TAI CHI F.A.Q FOR BEGINNERS
THE TOP 10 QUESTIONS ALL NEW STUDENTS ASK
In this popular Tai Chi FAQ for beginners, the teapotmonk answers the fundamental questions students always ask. And now, each section comes with 3 practical steps to guide you in your training. Need more help? If you think I can be of assistance, email me here.
1. ARE ALL TAI CHI CLASSES THE SAME?
Not really. You see, classes vary according to style, interpretation, duration and, inevitably, the personal preferences of your teacher. But, remember that whatever anyone tells you about Tai Chi (including me) you will find a 100 other teachers that will say the opposite.
So what can you do? Who can you believe? What sort of teacher should you look for? Well, as someone much wiser than I once said: Avoid those that profess to know everything, follow those that are still learning. And, decide whether you are looking for offers of certainty, seriousness, study and discipline, or do you prefer a more laid-back and relaxed approach?
Hopefully, this FAQ will help you find out and enable you to discover what Tai Chi can mean to you - but at some point, you’ll also need to visit different schools and classes (locally or online) and learn to use social media to see if the teacher and style appeals to you. Yeah, I know. It means you have to do the work, but it’ll be worth it.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT TAI CHI CLASSES
Read the Tai Chi Basics section
If you enjoy the Q&A format - take a look at: This is Tai Chi: 50 Questions and Answers. As the name implies, there are 50 Questions and Answers like these in audiobook, ebook or paperback versions.
Jump in with the only Tai Chi Course not focused on memorising dozens & dozens of moves. The Complete Tai Chi Course offers another way of learning: One full year of weekly sessions to work on wherever you wish and whenever you wish. All backed up by the teapotmonk Academy for questions, check-ups, extra training and more. Read more about the course here
2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAI CHI AND TAIJI?
In a word: Spelling. It’s just a pronunciation/spelling preference. If someone insists on stressing the difference between the Wade-Giles and Pinyin transliterations, then take your phone out, pretend you have an incoming call and walk away. You see, people get a bit obsessive about names, which is silly really because if you search google, you'll find Tai Chi spelt as 'tie chi' and 'tie chee' with a frequency that should be worrying for national literacy levels.
So let's not put too much emphasis on spelling. What's important is not the words, nor the spelling nor the pronunciation - but the meaning. And that’s what this article is all about.
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TAI CHI STYLES?
In this Tai Chi FAQ for beginners, you probably only need to know that the 3 main styles of Tai Chi take their names from the person that is credited with their origin: Chen, Wu and Yang. All other styles are (it is argued) derivations of one of these. The Chen Style claims (with some good evidence) to be the original Tai Chi style. Of course, no one ever originates anything, we all borrow and copy. Picasso said this about himself, so who are we to disagree? Well, that Picasso portrait is a bit like Tai Chi too. Each offers a slightly different perspective from the other (only keep this to yourself as instructors tend to get a little touchy on the subject).
FAQ: What does this mean for a beginner?
At the risk of reducing the complex web of stylistic differences to a mere handful of words - the Chen style favours speed changes and elements of explosive energy in their forms. They adopt deeper and lower stances and like to stress they offer a martial application and interpretation.
Yang stylists, and in particular their more recent expressions (Cheng Man-ch'ing variations) have largely ironed out the speed changes. They adopt more upright stances, have reduced the martial interpretations to that of gentle curiosity and placed a greater emphasis on health and well being. Over time, they have shortened the number of postures in the Tai Chi Forms and in turn, other styles have followed suit. Some styles, however, refuse to budge on how things were done back in the 17th century, and accuse others of betrayal and sell-outs! If you should come across these arguments, they are best ignored altogether. My advice is simply watch a series of classes from all styles and then make up your own mind.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT DIFFERENT TAI CHI STYLES
Watch this video that explains the different tai Chi styles.
Like a bit of history? Read this short history How Tai Chi moved West
Read more about the Beginners Tai Chi Form in this small ebook or paperback and get the entire short course bundled in with it
4. HOW MANY TAI CHI FORMS ARE THERE?
There are over 200. Having only learned a few myself, I can see how it could get a bit repetitive if you wanted to try and learn them all. And rather fruitless, for although they vary in length, flavour and complexity, each is only a minor variation on the other, amended and altered over time by one curious student, (normally only after the death of a teacher when it is safe to do so).
Changes in Tai Chi forms are seen as either evolutionary or sacrilege. This may confuse you, but bear with me.
