Tai Chi - Tae Kwon Do Versus Tai Chi?

by Unknown 15:25 3 comments

The Exposure of Tai Chi

Hello internet users, I would like to share with you about the differences or comparison between Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi.


First of all, Tai chi and Tae Kwon Do are at opposite ends of the martial arts spectrum: Tai Chi largely has evolved into an exercise system which de-emphasizes its historical roots as a fighting technique in favor of developing balance and inner harmony. It retains, however, effective martial arts techniques hidden in its graceful movements. Tae kwon do, by contrast, continues to emphasize kicking and striking techniques. Both a sport and martial art, it has been codified to qualify as an Olympic event.


Moreover, Tae Kwon Do  is a Korean martial art. Taekwondo was developed during the 1940s and 1950s by various Korean martial artists combining and incorporating the elements of Karate and Chinese Martial Arts along with the indigenous Korean martial arts traditions of Taekkyeon, Subak, and Gwonbeop. "Tae," meaning to kick or jump; "Kwon," meaning fist or hand; and "Do," which means 'the way.'" 

There's few comparison between these two which are:

1. Soft Vs Hard Martial Arts

• Choosing between Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do should be a simple matter. If you are interested in a nonaggressive form of exercise to increase your balance, reduce stress and engage in a moving meditation, then tai chi would be an excellent choice.

• On the other hand, you are more interested in an aggressive martial art that emphasizes kicking and striking techniques along with the health benefits that vigorous workouts bring, then Tae Kwon Do would be the best selection when limited to a choice between the two.

2. Benefits Between TKD And Tai Chi

• Tai chi is also known as Tai Chi Chuan or Taiji Quan that explains that the different styles of Tai Chi are named after their founders: Yang, Chen, Wu-Li-Hao, Sun, and Wu Jianquan.

• Unlike Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi employs few jumping or flying kicks. Instead, it emphasizes stability, according to the Standford University Wushu Club, with movements based on redirecting, deflecting and countering techniques. 

• The gently flowing, rhythmic, relaxed practice of the different forms of low-impact tai chi may provide significant health benefits including, improved sleep, balance, cardiovascular health and general feelings of contentment - all without the harder aspects associated with a striking and kicking art such as Tae Kwon Do. 

• In its most popular form today, tai chi is more of a non-competitive exercise stressing balance, control, and flexibility than it is a combat-effective martial art.

For more clear understanding, here's an image about the difference between Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do.

	Tai Chi	Tae Kwon Do
Meaning	“supreme ultimate fist”	“the way of foot and fist”
Origin	China	Korea
Purpose	Achieving internal and external stability.	Learning the essentials of combat and using them in one.
Type	It is soft and hard martial art form.	It is hard martial art form.
Other aspects	Health, meditation apart from martial arts.	Tae Kwon Do is concerned only with martial arts.
Movements	Slow	Fast and energetic
Basic Tenets	Mental and physical oneness.	Development of physical attributes such as speed, strength, balance, flexibility, stamina and etc.

Last but not least, before I end this, I would like to share a video clip. Hope you enjoy it. Leave a comment if you like. Teehee



Also, you can see clearly the result who in the end when you watch the video clip. =)