YANG style TAI CHI page two

Demonstrator/Teacher: various including Yang ZhenDou.

The most famous and familiar of all Tai Chi styles. Yang has many more branches and versions than many suspect. Among these is the Imperial Branch (Fu Lei) a very interesting offshoot of the Yang family.
Let's see Page One.

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VCD#1611 Chu Gui Ting Appreciation and Bagua Straight Sword
with Yan Zhen De
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This VCD double disk is a tribute to famous instructor Chu GuiTing. The first VCD records a celebration held in China in front of scores of Chu's students. The filming isn't great and there's a lot of noise in the background but this is a treasure of Kung Fu demonstrations covering a wide variety of forms. Here's Xing Yi, many sets and Bagua including Bagua sword. There's an excellent Xing Yi spear almost at the end of the disk and a few sets that seem to belong to Chu's inheritance from one of his teachers, the famous Sun Lu Tang.
The Second VCD shows a strong, precise and complex set with the Bagua straight sword. Teacher Yan's movements are well controlled and quite clear. This is not a set for a beginner but is clearly demonstrated enough to give a nice taste of the style . A Double Disk.

VCD#1636 Yan Zhen De & Traditional Yang Taiji
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This man studied with Chu Gui Ting. Chu, in turn, studied Xing Yi with Li CunYi and Taiji with Yang Chen Fu and various arts with such instructors as Liang Zhen Pu, Sun Lu tang, Li Jing Lin, Zhang Zhan Kui, Jiang Yu He and Shang Yun Xing.
The instruction here is very detailed and, for some, we doubt the value of these disks unless the viewer understands Chinese. Disk ONE concentrates on the set, introducing this version of Yang style. Disk TWO goes into fine details on execution of the set. It has some Push Hands demonstrations but mainly exists as a historical document for this branch of the Yang style saga. For those Yang and Taiji enthusiasts a source of information and research material. A Double Disk.

VCD#1741 Yang Style Tai Chi 13 Spear
Wang Dian Zhen
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

This is someone who has been practicing spear for many years. Missing are the over extended postures and the baton like twirls. Though spear technique exists in Tai Chi there are surprisingly few higher levels examples of this art in the Yang style. This one is an excellent VCD for a number of reasons. Teacher Wang talks a lot about the spear but he also breaks down the “13 Movements” into distinct actions and demonstrates each action. There is a good deal of disagreement among CMA practitioners as to the exact performance of each action and it is valuable to see definitions by those actually familiar with the weapon. This is followed by a very good spear set utilizing those actions and then the instruction on each section of that form. At all times the movements are consistent with Yang style and Tai Chi in general.

Yang Tai Chi Sword a basically accurate but somewhat more fancy version of the famous 13 Methods sword. With Wang DeMing student of Liu Gao Ming. Wang is fluid, limber and very refined in his movements. The set is well photographed and the version is very interesting taking some moves further than other versions. What we have here looks to be a new approach where TRADITIONAL forms are being taken and executed with PERFORMANCE in mind, sort of a blend of Traditional moves and Contemporary goals.

By Ding Shui-De top teacher of Yang Tai Chi.
This is a very classic interpretation of the Yang Long form. This traditional version is said to have the actions of a swimming and flying dragon. Teacher Ding is a very practiced performer with much control and precision to his movements. He is a member of the Committee of Yunan Martial arts and vice-president of the Folk WuShu Club. This is a Triple VCD.

By Ding Shui-De top teacher of Yang Tai Chi.
A shorter version, but still a traditionally structured Yang Tai Chi set. Not only is there a straight demonstration of the set but also breakdowns. There are also key points to each movement along with things to avoid. A very structured teaching. A Double VCD.

By Ding Shui-De top teacher of Yang Tai Chi.
Some will not recognize this form as what it is: the 13 Method Straight Sword of the yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. But, though elaborated a little, this is exactly that set. In fact this interpretation is one of the nicer ones we have seen. Think of the standard set with more Reeling Silk and interpretive moves for defense thrown in and you will have it. Teacher Ding is a precise and controlled interpreter. Form and breakdown. A Double VCD.

By Ding Shui-De top teacher of Yang Tai Chi.
A few extra moves, a change of angle here and there. One would think it would not be important. But here is a Yang Saber set that actually works. Even though it is one of our styles we have long been disappointed with the Yang Saber as unrepresentative of true Saber arts. First, this version restores the special shape of the knife (more like a Western calvary saber). Then it resuscitates the correct wrapping motions of the weapon but in a very discreet amount. This is, to our minds, the best of Teacher Ding's weapons. His specialty. A Double VCD.