Tai Chi Quan as self defense?

Question

I understand that most people use Tai Chi Quan more as a form of meditation, but can it be used as self-defense? Would it be able to counter both strikes and grapples?

Answer 1

yes . I have trained in several styles of Tai-Chi and with a more knowledgeable Sifu, the applications can be shown and it is a devastating fighting system

Answer 2

Yes but only if it is trained as such,  and what i mean by this is that the practitioner that studies it for meditation hasn't focused on the combat applications of the art,   but when it is broken down,  it is quite practical.

I studied Tai Chi Chuan,   for the relaxation but man I never thought how beneficial it would be for my main art,  Shaolin Kempo.   My whole thought on Martial Arts changed because of this art.

Answer 3

Most definitely.  Our Sifu encouraged us to do Tai Chi alongside our Kung Fu. Once you begin to understand how to translate the form work into practical application then it is easy to translate the Tai Chi moves also.

Answer 4

It certainly can, provided you can find a teacher who knows how to apply it practically.

Answer 5

Yes.  It can be used for all these purposes and more.  The majority of practitioners, especially here in the US only do the forms and maybe dabble in the push hands.  There is nothing wrong in this, but the concensus has become that it is only meditation in motion.  They have forgotten that the form is meditative because meditation dramatically improves the abilities of a warrior.  This art was created by battle hardened warriors during the end of the Ming Dynasty.  So since the experience of its founders involved fighting for your life in the middle of chaos where the enemy was trying desperately to end yours, I would say that definitely, yes, it can be used for self defense.  But it is of absolute necessity that you find a knowledgable instructor with a verifiable lineage.  Not all Tai Chi teachers are the same.

I will say however that it isn't the fastest road to martial mastery, but it certainly is one of the most satisfying.