I just completed a Adult Ed course for TAI CHI. I pretty much enjoyed it and being from New York found it to be great for stress, which at the last class told my Sifu that and he was like “Tai Chi is so much more than that” as if I offended him!
Anyway, what benefits can I get from learning Tai Chi? And is it good for self defense if the occasion should arise?
Thanks!
Snoopy2000 
If you’re from New York, go see William CC Chen. I recommend staying in the push hands class for a while before you take the boxing class. His son is a current San Shou champ.
Taijichuan
It depends on the type of taichi you learn.
taijichuan means grand ultimate fist its a taoist martial art
that incoorporates the principles of yin and yang.
Originally taiji was a form of self defence . As one of the stories go taiji was so sucessful that a particular royalty wanted to keep it as their official style so they recruited the holder of the style and requested it to be strictly for imperial use.
the master watered that style down and withheld the secrets of the style for whatever reasons but that form of taichi still has a use its just not as martial as some of the others.
there are to my knowledge about five different styles of taichi, or five accepted styles of tai chi, the ones i can remember are yang style, chen style, wu style, sun style. I believe the other style is also yang although im not sure.
but to answer your question yeah tai chi is more than just for health purpouses. if the practicioner knows what they are doing , the application in the movement then it can be a truly effective martial art.
you probably know all of this since you did this tai chi ed class , but thats my 2 cents anyway.
peace.
I heard a legend once about tai chi.
A long time ago a monk was sitting outside meditating. His senses were at a heightened state and that is when he noticed a strange sound. He got up and followed the sound to its source. To his surprise it was a crane hovering over a snake that was coiled up. The snake looking up at the crane which stared back down at it. The snake lashed out at the crane with its fangs but the crane deflected it with its wings. The crane pecked at the snake but the snake easily moved out of the way. This went on for a while until both gave up and went their seperate ways. The monk, having watched all this, had a revelation. Using these principals of fighting that he witnessed he developed the art of tai chi chuan.
That is a story I heard once. Tai chi has been described using yin and yang as has been said. Tai chi is like a pleasant soft piece of cloth which hides a stone under it. Or think of tai chi as the famous analogy of water; it flows gracefully and fluently but at the same time is powerful and devestating. As for the philosophy of tai chi, it is very deep and I will post a link in my next post.
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.html
This may seem boring, but it is good reading and talks about taoism.
Whether or not tai chi is good for self defense depends almost entirely on the school. Most tai chi schools do not concentrate on self defense. In fact, so few tai chi schools (in america) concentrate on self defense that some of the more knowledgable guys on the internal board can probably name them all by name.
Trying asking the internal board, you’ll probably get more specific responses.
there are to my knowledge about five different styles of taichi, or five accepted styles of tai chi, the ones i can remember are yang style, chen style, wu style, sun style.
The other style is Wu(hao) style. Those would be the 5 major styles. There’s also Fu, Chang(Shui Jiao guys do this), Zhaobao, Wudang, and numerous variations of these. At the very least Taiji will improve your health. I’d say the odds of finding a teacher who knows taiji self defence is pretty much the same for all 5 major styles right now.
And is it good for self defense if the occasion should arise?
If you find a teacher who knows this area well and you work at it, then yes
Snoopy2000, go study with Ren Guanyi.
Neither my sifu or I are particularly impressed with him (particularly his footwork, which we feel is too wide for him to be maximally powerful and mobile in), but he’s the real deal as far as Chen style Taijiquan goes. He’s the official inheritor, as he’s Chen Xiaowang’s top disciple.
Taijiquan is terrific for self-defense, but it needs to be taught PROPERLY. It’s a lot different from what people think it is, though you’ll eventually be able to spot the REAL Taiji guys right away.
One thing that Taiji isn’t in combat: FLOWERY.
Taiji can be a very aggressive and violent art when practiced properly.
Yang Lu Chan, the man who created Yang style and taught to the imperial court and their bodyguards didn’t teach a watered down version. He taught the small form because the elaborate Royal dress restricted movement. If this was true and the Imperial family found out it was punishable by death. I doubt he would risk his and his families lives for a martial arts style. Especially since he didn’t create Tai Chi and he learned it from the Chen family who could have been hired by the Emperor easily. As for being used as a self defense h*ll yeah it could be. Theres also some that say that you should be able to defend yourself within the first year to 18 months since its based on natural reactions to attacks and not on animal movements. Mastering it is another story. That’ll take heaps more time than other styles and those usually take 10+ years. But of course you never truly master anything so dont get caught up on that. Finding a teacher allowing you to even start learning for self defense is another issue. I’m sure someone on the forum can help you.
Thank you!
I appreciate all your replies! The Sifu who is teaching also happens to teach Kung Fu and ownes the school. I was reading a bio of him and he still trains so I think that’s really impressive that he is still learning.
In one class I asked about Push Hands and he showed me which I think he’ll incorporate into this course. He also said this is the Yang Style.
Snoopy
Tai Chi
I just finished an Adult Ed course in Tai Chi and was sold on it after one particular class in which we moved slower. Being from New York I found it to be great for stress! However, my future Sifu said Tai Chi is so much more, which I plan to join his Kung Fu school this week. He teaches Yang style.
