DISADVANTAGES OF TAI CHI

What are the disadvantages of Tai Chi?

Are there any? I have been practicing Tai Chi for over 32 years. I have not found any disadvantages to practicing Tai Chi. I have found that Tai Chi is a positive addition to my life. It has even taught me how to deal with life's stresses and even cured my anxiety.

Overall, I cannot state how much I believe everyone should practice Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga, Qigong, or another form of meditation. 

Young children should learn about stress and anxiety in elementary school. Children can learn to meditate and how to do simple Qigong exercises. It will help them later in life.

"It is a self defense exercise that can make your body strong. In the use of this exercise, there are a hundred benefits without one harm. It is a model for the whole country to follow."
― Ts'ai Chueh-ming

There are so many people suffering from anxiety disorders today. It is most likely because they don't know how to deal with stress. Anxiety only gets out of hand when a person's nerves are sensitized. Life can be stressful. People need to learn how to deal with stress. Tai Chi Push Hands teaches us when there is a force applied to our bodies when we relax and have good structure and alignment, the incoming pressure dissipates into the ground.

Disadvantages of learning Tai Chi

1. Tai Chi from an unqualified teacher.

If you learned Tai Chi from an unqualified teacher,  your Tai Chi would not contain all of the health benefits. When you realize your Tai Chi form is missing essential principles, you will need to re-learn a new Tai Chi form from a qualified instructor.

Many scientific studies show the positive health benefits of daily Tai Chi practice. The groups studied usually practice a mindless Tai Chi form that lacks most Tai Chi Chuan principles. Imagine if these studies were on proficient Tai Chi practitioners who perform Tai Chi mindfully with proper balance and structure. I am sure there would be an uptick in people looking to learn Tai Chi.

2. Thinking you have learned self-defense.

Just because you can perform a Tai Chi form doesn't mean you can now use Tai Chi to protect yourself. Please take the time to learn Tai Chi from a qualified teacher. Make sure the teacher has an understanding of the martial applications of Tai Chi. Each Tai Chi posture is a martial Qigong movement. If Tai Ci is not done correctly, you will not reap all the health benefits.

3. Advice that you should not lift weights

Tai Chi is about a balanced lifestyle. Tai Chi means balancing your body, mind, and spirit. To strengthen your muscles and increase bone density, you should strength train. Lifting weights will benefit any lifestyle.

Once you are physically strong and confident, you are less likely to be bullied. Hopefully, dealing with life's stress is the biggest bully you will ever face. Tai Chi will teach you how to react more calmly to stressful situations.

More Disadvantages of Tai Chi

• Daily Tai Chi practice is a must. To learn Tai Chi and get the most out of it, you should practice Tai Chi daily.
• Tai Chi is difficult to learn on your own. Learning Tai Chi from a video, book, or online is not optimal. A qualified in-person teacher is best.
• Tai Chi Can Hurt Your Knees. If you turn your knees while there is weight on your leg, it can hurt your knees. Be careful and learn from a qualified teacher.