Chaz Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 Hey everyone, I was looking for advice about starting Tai Chi...I know there's alot of books about every aspect of it but...I want the real deal, I want the real internal benefits of it, not "McTaiChi" If you will...I don't have anywhere in my city to learn it. Can someone experianced inform me on what I should do? Anything will help...Thanks "One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." - Will Durant
David Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 The opposite of McTaiChi would be Chen style; it's the original hardcore. You won't get t'ai chi without a teacher to correct 1,000 errors but you can do a lot of the work by learning qigong (chi kung) from a video. After you've seen one video, a book can develop the theme. At some point in that time, you could try a t'ai chi video in conjunction with an associated book. Rgds, David ** Censor-O-Meter: 9 **
taiji fajin Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 David is right in that you need an experienced teacher. While any style *can* be good, I would highly recommend, as David did, Chen style. It is the original, and has many very important aspects that I feel are lost in the other styles. My Laoshi is currently away (actually, he might be back in town by now) at some national health conference, but when I see him again I will ask him if he knows anyone around your area. He is a formal disciple of Feng Zhiqiang and is one amazingly impressive guy. Actually, he just came out with a book I would highly, highly recommend, I'm in the process of reading it now. What I think would be very beneficial for you is that part of it talks about how to find a good teacher. It isn't a "here's how you do the first form, here's how you do the second form" book. It goes into underlying principals of how to practice, the philosophy of taiji, what things you will get out of it and how to get them out of it, etc. What I like is that it bridges Taiji to Western science, as he is finishing up his PhD now. Ok, enough of me pushing the book, sorry. I just really like it. If you are interested in it I can pm you links about it and where to buy it. Back to the subject, it honestly is just going to boil down to you having to find a teacher in your area, or close enough you can travel to occasionally to learn from. There's no other way you can get the true benefits from taiji. Fetch Daddy's blue fright wig! I must be handsome when I unleash my rage.
Chaz Posted March 2, 2005 Author Posted March 2, 2005 My Laoshi is currently away (actually, he might be back in town by now) at some national health conference, but when I see him again I will ask him if he knows anyone around your area. Thank you, I would appreciate that so much. Also I would like info on that book if it's not too much trouble. PM me if you find out about a teacher, and thanks again. "One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." - Will Durant
Snakeeel Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Hey Chaz I've tried Tai Chi and unless you have much less of an aggressive personality than I do it'll be a tough transition for you. I liked the moves but I just can't move that slow and soft. Not in my make up. Hope you have luck finding what you want.
Taku-Shimazu Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 I guess it depends on the personality, I do Karate, a hard, strong art and I changed to Tai Chi OK. The cool summer breeze passes me by.
Ted T. Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 Google for Chen in your area. the best is Joseph Zhonghua Chen President and head instructor of Hunyuantaiji Academy 19th generation master of Chen Style Taijiquan under grandmaster Hong Junsheng. 2 generation master of Hunyuantaiji under grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. Master Chen Zhonghua is the international standard bearer for Grandmaster Hong Junsheng of: http://chentaichi.org/chenzhonghua_new.php Not like other tai chi at all. Ted TruscottThe Raising Canes Club
Chaz Posted March 3, 2005 Author Posted March 3, 2005 I don't plan to quit San Soo, I just thought Tai Chi may compliment it...I could be way off though "One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." - Will Durant
taiji fajin Posted March 11, 2005 Posted March 11, 2005 As I talked to you about, I've been sick and haven't seen my laoshi yet (not that its guaranteed he would know of someone there). Anyhow, I would avoid doing it with Master Chen Zhonghua. I've looked at the website, read what info there was on it and watched the videos. From what you've said you want, that would *not* be it. I'm not saying those people are not good martial artists, or that they wouldn't be able to handle themselves in a fight, but if, as you said, you "want the real deal, I want the real internal benefits of it," this is not the place to find it. Fetch Daddy's blue fright wig! I must be handsome when I unleash my rage.
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