Tai Chi-Learning on your own?

[EnlightenedOne]

I want to learn tai chi but there is no school around that teaches it. Could I learn it on my own? If so through what kind of sources?

[Tom Yum]

Get a video.

[EnlightenedOne]

hahaha I like that thanks for keepin it simple. By the way, do you have to reply to everything? hahaha no offense

[Tom Yum]

yes.

so what city in IN are you from?

[EnlightenedOne]

Why are you going to stalk me or are you from Indiana or familiar with it?

[Tom Yum]

Just trying to make conversation...forget about it.

[EnlightenedOne]

just kidding anyways from martinsville
everyone thinks we are a racist town

[EnlightenedOne]

Do you think that learning from books would be a good idea?

[Tom Yum]

In the case of taiji, get the video and an open space. You need to see how it moves.

If you're going to study another MA, then you might look for an instructor.

[EnlightenedOne]

Have you taken or learned any?

[Tom Yum]

I once bought a taiji video for a family member who never used it. So I used it, even though I wasn't really interested in it but stuck with it for a little while to learn a few sets.

Someday I'll get back into it. Its a different kind of workout.

[ninjaiboy22]

Tapes Suck

I actually tried that once. Unless your rich and you have a 800 sq foot living room youll never learn by a tape. It is imperative to study a tape step by step and if you dont have the space you will fail. Even tai chi move around alot.

i suggest you try "Bagua or Pa Kua or Ba Gua" It's an awesome internal energy art and I have a video. It all focus's on circlular movements. All you need is a small space. I have the tape, Now that one is good.

[krys]

i suggest you try "Bagua or Pa Kua or Ba Gua" It's an awesome internal energy art and I have a video. It all focus's on circlular movements. All you need is a small space. I have the tape, Now that one is good.

Yes, you can practice Bagua on a small place... it is a great art.... There is even one footwork routine you can practice on less than one sq. meter....

Earle Montaigus tapes (on Bagua, Tai Chi) are really good, have a look at www.taijiworld.com.
He is really fighting oriented and shows good stuff....

[EnlightenedOne]

Thanks a lot guys.

[iliqchuan]

What do you want to get out of studing Tai Chi?
A video might help you get an idea, but unless you have a backgroung in internal arts the moves seem really weird. Not much kicking and punching. More brushing, pulling, pushing, palm strikes....
If you want it for martial application you might like hsin-yi or bagua more, it's easier to see the applications
I also happen to be a big fan of books, for theory obviously. You at least need a video to get an idea of the movments. But check out these two awesome tai-chi/internal books: Warriors of Stillness vol.1 by Dan Diepershloot (I think thats how its spelled) and Tai Chi Chi Kung vol.1 by Mantak Chia these are some of the best books ever written for martial arts. If nothing else they can help you see what to look for in finding a teacher. The best videos I know are I Liq (Tai Chi) Chuan by Sam Chin(www.iliqchuan.org) and Ren Guanyi's Chen Tai Chi video. I hope that helps, I'll keep a lookout for good teachers in Indiana.