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Tai Chi: Mastering It as a Martial Art Form

A good number of people view tai chi as a kind of meditation or an exercise focused on slower movements. To some degree, they are correct but it is very much a conventional martial art form. Tai Chi Chuan is the initial name for this martial art and it means &quot;supreme ultimate fist.&quot; The name implies that Tai Chi was at first intended to be a martial art form and not an exercise for senior citizens.

One reason that individuals don't think of tai chi as a martial art style is because it's so slow moving. When you watch individuals practicing karate or kung fu, you see rapid, impressive movement. In tai chi, each movement seems to be performed in slow motion. Simply because it is done in slow motion doesn't mean it cannot be done quickly. Actually, it takes more control to move at a low speed, which makes the movement more accurate. To really learn how to apply tai chi as a martial art style, you'd have to practice it at different speeds, but moving at a low speed gives you greater coordination and balance. Checkout this link here http://www.youtube.com/swimmingpoolsstlouis.

Push hands is one of the traditional tai chi methods. This calls for two individuals pushing against each other, looking to get the other off balance. Much like sparring tournaments in karate, there are tournaments for push hands. In tai chi push hands, your objective is to beat your opponent with as little force as you possibly can. You make the opponent become off balance by using their own strength and weight. There is lots of work and practice called for but when you have perfected tai chi push hands, you can be a powerful martial artist. It is best to learn this by finding a tai chi school or a qualified instructor instead of learning it all by yourself. Simply performing tai chi form will not be enough to make you skillful in martial arts.

If you're interested in learning tai chi as a martial art style, then you have to find a school or instructor that has this focus. Practicing tai chi form as purely as an exercise is great for your health and will lower stress but you will likely not really develop your martial art skills. By improving your balance and flexibility, you will have a good foundation for the martial arts, but you won't actually know how to apply it in an actual situation if you haven't been taught that way. If the area that you live in does not offer any classes for tai chi as a martial art, then you may possibly be able to find instruction on the internet or purchase videos or books on the subject. Checkout this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORVKiwCmoMw.

Tai chi is recognized as an internal martial art, as opposed to external martial arts such as karate. Aside from push hands, practitioners of tai chi also make use of swords and other standard Chinese weapons. Tai chi can be interesting and helpful, whether you're interested in it strictly for exercise or you wish to get into the martial arts side of it.