Which is better ... Shaolin or Tai Chi?

A person asked this online today. This was my take on it.

Many people worry about which is better when deciding what martial art to choose. This is pretty natural and sensible. Learning a certain style doesn't necessarily work out well, no matter how good the styles potential is; if you don't have a good teacher.I'm sorry my friend, but they're hard to find these days.

Beware of any one who tries to force their style down your throat as 'the best'. People who are like that are usually very competitive, and being in a state of rivalry is the opposite of a good martial artist.

Have a look for your self. At the end of the day martial arts in it's original chinese wording means to lay down the sword; to stop fighting. This was supposed to be achieved through mastering  and refining the potential of the body so that situations could be handled quickly and effectively.

All worthwhile lineages of Martial Art, come from people who used meditative clarity of insight to see what worked, and used to best of the knowledge around them to help them along quicker. Shaolin and Tai Chi are both wonderful for different reasons, I wouldn't push either away. Play with them, experience them, see what feels right for you at this stage.

One thing I will say is that attitude is more important than Kung-fu. That is what protects you from needing to use it in the first place.

Hope some of that helps.

Loadsa Grimmer blessings,

Guru Grimmer. : )

Thought I'd re-post it here too for general benefit.  :o)))
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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 
http://www.gurugrimmer.com