starting T'ai Chi

[tbubb1]

Hey, I'm starting to experiment with T'ai Chi. There aren't any classes in my area, so I've bought various books and a cheap DVD ("Simply T'ai Chi" if anyone has heard of it...doubt it). Anyway, they're all teaching me a simple, short version of the Yang Style with some differences. Sadly, it's incredibly difficult to learn something like T'ai Chi from a book, so I'm wondering if there are people on this message board that can help me when I have questions? Thanks for your time.

[Syd]

Hello and welcome.

We're a diverse group of practitioners here with a few diverse styles of Taijiquan behind us, some more Tai Chi than Taijiquan and others more Taijiquan than Ta Chi. We don't always agree but you will always be peppered with answers and information if you ask a question, make no mistake about that. ;)

Enjoy.

[Taiji Butterfly]

Hello and welcome.

We're a diverse group of practitioners here with a few diverse styles of Taijiquan behind us, some more Tai Chi than Taijiquan and others more Taijiquan than Ta Chi. We don't always agree but you will always be peppered with answers and information if you ask a question, make no mistake about that. ;)

Enjoy.
Greetings Pretending
I'm happy to give you my opinions on anything you like.
I'll just start by pointing out that Syd's Tai Chi and Taijiquan description is his own view and imo technically incorrect!!lol People commonly shorten Taijiquan to Tai Chi or Taiji, which is normal, however Syd says they mean different things (which they do in one way, but not in the way he is saying imo lol!!)
Tai Chi (Taiji) refers to the great function of yin and yang energies in the universe (sometimes translated as 'Supreme Ultimate') so everything that exists (and probably everything that doesn't too) is always 'doing' Tai Chi all the time lol. Taijiquan (Tai Ch'i Ch'uan - Supreme Ultimate Fist) refers to the Taiji movement system. Because Ch'uan or quan is most often translated as 'fist' there is the assumption that people who do not engage in overtly (stereotypically) 'martial' training (or a particular version of this as put forward by certain high-profile modern practitioners and backed up by their modern Chinese sponsors) are not practising Taijiquan proper.
I totally disagree with this point of view.
The 'quan' aspect can refer to an exercise system, a job of work, an activity, a way or system etc. Chinese language rarely translates word for word into English, there are great subtleties to it. Assuming martial art is all about proving how great you are in fights is a degenerate aspect of modern chinese martial arts imo. There is (and always has been) another way. Pushing people around and shouting loud does not make one way of doing things better than any other. They are just two aspects of the same process.
The way in which you practice will depend on a number of things - your teacher, your motives, your nature and your personal preference to name a few. Tao (Dao) is intrinsic to Taiji, this means you must follow your own nature and find the Way within yourself imo.
Neither Syd, me, his teacher or mine can tell you what is 'right' and 'wrong' Taiji - but we can tell you what we think we know!
(Syd, I typed this as an example of what you first said rather than seeking a debate with you over this btw lol) :cool:
N :D

[Syd]

Neither Syd, me, his teacher or mine can tell you what is 'right' and 'wrong' Taiji - but we can tell you what we think we know!

However I do my best not to make a guessing game of it, there are indeed Yang Family writings and teachings, as guides, as well as the Classics themselves, not to mention the large array of writings attributed to their students that teach the correct and incorrect practice of Taijiquan ... it's those things that both my teacher and myself adhere to, thats hardly guesstimation. ;) You only have to read those writings and teachings to quickly realise that there are indeed right and wrong ways to practice Taijiquan. Sorry but we will differ here.

(Syd, I typed this as an example of what you first said rather than seeking a debate with you over this btw lol) :cool:
N :D

No worries, though you might not actually understand the difference between my take on Tai Chi and Taijiquan. By Taijiquan I simply mean a balanced art that places equal emphasis on the martial and civil aspects, as it was intended to be practiced. By Tai Chi I mean the art practiced by many that has most, if not all of it's emphasis on the purely civil aspects with little or no practice of the martial ... essentially this is not Taijiquan, the classics state this quite clearly! :)

[nzric]

In other words, what Syd and Taiji Butterfly mean to say is Ask Away!

[gerard]

In other words, what Syd and Taiji Butterfly mean to say is Ask Away!


The point is that TB is closer to the truth than Syd. What I mean is that once the development of the practitioner is near the TRUTH external movement is not necessary. Taijiquan and Tai Chi would be a game for kids.

The most important thing is internal development, which includes spiritual cultivation and internal organs strength and harmony according to Yin & Yang and Five Elements theory.

:)

[Syd]

The point is that TB is closer to the truth than Syd. What I mean is that once the development of the practitioner is near the TRUTH external movement is not necessary. Taijiquan and Tai Chi would be a game for kids.

The most important thing is internal development, which includes spiritual cultivation and internal organs strength and harmony according to Yin & Yang and Five Elements theory.

:)

Gerard.

You are so far in contradiction of the classics with that attitude that it beggers belief ... there's nothing left to say.

I'm quietly departing this forum, ADC is right ... :rolleyes:

[gerard]

Gerard.

You are so far in contradiction of the classics with that attitude that it beggers belief ... there's nothing left to say.

Explain yourself.




I'm quietly departing this forum, ADC is right ... :rolleyes:


Adios.


:)

[jorvik]

I think that I favour Syd's approach. I've done TC "dance".
.Without knowing the Martial aspects of the art, quite frankly, you know nothing of the art :eek:
You have to know the correct way to move to derive any health benefits from TC, and to know that you must know what the moves signify. when I did TC dance the forms were far too rigid.......the people didn't know how to open their Qua (sp) and a lot of this was down to not knowing what the moves were.....they were just moves, I guess it's a bit like swimming in air, you can do it........but you are not really swimming until you get into water :D

[Syd]

Explain yourself.

Read the classics! "Martial and the Civil in equal measure otherwise it is not Taijiquan" ... Taijiquan is both yin and yang, place too much emphasis on one and you are no longer doing Taijiquan but something else altogether.


Adios. :)

Slan ...

[gerard]

Read the classics! "Martial and the Civil in equal measure otherwise it is not Taijiquan" ... Taijiquan is both yin and yang, place too much emphasis on one and you are no longer doing Taijiquan but something else altogether.




Slan ...


I think I should have explained myself:

Taijiquan is an excellent and beautiful art. I hope everyone will forgive me now. However if you cultivate and refine your spirit, and merge qi into jing into it, and previously strengthen your internal organs to the maximum then the shadow dance wouldn't be that necessary since you are operating at a higher level, the physical becomes more energetic, you are liberating yourself from the cage you are living in. Therefore Taijiquan and any other martial arts are irrelevant. But before that time arrives Taijiquan is an excellent mechanism to speed up internal alchemy.


Syd:

Do you feel better know? ;)

Slan: mmm... cheeky Irishman. Let me guess:

我看了光當您是瞎的

:)

[nzric]

pretendingtodie - as you can see, there are a lot of different opinions here. Guaranteed though that you'll get good information from all sides of the tai chi camp.

IMHO - it's extremely important to realise that tai chi is founded on martial principles. Once you understand this and understand the applications, you might want to forget about the martial side and just do it for health/relaxation. However, without an understanding of the martial aspects of tai chi you won't get the full benefits.

[Visage]

Welcome along!
Until you can find a class, I'd recommend you look at the book "The Complete Book Of Tai Chi Chuan" by Wong Kiew Kit. A very good indepth Tai Chi manual.

[Shadowdh]

Also the Dao of Taijiquan by Jou, Tsung Hwa is pretty good... (more to follow about to go out...)

[Wanderer]

Best of luck.

Cheers.