Hello Ed, we do  not know each other personally but I read and liked  your commentary contribution for everyone to share and ponder.

This question you have now will really makes one think,

But let me give you an answer purely based on my personal experience, growth, and "harvest" from Taiji since I believe whatever result you get from Taiji is subjective and experiential.

First of all I admit I'm a senior ciitizen of 65 years. My introduction to TC  was when I was a little boy and my Dad would take me to Luneta early in morning for the fresh air from the bay cuz I suffered from bronchitis a lot. I laughed watching the Chinese people practicing it at Luneta park.

Instead of TC, I got into Shotokan style of Karate in my teen years. I was soo proud of the black belt and callous on my hands.

I started TC when I migrated to the U.S. setting aside the hard style. I read as many books and questioned my teachers about the art. The multi task society of America got into me.

Family, job, and "how to accomplish the American dream"

Sorry Ed, it is getting quite long... but here it is.

Taiji is Yin-Yang. Civil-Martial. I chose the civil aspect mostly and it has improved my health and my outlook in life. Most dramatically, my spirituality blossomed. My connection with God whom I can feel is within me in my moment of meditation( Zhan Zhong). " Stay still and know I am God."psalm 46:10. I learned not to fear nor doubt but rely on His promise. World recession does not affect me at all cuz change is constant and constant is change. I go with the ever changing world and my life relying on the promise.The essence of practicing TC ( not really the number of years, months, or days, but the number of total hours one accepted it and practiced it as a way of life)is something that made me a new man. It is the "natural high" feeling without drugs nor alcohol after work out that brings me back to it 2-hours everyday at the park.

This is the art that I now share with many seniors and young ones also here in our area in San Diego, Ca. It is very elating to hear testimonies from people whose health have improved, whose lives have changed. I'm a very subtle TC teacher here and my group's name is " INNER GRACE TAI-CHI".

Why... the very breath and life energy we complasantly enjoy is inner grace from HIM.

It is no longer a secret art. Books, videos, teachers around, but still , how one feels about practicing it counts most. It is not the graceful motion but what permeates inside.  

Martial TC? Who wants to fight at my age? I do push hands with younger sets but simply friendly atmosphere for them to develop sensitivity.

You must be an accomplished Internal Martial artist based on your knowledge.

Ed, I hope this did not bore you . Maybe one day I can take a balik-bayan flight and get a chance to meet TC practitioners from Pinas, my own country.

God Bless you all,

Dan Mariano( Yinyangdan@...)