DVD: Simplified Tai Chi Chuan with Applications

Grandmaster Liang, Shou-Yu teaches two of the most popular forms of Tai Chi Chuan, the ancient Chinese martial art which is often described as ‘moving meditation’. The popular ‘Simplified’ 24-posture form is demonstrated by Master Liang with martial fighting applications. The form is shown from several angles, with breathing instructions. The Standard 48-posture form is also demonstrated.

DVD-only Detail Sections for both forms instruct each movement, and offer ‘guidelines’ for refining your training. Chapter markers for each technique and extensive DVD navigation make it simple to find any posture on the DVD with just a couple clicks, so you can continue your study where you left off.

In only 20 minutes a day, you can gain the health benefits of Tai Chi Chuan: increased strength and energy, better balance, and improved bodily awareness; Excellent for beginning students, those who want a low-impact alternative to jogging or aerobics, and those with limited time for exercise.

SPECIAL FEATURES:: Over 100 scene selections • Narration: English, French • Multi-Language Menues and Subtitles: English, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, & French • History of Tai Chi Chuan section • Slideshow of Master Liang demonstrating correct posture alignment • Interactive YMAA Product Catalog with previews of all YMAA videos.

YMAA PRODUCTION • LIANG, SHOU-YU • "TAI CHI CHUAN 24 POSTURES WITH APPLICATIONS & STANDARD 48 POSTURES" • WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY LIANG, SHOU-YU WITH KELLY MACLEAN AND RAMEL RONES • EDITED BY DAVID SILVER AND MEDIAMANIC • PRODUCED BY DAVID SILVER • DVD AUTHORING BY MEDIAMANIC • DIRECTED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING

AUTHOR(S)

Liang, Shou-Yu was born on June 28, 1943 in the city of Chongqian, Sichuan Province, China. When he was six he began his training in Qigong, the art of breathing and internal energy control, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. Mr. Liang was taught the esoteric skills of the Emei Mountain sect, including Da Peng Qigong. When he was eight, his grandfather made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Wushu (martial arts).

REVIEWS

5 of 5 stars, STEVEN OROURKE (So. California), January 2008

GREAT! I'm glad I did my research!

This well-made DVD is great for illustrating each move and, in a separate section, showing the martial-arts basis for the move (for those who care). I was greatly relieved that the voice and "script" are low key and simple - no self-promoting, new-age, westernization spin. I lived for years in Thailand and China and I like the spirit of this DVD. The companion book explains Tai Chi's origins & versions, and gets into "energy points" and flows (much like chakras) so go to the book if you want that aspect of Tai Chi. I'm happy that the DVD omits it.

5 of 5 stars, T. Aiba, 2006

I knew basically nothing at all of Tai Chi when I got this video. I haven't had the time to use it much, but what I've seen I am plenty satisfied with. The different angles or viewpoints are helpful, and though I have to watch an exercise sometimes quite a few times to understand it (I'm a very slow learner, so this is not the fault of the video) I find that if I focus on one aspect of the exercise at a time, that with patience, I should be able to learn the exercises just fine from this video, even though I am taking no classes, have no previous experience, and do not have the recommended book that goes with it.

The feature of each exercise being included in it's own individual chapter on the DVD is especially helpful for repeat viewing. There is also nothing annoying (such as music or voices that "get old" after a time) when one repeats a move or exercise multiple times, so this video should be good for those, like myself, who are absolute beginners and slow learners, who will probably have to watch the more complex movements many, many times in order to understand them. For those who are like that, my only advice is be patient, and just pick one aspect of the exercise to learn (such as focusing only on the feet, or only on the hands, or only on the breathing), and the video should work just fine for you.

I have found Tai Chi to be very relaxing, and a positive change to daily drudgery of work and other cares. I have also found that, in spite of being TOTALLY out of shape, it is something that I can still do, in spite of health issues that keep me from most other types of exercise.

Overall, I'd say this video was probably the best thing I could've bought for learning this...

