What is Thai-Chi, a traditional martial art or a relaxing martial art ?
476933
tai chi is a  slow motion kind of martial rituel.very relaxing,and good exercise.mouvement are slow which means harder = good for toning muscles
149088
Here's the BIG question. And however I have another question in return to that one: what do you consider effective? Do you mean martially effective? or effective at clearing your mind or bringing inner peace? Martial Art = The art of war. What makes up a martial art: Percussion (striking), Projection (throwing), Immobilization (joint locks), and Armament (weaponry). Here are some examples of different systems:\n\nKarate: Okinawan. Covers Percussion. Civil Art. Kara- meaning open or empty depending on translation. -te originally meant Chinese Hand but they later changed it to just hand after the Chinese were driven out. Derived from White Crane Kung Fu. Believes in hardening the body against strikes and striking hard is the key.\n\nKung Fu: External Chinese. Most cover percussion, projection, and armament, with a few covering immobilization as well. Usually either martial or civil art. There are SO many systems within the term kung fu that it is hard to describe this system effectively. To say the least the best Kung Fu I have seen was in Dallas, and was translated to the Water-Fire Kung Fu.\n\nAikido / Aiki-jujutsu: Japanese. Covers immobilization with slight touch on projection. Civil Art. Was originally derived from Nihongo Jujutsu or Japanese Jujutsu (honestly I hate that I have to specify WHICH jujutsu compared to Brazilian or American… as if you would get an French taco or Russian sushi). Aikido has sadly become one of the snobbiest “styles” out there and they insist that what they do would work in real combat, although only about 10% of EVERYONE who is involved with that system knows what they’re doing. Though I will admit those that do, can do some beautiful Aiki.\n\nJudo: Japanese. Covers projection. Sport Art. Another derivative of Nihongo Jujutsu. A sport derived from the throwing system used in Japan’s combat. As with all sports, there are certain things that they threw out as “illegal moves” due to their effectiveness therefore making the “style” weaker.\n\nBrazilian: Japanese origin. Covers a portion of Immobilization and Projection. Martial Sport. This “style” was made famous by the Gracie family after they were originally taught by a Japanese man who refused to show them any more than the grappling section of Jujutsu. So they concentrated on the art of ground fighting. Most people that do Brazilian are extremely competitive and aggressive in nature.\n\nTaekwondo: Korean. Percussion. Sport Art. This is a primarily kicking “style” and is considered one of the most famous “styles” in use. Another system that is sport / competition based they rely heavily on flexible and fast legs. Originally a derivative from a certain school of Karate which name eludes me at this moment.\n\nKrav Maga: Israeli. Um… Percussion? Military wannabe. I REALLY don’t suggest this system unless you’re looking for a Billy Blanks on steroids kinda feel. This system was built to teach the foot soldiers of Israel a quick, brutal and less than effective hand-to-hand fighting method in a matter of a week, so seriously, don’t bother.\n\nThose Russian arts: Mainly knife junkies who think they know what they’re doing. More flashy than anything else, don’t fall for the hype.\n\nPilipino: Mostly Stick and knife, and they are not for the faint of heart, although not much art to the system, it seems those whom you can find who actually know what they’re doing are pretty good with a knife and stick but that’s it.\n\nMMA: Mixed martial arts. Probably the worst thing that has ever happened to martial arts besides Krav maga. The concept of mixing martial arts is taking a system that is inferior and mixing it with another inferior system to hopefully make up for the gaps left by the other one. For example: Karate doesn’t have Immobilization, so lets throw in Aikido and Brazilian, and those don’t have projection so lets throw in Judo, and all of those don’t have armament so lets throw in Pilipino. \n\nTh
867435
Yes....  the legend/history of Wing Chun does attribute its beginnings to a woman in some lineages.  Factually/historically I do not think this has been confirmed though.  \n\nDoesn't really matter though.  Wing Chun is an effective method of martial art that does lends itself well to women and people of smaller stature.  It offers both close-quarters fighting techniques and some training benefits for health.  \n\nThe last part of your question is not restricted to Wing Chun.  However....  a martial art can help you learn about yourself.  How?  It offers a medium that offers feedback and allows you to view yourself and how you deal with situations.  Example:  Say you're sparring with someone.  (Or even in a fight.)  How do you feel during the encounter?  Fearful?  Angry?  Passive?  How do your respond to his/her attacks?  Aggressively or passively?  Do you shy away from their aggression or do you challenge it head-on?  When you have an opportunity to take them down, are you compassionate or do you feel justified in annihilating them?  \n\nDuring class or a training session, you're training your body, your reflexes, and even your spirit.  But after class you have an opportunity to review what happened in class and how you behaved.  Generally, how you respond in a stressful situation like sparring can reveal a great deal about you as a person and what you're about.