There are schools that proudly claim that their style remains untouched by time, true to its founders dying wishes and faithful to grandmaster 'X's original teachings from centuries past. This clinging pedantry horrifies other schools, that equate such blind devotion to stagnancy and irrelevance for the 21st century. Instead, they opt to embrace change and adaptability. Which is true and what do we mean by truth? The jury is still out on that one. Maybe, it's all down to what turns you on.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT THE TAI CHI FORM
Check out this short course on the Tai Chi form essentials with accompanying ebook on the history and learning of the Form.
Learn to play with the 37-Step Short form week-by-week in this innovative 12 month course that redefines online learning
Read this post on how to create your very own Tai Chi form and run the gauntlet of ostracisation by the Tai Chi community ;)
5. DO ALL TAI CHI SCHOOLS TEACH QIGONG AND ENERGY BREATHING?
Most Tai Chi schools teach some form of energy breathing or Qigong (Chi Gung) as part of their Tai Chi curriculum. Partly because energy work and breathing techniques have always been part of the general Tai Chi training - as they are in most martial arts - and partly because they’d rather you didn’t leave their class and go and join a Qigong School.
So perhaps in this Tai Chi FAQ for beginners we should ask: What is Qi and does it really exist outside the imagination, good wishes and marketing skills of the practitioner?
This question, like many in the martial arts, is hotly debated between those that claim it is all a fantasy and a selling point for the gullible, to those that say Chinese research, and increasingly medical research in the west, is detecting something that quantum physics hinted at some time back. Namely, that we are all particles of energy, vibrating away to our own rhythm. Star-dust, momentarily assembled and reassembled en-route to another world.
Whatever the truth (lets not get into "what is truth" again)- the idea that we are more than just a collection of physical cells can help us to go beyond our limits and explore what we may be capable of. The concept of qi - or energy can help us focus and bring into play the power and unity of action that only our imagination is capable. So, rest assured, you don’t have to believe in some of these substances for them still to be useful in your training. It’s ok to be skeptical, it won't affect your progress. But, applying your mind, opening your heart and head, may just give you the boost you are looking for.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT QIGONG AND BREATH
Connect your breath and movements: watch the Listen to Your Heart Tai Chi video
Tempted to have a go now? Try it out with this simple breathing exercise as part of the free Tai Chi Basics series
Build your energy levels and deepen your breathing in this concise Short Course on Energy Breathing.
6. DO ALL TAI CHI SCHOOLS TEACH BALANCE, POSTURE, COORDINATION AND MOVEMENT?
Though Tai chi Forms may vary, most schools will offer training in movement, posture, coordination and balance. Some offer this as part of learning the Tai Chi form (see Form) others will engage in specific exercises for each skill-set. (Try out balance exercises in this FREE PDF here or walking as part of the Tai Chi Basics)
Although the basic rules of movement and body mechanics are written in, what is called the Tai Chi Classics, this has done little to stop styles interpreting them willy-nilly in order to carry on arguing amongst themselves. In their defence, these guidelines are a little vague, so it should not be a surprise that instructors all over the world interpret them as they think fit. Which pretty much renders them useless other than as an object of mild curiosity.
EXTRA TIPS ABOUT POSTURE AND MOVEMENT
Make sure you read the Safe Knees in Tai Chi Article
Try this Short Course on the fundamentals of movement and health or if you are already practising with a school and are looking for supplementary training, take a look at the workouts - short sessions to improve health and fitness, tai chi drills, qigong and lots more.
Not keen on courses? have a look at the Tai Chi Modules where you can work independently on qualities such as “Flow”
7. DO ALL TAI CHI SCHOOLS TEACH TAOISM?
Within a few weeks of beginning your Tai Chi practice, you’ll inevitably hear the word Taoism banded about. It may manifest itself as ‘The Tao of Pooh' or the 'Tao Te Ching’ but it’s pretty much all the same thing. When someone slips it into a conversation, try and make out you know what they are talking about, because if not, you’ll be subject to a barrage of highly opinionated ideas for the next hour on how to run your life. Best just nod and make a mental note to google it when you get home. The Tao Te Ching is a great book, don't get me wrong, but once more, it's open and allusive meaning means it is open to 10.000 interpretations.
Remember that although the word taoism is associated in some quarters with religion, this doesn't mean Taoism contains a strict and dogmatic rule book for living a spiritual life (you may, naturally, be thinking of other religious practices here). If exposed to Taoism, resist the pressure to start wearing flowing robes, burning incense before alters, tying your hair into a bun on top of your head, chanting or bowing before your teacher 3 times as you enter and leave the training hall. This is not Taoism.
