Tell Me About Tai Chi

fureverywhere

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
I've heard of it but wondered what it actually is. They say Lou Reed did it every day until the end of his life. Is it like yoga or martial arts or what? I tried yoga and hated it. The positions were uncomfortable and there's too much noise in my head for me to stay there very long. But if it was more about staying in motion instead of mindful hoo hah I might enjoy it. Has anyone tried it?
 

I taught it for over 30 years.

The first thing to recognize is that there are many styles or "schools" of Taiji. There are 5 main styles, the most popular of which in the U.S. is Yang style. This is what they call a "large frame" style - the movements tend to be large, slow and graceful.

That brings us to a second point - choosing your teacher. Some teachers see and teach Taiji as a dance, focusing on health aspects and emphasizing fluidity of motion. They pay no heed to the martial history of the art.

Then, some teachers - very rare - teach both the health and spiritual aspects as well as the combat-oriented techniques from the art's history. Perhaps surprisingly, Taiji is a super-efficient form of self-defense involving strikes, parries, joint locks, etc.

One of the main differences I've always emphasized between yoga and Taiji is that in yoga you hold a position for some length of time - in Taiji you are constantly moving. Again, some Taiji teachers will take a more yoga-ish approach and have you hold a certain position, ostensibly to learn to feel the body's energy flow.

It's all about the teacher and their preferences and depth of knowledge.

There is also a related art called qigong (chi-kung) - simpler to learn but much more focused on breathing and energy flow. You could think of qigong as a building block for taiji - most of the principles you learn there are directly applicable to taiji.
 
I would recommend these exercises. I started having a bit of trouble with arthritis in my hips a few years ago...and naturally, the first thing out of the doctors mouth was surgery and hip replacement, etc. I think those measures should be a last resort. I bought a video tape called "Tai Chi for Seniors", and began to do those routines, and the results have been great. Years later, and the arthritis is much improved....and so long as I remember that I'm not a teenager any more, I have minimal problems. This old video is no longer produced, but you can still find them on Amazon or EBAY. Here's one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tai-Chi-for...439989?hash=item3d11036435:g:piUAAOSwJb9WtZ3z
 

Hubby and I attended Tai Chi classes at the local senior citizens' centre some time ago.

It was exercise pure and simple, without any martial arts or philosophical overlay.

There are three main benefits that I discovered

1. Improved balance
2. Improved flexibility
3. Improved concentration

I had not realised how bad my balance had become. I was unable to stand on one foot for very long but Tai Chi did improve this.
The motions are gentle and it helps the joints without doing any damage.
Every movement is different and you move from one to another in a fluid sequence.
This requires concentration and memory, both of which are strengthened over time.

I would recommend Tai Chi at this level to anyone.
 
Don M. said:
I would recommend these exercises. I started having a bit of trouble with arthritis in my hips a few years ago...and naturally, the first thing out of the doctors mouth was surgery and hip replacement, etc. I think those measures should be a last resort. I bought a video tape called "Tai Chi for Seniors", and began to do those routines, and the results have been great. Years later, and the arthritis is much improved....and so long as I remember that I'm not a teenager any more, I have minimal problems. This old video is no longer produced, but you can still find them on Amazon or EBAY. Here's one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tai-Chi-for...439989?hash=item3d11036435:g:piUAAOSwJb9WtZ3z
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Hey, that's the name of my book! ;)

T'ai-Chi for Seniors
 
I just need a patient instructor. I suck at following directions. But from what everyone is saying it sounds like something way beneficial for me. You know those mornings when you wake up and walk like the Tin Man...knees, hips..."Oiiiil can"
 
IKE said:
Philly would it be better to go to a class and 'see' someone actually doing the moves or will your book get a person where they need to go without a visual ?
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No, a class would definitely be better. My book is more of a "textbook" where you'll learn a lot of things about Taiji, but for actually learning the movements an instructor is almost mandatory - you need someone who can correct your posture, etc.

fureverywhere said:
I just need a patient instructor. I suck at following directions. But from what everyone is saying it sounds like something way beneficial for me. You know those mornings when you wake up and walk like the Tin Man...knees, hips..."Oiiiil can"
Click to expand...

LOL!

I'm more like the Scarecrow - I'm SO loose that I just flop all over the place.

Don M. said:
If your book is a good as the video I have, I'd give your book a "thumbs up". I like the video because I can fire up the TV, and go through the routines much the same as having an instructor here.
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Thanks, Don, but yes, a video is always better than a book. The only problem becomes if you want to start taking classes after viewing the video - chances are no two teachers are going to be teaching the exact same thing.

BlunderWoman said:
Phil can you do this if you're really fat? I'm fat.
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That is no barrier. I've had many large-size students that move like ballerinas after practicing a bit. In fact, one of my best students was a 375-pound gentleman who excelled at Taiji - of course, he's the same gentleman who accidentally shoved a sword into my kidney during sword practice, but hey - he did it gracefully! :cower:
 
Don M. said:
I would recommend these exercises. I started having a bit of trouble with arthritis in my hips a few years ago...and naturally, the first thing out of the doctors mouth was surgery and hip replacement, etc. I think those measures should be a last resort. I bought a video tape called "Tai Chi for Seniors", and began to do those routines, and the results have been great. Years later, and the arthritis is much improved....and so long as I remember that I'm not a teenager any more, I have minimal problems. This old video is no longer produced, but you can still find them on Amazon or EBAY. Here's one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tai-Chi-for...439989?hash=item3d11036435:g:piUAAOSwJb9WtZ3z
Click to expand...