769012
Yes. Some Eastern religions like Taoism or Chinese folk religions discuss something call the Chi, which is the term for one's spiritual life energy. When Chi is out of whack, through stress and/or negative thoughts, certain treatments can bring it back into alignment and harmony, thus improving health and relieving pain.
1088554
Depends on the teacher and the style of tai chi\n\nIm a student of Grand Master Johnny Lee\none of 10 10th degree masters in hte world.\nIts all in the practitioner.\nIf you believe in chi... and the teacher is on the level... Tai Chi.. Supreame Heaven Fist...Ive seen my teacher do things I cant explain and dont believe even though I saw... and want to believe.\nI dont care for Wushu cause its a mix of traditional martial arts.\nThey butchered so many forms and techniques. \nWushu is evolving though and getting better.\nI like all martial arts.\nI just prefer to spend my time with certain teachers and students, aand a style I can relate to.\n\nI study My Jhong Law Horn(Lost Track Buddha Palm) traditional northern shaolin kung fu\nWu style Tai-Chi\nand Bagua\n\n\nI love internal arts....\nLearn both if you can... unless the teacher is a joke...
441949
Martial arts is a very personal thing.  Each style and type will appeal to different people.  Obviously you should try out several styles before making a decision.\n\nAs a general rule, Japanese martial arts are very "straight line" and "to the point".  Meaning they attack, attack hard, and don't waste much energy trying to look pretty.\n\nChinese martial arts are less direct, utilizing many circular movements.  Just as effective as Japanese arts, they also give a lot of emphasis to physical training and spiritual development.  \n\nI can't speak much about Korean or Thai martial arts.  But both Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing are very popular arts.\n\nMy favorite Japanese martial art is Aikido.  It is a defensive martial art.  There are no attacking moves.  But if anyone violates your "circle of control" you will easily and quickly toss them on their ear, literally.\n\nMy next favorite Japanese martial art is Judo, particularly the Brazilian flavor. There is an Afro-Brazilian art called Capoeria which is very physical and will keep you in great shape.\n\nMy favorite Chinese martial art is Kung Fu.  There are many types of kung fu, so you'll have to do some online research to find the type that appeals to you.  Wing Chun is a popular style, once studied by Bruce Lee.\n\nMy favorite American martial art is Jujitsu.  This is one of the best martial arts ever invented.  It has a little bit of everything in it - ground work, kicks, throws, punches, you name it.\n\nKempo is an American martial art that is quite popular. It has many elements of similarity with karate and judo.  Throws, striking, kicking, etc.\n\nIf you want to get involved, just find the closest school or dojo and give it a try.  If it doesn't feel right, try another.  You'll quickly find the one that fits you.
797687
Tai Chi like most martial arts has gone through a series of evolutions and changes.  The more recent history of taijiquan has taken what was once a very effective form of martial art and turned it into merely a form of exercise for some.  \n\nThe short forms came about as a way of introducing the basics of the various forms (Chen, Yang, etc.) to the general public.  The idea was to make the whole of the form easier for beginners to learn.  For example, I believe the Yang style long form contains 108 postures and was altered by Yang Cheng-fu removing the vigorous fajing movements to the slow moving form most know today to accentuate the health benefits.  A student of his, Cheng Man Ching who lived in New York City, introduced this form of the art to America and shortened it to a 37 posture form by removing certain postures and repetitive movements from the longer form of his teacher.  Both men's efforts were to make the art more available to the average person.    \n\nOther styles of taijiquan have developed short forms for similar reasons.  Unfortunately, some of these efforts have only served to "waterdown" the art.\n\nAs to which form most Chinese do daily....  Don't know.  But there aren't just two forms (long and short), there are many various styles of the art as well.  \n\nIf you're looking to begin learning, I suggest you look for a teacher who's focus is both on the health and the combative elements of the art.
928094
What is best for me won't necessarily be what is best for you. I like Hung Gar. We train in a complete system that does not require blending other systems, but also does not frown upon it.\n\nI have studied Chinese boxing for over a decade now, but have experience in Korean systems previously to that. I do prefer Chinese systems (otherwise I wouldn't be training in them!), but that isn't to say they are necessarily better than other systems; rather, they are better for me and what I want out of my training.\n\nThe great thing I have found about Chinese boxing is that they are varied and are determined to be suited for a practitioner not just based on desire of training, but also on attitude and even the practitioner's physique. Since I am of average height and have a stalky build, I am very well suited for Hung Gar, which is the system in which I train. I know of people who do Northern Shaolin who are tall and lanky and excel at it. This isn't to say that somebody like me couldn't do just as well in it, but it may require more practice and training to reach a higher level.\n\nAll that being explained, ask yourself what you want out of your training, how long you plan on training, and what techniques may come more naturally for you, otherwise, how much practice you are willing to put in for techniques that do not come naturally for you!\n\nOh, and FYI, "Tai Chi" is merely a philosophy, whereas "Tai Chi Chuan" is an actual martial art. It is practiced slowly since it possesses no basics and since doing it slowly massages the internal organs and has fantastic health benefits. This being the case, many never progress to practicing it at full speed. This is also why many seniors do it. In fact, it is joked that Tai Chi Chuan is China's universal health care! When somebody does do Tai Chi Chuan at full speed, though, it is easy to see why the translation is "Supreme Ultimate Fist". It takes a very long time to attain this level. Most Chinese boxing schools teach Tai Chi Chuan on top of their external martial arts programs.
