Learning Tai Chi is a journey rather than a destination, with mastery being a lifelong pursuit. That said, there are several benchmarks for progress that can help set realistic expectations.

For absolute beginners, it typically takes 3-6 months of regular practice (2-3 times per week - either in class or at home) to learn the basic movements and complete a short form sequence with reasonable coordination. During this phase, you'll primarily focus on memorizing the sequence of postures rather than perfecting the details.

To develop a solid foundation with proper body mechanics, alignment, and flow, most practitioners need 1-2 years of consistent practice. At this stage, you'll begin to internalize principles like weight shifting, maintaining proper posture, and connecting movements smoothly. You'll also start to understand basic concepts like relaxation (song) and rooting.

Developing what might be considered "intermediate" skill - where movements become more refined, breathing becomes coordinated with movement, and you (may) begin to feel internal energy ('chi' or 'qi') circulation - typically requires 3-5 years of dedicated practice. At this point, you will hopefully also develop an interest in the deeper philosophical aspects of the art.

True mastery, where principles become second nature and movements express both external elegance and internal energy cultivation, can take 10+ years. Masters often say that even after 20-30 years, they continue to discover new dimensions to their practice.

Several factors will influence how quickly you progress:

⦿ Practice frequency (daily practice accelerates learning dramatically).

⦿ Quality of instruction (a skilled teacher can prevent bad habits).

⦿ If you have prior movement experience with dance, gymnastics, or other martial arts, you may advance at an accelerated pace.

⦿ Your focus and mindfulness during practice (practicing mindfully yields better results than just going through the motions).

⦿ Your physical condition and limitations.

⦿ Whether you're learning for health, meditation, or martial applications.

Remember that Tai Chi isn't about rushing to an end goal - the practice itself is the goal. Many practitioners find that the journey of continuous improvement brings more satisfaction than achieving any particular level of proficiency.