Posted: 10/13/2005 2:34:21 PM EDT
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I'm seriously considering beginning Tai Chi practice and would be interested in hearing other people's experience with it. Also, can anyone recommend instructors in the central Oklahoma area? |
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I used to be really into Ba Gua Zhang, a related Chinese internal martial art. Ba Gua is one of the coolest things I've ever come across in my life, really enjoyed practicing it. But it was expensive and I was a Poor Starving Student and fell out. The thing about internal martial arts like tai chi is, most instructors have to mimic the forms and movements with the hopes that you'll discover the internal principles through repetition. My teacher's teacher had the opposite, more logical approach: Fundamental principles first, and learn the forms afterwards. It's really interesting how internal martial arts changes your body in ways totally different from normal exercise. For example, practicioners tend to develop a sort of pot-belly and slumped shoulders, the joints of the hands and feet "spread" out. It greatly increases your endurance too. One of the students in our class was a mountaineer, said that he noticed climbing became easier since he started ba gua. I dont know of any teachers in OK. But my advice in looking for one is just ask if it has martial applications, could you actually learn to fight or defend yourself from the teacher's instruction. If they're good, they should be able to say "yes". My teacher Kevin was into normal martial arts like kung fu and tae kwon do for years before he started internal martial arts. He was never interested in tai chi because the practicioners couldn't fight with it. Then he met his teacher from Taiwan who could not only fight with tai chi, he could whip Kevin's ass with it. I've seen them spar, and it is a trip. |
You practice in "slow motion" to perfect your form, but the full contact stuff is done at speed. It is also a form of mental discipline to work your way through a move so that each part of it is perfect. wganz ¶ |
Pretty much. Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) is all about concentrating on your mind, muscles, and breathing. I studied it while in China this last summer, and its pretty interesting and much more difficult that one might assume just by looking at it. You have to have real control over you muscles to make fluid, slow movements. It's all about defensive movements followed by offensive strikes. Chinese martial arts (WuShu) in general are that way. Brian |
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Qigong (chi kung) It is somewhat similar to Tai Chi. I picked it up because the "moving meditations" are easier for me than sitting. The concentration it takes reduces "monkey mind" ie. your thoughts wandering off course. IMO though you could get some of the same benifit by doing any slow concentrated movement while paying attention to your breathing. You could do it while sweeping the floor for example, but of course it wouldn`t be the same as doing a Kata or martial arts routine. |
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Are you in the Tulsa area? If so see Sifu Rick Thomas. The Thomas Academy He used to be affiliated, well somewhat with the Soohwa Kung Fu system. IIRC his instructor is J. K Wong, search for the Taiji Lecagy or the Chin Woo assn. If ya see him, tell him Tai Sigung and Sifu H. say Howdy. |
I'm in OKC. I have found two names, Rick Krause and Ricardo Leturia but very little feedback from anyone familiar with them. I've contacted both via e-mail but would like to find more info or even other possible instructors before visiting their schools. |
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Almost 32 years......All 4 Sections. External and Internal.... Also studied Five Pattern Hung Kuen Taught by Dr. Leung Ting Oklahoma...Don't know anyone out that way but loofk for someone that will not screw your power up. I have just started again after 4yrs of not being able to do the complete form. Since starting I have been able to shoot Prone again. I only hope it helps relieve my Back and Neck Pain and I could stand and shoot by next summer. |
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Started about 12 years ago. First learned the simplified 24 yang (a very standardized form) then moved on to the 32 strait sword form. Good stuff. Was already learning Wing Chun, so an internal art was just what I was looking for. Be warned, it takes a couple of years of practice before you really start to get it (body and mind). Since then I learned the "traditional" long form from Yang Zhenduo. Also dabbled in Ba Gua (Baqua) and Sun Style Tai Chi. There are four major styles of Tai Chi : Yang, Chen, Sun, and Wu. Also, be careful when picking a teacher. I have seen many a Karate/Tae Quan Do, teacher claim to know it, but their stuff was crap. Make sure to check around and ask your teacher's lineage. If you are intersted in Yang style, this is the true lineage that still exists: Yang Family |
Rick Krause practices/teaches the Yang style and Ricardo Leturia practices/teaches the Wu style. I'm interested in Tai Chi in general and plan on doing it right (i.e., no short-cuts) if I try it and decide I like it. However, my real long-term goal is the sword forms with jian and dao. Tai chi seems to be the meeting point for several of my interests: Swords (Chinese swords in particular), martial arts, Asian culture, philosophy, and overall personal development. It's good to hear that many people have had such positive experiences with the internal martial arts of China. |
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I dont reacall anyone in the OKC area that I am familiar with. I still have some contacts, I can ask around about those folks you mentioned. Are you doing this for practical application (some folks get back to what this really is, a combat art), health and well being, something new or just fun. |
I'm considering Tai chi in the hopes that it will be life changing for me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I've been looking for "something" for years and it seems that recently several different aspects of my life have converged on one point: Tai chi. Also, it gives me some justification for these expensive Chinese swords I've been buying!  I would really appreciate any feedback on either instructor. Nothing I know about them really makes one stand out over the other. The Wu stylist is a full-time Kung-Fu/Tai chi instructor and has a nice school less than 1 mile from my home. The Yang stylist teaches Tai Chi only part-time at two different locations that would require maybe a 20 minute drive each. kungfuokc.com taichiokc.com |
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Just from looking at websites...... The Yang instructor has Very good form. To bad he is too far out of the way. The Wu style guy, If it were me, I would avoid like the plague. But that is merely based on his website. These things *always* jump out at me. He is screaming 'belt factory'. Taiji, Wing Chun, Hung gar, Shaolin, Iron Palm. Tiger Crane. Too many red flags go off. Give him a try, be sure your Bull Shit meter has been tuned up tho. You will find Wu style is not your average taiji. It will start slow and every so often they will *burst* or go full speed. it is interesting to watch. check your IM's |