How does Tai chi chuan compare to Shaolin gung fu?

[Kajukenbopr]

its not that hard..........

its like learning karate- u think u mastered throuwing a punch and your sensei keeps telling you after a year, you can still improve your punches

all martial arts take long to master

[Anakin_Skywalker]

How good is chen style? are there any different number of chen style? and whats the difference in relation to other tai chi styles?

[nanfeishen]

If as you say, time is not an issue, go with the Tai Chi, it is a very powerful martial art, yes it may take a little longer to master some of the technicalities, but i promise it is worthwhile, you also seemed to be interested in the deeper value, and this is often part of the training as well.

If you are in doubt about the art, speak to the instructor, dont be afraid to ask questions, ask who taught him, what is the practical value ,what amount of spiritual aspects does he teach, does he teach the applications of the movements, etc etc. Research the different styles of Tai Chi, there are more than enough web pages out there. I started with Shaolin Kung Fu, drifted into Mantis and Wing chun, but always did Tai Chi, because i personally found a balance between the harder systems and the soft, a kind of Yin and Yang in my training, i have since dropped the hard systems to concentrate on my Tai Chi, not out of anything negative about the others, but simply because i wanted to concentrate on one system, and i must say, i dont find anything "weak" about Tai Chi, be it from a martial art or a way of maintaining strength, health and fitness.

Just as a matter of interest, Yang Cheng Fu, who's family founded Yang Tai Chi was considered to be one of the most formidable fighters of his time in China.

There is value to all arts, simply follow your heart to the one for you!.

[bjcoco]

This question is really a matter of opinion really as to which is better (Shaolin kung fu or Tai chi). Let me put it to you this way "Skywalker" ..its like either you choose the "Darkside" of the force/chi ( not saying that Shaloin is dark or anything) which is more "expressive" or the "Light" side of the force which is more stuble/resered but rest assured both are can be real and deadly win used accordingly.

Now the question about time. ...Of course with time in any martial arts you should improve if you're dedicated and practice enough. As a practitioner of tai chi chuan (Chen Style) of 7 years I can tell you that tai chi is very effective as a martial art and in my humble opinion more than just the physical displays that you "see" in other martial arts. The most important thing however is to find a competent instructor that is more than just knowledgeable in basic tai chi forms. Chen style is the original form from which the others (e.g. Yang, Wu, Sun, etc.) developed and has very explosive displays/applications of "fajin" or yang energy. However as you develop in this form a good instructor/sifu should be able to explain and practice with you the many applications that are somewhat hidden in the form. It is a training regiment that starts slow with internal training and later as you develop with external training/application .....and yes there's punching, kicking, breaking action. But like someone said before in this posting ...ying/yang are both opposites...soft/hard. Yet in every soft motion there is a hardness and in every hard a soft. In the real fight it is up to us to decided if we maim or kill, break a leg or deflect kick.

Now having said all this ... I say stick with Tai chi b/c it is something that will definitely grow with.....young patawan

[Kajukenbopr]

too much star wars

[Infrazael]

Tai Chi vs. typical Southern Kung Fu?

Very tricky question. First of all I would actually be more willing to fight another Kung Fu player than a Tai Chi player. Tai Chi is extremely tricky to counter. . . . when my Sifu does it it's like he slips from everything I do.

Everything my Choy Lay Fut has taught me is difficult to put up against Tai Chi. Even bridging is freaking impossible (or I'm just not good).

[Kajukenbopr]

Tai Chi vs. typical Southern Kung Fu?

Very tricky question. First of all I would actually be more willing to fight another Kung Fu player than a Tai Chi player. Tai Chi is extremely tricky to counter. . . . when my Sifu does it it's like he slips from everything I do.

Everything my Choy Lay Fut has taught me is difficult to put up against Tai Chi. Even bridging is freaking impossible (or I'm just not good).

dont feel bad, once you master tai chi and can put it in use for fighting, it is a really powerful art.

[Infrazael]

I think you misunderstood me I do Choy Lay Fut that is the only system I practice, I just happened to try using it against Tai Chi once and the Tai Chi was very tricky to fight against.

[Kajukenbopr]

I think you misunderstood me I do Choy Lay Fut that is the only system I practice, I just happened to try using it against Tai Chi once and the Tai Chi was very tricky to fight against.

thats what I mean, most people think that tai chi is hard to use against hard styles(like your Choy Lay Fut) but its the other way around. Tai chi is very efficient against hard styles.

Good luck with your training, train hard.

[Infrazael]

Yeah, Tai Chi > lots of hard styles. You have to modify it to be effective against Tai Chi IMO. . . ie, I don't try to bridge anymore, instead I just throw craploads of combinations (hence the boxing lol).

Good luck with anyone's Tai Chi.