Archive for the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ Category
July 22nd, 2010 | 
Author: Tai Chi can be learned in a relatively short time depending on two factors. Firstly the style and form you are learning and also the effort you put in practicing at home. One should devote time to daily practice.
Tai Chi is movement, posture, coordination of arms and legs and also the ability to remember movements in sequence. It also aids in correcting bad habitual postures.
Practicing a short form of Tai Chi could take four to six minutes to complete and longer forms with many more movements could take fifteen to twenty minutes to complete, some months to learn and a lifetime to perfect.
Relaxation in movement is an important factor in learning and practicing Tai Chi. Remember that you derive benefits from its continuous flowing circular movements. Being in the moment is the key to your success.
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In a class firstly the students form lines behind the instructor with advanced students on the perimeters so that you can follow the instructor and the advanced students when the form turns in other directions.
One can learn from books or by watching DVDs but if you are in an area where an instructor is available then you should rather attend his/her classes as you will learn more accurately than from books or DVDs. You do need an experienced instructor to help you move along with confidence as the movements must be explained from the health and also martial art perspective.
Having an instructor also alleviates the stress and tension of learning from books and DVDs as this can be very frustrating.
Learning Tai Chi is like building a puzzle, movements are taught in sections and these movements should be practiced in class and at home and at every class you are given more pieces of the puzzle to practice until the whole puzzle has been completed and the entire form has been learned.
It is best to position yourself in a spot where you can have an advantage and can watch the instructor and the advanced students thus you can follow closely. Enjoy your Tai Chi.
Yes you can but you should first consult your doctor or health professional. Before starting your Tai Chi and Chi Kung you should discuss your problem with your instructor.
If you can walk you can do Tai Chi and if you are disabled or in a wheelchair but you can move your arms, you can still do a modified version of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. Tai Chi is taught by following the instructor step for step and then practicing what you have learned in class by yourself and at home until your next class.
The key to Tai Chi and Chi Kung success is perseverance as these arts are mind, body and breath awareness modalities. Coordination of movements are learned and practiced until the movement becomes smooth when executed.
A qualified instructor will be able to teach you a modified version for strength, flexibility and mind awareness practice. Once learned these movements should also be practiced step for step in your mind whether in bed or waiting for the bus. They must become second nature.
Tai Chi and Chi Kung styles are not the same. Different Tai Chi styles were created by different family heads and going into the philosophy and structure of these families is a lifelong journey of discovery. Originally Tai Chi Chuan Fa which translates into Grand Ultimate Fist and as the name suggests its origin was a fighting art and later many health benefits were discovered and still to this day hospitals, clinics and universities study the movements and the reports are astounding. Benefits from cancer to HIV and many more health issues.
Some styles use large circular movements and others smaller ones as well as the steps larger and smaller, higher and lower stances and postures of various descriptions. The lower the stance the more cardiovascular the form becomes. The web is filled with medical reports on various styles.
When it comes to Chi Kung (Chinese yoga) practice, there are more than 3000 different styles. Chi Kung has been around for thousands of years and has become one of the most popular exercise activities for all ages around the world today.
Tai Chi and Chi Kung as old as they are are the exercise of the future. Make them part of your life and live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.