Inspired by tai chi
   
     

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Inspired by tai chi

Many forms of exercise are mislabelled/misrepresented as being tai chi. They most assuredly are not. They do not conform to The Tai Chi Classics.
They are not authentic expressions of the tai chi principles. They do not contain the essence of the art.


Not tai chi

 Some examples:

  1. Tai chi tailored for the elderly

  2. Tai chi tailored for specific medical problems i.e. arthritis

  3. Tai chi-style exercise

  4. Tai chi in a chair

  5. Tai chi for people who need to use a walking stick

  6. Tai chi for children

  7. Tai chi for students with mental health issues

  8. Tai chi as performance art

  9. The incorporation of acupuncture terminology, meaning and insights into tai chi e.g. 'jing' in acupuncture has a completely different meaning to jing in tai chi

  10. Numbered forms (i.e. 24 step)

  11. Tai chi as dance

  12. Tai chi as a form of therapy

  13. Tai chi as a New Age experience

  14. Qigong referred to as tai chi (shibashi)

  15. Tai chi offered alongside other martial arts by an instructor who practices a variety of external martial arts

  16. Tai chi classes offered by a so-called instructor who 'learned it from a book' or has a 'fast track' or 'long distance' qualification

  17. Tai chi as an add-on to something else, e.g. Alexander Technique "Let's do a bit of tai chi"

None of these approaches qualify as authentic tai chi.


Tai chi in a chair?
Given that tai chi involves standing, walking, stepping, balancing on one leg and kicking, how can it be performed in a chair? This is absurd.


Qigong in a chair
Qigong can maybe be performed in a chair... but only as alternative to standing qigong postures. Moving qigong cannot be done whilst seated.


Tai chi qigong shibashi?
The very name "tai chi qigong shibashi" is ridiculous. What is it exactly? Tai chi? Qigong?
It isn't tai chi, nor even tai chi for health (unless it conforms to the requirements of The Tai Chi Classics). At best it is some manner of moving qigong.
Do we teach any of these approaches?

 No we do not.


Worth reading

• Authenticity
• The essence of the art
• Tai chi principles
• 13 areas of study
• Finding a tai chi class
• Common misconceptions

Page created 18 April 1999
 Last updated 8 August 2004
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