Customer Reviews

Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I began practicing T'ai Chi fifteen years ago. My first teacher was trained from childhood in China, then Taiwan, in the strict classical Yang Long Form. I began studying with him years later in a major U.S. city -- still Yang Long Form, still classical approach. That was a magical time, a magical experience that will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

Periodic long-distance moves have since interrupted my study several times, but these have also required me to study with teachers of quite a few T'ai Chi styles and levels of expertise. Some were more fun, some more "practical," some much more "martial" in approach, and some were sadly "lightweight."

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's video is truly "the real deal." From the first frame of his performance of the entire Form, I was instantly transported back to my first Teacher's class: not only is the sequence of postures and connecting movements EXACTLY the same as where I began, but the "spirit" and "feel" of T'ai Chi is also the same as it was then. With the wide range of styles and emphases in my classes since, I'd nearly forgotten how "pure" and powerful the classical Yang form truly is!

Other reviews here have accurately described and appropriately praised the comprehensive contents and unsurpassed structure of this wonderful video that is at once a marvelous teaching tool and a true archival record of this ancient art.

I'll summarize my opinion this way:

If you EVER outgrow this DVD, please produce one of your own, so we can all study with you!

Meanwhile, I'm gonna hang with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming!!

I've seen a number of other videos offering instruction in various styles of martial arts and Tai Chi specifically. This one stands above them all for the quality of the production and the way the DVD is put together.

There is a great wealth of information on this DVD. There is a short lecture on theory, a number of loosening up and warming up exercises, Taiji Qigong exercises, and of course the full Yang style long form. Everything has chapter stops and you can skip to the section you want quickly and easily from the DVD menu.

The long form doesn't dwell excessively on any individual movement which allows you to practice along with it, but if you want more detail on how a movement is performed, you can hit 'Enter' on your DVD remote when the yin yang symbol is on the screen to get in depth instruction on the current movement being demonstrated. In that way it manages to offer the best of both worlds.

The only small criticism I have is the way the camera angle would switch sometimes during the course of a movement. It was done to provide the best view of the movement I'm sure, but the specific directions each movement travels in are not clear. A small nit to pick no doubt and probably of no concern to a beginner anyway. All in all this DVD stands well above any other Tai Chi instructional video I've seen.

Having owned the videotape of this offering from Dr. Yang, I was a little apprehensive about spending money to buy the DVD. I was very satisfied with the information offered on the VHS tape, but having already owned the material, it didn't make sense to purchase a DVD unless there was something added to the material.

Generally, when a company releases a DVD of a previously released VHS tape, there is very little added to the DVD release. Fortunately, in line with the high quality of YMAA publications, this DVD has approximately two hours of material that was not on the original VHS.

Combine this with the ease of access that a DVD offers and the Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style DVD becomes even more of a bargain.

The video offers material and instruction for the following:

The Taijiquan Thirteen Postures

The Fundamental 8 Stances

Taiji Qigong, with stretching and three sets taught

The Yang Style Taijiquan sequence (The long form)

The video also has an extensive lecture on Taijiquan Theory by Dr. Yang as well as a demonstration of Fa Jing and a list of all the movements of the long form.

The lecture is vital to anyone who wants to learn Taijiquan. Merely imitating the postures and movements, which sadly is how many people practice Taijiquan, without an understanding of the philosophy from which Taijiquan developed, would severely limit one's experience.

Dr. Yang discusses how Taiji is between Wuji (nothingness) and yin and yang. This concept is extremely important and vital to the performance and practice of Taijiquan. When you begin the form, you should stand in a beginning posture which represents Wuji, or nothingness/emptiness, during which you settle the body, relax the breath and bring all the parts of your body and mind into this Wuji state.

Then the thought/intention is born in the mind and the Taiji (which came from the Wuji) splits into the yin and yang. The dead hands and body, maximum yin, become alive and slowly inflate and expand to a balance between maximum yin and maximum yang, along with the whole body. Now the form begins.

