There is no such thing as "one-size fits all". Practicing Tai Chi can improve health, flexibility, balance and mental state. However, some movements may not be suitable for some people who have certain physical limitations. If you can customize some Tai Chi movements to fit your needs, you will maximize the benefits of the practice.
Here is an interesting article about how a Tai Chi practioner changed some Tai Chi postures and movements to fit her needs.
"Gentle yoga, tai chi are within reach for all"
5 comments:
T'ai chi is t'ai chi. You can't go around changing moves and postures to suit your concept of "t'ai chi for you". There are fundamental principles that must be followed in order for the art of t'ai chi to remain an art worthy of practice.
T'ai chi is already "gentle" and need not be made gentle. There is an element of "pong" energy that must be present while remaining soft and relaxed.
Let's not water ta' chi down.
David,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree that there are fundamental principles that you cannot change and it is those principles that make Tai Chi unique. However, some postures and movements can be removed from or added to the choreogaphed routine to suite people's needs. For example, I have found during practicing Taiji Form 8, I can experience the expanding effect and I feel more "qi" than doing Taiji Form 42. I have also experiemented doing a free routine, i.e. listening to one of my favorite Chinese music and doing whatever I feel like. I have learned so many forms and I found it is more relaxing when I choreograph a routine that suites my needs.
Taijiquan is a fighting art. Fighting teaches confidence and kinesthetic competence. Never do a martial art that lacks martial art. Much Taiji lacks that today and so much power is lost without umpha!
People are attracted by Taiji for various reasons. I was initially attracted to Taiji because of the graceful movements. As I learn and practice more Taiji, I have learned some fighting principles which can be applied to real live scenarios. I also feel the benefit of getting Qi moving within the mind and body.
By the way, as a martial art, Taijiquan uses the method of "softness overcomes hardness."
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