About three months ago I started learning T’ai Chi (aka. Taiji, Tai Chi etc.) as a martial art. T’ai chi ch’uan or tàijíquán is an internal martial art that is used for health, mediation, and defence. It took a while to find someone who teaches T’ai Chi as a martial art but I’m glad I did as it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done. For the past four years I’ve learnt and practiced fencing and I’m finding a lot of cross over between the two which has helped. Something I didn’t count on was the fact that I’ve started practicing parts of the form in my day-to-day life. Often I will be walking back to my office and find myself doing parts of the form, breathing and relaxing it seems to be part coping mechanism and part enjoyment. I feel wrong if I don’t start my day practicing the form and really look forward to those quiet moments when I can.
The dojo I attend also teaches a few other internal arts including Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. Both of these styles have been introduced to our regular classes (Bagua being my favourate of the two). What really excites me is that now I know water bending and air bending! Watch out world.