Things to Know About Learning Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)

For Easterners, particularly Chinese, this MAY not be an issue. Tai Chi Chuan is deeply rooted as part of the Chinese culture. It is known to almost everyone what Tai Chi Chuan is all about. Note there: I said "?MAY not be an issue", meaning that there are exceptions, particularly to Chinese who are not born and grown up in China.

For Westerners, surprisingly ? I found many sites dedicated to Tai Chi Chuan, and some of this information is from Westerners. However, deep in my instinct, there are still many who want to know more about learning Tai Chi Chuan.

Moreover, many literatures and scriptures about Tai Chi Chuan are still mainly written in Chinese, and much translation is needed to make it more accessible to the West. I'm doing such translation work.

Yes, I'm a Chinese, trained in both Chinese and English languages since young. And, I would really love to share my passion in Tai Chi Chuan with whoever interested about the subject.

In my 23 years of learning and research in Tai Chi Chuan, martial arts, meditation and healing, I found some questions are very much of interest for a keen learner, or even beginner.

Examples of these are, "Can a senior person learn Tai Chi Chuan?", "Is it easy to learn and master?", "What do I need?", "Should I know about Daoism to learn Tai Chi Chuan?" and so on.

For a start, everyone and anyone can learn this art though it is once a closely kept secret among the family or clan, or later among Chinese. Age has no barrier. In fact, senior people found it very beneficial to their physical health and mental well-being, by practicing regularly.

The original forms of Tai Chi Chuan, irregardless of which styles, require a lot of effort, time, and dedication to learn and master. Simplifying is a necessity. In fact, I started learning the simplified version of Yang style 24 forms. This requires a lot of effort and time from my side to achieve reasonable level of mastery.

Tai Chi Chuan is the outward projection of certain principles found in the Chinese culture. Though the understanding of its principles is desirable, it is not necessary?yet, for a beginner. Principles I referred to here is not the fundamental principles of Tai Chi Chuan itself. It is more of philosophical principles ? close to I-Ching, and some of Daoism.

The fundamental principle of Tai Chi Chuan is a must for a beginner, so that he or she will know the correct way to execute the movements.

Other things enquirer of Tai Chi Chuan would like to know is ? "What's in for me?"

Particularly skeptics who see this as slow-moving, apparently energy-less, and senior-people related martial arts.

"Can this help me???"

If I say ? "Yes, it can help!". You may also doubt my words. I don't mind that. But, how about keeping an open mind and you try it out for yourself. You will see the effects over time. And if you don't, then, you are not doing it correctly!

Sorry, no catch here! :)

Tai Chi Chuan may 'appear' to be slow ? but this is only for practicing. It actual combat application ? you should be able to move extremely fast in order for it to be of use.

The apparent energy-less motion is in fact energy in disguise. The energy gathered and harnessed in Tai Chi is not brute force ? but vital energy, Qi that is even more potent than physical strength and energy.

Senior-related?

Incidentally ? yes, it seems more senior people practice Tai Chi Chuan than younger people, for health reasons. But international champion male and female Tai Chi exponents in China were been trained since childhood. And there are a lot of young adults learning and practicing this art. Hmm? should I still say senior-related???

It does bring a lot of benefits to anyone who practices it religiously, and in particular ? correctly. And the best thing is ? the benefits can be limitless, and may cover every aspects of your life! Try it for yourself!

Written by: C. Guan Soo
Tai Chi Practitioner
http://www.TaichiForYourHealth.com

************* ** Note ***************
You may distribute or publish this article freely provide you do not make any changes or alteration on the article content, or remove my name and website from the article. Thank you!

C. Guan Soo
A Tai Chi Practitioner and love who practice meditation, martial arts, energy healing and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 10. His website: http://www.TaichiForYourHealth.com

In The News:

Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life

Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your... Read More

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment

The most common place to buy martial arts or self... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More

Are You Frustrated Yet?

I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More

Catholic Self Defense

Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu... Read More

Combatives

This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Martial Art for You

One of the questions I get asked most frequently, in... Read More

Martial Arts Strength Training

According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More

Martial Arts

Traditionally, people trained in Martial Arts in order to utilized... Read More

Samurai Sword Basics, A Brief History

Capturing the spirit of old Japan and recognised by its... Read More

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the... Read More

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More

Samurai Swords ? Choosing a Sword to Buy

It's undeniable that a well placed and mounted samurai sword... Read More

Elements of Unarmed Combat

Custom build your own personal "system":Useful areas of training and... Read More

Aikido Philosophy: An Oriental Concept of Energy, Self, and Mind

PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and... Read More

Applying Law of Gravity to Judo

In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an... Read More

Samurai Swords and The Swordsmiths

Back in the early times of sword manufacture, the production... Read More

Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online

This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to... Read More

Okinawan Karate

So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan... Read More

Grown Man Quits After 3 Mat Pulls!

A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More

Makiwara Training

Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More

New Book: Positive Aikido

A new book with a practical look at Aikido and... Read More