Not Just Physical Fitness, Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial Art
If you quickly needs to learn techniques to defend yourself, then Tai Chi Chuan is NOT for you. It takes a long time to learn Tai Chi fighting and self-defense styles. However, once learned, you can practice martial art well into old age. Before anything else, the first thing we must learn is learn how to relax and body and mind; only when the two are in unison can a person start with the most basic moves of Tai Chi.
If someone tells you they will teach you Tai Chi self-defense "right away", run from that person - it simply isn't true and the only thing they are interested is taking your money "right away."
Tai Chi as self-defense can be quite deadly; small efforts can cause large damage; so one must be quite careful when using it when practicing or playing. Tai Chi is good for street-fighting as well as when things get dirty; in other words, the Tai Chi player is like cotton surrounding steel.
No "colored belts" are awarded, as the competition is with one's self - to know another is wisdom, to know one's self is enlightenment. One who combats the self will be happier than one who contends with others.
Great strength is concealed within the flowing motion of the body, and cannot be detected. Not "show-off", but gain strength by remaining hidden (action hidden in stillness). Tai Chi is a self-defense, yielding, evasive art that seeks to neutralise aggression.
One does not surrender - but merely moves to a superior position.
Gain ability to defect, turn, avoid, ward-off and you'll be able to neutralize confrontation (physical and otherwise). Aggression will fall on nothing, as the Tai Chi player avoids and evades - the effect of the attack is lost; the Tai Chi player retains the "upper hand".
"Can you hit the wind, or grab a handful of water"? That is what it's like to deal with a Tai Chi player.
So How can Slow Motion Movement Work in a Real Fight?
The answer is that slow motion is the very best way to safely train the central nervous system and to memorise techniques with a partner. For verification, look no further than methods of hand-to-hand combat training for the military and law-enforcement officers. Training always done at full speed would result in too many injuries, but pulling punches and not following through with joint locks and throws is ineffectual as training. Solo practice involving striking explosively at full speed and acceleration, known as fa-jin or fa-li, has always been part of traditional tai chi chuan, and is explicit in the forms of Chen-style tai chi, but has also been an integral part of the other styles beyond beginner level.
Kung fu (Mastery) = time + energy spent
The problem with a sophisticated system like tai chi chuan is that it takes a long time to learn, and an even longer time to train until responses are completely natural and spontaneous. This is why traditionally in China, martial arts training began at around 5 years old, giving plenty of time for individuals to prepare their bodies, to temper and transcend their automatic (glandular) responses to aggression. A tai chi master used to say "train for 10 years before you show your skill outside of your own family."
Related Articles
History of Tai Chi Chuan and its Founders
Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Chen Style
Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Yang Style
Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Wu Style
Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Wu (Hao) Style
Five Major Schools of Tai Chi Chuan - Sun Style
Basic Postures of Tai Chi Chuan
