Chinese internal martial art involving both striking and standing grappling.
0
votes
2answers
130 views
What is shen energy? Is there such a thing as a “shen state” and if so, how does it come about? [closed]
I have heard of a "shen" energy which is related to qi (chi) and also of something called a "shen state"; a state of heightened awareness and energy which comes on all at once, purportedly due to high ...
2
votes
4answers
150 views
What rate should I be learning tai chi and qi gong?
I am a beginner with Tai Chi QiGong. There are 20 Movements of forms. I have been taking classes for a little over 3 months and I have only learned 13 of them. For the past 3 classes there have only ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
What is “seven star”?
This question asks about a seven star mantis stance. In the Chen Man Ching Tai Chi form I practice we incorporate a move known as "step up to seven stars". Clearly there is some concept referenced ...
1
vote
0answers
84 views
Good music themes for Tai-chi [closed]
I'm searching for a good collection of music themes for Tai-chi. Any suggestion?
Note:
As I'm not expert in music, probably I cannot explain this, but I would prefer something not blaring (once I ...
6
votes
4answers
285 views
For a total beginner, is tai chi a good start?
I recently moved, and I found there are two classes within walking distance of my home. One is tai chi and the other is tae kwon do. I am in my thirties, have led a sedentary lifestyle so far. I'd ...
4
votes
5answers
278 views
What does it mean to “uproot” someone in tai chi?
What does it mean to "uproot" someone in tai chi? What do tai chi practitioners mean when they use this word? I can tell there's a specific meaning to this jargon, but can't identify it. I see the ...
6
votes
5answers
237 views
What aspects of health does form-based tai chi improve?
Similar to other practices--strength training, physical therapy, running, et cetera--we can evaluate the effectiveness of tai chi for improving fitness, mobility, strength, and other health markers. ...
1
vote
1answer
119 views
How and when martial art was originated, who originated it? [closed]
I have read of Bodhhidhharma's story, who taught Shaolin monks martial arts. I've read of Tai Chi to be the first martial art and root of all other. I've also read of Okinawa island where Japanese ...
7
votes
2answers
166 views
How, historically, did American push-hands get so restrictive in comparison to Chinese push-hands?
In tai chi circles outside of China, push hands competitions are noticeably more restrictive in their rules and format:
Many competitions use "fixed-step" rules (for example, this British event and ...
6
votes
6answers
1k views
What strength and conditioning exercises are used in tai chi?
Nearly all martial arts have some form of supplemental strength and conditioning exercises. Karate has hojo undo, boxing has road work, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has ginastica natural. These can be more ...
5
votes
3answers
254 views
What is the application for tai chi's single whip?
What the bleep is going on in tai chi's single whip posture? It seems to be emblematic of tai chi, being a pose frequently struck by practitioners in the presence of cameras.
The actual sequence ...
3
votes
5answers
524 views
How long should it take to gain fighting proficiency in tai chi?
I hear it commonly said that internal arts such as tai chi require a significant amount of time to become proficient. If undertaking the study of tai chi, without necessarily having prior experience ...
7
votes
1answer
107 views
What differentiates the major styles of Tai Chi?
When people speak of Tai Chi, usually they speak of it as a single style, even (in my experience) among those who are knowledgeable about martial arts. At first look, they do look very similar in that ...
3
votes
2answers
203 views
What are tai chi's high-percentage push hands techniques?
In the context of tai chi push hands, what are the most commonly effective techniques? (Push hands in competition and in class both count.)
For analogy, in judo, it is well known and documented that ...
6
votes
5answers
499 views
How does one progress from tai chi push hands to free-sparring?
A common tai chi pedagogy is to progress from forms to push hands (tui shou) to free sparring (san shou). As Ayron Howey says:
[You] cannot simply practice Tai Chi forms without other training in ...
