Is Tai Chi really difficult to practice? What is the hardest part to learn?

Ancient Tai Chi manuals clearly state that all movements in Tai Chi are formed in response to the opponent's actions, thus lacking the fancy, bizarre, and complex proactive skills found in some external martial arts. In this sense, Tai Chi is actually simple and easy to learn. However, even the simplest actions can be challenging. For example, who can't walk? Everyone thinks walking is simple, but tightrope walking is essentially walking. How many people in the world can walk on a tightrope hundreds of meters high above a canyon? Hence, walking also involves difficulty and tricks.          Indeed, no matter how clear and straightforward the principles and techniques of any skill in the world, learning it involves difficulty and tricks; mastering any skill to a high level is even more challenging. Learning Tai Chi is naturally difficult and requires tricks, and for the average person, the difficulty can be quite substantial, even insurmountable for some, hence the saying, "Many practice, but few succeed." Can this situation be changed? Of course.

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The root of rootlessness, the form of formlessness, is indeed the best realm of Tai Chi!

The "Classic of Boxing" states, "Its root is in the feet, issued through the legs, directed by the waist, and expressed in the fingers." This indicates that the root is in the feet, with the axis in the waist. The waist being the axis shows that Tai Chi is a circular movement, and it's a three-dimensional spherical movement. The rolling of a sphere, where every contact point on the sphere can neutralize the opponent's force, leading the opponent into emptiness, and can strike the opponent, making it impossible for them to defend.       Those who practice Tai Chi have this experience, such as when lifting the cat step or splitting the leg, the contact point on the solid foot transitions from the little toe to the big toe, then to the inner side of the heel, and finally, when it lands on the outer side, the center of gravity is the most stable, and lifting the empty foot is the lightest. If the toes grip the ground fixedly without change, it will inevitably become rigid and lose balance. This is true for lifting the foot as well as for issuing force, practicing boxing, playing hands, and pushing hands techniques, all requiring the yin and yang movement of the soles of the feet. When the body is in motion, how can the center of gravity on the soles of the feet remain unchanged? Relaxed, resilient, with the skill of using minimal force to move a great weight, all require taking advantage of opportunities and situations, being agile and circular, to truly understand energy.

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Learn Tai Chi Basic Required to Defend Against Opponents

  Mental Aspect "When two people engage in combat, each harbors a desire to win. They quickly engage and strike with bravery, similar to an eagle swooping into a chicken yard. The fists must display imposing might from all directions, feet must tread the central earth, looking down on the opponent as if no one else exists. Dominate with spirit, conquer with skill, respond to the enemy with action, exhale with noise, disrupt the enemy's intentions, and bolster our own momentum. Head must butt, hands must strike, body must press, steps must surpass, feet must kick, spirit must intimidate, and breath must assault. Actions must be spirited, every move precise. Practice with emotion, use with inherent form. Aim for 'internal spirit, external ease.' Calm the mind, consolidate the breath, gather the spirit. A calm mind keeps the breath from rising, maintaining a good state of relaxed and sinking form. Consolidating breath prevents spirit from leaking, creating a profound momentum. When exerting force, this increases strength

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Can it still fight? Unveiling the truth behind the evolution of Tai Chi

The simplification and focus on health aspects have greatly influenced the transmission of Tai Chi's martial arts and techniques. The more challenging and bias-prone Taoist qigong has been diluted, replaced with the safer, modern practice of push hands. 1. **Background of Traditional Martial Arts Not Evolving into Combat Sports**      Tai Chi, and traditional martial arts as a whole, have encountered significant difficulties in contemporary times. Originally combat-oriented, traditional martial arts have shifted towards sports, fitness, and health in the modern era. However, with the rise of various attractive fitness programs, the market for traditional martial arts has shrunk. In recent years, traditional martial arts have been under scrutiny.

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Read more about the article In Tai Chi Kung Fu Cultivation, “Four Mores” Are the Most Essential and Indispensable Mental Techniques
Tai Chi

In Tai Chi Kung Fu Cultivation, “Four Mores” Are the Most Essential and Indispensable Mental Techniques

After a certain period of training, when the body has become suitably supple, the internal strength in the "zhongqi" (central energy) has increased, and the mind has become more alert and aware, a naturally sinking momentum, sensory responsiveness, and a soft yet resilient strength will naturally emerge. Due to these conditions, what is referred to in the terminology of Tai Chi Chuan as "Jin" (a kind of internal force) is experienced. After experiencing this "Jin," learning various push hands techniques and further studying the skill of "understanding Jin" will not be difficult to master thoroughly.

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How Powerful is Tai Chi for the Human Immune System?

Tai Chi is a very healthy form of exercise, with a large and diverse group of practitioners. It has become very popular among many people. There are numerous benefits to practicing Tai Chi, one of which is the enhancement of the body's immune system. Tai Chi is an ancient health-promoting exercise that has become fashionable. The advantages of practicing Tai Chi are manifold.

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Read more about the article Tang Dynasty Taoist Li Daozi’s Seven Levels of Tai Chi Internal Cultivation Practice
Li Dao zi

Tang Dynasty Taoist Li Daozi’s Seven Levels of Tai Chi Internal Cultivation Practice

In the "Great Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Personalities," only Li Daozi's proficiency in "Nirvana Sutra" and "Abhidharma" is recorded. This matches exactly with the records in the "Biography of the Ten Powers," which mentions his expertise in "Nirvana and Abhidharma." However, the dictionary does not mention Li Daozi's other areas of knowledge. In contrast, the "Biography of the Ten Powers" provides detailed accounts, describing him as proficient in literature, martial arts, medicine, and the Yi Jing, covering a broad range of skills including "Nirvana, Abhidharma, the Huang-Lao teachings, promoting the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism." Yet, there are no records of Li Daozi's writings in historical materials. The "Biography of the Ten Powers" specifically highlights Li Daozi's martial arts achievements, namely his creation of the "Wuji Life-Preserving Martial Arts." It also details the theoretical foundation of this martial arts system, identifying it as crucial for understanding the origins of Tai Chi theory,

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