point was that he wanted me there, money or not. I often paid more when I could just to say thanks but he only asked for thirty per lesson.
Prior to beginning this training I had spent eight years studying Chinese martial arts, the first four were spent in Shaolin/pigua and the second four were spent in Yi-style Tai Chi.
We incorporated useful elements of gongfu, tai chi, and xingyi but only as these were useful towards Bagua development. In our sessions we would spar, learn forms, knife fighting, stretching, do chi gong, etc. When necessary (my teacher only took five students total) he would bring another one of the five student's time to coincide with mine and teach the two of us together, instructiong from the side. These times were useful as well.
More than just a great teacher and martial artist I grew to include him as a great personal friend. The experience was very worthwhile and, were I not in Taiwan, I would still be studying with him each week.
I hope this info. is useful to you and that your search goes well.
Scott

[mawali]

That is why it is good to take public lessons first to see the attitudes of students, instructors, learn and be aware as much as you can then go the private lessons route. It is obvious that you do not just take any class! Loot at the best options and go from there.

[imperialtaichi]

Private lessons could be tricky....

On one hand, I have met very skillful teachers willing to teach and virtually not interested in money at all; on the other hand I have met a teacher who charges through the roof and DELIBERATELY teach you the wrong things so you could never develop the skills.

But the human instinct is sharp. What I find is if we do not get sucked in to the sales pitch and packaging and promises, it is easy to sense if someone has well intentions or if someone is trying to rip us off. I rather learn from someone less skilled but really cares about my progress, than someone skilled but trying to cheat me.

It is of course, fair for teachers to charge premium for their skills; Everybody needs to make a living and wants to have more in life. But when an honest person (teachers, used car salesmen, dentists) charges you $1000, he/she will give you at least a $1000 worth of products.

It is a misconception that it take forever to develop skills in Tai Chi; under proper instructions, one should develop skills very quickly. If after some lessons and you are not seeing results, run. Sure you may have lost some money, but at least you are not going to lose anymore.

Good luck with your search.
John

[lunghushan]

It is a misconception that it take forever to develop skills in Tai Chi; under proper instructions, one should develop skills very quickly. If after some lessons and you are not seeing results, run. Sure you may have lost some money, but at least you are not going to lose anymore.

That's why I was trying to tell him that he might want to try regular classes first to make sure the teacher had what he was looking before he spent money on privates.

I guess I didn't word it right though.

[ftgjr]

I'm an advocate of both classes and private lessons, as long as you have someone good teaching you. I have been taking private Tai Chi lesson for 6 years and am paying $150 per month for around 1 1/2 hrs each week ( a real bargain if you ask me.) During that time I have also taken classes in Hung Gar and Xingyi. I have also taken private lesson in Tae Kwon Do several years ago as well as classes. I think it is important to be able to work with other people beside your teacher. The more people you touch hands with, the better you will become. Try and see if there are any opportunities to work out with other students from time to time.

The best way to find out if your teacher is the right one is to commit yourself to a set time (like 3 months) and see if it is what you are looking for. Be honest and open minded though, because I know quite a few guys who have wasted years training with someone, both classes and privately.

[imperialtaichi]

I think it is important to be able to work with other people beside your teacher. The more people you touch hands with, the better you will become. Try and see if there are any opportunities to work out with other students from time to time.

Good call. I am constantly encouraging my private students to cross hands with other people, other schools, other styles, as long as they remain curteous and respect the other schools and not to show off.

Some of the more senior ones I also recommend them to do some teaching. It is amazing how much you can learn when students start asking you questions you have never thought of, and asking you to deal with techniques you have never encountered.

Cheers,
John

[TaiChiBob]

Greetings..

My private lessons are $45 for 1 hour and $60 for 1 1/2 hours.. if 2 people request a combined private lesson (it helps them review together later) it is $60 for 1 hour and $90 for 1 1/2 hours.. i prefer 1 1/2 hours, it just seems to fit the attention span ratio and we can detail the lesson with time for me to watch them "get it" on their own.. after an hour of detail, i watch as they work through it on their own.. offering assistance when they get really stuck.. i have found this to be useful in as much as if i am constantly leading the student they won't be able to work through the lesson on their own.. monitoring their progress before dismissing them assures me that they at least left with the appropriate tools to practice independently.. and it forces them to conceptualize the lesson, not just mimic my own movements..

Be well...

[qiphlow]

Greetings..

My private lessons are $45 for 1 hour and $60 for 1 1/2 hours.. if 2 people request a combined private lesson (it helps them review together later) it is $60 for 1 hour and $90 for 1 1/2 hours.. i prefer 1 1/2 hours, it just seems to fit the attention span ratio and we can detail the lesson with time for me to watch them "get it" on their own.. after an hour of detail, i watch as they work through it on their own.. offering assistance when they get really stuck.. i have found this to be useful in as much as if i am constantly leading the student they won't be able to work through the lesson on their own.. monitoring their progress before dismissing them assures me that they at least left with the appropriate tools to practice independently.. and it forces them to conceptualize the lesson, not just mimic my own movements..

Be well...

that sounds like good policy...

[mawali]

Private lessons was the norm. Only after getting a good foundation in the art/style that you are training would an instructor then arrange for 2 or more students to compare skills or simply drills.

Now for cost hell its the new millenium. The average going rate in most large cities is $100 and above. Most schools average tuition is between $85-200 a month (and thats for only 2 sessions a week).

If the teachers' only means of support is tai chi lessons then depending on where you are, lessons could be even higher. I have seen some teachers' lessons and some can charge as high as $10,000.00 a year if you really live in a high rent area plus the supply/demand equation!