Today, being a Sunday, I went to Lumpini Park (Bangkok). Here, you will find many Thais with their famiies and clans practising all kinds of healthy exercises. In particular, my focus was on the different groups practising Tai Chi in slow motion, dressed in colourful T-shirts and pants. Usually, the men and women are spread over an area, as wide as the music can cover. At the end of the session, the group would congregate for Chinese Tea and continue chatting until the sun bites into their skin.
Are you practising TaiChi, in the morning, and where in Singapore? How long have you been doing this exercise, and how many people are there in your group?
Terence Seah
List of SHCians practising Tai Chi now:
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June Lim
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Douglas Chan
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Joyce Tan
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SB Khoo
Are you practising TaiChi? Please avoid writing long stories on why’s, what’s and how’s of Tai Chi here, if you are presently not practising Tai Chi. If you are, please share your Tai Chi activity.
Terence Seah
That was more than 27 years ago when we first practised Yang style Tai Chi at CSC.
Learning on Thurs evenings. Sembawang Community Centre. 5 lessons so far. Group of 60 thereabout.
And may I ask, what would u do with the feedback? :-)))
Hi JuneC,
I am trying to figure out why TaiChi is kind of absent in the Club. And would like to see if TaiChi can be a good activity, from feedback from members who are practising TaiChi.
Terence Seah
TaiChi is slow but amazingly can work up a good sweat. And bec the steps are done in slow fluid movements, it has a calming effect. An exercise for all ages, but most people have the impression that it is a old folks’ exercise:-)).
And by the way, dear Terence, I am JuneL.:-)))
In effect Tai Chi exercises come in many forms, including for self defense, with sword and blade.
Different sect style(Chan, Yang …..) has its own emphasis and strengths.
As we progress with our mortal physical age, tai chi and qigong exercises keep one to remain agile, alert and nimble physically and mentally.
Who knows, might take up it again, in one full cycle.
Hi terence
Since 2003, I have been practising tai chi and qigong whenever I am free at night.
you can add me to your tai chi list and oso qigong if you have one.
regards
Hi Terence,
I’ve been practicing TaiChi weekly for more than 7 years. I needed some exercise after doctor’s advice to stop my Yoga practicing then and did not take it seriously initially. Only after i embarked on more physical exercises like dancing; cycling & hiking that i realised the benefits of this slow movement exercise. Combined with some breathing technics which is similar to Yoga, it helps to heal my aching muscles 2 times faster.
We do add in some sword playing during our weekly practice @ Hougang.
Cheers / Joyce
Hello Joyce & Douglas,
I also cannot do Yoga leh, I felt giddy & nausea after my trial session at True Yoga. I tot it was just a coincidence, so I try again at Kovan Paya Lebar CC and I got the same effect. Perhaps I should switch to TaiChi for a change. Is that slow moving TaiChi that fantastic? Can sweat meh? And what’s the difference between Qigong & TaiChi?
Ah Nee
Hi Ah Nee
Tai Chi has tremendous physical and mental health benefits besides strengthening and calming oneself, it also promotes inner peace.
For the advanced students, it can be used for self defense besides above. Its uses the opponent’s brute force to repel and strike back.
Give it a try.
Qigong is the art/skill of breathing.
Thanks AndrewK for the short comments, it adds to my understanding & enlightenment. I am going to find out if my neighbourhood CC has TaiChi activity or any other around my vicinity. But its kind of funny, how to join and move like them…he…he….hee..wondering….
Ah Nee
Just try, Ah Nee.
After you have gained the solid foundation, it will be natural, even for balancing oneself or to break fall.
Just like dancing, you can use the waltz steps to move away from people in a crowd graciously and swiftly.
Cheers,
Dear Terence
It is good you brought this topic up. I have some interest in it. Last year, I enrolled in a beginner’s course in Yang style 24 moves (I understand this is the most basic). The teacher Mr Daniel Tan is very good and patient (I understand he takes part in competitions and has won prizes)and also he can conduct the class in English, which is important for those of us who have little or no Mandarin. Anyway I completed the course exept for the last move because I miss the last lesson as I had to be out of town. Although I have stopped for almost a year now, I intend to take it up again (probably to go through the same course again). The reason I bring this up is because if SHC as a group have enough people to form a class, I may be able to contact Mr Tan to conduct a class exclusively for us (I think if there are bout 15-20 persons, he may be interested). The last time I learned, it was at the Buddhist Fellowship premises and the cost was about $10 per lesson (for BF members).
Cheers
sb
Hi SB
Sound good teaching fees for one evening, much much much better than teaching with CDAC, I think.
Almost the same with lecturing fees of $150 an hour.
Btw, how many lessons in the beginners course of 24 strokes? How about the 108 strokes and tui shou skills?
Hi Andrew @15
The cost I gave was approx, I can’t remember exactly, but the cost for 10-12 sessions (complete course) was about $100-S120 (I think I paid $80-100 cos I am a BF member). Probably more expensive than community centre because the BF might get a cut for providing hall. The advantage is that it was conducted in a pleasant environment, an aircon, quiet hall and a smaller group; the instructor was able to give individual attention.
After, finishing the beginner’s course, one can proceed to intermediate, but if I continue again, I will probably start from beginner as I need more practice. Taichi is not as easy as it looks, in fact can be quite demanding for our more inflexible bones, ha!ha!
I don’t know anything about 108 strokes or tui shou skills, too advanced for me at the moment. Anyone interested in this will most likely be a beginner or someone who has not practice for quite a while.
Also, I thnk Mr Tan is a very good teacher and patient, as I mentioned; another point is that he teaches English which is important fo me as I am not well versed in Mandarin.
sb
Thanks for your clarification, SB.
So it is the fees for the entire course not one session.
Yes, to practise tai chi one needs discipline, dedication, patience, diligence , focus and peace in mind and at heart.
Its benefits are realised when one has moved into and beyond the intermediate level, their benefits are life-long and lasting.
Gentle, smooth like silk movements, yet swift and potent when one watches the advanced ones and masters perform and use the fluid (yet firm) skills for self defence.
Cheers,
The originator/founder of tai chi was a leading Kung Fu exponent.
He had a solid foundation in kung fu, then developed the new form (tai chi) to counter the brute forces which most in the pugilistic circles would use.
At the very advanced stage, the form/pattern movement is very fluid and seem/appear formless, swift and effortless.
So if your grandmaster is around, please advise me. I like to witness them again.
Hi Andrew @18
Are you kidding me ( :-) ) ? What grandmaster. We are not talking here about a kungfu school like in the movies! The teacher teaches us the course and once it is finished we can continue to practice on our own or if we want to go higher we take another higher course (intermediate). For health building, I think if we practice the basic 24 moves well very day, it should be enough, at the novice level. Starting at our age, no chance to go to expert level lah!
cheers
sb
I am not kidding, SB.
I first met a grandmaster when one of my classmates (KLT) was competing tui shou in 1970 at Mountabatten CC.
KLT came from a family of Shou Lin pugilists, he started taichi when he was 12. At 18, he was already an assistant master and a taichi pugilist
Later in 80s, I met my grandmaster (almost 80) and his (student) masters demonstrating their internal strength and self defence techniques.
I lost touched with them in 90s to concentrate on biz. That circle is a closed knitted one.
I asked because am keen to rekindle/re-establish the ties.
Hi JuneL, DouglasC, JoyceT and SB,
I have added you to the list of SHCians who are currently practising Tai Chi, on this thread. Am not so sure how my request can move forward, but I am hoping to see more reactions to members who are also interested in learning Tai Chi.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
While in Beijing 12 years ago, I practised Tai Chi daily for 2 years after having learned it from a Beijing shi fu. I’ve forgot most of the 24 moves now but clearly remember feeling very healthy and energetic during that period of time. I was able to go outdoor during winter with only T-shirt and track pants and not feeling cold.
I would like to pick up Tai Chi again becos of it’s health value (mentally & physically). But most importantly, it’s convenience…..! Once you know how, you can practise is anytime and almost anywhere, alone or otherwise.
Hi Lily #22,
I too would like to learn TaiChi because of its health value. Definitely, I would encourage SHCians to pick up this sport and exercise.
Anybody practise Taichi on a weekday morning? Strange I dont see Taichi being practised in the evening.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence
Just go and visit the private clubs/associations and community centres, there are tai chi groups training; some fraternities are decades old.
Normally they gather in the evenings.
Those you see exercising together in the mornings do so in public places and parks.
My former neighbour (a master of more than 25 years) had been teaching at my estate for almost ten years in the mornings and evenings after work… had tui shou with him twice.
Cheers,
Hi Terrence,
I practice Yang style taiji 85 & 24 strokes for the past 2 years.
Presently 3 times a week. Very good for health, no more achings for me.
Our group size is over 30pax at Yio Chu Kang CC
Helen, in the thread on SHC Games Day, while trying to unscramble the misnomer “breaststroke”, JuneL has also asked for whatever strokes to be included at the Meet.
Surely, Yang style taiji 85 & 24 strokes will add to the different strokes which JuneL has wished? (See, JuneL is sommersaulting in glee………)
I’ll be having my class tonite at 8.30 Yio Chu Kang CC. Probably for those who are free can pop in……….c u
Hi Helen
Who is your teacher at YCK CC? Is he also affiliated with any taichi association?
Cheers,
Hi Andrew
In fact I’ve posted out a reply to u, but its lost – haha
My teacher’s name Mdm Tan Mui Hong and probably u can find her profile under the website for YCk CC. To be martial arts teacher I believe they must be well qualified with all relevant certificates.
Among few teachers I’ve met, I feel that she’s one of the most patient and responsible teacher. If you’re interested u are most welcome to take look on every Fri. from 7.30pm onwards. My class starts at 8.30 before that will be a class on swords.
Are you a tai chi “KAO SHOU”?
Hello Terence, how are you? I just join a taijiquan class at a community club and had my first 2 lessons, paying $36 for 12 lessons. Somehow I feel it helps alot in general well being. I try to practice the movement daily as I believe it has helped to lessen the pain in my leg joints
as it increases blood circulation.
Regards..
Hi Maria,
May I ask you the place, days of the week and time, the course is being conducted. I wish more people take up Tai Chi.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
Many community clubs/centers in Singapore conduct Taiqi classes. I take my lessons at Toa Payoh East CC, class is on every Tuesdays 8-10 pm.