A Good Guide To Tai Chi Learners
Simplified Tai Chi Chuan DVD is a perfect guide to those who wish to learn 24 or 48 postures Tai Chi Chuan by themselves.Separate front view, rear view, breathing instructions, and details sections answer to almost any question you would ask to the master about the postures. I found the rear view especially useful to follow while playing the DVD.For front view perhaps a mirror image would make the postures much easier to follow on the screen. I suggest the book Tai Chi Chuan by Master Liang,Shou-yu & Wu,Wen-Ching as a complementary companion.

Taijiquan.com, Patrick Dickson, 2005

"Liang, Shou Yu has published some excellent martial arts books and videos in collaboration with Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming. Together they have published books on Bagau, Hsing I and Taijiquan, to name a few. Liang, Shou Yu has impeccable credentials, having studied with the top masters of the Northern and Southern styles of China. Besides being a highly skilled martial artist and effective teacher, Liang, Shou Yu has a wonderful sense of humor.

SIMPLIFIED 24
This DVD offers the following sections for the Simplified 24 form:

• Front View of the Form
• Rear View of the Form
• Breathing Instructions
• Martial Applications
• 24 Postures Details

This section starts off with an explanation of how the Simplified 24 was created by the Chinese Sports Commission in 1956. The masters who helped create this form borrowed postures from the long style Yang Taijiquan form, taking out the more difficult moves and the repeated sections.

The DVD instructs one to focus on one or two aspects of Taijiquan at a time. When the practitioner feels comfortable, then they can move onto other aspects of Taijiquan. The user is counseled to become smooth in the practice of the form before worrying about how or when to breath. Once the form is smooth and relaxed, then the practitioner can begin to learn the proper breathing methods.

The following is a list of the Simplified 24 postures:

• Commencing
• Part the Wild Horse's mane
• White Crane Spreads Wings
• Brush Knee Step Forward
• Playing the Lute
• Repulse the Monkey
• Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail
• Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail
• Single Whip
• Wave Hands Like Clouds
• Single Whip
• High Pat on Horse
• Right Heel Kick
• Strike Ears Both Fists
• Turn Body Heel Kick
• Left Lower Body Stand on One Leg
• Right Lower Body Stand on One Leg
• Shuttle Back and Forth
• Needle at Sea Bottom
• Fan Through the Back
• Turn Body, Deflect, Parry and Punch
• Appears Closed
• Cross Hands
• Closing

The first form I ever learned was the simplified 24 back in 1978. I later stopped practicing this form after learning the Chen Simplified, First Lu Chen long form and the Yang long form, as well as the Tung Family Fast Set. However, even though I no longer practice the Simplified 24, it is the form that was my first introduction to Taijiquan.

Many people that want to learn Taijiquan attempt to learn either too long a form or too complex a form when they are beginners. Consequently, many people that start to learn Taijiquan give up after becoming frustrated. The Simplified 24 is a good form to start with to help determine if Taijiquan is right for you. Pretty much Taijiquan is right for everyone, and the Simplified 24 makes it a little easier to persevere and spend enough time to realize the benefits of practicing the form and recognize the value of making Taijiquan a lifetime commitment.

MARTIAL APPLICATIONS
Liang, Shou Yu demonstrates two to three applications for each of the 24 postures in the form. The applications are demonstrated as follows:

FIRST: Solo demonstration, with Liang, Shou Yu showing the move from the form

SECOND: Demo of the application in slow motion with Liang, Shou Yu and a student

THIRD: Demo of the application at regular speed with Liang, Shou Yu and a student

STANDARD 48
This DVD offers the following sections for the Standard 48 form:

• Front View of the Form
• 48 Postures Details

This section starts off with an explanation of how the Standard 48 was created by the Chinese Sports Commission in 1976. The masters who helped create this form used many of the same postures from the Simplified 24 as well as postures from the CHEN, YANG, WU and SUN Styles of Taijiquan. Where the Simplified 24 would be done at a slow steady pace, the Standard 48 includes fast movements to illustrate the power of FA JING (issuing of power).

The Standard 48 does not include martial applications. Whereas the Simplified 24 could be learned reasonably well from this DVD, the Standard 48 would require that one be experienced in Taijiquan as well as having the assistance of an instructor.

The production quality is excellent on this DVD, and the DVD menus allow one to access any part of the material easily and quickly."