Contrary to popular opinion, Tai Chi Chuan is actually a very effective martial art. Folks see the slow graceful movements of Tai Chi, and think they are looking at some form of meditation. While there is certainly a spiritual aspect to Tai Chi, the slow-motion movements of the form can be regarded as a library of devastating combat combinations when performed at speed, as I am beginning to learn.
Tai Chi is internal, relying on structure and sensitivity to defeat an opponent. As such, it takes a long time to become proficient in the art compared with most martial arts, which rely more upon strength.
Rosie and I are both learning Yang style Tai Chi. Rosie has just about finished learning the form, I'm somewhat more advanced, with about 6 years of experience... which means I'm just starting to get occasional glimpses of what it's really all about... another 5-10 years, and I aspire to competency.
I love Tai Chi for many reasons; it's a chance for my brain to spend some quality time with my body (normally it's off in some fantasy world, calculating my best move in a game, or working out an efficient solution to a problem), an interesting form of exercise, and my own personal pursuit of perfection (an unattainable goal, perhaps, but when I look at how far I've come in the past 5 or 6 years, ...) and if necessary, a form of self-defence. It's also good to know that my combat skills will be even more effective when I'm 90 than they are now!
We are learning Tai Chi at the NTCCA (National Tai Chi Chuan Association), run by Richard Hamlin. The NTCCA has classes all over central London, most days of the week, and Richard is very good, both as a martial artist and perhaps more importantly, as a teacher. The NTCCA doesn't have a web page yet; but here are the contact details for those who are interested:
NTCCA
36 Queens Road
Leytonstone
London E11 1BB
020 8556 6393
ntcca@richtcyy.demon.co.uk
Tai Chi includes several weapons forms; long sword (Jian or Gim), broad sword (Dao), and staff. I have been looking at swords on the net recently, since the practise blades available in the UK seem very unlike the swords the form was designed for. Here are a few of the better sources I have found:
Angel Sword, Inc - hand-forged swords of exquisite craftsmanship.
Kris Cutlery - a good source of combat steel swords, including
a Gim (long sword) and Dao (broad sword) which are elegantly simple in design, and very reasonable in price
World Interactive - these guys sell a very
attractive Jian (long sword) with a Damascus steel blade. The pictures on the site really don't to the blade justice.
Reminder to myself - get a sword care kit from these guys at some point.
By the Sword - these guys sell the same Jian listed above,
plus a couple of Dao. They are somewhat more expensive than World Interactive, though.
Highlander - a site inspired by the cult SF film of the
same name, but has a lot of useful information about swords, suppliers, manufacturers, and materials.