charles wrote:Can't speak for what others have learned, but this is only partially true for the Feng set that I learned. Several of the exercises are quite physically demanding and not suitable for most elderly, disabled of physically unfit practitioners. Several exercises involve low stances and bending at the waste to move the ruler past the feet, similar to the ability to touch one's toes. I have found several of the exercises to be excellent for teaching basic body mechanics to beginners. I've used one of the exercises for severe pain management during bouts of kidney stones. Certainly, they can be performed in such a way as to be suitable for the elderly, disabled or unfit. They can also be performed in such a way as to be a fairly strenuous workout. Similarly, any Taiji form can be practiced as a strenuous workout or adapted for the elderly and disabled - depends upon what one puts into it and the purpose of practicing it. MMV.
Of course, the Tai-Chi Ruler and Tai-Chi Short Stick routines can be practiced in a way which requires a greater degree of flexibility and strength to perform properly, and like many other chi-kung practices such as the 8 Section Brocade Exercises and the Five Animal Frolics, there is more than one version, ranging from simple and easy to more complex and difficult.
However, generally speaking, the Tai-Chi Ruler and Tai-Chi Short Stick exercises were initially designed to fall primarily into the simple and easy category in order to allow those who were unable to perform the more difficult and complex Tai-Chi Chuan Sets of every major style with an excellent opportunity to improve their overall health and to increase their strength and flexibility within the scope of their beginning physical limitations.
It has always been assumed that many of those who started their training with these easier and simpler routines would eventually progress on to learn and practice a full Tai-Chi Chuan Form Set of some style as their initial physical restrictions and impediments were gradually overcome. As such, the Ruler and Short Stick exercises have traditionally been viewed as a means to an end, rather than the end in and of themselves.
