Discover Real Tai Chi

Tai Chi is the highest level of traditional Chinese martial art. It is an art of being faster and stronger. But how many teach it as a martial art? How many know where the health benefits come from? How many can define Qi that makes sense instead of making it mysterious? How many know the fundamentals instead of just moving slowly and softly?

Common Misconceptions:

1. Tai Chi is slow and soft. Tai Chi practice is to study how to be faster and harder. Practicing the slow and soft forms, moves and trying to relax is only one of the many entry level training methods but not the purpose.

2. Tai Chi is an excess for health. Tai Chi is first and foremost a martial art. It is a study of energy enhancement and fighting techniques. The many health benefits come only from its unique training methods. The slow and soft routines are only the most unimportant part of those methods.

3. Tai Chi is defensive. Tai Chi is extremely offensive because it never separates defense from offense. In other words, its defense is offensive and its offense is defensive. The principle of Tai Chi shanshou (sparing) is to get closer to your opponent and when one side of your body is defending, the other must be attacking.

4. Tai Chi is for old and weak people. The correct training needs very strong bodies to fulfill and it makes them stronger. Therefore the fundamental training is focused on increasing strength. Very few people in their teens and twentieth can survive the whole set of fundamental training that takes about 45 minutes to complete.

5. The 108 step routine is the authentic and traditional one. According to the historical evidence available, this routine is the results of repeated simplifications and revisions. It is the results of