Is Thai Chi hard to learn and do for someone who has no experience?
971451
Tai Chi is a martial art that is easy to learn the BASICS of. Mastery of it though is something else entirely. Many people don't realize this but Tai Chi is also, when you get more advanced, an effective tool for self defense. The movements are actually fightning movements, just performed somewhat slower.\n\nIt has been shown to be an extremely effective tool for preventing injury in older people. It provides a sense of balance and body awareness.\n\nBecoming an expert though is just as difficult as with any martial art.
772834
It depends on how much you practice, and how much you want to improve.\n\nprimarily have fun though! it will come easier if youre relaxed about it.
861940
A lot of good answers above.\n\nIt is important for you to determine your main motivation and goal for wanting to learn a martial art. If it is self defense, esp. for the street, TKD would be better than aikido, but there are more practical arts out there for that (which have been mentioned above). Aikido is a very different style than most arts... no offensive moves (in what I consider the pure forms, there are harder styles), and focuses on relaxation, not tension/ resistance. It has a greater philosophical component, and it takes a long time to learn to react appropriately, since those reactions tend to be contrary to natural instinct. Someone grabs your wrist, the impulse is to tense up and resist the pull, not relax. An instructor said that it would take about 10 years for a student to get to the point to be truly effective in a self defense situation.\n\nI've taken different styles from here and there... ju-jitsu, karate... but hadn't really found one that fit my personality. The goal for me evolved from being practical self defense to wanting to learn a martial art "for the art". I'm a very non-aggressive person. I'm 5'1", and am not going to want to, nor be very effective, in wading in, doing a lot of damage, and get back out, as a lot of hard styles advocate. It just wasn't me. \n\nI found my way to aikido, and that was just the art for me. It is a very philosophical art, which I love. Having no offensive moves fits in well with my personal style, and the art lends itself to people with low centers of balance, so being short is actually a plus. It's a good fit all around for me.\n\nSo it really helps to examine your reasons for learning, and giving different styles out there a try and see what you like and don't like. Good advice from above also in regards to places to study. Be wary of the McDojo's... sit in on classes and get a feel for if the instructor is a good teacher, and does the teaching style fit what you want. If they have large class sizes, how much personal attention do they give to the students... all good things to consider.
374555
not hard not easy ...\n\nif u liked it much u will learn it ... so u must love it at first ...\n\nbut in general its easy ...just in side of vocal ..some how it hard but if u work good for it u will passe it ..\n\nand when u learn this language ..it will be so easy to you to learn spanish and italy....\n\nand by the way its good choice ...have good luck ..
613677
Chi Kung is an internal form of martial art closely related to Tai Chi and Xing Yi. Depending on your area, you may find somebody who can teach you, but they are few and far between. Some resources you could find on www.budoseek.net or else in some magazines which could offer training videos, but if you were to find an actual school, that would be remarkable. Good luck!
726466
it's fairly difficult to learn taijiquan or tai chi chuan from the web. still photos and explanitory paragraphs don't really explain how and what to do... videos are much easier to follow, if you don't want to buy one, you should at least check your local public library for any available videos or books on the subject. \n\nhowever here's some sites that have taijiquan forms and how to execute them:\n\nhttp://www.gilmanstudio.com/OnLine_Class/LessonIndex.htm\nhttp://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/longyang.htm#List\nhttp://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/long.html\n\nif you're not familiar with basic movements in tai chi it may be difficult to learn via web or book... \n\nas for exercises i'm not exactly sure what you mean by exercises, taiji has two forms, short form and long form, you practice these complete forms over and over and over and over again, is that what you mean by exercises? \n\ni hope some of this helps, it's a great art, and a invaluable tool for any martial artist, be it internal or external martial arts and i recommend it to all our clients...\n\nif you have anymore questions please feel free to contact me, i'm happy to help!\n\n~*good luck*~
135200
There are a few things that you need to be aware of before going down this path. There are lots of people who will try to convince you that system X or system Y are the most effective, and that you can learn these systems in days or weeks. Not to put too fine a point on it, but these claims are utter horse poopoo. If you want to be skilled in a system, it is going to require some effort on your part. That being said, it is quite possible to become quite effective in relatively short order IF AND ONLY IF you are willing to put in the effort to get there. Also, before I go any further, please understand, I'm not saying these systems are better than others. Some systems have a different focus than others. That's not better, it is just different. Much like comparing apples and bananas, one isn't better than the other, they're just different.\n\nOk, with that out of the way, let's dig into the meat of your question. The first thing you need to decide is what is  it you want to get out of it? Are you looking to be able to protect yourself and others quickly and effectively? Or are you interested in competing in full contact fighting? Or are you just interested in doing it for yourself because it is something you think you'd enjoy? How you answer the above questions will dictate to some degree the best answer for you. \n\nIf you are strictly interested in effective self defense, there are some suggestions that I would make based on my personal experience. The Filipino systems of Kali, Escrima, and Arnis really hit the ground running, so to speak. They, along with the countless flavors of Indonesian Pencak Silat (pronounced pent-jahk see-laht), and some of the Chinese systems such as Wing Chun, Chung-I Chuan, and San Soo, are very much focused on turning you into a multi-faceted fighter in relatively short order. I prefer these systems because they don't focus on just one particular area. They incorporate bare hand techniques, weapon techniques (sticks and daggers are particularly common), and grappling techniques. If you are interested in primarily bare hand techniques, you could also include Muay Thai (aka Thai boxing). The big difference between these systems and similar systems is their overall philosophy. One of the systems that I do personally is Taiji Quan. Very, very effective combat system. However, the guiding philosophy is that they expect that you'll be studying Taiji for the rest of your life. As a result, though you do become extremely effective in combat, it comes with time and isn't a major focus from the start. The systems I mention above, though, focus on making you at least competent in as short of a time as possible. \n\nIf you are interested in full contact fighting, then I would recommend going in the direction of something like Shootfighting or Brazillian Jiujitsu (aka Gracie Jiujistu). I've known people who practiced both of these styles and can attest to the fact that they became relatively skilled rather quickly. The big distinction between these styles and the first group of styles that I mentioned is that the self defense oriented styles include many, many techniques that would be patently illegal in full contact fighting. \n\nI hope this provides some information that you will find useful. Again, I can't advise you strongly enough to avoid the systems that will tell you that they will teach you to become a whirlwind of death in 30 days or similar nonsense. Anything worth doing takes effort and practice, and if it was easy, everyone would do it. I've spent most of my life in the martial arts, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been a great experience for me, and I hope it will be for you, too. Good luck!
1039011
Some schools do go a little overboard i don't think it has much to do with the art you are learning you will find that the Chinese Japanese and Korean are the most disciplined if it is turning you of i recommend you look for a kickboxing school even Muay Thai  they are allot more relaxed than the other traditional arts.
965598
Hey Now...\n\nGo take either a Wushu or Taichi class and \nthey will teach you...\n\nSmiles
598384
Stephanie, if you really are that dedicated you don't have to go just yet, get the feel of things first in the UK. My friend is one of the highest ranked masters of Bagua zhang and has studied in china for TWENTY YEARS. If you are unsure about form or self discipline it would be crazy to step in to something until  you know it's exactly what you want. Alex Kozma is a master in quite a few very devastatingly good arts and has written books on his travels and is re-noun worldwide for his teachings. I knew him before he went and now he is a Don. His most famous book is "The way of the esoteric warrior" and there is not alot he doesn't know about the best ways to teach and learn mind body and spirit. At the moment you only have 4 elemental signs Earth Fire Water Air, the Chinese have the void as well, this represents you and what you don't know yet, fill it wisely, be aware. Alex runs the UK (Bagua) Nei jia institute (it has got a good web  site WITH THE SAME NAME) and has masters who teach under him, contact him and express your concerns. His phone number is 0207 386 7122 and does tutor privately for the dedicated  . I am sure he will help you find your way, good luck Q.
17601
Assuming you mean martial art, I started taking Aikido at age 36 and would recommend it for your consideration.  It is very low impact in that it involves more throwing and movement and very little kicking and hitting.  I think styles like Aikido are easier on the joints for us "old folks".
521706
You need to be creative. You will also need to learn basic knowledge, so yes- you have to pay attention to your instructor. Alalytical would come if you were in competitive cooking. Also liking cooking has a big deal to do with it. I'd rather someone else cook.
906472
I have taught Wing Chun Kung Fu for several years - while you may be able to learn some set movements in this way, there is much about stance, power generation and centre of gravity that can not be learnt by copying from a video.\nFind yourself a good reputable instructor and go for it!
13838
I study Tai Chi, and if you are loking for one that does not hurt anyone then I would suggest looking into it. It is great for body, mind and self defence.\n\nI know it is not on your list, so sorry if you mean just from those four!
1148505
Hello Eric, you answered my "moon question". I am on "the fence" with that. But to answer your question, I took Judo at 26 and am acelling fast. I was afraid at first, but if you are 1/2 tough, you will not have a problem. Most people are wimps and easy to beat. I wish to be a black belt soon, you can be too. Just listen to your master even if you do not agree, he knows more than you, so have faith in your master. P.S. My name is Eric aslo:P Good luck with your training, it is not as scary as you may think.
1004925
Yay! Finally a question i can answer. There is no easy way to learn breakdance unless you have a teacher or someone who can breakdance to help you. The easiest move to me, is probaly the toprock or the 6 step--but those moves probaly aren't gonna impress anyone. If you're looking for a move that has that "Wow!" factor, then the easiest move is called a baby freeze. When I started breaking it took me 5 minutes to get that move--no kidding. Even though it may seem easy, there are harder moves so breakdancing is no walk in the park. But I suggest you check out http://www.bboy.org/ it's a really good site where you can learn. Good luck :D
695757
Tai Chi Chuan is an entirely different ball game than Tae Kwon Do. Your confusion might stem from the words themselves sounding similar.\n\nSince you are a TKD practitioner, I don't think I need to explain the concepts to you, save the fact that it is what is categorized as an "external" system; that is, you work hard physically, then the mental prowess comes in time thereafter.\n\nTai Chi Chuan is an "internal" system, which first focuses on slow, fluid movements and forces you to be aware of your physical state at all times. Once this awareness is attained (which usually takes years of practice) and one feels the flow, the movements are sped up, and can actually be very devastating. The words themselves roughly translate to "Supreme Ultimate Fist". Beyond that, as what I assume is the case in your TKD class, weapons come after learning with empty hands. Furthermore, many people never progress beyond the slow fluid movements since the motions massage the internal organs and this results in benefits to all around health. Some even dub Tai Chi Chuan as "moving meditation".\n\nAlso, TKD is from Korea, and Tai Chi Chuan is from China. If you wish to learn Tai Chi Chuan, seek out a kung fu school ("kwoon"), but be careful as there are a lot of bad schools out there. Just do some research as to what is in your area, and you may find something that benefits you.\n\nI used to take TKD, and was in it for about 9 years, got my 2nd degree black belt, then moved on the Chinese Martial arts to continue being challenged. Some of my training over-lapped, and I was able to use some Tai Chi Chuan concepts during sparring exercises, much to my delight! They are physically, though, quite different, so mind the fact your training will grow more difficult should you take both simultaneously.\n\nBy the way "Tai Chi" is philosophy, and has been around for roughly 4,000 years. "T'ai Chi Chu'an" is the martial art, and has been around for a considerably shorter amount of time, about 500 years or so.\n\nI hope I helped!