Tai Chi, The “Disguised Art”

I was just reading through a few of my older posts.  This one was about another of those little known facts that got me thinking about tai chi; go figure.  It was about a sound that was “disguised” and used in a popular movie.

Since most people think of tai chi as an exercise they’re usually surprised when shown the martial application for a form they’re learning.  If you don’t know what you’re looking at it can be hard to pick out particular applications in the faster, external arts.  When slowed down, the applications become even harder to spot. You could even say they’re disguised.

Like most martial arts, tai chi uses misdirection and the hands are often intentionally hidden from an opponents view so they have less time to react.  Although high kicks are often practiced during class, primarily low kicks are used for application.  The opponent has less time to react and they are more difficult to block.

If you’ve read my blog for even a little while you’ve probably gotten to know my mind works in some strange ways.  If you’re wondering how a popular movie with a disguised sound could possibly get me thinking about tai chi, don’t even try.  The movie was Twister.  The sound was that of a camel’s moan slowed down so it was hard to recognize, kind of like the applications in tai chi forms practice at your local YMCA.  In the movie the sound of a camel’s moan was slowed down and used as the sound of the twister.

I was wondering if they use the camel’s moan in the Disney ride.  Your thoughts?

John