This set of basic warm up exercises help loosen up the major joints in the body. It can be done before practicing Taijiquan to prepare the body, or anytime during the day to release tension in the body.

Follow along this 12-minute clip to do:

• neck rotation
• should rotation
• waist rotation & hip rotation
• knee rotation
• ankle rotation & dantian shake

Practice this daily to get familiar with the warm up set. Pay special attention to the alignment of knees - no matter what movement you are engaged in, each knee should always be supported by the foot underneath, not beyond the toes, not caved in, and not over the outer edge (between your small toe and the heel) of the foot.