Way of the Warrior - T'ai Chi, the Soft Way [1/4]

[Nhia89]

why are they wearing gi's?

[SifuJeffHughes]

very nice, thank you.

[stardingo747]

"soft" is a mistranslation; the western concepts of "soft," "pliable," "adaptable," and "flexible" all mean the same thing. More properly translated, Tai Chi Chuan means in this context the "adaptable way." The only way to have "infinite" movement, "infinite" technique, is to have the flexibility to adapt. The best way to adapt, is to focus the training of the mind. Hence the mental emphasis in Tai Chi.

[brentpieczynski]

I'm still recovering from, Tai Chi injuries.

[stardingo747]

you must have rushed through the form. In my experience from personal study (learned it from Dunn's DVD, Yang long form), is that if you rush through the form, you are more likely to injure your knees. When I did the form in 10 minutes, I had knee pain after about a month of that. Then, I did "Kung Fu" stretches I learned from Carter Wong's book "Dynamic Strength." It helped a little, but what ultimately stopped the knee discomfort outright, was doing it so slow it took 20 minutes.Don't rush

[brentpieczynski]

That class does involve practicing how to relax, which is why my leg-muscles became overloaded. After the lower part of my body does become strengthened, the overstressed part, does become progressively higher.

[stardingo747]

You should practice the relaxation exercises more; myself I struggle with smoothness, my form is way too choppy. Plus my hand techniques don't alway scome out level, or even, where they are supposed to be hey, we all have our problems. Some people rush and have perfect form, some people have a good pace but their form stinks. Its a question of "removing" as master Cheng Man Ching said, "unnecessary things" such as choppyness, or impatience.

[butingxi]

also injury can come from inproper stance. stance is the basis tai chi's power. learning from a book or dvd can teach you the forms, but they cannot correct your mistakes. you can find a good teacher fairly easily who will help you. one of tai chi's best points is that you can easily find free classes. good luck!

[stardingo747]

Dunn's DVD shows proper stances; in the absence of a teacher, you correct yourself. However its time consuming, constantly looking at diagrams all the time rather than having someone there correcting your form. Also, no offense, but "good" teachers are rare; Bruce Lee once pointed out, that Chinese martial arts were full of pot-bellied "masters" and "chi" masters with big fat guts. The mark of a Tai Chi expert, is good health. Once, all experts were fit; even into old age.

[butingxi]

martial arts contain many subtleties that cannot be shown proper in a book. Ive practiced a few martial arts, And in all honesty, practiceing without a master is not really an option i dont think. I have been blessed with never finding myself in a "Mc-Dojo." If you are doing Tai chi for healt, stance is not so important, although you will never reach a high level of chi without someone guiding you. If your doing it for combat, then a shifu is 100% nessasary. No disrespect, but books are subpar

[stardingo747]

Oh I agree, thing is, even with a master, without meditation, technique, is pretty useless. I know you meant no disrespect. You just don't get it though; technique can only be perfect if YOU YOURSELF are perfect, and a master can't give you perfection, only your own effort in spiritual cultivation can do that. It IS harder without a teacher though; meditation can be dangerous, and you need the guidance of someone who has been there. I tend to avoid the more advanced stuff because of that.

[butingxi]

well nothing at all is perfect. im not talking about being perfect, im talking about about being the best you can be. there is an obvious defence between the skill of those with and without a teacher. trying to study with no master is like finding your way in the woods with no map. you spoke of phony teachers, its even worse with books. people worked hard and even died for the cultivating and survival of the arts.

[butingxi]

(i hate having to double post lol) if you are pleased with your current level of skill than that is fine. but for aplications, a teacher is irreplaceable. however if your tai chi is just a morning workout than it wont really matter much

[stardingo747]

I was not condoning book learning; just saying that teachers are not irreplaceable.

Monk Ordator for example, developed the Tibetan Crane style on his own.

Then again, ancient and midieval people were much smarter, so I agree with your point.

[Sierrafox17]

"chi" in t'ai chi does not refer to the chinese word for "life force" however.

[kancerzx]

taoist alchemist created gunpowder? awesome

[Akab6]

The Chinese definitely invented gunpowder (Marco Polo going to China, and finding fireworks) they also had very crude, bamboo guns. Whether Taoists invented it, I am not sure, but my guess would be that that is correct :)

[stefanocasagranda1]

@Akab6 Excuse me, i' ve never seen a similar style of tai chi, i'm referring at the men with the white kimono.

It's a fast and power, quite similar to karate. Wich shool and style of tai chi is it??? I'm very curios. Thanks

[amiller92]

Good to see another heavy set master! Brings hope to me lol.

[Akab6]

;) He's big, but he kicks serious butt. I wouldn't mess with him :)

[amiller92]

Me either! he's my hero now lol. It seriously does give my hope .. that wasn't a joke ;]

[Akab6]

Thats great man :) If you want to see another heavy set master. Watch the Aikido & Kendo episode. You can find it on my channel.

[Bastion83]

hey man thanks for posting these. Physically challenged with a light cerebral palsy case and have studied various martial arts since i was 14(24 now) wing chun, northern shaolin and yang tai chi as well as a little xingyi and baqua. These sort of vids allows keep me motivated.

[jea740]

nice video