Does anyone here practice Tai Chi?

[skinnyninja]

Just wondering if anyone here practices Tai Chi at all, or if you have attended any Tai Chi classes. There is an instructor that comes to my workplace twice a week and does a session, and he says that he teaches about 30 such classes every week. Apparently Tai Chi has become quite popular.

From what I have experienced, the technique is very beneficial. This is the slow motion, moving meditation kind of Tai Chi, not the martial arts version. Apparently it helps develop balance, coordination, and it also improves circulation. There is a huge emphasis on breathing technique as well.

So I'm just curious if anyone here practices at all and what their thoughts are...

[carenkh]

Can I answer even if I don't practice?

One of my drum teachers practices tai chi, and has for quite some time. It has led to many things for him, and really opened his awareness. I believe he's a better drummer (djembe player) because of his tai chi practice. I gave him reiki, and was almost knocked back by the sense of clear, powerful energy I got from him; I also credit tai chi for part of that.

[MartialDev]

If you practice exclusively "for health", then you will miss out on some synergistic benefits. See the article Conflict Resolution: A Casualty of Non-Violent Martial Arts for an elaboration.

[Buddy]

The short answer is yes. I used to teach full time at a popular Boston school. To expand on what MartialDev said, regardless of the application of your training (self defense, mediatation, better health) you train the same way. There is a very particular way of moving in tai chi (and bagua and xingyi). In Chinese it's called shenfa- body method. Truly without that it's just choreography.
But even learning the relaxing methods of tai chi should make you feel very good!

Buddy

[artic123]

And I liked it. But I must have been doing it wrong and it hurt my knees. I stick to Chi Kung and yoga now.

A

[beautyscientist]

I don't. I have never heard of it.

[Darren]

Sorry to bring this topic right back to the top but i clicked on a random page to view and came across this post..

I practiced Tai Chi totally by accident. I was attempting to meditate, standing up - it was one of my first times ever and didn't really know what i was doing (I still don't hehe). Well my arms automatically circled and moved by the forces of energy i was emitting and i just went with it. Then, what i can only describe as a portal opened up (I had experienced this once before on LSD as well as what i have since learned to be 'ego death'). Well, I opened my eyes and could literally reach into this 'portal' and could feel a stream of energy run through it like a river. I've since learned that this energy is called chi. What I got back from the portal was pure energy in abundance. Pure love and a mental image of Jesus Christ appeared when i closed my eyes. I might add that i hadn't been to church since i was eight or nine - I'm now 25 and didn't even believe in JC.

However, a few days later I got sick and had a really sore throat and an upset stomach. I put this down to not really knowing what i was doing. I'm concerned that it may be dangerous? It would be great if someone could give me some insight on my experience