Misconception of Tai Ji
It is very common people have misconception of Tai Ji. It just like we watch two men fighting to each other with sword (martial art sword in this case) in the movie. Frankly speaking, that is for entertainment purpose only. In reality, the sword will become saw not sword anymore if you use it to fight like that.
When someone mention about Tai Ji, people will related it as great exercise for the elderly. This is partially true. The elderly certainly benefit from practicing Tai Ji. But, it is not only for the elderly but for young people too. I start my Tai Ji lesson together with friends of mine at age 16. Yes, I start to learn Tai Ji while I was 16. I still remember we were practicing Tai Ji together with elderly in the garden during weekend. What we did there? We were competing to the elderly who was the slower in Tai Ji movement. Sounds crazy?
Some people also thought that Tai Ji not effective for self defense. Frankly, I believed that also at the beginning. But, the more I have learned, I realized that I was completely wrong. When you practice Tai Ji, you do it slowly. The slow movement allows you to practice correct forms of Tai Ji and the same time make your basics strong.
The basics of Tai Ji are really important, be patience to build up this. It takes time. When you are really skill in the forms of Tai Ji and the basics you can use it fast; in this case you can use it as self defence. But, to do this you really need a good instructor. I’m luck to have one. During the lesson, he taught us how to use Tai Ji’s forms to defence ourselves. To be frank, all of us have our eyes opened. Tai Ji is a martial art.
Don’t underestimate the Tai Ji, learn it properly and try to understand the concepts behind. You will definitely benefit from it.
TechTags Plugin [ tai ji quan | Yang style tai ji quan | tai ji | martial art | sword ]
January 28th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
it caltivates the lei jing so u need to do many years before u can start to strike.
one of the yang lineage also simplified the whole thing so it is not so practical.
the yang style taichi founder were employed to teach military groups taichiquan so the self defense property is still there.
for martial arts internal kung
try Xing Yi or Bagua.
Many chinese heroes in china have defeted western bullies and Japanese warriors with these 2 arts.
enjoy !
January 28th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Hello, relax. Thanks for drop by.
The Yang Style Tai Ji I have learned is 88 steps traditional Yang style Tai Ji. About the Xing Yi, I have learned it too :)
June 7th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Building foundation is important in anything, when you have the foundation or the basic, you will never fall back easily again. Tai Ji including Yoga, Ballet, Aikido, Qi Gong, Wing Chun..they look graceful and soft on the outside but they are powerful from the inside. Inner power or strength is what we are looking for.