I would like to you what you get out of TAI CHI? Is it good for self defense? Do you use Push Hands? And what exactly is the Chi?
Thanks Everyone!
Snoopy 
Water Dragon
Willian c.c.Chen, also isn’t his daughter the wu shu push hands champ(she wears lose T-shirts)
just a little paragraph that is placed in my bio for my adult education class that I teach.thought you might find it interesting.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, It means Grand Ultimate Fist.It is most often referred to as a internal Martial art indicating that the emphasis is placed on strengthening the mind, circulating the chi, and relaxing the body so that is free to move. Beyond its Martial application however it is also a complete system of physics and philosophy, best characterized by the tai chi symbol known to Americans as the (yin yang circle) with in this symbol to semi circles of dark (yin) and white (yang) make a complete circle as they constantly merge into each other , Symbolizing the spirit of "moving harmony"this harmony of motion describes the laws of yin and Yang which assert that in the phenomenal world both physical and energetic.All existence is a relationship between these two , for without left there can be no right, without night there is no day and Countless others. In the system Yang represents all that is expressive,productive and strength oriented ,yin is receptive yielding an internal. In the martial aspect of tai chi, the relationship between the yielding force of yin and the unbending force of yang forms the core of the fighting technique. The yielding force is used to avoid or redirect opponents attack,while the unbending force is used to counter attack.this change from yielding to a bending is achieved in the form of Circle therefore the main pattern of tai chi is like many circles spiralling continuously without end. In application these principles led to force, which Master Ching Man Ching once described as replied 2,000 pounds with four ounces.
Thats great about you starting out on tai chi, hope you ejoy it and stick with it, if you do , it will change many aspects of your life for the better.
"I would like to you what you get out of TAI CHI? "
im sure you mean you want to know what people get out of tai chi. Well it depends on a couple of things; how good your teacher is but apart from that, tai chi , like any internal style, you get out of it EXACTLY what you put in. There aren’t any great leaps or bounds that just happen , you have to work hard for your results.What do you get out of it?you get out as much as you put in but in a general sence, it will help relieve stress, improve your co-ordination and body mechanics, the list is endless and you will see the results yourself.
"Is it good for self defense? "
Yes it is good for self defence, although i do not practise tai chi i have used effectivly in the past its principles during violent confrontation and came out the victor.
"Do you use Push Hands? "
i dont do tai chi so someone else will probably answer this better :)you use it to train listening to opponents energy and when to apply your own. it is not a method of fighting but trains you for fighting
"And what exactly is the Chi? "
This is often the subject of whole books , so if i were you the best way to figure that out is to research it .But i will give you an idea.
These excerpts are taken from "the root of chinese qigong"by Dr.yang jwing ming.
“qi is the energy or natural force which fills the universe…qi can be generally defined as any type of energy which is able to demonstrate power and strength”
Chi is too much to understand though a message baord. I would recommend buying the book i quoted from for a better understanding.For now,just understand that it is all around you but the chi you are most concerned with is the qi within your body and that you must cultivate this.
Hope this helped
I would like to you what you get out of TAI CHI?
Improved flexibility of waist and leg. The means of more powerful abdominals. Muscular development of all upper body regions…
“Is it good for self defense?”
I am understanding how to nullify attacks, strike effortlessly and move without seeming to move–flow, the stability to have stronger Kung-Fu fom techniques, how to regulate power when striking and measure the tempo/length of a technique.
“Do you use Push Hands?”
I use the principles yet do not rank to train it with another person.
" And what exactly is the Chi?"
Some stuff.
“I would like to you what you get out of TAI CHI?”
I’ve seen very long lists of what tai chi can do for you. What is usually not listed is learning a new way to move to generate internal power, martial/self defense system, a philosophy that can be applied everywhere in life, and more I haven’t yet understood.
“Is it good for self defense?”
Yes, and quite vicious.
“Do you use Push Hands?”
Yes, began push hands in class after a few weeks of forms practice and chi gung. I don’t believe one can be successful studying tai chi without push hands.
“And what exactly is the Chi?”
It depends on who you ask. Chi was used to describe more than one thing and the terms misuse has only increased its misunderstanding. I don’t have a cut and dry definition, I just try to understand what was talked about when the term is used - in a case by case scenario.
“I would like to you what you get out of TAI CHI?”
Being able to shake a waxwood stick really well. Also to wear pretty silk taiji uniforms and look cool.
“Is it good for self defense?”
If you consider throwing people on their faces while ripping out their shoulder, sure.
“Do you use Push Hands?”
I tried using push hands during a chess game, it didn’t work out well.
“And what exactly is the Chi?”
a greek letter
Hei-Gung & Chi-Kung Anyone?
Thanks for the replies - most appreciated!
Besides learning Tai-Chi Chuan I just read that Hei-Gung & Chi-Kung will be taught. I have an idea what Chi-Kung is but what is Hei-Gung?
Snoopy
Hei-Gung?
Thanks for the replies - most appreciated!
Would anyone know what Hei-Gung is?
Snoopy