Supreme Ultimate Fist

[Taohn]

Are you more interested in the holistic aspect than the martial training? In my experience, though it is most definitely martial in origin, most T'ai Chi is taught with the former in mind. You will find that most practitioners are either quite ignorant of T'ai Chi's martial side (thinking of it solely as a kind of Chinese yoga), or know of it but aren't interested. T'ai Chi practice consists mostly of long sequences of prearranged movements which do not need a partner. There are partner exercises, but they usually take second place to the solo forms. At first glance they are unimpressive. However, most have combat application and a good teacher will make no secret of it. At higher levels weapon forms should be offered.

A friend of mine trains in the park with just such a teacher. There are some elderly people who just come for the workout, but he often demonstrates the joint-locks, force redirections, and strikes that are concealed in the forms.I think he is of a rarer kind, however. It may be hard to find such a teacher, so if you are primarily interested in the martial aspect, you might check out some other (usually harder) schools of Kung Fu. No matter what you do, beware of charlatans. The "McDojo" phenomenon extends to the Chinese arts as well.

As was suggested, Aikido might also be of interest to you. It's "soft" like T'ai Chi (strikes are almost completely absent); its primary tools are throws, pins, joint manipulations (all grounded in the principle of using the enemy's force against him). It's holistic benefits are praised by many practitioners, yet there is no grey area: it is overtly martial in all cases. Most exercises are done with partners. Like T'ai Chi, weapons may be introduced at higher levels. There are three main styles: Aikikai (New York), Yoshinkan (hardest), and Tomiki . All are offshoots of the teaching of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (quite a character). Thought of Aikido as a means of cultivating harmony in the world and brotherhood among men. Good dojo's are easy to find since the international organizations governing them are robust and wide-reaching. There is also much quality literature.

Big_John mentioned "hard" Aikido. This might be Aiki-jutsu (I hope I'm assuming correctly, Big_John), which is the direct ancestor of Aikido. It is a samurai art hundreds of years old, and schools are uncommon within Japan, let alone without (though there are some, maybe one near you). I believe there is only one remaining school of aiki-jutsu, the Daito-ryu , whose central figure was Sokaku Takeda. He was a young boy during the late years of the Meiji Restoration, so he was brought up in the traditional manner befitting a samurai child, though he lived as an adult during an area when such things were disavowed. He was the teacher of Morihei Ueshiba. Their philosophies differed: Sokaku travelled Japan picking fights and making mortal enemies. Aiki-jutsu training reflects this. The idea is to get your opponent into a position where you can readily knife him.

Shop around a bit for good teachers. Take intro classes if offered, talk to students, instructors, etc. Most institutions are businesses, however, and they want your money. If you can find a teacher in a local park (for T'ai Chi) it would be ideal. Teacher-student relationship isn't based on payment. Much more relaxed. And such people usually don't have an agenda (some organizations can be cult-like...watch out). The best way to sound out good instruction (if you're paying for it) is to engage the headmaster in conversation for a while and then suddenly attack. Not just once. Go nuts. If the school's worth your money, the teacher should be able to subdue you without difficulty (the best will not have not use much force at all). A good teacher will not mind your doing this.

Have fun too, eh?

[TosaInu]

The best way to sound out good instruction (if you're paying for it) is to engage the headmaster in conversation for a while and then suddenly attack. Not just once. Go nuts. If the school's worth your money, the teacher should be able to subdue you without difficulty (the best will not have not use much force at all). A good teacher will not mind your doing this.

Never thought of doing that . It's a nice selection procedure. The surprise element is very important here, do not challenge him and avoid signals. If he's really good, he'll look through you before the fight starts. His own skills shouldn't be decisive though, he has to be able to teach as well.

Shop around a bit for good teachers. Take intro classes if offered, talk to students, instructors, etc.

Very good advise. You need to compare a few.

[Proletariat]

Interesting.

*pictures herself walking into a T'ai Chi class led by a pudgy, middle aged American and tackling him*

I think I will look into the Aikido, but also stick with some of the T'ai Chi I've been learning for now.

Thanks for all the input!