This is my Guide to Tai Chi Chuan. Here I have arranged some of the most important and popular posts after themes, concepts and terms, so that you easily can find your way through the blog and learn about Tai Chi Chuan in a structured manner through what I have posted here.
General Tai Chi
Some posts with general ideas for Tai Chi practice. You can find a lot more stuff on the blog, but this is stuff I believe that any Tai Chi practitioner should know or could be helped by knowing about.
- Body awareness – The real key to success in Tai Chi Chuan.
This post is one of my own favourite posts, I believe that it tells something about the core and essence of Tai Chi Chuan - On breathing in Tai Chi
About breathing and how to breath in Tai Chi Chuan, - Reclaiming the Scapula with Tai Chi Chuan
I strongly suggest this one, about the importance of the scapula / shoulder blades - Can T’ai Chi Ch’uan Be Combined With Other Styles?
Tai Chi and other martial arts, how do they match together? - Why You Should Learn Large Movements First and Small Movements Later
“From Large to Small”, this is a general saying. But why? - On Fascia & Tai Chi Chuan
Fascia is one of the most over-used and overrated concepts in Tai Chi, IMHO. But still, some knowledge is important.
Guide on learning & teaching Tai Chi Chuan
Learning is what we all do, teaching Tai Chi is what some of use choose do do. Being a teacher can be a great way to learn more and to understand what you already know. But first, we need to understand the art of learning. This might guide you:
- Why Making Tai Chi a Habit Can Improve Your Entire Life
This is one of my most popular and liked posts, Tai Chi is a marvellous art that will have a positive effect on your whole Life. - How often should I practice my Tai Chi and for how long?
This is one of my most read posts. It will tell you something important about practice - On the Correct Attitude For Learning and Mastering Tai Chi Chuan
How to be a good student and to get as much as possible from your practice - A Spectator Has No Chance to Master Tai Chi Chuan
About your own attitude and how to be an active, thinking student. - Learning what and how – Do you evaluate what you really learn from your Tai Chi practice?
Do you use your head? - T’ai Chi Ch’uan Essentials: The Learning Process of Body Mechanics
My own step by step guide through differents stages of development. - On How to Be a Great Tai Chi Chuan Teacher
Tai Chi history & philosophy
- Daoist Origins of Tai Chi Chuan and Internal Martial Arts
Some thoughts about the myths around Daoism and Zhang Sanfeng. - Musings on “Silk Reeling” and Buddhism in Chen style Tai Chi Chuan
Silk Reeling exercises seems to many as a Chan style unique practice. But is it really so? - The Symbolism of Water in Daoism and Tai Chi Chuan
Water, yeah, in Tai Chi it’s something very, very deep. - What Tai Chi Chuan Was Lost in Translation? – Old Yang Style, History & Myths
On Yang Luchan and what he learned in the Chen Village.
Tai Chi styles
- What Tai Chi Style Should I Choose? A Short Guide to Tai Chi Styles
Yes, this is a guide to the different Tai Chi styles. There are Five main styles, but also several smaller ones. Here, I have listed a total of 13 (!) different Tai Chi styles and discuss them. - Why the Idea of Different “Styles” is Merely an Illusion
Yeah, my teacher always said that there are no style in Tai Chi. And above I have listed 13 different styles. Logic? Yes, in fact there is a logic behind this. - WHAT TAI CHI are you looking after? – It’s NOT a question of STYLE
Yes, this is also a reason why there are no styles in Tai Chi.
Tai Chi form practice
Push Hands
- What is push hands?
I discuss different aspects of Push hands and what it is. - When Should You Start To Learn Push Hands?
Earlier or later? Do you need to wait? - How To Master Tai chi Free Push Hands: Five Important Points on Strategy
My five most important points for everyone to consider.
A Tai Chi guide to terms and Concepts:
Ba jin
Pengjin
Song / relaxation
- Soft First, Al Dente Later. Ok… But Then, How Soft? (And how do you achieve it?)
Yup, I believe that you should first learn how to be really soft. Others believe that structure comes first. - Towards a definition of SONG, or how to really Relax in Tai Chi Chuan
Song – relax, release, what is it really? - The precision of movement: Another note on Tai Chi form practice and relaxation
To be precise – can be very demanding. Sort of anyway. I think, kind of…
Yi /Intent
- “Use Yi instead of Li.” – 用意不用力
Oh, this is a very traditional saying. But what does it mean? - Important points on Yi and Intent in Tai Chi and IMA
Yes, I believe this important. If you are interested in “intent” in Tai Chi. - Yi and The Tai Chi Body
Tools – The Tai Chi Ruler
- My View On The Tai Chi Ruler and its Practice
Here you can also have a look at my own rulers and get a tip on where to buy them.
On fighting and self defence
- Is Tai Chi a Throwing Art Or a Striking Art? Or Maybe Something Else?
Many people have different opinions on this. I am one person with many opinions. - Is Tai Chi Enough as a Form of Combat?
Yes of course it is. Here I explain why. - Form, Push Hands or Sparring? – On developing Fighting Skills in Tai Chi Chuan
What is the best way to practice fighting and to develop fighting skills in Tai Chi? - Building Tai Chi combat skills from pressure and testing
Internal practice and concepts
- Tai Chi and Meditation
Is Tai Chi meditation or do you need to add meditation? - On neidan in T’ai Chi Ch’uan and the psychology behind Opening of the Three Gates (通三關 Tōng Sān Guān) This is one of my own very favourite posts, as it easy much about the origin of and psychology behind Tai Chi Chuan. I recommend it warmly.
Random and general thoughts, not necessarily Tai Chi only
- Complicating the Simple. Simplifying it Again.
Simplifying and keeping things simple is an art and can be hard. - Tai Chi and the Chinese Mindset of Simplification
Inteviews
Please also take a look at the few Tai Chi Q&A Interviews I have published so far:
Thoughts On Tai Chi 