When people start with Tai Chi, regularly certain questions come up. Due to the many different opinions, interpretations and Tai Chi study systems, it is impossible to provide answers that everybody in the Tai Chi world will agree with.

​The answers and questions below are based upon my personal experiences with and study of Tai Chi since 1987. I have formulated the answers as objectively and transparent as I can. However, please let me know, if you don’t agree with something or if something is not clear. I will try to further clarify (or maybe it is a just matter of different interpretations or my answer is simply flawed).

Tai Chi introduction

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi originated as a Chinese martial art that put emphasis on the health of mind and body. The principles are based upon traditional Chinese values/philosophies like Taoism and the I-Tjing.

​Nowadays, most practitioners focus in their Tai Chi practice on the health dimension. However, dependent on the specific Tai Chi school, focus can be on the martial, physical development, meditation or in some cases on the spiritual side of Tai Chi.

What does Tai Chi practice look like?

Tai Chi is being practiced by performing so-called forms. These consist of a set of movements or postures in a fixed sequence. It is common to start with a solo form without weapons. There are a fair number of practitioners that never study anything else than a single solo ‘empty hand’ form.

​However, most schools often more than one form. This can be alternative ‘empty hand’ forms, ‘push-hand’ forms (a partner form) or weapon forms (e.g. sword, fan or stick/pole).

Why are the Tai Chi movements so slow?

In fact, faster Tai Chi forms do exist. However, most people know Tai Chi as sets of slow movements. In Tai Chi, we are looking for a type of natural relaxation. This type of relaxation is consolidated by the precise execution of the movements. For most people, it is easier to relax and be precise in the execution when they perform slowly.

Has there been any scientific research into the effects of Tai Chi exercises?

There have been several studies, but the majority is based on anecdotes and special cases instead of scientific proof. So, there is no scientific proof that Tai Chi is superior to other health oriented sports/exercises. However, it is undisputed that practicing Tai Chi is beneficial to both body and mind.

Some Tai Chi background info

What are the origins Tai Chi?

There are several theories with regards to the origins of Tai Chi Chuan. According to a popular tradition, Tai Chi was developed by the mythical monk Zhang Sanfeng who, according to some stories, lived for a few hundred years. Other stories involve the Chen family, the Wudang mountains or the Thousand Year Temple.

In any case, it is clear that in the 19th century Tai Chi was practiced by the Chen family and that the founder of the Yang style (Yang Lu-Chan) did practice with the Chen family.

Why are there different ways to write Tai Chi?

The official name of Tai Chi is 太极拳. As most people outside of China are unable to read Chinese characters, it has been converted into our characters. This conversion can be done with different systems. The most popular systems are Wade-Giles (T‘ai-chi ch‘üan, often simplified into Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi or Taichi) and the nowadays popular and by the Chinese government endorsed Pinyin (táijíquán, often simplified into taijiquan or taiji).

Why are there so many different styles?

Traditionally, Tai Chi knowledge was transferred from father to son (and sometimes daughter) and from teacher to student. Not all students would receive the full transmission. This was quite common in the practice of martial arts. Consecutive generations were able to contribute to the further development and interpretation of Tai Chi. As a consequence of those changes, different interpretations and styles could develop in parallel.

​Some Tai Chi practitioners are inclined to consider their own style as the only right interpretation of Tai Chi (and alternative interpretations as not being ‘real’ Tai Chi). In the 5 major Tai Chi styles (Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu) old texts (often called the Tai Chi Classics) are being used. In those texts, a number of principles and considerations are given for the practice of Tai Chi.

What are the Tai Chi Classics?

These are a number of texts that describe how Tai Chi should be performed and what Tai Chi consists of. They do not consist of detailed descriptions of physical movements. They deal with the philosophy of Tai Chi and according to which principles Tai Chi movements should be executed.

