Many people have an impression of Tai Chi as nice and relaxing "how beautiful and relaxing" is a common quote I hear, which to them means very little effort - just wave their arms around slowly and beautifully, moving the torso gently. "An Ideal exercise for the elderly" doesn't mean very little l demand on their bodies or minds. Of course the frail elderly need to progress slowly and carefully in accordance with their physical abilities - that is a given, but I'm not talking about this group of people in this post. Tai Chi done properly is indeed an ideal exercise for the elderly and great for other age groups but that predominant impression doesn't do the art of Tai Chi or people any favours in the long run. I can understand both sides of the argument although I favour gradually leading my students as they progress to the truer practice perspective where the thighs naturally get a good workout. From a business or introductory point of view if doing Tai Chi (especially in the first lesson) is difficult and participants get surprised by the "burn" in the thighs, many prospective "customers" just won't come back. Hence valuable business lost. However, my feeling is that if they decided to try it knowing that they were going to have to endure some "burn" in their thighs and were sincere in their search for better health - they would make an attempt to endure what they are capable of & appreciate the need for it. Or that the people who are looking for non-challenging exercise would never select to opt for Tai Chi in the first place. Not that Tai Chi isn't "gentle" (with non-demanding postures) and "ideal for the elderly"- it is! And, not that complete beginners are expected to do it as intensely as more experienced class members in the first lesson - just that most people shouldn't be mislead over such a deep, beneficial & "intense" art - and from a more accurate impression of Tai Chi as a deep, meditative mind-body (especially the thighs) workout, they can make their choice to try it or not.
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