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WHAT IS TAI CHI? |
Tai Chi was originally a Chinese Martial art, but over the last century it has shifted its emphasis away from combat exclusively, towards other ends. Ask 100 Tai Chi teachers today "What is tai Chi?" and you'll get 100 different answers. Most answers though, will fall into one of 3 categories: Health, Martial or Philosophical.
HEALTH: Some people will tell you that Tai Chi is now a health art, practised by senior citizens in parks across the world in order to promote good balance, co-ordination, deep breathing and as a tool to overcome stress. The world, they say is becoming ever more stressful, with pollution and contamination everywhere we look. We need tools that connect our minds and bodies and can help us defend ourselves against this attack on our immune system.
MARTIAL: Some people will tell you that Tai Chi remains a martial art, and that health practitioners have hijacked the art from its fighting origins. They will insist (with a shaking fist) that unless you practice the martial side, you are practising a bland and empty form of Tai Chi.
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PHILOSOPHY: Some people will tell you that the martial moves of Tai Chi mean nothing nowadays. The world has moved on from the days in which individuals were called to defend villages by hand-to-hand combat. We live in a digital and nuclear age and therefore need to update our training accordingly. For this we need to incorporate the ideas behind the moves, the philosophical tradition that is rooted in an ancient text called: the Tao Te Ching.
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WHATS THE TRUTH?
One of the interesting concepts about Tai Chi (that is often overlooked) is that it can possess opposing and often contradictory sides, yet still remain a coherent art. In other words, you can practice the art for either health, martial, philosophical or spiritual purposes - and it is all Tai Chi.
One of the interesting concepts about Tai Chi (that is often overlooked) is that it can possess opposing and often contradictory sides, yet still remain a coherent art. In other words, you can practice the art for either health, martial, philosophical or spiritual purposes - and it is all Tai Chi.
Let's take one example: If you are looking to improve your balance - both physical and mental, then Tai Chi offers specific exercises and programmes that can help you achieve these. If, however, you are looking for ways to relax the mind, breathe deeper and find an inner stillness, then there are other aspects of Tai Chi you might prefer to focus on. Finally, there is the series of postures known as the Tai Chi Form that are slowly memorised and repeated - almost like a slow-motion dance.
All are aspects of Tai Chi, but you don't need to learn every part. You can choose to learn those aspects that best answer your needs. After all, this is 21st Century Tai Chi - and there are ways to tailor courses to fit you.
So instead of asking "What is Tai Chi", we could ask:
All these things are possible. Everything depends on what you are looking for.
HOW TO DISCOVER IF TAI CHI CAN HELP YOU...
Like to try out Tai Chi and discover which elements are right for you? Try the 3 Step Free Course with the teapotmonk today.
All are aspects of Tai Chi, but you don't need to learn every part. You can choose to learn those aspects that best answer your needs. After all, this is 21st Century Tai Chi - and there are ways to tailor courses to fit you.
So instead of asking "What is Tai Chi", we could ask:
- Can Tai Chi help me with my co-ordination, posture and balance?
- Can Tai Chi help me relax easier, feel less tense and feel less stressed?
- Can Tai Chi help me strengthen my body, allow me to feel more confident in myself, more efficient and more purposeful in the things I chose to do
All these things are possible. Everything depends on what you are looking for.
HOW TO DISCOVER IF TAI CHI CAN HELP YOU...
Like to try out Tai Chi and discover which elements are right for you? Try the 3 Step Free Course with the teapotmonk today.
