I think there's an important point that has been mentioned, but keeps getting glanced off. Yes, Tai Chi is a martial art, but most people who practice it don't practice it for martial reasons, they practice it for health reason. In my class we focus more on Chi development, but we also do push hands, and anyone that wants to learn the martial aspects the Sifu will show them. Also, anyone who questions the effectiveness of Tai Chi as a martial art should look up Chen Xiawong. Having had the chance to see him in action, I can assure you he can stand up and too the best in any field of martial arts. He is truely a master. 3rd, the highest state of martial use of Tai Chi is to be able to avoid fighting altogether. Anyone can start a fight, it takes a truley powerful person to stop it before it starts. 4th, referring back to the reason for practicing Tai Chi slowly, another reason for this is to help build the stabalizer muscles that are so criticial to practicing Tai Chi at a high level.
