Anyone do Tia Chi?

Motivator · Post by **Motivator** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:36 am

Just started Yang style Tia Chi classes , a complete contrast to weightlifting/ gym sessions, which I do 2-3 times per week. Wondered if anyone else has got into Tia Chi.
If so what style and what do you think of Tia Chi ?

HOUSTON TEXAN · Post by **HOUSTON TEXAN** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:39 am

I think it's BS.

Christopheel · Post by **Christopheel** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:04 am

the only good point is that it could reduce cortisol production. But sleep does too, and sleep is much more important.

<--- Closed mind here too

HOUSTON TEXAN · Post by **HOUSTON TEXAN** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:02 am

scottmk wrote:
HOUSTON TEXAN wrote:I think it's BS.
That is a little closed minded and not really helpful for the original poster. Everyone has their own opinion on why Tai Chi is good or bad...but to not back up your BS statement with any sort of arguement isn't very helpful

Tai Chi can be useful to improve flexibility and muscle tone. However, there are more philosophies on what the health benefits are for doing this. Like Acupuncture, Tai Chi is supposed to re-align your energy flows in your body which in turn is meant to improve healing, health and general well being. Wether you believe any of this is up to you, but you should discount anythign until you have tried it for yourself.

I would recommend trying to get to grips with some simple Chi Gong excercises, and learning the basic 24-form Tai Chi Chuan (multiple spellings and pronunciations). This will give you a good grounding in the movements and flow of the art and allow you to better cope with other forms which are more complex and physically demanding.

It is also quite a good martial-art/self-defence when learned properly and the correct way of executing moves at full speed is taught.

It is quite good for stress and very relaxing to do once you get to know what you are doing...it takes time and you will benefit from going to at least a few weeks of lessons to get your stances correct and learn the basics. Learning from a DVD is ok but from a book is very difficult as it is such a flowing art form...almost a dnace when done by proffessionals.

Good luck with it and let me know how you get on.

I want to build about 50lbs of muscle. Will Tai Chi get me that? Shit no. It's not good for the entire population and before you say I'm close minded why don't you realize not everyone wants to be 150lbs and "ripped." I would rather be 240lbs with about 14% and be able to crush your little head with one hand.

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:03 am

I'm not that fussed on Tai Chi, but the point probably is Houstan, that even a guy with your wants, could probably do it without sacrificing end results.

It's not like someone trying to bulk up, and then doing 30 miles of running a week, eating 3,500 calories a day, and expecting to be 200lbs+. I.E. I don't think Tai Chi would have the same end result upon someones lifting wants.

I would agree with the notion that it could improve flexibility, and possibly martial Arts execution, but I wouldn't do it. I don't think I'd have the patience for it. It's a bit like meditation, I tried to do that myself once as an experiment, but frankly whatever "zone" I was supposed to end up in, I couldn't find it, or probably took a wrong turn somewhere in mind

Put it this way, if push came to shove, I think I'd rather do Tai Chi than line dancing. I'd need a massive amount of money paid to me before I would even consider having a boot scoot.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:00 pm

you could easily do both (gain 50pds and tia chi)

Motivator · Post by **Motivator** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:13 am

Thanks for all the replies/ points of view.
Got to admit , it is not normal 'cup of tea' but given that it takes nothing away from the weight training it does have some very good aspects i.e flexibility, balance.

The self defense will also come in handy for avoiding being crushed by any 240lbers with about 14%

Thanks for the pointers scottmk, will keep you posted.

Benjamin · Post by **Benjamin** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:29 pm

ive been doing it for a few months now. as someone said (forgotten who) it is easily possible to put on muscle mass and do this at the same time. Just depends what your wants are.
Tai chi is mainly used in using the other persons weight "heavier they are, harder they fall" kind of idea, but you have many forms of it so look around a bit for which one suits you best.