Prescott Tai Chi Classes

The Martial Art of Tai-Chi

Hmm, Tai-Chi—Kung-Fu.  Kung-Fu really is supposed to be referred to as Wu-Shu, or Martial Art. Kung-fu can refer to a high level of skill in making pottery, or weaving baskets or painting a fine painting! Kung-Fu can be any activity that takes a long time and a lot of dedication to develop skill in any particular context. Tai-Chi can definitely be Kung-Fu.

Of course most of you know that Taichichuan refers to the martial side of Tai-Chi, but not everybody knows that there is a real difference in the concept of Tai-Chi-Chuan or just plain Tai-Chi.

Chuan means fist and attached to Tai-Chi it refers to the martial art that sprang out of the Philosophy of Tai-Chi. Tai-Chi is actually the study of Yin and Yang also the philosophical root of Taoism. Taoism refers to the way. What is the way? That is a question many confront and must answer for themselves. Just for today I will say for those that don’t know, that Taoism is a profound philosophy of life with many useful ideas about ways to improve your life and the live’s of others.

TaichiChuan is a potent martial art that many believe to be as potent as any martial art and many believe it to be the Supreme Ultimate Martial art.  I have always said that it really isn’t which is the most superior martial art, but who is the superior martial artist.Suffice it to say that TaiChiChuan is a style of Kung-Fu.

I only mention this because in any martial art to so-called “Master it” you have to put in many years of dedication and concentration, Kung-Fu.

There are many elements of Tai-Chi one may focus on. Many choose the healing side as their main focus. The Tai-Chi classics do say that if you train for any reason other than health and longevity that in the end you will only sigh in regret.  However in the Yin and Yang scheme of things one must eventually understand that to develop a level of skill that will impart the health giving aspects of the art you must come to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the martial Art aspect. Part of the reason for this is that to receive the health benefit you must have your stances and postures correct. Understanding some of the potential self-defense applications helps one put themselves in the postures that will ultimately impart the greatest health benefit.

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General Info, Philosophy by aaronK