​To our taste they are generally somewhat cryptic. With practicing Tai Chi, also the understanding of the Tai Chi Classics develops in parallel. Most Classics were written in the 19th century or earlier.

---

Tai Chi push hands

What is Tai Chi ‘push hands’?

In push hands or pushing hands two Tai Chi practitioners stand opposite each other and try to unbalance the other in a calm manner. The objective is to apply and further develop the Tai Chi principles that are being practiced in the solo form.

​Different implementations of push hands exist. In some cases, the partners follow a fixed pattern of moves, but in other cases it is more spontaneous. Although it is more common not to move the feet during push hands (fixed step), it is also possible to combine push hands with making steps (moving step).

Is there a difference between sensing-hands and push-hands?

No, there is not. Some teachers prefer to use the term sensing-hands to put the emphasis on feeling/sensing vs pushing. The Chinese character is closer in meaning to ‘pushing’ (推手tui1shou3)

Do I have to practice pushing-hands?

No, of course not. Many Tai Chi practitioners don't ever start with push-hands. My recommendation is to consider it, as there are things that you can learn from pushing hands that you would not pick-up in the solo form.

Are there any people who can use their Qi to push somebody from a distance? (so, without physical contact).

Indeed, you can see this in Chinese martial arts movies. Also in the Tai Chi world, you can sometimes hear about Masters who are supposed to have this ability and you can find clips on the Internet that seem to show this. However, those demonstrations are generally with their own students. Personally, I have never seen this in real life (in spite of me practicing Tai Chi since 1987 and visiting international masters in Germany, The Netherlands, US, Taiwan and China).

About Tai Chi practice

For which ages is Tai Chi suitable?

In reality, you can practice Tai Chi at any age.  There are Tai Chi classes for children and there are people that only start with Tai Chi when they are already over 80. Personally, I feel that it is usually better to start Tai Chi at an adult age. This means that I only teach adults.

Can I practice Tai Chi if I have some physical limitations?

That is dependent on your specific limitations and in some cases on whether the teacher has experience with teaching somebody with that limitation. Do discuss this with your Tai Chi teacher.

Can I practice Tai Chi with an injury?

That depends on the injury. This is also something you should discuss this with your Tai Chi teacher.

What type of cloth do I need for Tai Chi?

No need to wear a uniform. Some schools encourage students to wear Chinese inspired clothing, but in other schools the students follow their own style. It is important that your clothes are comfortable and do not limit you in your movements.

​It is recommended not to wear shoes that have soles with a strong grip. Too much grip can cause additional strain in the knee.

Does Tai Chi have a belt system?

No, there is no generally acknowledged belt system. There are some schools, that like in Japanese martial arts, use a kind of belt system to depict different levels/seniority.

How do I find a good teacher?

There is no generally accepted system that tells you whether a teacher is ‘good’. The term Tai Chi teacher is unregulated. On top of that a significant number of Tai Chi interpretations and teaching approaches are in existence. When you start with Tai Chi it really is quite difficult to judge whether a teacher gives you the proper instructions.

​You can find out whether your teacher has a clear lineage (who was the teacher of your teacher, the teacher of the teacher of the teacher, etc.). Furthermore, after a while you can check whether the teachings are consistent with the classical Tai Chi texts.

Are you a Tai Chi master?

I am definitely not a Tai Chi master. The title of master or shifu/sifu is unregulated and in reality, everybody can call himself Tai Chi master (or let his/her students call him so). I have been doing Tai Chi for a while (since 1987) and take it quite serious (practicing, studying the key Tai Chi texts and practicing with international masters). By the way, some of the best real masters prefer not to call themselves master (or shifu).

Is it important to participate in competitions?

Different opinions exist with regards to the participations in competitions. Many Tai Chi practitioners enjoy participating in them. My personal opinion is that regular participation in formal competitions can promote bad habits.

​However, it is important for the development of your Tai Chi to compare your level and progress with others. Not to compete, but to get ideas for further development.