DVD: Tai Chi Connections

In this multi-language DVD, Master-Teacher John Loupos instructs a traditional Yang style Tai Chi Chuan (taijiquan) form, with a unique emphasis on revealing the underlying principles within all Tai Chi movements. Whether you're a beginner, or an experienced Tai Chi player, this program will help you to practice Tai Chi in an optimal way, and integrate it's benefits into your daily life.

Seasoned teacher, John Loupos, offers step-by-step guidance, on:

• Tai Chi’s technical intricacies and nuances.
• Keypoints and practice tips.
• How to bring your Tai Chi to a higher level.
• Mindfulness.
• Stress relief.
• Stretching, and Warming up Qigong exercises.
• And much more!

“Tai Chi offers you prospects of better health and vitality, peace of mind, and increased stores of personal energy. In order to realize this potential you must delve deeply into the world of Tai Chi, following the path in a correct manner.” – John Loupos, author

SPECIAL FEATURES: Dozens of scene selections • Narration: English • Multi-Language Menus and Subtitles: English, Spanish, German • Interactive YMAA Product Catalog with previews of all YMAA videos.

YMAA PRODUCTION • JOHN LOUPOS • “TAI CHI CONNECTIONS” • WRITTEN BY JOHN LOUPOS • PERFORMED BY JOHN LOUPOS, AXIE BREEN, ORLANDO CELA • EDITED BY DAVID SILVER AND MEDIAMANIC • DVD AUTHORING BY MEDIAMANIC • PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY DAVID SILVER

AUTHOR(S)

Sifu John Loupos, M.S.Psych, C.H.S.E., began studying martial arts in 1966. As a young teen, John inherited a school of his own and has been teaching martial arts ever since. His studies include Okinawan Karate, Chinese Kung Fu ( Bak Sil Lum, Choy Lay Fut, and Praying Mantis), Yang style T'ai Chi Chuan (108 move set), Liu He Ba Fa, Xingyi, and Bagua, and various Ch'i Kung and energy oriented meditation disciplines. John also has a background in Classical Homeopathy and currently maintains a private clinical practice in Hanna Somatics.

REVIEWS

5 of 5 stars, The Best Tai Chi DVD That I Have Seen By Dr. Richard G. Petty (Atlanta), October 2009

There is now a wealth of scientific data to show that the practice of tai chi - or, more correctly, T'ai chi ch'uan - can produce impressive improvements in both physical and psychological health and most regular practitioners will attest to its impact on their sense of peace and vitality. Naturally enough, the key to obtaining the benefits is practicing correctly.

I have had the privilege of working with a number of tai chi teachers around the world, seven of whom have really had a major impact on me. One of them is John Loupos, who has written and produced this extremely fine DVD. It is more than ten years ago that I was able to do a one-week intensive with John, but the clarity and simplicity of his approach is still fresh in my mind.

This DVD captures the best of John's teachings. He particularly emphasizes the importance correct posture, rooting, breathing and flow. These are principles that can be applied whatever form of tai chi you practice. There is a full demonstration of the yang style tai chi form as well as over fifty scene selections. The whole DVD runs for over two and a half hours, and is excellent value for money. And for people for whom English is not a first language, there are also Spanish and German subtitles.

There is always going to be a limit to how much you can learn without the individual guidance of an experienced teacher, but for people who do not have ready access to a teacher this is quite simply the best DVD on tai chi that I know of. And if you are already working with a teacher, John gives a great many pointers that can really help to move you to the next level. Very highly recommended.

John Loupos, Yang-stylist for 30 years with wholistic health background, has produced a DVD which is not form-oriented, but rather has basic principles as its subject. It requires some knowledge of TaiJiQuan and its terminology, and is therefore only suitable for already practicing students. With this DVD, John Loupos addresses all TaiJi practitioners, regardless of style and form.

After a brief general introduction in which he introduces himself, he explains four subjects: “Mobility”, “Inner Structure”, Qi”, and “Being in the Moment”. Three warming-up exercises follow, which are designed to bring [the practitioner] down from the daily speed. He emphasizes the importance of doing the exercises shown in [the practitioner’s] own speed, and to respect one’s own limits. Already in this chapter he refers to the connection to the earth [(root)].

Then follows the first part of the Yang long form, first only demonstrated, then with instructions. In this, John Loupos refers less to the external sequence of movements but rather more to the movements of the hips, the sinking, and the structure of the body (spinal column, feet and knees, shoulders and elbows). Subsequently, he demonstrates common mistakes. In this as well he emphasizes correct body structure in the respective positions. A whole chapter is dedicated to the mistake of bobbing up and down when shifting one’s weight (the “bouncing”), which can be countered, amongst other things, by imaginary rubber bands.

Following next is a chapter on momentum, the impetus that makes the movements homogenous, or is supposed to do so. Then he introduces, in a refreshingly unconventional way, the “shaking”, an exercise used by him in his lessons, in which the body is shaken during the form. In conclusion, the first part of the Yang form is shown from a different camera perspective, from an angle diagonally to the rear.

All in all an interesting DVD, which will explain to practitioners essential principles of TaiJiQuan. The language is English, subtitle options are Spanish or German.

John Loupos has to be one of the best tai chi masters in the country. seriously.

read my other reviews. i don't pull punches when it comes to criticism. but this video is truly one of the best instructional DVD's out there. his explanations and corrections are better than any in-person instructor i've ever met. his movements are flawless, and yet not too rigid. he's very thorough and clear as he breaks down the first 17 movements of the yang long form.

i only wish that he would make a video of the ENTIRE long form. i have no doubt that it would be the best on the market.

people really need to find out about this guy. i'm a qigong instructor in california, and i'm thinking of traveling to the east coast to study with him for a while. he's that good!

I haven't finished reading this book yet, but it is very readable and I am learning a lot from it. I purchased the book because I liked the DVD so much. I take Tai chi classes and though his techniques are a little different, what he says is applicable to all forms. I love listening to him and find him very inspiring, thus the purchase of the book. I wish I lived in Mass. to take his classes...watching and reading have helped me in my practice.

5 of 5 stars, Melissa Two Crow, January 2007

Over the past twelve years, I have tried to learn Tai Chi by using several different video lessons, however, "Tai Chi Connections" by Sifu John Loupos is the only one I have found that fully explains how to execute the positions. Each movement is shown from different angles, and Sifu Loupos illustrates the small subtleties needed to do each movement correctly and how to make any necessary revisions. Although Sifu Loupos has been a well-respected Tai Chi Master for many years, he sets a light, enjoyable tone for the DVD, which makes learning very fun.