I see many practitioners walk up, stand still for one second and leap into the form without any understanding of where yin and yang spring from. The transition from Wuji to Taiji to the interplay of yin and yang is one of the more fulfilling and engaging aspects of Taijiquan.

Dr. Yang points out that Taiji, the theory of which is explained so well in this video, has been around for approximately four thousand years, whereas Taijiquan has been around for perhaps a thousand years. The use of this theory in Daoism is also explained by Dr. Yang. The link between Taijiquan and Daoism through their mutual use of the philosophy of Taiji was one of the initial reasons for my interest in learning Taijiquan.

Dr. Yang goes on to illustrate through the use of scientific formulas the relationship of Taijiquan and the laws of physics. This lecture is just the preparation to begin to use the other parts of the video. Too many times tapes are presented by martial artists with little thought for tying it all together and explaining the meaning of what is offered. This video is extremely well thought out and presents the viewer with a strategic approach that will enable them to go far in their quest to learn Taijiquan.

Throughout the video there are visual clues as to when to inhale and when to exhale while doing the form or the Taijiquan Qigong. The demonstration of the long form offers detailed instructions when you click on the yin-yang symbol.

I would have to write a ten page review to give justice to all the material presented on this DVD. A wonderful addition to Dr. Yang's presentations and a worthwhile purchase even if you already own the VHS version of this video.

This incredible DVD is more than worth its price tag. Even experienced practitioners will find much to engage them. You need to spend a little time getting familiar with the navigation on this product, because there are many ways of calling up scenes or cross referencing individual movements and explanations. Every single move, wether part of the form, warm up, jigon, or fajin has its own chapter. It is also listed on a menu so you can for example see a move, then pass quickly back to see its martial application (13 fundemental postures are shown with martial applications) and then return again to the move.

The problem for beginners, is that they are likely to be overwhelmed by the content of this DVD. If you are a begginer you should definitely purchase this DVD. But you need to be very disciplined in its use. And of course it is essential that you find yourself a teacher. Bear in mind that your teacher may work from a different version of the Yang long form.

I suggest you ignore the theory lecture and go straight to the warm up and jigon excercises. When you have worked on these for a long time. Start on the first four movements of the form. Click on the yin yang symbol for each move to see the detailed information and slide show picture of the posture. Then you can click back immediately to see the move again. Find the martial applications where they exist for the moves you are working on. They will help you to understand the form much better even if like me, you are not wanting to use them martially.

Dr Yang really needs to produce a second DVD to accompany this one showing him working with a student on each move giving detailed advice as we watch the individual working. The one drawback of this DVD is the lack of this type of presentaton.

I am returning to the Yang long form after a long absence. For me this DVD is so good it is hard to praise it enough. If you read your reviews Dr Yang, then thank you again and again for what you have done here.

This is by far the best instructional dvd I have ever bought or seen, best value for my money, I'm not saying it's cheap, but it has enough information to fill 4 dvd's (which is regretfully what every one else in this industry is doing). It deals with the complete Yang style taijiquan form and chigong, thoroughly (novice to advanced), but then it is so much more. It is great on its own but it is even better with the book by same title (see my review). You can start by watching Dr Yang's lecture which in itself is a great bonus, but essentially the dvd takes you from stretching and qigong excercizes to a detailed breakdown of the complete Yang style taijiquan form. Additionally you'll be able to observe master Yang perform the form at various speeds (there's even an introduction to Fa Jing). There's even more but I don't want to spoil it all for you. Like I said before, this is no substitute to real lessons but instead is the best tool you can find to help you improve faster and with solid reliable background(basic to essential) information.

The DVD edition of this Yang style Tai Chi video is so amazing. It is organized in a very simple and scholarly way, but the teaching inside is very deep and thorough.

It starts right at the very basics for beginners and gives you an excellent overview of the art of Tai Chi. The setting is a formal training studio. The video contains all the things you would learn in a Tai Chi Class from the basic stances and fundamental postures, to the entire form instructed and performed in complete detail by Dr. Yang.

