Anyone who has done tai-chi?

I've never done it before and I'm going to start in a class. Is it difficult to learn for a complete beginner?

tai chi is very easy to learn, depending on the style of tai chi it is. chen style is a little more complex than say, yang or wu style, as chen style mixes speeds and utilizes more 'coiling'.

most tai chi is so easy to learn that after a short amount of time you may feel like you "know it" all or become bored with it.

this is what will seperate a person who "knows" tai chi from a person who is on the path to mastering tai chi.

someone who "knows" it has memorized the form and can demonstrate it at will and even demonstrate applications of the form.

someone who walks the path of mastering tai chi has moved beyond meer memorization of form and application to the point where the principles of the form have become inbedded in the body.

in this way, whatever that person perfoms, has the principles of tai chi imbedded in it.

this often takes repitition of the form long after you feel like you "know it" and or have become bored.

but a good teacher should be able to keep your interest there the whole time.

good luck and above all, enjoy yourself

thanks meg. i appreciate you feeling that i addressed your question/concern. best of luck in class and training. your patiance and perseverance will yield tremendous results. Report It

No, its simple, just takes time memorizing it... its great though.

No, it's very low impact and great for someone who has never done martial arts before.

Tai Chi is a lot of follow the leader. Then you also have to learn to move your chi--which is to concentrate on balancing your attention then moving your balance....

karate is better b/c its based on one hit win
Kung fu is a combo of hits and only great ones can use it in battle b/c its weak

No.

No, I've never been with an oriental... LOL

Tia Chi is surprisingly challenging when you first begin. Whether you are taking it purely for the health benefits, or studying it to learn a combative art (Tai Chi Chaun), you are likely going to discover just how easy it is to fall over from a dead standstill. However, after you first few sessions you will begin to develop the flexor muscles that you have discovered, and the movements will come with more ease. After that, it is simply a matter of learning the sequences, which are less difficult than they are lengthy. Overall, not too difficult, but you will definintely learn how to slow yourself down.

I study Chen Style Tai Chi chuan, and I have to say, it's great and I always get exited ofr the next lessons becuase it's so great. It's a martial art and studies have shown it's also great for health benifits.

Tai Chi Chuan is roughly translated to "Supreme Ultimate Fist". This being the case, it was originally meant to be a martial art and has great potential for those patient enough to learn it. It is practiced slowly due to the idea that there are no basics: in Karate, TKD, Tang Soo Do, etc. one can practice reverse punches, front kicks, and all sorts of other single movements at full speed. As Tai Chi Chuan is an internal art that first focuses on breathing, balance, and centering, one cannot begin performing movements at full speed right away.

Don't believe anyone who tells you that Tai Chi was not meant for fighting or that it's just for old people, that is a huge fallacy. However, most instructors do not TEACH its fighting applications, which in some cases might as well be the same thing. All styles can be used for combat.

Tai Chi is meant to be done slowly, one or twice a day, and then quickly one or twice a day. So in total you should be doing at least one slow set and one fast set of your Tai Chi form every day. This imprints these motions into your brain, and doing them slowly makes sure every nuance of movement is remembered. After doing this everyday for a year or years your body and mind has adopted these movements as Second Nature. So when an attack, obstacle, or accident comes you react with Tai Chi out of habit.

Tai Chi Chuan has lasted over the CENTURIES because this method actually works, it just takes time to be effective. The best styles of Tai Chi Chuan that are usually considered for combat are Chen and Sun. These are known to be the more external forms, having moves that end abruptly or that are directed outward from the body in a straight or curved line. Chen style is the oldest and most classic, but Sun is still a very effective and powerful style.

The Yang style, the most popular and the second oldest style, will work just as well for these combat purposes.

Tai Chi Chuan is based upon taking your opponent's attack, redirecting its' energy, and then counterattacking.

Videos of Tai Chi as a defensive martial art.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tEbupVWZ6mk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8qv6TldA...

Most tai chi masters believe that Tai chi chuan is first, and foremost, a martial art. Sure Tai Chi in the early stages is not a very effective Martial Art, but in the LONG RUN, it is very effective because you learn to move and use your opponents energy against them and for your favor. Here's more information:
http://www.atlantamartialarts.com/styles...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T'ai_chi

No, it isn't. it can quite fun!

I have always wondered, though; after one practices tai chi shuold they drink chia tea?

It can be for the not so graceful, but I soon turned into a swan so If I can learn it with grace anyone can.