Styles of Tai Chi...?

Question

Before I start, I know absolutely nothing about tai chi, so some of this might sound stupid...

Ok, so we were doing some tai chi at the end of class the other day and when I got home I couldn't remember all the movements. There was a part where you had to bend down and scoop an imaginary penny off the ground and then hold it in the air. The whole sequence ended with pretending to grab a ball in mid air and bringing it down to your raised knee.

I know this is a shot in the dark, but does anyone know what style this was or any websites that could help me?

Also, do the different movements have meanings?

Answer 1

Look up tai chi on youtube and you will find most of the styles there being performed, that's the only way to see and know for sure for you.

Each movement has many meanings and only a qualified instructor will be able to show them to you.

to mee it sounds like yang or some variation of

Answer 2

Chen style tai chi -  I think is the original.

Yang style Tai Chi - Probably the most popular. It's not as strength based as Chen.

Wu style

Hou style

Sun style

Answer 3

I took Tai Chi some years ago, and remember little since I was concentrating on another martial art, but I can tell you that there are only two styles of Tai Chi, and if you can remember which one yours is, that may help your search.

And yes, ALL of the moves have meaning, some of which are hidden, but you'll see them if you pay close attention.

Answer 4

Absolutely they have meanings.  Some very specific, others more general.  But they all have a purpose.

More than likely you were doing either Yang or Wu style, but having not seen it, I couldn't say for sure.  

Don't worry about not remembering the movements.  They can be quite complex and require repetition to get them down.  Once you can do the movements, then you get to learn why you are moving that way and then all the complexities that make it a great Martial Art.  

If you enjoyed it, Go back and keep practicing.  You will benefit from it in so many ways.  Good Luck!!!