Isn't tai chi just slow motion exercise?

No. Some of the training methods are slow, and some are not. As the student gains greater skill, their movements become fluid and dynamic. They move at whatever speed the situation demands.

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.

Intelligent exercise

In the longevity book The Blue Zones, Dr Robert Kane emphasised the fact that many forms of exercise - especially sport - often have adverse side effects that impede long-term practice. 
By contrast, as a milder form of exercise, tai chi can be practiced throughout your entire lifespan, making it a safer, sustainable choice. Tai chi is a fun, balanced way to exercise. 

What is tai chi?

When most people say 'tai chi' they mean tai chi for health. Tai chi for health is a simplified, movement-based exercise adapted from taijiquan (a Chinese martial art). 

Tai chi is intended to improve health and wellbeing through frequent, regular practice using low effort. 

Benefits

Students who complete the 100 days challenge experience a notable change in their health. They maintain and invigorate the body at the start of each day. Their posture is good: upright and strong, their eyes are clear and sharp. Instead of travelling to work feeling tired and emotionally strung out, the exponent feels great: creative, alert, lively and fresh.

External

Lacking the necessary, balance, connection, coordination and flow, most students resort to local arm strength and brute force during partner work. But that is not taijiquan.

100 days

Without an established daily home training routine it is very hard to make progress in this Art. Your body needs time to shed old habits and become familiar with the new movements. The habit of training every day is necessary if you genuinely want to become an 'internal martial artist'.

What makes tai chi 'tai chi'?

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.

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... 

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.

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:

1. Move your body in accord with The Tai Chi Classics 
2. Train all 13 areas of study
3. Follow Yang's 10 Essentials
4. Maintain medically-sound body use
5. Functionally apply the Art in a skilful 'taijiquan' way
6. Employ the taijiquan principles at all times
7. Embody the teachings of Taoism
8. 13 movements should be expressed at all times
9. 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.

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.

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.

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. 

Other approaches

Common approaches to tai chi you may encounter:

1. Tai chi tailored for the over 50's
2. Tai chi as keep fit
3. Tai chi-style exercise
4. Tai chi as performance art
5. Numbered forms (i.e. 24 step)
6. Tai chi as dance
7. Qigong referred to as tai chi (shibashi)
8. Taijiquan offered alongside other martial arts by an instructor who practices a variety of systems
9. Tai chi classes offered by a 'learn from a book' or 'fast track' or 'long distance qualification' so-called instructor
10. 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:

1. Attention
2. Breathing
3. Clarity
4. Concentration
5. Consciousness
6. Detachment
7. Emotional awareness
8. Heightened level of awareness
9. Mindful
10. Mushin
11. Seeing & looking
12. Self-awareness 

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.

Reading & contemplation

Meditation plays an important role in research and study:

1. Awakening
2. Contemplation
3. Exponential development
4. Insights
5. Krishnamurti's descriptions
6. Mystery
7. Perception
8. Rustic
9. Spiritual
10. Truth
11. Understanding
12. The Way
13. Wisdom
14. Words
15. Zen & tai chi

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.

I very much enjoy your sessions - without any false flattery, you have been one of the best instructors I have had for any martial art. Your commitment, patience and dedication to the art and your students is something that I believe many instructors should aspire to. To your credit, Sifu Waller, you have shown me something that has I did not expect to find in taijiquan... a comprehensive fighting system in itself. I wish the rest of the MA community would wake up and see what you see.
(Stuart)