www.1001TopWords.com |
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 *************** Note *************** C. Guan Soo
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Women in the Martial Arts 1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido Bogu Training About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a few members do it. I know there is other equipment out there that looks similar and I have used most of what's available. But it does not provide you with nearly the same overall effect that the bogu does. Rules in bogu training ? Any punch, any kick, save foot stomps, a strike to the spine and to the back of the neck. Throws and leg kicking is certainly allowed. Use, dare I say, your commonsense. Samurai Sword Basics, A Brief History Capturing the spirit of old Japan and recognised by its deadly curvature, the samurai sword is widely recognised throughout the world as the most deadly of all Japanese weaponry. Although gaining modern fame and notoriety in modern epic cinema in such films as The Last Samurai and the Kill Bill series by Quentin Tarantino, samurai swords have long being an iconic symbol of Japan and its history. The Rebels Guide to Cultivating Vitality Many Taoists recluses and Buddhists monks dwelled in mountains and forests to observe, listen, and meditate in order to gather deeper understanding and greater knowledge of nature than is possible when living in the milieu of human society. I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words! Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive through any little strip shopping center in nearly any city and you're likely to see a martial arts studio. There are dozens of styles to choose from. Karate, jujitsu, aikido, kung fu, qi gong, taekwondo, tai chi. How did that happen? Samurai Sword Facts The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged weapons imported from Korea and China known as chokuto, which were later replaced with the curved blade variety at the end of the 8th Century. The name of the curved blade swords which replaced them was Tachi. The reason for this transformation was samurai found that a curved sword could be drawn from the scabbard more swiftly and provided a far more effective cutting angle. 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. The Thumb Jab I'm sure a lot of you remember the scene in the movie "The Presidio" were Sean Connery's character decimates the jackass in the bar with nothing more than his thumb! Why Every Cop Should Study Judo Part 1 Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art. Then with the introduction of the more mysterious martial arts with more of a "killing" edge to them this coupled with the focus of the USJF/USJI (the leading Judo organizations in the US and the world) focus on Olympic competition and the simple fact that training in judo is painful and to this day, very difficult to get a black belt rank in it, especially if you are in a competitive area. I could probably write another 5 pages on this, but I will stay on point. The Dojo Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us in to specific "category"......... Choosing a Self Defense / Martial Arts School: A Parents Guide "Daddy, I want to take Karate!" Historical References to W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes AND Dermot Pat ONeill FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH"AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICO Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is the ability to use hip rotation as a way to generate power and speed for maximum impact. Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry. A Few Things Everyone Should Know to Keep Themselves Safe The following are a few thoughts about how to decrease your chances of being a victim of a violent crime. I know a lot of times we focus on the nuts and bolts of a fight and we assume most of us know these things and this information is common knowledge for some of you, but it some times it's always good to review. By-Rote Combinations Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses" to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do that. For attack A I use Defense A. Im Soooo Confused... I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical unarmed combat". Things like a solid and productive core of strength training, development of real speed and power. Body conditioning and toughening, Stamina. A "never say die" iron will. You know "esoteric" stuff like that. The Test "Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul". ~ Rex Applegate A Great Question! It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you'll fully understand the basis for them. Sensing Intention One of the 'mystical' aspects of the martial arts has always been the ability to feel another persons intention. |
© Athifea Distribution LLC - 2013 |