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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 tai chi.
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 'tai chi' 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 the old Yang style
tai chi for a solution. They wanted a workout 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.
Tai chi fighting method
Classes offering tai chi chuan (dynamic balancing boxing) are very rare indeed.
To train tai chi 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.
4 styles
There are 4 traditional styles of tai chi: 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 (tai chi, bagua, 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 tai chi
The People's Republic developed tai chi for health forms e.g. 24 step. These are
not tai chi. They are just choreographed forms. They have no martial value.
Styles
It is important not to get too hung up on tai chi 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?
Principles
Style is not the main concern in tai chi. What matters most is the correct
application of the tai chi 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.
Self defence applications
Self defence moves do not qualify as tai chi. 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 tai chi martial artist should have the same standard of skill
expected of any martial art: karate, taekwondo, judo, wing chun, ju jutsu,
aikido etc.
Kung fu - how can I tell?
You can easily gauge the credibility of a kung fu (Chinese boxing) 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.
See what their students can do.
5
missing pieces
Many tai chi classes lack 5 important elements necessary in order for
tai chi 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, tai chi is lacking something and may not work in combat.
You must get fit
All martial arts require the student to be fit for combat and tai chi
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.
Worth reading
•
Authenticity
•
Inspired by tai chi
•
The
essence of the art
•
Tai chi principles
•
13 areas of study
•
Finding a tai chi class
•
Common
misconceptions
Page
created 9 January 1996
Last updated
8 April 1999
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