by Niall Keane on Sat Nov 01, 2014 2:06 am
There is a real and good question here by the OP.
I think you are asking what syllabus is taught?
What are the drills and training methods to build and mould a tai Chi fighter?
Best to go and visit each and ask them directly....
You can't hope for a total breakdown but a good teacher should be able to highlight the different pillars of their system and explain how they interrelate with each other and what they train.
I did precisely this last week for two new students with some Sanda experience, they took the first time freebe class and post class I explained how areas such as tuishou developed (applications and resistance are added) and what useful skills were being focused on, what the corresponding Sanshou methods were and the tactics being trained in both as well as the internal principles of recovering or countering with unchambered power in those methods. It gave a quick and brief indication of the potential within the system, a crude road map suitable for a beginner. During the class they had engaged in tai Chi ancillary methods such as rolls handstands and rolling thunder punching which they found very tough , and so did not need convincing as to the method dealing with all areas of a fighters training. Even at the start of class with Chi gung methods that have martial application, they were not left in the dark, and were made clear how such training helps condition responses and train the nervous system.
I don't leave people in the dark, or obsecure my own limitations with esoteric nonsense, but then again once people join my class they never go back to the other so called martial tai Chi they sometimes come from.
So my advice is try them out, the real deal exists in all styles I'm sure, and you will know immediately as long as you go in with the sceptical hat on, and leave faith based approaches to the cultists!
Edit:
For example those two aforementioned gentlemen left class having learned a tai Chi Sanshou drill, grasping birds tail against two hooks, then white crane flaps its wings hip throw, then the counter to such in embrace tiger return to mountain, then the counter to the counter in break arm style. They could do them fast and with resistance by the end, not perfect but effective none the less. They also drilled single sweep lotus leg against punches and kicks left and right inside and outside again by the end with speed and resistance and moving around in limited heavy sparring. As they were being taught simultaneously how to use seven star guard to entice and steer the opponent. Day 1 ... As some have said to me, more than 10 years in other schools!
Lots of fools on here come from those "other schools", and convince themselves for years, sometimes a lifetime, that they are on a true path despite having nothing to show from it when tested, they avoid testing as much as they can, some of us however don't , you will notice the difference fairly quickly.
Like I said you will know the real thing unquestionably !
You are at a dangerous place now, fall for tricks appealing to laziness and you could lose a decade and any hope of achievement, they will offer you a cable car to the summit, but the man who climbs tothe top is a different animal!
Last edited by
Niall Keane on Sat Nov 01, 2014 2:33 am, edited 4 times in total.
The Emperor has no clothes on!