h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Howdee!
I said I would come over and say Hi: so here I am! How was your event? Did it go well?

Anyways, I was wondering what Tai CHi was all about basically, because I have read some things, and gleaned information such as 'Tai Chi is the manipulation of lifeforce, and there are 108 different movements in one set, and Tai CHi is as much mental exercise and physical'.
I was wondering if this was anything near the mark
Thanks!
FwT

Hi FwT,

There's a very inadequate entry on T'ai Chi in the guide. Some day I might get round to asking for an update.

There are many forms of T'ai Chi, however you are likely to learn the Yang style short form (or 24 forms) first of all. If you ever go to China for extra training, they will want to see your short form before teaching you other forms and styles.

Yes, it's about manipulating energy (qi or chi - pron, chee), which the Japanese know as Ki. It can be done as a meditation, shadow boxing or a strength building exercise - it all depends on your intention - and this is the *same* form.

The Chinese believe that we have a system of energy pathways, called meridians, which flow through the body. If these channels are blocked, we get sickness.

When I learned it, I learned the basic movements first, then I learned the form again, with more refinement. Then I learned how to breathe and then how to focus. Then I learned the hand movements on their own and the feet. I'm told you could spend a lifetime on the short form.

I also learned qi gong (chi kung) at the same time. These are energy exercises. Qi gong is the basis of t'ai chi. You can do qi gong without t'ai chi, but you can't do t'ai chi properly without qi gong.

If you are looking to find a class, try to avoid Chun Man Ching style. My teachers were very sniffy about it, saying that it was not true to the form taught in China.

I could say more, but I'm off to work.

Thanks!
I read somewhere that Tai Chi is also a form of combat: is this true?

I was thinking of taking up Tai CHi during my year out.

FwT

If you could tell me some more! Is there any uniform: like karate?

Thank'e
FwT

Not usually, although some people use loose black silk robes.

There are many different forms, from the short form (24 forms), to the long form (108 forms), Chang style, Wu style, Chun style, two person forms, such as San Shou and exercises, such as boxing, 20 steps, 6 defence and then there are sword forms, which I started, but then had to stop.

You will usually find qi gong (the energy exercises) on offer at the same time. I teach more qi gong these days than t'ai chi and include meditation forms as well.

Let me know how you get on finding a class.

Thanks for all your help: I will probably start looking during the summer, to start in the autumn. I've wanted to do it for a while, and thought that this was the perfect opportunity to start, because I've more time to devote to it, and if I get into the practise routine, I can continue it during university.

OK, so I had a look at the Tai chi G.e.
The one thing it seemed to stress was the importance of a good teacher, but how do I know which is a good teacher?
FwT

The key really is daily practice. You don't need to do it for a great length, but regularityis the secret. You might find that you are content with just the form and a bit of qi gong, or you may find that you want to study more.

Good luck!

Thanks very much! I looked on www.taichifinder.com or it might have been .co.uk: there's three in my area, but the best time is a Tai Chi Chuan class, can you tell me what that is please
Thank'e
FwT

Hi Zarquon and FwT

I stumbled across your page, and thought I'd ask your opinion on Wu style Tai Chi.

I've just started a class in this, and wondered (seeing as you know far more about Tai Chi than me...but then that wouldn't be hard..) if you had an opinion on the differences between the styles. I'd only ever heard of the Yang style before, no...hang on.. I tried Taoist Tai Chi years ago, but didn't think much of it to be honest.

Whilst I'm here, what do you think of Falun Gong? I know some people that do it and they only have good things to say about it, but I'm unsure about it for some reason. A friend of mine is a Taoist priest, and he teaches a Qi Gong set that he learned in China (Erme style I do believe) which I have got a lot out of over the years...although I have to admit that I don't exactly practice regularly.

Thanks,
LSF

Hi LSF!

I haven't learned the Wu, although both my teachers taught it. I've really only done Yang myself. There will come a time when I can go back to my own teacher and refresh and extend my learning.

The class that I teach is more interested in qi gong really than in learning forms. I have a couple of disabled people, who this suits rather better.

I honestly don't know what to think about Falun Gong. I know it has a very wide following in China (or maybe had, as the Chinese authorities have been clamping down very hard, I gather.)

I\d be interested to hear what you think about it, as you no doubt have more knowledge in this area than I have. I had the impression that there must be a philosophy attached to it, as the Chinese are not afraid of normal t'ai chi.

Hi Zarquon


eerrrmmm....don't really know much about Falun Gong, other than the Chinese see it as a 'cult' , and are therefore afraid of its' religious overtones. And its practiced to music. And the teacher can't charge any money.

I think I'll have a look in the ether of cyberspace and see what I can find.

How long have you been teaching/practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong?

LSF

Hi LSF

Hi FwT

Hello LSF!

Hi both

*Smiling broadly, just having come back from camping.*

Was it good?

Yes, it was brilliant. A nature awareness camp for families. We played lots of games, performed a play, some people did a sweat lodge, we went into the woods and did stalking - stuff like that.

Sounds like you had a lovely time at the weekend then Zarquon.

I went off to Earthspirit festival on sunday with my man...they were charging £22 each for a DAY ticket......far too much for a small hippy type affair I thought.
Was good to chill out in a friend's tipi, drinking chai and relaxing after the weirdness that was my saturday...... (I was a vampire extra in a music video).

Did you have a go in the sweatlodge? I've only ever done one of those, but I have very fond memories of it - something I'd like to do again definitely.

whats a sweatlodge?