Insight Timer Tai Chi: how I use a meditation app in my practice

In 2009, I was teaching Taijiquan in Frankfurt, and I made a CD for my students. I recorded myself saying the form moves out loud, the same way I would call them out in class, so people could follow along at home without me standing in the room with them. I wanted to make it easy for my students to practise at home.

Now, in 2026, I do not have students. But I still want to encourage people to practise. I am in a class where we learn the Cheng Manching 37 form. So I recorded it, these 37 form audios are now available for free on the app Insight Timer. Let’s talk about that.

Discovering Insight Timer

I discovered Insight Timer in 2019. I was looking for a meditation timer, and back then, it was just that: different gongs, different time settings, very simple. Back then Headspace was popular for guided meditation, so I used that in parallel.

Over time, Insight Timer grew into something much bigger. It started featuring many different teachers. I enjoy especially all the female voices from all over the world, including some I know personally, like Isaya Gabriel. That diversity pulled me.

The original timer is still part of the app today, and I still use it. You can set gongs not just at the beginning and end, but in between too. For Zhan Zhuang practice, for example, I set one gong at the start, one in the middle, and one at the end. I like to know when half the time is over already!

Insight Timer vs. Headspace vs. Calm, by the numbers

Maybe you haven’t heard of Insight Timer yet. Because Calm and Headspace have the bigger download numbers and the bigger subscriber counts. Insight Timer is the underdog in that comparison.

Figures are approximate and change over time (Headspace data, Calm data, Insight Timer data).

But smaller doesn’t mean less. To me, Insight Timer feels like a wonderful, generous space, full of teachers, each with their own voice and their own way of guiding a practice. I enjoy that diversity and abundance!

And I like that most content is free online. You only need to sign up for an account for the app or if you want premium content.

From listener to creator: my Insight Timer Tai Chi audios

Some years ago, I started creating my own audios for Insight Timer. I was looking for affirmation meditations without music, and they were hard to find. So I made my own. My most popular one is health affirmations.

Then, I remembered my CD. I wanted to add something for Taijiquan. For now, my Insight Timer Tai Chi audios cover the Cheng Manching 37 form, but I plan to add more forms over time.

Try it yourself

I invite you to try Insight Timer yourself. Start with listening to my energy affirmations if you want a quick push. Or you practise Insight Timer Tai Chi with the 37 form. Or just open the timer and set a few gongs for your next Zhan Zhuang session.

Happy Qi!
Angelika