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:
Tai chi tailored for the elderly
Tai chi tailored for specific medical problems i.e. arthritis
Tai chi-style exercise
Tai chi in a chair
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
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
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)
Tai chi 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"
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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