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WHAT IS TAI CHI?Tips and advice from the teapotmOnk on the fundamentals of Tai Chi
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IS TAI CHI A HEALTH ART, MARTIAL ART OR PHILOSOPHY?
Although Tai Chi teachers share far more than they will probably admit, the one question that divides them is "What is Tai Chi?". Definitions are passed down by families and traditions and they tend to be pretty inflexible. What we can agree on is that 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. What these ends are, and whether they still constitute Tai Chi, is where the arguments begin. Ask 100 Tai Chi teachers today "What is tai Chi?" and you'll get 100 different answers. For simplicity though, most answers generally fall into one of 3 categories: Health, Martial or Philosophical.
WHAT IS TAI CHI: IS IT A HEALTH ART?
Some people will tell you that Tai Chi is exclusively 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, not against assailants, but against an attack on our immune system, our diets our lifestyle.
WHAT IS TAI CHI: IS IT A MARTIAL ART?
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Some people will tell you that Tai Chi is predominantly 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. Is this true? Perhaps a light reading of Tai Chi history would help in these circumstances and some advice from the great masters.
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WHAT IS TAI CHI: IS IT A PHILOSOPHY?
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Some people will tell you that the martial moves of Tai Chi count for little 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 militaristic age and therefore need to update our training accordingly. For this we need to understand the ideas behind the moves, and the philosophical tradition that is rooted in an ancient text called: the Tao Te Ching. It is only here that Tai Chi can provide us with 21st century tools.
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WHAT IS TAI CHI: IS IT MORE THAN ONE THING?
One of the interesting concepts about Tai Chi (that is conveniently 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 health, martial, philosophical and spiritual purposes - 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. Read more on the different questions that people ask about Tai Chi at the bottom of this page...or put aside the theory and start your training 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?
- Can the ideas behind the moves help me interpret a world that is in constant flux and turmoil?
All these things are possible. Everything depends on what you are looking for. Read more on the different questions that people ask about Tai Chi at the bottom of this page...or put aside the theory and start your training today:
