I’ve been taking Tai Chi lessons since 2005 at Chung’s School here in town. Sifu Henry Chung is a master of Praying Mantis style Kung Fu and also teaches Wu style Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a soft martial art, with emphasis on using the attacker’s energy against him. Because it is low impact and promotes strength and flexibility it is often recommended as therapy for arthritis – you’ve seen it depicted (badly) on TV commercials for arthitis medications.
In addition to the fitness, strength and coordination aspects of the discipline, Sifu Chung teaches the “application” (fighting technique) where a lot of teachers try to make it into a groovy, New Age dance routine. Our class generally consists of 30 minutes of warmup exercises, 30 minutes of practicing the “form” (a series of set moves done in slow motion) and 30 minutes of “push hands” – working with another person to get the feel of how the moves are used in fighting, also done in slow motion. I’ve gotten more strength and balance as a result of the classes but I’ve got to admit I’m pretty slow at catching on to the more subtle aspects of the technique. Fortunately, Sifu Chung is a very patient teacher.
Posted by sparkynet 
