Tai Chi "Sun" Style

[shirley mclaren]

HI all

I am retiring in a couple of weeks and am going to start a beginners course in this. Does anyone do it, and if so, what do you think, and more importantly, how do you feel as a result?

BB

Shirley

[Donata]

Hi,

I'd like to know more about it! I do a version of Qi Gong daily, with a few yoga postures included.
I'm familiar with the yoga practice (set of postures) called Salutation to the Sun - is this at all similar to yours?

BB
Donata

[Dendrias]

I've done Viet Tai Chi on a regular basis the other year, after learning it in university - well, very basic.
I always feel a bit stronger and "braver" after the "sessions". I use it more as an energizing practice than a calming. So, I love the VTC-things that seem to strenthen parts of my body.

Donata, I have done the salutation-thing as well, but stopped it when I had to cut back certain things for the well-being of my body. Tai chi is imo not like yoga, because it has no "postures", but movements, so to say. Limbs are not stretched, I think. Qi gong which I used to do (self-taught from a book - I have no idea what it should look like), is more like tai chi in this respect, but with more and more varied movements. There are some videos in ... well, nearly any video-portal on the internet (not naming a specific one).

[Busker]

HI all

I am retiring in a couple of weeks and am going to start a beginners course in this. Does anyone do it, and if so, what do you think, and more importantly, how do you feel as a result?

BB

Shirley

My wife does it as taught by Paul Lam for her arthritis.
I'l try to persuade her to register here and tell you about it herself.

[Donata]

I used to practice yoga, but now I find Qi Gong (similar to Tai Chi) more gentle and easier for me to do. It is for me a more gentle way to use my body, stretch some, and increase the flow of energy through the body. My practice includes movement that gently stretches all the major muscles and benefits the major organs of the body. I find it a moving meditation that I enjoy very much.

One difference I've found between yoga and Qi Gong or Tai Chi is the direction of energy. In yoga I was taught to follow the postures with meditation that focused on raising energy through the chakras (spine) to the top of the head and out.
In Tai Chi I learned to circulate the energy through my body, channeling it within the body and not without. A subtle but definite difference as both methods build up our energy.

BB
Donata

[Dendrias]

Wow, Donata, that sounds amazing. I guess, to learn something about energies in these practices you would have to have a teacher. Mine were a video, a book and ... well, a teacher, but she didn't say anything about energies or the like. Perhaps, VTC doesn't care about it, perhaps a three-months-university course with students who just want to do some sports-thing isn't the place for talking about energies.

I really need a teacher, sometime!

[Donata]

Mantak Chia has written several books on Taoist energy practice. I learned the "Inner Smile" and circulation of energy - the Microcosmic Orbit - from his books. I highly recommend them.

BB
Donata

[shirley mclaren]

Thanks all for your replies. The "Sun" actually refers to the man who "founded" this style and is pronounced "Soong". Master Lam is the main man!

I hae signed up and my first lesson is on 22nd September.

BB

Shirley

[Donata]

Thanks for the clarification! Enjoy your classes!

BB
Donata

Thanks all for your replies. The "Sun" actually refers to the man who "founded" this style and is pronounced "Soong". Master Lam is the main man!

I hae signed up and my first lesson is on 22nd September.

BB

Shirley

[Dendrias]

By all gods, I'm so sorry, Donata.
I thought You didn't know tai chi and couldn't make a connection from the yoga-practice to the "Sun"-part in "style". Now I know why Your answers puzzled me a bit!

The other ... month I read this taoist energy exercise of Yours and have tried it once or twice.

shirley mclaren, have a nice time doing slow-motion

[Fiacharrey]

I practiced Wu style Tai Chi for years. I think it is superior to yoga in pretty much every way. The energy it generates is amazing. It also tones and stretches while being gentle enough to do no matter your age or physical condition. ...It's also a powerful martial art. That shouldn't be ignored. My personal opinion is that you can't really get the postures and energy right without understanding the martial applications.

For folks interested, I've started online training in internal Kung Fu here. Tai Chi, Pa Kua (Bagua), Shin Yi, Chi Gong, weapons, lots of good stuff and you can study what you want. I'm loving it.

[Nightfalls]

ohhh weapons training. I just got a special sword made from Tamahagane. Very expensive, but very beautiful, and i can feel the energy in this weapon.

