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Anonymous
Dear /fit/

Recently I've been considering picking up Tai Chi. I like the way it looks, and it seems to have some benefits, too. The things I most want to improve on are my balance and my flexibility, and I was wondering if Tai Chi would improve those, and what else it would improve.

I've done some other searches on the subject, but I get very little info back. Can anyone with experience help me out here? Thanks.
>> Anonymous
In a nutshell its decent for the things you mentioned (flexibility and balance), but any other benefit you'll get from it is largely psychosomatic. Still, its better than sitting on your ass and doing nothing...
>> Anonymous
Kickboxing also improves your balance and flexibility.
>> Anonymous
tai chi's good for improving flexibility without having to have people hit you.

Plus it's just kinda nice and peaceful. Even if it doesn't help your balance, at least it'll be good for your stress. Assuming you have some.
>> Anonymous
parkour also improves your balance and flexibility

.... seriously there are a billion way to improve balance and flexibility, all martial arts have that as a base skill set and so do alot of sports(and no golf/crew(granted its awesome for getting ripped)/[insert game where you just sit/stand around and do shit] doesn't count)
>> Anonymous
Yoga will have more benefits than tai chi and it still graceful and calming. (And the balance/flexibilty part is a given, you'll even develop muscles from the hard to keep poses!)
>> rowerfag
actual, fuck you, crew DOES improve your balance and stability (think bike, mah boy)... if you wobble at all, the boat tips some... and if you're in one of the classier racing shells out there, a wobble means you might take on water...

(however, if you want balance and stability specifically, crew is not the suggested sport for speedy improvement)

lern2think
>> Anonymous
Thanks for all the help everyone.
>> Anonymous
>>73909
Is the difference significant? I mean, yoga has the flexibility, but would it really be better for balance?
>> Anonymous
>>73847

TKD for balance. If you don't have it and try their fancy ass spin kicks you will fall on your ass like a dunce. Plus it will get you in better shape than Tai Chi ever will.

Or if you don't like TKD just try (insert striking martial art here)
>> Anonymous
>>74548

some yoga poses really do require balance. I think a good example of balance in yoga is the asana Warrior Pose III
>> Moonmauler !!LgNbdvCFAuN
>>73847
If you just slowly go through the forms it's good for warming up, but it doesn't really have a lot of physical benefits other than coordination. It's a very light workout at best. However, it's an awesome mental exercise. It's extremely calming and relaxing.

Many people forget that Tai Chi is a martial art though. There's more to it than just slowly going through the forms. When you get good (takes a while to get to that level though) Tai Chi is very effective in a fight.
>> Moonmauler !!LgNbdvCFAuN
>>74555
>Or if you don't like TKD just try (insert striking martial art here)

Tai Chi is a striking martial art.
>> Anonymous
Muay Thai ftw. Muay Thai + Wrestling, and you'll be set.
>> Anonymous
>>74597

You just failed by saying Tai Chi is a martial art. It's about as martial as my ass with a Hello Kitty tattoo on it. And you don't strike anything in Tai Chi either, other than maybe Oxygen. Theres a reason so many of the people that do it are fucking Old. There's almost no way to get hurt whilst doing it.

*sigh*...
>> Anonymous
>>74593
>>Tai Chi is very effective in a fight.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAAHHAAHHAHHAHAHAHAAH