What's Wrong with Tai Chi?

[Holy Moment]

They say a bad carpenter blames his tools...



I say Tai Chi is for pussies.

^ Facebook

[Holy Moment]

Facebook.

[BackFistMonkey]

Facebook plz k thnx.

Also great job.

[Wounded Ronin]

I'm a little disappointed that the challenge match that lead to this all didn't look like this:

Seriously, though, the video stated several health related reasons to practice Tai Chi. There's evidence it can be very beneficial for many people who are seeking to improve their health. So why can't that be enough? Why do people have to be upset or even feel threatened that in addition to all of that, it's also not simultaneously a top of the line combat art? More people need good health than emptyhanded combat ability.

[Pship Destroyer]

Ninja disclaimers are the best kind.

[Pship Destroyer]

You truly are the Troma of martial arts, Armando.

[BJMills]

I'm a little disappointed that the challenge match that lead to this all didn't look like this:

Seriously, though, the video stated several health related reasons to practice Tai Chi. There's evidence it can be very beneficial for many people who are seeking to improve their health. So why can't that be enough? Why do people have to be upset or even feel threatened that in addition to all of that, it's also not simultaneously a top of the line combat art? More people need good health than emptyhanded combat ability.

I agree with you completely. I lived in Shanghai for a little while years ago. There was a park near my apartment where I'd see a bunch of old people doing tai chi early in the morning while I was on my way to work. They seem pretty spry. I genuinely think there is a health value there. The focus and meditation aspect of that kind of practice is probably good for an aging brain as well.

[Bneterasedmynam]

Tai chi is used to fight two of the most brutal enemies you can ever face father time and his partner arthritis. This actually makes it probably the most useful of all martial arts.

[Permalost]

I'm a little disappointed that the challenge match that lead to this all didn't look like this:

Seriously, though, the video stated several health related reasons to practice Tai Chi. There's evidence it can be very beneficial for many people who are seeking to improve their health. So why can't that be enough? Why do people have to be upset or even feel threatened that in addition to all of that, it's also not simultaneously a top of the line combat art? More people need good health than emptyhanded combat ability.

My $0.02: Tai chi is a very light form of exercise. Lighter than yoga, lighter than most types of exercise. Suitable for the elderly. So, when someone non-decrepit gets invested in it, even the "tai chi is great exercise" part loses some of its appeal. Cause its not great exercise; its okay exercise. Why do okay exerxise, when there is great exercise available? Cause its not very hard, and the esoteric nature of it lets one claim vague benefits, including martial arts ability. This is coming from someone with maybe five years of tai chi experience.

[BJMills]

My $0.02: Tai chi is a very light form of exercise. Lighter than yoga, lighter than most types of exercise. Suitable for the elderly. So, when someone non-decrepit gets invested in it, even the "tai chi is great exercise" part loses some of its appeal. Cause its not great exercise; its okay exercise. Why do okay exerxise, when there is great exercise available? Cause its not very hard, and the esoteric nature of it lets one claim vague benefits, including martial arts ability. This is coming from someone with maybe five years of tai chi experience.

I agree with this too. I guess I should ammend my earlier post to say, it's really good exercise for old people. Like really old.

But probably not as good as a tailored resistance training regime. Weights are good for old people too.

[Kung-Fu Joe]

A little bit of Devil's Advocate, here.

Josh Waitzkin was a world champion in Tai Chi push-hands before beginning his journey in BJJ. He's now a black belt under Marcelo Garcia and has noted that his Tai Chi experience gave him a big advantage in sensitivity and responsivity when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu.

[Pship Destroyer]

I agree with this too. I guess I should ammend my earlier post to say, it's really good exercise for old people. Like really old.

But probably not as good as a tailored resistance training regime. Weights are good for old people too.

I do yoga before and after weight training and it's pretty useful for warming up and cooling down.

I've never trained it, but based on the videos I imagine tai chi before or after weights is practically the same.

It's probably more useful AS you get older. At almost 40 I'm no spring chicken and my body needs to properly prepare and slow down from exercise, or I pay painful penalties.

I'll never think poorly of slow, graceful stretching exercises, even at middle age.

[Raycetpfl]

A little bit of Devil's Advocate, here.

Josh Waitzkin was a world champion in Tai Chi push-hands before beginning his journey in BJJ. He's now a black belt under Marcelo Garcia and has noted that his Tai Chi experience gave him a big advantage in sensitivity and responsivity when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu.

Translation:having some grappling experience is useful for all grappling.

[Kung-Fu Joe]

Translation:having some grappling experience is useful for all grappling.

Yeah, that's a fair analysis. I've heard similar things from guys who started in Aikido before training BJJ, as well.

[Pship Destroyer]

Tai chi is used to fight two of the most brutal enemies you can ever face father time and his partner arthritis. This actually makes it probably the most useful of all martial arts.

I read somewhere Tai Chi wasn't necessarily that good if you have arthritis...I need time to find the study, but stand by.