Starting Tai Chi

[bladesaint]

Wow! I am duly impressed.

I have always wondered about the different posture count variations in various styles. 13, 24, 42, 64 108 etc. What's your take on why those were created?

I know some were created for standardizing forms for competition, but not all were created for this purpose, right?

 Its said that the "Beijing 24count" (A committee of masters from the different styles were brought together in Beijing to add their input into the formation of the 24 routine) was created not for competition but actually to keep up productivity in the workforce. The reasoning being the more workers practice TaiJI  the healthiear they are and less prone to be out sick from work. The old long 108 Yang form which was traditional, took too long for the general masses to learn and perform daily berfore work started, there was no standard so in a large groups, everyone was doing something different and hard to organize. The 48 came next for those that wanted a more challenging routine. The 24 was primarily Yang style and the other styles wanted representation so the 48 had aspects of each recognized style incorporated such as Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun and Huo.  The 13 and 19 step routines are very recent additions for Westerners who have even less time to spend learning routines who are not dedicated martial artists. The 48 routine was considered too long for competition so they developed the 40, 41 or 42 step routines in different styles. The WuDang style 13 is siad to be an original routine containing the 13 orginal postures.

[Sizzaxe]

Interesting. Its always cool to see people of all ages practicing.

I think most would agree that if you're active in crossing hands with others in some form or other the better your self defense capabilities will be. No matter what the age! William CC Chen is a good example. Free fighting is a strong part of his Tai Chi school and he has produced some good San Shou fighters.

Chris

[Chihua-ku]

There is an elderly lady who practices Tai Chi at my school and her speed and stamina is very impresive. And she is not afraid to spar and she is very hard to hit... I might want to learn Tai Chi in the future myself. 

[Sizzaxe]

Wow! I am duly impressed.

I have always wondered about the different posture count variations in various styles. 13, 24, 42, 64 108 etc. What's your take on why those were created?

I know some were created for standardizing forms for competition, but not all were created for this purpose, right?

[bladesaint]

The Beijing Yang routines Yang 13 step, 24 step, 48 step, 42 step competition, 32 step straightsword, 42 step competition straightsword. Chen 19 and Chen 72. Xingyi Quan 5 phase fist. XIngyi straightsword.   

[Sizzaxe]

Cool! What style of Tai Chi Chuan do you teach?

[bladesaint]

 I teach tai Chi among other things and I dont use many acronyms much.

[Sizzaxe]

No you don't practice tai chi or no, I didn't use too many acronyms.

[bladesaint]

Actually no, It took me a minute to figure out what yours meant.

[Sizzaxe]

Thanks Bladesaint. Did I use too many acronyms? ; - ) It's due to lazy fingers.

Do you practice Tai Chi?

[bladesaint]

TCC, CMC is AOK with M.E.

[Sizzaxe]

Actually I've had a long history with Tai Chi--but very little formal training. It was the first art that really intrigued me when I was still an armchair samurai. So much so I bought a book and tried to teach myself. Well, that didn't work too well, but it sure felt good : ).

Anyway, I soon found a school that taught Kung fu including Yang Style TCC. But I had barely begun training when I had to leave the school. Later it was the TCC idea of sensitivity that drew me to Wing Chun for awhile as well.

So after some time spent in various kung fu styles and some kenpo (all of which I've had to stop due to moves or instructors leaving) I'm deciding to focus on TCC. I've found Kayo Robertson who trained under Ben Lo in Taiwan. I'm planning on training with him, though he's about 5 hrs away from me. But he's been there for years and he's got good lineage and a good reputation. He teaches at Bear River TCC in Logan Utah. Anyone ever had any experience with him or Ben Lo's other students?

Anyway I am really excited. He is CMC Yang style btw, a version of TCC I really like.

peace