Taoism is no more than a simple and fresh (despite its ancient origins) outlook on living a life of balance and harmony and underpins the physical moves and patterns of Tai Chi. This means that the roots of Tai Chi - the ideas rather than the expressions - can be traced back to early philosophers rather than a specific village or a specific protagonist.
This also conveniently gets us out of that tricky question as to which style of Tai Chi came first.
Taoism is an elusive and watery system of understanding the world that still attracts many odd people today. Hence it is a rather tasty philosophy - and I say this as someone who studied the dry and dusty tomes of western philosophy. The Tao is best understood through observation, poetry or short humorous stories than formulae and logic. Dip into a book by Chuang Tzu or check out some suggestions in my list of best books. But do take your time and discover for yourself the origins behind why we move, the way we move - not just in Tai Chi, but amongst each other, amongst our communities, and ultimately across the planet too.
TAI CHI FAQ : What does this mean for a Beginner?
Popular ideas such as Yin, Yang and Wu Wei as well as other ideas in Tai Chi of balance, contradiction, yielding, adaptation and observation, are all concepts that are derived from the philosophy of Taoism and can thus be enjoyed, without subscribing to a belief system or enrolling in your nearest temple.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT TAOISM
Discover the best versions of the Tao Te Ching in this list of the top 10 Best books on Taoism and Tai Chi here.
Watch the Video on yielding and balance here.
Read anything by Alan Watts. He brings a refreshing clarity to Taoism
8. DO ALL SCHOOLS TEACH TAI CHI AS A MARTIAL ART?
Some schools define Tai Chi as a martial art. They often describe themselves as "Authentic" or "Real" or "Practical" and you will often see these names added to their schools. They will also describe their art as Tai Chi Chuan. This, they will gleefully point out, is because "Chuan" mean fist in Chinese (hinting that they speak fluent Mandarin, but hoping no one will check). They may demonstrate a couple of strikes, wrist holds and sweating profusely, claim they couldn't possibly teach the "real" applications as they are far too dangerous to pass on to novices. Try not go giggle when this happens.
Other schools (quite a few) will talk about the martial background but never really show you anything other than wiggling their fists in the air or demonstrating a shin-high front kick. This may be because they know that the whole issue is so subjective and interlaced with nonsense that to try and cast it in a serious light would be impossible without bursting into laughter. But, more likely because they simply weren’t taught the martial applications and are just pretending they know something that they don’t.
What to do? It's a confusing world and not one in which an innocent beginner is likely to emerge with anything useful. My advice is to cock an eyebrow at any such claims of martial prowess. If you really want to learn to fight, I’d suggest dipping your toe into the world of Mixed Martial Arts, Thai-Boxing or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Much as I like Tai Chi, it doesn't compare to the effectiveness of these other disciplines that are rooted in blows, take-downs and being trained to take hits to the face and body.
But before you report me to the Tai Chi World Forum, I do maintain that what Tai Chi does do much better than any other martial art, is teach you to redefine the protagonists of the 21st century; to train and prepare for the unexpected; to defend yourself against invisible ninjas on supermarket shelves, in contaminated cities and in the corrupt chambers where politicians dwell. Conflict and how to deal with it is something tai Chi can teach far more effectively than many of the classical martial arts.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS
Watch the webinar on Tai Chi and Conflict resolution
Read this article on Whether Tai Chi is still a martial art.
Read the best bio on Bruce Lee by Mathew Polly or Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America by Charles Russo
9. DO ALL TAI CHI SCHOOLS TEACH SWORD?
You may be forgiven for thinking that if the fighting skills in Tai Chi are of limited use, what then of weapon training? Well, I’d argue that though it is unlikely in the 21st century you will be called upon to wield a sword in the defence of your village against invading barbarians, these Tai Chi weapons have a symbolic and demonstrative value in their practice.
First, let me reassure you that the practice blades are blunt, so it’ll be unlikely that you'll cause any damage to anything other than your self-image. Secondly, swords are instruments for delving into further aspects of Tai Chi, enabling us to study the art with a tangible object in hand - an opportunity to interact with the physical world around us and something that reminds us we are part of this planet, and cannot train in isolation or alone, adrift in clouds of good intention.
A Beginners Tai Chi Question to ask your Teacher
Don't ask: When do I get to learn to stab someone?
Do ask: Is it ok to use a mop whilst I'm waiting for my practice sword to arrive?
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT THE TAI CHI SWORD
Read more on why everyone might want to learn Sword in the 21st century
Discover more about the remarkable, yet simple to learn Sword Course for beginners
Prefer not to concentrate on just one form? Look at the workouts that include tai chi, sword, cane, fitness and more
10. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO LEARN TAI CHI?