Awesome Don. Yes, Tai Chi can really help with arthritic problems. I feel the progressive movementof tai chi especially when performed out of doors is most beneficial. I do hold poses in tai chi but not as long as one does in yoga which can hurt. Some are similar. Never let it hurt.

Tai excises the lymphatic system promoting wellness better than yoga IMO. Yoga will hurt especially if you're a newbie to it. Tai is gentler yet povides the same benefits of stretching.

Both yoga and tai chi do concentrate on focus and quieting of the mind. If you're a multi tasker, I'd recommend first doing breathing exercises which really do help you to slow your mind down as well as your benefiting the body. For both are connected and this is key. Breathe from your belly instead of your lungs feeling your abdomen rise and fall with each breath. It's relaxation response breathing. You can listen to peaceful music or sounds of nature if your mind is too active. I had the same problem when I started and correct breathing solved it. I hope it helps you too, Fur, because it can be a life changing experience. :eek:
 
Re: belly breathing - you know you're doing it right when you lay down on your back, the cat sits on your stomach and he rises and falls like he's floating in the ocean. ;)
 
chic said:
Awesome Don. Yes, Tai Chi can really help with arthritic problems. I feel the progressive movementof tai chi especially when performed out of doors is most beneficial. I do hold poses in tai chi but not as long as one does in yoga which can hurt. Some are similar. Never let it hurt.

I am a Firm Believer in Diet and Exercise....and Tai Chi is, IMO, the Best form of exercise for most Seniors. It is "Low Impact" and helps keep the body loose...kind of like putting a couple of drops of oil on a squeaky door hinge...and heaven knows, we all have to put up with our fair share of "rust" as we age. Phil is probably right in recommending that a person take some classes with a good instructor...to learn the "fundamentals", and have a routine designed to benefit their personal needs...then, it becomes just a matter of sticking with it and enjoying the benefits of a more active lifestyle. A few minutes a day doing these exercises can work wonders.
Click to expand...
 
SifuPhil said:
Re: belly breathing - you know you're doing it right when you lay down on your back, the cat sits on your stomach and he rises and falls like he's floating in the ocean. ;)
Click to expand...

I've done Qigong through a video years ago. How is it different? The moves looks very similar.
 
Ameriscot said:
I've done Qigong through a video years ago. How is it different? The moves looks very similar.
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The main difference is that Taiji is designed to be an "external" or martial art, while qigong is more of an "internal" art.

Taiji is for fighting - qigong is for health. That's a geeralization, of course, but yes, beside the movement patterns (note qigong has very little stepping, while taiji is walking all over the place) they are quite similar and in fact are often the same, aka Wave Hands Like Clouds.

You get health benefits from both, but you learn to fight with taiji - at least, when taught properly. It explains why you do what you do.
 
I have a Thi chi for seniors app on my iPad ,I guess I should try it more often. I find it good for stretching and relaxing ,I can play it on them TV with the Apple TV box ..however it tends to chew up my data
 
Don M. said:
chic said:
Awesome Don. Yes, Tai Chi can really help with arthritic problems. I feel the progressive movementof tai chi especially when performed out of doors is most beneficial. I do hold poses in tai chi but not as long as one does in yoga which can hurt. Some are similar. Never let it hurt.

I am a Firm Believer in Diet and Exercise....and Tai Chi is, IMO, the Best form of exercise for most Seniors. It is "Low Impact" and helps keep the body loose...kind of like putting a couple of drops of oil on a squeaky door hinge...and heaven knows, we all have to put up with our fair share of "rust" as we age. Phil is probably right in recommending that a person take some classes with a good instructor...to learn the "fundamentals", and have a routine designed to benefit their personal needs...then, it becomes just a matter of sticking with it and enjoying the benefits of a more active lifestyle. A few minutes a day doing these exercises can work wonders.
Click to expand...

Low impact exercise is going to become the wave of the future as more and more boomer seniors discover themselves arthritic from years of jogging, tennis and aerobics. Tai chi and yoga are excellent low impact exercises and get your blood flowing and rebuild increase production of the synovial fluid essential to the lubrication and youthfulness of our joints. :eek:
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The only problem is that taiji, as practiced in the U.S., does not provide any cardiovascular exercise.

There are "fast sets", but that only happens at advanced levels.
 
Tai chi interests me quite a lot. We have a huge Asian population here and they do it inside the large mall hundreds of them. I am often amazed at the fluidity of the movements, in-sync by the groups. I currently do Yoga and some Pilates. Not to mention meditation, it is just what I need to do at this stage of my life. I do not want to be any sense of a burden to my children. I will see if there are any local groups.
 
Butterfly said:
Phil, you mentioned it was very important that the instructor was a good one. How does a person know if the instructor is any good if the student is a complete novice?
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I think the best way is to talk to them for several minutes before or after their class. If they are willing to educate you about their version of T'ai-Chi then it's a good bet that they'll be a good instructor. You might also ask them what their philosophy of teaching is - do students just hold positions or do they emphasize movement, do they also teach Qigong (Chi-Kung), do they understand the Taoist philosophy that is behind T'ai-Chi, etc.

Also perhaps ask if interested if they offer private lessons. Talk to the other students, see if they're happy with the classes.

Traditionally you would ask their "ancestry" - who their teacher was, their teacher's teacher, etc. but nowadays that's almost a moot point. Basically you just want to make sure that they haven't learned their trade from a YouTube video - and yes, unfortunately there are a few of them out there.
 

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