tai chi...is it easy to learn at home?

Question

just bought a tai chi dvd, is it easy to learn basic tai chi, just as a relaxent or have i wasted my cash

Answer 1

learning anything from a dvd or the internet is a waste of cash.the only use anything like that has is if you already have a solid base in whatever you choose,then use dvd's etc.as reference only.

Answer 2

its an OK start, but you won't pick up the internal detail that make tai chi as beneficial as it can be for the body, mind, nervous system, etc.

if it's the only way you are willing to learn, then what i would do is practice what you learn on the dvd and do your very best to attend a tai chi seminar at least once a year.

the teacher of the seminar will either a) give you some pointers on the tai chi form you learned via dvd or b) teach a form or elements of tai chi practice that have internal detail you can then apply to the form you are learning from the dvd.

bear in mind, you are in the box practicing. a set of eyes outside of the box, looking at you practice, is vital and not only for form detail. good instructors can tell what you arent doing on the inside by watching the outside.

good luck!

Answer 3

I'd say its ok. Definatly will probably relax you and stretch you out to some extent. The movements are slow, so you probably will know well before you get into a situation where you will hurt yourself.

Depends how thourough the dvd is too and how well you notice detail. You need to breath a proper rate, move at the right rate....have your body contoured in the right way. You might be able to pick some of this up from dvd.

Ultimately it will alwasy be better to learn from someone in real life. Something you will never know you are doing wrong, they can let you know.

I'd recommend taking a few classes, enough to cover whats on the videos. Then the video would be a nice supplement....although in the end, you won't need a video, you'll be doing it on your own.

Answer 4

Having viewed a few different resources on tai chi, I can say.... It depends on what DVD you bought. Some are good, some aren't. But that's true of going to a class too.

One of my favorite resources for the Yang Style (which is the most common in the West), is Erle Montaigue's website and clips on youtube.com. Erle gives a lot of detailed information away for free. In fact, you can learn the entire Yang Chengfu long form and a little push hands for free with what he has posted at both of those websites. He is also very good at detailed explanation of the postures and transitions. It's very much like having an instructor talking directly to you on your computer. Check him out. Won't cost you anything but a little time and research.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Hi there

Yes books and DVDs provide a good reference and yes you can learn from the above otherwise organisations like the Open University would be out of pocket!

But there are so many things that they cant provide such as the feeling of timing, distance, rhythm and flow!

Use them as a supplement and join a club. Its always fun to read books and watch DVDs a few years later after you start training just to see what you missed or how different you interpret the information.

Regards

Idai

Answer 6

depends on what you want, you want to learn to use it to fight or do you want to learn to use it as interperetive dance (as many seniors do for excercise)?

If you want to learn to use it to fight then odds are you are certainly not going to be able to learn that or any other martial art from a video.

You need to find a good teacher.

Unfortunatly finding a good CMA (chinese martial arts) teacher who trains realistically and spars is not easy. Finding a good tai chi teacher that does this is MUCH harder, not just because you have to sift through the crap, but also because there is less incentive for a tai chi teacher who actually knows what he is doing to actually teach it as a martial art when they can make far more money selling it as a "health aid" to old people.

becuase of the reputation tai chi has, there is no incentive for teachers to teach it as a combat art- odds are they don't even know how to use it themselves in that fasion as they likely learned it through forms and never applied it to any resistance training or sparred with it.

Answer 7

No I think the Basics are a moderet to average level. It takes focus and time to Learn. Plus the first few times pull on you and it can be difficult.

No it is very relaxing and great for muscle tonement. Id say try it for 3 days a week. After the first couple of weeks if you don't feel different Then Try to take it back or sell it. It is a great way to develop flexibility and strength.

Answer 8

No, Taiji is more than physical movements. You can learn the physical movements, but the internal parts would require a teacher. A teacher would help you learn the breathing, postures, footwork, and other intricacies involved. However, if you are an experienced marial artist learning from a dvd (without a teacher) is easier. Did you waste your cash? Depends on whether you use it or not.

Answer 9

the real underlying techniques are impossible to learn without a teacher. The outside look of the techniques can be copied more or less wise by looking at a video. But what is really going on as to using and moving energy streams can not be grasped without the help of a teacher

Answer 10

No it is a good way to start learning. You can assess whether you enjoy the basic practice then look into joining a local class if you are interested in it still.

You would of wasted your money if you leave it on the shelf, and not using it, like many exercise equipment and dvd's.