johnwang wrote:How to use Taiji only (without mixing any other CMA systems) to become a good Taiji fighter? Is it possible? IMO, it's possible. Taiji has all the basic striking tools. It can be an effective striking system if train properly. Does Taiji has all the wrestling tools? May be not. But you don't have to learn 300 throws to be a wrestler. If you can master "cloud hand - body control", you can use it to defeat your opponent over and over.
IMO, the issue is the students. Taiji attracts a special kind of students. When those students become teachers, they attract a special kind of students again. If you don't have any students who are willing to test the Taiji skill that you taught them to deal with people from other MA systems, it will be very difficult to develop reputation for your Taiji system as a fighting art.
Agreed! Good statement.
The problem, IMO, is that Tai chi guys hardly ever test their stuff against resisting opponents. You must use it in sparring, against other styles ets. But when people try to use their stiff and it doesn't work, they lose confidence in their art. Instead of trying it again and again, learning how to use it, they take short cuts by mixing things up, adding stuff from outside or use excessive force.
Many years ago when I started a Taiji class in North Austin Community College. During the first day, I introduced Taiji basic stances such as:
- horse stance,
- bow-arrow stance,
- striking tiger stance,
- golden rooster stance,
- twisting step stance,
- 7 star stance,
- 40-60 stance,
- ...
During the basic stances introduction, one student stoop up and said, "This is not Taiji." He then left and I have never seen him since then. Even today, I still don't know why he left. When you learn ball room dancing, you start from box step, fox step, Cha Cha step, ... When you learn Taiji, you start from horse stance, bow-arrow stance, striking tiger stance, ...
What did that Taiji student expected from his 1st day of Taiji lesson? LKJ? That Taiji student is the "special kind of student" that I'm talking about.
Agreed, first stances, then transitions and drills. Forms later. That's the way to teach.
They want forms, forms, forms, maybe a qigong and a bit of love. Have no clue about the form obsession.
I met up with some people on the tai chi day. People show stuff and we practiced each other's things. Everyone showed forms and qigong. Only I tried to teach some partner exercises. Then a woman thought it was too violent, so she wanted everyone to do more qigong.