Are yoga and Tai Chi similar?

The answer is yes. The two Eastern physical and mental cultivation systems that have been circulating for thousands of years do have a lot of core similarities. However, because the cultural soil in which they are rooted is completely different, there has always been a consensus in the circle that "the two have the same origin but different streams". There is no argument that one can learn from the other.

I have been practicing Chen-style Tai Chi for almost 6 years, and I also practiced Ashtanga for half a year with the Indian teacher in the studio in the past two years. The most intuitive feeling is that the two attach great importance to breathing as if they have discussed it before starting Tai Chi. Exhale from time to time, and do not hold your breath during the entire movement. The logic of every vinyasa in Ashtangali must be coordinated with Ujjayi breathing. It is almost the same as the logic of letting the movement follow the rhythm of breathing, rather than holding back brute force and holding the standard posture. To the depths of the practice, you are "looking for comfort rather than pain."

However, there are also many teachers in the traditional martial arts circle who do not agree with the statement that "the two are highly interconnected". I talked about this with a Tai Chi teacher who studied under Chen Xiaowang before. He also joked that the two are superficial physical images at most, with completely different directions at the root: the core of Tai Chi is "to guide the Qi with the mind, "Use Qi to stimulate strength." At the end of the practice, you need to have enough energy to be able to push your hands. Yoga is more focused on awakening individual body awareness and unblocking chakras. It is not the same approach at all. "If you ask teachers who often practice Yin Yoga to stand in a round pile for three minutes as required by Tai Chi, most of them will not be able to stand because the roots under their feet are different."

Speaking of which, last week I went to the park to participate in a charity experience class and met an interesting teacher. She teaches both Tai Chi and therapeutic yoga. After leading everyone to practice three sets of cloud hands, she switched to the cat-cow pose of yoga. In fact, for ordinary practitioners, there is really no need to worry about whether the two have the same roots. If you can learn the "no brute force and follow the body" method from any kind of exercise, it is already profitable enough. Just like whether you drink oolong tea or hand-brewed coffee, if you can drink it in a relaxed and comfortable state, it is a good thing for you.