[Gazelle]

I went to a Tai Chi class on Friday. I knew it was going to be chilled, but, my, was it! lol.

It was interesting, given i've never really done anything like it before. We did a form, a dance, stick hands, unbending arm, and another exercise, which i don't recall the name of.

I have to admit, i was rather pleased with myself, given that i was doing sticky hands with a girl who had obviously been doing it a while (the instructor was getting her teaching a fair bit), and i managed to unbalance her on a few occassions, and she only did me once (I'm not scoring, just observing ). And, i still remember the entire dance that we learned on the night (the bear), and the names of a lot of the stances...and that's even with trying dancing out after (excellent fun, by the way, we did waltz, cha cha cha, quickstep, and jive...my favourite, i think was the quickstep...people who know me thinks it suits my personality...but, they'll be starting new dances next week, foxtrot and samba, apparently quite difficult...we'll see ).

Anyhow...i think i'll keep it up for this term at least (they have odd sundays when there is a Kung Fu and Tai Chi thing, which is rather appealing to me), might get something out of it, in fact, i'm sure i will...gives me an insight into something a bit different...the instructor seems alright. Looks like he does a spot of yoga sometimes too, which is good...might pick up some new stretches .

I was wondering, Tease mentioned a difference between the Tai Chi exercise, and the martial art...what is it? I mean, i know the difference between a martial art, and an exercise, but, how did they split off, why? Shouldn't they be practised together? Aren't the exercises part of a persons development when doing the martial art? Otherwise, why would they have the same name?

[Tease T Tickle]

The "exercise" Tai Chi is the martial art forms and practices watered down and made easy so that unathletic (and especially old) people can do something active and stay "healthy" (it is pretty good for the joints, I hear) without much risk of getting hurt. Obviously, anyone who truly wishes to use their training for self-defense or competition (outside of forms competitions) kind of laugh at this contemporary bastardization of Tai Chi because the training is not suitable to fast-paced, full-resistance fighting. Training Tai Chi with that pace and contact level, however, is QUITE rewarding since the artform is based on very solid principles and utilize the body's weaponry exceptionally.

[Gazelle]

Thank you

[Bloodybirds]

Except for the absence of rooting, balance, silk reeling, internal four ways of breathing including reverse and embryotic, Pong liu chi an practice, duck walking, sinking, chin na applications with tai chi, etc. you have experienced the real deal. In this case, you are learning the Puff the Magic Dragon who lives by the sea dance, not one of the true five major styles of tai chi or its derivatives. You have entered.....the tai chi marketing twilight zone! Cue to the music!!

[Bloodybirds]

Oh, and let's not forget stationary push hands, moving push hands, tai chi gim sword, tai chi saber, tai chi staff, tai chi spear, and fa jing practice or expression of energy from the inside to the outside.

[Bloodybirds]

In other words, Gazelle, quack!!! Or, to be more techy, hoooeyyy!!!

[Gazelle]

Thank you for the last clarification I only got a fraction of an idea what was being said, and, at least the last one gave me a slightly clearer idealol. I shall stick to the dancing then

[Wilhelm von Wankenstein]

*bump*

Taijiquan in this day and age finds its greatest utility A.) as an exercise for overall health, B.) as an exercise to develop a greater awareness of and sensitivity to one's own body, leading on to greater freedom and quality of movement. Once upon a time, perhaps, when Taijiquan was basically just another member of the long fist family of styles with some pretty neat ideas, and its exponents made their living as caravan guards and the like, it was indeed a combat-ready martial art with a syllabus to match. These days, however, I doubt there is a teacher alive, even amongst the luminaries of the taijiquan world, who could explicitly impart effective fighting ability to the average student within a reasonable amount of time.

Strictly from my own experience, if you want to get anything out of taijiquan, put the idea of combat out of your head entirely, take it for what it is and use the time spent to get in touch with your own body. Learning how to fight benefits you in only one way, and obssessing over it chokes off your horizons. Learning how to breathe, move, relax and keep good posture benefits you in countless more. Conflict and competition run directly opposite to the state of mind needed to derive such benefits.


As for learning how to fight, it's simple - give a friend a stick and tell them to chase you around with it trying to belt you good while you do everything in your power to evade and, eventually, counter the attacks. And no, the Russians do not have a monopoly on this kind of training, though it was from them that I learned it

[Bloodybirds]

To WW and others, therre is still the real deal out there. I was fortunate, after many years in kung fu, to train in Yang tai chi with a very good master in it, Jeff Bolt, and his teacher Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. Previously, I had trained in external for 20 years before I started tai chi 10 years ago. The balance, fa jing, movement, sensitivity, internal fighting, etc. has greatly benefited my external abilities. I absolutely abhor the martial dance of some teachers who propagate it as a Western/Eastern touchy feely exercise. Like anything else these days, one must decide whether to stay true to the art, or make money, usually not both! Frankly, I know few true martial arts teachers, especially in the Chinese arts, who make a lot of money teaching the real thing. That, and the recent post Mao wushu influence, has watered down a majority of the five styles of taichi. Sooo....I think WW's comments are basically spot on but remember the original defintion of the art is what I have in the quotes above for a reason....by the way, ever noticed that even the best external kung fu fighters augment their Yang with the Yin of an internal art? Missed everybody, been very busy managing projects, trying to start a consulting company, and opening a martial arts school, while raising a family. Definitely not a spartan Shaolin existence! But ya always find the time to do what ya love!!!

[Bloodybirds]

By the way, WW, love your ending statement! Hmmmm.....know a few women in Texas that would like to meet ya!!