Tai Chi Chuan

[jjf2003]

I'm thinking of taking up Tai Chi. I've heard it is relaxing, good for the mind and body and can be an effective martial art as well. Now, I've read up on it and checked out sites, so what I want to know now is: can anyone give me their own personal recommendation or experiences of it? Does it really 'work'?

[Hippy]

Yes, it certainly does. It can encourage a more contemplative and less aggressive approach to life in general, thus making it much more rewarding and long. It is a method of self defence, and that means fending off attacks, not being clever at attacking! The defence is for all aspects of the life experience, not just physical fisticufs.

As I crossed a road near where I live a Ford Transit van whizzed round the corner on two wheels and the driver had to take violent evasive action to avoid running my friend and I down as we jumped for the pavement. The van stopped and big Geoff Capes with additional Bluto type person got out and headed for us. He rounded on me, and without even thinking, and in a calm and almost slow motion way I was able to fend off this admittedly ill-coordnated lump much to the amusement of his friends. There was the minimum of physical contact between us, and the hardest knocks the other guy experienced were to his pride. He retired muttering oaths, possibly a bit more thoughtful about how he treats others in the future.