There is an enhanced content button you can click on at any time to get the detailed analysis and instruction of every one of the movements. He even demonstrates some Chin Na grappling hidden in the postures of the form.

Not only is the entire thing subtitled, which is really helpful, but there are additional content subtitles, between the narration, in case you're interested in knowing more. It is over four hours long, including an excerpt of a Tai Chi Theory lecture by Dr. Yang, where he clearly explains the roots of Taiji Philosophy and Tai Chi as a martial art. This lecture alone makes the DVD worth getting.

There are also additional sections which explain Taiji Qigong (Chi Kung) internal energy training, and Taiji Fa Jin, which is the 'emission of internal power.'

The music is beautiful Classical Chinese and suits Master Yang nicely. I see this DVD as a very important document for transmitting the true essence of Taiji, both in its Classical form, and as a living, modern art.

This is definitely a great DVD but it's not for beginners. The concepts he explains and the way the forms & other sequences are filmed will not do you much good unless you're already familiar with tai chi / kung fu. The picture quality leaves much to be desired and it's obvious that this was poorly remastered from a VHS tape. However, there is a wealth of information here and it's really worth the price. All of Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming's products are worth seeking out for the enthusiast or serious student.

I bought this DVD based on other Amazon reviews and was entirely satisfied. Dr. Yang is the real deal. The production values are high for demonstration/instructional purposes. Dressed in white, he performs on a big stage against the background of a blue velvet curtain.

This DVD maintains a rigorously high level of training, assuming some previous background on the part of the viewer. Movements are amply demonstrated, but not dissected in minute detail. The scope of warm-up demonstrations, stance training, Taiji Qigong exercises, martial applications, and sequence performances are impressive. All indexed for DVD navigation.

The companion text (Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style, purchased separately) also has GREAT content. It contains high points of his Qigong writings, additional new Qigong content, historical background on the evolution of Taijiquan styles, and thorough advice on the first several years of training. The printing and binding of the text could have been better, but are serviceable for a workbook or training manual.

As a novice I am studying more basic materials published by Dr. Yang. However, I refer to the inspiring examples on this DVD.

I find this DVD extrememly useful for learning. The menus are setup in such as way to get quickly to the information you want. Every move from the form can be access via the menu. Also besides showing each move you also have the option to click a button and get nore information about the how and why of each move.

The information on Chi is an extra bargain. It was easy to understand and there were Chi Kung exercises taught as well.

The quality of the video was excellent and though they did not keep the camera at the same angle, I could follow along with what he was doing.

Minor issues:
I would have preferred the ability to control my viewing angle instead of just the one.

I'm no expert and I don't know the Yang long form, but every book I have looked at and the few videos I have looked at seems to show the form slightly differently. The movements at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd sections are different, the number of repetitions for wave hands at clouds, repulse monkey and parting mane are different (wave hands at clouds also seems to be moving in the opposite direction - right instead of left).

Your enjoyment of the instruction will probably be based on whether or not you think the form should match what is normally seen or if you feel the form is open to interpretation (as long as it contains all of the moves). For me I chose the latter and greatly enjoy this DVD.

This video is excellent. The moves of all Tai Chi styles look different of course, even the same style can look different when done by different students. Tai Chi has been taught person-to-person for centuries: of course the moves will be different as each person changes it slightly.Often when you see Tai Chi, you are seeing a form that has been modified repeatedly by many generations of students.

The Tai Chi of Dr Yang is very authentic, and I believe it is very close to its martial arts origin. Each move has a practical martial art application, which is very important, and also quite rare nowadays. Based on Dr Yang's scholarly research in the field, I trust that his Tai Chi is the closest form to how Yang style was originally intended to be.

The DVD navigation is second to none. It says in the credits that the program was originally filmed in Europe, about 10 years ago. The lighting is good, and the program has a nice mood/great music. This is not flashy 'tai chi on the beach'- it is a demonstration in a classroom by a very traditional master. His 'theory seminar' in the beginning is amazing! The DVD is easy to learn from, although with 4 hours of content, it will take years to assimilate it all. Excellent program.