permanentwhitebelt

I train in Tai Chi (and Matsubayashi Shorin Karate) and yes Tai Chi Chuan Taijiquan) does have martial applications and as few before stated; it's really relative to whom is teaching (and what they are teaching) You can train just forms for health reasons or you can train forms and practical applications. The practical applications in Tai Chi have focus on Chin Na (seize and control) much like Japanese Jiu Jitsu accept with more focus on not manipulating one joint at time; usually manipulating two joints at the same time....it does have a grappling focus as well and some striking. Really difficult to find a good teacher, even harder to find one interested in teaching the martial side of it because frankly mostly the elderly and new age hippies gravitate towards Tai Chi so the money isn't in teaching the practical side. Tai Chi helps with Okinawan/Japanese Karate Kata as well, it makes your movement more deliberate and precise and well for the lack of a better term: "flowing" If you are interested in the practical side I would suggest checking out Dr. Yang (ymaa.com) he has a youtube channel as well. Hope this helps

I am a Shorin Ryu practioner, some of the katas at the school I attend I'm sure most of you know such as Ananku, Rohai, Chinto, Fukyugata(s). One of the more interesting katas we do is Hakutsuru Sho (white crane one) and I have yet to find a video of it elsewhere online. I'm curious to know if any other practitioners of this kata have a video?? (we have other Hakutsuru katas as well but this is the most fundamental one) Thanks!!!