Thai Chi

[LDNCatholic]

That said, a lot of modern martial arts training is very practical, but that’s because most schools don’t stress full-contact combat. It’s hard to het nice, middle class people to keep paying you if they’re getting beat up three nights a week.

Just bears repeating.

This is the problem with martial arts, rather than staying true to what they actually are supposed to be teaching, many instructors have decided to teach watered down nonsense so they can keep people paying up.

My school stresses hard training and full contact, we don’t force anyone to spar full contact but we make it very clear that their self defence capabilities will not improve as far without it.

 

[ralphinal]

Just bears repeating.

This is the problem with martial arts, rather than staying true to what they actually are supposed to be teaching, many instructors have decided to teach watered down nonsense so they can keep people paying up.

My school stresses hard training and full contact, we don’t force anyone to spar full contact but we make it very clear that their self defence capabilities will not improve as far without it.

Almost everything that we do is done in pairs, we have almost no solo practice. We, too, do full contact work as well, in both our hard and soft styles.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Almost everything that we do is done in pairs, we have almost no solo practice. We, too, do full contact work as well, in both our hard and soft styles.

That is fine, I do not know your school and so cannot give an accurate opinion. However the general pattern with martial arts schools is they want middle class people who can afford to pay, but those same people don’t really like any rough and tumble, so they neuter the classes, making them ‘‘accessible’’ to all, but in doing so, take away most of the art’s utility.

 

[ralphinal]

That is fine, I do not know your school and so cannot give an accurate opinion. However the general pattern with martial arts schools is they want middle class people who can afford to pay, but those same people don’t really like any rough and tumble, so they neuter the classes, making them ‘‘accessible’’ to all, but in doing so, take away most of the art’s utility.

You are 100% correct. Also, so many of them have huge test fees, and testing for the next belt is more important than learning any real application. The only good side to this is that these schools are devoid of any philosophical teachings whatsoever, making them compatable with Christianity.

The martial art that I study is, by rule of the international federation, strictly not for profit. We have a club due of $20.00 per month for adults.

 

[MDK]

Yes there are better means. As for stretching out, I think you may have confused Tai Chi with Yoga. Tai Chi is about movement (think slow kung fu). I think if you have a back problem or for whatever reason cannot take a higher impact form of exercise, and you perform the movements only, without trying to explain it’s benefits with mysticism, then it is alright.

No, I understand the difference, but not trying to be literal as in seriously discussing the mechanics of Chai Tea (I can’t even take it seriously), but more general and figurative. The point was why can’t we find a better way to do this, meditate on God, and accomplish the same goals?

 

[ralphinal]

No, I understand the difference, but not trying to be literal as in seriously discussing the mechanics of Chai Tea (I can’t even take it seriously), but more general and figurative. The point was why can’t we find a better way to do this, meditate on God, and accomplish the same goals?

I would say that western exercise is not possible for as many people as tai chi. We focus so much on areobic and weight training that basic streaching and movement is ignored.

 

[MDK]

I would say that western exercise is not possible for as many people as tai chi. We focus so much on areobic and weight training that basic streaching and movement is ignored.

Alabama Ralph,
I would say western exercise is possible. There are so many possibilities for low impact exercises, that are still western. Regardless, we need to meditate on God, the true Triune God and not let anything interfere… that is the main thing, regardless of whether one is bending at the waist, or writing in front of a computer.

 

[ralphinal]

Alabama Ralph,
I would say western exercise is possible. There are so many possibilities for low impact exercises, that are still western. Regardless, we need to meditate on God, the true Triune God and not let anything interfere… that is the main thing, regardless of whether one is bending at the waist, or writing in front of a computer.

I do not disagree about focusing on God. Not in the least. I do know for a fact as someone with back problems that the local YMCA does not offer much that I can do to help me stretch and build core strength. Sure, I can lift weights, run and bike, swim, and do aerobics, but none of those really helps my back.

 

[MDK]

I do not disagree about focusing on God. Not in the least. I do know for a fact as someone with back problems that the local YMCA does not offer much that I can do to help me stretch and build core strength. Sure, I can lift weights, run and bike, swim, and do aerobics, but none of those really helps my back.

I never recommend the YMCA. There are other options, which may be more well suited to one given a particular need.

 

[ralphinal]

I never recommend the YMCA. There are other options, which may be more well suited to one given a particular need.

Perhaps, perhaps not. In some areas, you take what you are given. Please note that I am not advocating any sort of philosophy in what I am saying.

 

[MDK]

Perhaps, perhaps not. In some areas, you take what you are given. Please note that I am not advocating any sort of philosophy in what I am saying.

Alabama Ralph, my Catholic brother, the Church calls us not to simply take what we are given, but to apply higher standards. I know you know this. I’m saying it here simply because the logic of taking what we are given is something I can’t take… unless we are being given something by the Lord.