96630
Ok, I'm gonna stop this one with one fell swoop. There is NO cure-all one move to win anything. Period. With that said, I can direct you along a path of finding a martial art that fits you:\n\nKarate: Okinawan. Covers Percussion. Civil Art. Kara- meaning open or empty depending on translation. -te originally meant Chinese Hand but they later changed it to just hand after the Chinese were driven out. Derived from White Crane Kung Fu. Believes in hardening the body against strikes and striking hard is the key.\n\nKung Fu: External Chinese. Most cover percussion, projection, and armament, with a few covering immobilization as well. Usually either martial or civil art. There are SO many systems within the term kung fu that it is hard to describe this system effectively. To say the least the best Kung Fu I have seen was in Dallas, and was translated to the Water-Fire Kung Fu.\n\nAikido / Aiki-jujutsu: Japanese. Covers immobilization with slight touch on projection. Civil Art. Was originally derived from Nihongo Jujutsu or Japanese Jujutsu (honestly I hate that I have to specify WHICH jujutsu compared to Brazilian or American… as if you would get an French taco or Russian sushi). Aikido has sadly become one of the snobbiest “styles” out there and they insist that what they do would work in real combat, although only about 10% of EVERYONE who is involved with that system knows what they’re doing. Though I will admit those that do, can do some beautiful Aiki.\n\nJudo: Japanese. Covers projection. Sport Art. Another derivative of Nihongo Jujutsu. A sport derived from the throwing system used in Japan’s combat. As with all sports, there are certain things that they threw out as “illegal moves” due to their effectiveness therefore making the “style” weaker.\n\nBrazilian: Japanese origin. Covers a portion of Immobilization and Projection. Martial Sport. This “style” was made famous by the Gracie family after they were originally taught by a Japanese man who refused to show them any more than the grappling section of Jujutsu. So they concentrated on the art of ground fighting. Most people that do Brazilian are extremely competitive and aggressive in nature.\n\nTaekwondo: Korean. Percussion. Sport Art. This is a primarily kicking “style” and is considered one of the most famous “styles” in use. Another system that is sport / competition based they rely heavily on flexible and fast legs. Originally a derivative from a certain school of Karate which name eludes me at this moment.\n\nKrav Maga: Israeli. Um… Percussion? Military wannabe. I REALLY don’t suggest this system unless you’re looking for a Billy Blanks on steroids kinda feel. This system was built to teach the foot soldiers of Israel a quick, brutal and less than effective hand-to-hand fighting method in a matter of a week, so seriously, don’t bother.\n\nThose Russian arts: Mainly knife junkies who think they know what they’re doing. More flashy than anything else, don’t fall for the hype.\n\nPilipino: Mostly Stick and knife, and they are not for the faint of heart, although not much art to the system, it seems those whom you can find who actually know what they’re doing are pretty good with a knife and stick but that’s it.\n\nMMA: Mixed martial arts. Probably the worst thing that has ever happened to martial arts besides Krav maga. The concept of mixing martial arts is taking a system that is inferior and mixing it with another inferior system to hopefully make up for the gaps left by the other one. For example: Karate doesn’t have Immobilization, so lets throw in Aikido and Brazilian, and those don’t have projection so lets throw in Judo, and all of those don’t have armament so lets throw in Pilipino. \n\nThere are zillions of others that I’ve missed because in order to catch them all, I’d have to write a book, which is stupid, but here’s the names of a few so you can look them up: Savate, Kenpo, san shou, shuai-chiao, gr
777351
any martial art depends on how you train.  the ones you mentioned can be very effective, but nowdays the emphasis is mainly on health and gentle exercise so that the fighting aspect is left out, or not even known by the instructor.  finding a good sifu to teach you how to actually fight with them can be a challenge.  also, even if you do find a good sifu, it is generally acknowledged that becoming efective in fighting with the internal arts takes longer than other styles.  \n\n read wong kiew kit's website, he has a question and answer series, and deals with this kind of question often.  his opinion is that not only are they effective for fightig, but that the best health benefits are gained from training in the traditional way, ie for fighting.
