Tai Chi,good self-defense art or not?

[jubaji]

Actually if you are learning real taiji ...

And on and on it goes

[BaguaBoxer]

happy to

Jubija I will be happy to send you a pic of me working out on the dummy I hand make I'm sure it looks like the one in your videogame.

[jubaji]

onaji

Jubija I will be happy to send you a pic of me working out on the dummy.

How would I be able to tell the two of you apart?

[WonderingTaoist]

BaquaBoxer You said your woden dummy has level arms, you dont see that very often. I prefer the level arms as well. I find It allows much more variation of technique. How long do they take you to make? Got any pictures? Ever sell any?

[Tom Yum]

I have said in other posts that taiji is a way of moving. That way of moving can be learned in a short time but real power comes with time and practice.

I have practiced a little taiji - only a few movements for basic excercise. They are very relaxing and make you 'glow' after you finish. The movements themselves use the entire body, which is why I think it takes beginners who have no other martial arts experience a long time to appreciate much less apply. For example, if you ask a beginner to open a door using a push technique from taiji, they will push with their arms whereas someone who understands body movement will slightly sink and push from their legs through their arms, upward and out into the door.

In all honesty though, I am a true beginner at taiji.

[47MartialMan]

Actually if you are learning real taiji then the exercise is known as hitting hands. The majority of push hands has been watered down to a shoving match. Real taiji doesnt push, it hits. As for sticky hands (or skin listening as we call it) yes, that is a a w.c term but all internal arts make use of the principle. The Tai Chi Classics call it "sticking and adhering." For those of us who have crosstrained in each style, the edges become blurred, so to speak. Note: we don't cross train to find the differences, we cross train to find the similarities. And yes Taijichuan, Baquazhang and Hsin Yi Chuan would the the proper names but we are typing here. and I'd bet most martial artists would make crummy secretaries. If you train taiji without martial skills you arent training taiji at all.

But most TC (teachers) out there-do not go as far as trapping and hitting. They stop at "pushing". And many are into the health/fitness "jet set".

[BaguaBoxer]

wodden dummy

I have not begun to sell them yet as I have only made one and donated it to the dojo I learn in. I have attached a photo of the dummy before another student had sanded finished and sealed it so it looks a little rough. They are extremely hard to make and it took me 6 months only of which 72 hours was actually working on the dummy but I had to wait for the wood to dry out and I work and train so the dummy was a side project at the time. i used my father in law's lathe to make the arms and leg and I used a chainsaw to make the morticed joints (the square holes) all in all its very functional and I am very proud that I was able to make it.

[Ironpalm]

36912151812123

[47MartialMan]

any references?

[Ironpalm]

any references?

Not following your point, references to what?

[47MartialMan]

reference to links and info that beleive that Tai Ji is all about fighting/defense

[Ironpalm]

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[jubaji]

Web links? No. However, have you read the Classics of Chang San Fang or Wang Tsung-Yueh? .

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LOL

[BaguaBoxer]

definition

Martial according to websters dictionary means "pertaining to war or military life". Last time I checked ancient soldiers were not doing jumping jacks to subdue any enemy so I'm gonna say Tai-Chi was created for fighting exercise is just a sideline effect like most physical labor.

[WonderingTaoist]

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LOL

No doubt! What the hell was Ironpalm thinking quoting those guys?
Sometimes you have to wonder about people. I mean you have some of the best Matial artist in history as your teachers jubaji, how do you put up with all the nonsense? It never ceases to amaze me all the experts out thier with half the training you have. Anyway Chang San Fang only CREATED Tai Chi so why bother with him? As as for Wang Tsung-Yueh...

I dont blame you with teachers like yours who needs those stupid dead chinese guys advice? When you have (I am SO jealous) both the Thunder Cats AND The Teenage Mutant Turtles as teachers, I mean wow you are the man...