re tai chi - I wouldn't put it as such a perfectionist thing as was mentioned.
I guess it may well depend upon the teacher, and the form and association they work with.
In the beginning there is a fair bit of learning to do to have the certain stance, stepping and moving weight from foot to foot and moving arms just so. Once you learn the way to do the basics in a 'good enough' fashion, and have been taught the first 16 of the 100 odd moves (many are repeated many times) it is possible to join in a group and 'fudge' your way through. Always/ well mostly/ facing the right direction is a good start. We are told we all fudge.
Having people to copy is a good start. It takes time to learn how to follow the movements of another.
Perfection is said to be a moving target with multiple sessions of weekly practice for years to never really reach.
Many say 8 years of attendance and their instructor still gives them tips. err. correction.
(I will say nicely , or not so nicely corrected, depending on who you are learning from.)
Expect the instructors not to be perfect all the time, or you will be disappointed.
If you get tired - stop, sit and watch for a bit.
Like yoga - it works on the bodies energy systems. Its healing .
There are people with all kinds of health stories I've met at tai chi and yoga too for that matter.
someone with RA swore by dr Lam's Tai Chi for arthritis - met in the group I attended in 2013 .
She got those dvds and practiced an hour each day. Out grew our instructor and went looking for another who she could call 'good enough'.
My current class follows taoist tai chi - headquarters in Canada.
https://www.taoist.org/usa
On the Au site I was impressed with the folk who came in struggling to walk and were soon parking their walking stick at the door.
In the beginning of this class people thought they would never be able to step backwards, but they seem to be doing it now.
I know - during my 2013 attempt at the beginners class I stuffed my shoulders (again) and gave up. This time I am hearing how to protect my shoulders, and when they protest, I listen. waist high might be my attempt at arms out at shoulder height. I need the fitness, and the company of a class. I'm hoping it does my brain good as well. I'm not expecting to remember perfectly the order of the whole 15 minute sequence anytime soon, but I can have a fair go at doing it with the class.
Going to 2 classes that teach the same thing each week, as well as a indepth revision of what we learned last week, is really helpful. The way the the different instructors do it can seem different to me.
Then when we have 30 min shared lesson with 'continuing students' there is a different instructor again for both those classes. Lately we do the whole set twice with them during that time.
Last week the instructor forgot a section, but we are expected to follow what the leader does. That I the 'right' thing to do.
Perfection? What is that?
Expect to sometimes find it difficult and confusing. At least that is true for me.
Maybe sit in on some classes and see if it appeals to you. I've been to teachers following 5 different forms/ organisations, or seem to have made up something slightly or very different.
If I could find the first one again I would see if that suits me now..
That learning tai chi is difficult means you will be making much needed new brain connections. Its good for you.
Its 2.10am. Why aren't I in bed? Good night.