Moderators: nyang, Dvivid, Inga, taiqiman
LIB wrote:Hello,
I have two questions. These may have appeared somewhere before on this forum, so excuse me if I missed them.
Anyway, Tai chi chuan was originally designed, it seems to me as a martial art. How has it become used as a health maintenance practice now? It seems it was designed for martial art purposes originally. This question seems even more relevant if we consider that many known Tai chi "Masters" died young. I am thinking specifically of Yang Chen Fu, but there were others who died young too. How come they couldn't take care of their own health with Tai chi?
These are kind of strong inquiries, but I hope someone can illuminate this topic. I would be very appreciative.
Thanks,
LIB
LIB wrote:Also, although not so knowledgeable myself, I understand that Tai chi in its original form, whatever that may be, for example Chen style, was done faster and with kicks for martial purposes. Now it is mostly done slowly for health. I don't understand how this change took place. Then again, I know most martial artists had to be adept at medical practices because there were no doctors around, especially if you sustained an injury.
It seems that the health benefits claimed in Tai chi could be done by many kinds of exercises if done slowly with focused intent on listening to the mind body connection.
If you look at China at that time you will see the Chinese were very weak due to drug addiction. There wore doctors but people needed an exercise to do to build up strength. The martial focus was striped out to help make it accessible even to people who had been greatly weakened. It may also have been striped out to give the Yang's and their favored students the edge over the people they were teaching.
Monsoon wrote:If you look at China at that time you will see the Chinese were very weak due to drug addiction. There wore doctors but people needed an exercise to do to build up strength. The martial focus was striped out to help make it accessible even to people who had been greatly weakened. It may also have been striped out to give the Yang's and their favored students the edge over the people they were teaching.
I just want to add some clarity to this. The sweeping generalisation about drug addiction is just that, sweeping (and as such untrue). Although there have been opium issues it is irresponsible to suggest that 'the Chinese' were all afflicted with it.
Before the cultural revolution there is not a lot of evidence (that I can find) to suggest that hordes of people were out every day practicing tai chi. In fact, given the level of secrecy ascribed to the various families it seems unlikely to have ever been a mass population thing.
After the revolution it is true that the government created the shortened form and encourage people to get out there and get on with it. Masses of people practicing in the parks is a relatively modern phenomenon.
The above is a simplified account, but the bones are there.
Monsoon wrote:I just want to add some clarity to this. The sweeping generalisation about drug addiction is just that, sweeping (and as such untrue). Although there have been opium issues it is irresponsible to suggest that 'the Chinese' were all afflicted with it.
I began to see that among my students, the emaciated and weak began to fill out
(200 million may be a total over a few years as I can't find the original source for this although given the amount of opium being moved it is possible.)200 millions Chinese drug addicts at peak time and 30 millions Chinese drug death
Lin Ze-xu (1785-1850), modestly estimated the number of his countrymen addicted to the drug to be 4 million, but a British physician practising in Canton set the figure at 12 million
The Mao Zedong government is generally credited with eradicating both consumption and production of opium during the 1950s using unrestrained repression and social reform. Ten million addicts were forced into compulsory treatment
I wish that worthy individuals with the highest aspirations will use it for the purpose of self-strengthening. Let us encourage each other as fellow countrymen.
LIB wrote:Thanks for the historical background. That is very interesting, but sad at the same time. My whole point was how did Tai chi become a sudden health based routine from a martial art. Of course, lifestyle, the social and physical environment and genetics play a role too. However, you quote from Yang cheng fu's book, that Tai chi can be used to strengthen those who were even addicted to opium. Still, it is not clear what or how Tai chi was changed to make it more suitable for health applications. Of course, medical Qigong is used for health, but Tai chi? I am certainly not denying that it is good for health. I a, just wondering how it became that way.
Thanks again,
LIB
yeniseri wrote:One can always tell who does their work in CMA circles regarding the historical context of many of the personages of the era. 95% of all CMA people (taijiquan usually) will never know the true health status of Yang Chengfu when he died? This should not detract from his skill or importance but it is an excellent gauge of astute observation and learning intent
Josh Young wrote: Upon what basis is the assumption made that TCC was designed as a martial art alone? How is that even possible?
Song of the Real Meaning of Taijiquan
1. “No shape, no shadow” (無形無象).
2. “Entire body transparent and empty” (全身透空).
3. “Forget your surroundings and be natural” (忘物自然).
4. “Like a stone chime suspended from West Mountain” (西山懸磬).
5. “Tigers roaring, monkeys screeching” (虎吼猿鳴).
6. “Clear fountain, peaceful water” (泉清水靜).
7. “Turbulent river, stormy ocean” (翻江鬧海).
8. “With your whole being, develop your life” (盡性立命).
Return to Taijiquan / Tai Chi Chuan
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest