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# Tai Chi "Lost Arts"
- URL: https://www.soundtaichi.com/tai-chi-lost-arts/
- Published: 2026-09-23T00:15:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T00:15:58.000Z
- Author: Chris Pritchard

This isn't just something you hear about in Tai Chi, but in Tai Chi circles I've heard it often expressed that the power and secrets of the masters of the past has been lost to time. That the masters of today don't have the same level of skill, or don't master the same amount of energy, as the original Tai Chi masters of old.

There are lots of stories about things old masters did that are astounding, magical even. No stories of modern masters come close. Some of that may be attributed to the tendency to mythologize great figures in the past versus our modern world where everyone is an expert on everything (and they will let you know it online).

There are similar stories in yoga-land. I remember reading *Autobiography of a Yogi* years ago and marveling over the powers that Yogananda claimed he witnessed swamis and gurus wielding. My mind was of two opinions: that of astonishment at whether it was possible for me to reach a level where I could accomplish those feats (isn't that all of us), and wondering if Yogananda had either a very wild imagination or mental health issues.

And that's what a lot of people practicing Tai Chi in our modern age, at least those pursuing the martial aspect, are chasing. Who wouldn't love to propel another person through the air with the smallest of movements, maybe even just with our mind. Of course we have video of masters "pushing" people many yards away, but there are still more subtle claims made of masters of old.

My teacher said something a few weeks ago that stood out to me, and probably because it was contrary to most other people's takes. He said he believes that his teachers improved on what they were taught and he hoped to do the same; with each successive generation of practitioners of the arts things should improve. I agree with this sentiment, but it's hard to convince people that maybe the "magic" was a bit exaggerated. It's also difficult to believe that masters of old were smarter or had some intrinsic aspect of their being that allowed them to perform magic.

I continue to re-read and make notes from Dr. Tao's book *Taiji Push Hands* and here's the quote that's sticking with me today: "The most important point in practicing Taiji Quan is to overcome the psychological obstacles that derive from self-importance." (Dr. Tao, pg. 161) 

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**References**

Dr. Tao, Ping-Siang (2007). *Taiji Push Hands: The Secret of Qi in Taiji Quan*. Five Willow Tai Chi Association, Blue Mountain Feng Shui Institute.