Audience
Anyone who is curious about what Tai Chi is, how people learn it and the benefits of practicing it.
Dialog between You and Me
You: What kind of exercise do you do?
Me: I practice Tai Chi.
You: I heard about it. It is like Yoga, right? Is it good?
Me: It's great. Let me tell you something about Tai Chi.
Introduction
Tai Chi is from ancient China. It is an internal Chinese martial art practiced by millions of people for the benefits of health - both physically and mentally.
Tai Chi Quan can be translated as "Supreme Ultimate Boxing" or "Boundless Fist" (Wikipedia). Tai Chi involves physical movements and postures similar to that in Chinese martial arts. So, learning Tai Chi involves learning a series of routines of movements, called forms.
The follow paragraphs from Wikipedia describe some people's view about the meaning of Tai Chi. However, most people practice Tai Chi not for combats but for health.
"Traditional T'ai Chi training is intended to teach awareness of one's own balance and what affects it, awareness of the same in others, an appreciation of the practical value in one's ability to moderate extremes of behavior and attitude at both mental and physical levels, and how this applies to effective self-defense principles."
"Teachers say the study of T'ai Chi Ch'üan is, more than anything else, about challenging one's ability to change oneself appropriately in response to outside forces. These principles are taught using the examples of physics as experienced by two (or more) bodies in combat. In order to be able to protect oneself or someone else by using change, it is necessary to understand what the consequences are of changing appropriately, changing inappropriately and not changing at all in response to an attack. Students, by this theory, will appreciate the full benefits of the entire art in the fastest way through physical training of the martial art aspect."
Styles and Forms
There are five major styles of Tai Chi. Each style has various forms. All the styles and forms are popular in China and among practitioners world wide. From 1950s to 1990s, experts from the decedents of major style families and academic professors in mainland China worked together and created several simplified forms (e.g. 24 Form, 32 Tai Chi Sword) to make it easier for people to learn Tai Chi. They then created competition forms for international competition. These forms mix various styles but are primarily based on Yang Style.
Characteristics
-Slow movements
-Stable and balanced stands
-Relaxed in appearance but internally, using "Yi" (intend) to lead the movements. The results of the movements can be very powerful to resist external forces.
-Abdominal breathing
-The joints of the entire body coordinate each other for movements
-Constant Yin/Yang and Solid/Empty transitions
-Most movements are using semi-squat postures
How Do People Learn and Practice Tai Chi?
I have learned Tai Chi Quan (or Tai Chi Boxing), Tai Chi Sword and Tai Chi Fan. There are a lot of VCDs and DVDs but the best way to learn it is to do it with a teacher. My current teacher is Tai Chi Master - Chen Sitan
Here are the forms I have learned:
Tai Chi Quan - 8 Form
Tai Chi Quan - 16 Form
Tai Chi Quan - 24 Form
Tai Chi Quan - 32 Form
Tai Chi Quan - 42 Form (competition form)
Tai Chi Quan - 48 Form
Tai Chi Sword - 16 Form
Tai Chi Sword - 32 Form
Tai Chi Sword - 42 Form (competition form)
Tai Chi Fan - Set 1
Benefits of Practicing Tai Chi
Physically:
- Stronger knees
- More flexibility
- Better coordination
Mentally:
- Mind relaxed
- More balanced view about life
Dialog between You and Me
Me: Tai Chi is different from Yoga in that your body is constantly moving. Your hands and feet constantly change positions from Yin to Yang, Yang to Yin, Solid to Empty and Empty to Solid. Learning Tai Chi is not just about learning a physical form. It is about learning a culture and life philosophy deeply rooted in China.
You: Can I see you when you practice Tai Chi next time?
Me: Sure. I practice Tai Chi with some friends in Donaldson park in Highland Park from 7:30-9:30AM every Saturday and Sunday. You are welcome to come.
3 comments:
I often say the main difference between taiji and yoga is that if you push a taiji practitioner, they may not fall off the mat ;)
All joking aside, I find value in both taiji and yoga. I studied a bit of the ashtanga vinyasa line of yoga which is kind of similar to taiji in regards to coordinating movements with the breath. However, currently my main focus is on taiji.
Nice blog :)
As I can see, I am still seeking the basics of Taiji - what is it? As I do my practice, I can feel the Qi moves inside my body - to the extremes. I feel it is relaxing. I still have a lot to learn and to feel.
I meant "as you can see..."
Anyway, friends who have been praticing Taiji for some years have started thinking about the essense of Taiji instead of just graceful movements. I think it is something that no one can teach you. You have to feel it by yourself.
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