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| Types of tai chi | ||
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What is tai chi?
When most people think of 'tai chi' they are usually picturing
tai chi for health.
Tai chi for health & fitness was adapted from the
once famous martial art of taijiquan.
Finding a class
When a new starter scours the web
looking for the art they are faced with an array of approaches that are all
called 'tai chi' but are often quite
dissimilar.
In truth, there is often little consensus.
It is important to find out for yourself what tai
chi really
means.
Common
Virtually every tai chi school in the UK is teaching 'tai chi for health'.
Usually there is no real syllabus and the material
is simplistic.
Some classes may advertise themselves as 'taijiquan' but are in fact
teaching tai chi for health.
What is commonly being taught in a
tai chi class
According to
The Journal of Asian Martial Arts, most tai chi
classes in the world offer solo form (a sequence of moves), and a bit of qigong.
Not many classes actually do pushing hands.
Some do sword form. Occasionally,
teachers speak of self defence applications. Things like 'san sau' are very,
very rare, and rarer still are classes that teach anything approaching an actual
martial art.
I strongly believe that students should limit themselves to learning and
fully developing in just one style only. By learning many styles and
collecting many forms we simply cannot have sufficient time to practice.
Few have the resources or talent to be the master of more than one style.
The really good teachers focus on one style.
(Adam Hsu)
Tai chi for health & fitness
Faced with a major health crisis in the 1950's, the People's
Republic of China turned to Yang style taijiquan for a solution.
They wanted a form of exercise that could be
performed by students of all ages.
The simplest way to achieve this was to remove
the more demanding fitness component
and the combat.
Most modern tai chi classes are
teaching an art that an old person could cope
with...
By definition this cannot
conceivably be a
martial art.
Taijiquan fighting method
Classes offering taijiquan (supreme ultimate fist) are very rare indeed.
To train taijiquan correctly you need a highly-skilled martial arts
instructor who can offer a very comprehensive
syllabus.
It is necessary to train all 13 areas of
study.
You must get fit
All martial arts require the student to be fit for combat and taijiquan
is no exception. There are many lazy tai chi classes in the world. This is
naive in the extreme.
Cross-training tai chi
Our students train: massage, leg stretches, qigong, neigong, form, partnered work, martial sets &
drills, combat and weapons.
The training is done carefully, gently - in a controlled manner - without
exertion or strain.
Common
approaches
In the UK you may encounter:
Tai chi tailored for the elderly
Tai chi tailored for specific medical problems i.e. arthritis
Tai chi-style exercise
Tai chi in a wheelchair
Tai chi for people who need to use a walking stick
Tai chi for children
Tai chi for students with mental health issues
Tai chi as performance art
Numbered forms (i.e. 24 step)
Tai chi as dance
Tai chi as a form of therapy
Tai chi as a New Age experience
Qigong referred to as tai chi (shibashi)
Taijiquan offered alongside other martial arts by an instructor who practices a variety of external martial arts
Tai chi classes offered by a so-called instructor who 'learned it from a book' or has a 'fast track' or 'long distance' qualification
Tai chi as an add-on to something else, e.g. Alexander Technique "Let's do a bit of tai chi"
The differences between these approaches are worth some consideration.
How can I tell?
You can easily gauge the credibility of a kung fu instructor without
challenging them to a fight. Participate in a number
of lessons.
Watch the class carefully, see how well they know their
stuff, determine how easily and comfortably they can apply their art. Look
for a thorough and convincing show of skill.
4 styles
There are 4 traditional styles of taijiquan: Chen, Yang,
Wu and Hao.
Other styles
In addition to these 4 styles there are derivations such as Cheng Man Ching
style and Sun style (taijiquan, baguazhang, xingyiquan combination).
Some teachers create their own system, based upon a traditional style. This is
fine providing they adhere to The Taijiquan Classics.
Not taijiquan
The People's Republic developed tai chi for health forms e.g. 24 step. These are
not taijiquan. They are just choreographed forms. They have no martial value.
Principles
Style is not the main concern in taijiquan. What matters most is the correct
application of the taijiquan principles at all times.
Ultimately, the 4 styles simply reflect differences of interpretation,
preferences and individual emphasis. It is good that people practice different
styles; it adds diversity and variety to the art.
Styles
It is important not to get too hung up on taijiquan styles.
The Taijiquan Classics were written by Chang San-feng,
Wang Tsung-yueh and Wu Yu-hsiang.
Wu created Hao style, but there are no known styles attributed to Chang or Wang.
How come?
Self defence applications
Self defence moves do not qualify as taijiquan. They are simply
not enough. You can learn a few self defence techniques
quite easily but this does not make you a martial artist.
A credible taijiquan martial artist should have the same standard of skill
expected of any martial art: karate, taekwondo, judo, wing chun, ju jutsu,
aikido etc.
5
missing pieces
Many taijiquan classes lack 5 important elements necessary in order for
taijiquan to function as a martial art:
Neigong (whole-body strength)
Martial concepts (what combat constitutes and how to do it effectively)
Chin na (the art of seizing)
Shuai jiao (take downs)
Jing (whole-body power)
Without these 5 components, taijiquan is lacking something and may not work in
combat.
Worth reading
•
Authenticity
•
The
essence of the art
•
Taijiquan principles
•
13 areas of study
•
Finding a tai chi class
•
Common
misconceptions
Page
created 9 January 1996
Last updated
23 July 2022
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