HisArpy
Loose canon extraordinair
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2016
- Posts
- 42,380
So, who does it?
There are 5 major styles (Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu, and Sun) as well as long and short programs depending on whether you're a beginner or experienced (or masochistic). They say Chen and Yang are the most popular styles because these are the styles that are easiest and taught most often.
You can find videos on You Tube that will show you the different forms (the individual moves/poses) so you can learn if you're interested.
Most communities have a class being taught somewhere too but for some reason the instructors require that you already know the forms before they "teach" them to you. This is puzzling on the one hand, but not always the case. If you're going to take a class read the literature to be sure what the instructor requires. Be prepared to be watched by an audience if the class is outside. Sometimes they applaud at the end. It's really neat.
You can do Tai Chi anywhere at any time by yourself. People will come up to watch and talk to you when you're done.
If you want to learn on your own, Ian Sinclair has a full series of the forms on You Tube.
You Tube linky for beginning to learn about Tai Chi and what it's purpose is
Lesson # 2 - First Form (Commencing Form)
You can go on from there with the next video for each form until you've learned all 24. I found that Sinclair is easy to follow and understand as he demonstrates each form over and over again (sometimes too much). Some of the other instructors aren't as easy to follow. You should watch other videos though because they have different techniques and show different aspects of the Forms and how to hold/position your hands.
The best method for learning is to start with the commencing form and add a new form each week until you know all 24 (or 42) and can do them all in order from the Commencing Form to the Closing Form. You can do Tai Chi every day - the simplified 8 Forms version only takes 10 minutes.
Tai Chi is not easy. It looks easy, but it isn't. Try the Commencing Form for yourself and see what such a simple move takes in the way of strength and balance. It gets more involved from there because you have to relax AND keep yourself mentally awake enough to keep thinking about what you're doing. The fun trick is to learn to make it look easy while busting your butt and working at it.
For those who are young enough and want more aggressive learning and exercise, there are the weapons katas too.
Standard disclaimer applies.
There are 5 major styles (Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu, and Sun) as well as long and short programs depending on whether you're a beginner or experienced (or masochistic). They say Chen and Yang are the most popular styles because these are the styles that are easiest and taught most often.
You can find videos on You Tube that will show you the different forms (the individual moves/poses) so you can learn if you're interested.
Most communities have a class being taught somewhere too but for some reason the instructors require that you already know the forms before they "teach" them to you. This is puzzling on the one hand, but not always the case. If you're going to take a class read the literature to be sure what the instructor requires. Be prepared to be watched by an audience if the class is outside. Sometimes they applaud at the end. It's really neat.
You can do Tai Chi anywhere at any time by yourself. People will come up to watch and talk to you when you're done.
If you want to learn on your own, Ian Sinclair has a full series of the forms on You Tube.
You Tube linky for beginning to learn about Tai Chi and what it's purpose is
Lesson # 2 - First Form (Commencing Form)
You can go on from there with the next video for each form until you've learned all 24. I found that Sinclair is easy to follow and understand as he demonstrates each form over and over again (sometimes too much). Some of the other instructors aren't as easy to follow. You should watch other videos though because they have different techniques and show different aspects of the Forms and how to hold/position your hands.
The best method for learning is to start with the commencing form and add a new form each week until you know all 24 (or 42) and can do them all in order from the Commencing Form to the Closing Form. You can do Tai Chi every day - the simplified 8 Forms version only takes 10 minutes.
Tai Chi is not easy. It looks easy, but it isn't. Try the Commencing Form for yourself and see what such a simple move takes in the way of strength and balance. It gets more involved from there because you have to relax AND keep yourself mentally awake enough to keep thinking about what you're doing. The fun trick is to learn to make it look easy while busting your butt and working at it.
For those who are young enough and want more aggressive learning and exercise, there are the weapons katas too.
Standard disclaimer applies.
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