As far as being superior in the long run none are superior to others. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. If there was one superior art there wouldn't be any others. The style does not make the Martial Artist the Martial Artist makes the style.|||Just one comment: quizzard is dumb!!!!! talk about misinformed!
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|||I am reluctant to refer to anything that I do as being superior to other martial arts. That is why I try to learn from as many styles and teachers as possible.
Still, there are reasons why taijiquan (tai chi) is one of my favourite styles.
It is not true that self defence skill takes longer in tai chi than in other styles. It all depends on the teacher.
When the teacher actually teaches tai chi as a form of self defence, it can be a very efficient way to learn. It can take about 3 months for a student to develop practical self defence skills in my tai chi classes. But some students aren't interested in self defence, and they may never learn to use the art that way.
With the rapidly growing popularity of tai chi as a health nourishing exercise, there are an increasing number of teachers who do not understand the combat applications of tai chi. This is unfortunate, as many of the health benefits of tai chi come from the understanding of combat principles.
Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is what some refer to as a "method based" art. The primary focus is not on learning techniques, but on learning the proper physical structure, emotional content, and mental awareness required to make any technique work.
A technique based approach often starts with the defender assuming a losing position and finding a way out of it.
A method based approach teaches the shape and feeling of victory and the ways to maintain it. The advantage to this approach is that you learn to find advantages and balance everywhere, instead of struggling against the superior position of the opponent.
What I now tell my students is that they should be looking for the part of the opponent that wants to fall down, rather then trying to figure out what to do about he part of the opponent that wants to knock you over.
When you are accustomed to constantly seeking balance and harmony in your every day life, then maintaining it in the face of conflict becomes much easier. If you practise looking for conflict, it will be difficult to find balance.
In my experience, teaching fundamental structure, balance and universal principles, is a much more efficient way to teach self defence than teaching technique.
Tai Chi includes forms, tuishou (pushing hands), qinna (Joint control and pressure points), Shuaijiao (Throws), and striking with all parts of the body.
But the main focus is always the refinement of mind, body, and spirit.
Tai Chi:
鈥?Develops internal power and powerful structure that enables one to withstand great force without becoming tense. This allows for flexible response and helps the mind to stay calm.
鈥?Trains softness and sensitivity which enables the neutralisation of strong forces with little effort.
鈥?Trains sticking and adhering to a high degree, enabling you to stay on an opponent's centre without letting him/her find yours.
鈥?Translates the physical skills into mental, emotional, and spiritual way of being that transcends technique.
Of course, I would never suggest that tai chi on its own is a more complete system than any other. That all depends on the student and the teacher.
If you would like to see a couple of videos demonstrating Tai Chi self defence principles, go to
http://www.cloudmountainmartialarts.com/page4/page4.html
and
http://www.cloudmountainmartialarts.com/page5/page5.php|||Tai chi is not really a self defense art (except maybe self defense against other Tai chi masters?) It's a stylized form of movement intended for physical fitness and mobility, as well as teaching focus and other skills.
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