I'm not familiar with how it is taught in the U.S. so that might be true here. What I know about it is from Taiwan, where my wife is from. Her brother in law showed me some pretty amazing things.
Usually what they use that seems actually combat effective is called Taiji Chin Na. It's a separate art but, usually taught alongside tai chi. Tai chi instructors rarely know or are taught the difference. They are separate art forms. However do to the efforts of one Chinese Dr they are now mostly taught as one art form. Historically they are not. Part of the confusion came from westerners who couldn't tell the difference between pronouncing tai chi and taiji. So the good Dr who taught both arts started teaching them together and changing his book title from Taiji Chin Na to Tai Chi Chin Na. Most Chinese martial arts have Chin Na (grappling) in them. These add a seemingly real aspect to there teaching. Their about as good as saying that skeet shooting prepares you for war. It may help learn to lead but, it ain't the same. And anyone who's been there knows.
a Chinese cosmological term for the "Supreme Ultimate" state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potential, the oneness before duality, from which Yin and Yang originate
all the training in the world will not prepare you for war,,,you can be taught to defend yourself and how to kill and shoot but when you see combat the first time,,,it takes a mental toughness that can not be taught
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