commonquestions

Who Can do Tai Chi?

Simply, almost anyone can do Tai Chi. I have had students as young as seven years old, and as old as ninety years old. I have had a blind student, a student with M.S. and a whole class of geriatric clients in wheelchairs. While the majority of my students are healthy, you do not need to be in incredible shape to take Tai Chi.

What are the benefits of Tai Chi?

There are a variety of benefits to Tai Chi. The first benefit is simply that it is a great workout for the large quadrocept muscles of the thigh. Tai Chi also quite quickly improves ones balance and proprioception. Tai Chi also reduces the stress and tension that people tend to carry in their joints. There is a deepening of ones breathing. There are also all of the benefits associated with any form of meditation, including a quieting of the mind, an increase in concentration and an increased ability to focus on the task at hand.

Who developed Tai Chi?

This question is more complicated that it first appears. The traditional founder of Tai Chi is a fellow named Chang San-feng of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The various schools have all descended from his original forms.

However, Chang San-feng did not suddenly create his forms out of a vacuum. There is a long tradition in Taoist philosophy/religion called developing the self. Basically, this tradition is based on the idea that in order to develop the spirit, one must also develop the body. Therefore, people worked at developing excercises, meditiations, potions and elixers to improve their bodies and extend their lives. There are texts describing elements of developing the self dating back to the fourth century B.C.

What is the difference between Internal and external martial arts?

Martial arts can be divided into two groups: internal and external. Very roughly speaking, external arts block the opponents strikes (kicks or punches) and try to get their own strikes past the oppoent's blocking. Internal arts take the energy of the opponents strikes and reflect it back to them. There are three types of internal arts: Tai-chi chuan (or the martial aspect of tai chi), Pa-kua and Hsing I.

IIs Tai Chi exciting?

Some people have an image of Tai Chi as good for you, but fairly boring. "What do you think about while you're doing all that slow movement" is a question I sometimes get. The mind is always active while doing the forms. As well, aside from the forms, there are a number of two person excercises (similar to sparring) called push-hands which are extremely exciting.

What form of Tai Chi do you teach?

I teach Yang style Tai Chi. I was taught by Stephen Berman.

Is Tai Chi a martial art?

Absolutely. Tai Chi may take some time to learn to use effectively, but it can be an extremely effective martial art.

Is there only one form of Tai Chi?

No. I know six Yang style forms. There are three open hand or unarmed forms: short, Cheng Man Ching and long dance. The short form only has twenty-four moves in it, and is a nice form in that it can be done fairly quickly. For example, if you are having a stressful day at work, this form can be done over a coffee break. Cheng Man Ching form was developed, oddly enough, by a man named Cheng Man Ching. This form is longer than the twenty four form, but not as long as the long dance. The long dance has one hundred and eight moves in it, and is the most common form done. As far as weapons forms go, I know the sword, sabre and staff.

ere to add your text.