LIB wrote:I have a question about styles. In addition to the main four styles and their variations, there are other numerous combination styles that include Hsing I and Ba Gua, etc. I came across a teacher who teachers "Snake style" Tai chi Chuan. Supposedly this was taught secretly by Ip Tai Tak in Hong Kong.
I don't have much experience being able to discern what are correct or incorrect forms so how can one judge these combination styles or teachers for that matter. I don't want to waste my time either.
Thanks for any insights.
LIB
Don't take my word for it but I looked into the Snake style Taiji from Hong Kong and what people were saying about it is that the explanations and stories do not match the know facts or anecdotes for the lineage.
I looked at this a long time ago and have no proof either way. I tend to be hesitant about the validity of claims about secret styles. This is not to say that its no good as an art just I have doubts about authenticity of its claims.
Again I have no proof or facts just what I read from both sides of the dispute and that I found the people who said it is not a secret teaching but more modern to be more convincing.
Personally if a teacher is good and what he teaches is effective I am happy although I also like transparency and honesty about remixing. If they say my teacher studied a few styles and this is the Taiji he showed me I tend to be more at ease that if they say this is a super secret style only they know.
Combination styles can be good Yi Quan or I liq Chuan for instance are very good.