Cheng Man-ch'ing (read about the Tai Chi legend here) and many traditionally taught Tai Chi folk - like to repeat the estimate of - "20 years practice and you are still beginner". But I believe this is nonsense. You learn useful things from day 1, and continue to do so as long as you practice. This is the same for all of us at whatever level we place ourselves.
Some might argue that you focus more on the posture, balance and coordination at the start. Then comes the harmony of movement and the poise and elegance of motion. Later still, you start to work on self-knowledge, to develop an understanding and familiarity with stillness, to recognise patterns of movement and behaviour so as to align yourselves with those in nature and the rhythm of the forces that surround you.
But I’d say that it all begins from day one. There are no divisions or belts, grades or tests in Tai Chi. You just do it and as your awareness of how your body is used, abused and improved becomes clearer, your skill and self-knowledge improves.
And, unlike, doing a jigsaw or running a marathon, Tai Chi has no final end. It is the one practice that teaches us that there are no ends, no belts, not grading systems, no hierarchy of names and positions - only simple worn paths that we either learn to walk at our own pace, or abandon. It is in the doing that the benefits are acquired.
Beginners Questions NOT to ask your Teacher
When do I get my Black Belt?
When can I start teaching my own class?
When do I get to call myself a Sifu?
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT LEARNING TAI CHI
Read the full article on How Long It takes to Learn Tai Chi here
Let go of the idea of arrival by getting-up and dancing your way through life with this special collection of Taoist dance tracks to help with loosening the hips, wiggling and shuffling your way along the path.
Try a completely upside down approach to learning Tai Chi in this SILENT COURSE with added discussions at the end on themes and ideas in Tai Chi.
11. WILL I HAVE TO LEARN TO MEDITATE, WEAR A UNIFORM & BELIEVE IN ENERGY FIELDS?
No. Of course not. You may do any or all of these if that is what interests you - no one will stop you - but it will not necessarily have any positive effect on your Tai Chi skills. As for uniforms, well it is true that in other disciplines, such as Karate or Judo uniforms are traditionally worn, but this is not necessarily the case in Tai Chi (thankfully).
Meditation - though a useful practice in itself and one that has many benefits - is not a necessary part of Tai Chi training. Some will tell you the opposite, but that is largely down to the fact that it is easier to leave everyone to study their navel or contemplate a wall for 30 minutes than to think up some interesting exercises or relevant partner work. You can acquire the benefits of focus, concentration, awareness of breath and postural alignment in the Tai Chi Form as well as in the accompanying exercises (that hopefully your teacher is showing you).
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT WAYS OF TRAINING
Discover the different ways of learning Tai Chi over a the teapot training site with this short list of options.
Overall health and well-being is not confined to meditation nor the Tai Chi Form. We are often too obsessed looking for single answers to broad and open questions. Take a wider perspective on general health care - try this health based Tai Chi Course that comes free when you order the Illustrated Tai Chi Workbook.
Play, and in playing discover another way of seeing the world. Read the photo-essay on embracing ignorance and wisdom
12. IS IT BETTER TO LEARN TAI CHI IN A LOCAL CLASS OR ONLINE?
As I have said many times, the answer has more to do with communication and resonance than whether the class is digital or analogue: In other words, find a teacher that you want to learn from. Whether that person operates out of your local church hall, your local sports centre, supermarket aisle, library, bus station or by offering classes online, it doesn't matter. Just make sure you have a connection.
Styles, platforms, uniforms, prices, lineage, agendas and curriculum are all of interest but not the most important factor. Many people will argue that this is not the case and that online classes are a waste of time. But that was before COVID, and since then everyone and their dog jumped on board offering Youtube or Zoom classes in their kitchen. Now, as some countries begin to emerge slowly and tentatively out of the pandemic, there is a rush to return to the old church-hall. Yet not everyone is going back - some have enjoyed the choices and approach of online tuition. You, should make up your own mind. Try a class locally and try one online.
How will I know if I connect with a class or teacher?
Every one is different, but here are a few things I would look for:
Look for someone still questioning what they do. People (especially teachers) who know all the answers tend to be closed to change and adaptation.
Look for debates and discussions rather than lectures.
Look for someone using plain English rather than hiding behind the mysticism of Oriental jargon.
Look for classes that encourage partner work and interaction, rather than just solo exercises and Forms.
Look for words they embody passion, and not just authority.
Look for a sense of humour - especially when mistakes are made.
Look for mistakes for these show someone is still learning, that they are human and are not trying to present perfection.