[RonLoving]

My teacher said in China they often have you start out doing Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu. The rationale is that as each of these produces different Chi, you will soon see which method "clicks" for you. Do it then to evolve your Chi. I did this and found Sun was "my" style. Also of all the chi gung I have tried lo these 50 past years of practice, I have to say that Yan Xin Qigong produces, for me, outstanding results. Also it is always taught free of charge.
Their are also, more esoteric ways of doing qigong but Yan Xin will give results.
Blessed BE.
Ron

[RonLoving]

My teacher said in China they often have you start out doing Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu. The rationale is that as each of these produces different Chi, you will soon see which method "clicks" for you. Do it then to evolve your Chi. I did this and found Sun was "my" style. Also of all the chi gung I have tried lo these 50 past years of practice, I have to say that Yan Xin Qigong produces, for me, outstanding results. Also it is always taught free of charge.
Their are also, more esoteric ways of doing qigong but Yan Xin will give results.
Blessed BE.
Ron

[oaktree]

Many thanks all for your helpful replies. I am now coming to the end of my Sun style beginners tai chi course. I like it very much and will go on to the intermediate course in January then some Chi Kung. However, I agree that it is good to try different styles to find one which is "yours". I will keep everything in mind. The info on Chi Kung is particularly useful to me.
Sorry for the delay in replying. Better late than never!

BBShirley

[mantis]

I'm a martial arts teacher,and I teach Qi gong.A lot of the Qi gong I do these days comes from Sun.I teach mainly Japanese styles,but I'm just starting to teach Southern Mantis Kung Fu.
I've been doing martial arts for the last 35 years(my Dad is a judo teacher).

[Serenity]

I've been studying Yang style Tai Ji, Qi Gong, Cha Quan and Xingyi Liuhe for seven years. All are "internal" martial arts, aimed at balancing and strengthening "qi" energy. My tai chi master (we call him "sifu") says this:

"Taiji is Dao.

Taiji strengthens your muscles and ligaments, harmonises your qi and your blood, cultivates physical and mental health, eliminates disease and prolongs life. All can achieve benefits from practicing taiji as a method of health preservation, irrespective of innate ability. When practised correctly, taiji is an exercise that results in pure benefit to the practitioner and rarely results in harm.

Taiji follows the theory of 'dong' (movement) and 'jing' (stillness). The application of this theory requires an understanding of the transition between emptiness and fullness. Taiji is practised with with an upright, centered posture, which creates mental stillness and relieves physical burden. Movement in taiji is light, nimble and always circular. Attention during practice should be focused on internal movement, and taiji is therefore considered an 'internal martial art'. All movements in taiji are very natural and relaxed. Because of this it is suitable for practitioners of all backgrounds, including the elderly, the young, male or female. It is also suitable for physically handicapped people and can be easily adapted to suit anyone's needs.

To achieve the greatest benefits from taiji, daily practice is essential. The idea of active training, where you are aware of the intricacies of each movement as it is performed, is especially important. Every single movement should be studied until it is understood in great detail, which serves to enhance awareness and control over your internal landscape. The benefits of taiji are physical and mental, and will add a broad perspective to your personal wisdom.

Regular training of the taiji form is at the heart of taiji practice. The form provides the framework for all movements, and through practice it is continually refined, resulting in great benefit to the practitioner. Kneading hands ('push hands') is used to train martial application and reinforce the understanding of Yin and Yang and how its change benefits health and wellbeing.

If you persist with your training, it will eventually guide you to the right path in life. You will have a strong feeling of qi permeating every part of your body, and through practice you will equip yourself with heightened sensitivity, enhanced reflexes, and a greater understanding of energy. Continued practice will give you insight into the ideal of ultimate relaxation and you will eventually be able to apply this in all aspects of your life. Given time, you will reach a level where you perfectly understand your relationship with nature."
Most Tai Ji styles would bring benefits to the practitioner but it's important to find a teacher that you like and whose teaching style suits you. My teacher has a strong spiritual and philososphical approach to his teaching. A lot of modern martial arts training is focused on preparing practitioners for competition - training focuses on developing muscle strength, coordination and combat.

We don't compete - our training includes all the above but the primary focus is on training for the cultivation of qi, not to excel at competition. Internal not external.

My martial arts training complements my Druid studies.

[oaktree]

Serenity

Many thanks for this helpful information. My teacher is a good one but as yet, the only one I have had. He is a very spiritual person and also a chinese herbalist in a local alternative medicine practice.

BB

Oaktree

[Serenity]

Sounds good, Oaktree!

[BlazeLeeDragon]

Just to add more confirmation any form of tai chi is great for you and your health. You will find different teachers and each will teach you something different... however embrace all leasons and if it's all that is available learn what you can and make it your own. I've spent the last 3 years learning various internal arts of the shaolin including yang and chen style. If you are moving and breathing correctly it will opening your mind and spirit to your body and allow you to become whole and healthy.

I hope this helps