Tai Chi as a martial art?

[opr1945112 22]

from AI

Tai Chi (Taijiquan) originated as a powerful Chinese martial art for self-defense, developed by military figures like General Chen Wangting, blending Taoist philosophy, <<<|nav>>Qigong (breathing/energy work), and battlefield experience to create a system using yielding, redirection, and an opponent's force against them, with styles like Chen and Yang Tai Chi retaining these potent combat techniques alongside their health applications. Its roots are in using "softness to overcome hardness," rooted in observations like the snake-and-crane fight, focusing on leverage, rootedness, and internal energy rather than brute strength.

 

[opr1945112 22]

Google Search

 

[opr1945112 22]

Brief history and development discussion.

https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/history-of-tai-chi/

 

[opr1945112 22]

After my digression from Tai Chi as a Martial Art I found more information about Tai Chi offered at the local senior center.

Matú Kurzava Beginner class intro to all 5 styles (Tue)
Intermediate class Yang Style (Thur)

Cheng Tao Yang Style
Standing Tai Chi (Mon, Thur)
Seated Tai Chi (Mon,Thur

Ed sun style (Wed)
Qigong 8 Brocades (Mon)

To many smaller location with little to no internet presence to look into what other styles are available. Unless someone thinks I should or a particular style would be more beneficial for me.

 

[opr1945112 22]

Can anyone tell if this is AI generated or real?
Are there any tell tale signs to look for to recognize AI from real

Thanks.

 

[Appledog50 3]

Can anyone tell if this is AI generated or real?
Are there any tell tale signs to look for to recognize AI from real

Thanks.

AI doesn't have a confirmed lineage.

If you are learning or getting information from someone who does not have a lineage, you are most likely being cheated.

 

[opr1945112 22]

LOL> I meant the video itself?

 

[opr1945112 22]

FYI updates:
1. I have decided to join one of the Sun style classes of Tai Chi offered at a local library. I also came across a Qi Gong class. currently the time it is offered does not work for me. I am trying to adjust my schedule to accommodate it.

2. I found a video that addresses Tai Chi as a martial art. I have no idea if it is accurate, but appears to make some sense.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

This is the best Taiji application video IMO.

 

[drewtoby]

That's a great video, thanks for sharing! I have learned a few of these applications from push hands (moving and fixed step).

It's also worth noting that these are just one possible application of the postures/movements. Each posture/movement has a plethora of possible applications.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

Not too many people who trains Taiji like the way my teacher did - take a move out of Taiji form and drill it left and right.

 

[DanBian]

...
How does the slow motion movements of Tai Chi prepare one for a full contact motion punch/block in a street self defense situation?

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I'll throw a tuppence in

Taijiquan/Tai Chi Chuan is comprised of different aspects;

• Forms - akin to Kata in Karate. A series of linked movements, with each movement or "posture" having multiple possible applications, depending on the style and/or instructor
• Pushing Hands - a series of partner exercises that start off training sensitivity and redirection of opponents force, with later stages of Pushing Hands incorperating the applications of the movements seen in the form, which takes Pushing Hands into the realms of a more competitive/combative practice. Modern PH competitions bare some similarities to Sumo in objective of trying to manouvre your opponent out of a ring, or throw them on the floor.

The aspect that most people are familiar with is Form - the slow, flowing movements. And for many people, simply learning a form or two is enough. Slow form practice can improve balance, body awareness, strengthen the legs, and is sometimes approached as a meditative practice of its own, incorperating various forms of breath work, visualisation etc.
But a Tai Chi form can be "played" in different ways - it can be played, slow and smooth, fast and aggressive, with broken rythme... all sorts of things.
A main reason it's trained slowly is to allow the practitioner to pay attention to the multitude of alignments, weight shifting, arm movements, waist movements, leg movements - so much going on in a single movement, going quickly it is easy to gloss over the fine detail - and it's in the fine detail that the benefits of Tai Chi for health come from.

How are you getting on with Tai Chi?

 

[Same Trick59 10]

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I'll throw a tuppence in

Taijiquan/Tai Chi Chuan is comprised of different aspects;

• Forms - akin to Kata in Karate. A series of linked movements, with each movement or "posture" having multiple possible applications, depending on the style and/or instructor
• Pushing Hands - a series of partner exercises that start off training sensitivity and redirection of opponents force, with later stages of Pushing Hands incorperating the applications of the movements seen in the form, which takes Pushing Hands into the realms of a more competitive/combative practice. Modern PH competitions bare some similarities to Sumo in objective of trying to manouvre your opponent out of a ring, or throw them on the floor.

The aspect that most people are familiar with is Form - the slow, flowing movements. And for many people, simply learning a form or two is enough. Slow form practice can improve balance, body awareness, strengthen the legs, and is sometimes approached as a meditative practice of its own, incorperating various forms of breath work, visualisation etc.
But a Tai Chi form can be "played" in different ways - it can be played, slow and smooth, fast and aggressive, with broken rythme... all sorts of things.
A main reason it's trained slowly is to allow the practitioner to pay attention to the multitude of alignments, weight shifting, arm movements, waist movements, leg movements - so much going on in a single movement, going quickly it is easy to gloss over the fine detail - and it's in the fine detail that the benefits of Tai Chi for health come from.

