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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 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 taijiquan 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.
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
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 kung fu (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 taijiquan students train: core strength, massage, leg stretches,
cardio work, yoga, 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.
Other approaches
Common approaches to tai chi you may encounter:
Tai chi for fitness
Tai chi tailored for specific medical problems i.e. arthritis
Tai chi-style exercise
Tai chi as performance art
Numbered forms (i.e. 24 step)
Tai chi as dance
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 taijiquan
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 Tai
Chi 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 Tai Chi 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.
Worth reading
•
Authenticity
•
The
essence of the Art
•
Taijiquan principles
•
13 areas of study
•
A copy or a way?
•
Similarities & differences
•
The lost art?
•
Common
misconceptions
•
Taijiquan as a supplement
Page
created 9 January 1996
Last updated
31 August 2018
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