| Tai chi is certainly an interesting martial art. The grace | | | | tai chi, and they are no joke, the main application, at |
| and skill displayed by its advanced practitioners is | | | | least in the United States, is as a method of exercise |
| incredible, and it is purported to have many health | | | | that promotes health and relaxation. Because as far |
| benefits as well. Unfortunately, it is often | | | | as health and relaxation goes, it is hard to beat this |
| misunderstood and mischaracterized, so this article will | | | | method. |
| explain what exactly tai chi is and how and why it is | | | | When tai chi was first introduced to the United |
| studied. If you are thinking about taking up this form | | | | States, lots of people were skeptical about its |
| of martial arts, or are just curious, this is valuable | | | | supposed health benefits. So, rigorous scientific |
| information. | | | | studies were conducted, and it was found that it |
| First, some terminology. In martial arts, there are | | | | relieved stress, lowered blood pressure, and even |
| hard and soft martial arts and there are internal and | | | | helped with ailments such as diabetes and Parkinson's |
| external martial arts. Hard martial arts are arts that | | | | disease! As incredible as this sounds, more and more |
| focus on strong, powerful strikes that meet the | | | | people, especially seniors, are taking up tai chi and |
| force of an attack with more force. An example | | | | finding that it works wonders for health. |
| would be karate or muay thai. Soft martial arts, such | | | | So, what does one do in a tai chi class? The two |
| as judo or jujitsu, focus on redirecting the force of | | | | main activities are forms and pushing hands. Forms |
| an attack, and meet force by yielding to it. An | | | | are sequences of movements (there are 24 basic |
| external martial art focuses on explosive, powerful | | | | movements in modern tai chi) that promote |
| techniques that project force, while an internal style | | | | coordination and health. The forms are performed |
| is more relaxed, incorporating meditation, awareness | | | | slowly, and these are what people usually think of |
| of the spirit and soft, yielding techniques. Tai chi is a | | | | when tai chi is mentioned. Pushing hands is a |
| soft, internal martial art. | | | | two-person sparring exercise that helps to develop |
| To many Westerners, after hearing this, the question | | | | balance, focus, and teaches one to anticipate an |
| is: OK, so why would anyone want to learn this | | | | opponent's movements and react to them calmly in |
| technique? Why not just go take an MMA class and | | | | order to redirect their force. This, really, is what it is |
| learn how to beat the tar out of people? The | | | | all about: redirecting force. |
| answer is that while there are martial applications of | | | | |