833023
The word you're looking for is "Yamakasi." It's not a martial art, although it is an art.\n\nThe Yamakasi are a group who practice what's called "the art of movement." (It's probably better known as free running, I believe.) Their art is similar to parkour, although both diverged several years ago. The Yamakasi focus on getting around (or on, or through, or under, etc.) physical obstacles in an urban environment in a way that's aesthetically pleasing and flippin' awesome to watch.\n\nWhat's the difference? Parkour is maybe a sport, definitely a physical discipline. Its goal is for its practicioners to get past physical obstacles as quickly and efficiently as possible. Yamakasi's art of movement focuses more on tricking, aesthetics, and freedom to choose a physical path, in contrast to parkour's emphasis on a linear route.
295509
Aikido.\n\nIt's awesome, and even fat guys can do it (ie Steven Seagal).
19695
Ashtanga is great, like the above answer says.  However, I find a traditional ashtanga practice to be too rigid - it's the exact same poses every class, and much of the primary series (which will be the focus of most ashtanga classes you get at gyms, studios, etc.) is a seated sequence that I find rather monotonous.  In most ashtanga classes, each posture is held for 5 breaths.\n\nI prefer a vinyasa flow style or "power yoga" class (which has roots in ashtanga, but is not as rigid - its sequencing is pretty much up to the instructor).  In terms of strength and fitness, Bikram Yoga is great for cardio/strength - it is a fixed sequence of 26 postures done in a room heated to 90-something degrees.  You will likely either love Bikram or hate it - if you try it, be sure to hydrate well in the 24 hours before you go, and bring a lot of water and a large towel (or 2) - you sweat a LOT (I'm not a fan of this form of yoga, for a couple of reasons, one being that I get so dehydrated afterwards no matter how much water I drink that I get pounding headaches; also I find it hard to hold some of the postures when I am literally soaked from head to toe).  The purpose of heating the room to such a degree is that your muscles are more pliable as they heat up, and you can more easily get into postures.\n\nOther types I find physically challenging - Jivamukti, Iyengar (can be a slower flow, but is challenging because you hold the poses for longer and really focus on alignment), Forrest (each pose is held for a really long time) and Taoist (I had a great Taoist teacher who moved away - most studios don't offer this style, it's not really mainstream in my experience).\n\nTypes that you may want to stay away from (more spiritual and/or restorative than physical) - Kundalini, Kripalu, Svaroopa.  Hatha classes can be harder, or more geared towards beginners - it really depends on the instructor.  \n\nGood luck - I've been practicing yoga for about 4 years, and it is one of the best things I ever started doing.  If I can help with class/studio recommendations in your area, let me know!
496331
Try meditating for 3 hours and then.... and then... do it again, chuck norris style.  Chuck Norris style is when you go and round house kick everyone you see.  Now that is relaxing. You could also go mountain climbing and sky diving.  That is always fun.  It is good practice.
505651
Hi and be blessed, I teach HapKiDo a corean martial art of self defense in the country of Panama and have been teaching this art for 29 years. The study of Chi or Ki as is called in Korean (Corean) is very interesting because it is a development that helps you besides increase the inner energy or life force, very important to learn it from a qualified teacher. \n\nThe best way to lear and increase your Ki is by breading and the best way is by inhaling slow and deep with out hearing the breath in your nose and exhale the same way out the mouth. It can be done in 4 basic ways: standing, seated, laying down or walking. \n\nYou must be patient ! To learn to increase the inner energy is a development thing so no rush. With time you will feel the Ki flow in your body, it is not a magic thing since all persons have Ki it is not an aout of this wold thing it is just some thing a person doing this activity dailly and with patience.\n\nAt first one must balance the breath. This means that the inhale and exhale must take the same length in time for example start wit 3 or 4 seconds inhale and balance the same exhaling and once this happens continue incresing the time span but make sure it feals confortable as you do this training since it really is not dangerous to do but it is a sencible thing to work with and it is true that doing it wrong can hert you like drinking water incorrectly.\n\nThis can be learned in HapKiDo, AiKiDo, TaiChi, Ki Gong or Chi Kung/Gong etc. Were ever you find the place and how to know if you found it is by doing this activity in a relaxful way ! Good luck.
729790
i like rock lee but i really love the gentle fist style of tai jutsu.....i even try gentle fist in real life!\nbut having no control over my own chakra is a real setback :)
697956
I Would consider other styles as well Tai chi and sho lin. But I would sit in on a few classes first and make sure of two things. One that the class is scaled down in difficulty a doesn't go for much more than an hour. And two that the class is ONLY taught by a patient blackbelt. Often classes for beginners are given to those who are not instructors and lack teaching experience of any kind. Also talking to parents of other students wouldn't hurt. But is he personally ready, that is hard to say for sure, but it might be good to stay for the first few classes and watch. Some do great scaled down classes for kids.