What Taiji-Quan Styles?
Googling “Taiji Styles Utah” offers a glimpse into the writings of our local schools and their respective teachers. I’m Googling on 1/25/2009, so this will change; today I discover many links but, out of 50 or so links, few articles. Check out some of the top ranked writings offered on this day:
- Chen Tai Chi (Taiji) at Utah Valley Hsing-I Chuan
- Organizing A Tai Chi Reformation | T’ai-chi Utah Organizes
- The Secret of Reflexive Self Defense | Real Taijiquan
I say…not much writing, not much solid information on the idea of Taiji Styles in Utah. I know there are some great styles in Utah because I’ve been to several World Tai Chi Day Events over decade I’ve lived here, and I’ve seen many.
Please, Utah Taiji practitioners and instructors, share your ideas and thoughts and concepts about Taiji: register with TaijiUtah.org and write something about your style, your teacher’s style, your enemy’s style. You’ll get noticed.
3 Responses to What Taiji-Quan Styles?
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I’ve yet to see true taiji in Utah and I’ve been looking for some time. I was at world taiji day in SLC too last year… The best and closest thing I have found is the WTBA and one man who knows old Chen style. I had a teacher from a good tradition, but he moved away and never operated a formal school anyway.
What do you define as “true” Taiji? What is Taiji to you? For me it’s utilizing the harmony of Yin and Yang in all aspects of our lives. This can be taught several ways, and either through tradition, or through breaking with tradition to reach students who many not have the right temperament for traditional teaching. Is a group of seniors practicing Cheng Man-Ching form in the park, where the instructor has taught just form and philosophy a less valid form than a Chen instructor who is teaching Taiji the way his instructors before him have taught? If the seniors in the park have learned to use yin and yang harmony to combat stressors and the effects of age-related infirmities, how are they less valid of Taiji students than those who use yin and yang harmony in combat? I, like you I suspect, would be bored to tears in a form-only class, but should those who would be totally intimidated by a very traditional, martially oriented Taiji be turned away from this art?
Yes JC,
Some forms of Taiji are invalid, incomplete, and incompetent. Some instructors can barely move and, nevertheless, claim to own the right to teach. Some are unhealthy, obese, and sickly, yet claim authority about health and healing.
Other instructors maintain high standards, ruthless quality, and refined, sophisticated forms. Some of us know that the health and healing properties ride on the back of efficient fighting methods and articulate, precise long forms. By now, people like me are a minority among Taijiquan teachers.