Tai Chi is not self defense

No matter what you hear or say, you don’t use Tai Ji (or any martial art!) for self defence. Most of the time anyway. You can read this story here if u need some convincing.

When learning Tai Ji (or when learning any other martial art), the place where you learn tries to provide a safe environment where you can learn about new theories, and test your understanding of the theories. It is a lab. And like all labs, it comes with rules to ensure everyone gets something out of it.

I know the safety rules rank high on all labs. But I want to share with you some kindergarten rules, that apply just as well on this environment that most of us take for granted.

1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Don’t hit people.
4. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
5. Wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Just don’t expect to go by the rules when in the real world. In the real world, there are no rules, just the ones that occupies your head. I’ll leave you with one last “rule” from the kindergarten rule book.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

p/s: The kindergarten rules are quoted from the book by Robert Fulghum – All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten.

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Related posts:

1. Words
2. Telling others about tai ji
3. Rules of engagement
4. In the mood for learning
5. A child’s defense mechanism