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  • tai chi

    this may be off the topic, but i was wondering if anyone here is into tai chi. im thinkin about taking it at my college as a little something to look forewward to while at school. im not sure what kind of tai chi it is, bet its labeled "non combative". what can expect from tai chi? what is a persons usual goal in tai chi? what skills can one gain from it ? thx

  • #2
    I have a lot of respect for Tai Chi.
    A few years ago, I took a few Tai Chi classes with a young british dude and he used the 'stiking palms' on me and I was impress. The other move he tried was the 'push' but it was quiet easy to counter once you have some stand-up MA basics.
    The 'stiking palms' works like I punched him and he will read my move by 'deflecting my punch in such a way I was actually going backwards rather that foward! He will basically 'tap' my elbow and force my punching arm to go side way rather than forward and at the same time such 'deflection' will make me lose my stance and 'force' me to go go back.
    I advise you to give it a go just for the sake of an MA experience outside the circle.
    Such MA is considered 'soft' and uses 'internal' energy. Even if you do the external energy MA, it is always interesting to give it a go.
    Unfortunality, even if the Thai Chi instructor was young and willing to 'spar' for demonstration purpose only, he made it clear it was a 'moving meditation' more than a MA.
    It is a pity because it impossible from experience to find a Tai Chi instructor that is willing to teach the MA aspect of such internal art. they are only interested in the 'meditation' side of it.
    I do know much about chinese MA but read somewhere that internal energy based MA were highly 'respected' by streetfighters back in the days.
    And that were the Wing Chun story started by mixing internal and external kung fu style together.
    But I guess you would get more info in the chinese MA section in the forum.

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    • #3
      It's very difficult to find a Tai Chi instructor that is capable of using it in a sparring/fighting situation. I'm sure someone out there can do it, but I haven't met one yet (admittedly I don't search very hard, since I'm using Tai Chi as more of a supplimental "moving meditation" style). I think you would probably have better luck finding a Hsing I instructor that is capable of using the style for fighting (since there are a few Hsing I schools that compete in Kuo Shu/San Shou fulll contact events).

      But I would also second Wardancer's reccomendation to at least give it a try. I guess my only concern is that it's taught at a college, so the course will only give you the most basic aspects of Tai Chi (probably just the form and some breathing exercises). If you like the "intro" at the college, then maybe you can find a school in your area that includes other aspects like meditation, push hands and if you're lucky...sparring.

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