Questions tagged [tai-chi]

Chinese internal martial art involving both striking and standing grappling.

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0 votes
3 answers
467 views

Would Hapkido be a good choice for transitioning from Tai Chi (Yang) to a form with with more locks, strikes, falling for an older adult?

I currently practice Tai Chi (Yang style--short and long form) at an intermediate level. I enjoy it, but have recently wanted to explore a martial art form that still stresses economy/fluidness of ...
2 votes
1 answer
126 views

What are name of Tai chi 108 form Wu style in Cantonese?

I would like to know the name of 108 form, tai chi Wu style, in cantonesse
7 votes
4 answers
818 views

What elements of a typical Tai Chi curriculum are useful for fighting or combat sports?

On various internet forums and websites over the years, I have managed to acquire the impression that there are elements of wrestling/grappling (and perhaps even striking) within Tai Chi, though it is ...
2 votes
0 answers
103 views

Ip Man Wing Chun book didn't cover deep breathing

It seems the Ip Man syllabus removed deep breathing for Siu Lim Tao part 1. Anyone has idea why the part is removed? (Google Books link) From this blog entry: This video shows the Ving Tsun (wing ...
14 votes
9 answers
3k 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 ...
12 votes
8 answers
904 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. ...
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

What is happening physiologically when the whole body violently shakes during standing qigong?

The very first time I did standing qigong (8 postures held for 5 minutes each, totalling 40 minutes), my arms and legs started to violently shake, not necessarily at the same time, and then there were ...
4 votes
2 answers
83 views

Is a dualistic perspective required to grasp nei gong?

I've started reading "Daoist Nei Gong" by Damo Mitchell, but I'm struggling with most of the concepts because I don't share the same metaphysical perspective. What prompted me to read it was ...
3 votes
1 answer
86 views

What is the technical name for this movement performed by Master Wong in Birth of the Dragon?

I recently watched Birth of the Dragon on Netflix, and absolutely loved it. However, one particular movement caught my eye above all others, simply for the overwhelming appearance that something ...
2 votes
2 answers
99 views

How to defend against linear elbow strike in taiji push hands?

In push hands, in certain schools, it is not uncommon for a player to collapse their arm into a folded position, such that the elbow extends forward for a strike. (This is typically not a finishing ...
5 votes
4 answers
189 views

Is it common and expected that shifus give theory classes about stuff like TCM, meridians and joints?

I have practiced taiji for some time. I also practiced shaolin styles for some time. However, when practicing stuff like sparring I feel I could do it better if I understood stuff like traditional ...
10 votes
5 answers
1k 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 ...
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1 answer
279 views

Combinations in Grasping the Birds Tail

Nearly every tai chi movement contains multiple techniques and applications, in that every given movement can be broken down into a set of "steps", each requiring a different usage of waist ...
11 votes
10 answers
2k 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 ...
5 votes
2 answers
661 views

How is Tai Chi different as a martial art in terms of self defense/combat?

I am doing a lot of research on Tai Chi as a martial art and specifically trying to find out more about its application in a self defense/combat context (whether sparring or street). Watching ...
9 votes
4 answers
264 views

Cheng Man-Ch'ing advises that breath should be: Fine, Long, Calm, and Slow. What does this mean?

In Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation Master Cheng states: "The four secret words for proper breathing are: fine, long, calm, and slow." Please help to correct my ...
2 votes
3 answers
808 views

Practicing a form with closed eyes

I have been training in Chen style Tai chi for more than 2 years, and I can say I can perform the first routine, Yi lu, without thinking of the form (which movement comes next and so on). So my Sifu ...
2 votes
3 answers
682 views

Under which Chinese teacher did Tang Soo Do's founder (Hwang Kee) study?

Wikipedia mentions the name as Yang Kuk Jin. I assume that this is some member of the Yang-style taichi. The best family tree I've been able to find for that is here: But I don't see any cognates of ...
1 vote
0 answers
47 views

Is Yu Hai's Praying Mantis Internal?

We often think of Mantis as external, deriving from Shaolin, and regularly teach it to kids and teens, b/c it's both fun and has some useful techniques, and trains in both strength, speed and ...
1 vote
2 answers
527 views

What is the meaning of "Invest in Loss" in regard to Tai Chi?

This maxim was made famous by Cheng Man-ch’ing, and may even have earlier origins. What did Master Cheng mean by "Invest in Loss" in relation to Tai Chi? I was taught that it is an ...
4 votes
3 answers
396 views

Applications of "Needle to Sea Bottom"

I ask because the movement is practiced in a way that does not reveal alternate, practical applications, as related to me by my teacher. (If I recall correctly, this application was used in "...
12 votes
8 answers
7k 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 ...
2 votes
0 answers
66 views

Chen Style "Red Fist" application

I thought this would be a good application to ask about, because, while it looks like a simple strike, the deeper application is less apparent. What is the application for the Chen Tai Chi technique &...
12 votes
10 answers
20k 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 ...
6 votes
4 answers
5k views

How long should the Tai Chi basic 24 form take?

