Slow motion movement, chilled out exercise or dance cannot be considered tai chi.
Tai chi is more than this.
It adheres to certain parameters, guidelines and rules of practice.
Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts
Thursday
Research could save you time & money
A would-be student should take the time to learn a little more about taijiquan before attending a class.
Do a little research.
The time spent will be worthwhile.
You do not want to waste years of your life learning something useless...
Do a little research.
The time spent will be worthwhile.
You do not want to waste years of your life learning something useless...
Wednesday
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 what taijiquan really means.
In truth, there is often little consensus.
It is important to find out what taijiquan really means.
Tuesday
The real deal?
Although many classes claim to be teaching taijiquan, very few are.
In order for the Art to qualify as taijiquan, it must adhere to the essence of the Art:
In order for the Art to qualify as taijiquan, it must adhere to the essence of the Art:
- Move your body in accord with The Tai Chi Classics
- Train all 13 areas of study
- Follow Yang's 10 Essentials
- Maintain medically-sound body use
- Employ the taijiquan principles at all times
- Embody the teachings of Taoism
- 13 movements should be expressed at all times
- Every movement is a whole-body movement
Providing these criteria are met, you have an immense degree of freedom for personal expression and individual interpretation.
Monday
How can I tell?
You can easily gauge the credibility of a taijiquan 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.
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.
Friday
Style?
Style is not important in taijiquan.
What matters is the correct application of the taijiquan principles at all times.
Ultimately, style simply reflects differences of interpretation, preferences and individual emphasis.
It is good that people practice different styles; it adds diversity and variety to the Art.
What matters is the correct application of the taijiquan principles at all times.
Ultimately, style simply reflects differences of interpretation, preferences and individual emphasis.
It is good that people practice different styles; it adds diversity and variety to the Art.
Thursday
Self defence applications
Self defence moves do not qualify as taijiquan.
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 taijiquan martial artist should have the same standard of skill expected of any martial art: karate, taekwondo, judo, wing chun, ju jutsu, aikido etc.
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 taijiquan martial artist should have the same standard of skill expected of any martial art: karate, taekwondo, judo, wing chun, ju jutsu, aikido etc.
Wednesday
Other approaches
Common approaches to tai chi you may encounter:
- Tai chi tailored for the over 50's
- Tai chi as keep fit
- Tai chi-style exercise
- Tai chi as performance art
- Numbered forms (i.e. 24 step)
- Tai chi as dance
- Qigong referred to as tai chi (shibashi)
- Taijiquan offered alongside other martial arts by an instructor who practices a variety of systems
- Tai chi classes offered by a 'learn from a book' or 'fast track' or 'long distance qualification' so-called instructor
- Tai chi as an add-on to something else, e.g. Alexander Technique "Let's do a bit of tai chi"
The differences between these approaches are worth some consideration.
Meditation in tai chi
The meditation aspect of tai chi training encompasses a wide variety of different approaches, all designed to cultivate presence:
Every exercise, form movement and partner drill challenges the student to remain here and now.
By bringing the mind to the immediate moment we aim to become unselfconscious - not thinking, not talking, not emoting.
Just being.
By bringing the mind to the immediate moment we aim to become unselfconscious - not thinking, not talking, not emoting.
Just being.
Tuesday
Friday
Wide awake
In order to awaken your mind you simply need to be here and now.
Nowhere else.
At any given time, nothing else in the universe matters more than what you are doing right now.
The cars outside, the neighbours, the music, the humming of the computer, the smell of food are all part of the moment, and you are nowhere but here.
It is all happening at once and you are totally immersed in it.
Nowhere else.
At any given time, nothing else in the universe matters more than what you are doing right now.
The cars outside, the neighbours, the music, the humming of the computer, the smell of food are all part of the moment, and you are nowhere but here.
It is all happening at once and you are totally immersed in it.
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