Look for the reactions to mistake - smiles rather than scowls.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING
Read the 8 reasons why Online Courses are changing the way Tai Chi is taught
And learn about who your best teacher might be (it’ll be a surprise) in this 2 min video on Learning and Mistakes
Read more about how we learn online in this article on self-paced courses.
13. IS THERE MORE TO ONLINE LEARNING THAN ZOOM CLASSES?
Zoom classes can be good, but they are not for everyone. Some people like a little anonymity and prefer to work at their own pace. They want to dip a toe into the waters of Tai Chi and see if it is for them without turning up to a class with 12 strangers from across the globe. This is where 'self-paced' courses come in - where you start and finish according to your own timetable. These courses also offer additional course material and feedback via forums, webinars, Q&As and video critiques. All optional.
Tai Chi is at last adapting. Every teacher will be able to recall losing students year after year - because of timetable restrictions, or moving the class at a pace not right for some, or because many just felt too self-conscious in the class. Especially as many men are not happy about displaying their lack of coordination, poor balance or faulty memory in public. Tai Chi - 21st century tai chi - can at last adapt to each student Self-paced courses, PDF booklets, work-lists, audio guides, gif-learning, silent sessions, overhead or birds-eye perspectives and lots more that enhance the learning experience and make it much more of a holistic training.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO ZOOM
Start by reading the Tai Chi Basics section
Discover how to develop your flow in this short Tai Chi Module
Join the Tai Chi Academy for another perspective on online learning - with mini courses, workouts, ebooks, forums and support.
14. WHAT SHOULD I CALL MY TAI CHI TEACHER?
Some teachers of eastern practices do like to be worshipped. They like to be called something that translates into "ray of heaven", or "hairy eye-brows". Some also may opt to explain complex notions with Chinese terms that conveniently gets them out of explaining it at all. Language is power - and if you control the meaning of words, you control the message (as Marshall McLuhan reminds us).
to counter such tendencies, try using their first name and watch what reaction you get. Say something like: "Hey Bob, did you know you have a beer stain down the front of those glossy silk trousers?"
Of course, if you are living in China and belong to an orthodox and pedantic training school in which it is part of the social fabric to maintain such terms of respect and power, then that's another thing altogether (though still a bit dodgy I have to say).
If I were to give one word of advice (actually its more like 27 words) - it would be to chuckle at the use of such names. Always attempt to strip away formality when you see it, for it normally conceals a relationship of power that is rarely in your favour.
Sit back and watch the 2-minute e video on Spotting a guru
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT LANGUAGE AND FORMALITY IN TAI CHI
Explore the role of language in this article on the use and abuse of names in Tai Chi
Prepare yourself for something controversial as we discuss the politics of Tai Chi
Browse this range of empowering ebooks for ways to dismantle and laugh at authority, including this time-travelling parody of the martial arts: called One Last Thing in which Marshall McLuhan appears.
15. WILL TAICHI OR QIGONG PROTECT ME AGAINST PANDEMICS OR DEATH?
Despite a number of schools claiming that qigong alone can protect you from a highly infectious airborne disease that is killing thousands of people each day, the truth is, this is no more that wishful thinking.
But exaggeration and hyperbole works in the advertising world and has always been part and parcel of marketing. Take it all with a pinch of Tibetan salt.
To be fair though - any exercise that strengthens the immune system, builds strength in joints and ligaments, develops breathing capacity, increases energy in the body and relaxes your mind at the same time, is probably worth a shot. It's not going to do you harm, it may get you to put down your phone for a while and get your up on your feet - which in itself is quite an achievement these days.
As for immortality, well there are things you definitely can do to help with the passing of time. One is to slow it down, by living more in the moment. I know that is very easy to say, but Tai Chi really can help with that. Secondly, it is now known that developing good balance skills can affect life expectancy. Check out the following links to find out more.
3 EXTRA TIPS ABOUT HEALTH AND EXERCISE IN TAI CHI
Still looking for immortality? Check out this article on balance and life expectancy
Explore how Tai Chi can help redefine exercise in this short article.
Jump in with the Tai Chi Course aimed at extending life, by slowing down time. The Complete Tai Chi Course offers one full year of weekly sessions to work on wherever you wish and whenever you wish. All backed up by the teapotmonk Academy for questions, check-ups, extra training and more. Read more about the course here
WHAT CAN I READ THAT IS BOTH ENTERTAINING AND INFORMING?
Most books on Tai Chi are pretty good, but standard following the picture, explanation format. Then there is the Manual of Bean curd Boxing, where nothing is predictable.
