Customer Reviews

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan With Applications

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This DVD teaches the history of Tai Chi, and the History of the 24 posture form and 48 posture form. It explains that these two Tai Chi forms were originally a martial art style, and that now they are usually done for health improvement.

Then it shows the 24 posture form from the front, and the back, and with breathing instructions. Im not quite ready to try to coordinate my breathing with the movements, but when I am, this is a great guide. It then shows each of the 24 postures, and their original martial art applications, which helps you have a strong intent during the posture, and keeps your arms and legs in proper position. THEN, it teaches the 24 posture form, step by step, with very detailed instruction. This is a much more expanded version of this video by Master Liang than the original VHS.

The DVD also shows the 48 posture form, which repeats several of the movements from the 24 posture form, and has other movements from other styles.

It has absolutely helped me develop strength and balance in a few short weeks of practicing only the 24 posture form about 4 days a week on average. It has also improved my confidence, and people keep saying I have a glow about me. I just feel healthier, and happier too.

This DVD is easy to learn from quickly. The Chinese bamboo flute music is nice. Oh, actually, my FAVORITE part is at the end, it shows a 'slideshow' of photos of the master, doing each posture move-by-move, with great music. I like to do my form along to this section, because it is a bit slower than the actual form, and you can exactly match your movements to the master. Its like having a one-on-one class with him. I find that this mimicing of his postures has helped me to learn more quickly. I remember the form now, without having to 'THINK', so I can try to turn my attention inward.

A great DVD.

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 Tai Chi Chuan DVD contains the following sections:

Introduction to Taijiquan
Slideshow of the two forms, Simplified 24 and the Standard 48
The Simplified 24 postures form
The Standard 48 postures form

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.
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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 comlementary companion.

Ahmet Taviloglu Kocaeli-Türkiye

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. Of course as with all exercise, one should consult one's doctor if they have questions about starting it, or whether they should be doing it at all.

Overall, I'd say this video was probably the best thing I could've bought for learning this. The instructions mix visuals and audio in such a way that whether you learn better by being told how to do the exercise, or whether you learn better by seeing it, you should be able to learn from this video. While the price was high, I feel totally satisfied that I got my money's worth, and I highly recommend it, even to other beginners who know nothing at all about it, but who have the patience to take things one step at a time if they have to in order to learn each motion.

I would not recommend it to those who are not patient and who expect it to come easily to them just because they bought a video. As with anything else, there are harder or more complex things that may take some of us a bit longer to learn than others, and as with all things, practice is necessary, too. People with little patience may find some of it overwhelming, or get frustrated, but as long as you take it at your own pace and don't let yourself get all flustered if you can't get it right on the first several tries, then this video ought to work for just about anyone.

I teach a class of Tai Chi Chuan to Seniors at a Senior Center. This tape and DVD are very good. I like the format of the DVD better than the older tape. Not only do they show each posture, but it shows the speed at which you do the postures. You could use this DVD and tape to follow along at home. It also has calming music.

This DVD teaches the 24 simplified Yang postures of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) developed by Tai Chi masters at the request of the Chinese government in 1956. It also includes the 48 postures developed in 1976. This was done to make Tai Chi easier to learn then the traditional long form so that more people would benefit from the exercise. Master Liang has done a good job of showing you the whole exercise in both front and back view; he explains the breathing cadence to the motions; he has seperate chapters to explain each of the 24 postures; and he demonstrates how each posture is used in a martial arts application. I gave this DVD only 4 stars because it does get a little long with all the repetitions. You can skip to any part you want to study so it's not that bad. This is a good way to learn Tai Chi if you can't get to a class. However, I strongly recommend you buy the companion book by Master Liang. It goes into greater depth on the history and philosophy behind Tiajiquan (Tai Chi Chuan).

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.

What an excellent DVD. I've heard it said that taichi should not be practiced without a certified instructor. While there is truth in that statement, the plethora of knowledge available via DVD, Videos and Books gives your Average Joe a leg-up on this practice. With many detailed books on proper practice, if you have the dedication to research and the wisdom to adhere to the principals, it is possible to reap it's rewards by yourself. I'm not saying this DVD will make you a "tai chi master", but it is great for people who just want to learn the form and practice for health benefits.

There is alot of information on this DVD. I would recommend that any novice to martial arts/tai chi begin with the 24, as it is the easiest to learn via DVD. I've been using the DVD for about an hour a day for 3 days and I can safely say that I've learned 25% of the simplified form.

This DVD makes it easy to follow along, with views in front or in back of the sifu. This is the form being done to flute music (nice to practice to.) There is a section called 24 Detailed , which has narration and instruction over the moves in case you get confused. There is a section on breathing, which has the form being done with directions whether to inhale / exhale. This is good once you have learned the moves, to further refine your form. Finally there is the applications part, which shows you the martial aspect of tai chi.

There is lots of information on this DVD and I suggest taking your time with it. There are many subtle things in Tai chi below the actual movements, such as body mechanics and visualisation that are not covered in this DVD. However that knowledge is available if you look. This is an excellent introduction and instruction of the short 24 form if you are just looking to learn the movements and refine your form later.

I bought this video for a young friend to learn Tai Chi.I've been doing Tai Chi(chan style 24 forms)for 11yrs.I reviewed several others,the one by Dorian Ross,in my opinion being the worst.The multiple views of each form are easy to see and understand.The encouragement to take your time and learn a form at a time is an excellent idea.The views of each of the forms martial art application I believe adds a certain intangible quality,in that as one becomes proficient at the 24 forms,being able to focus on an opponent,not necessarily each round,gives an added degree of focus,I also feel will be of value and enjoyment.
An extra bonus for me personally is the 48 forms which I've been curious about for some time and now will begin to learn for myself and expand my Tai Chi abilities.If you are an afficionado of Tai Chi watching the young lady perform the 48 forms is truly a thing of beauty and physical accomplishment.
In my opinion I feel this is the best product of its kind on the market I could find and I looked very hard to find the best I could for my young friend.

From the standpoint of a step by step way to learn the composite forms, this is the best DVD I have found. I have Claire Hooten's, David Caradine, Ramel Rones and Bruce Frantzis Tai Chi DVD's, but Master Liang gives multiple views, including combat applications. I am using this DVD in conjunction with the same titled book as suppliments to actual class time, but even if a Yang simplified 24-48 form class isn't available to you, the book and DVD will move you along the path of learning and enjoying this wonderful art.
Sal Salcido