How are you getting on with Tai Chi?

Yes in these ways TJQ is no different from Karate…

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

How does the slow motion movements of Tai Chi prepare one for a full contact motion punch/block in a street self defense situation?

This video may change your opinion.

 

[JonBhoy31 2]

Its been a real long time since I studied it, but my Sifu taught it as a fighting art. We would break the long form down into sections (to learn it), then he would show applications from the movements.

 

[Mostly Wu]

1 - Learn the Hand Form
2- Basic Pushing Hands
3- More complicated Pushing Hands(i.e. Nine Palace, Da Lu)
4- Learn Weapons sets/ perhaps some Qigong(timing of this can vary)

For those interested in the martial arts, you can start in fairly early- it all depends on what you bring to the table in terms of experience and what you and your body are capable of. Usually you want to have at least the form and a bit of basic Pushing Hands first. then it's;

- Basic Applications from the form
- Breakfalls
- More complicated applications, including throws

If you wanted to go further;


- Free Style Pushing Hands - in my club, we'd pull out the mats and go at it. No blows, but locks, throws, uprooting. All of the previous training was co-operative. This was not.
- Sparring w/o equipment.
- Sparring with equipment.

This is a general outline of how the martial side was taught at my club. There were other things taught, such as conditioning(mental and physical), as well as theory(mental and physical), meditation, etc. Generally, if you stick with the top 4 activities listed above you will tend to get healthier, and avoid injury. In the Co-operative applications, injuries happen, but infrequently. Later on, in the non Co-operative Sparring and Free Style Pushing Hands, all bets are off. You don't try to injure your partner, but sprains, bruises, ligament tears, lacerations, and broken bones can all happen while sparring or doing matwork. Comes with the territory.

BTW, I played a fair amount of hockey, and coached later in life. Most practicing is done at lesser speeds. Going "all out" sounds good, but usually results in injury, and you tend to gloss over details that will help you improve your skills as a player.

 

[Dragonfly41]

This man shows tai chi is a martial art.

 

[Xue Sheng107 25]

1 - Learn the Hand Form
2- Basic Pushing Hands
3- More complicated Pushing Hands(i.e. Nine Palace, Da Lu)
4- Learn Weapons sets/ perhaps some Qigong(timing of this can vary)

For those interested in the martial arts, you can start in fairly early- it all depends on what you bring to the table in terms of experience and what you and your body are capable of. Usually you want to have at least the form and a bit of basic Pushing Hands first. then it's;

- Basic Applications from the form
- Breakfalls
- More complicated applications, including throws

If you wanted to go further;


- Free Style Pushing Hands - in my club, we'd pull out the mats and go at it. No blows, but locks, throws, uprooting. All of the previous training was co-operative. This was not.
- Sparring w/o equipment.
- Sparring with equipment.

This is a general outline of how the martial side was taught at my club. There were other things taught, such as conditioning(mental and physical), as well as theory(mental and physical), meditation, etc. Generally, if you stick with the top 4 activities listed above you will tend to get healthier, and avoid injury. In the Co-operative applications, injuries happen, but infrequently. Later on, in the non Co-operative Sparring and Free Style Pushing Hands, all bets are off. You don't try to injure your partner, but sprains, bruises, ligament tears, lacerations, and broken bones can all happen while sparring or doing matwork. Comes with the territory.

BTW, I played a fair amount of hockey, and coached later in life. Most practicing is done at lesser speeds. Going "all out" sounds good, but usually results in injury, and you tend to gloss over details that will help you improve your skills as a player.

Wu stlye?

Always like the fact that Wu style taught a break fall. Other taijiquan styles generally don't. I learned Yang style as a martial art...but was never taught a break fall, and I spent some time on the floor. Luckily I had a Japanese Jiujutsu background and still knew how to fall

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

Always like the fact that Wu style taught a break fall. Other taijiquan styles generally don't.

This is one of my favor questions to ask people (I like to ask question and let people to draw their own conclusions.）

If your style doesn't have "X", do you pretend that "X" doesn't exist and you will never need it for the rest of your life, or will you try to cross train from other MA system? After you have learned that from other MA system, will you try to integrate it into your primary MA system (So your next generation will not have to go through your process)?

 

[Mostly Wu]

Wu stlye?

Always like the fact that Wu style taught a break fall. Other taijiquan styles generally don't. I learned Yang style as a martial art...but was never taught a break fall, and I spent some time on the floor. Luckily I had a Japanese Jiujutsu background and still knew how to fall

Yeah.
I took Yoshinkai Aikido for a while, though, and they are really good at teaching breakfalls, as are many of the Japanese styles. Helped me a lot when teaching beginners, especially those who are timid, as the Aikido people are really good at breaking down exactly how to fall.

Our club in Toronto had mats from day one(mid 70's), but I heard something funny from a guy who trained in HK with Wu Ta Kwei in the 1950's. He said they tried mats for a while, but felt it was making them soft, so went back to just bare tile floors. To this day, you'll see demo's of full throws done by them on cement floors. Middle aged guys, and older too, some of them.