Values of Tai Chi in modern society

Recently there has been a lot of discussion aroused after a fight between a Tai Chi practitioner and a MMA fighter. The question is about if Tai Chi or other traditional Chinese martial arts can really fight against modern fighting arts such as Kickboxing and MMA.

I’m not entering into such a debate, but rather looking at what attracts you from Tai Chi, especially in the current environment.

Here are three main value propositions:

1. Self-defence/martial ability

Yes, Tai Chi is still a Martial Art and can be trained as a martial art, thus it has the martial ability for self-defence.

2. Health benefit

Research proves that Tai Chi practice is very beneficial to one’s physical health. I have also written an article on this topic: “Tai Chi and long term health”.

3. The Way of life (Tao)

Take the Tai Chi principle to your life. Live in a Tai Chi way. Balanced, peaceful and be a better person.

Out of the three, I would rate Martial ability to be the least important. When you start a martial art, how many of you want to be a competitive fighter? There are also many better ways to defend yourself legally than fight.

Tai Chi may not score the highest points on any of the above value categories, but the overall scores would certainly put Tai Chi as one of the most beneficial exercises/sports in the modern society.