I have started the study of Tai Chi and have really enjoyed it so far. I believe that it has enhanced my overall and previous martial arts experience because it requires me to slow down and breathe. (...
2 votes
2 answers
245 views

Meditative yet effective martial art

During the quarantine I have started doing some Tai Chi before going to bed. It really helps as a form of meditation and I love that it has a fighting aspect to it as I am fascinated by the parallels ...
3 votes
3 answers
614 views

How is "Tai Chi Chuan" pronounced in Cantonese?

In the "lost interview" of Bruce Lee with Pierre Berton (1971) he says "Tai Chi Chuan" is Mandarin, but I don't fully get the Cantonese version when he tells it. I hear "Tai te kuen" ... but I'm not ...
14 votes
4 answers
3k views

What are the functional differences between the five main T'ai Chi styles?

As someone who is looking to start practicing T'ai Chi for health and meditative benefits rather than any deeper philosophical reasons, I find quickly that there are 5 'main' styles listed, which each ...
3 votes
2 answers
340 views

Snake Creeps Down

Snake Creeps Down: when coming from Single Whip, is it possible to open such a wide posture in order to bend the left foot almost straight ahead when squating the right one? When learning, did you ...
6 votes
9 answers
3k views

Yang tai chi breathing (when to inhale/exhale)

I'm doing a Tai Chi class and am pretty much a novice at it, so I also youtube'd around and read a lot. I'm now confused about breathing. My class teacher (old guy, but aren't they all?) says for the ...
7 votes
6 answers
738 views

Should I speed up my breathing or slow down my tai chi?

I'm trying to learn tai chi by watching videos. (Sorry, I know it's probably not the best way!) I'm a slow breather (about 6 breaths per minute), and the tai chi exercises I'm trying to learn say to ...
1 vote
3 answers
320 views

Why am I overwhelmed by negative energy after training?

I have been going to weekly (group) lessons of Tai Chi (Chen style) for 3 months; in the last month or so, I have found I get an overwhelming wave of negative energy, starting about 5 minutes after ...
2 votes
1 answer
420 views

Tai Chi reference for beginner studying Chen style

I have just started learning Tai Chi as my first martial art. I’m following group lessons so the instructor cannot always follow everyone’s doing. Could you please suggest a good book for a beginner ...
11 votes
4 answers
2k 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 ...
-1 votes
1 answer
173 views

What form of martial arts should I choose? [closed]

I'm 20 years old and want to learn a martial art. I have fractured my leg twice in the past, but still I want to try. Which form should I choose? My physical strength is good, have fast reflexes, ...
6 votes
5 answers
5k 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 ...
11 votes
6 answers
5k 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 is ...
9 votes
7 answers
832 views

What's this posture called, and does it signify something

In Tai-Chi, if I remember correctly, many stances and movements signify something , such as "push opponent away", "block a kick" etc. At least that's whatone of my trainers claimed. In one of the ...
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can Martial Arts be learned alone? [duplicate]

The country I am living in only has 2 good teachers who taught kungfu and several for Martial arts. But I am more interested in Chinese lifestyle type martial arts like Tai Chi or Wing Chun. Can I ...
6 votes
5 answers
6k views

How do you call a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan (or Kung Fu in general)?

I know that practitioners of Japanese martial arts are called with a -ka ending (e.g. karate ka), but I wouldn't know how to denote a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan or other Kung Fu styles. I recall ...
8 votes
5 answers
3k 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 ...
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are basic kung fu stances?

I have relocated to another city a short time ago and now I am training mostly with an old disciple of my sifu. He starts the Tai chi training with practising 3 kung fu stances: Ma bu, Gong bu, Pu bu, ...
5 votes
1 answer
213 views

Should I follow the class or instructor's breathing rate during Tai Chi breathing exercises?

I'm new to this forum, and new to Tai chi (and martial arts in general). I started last week and have had 2 classes so far, having my third one today. I would like some advice on how to breathe ...
0 votes
3 answers
12k views

How effective is Tai Chi as a martial art in street fights? [closed]

Is Tai Chi a martial art that can be applied in a street fight or against an experienced fighter?
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2 answers
2k views

Chi as a weapon? [duplicate]

For martial artists that focus on chi manipulation, how do you use chi as a weapon? Do you inject your chi to disrupt the opponent's chi flow, do you make it blast to increase the power of your blows? ...
6 votes
5 answers
1k views

Best martial art for a late bloomer

I have done "intro's" to a few martial arts when I was younger, now in mid 40's and reasonably good health. I am trying to find a martial art that would be easier for me to learn at this age (easier ...
7 votes
3 answers
772 views

Down a hand, looking for new martial art

A little over a month and a half ago I fractured a bone (Fifth metacarpal, AKA behind the pinky knuckle) in my right hand- an apparently fairly common injury known as a boxer's fracture. (Note: The ...
3 votes
2 answers
325 views

I'm totally new to Tai Chi How to learn it and where to learn it?

I recently came to know about Tai chi and I'm interested in learning it. Unfortunately, there are no Tai chi classes around. Can I learn it through internet or any other medium? If so please guide me.
2 votes
4 answers
416 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 ...
3 votes
1 answer
284 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 ...