Comments on: Tai Chi Tipping Point: Will Tai Chi Go Viral?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:55:31 +0000

Sorry cant help myself but as far as the park goes PUSH HANDS . Who wouldnt walk by and ask ” what are they doin and why ?”I live in Worcester Ma someone start one and ill go an bring people . What a great thing for kids to walk by an see esspecially in the city where that kind of close contact usually ends up being only one of two things .

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:24:51 +0000

I tell my kids its like starwars useing the force . I think peoples minds are ready for it . I know our minds need it . The kids now days have bigger understanding than they are given credit for when explained in the right way they get it qwiker than most collage grads with a masters . Im kinda hearing as a theame , that Tai chi needs to be sold . Nothing with this great of value needs to be sold . Everyone can benefit from this, its about listening (how appropriate) to your audience many or few . If you know what they need and communicate well it will happen all on its own .

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:55:04 +0000

I think there should be more faith in the people and the practice . In a world where peoples minds are on work realationships bills hell the new world order and corrupt banks there can be no downside to tai chi being elevated in mass thought . Even bad tai chi can plant the seed in a person who really desires the true essence of the art . Maybe the lesson for that one is decernment . The seed is the seed and it is only borrowed .

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:44:59 +0000

How bout some regular person with all the problems of modern man who heals useing this meathod ,documents it through journal and video an then disperses thier story through various media kinda like the biggest looser taoist style . People are tired of celebrity , well kinda . But I see that through these reality shows the general public is searching for that hero they connect with can relate to because it creates hope for them . I propose someone really consider this , imagine the impact and lets face it taoism is super cool . I saw this movie called Raw for life by Gabriel Cousens an enlightened man of high attainment . This would be the template and if you havent seen it he cures diabetes and does it in a way that is so skilled that if it was put in any slot it would be the most riveting thing on the tube and would go strait epidemic .

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:45:27 +0000

Many thanks Bruce for raising this exciting prospect. Just holding this idea has already inspired me to do more promotion of Taijiquan locally.

Most contributors to this thread so far have talked about what other people might do. I believe that an important part of the tipping point will also be Taiji players like you and I getting out there in our parks and town centres, regularly being seen in action. This way we can build the understanding that Taiji is a normal activity that anyone can take part in. For extra impact we can get together with other Taijiquan schools in our area and hold mass outdoor events locally, nationally or internationally. Power to the people!

By: Mary Ann Arellano

Mary Ann Arellano — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:32:36 +0000

Maybe the chi walking, chi running groups could have some crossover…

By: Dale Napier

Dale Napier — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:08:51 +0000

I’m more worried about a “jump the shark” moment than reaching a tipping point – but then, they may be the same thing. The more it spreads quickly amongst the masses, the more it will be diluted until it is little more than people blissing out while they wave their fingers in the sky. I’ve already read talk of weekend seminars for training beginners to become “certified” teachers virtually overnight – and it would disturb me greatly if I let it. But no matter what happens, I will keep teaching as my teacher teaches, and his teacher taught, and his teacher before him. That will be good enough, no matter what the future brings.

By: E.K

E.K — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:19:39 +0000

I agree about the silky clothes. I think an internationalization and new contemporary, comfortable clothes is part of the thing. I think it will also move away from the chinese-ness to international. Yoga moved away from Indian look and appearance, though the masters (gurus) are still acknowledged and many from India. Similarly the Chinese sifu and masters will be a guiding light, but modern teachers will spread the art.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:08:09 +0000

Stephen Chow’s first English language movie will be called “Tai Chi.” It stars Jack Black and Anne Hathaway, and it begins filming in June. This film probably wouldn’t normally appeal to the 50+ demographic except it’s a remake of Way of the dragon. If it gets a big enough marketing campaign it may provide a publicity boost for Tai Chi though in what context is anyone’s guess.

There are already people teaching Tai Chi forms in just about every small to medium sized town across the US. I think the tipping point will come when there is an awareness in the general population about the kinds of skills a Tai Chi teacher should have. Fortunately technologies like YouTube and blogs like this one are spreading that awareness.

Maybe Stephen Chow’s film can help.

By: Sito

Sito — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:39:52 +0000

i just watched a video of a dog spinning nunchucks. … ok, so maybe that’s not quite on point. maybe a television show on fit tv? that seems like a good fit (no pun intended), especially for tao yoga or breathing or something else that folks might click to more easily that also would draw them into the energy arts program. i sort of grok the critique of electronic media as a narcotic, but here i am typing this on a computer. is the medium the message, or a tool that can be positive or negative?

i’m not sure “real” tai chi is for the masses. there’s a fundamental “flaw” in tai chi that embodies its inherent contradictions. like anything worthwhile, it’s not something that’s easy. it’s simple in many ways, but not easy. it requires diligence and practice. now, how the hell do we market diligence, practice and responsibility to one’s self? bruce can lead us to water, but he cannot make us drink. maybe the idea is that most people sip anyway, but with enough people drinking it smooths out the collective energy. tai chi practitioners as alchemists, purifying the jumbled energy of 6 billion souls!

ok, so blablabla … on point to the question of going viral, a television program on fit tv is very doable. it’s a small step but potentially very powerful.