Can I learn t’ai chi from a video or book, or do I need a teacher?
For most beginning students teaching yourself t’ai chi from books and videos is too difficult for many reasons to be very practical. For one, t’ai chi is rooted in ancient Chinese culture. The principles that govern t’ai chi movement are difficult to understand at first, and it will take you time to learn them correctly and be able to put them into practice. Students can frequently become discouraged. And it is here that the role of the teacher becomes important.
That is why you need a good teacher, one who correctly understands the principles of t’ai chi and is able to teach them to you, one who can monitor your progress and be able to guide and encourage you in your practice. My advice to the student wanting to learn t’ai chi is to find an excellent teacher.
How can t’ai chi which is so slow-moving improve health?
Traditional Chinese medicine views the body differently from Western medicine. The body is made up of several fundamental substances, one of which is called “ch’i”. When ch’i is out of balance physical sickness results. Treatment is designed to normalize ch’i and restore its balance. Acupuncture, for example, is one of the traditional Chinese treatment methods many Americans are most familiar with today. Ingesting herbal teas is another. Ch’i kung exercises are yet another. Acupuncture, herbal teas, and ch’i kung are all part of traditional Chinese medicine and are designed to restore health to the body by regulating the body’s ch’i. T’ai chi exercise also can strengthen and balance ch’i to improve a person’s health.
What is ch'i?
In Chinese medicine the body in addition to having an outer physical nature also has a subtle, internal circulation system referred to as “ch’i”. One of the functions of this internal circulation system is to support and maintain the body’s outer physical health. When this internal “ch’i” circulation system is disrupted sickness results. T’ai chi, when performed as a health exercise, is designed to promote and strengthen this internal circulation system which in turn provides the foundation for the health of the body.
How long does it take to learn t’ai chi?
If you want to learn t’ai chi correctly, it takes time. It is an art, and like any other art it requires practice. First you need to learn the basic postural movements and be able to sequence them together. If you take one lesson a week and practice on your own in between lessons, this step for most students usually takes three months or more.
Next, you will need to have some understanding of the basic principles that govern t’ai chi movement and be able to apply them. This phase of learning is up to you? How much do you want to learn? How proficient do you want to be? Time and cost always have to be factored into the equation as well.
Once you can do these two steps, even if only on a beginning level, you will be able to do t’ai chi on your own. You will no longer need a teacher. At this stage videos and books are very helpful.