Aikido and Tai Chi?

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[Justin Vengeance]

I'm currently a student in Aikido, and I was thinking about taking up taichi to help me in my goal as well as learn another martial art.

my other option is the Fut Gar system of Kung Fu.

Anyone think that this is a good idea? If so, which one should I go with (i think if the school has drunken boxing, the chances of me taking kung fu would be greater).

[jss]

I was thinking about taking up taichi to help me in my goal
Depends. What's your goal?

learn another martial art.
Not all Tai Chi qualifies as a martial art.

(i think if the school has drunken boxing, the chances of me taking kung fu would be greater).
You realize that one is not actually drunk while practicing drunken boxing? ;)

[crbateman]

You realize that one is not actually drunk while practicing drunken boxing? ;)You can be... But then you just stand and move like a sober person... ;) :D

[j0nharris]

I've practiced tai chi for about 20 years, & Aikido for 15; tai chi eventually became a great addition to my aikido.
Like aikido, though, tai chi isn't learned quickly, & a lot of time is spent learning the form movements without muscle (sound familiar?).
Quite a few tai chi instructors may not be at all interested in teaching the martial side of it, but with a solid aikido background, you'll begin to see the technique in the form -- after a few years
(real customer, actual results may vary) ;)

[dps]

Would Ba Gua be a better fit with Aikido?

David

[Larry Feldman]

You should factor in the instructor's skill in your choice.

[ninjaqutie]

I take tai chi. Sensei shows us the martial aspects of the moves as well, but we don't practice them on one another. Just something to keep in mind. They seem to go hand in hand with me, provided I remember to not step in hanmi.

[Lan Powers]

Just started a yang style course in tai chi through the local college.
Time will tell........
(I do have some hopes that the chi-kung exocises they keep promising will hve some value to center/ki/chi what-ever use.)
We will see :)
Lan

[Kevin Leavitt]

Would Ba Gua be a better fit with Aikido?

David

Define "better" David. it "CAN" all be variations of the same theme of dynamic and principle based movements.

I Don't think "better" is the right word.

Ba Gua offers some very good insights to your baseline practice of Aikido, as does Tai Chi, BJJ, Judo....it just depends on what it is that you are trying to get out of your practice.

I don't think it really matters so much what you study if you have a good teacher that you can connect with. Provided that the teacher is doing principles and foundational stuff.

[Lyle Bogin]

It might be wise to consider the "drunkard's boxing" was created for performance in chinese plays, not for self defense or even health and longevity. It is physically demanding and has applications.

Well, tai chi is good. Fut gar is rare. Which seems like more fun?

[crbateman]

Just started a yang style course in tai chi through the local college.
Time will tell........
(I do have some hopes that the chi-kung exocises they keep promising will hve some value to center/ki/chi what-ever use.)
We will see :)
LanIf there's any Yang-style Chin-Na in the training, that could definitely be an asset in your Aikido.

[dps]

Define "better" David.
More circular and spiraling in the movements.

David

[Kevin Leavitt]

Thanks David! Got it!

[Lan Powers]

I had a buddy (years ago, before I hada dojo available)
who ws a pa-kua practitioner, did a bit of tai-chi, and dabbled a bit in aikido at another time.
His views were the three of the arts were very closely parralleled in principles and application.
( I know they differ, but the similarities seemed to compliment each other)
For what it is worth....I would love some chi-na
Lan