These
disks include applications and other ways to learn the self defense
aspects of Tai Chi through proper Push Hands practice.
NOTE:
In this case of most of these disks we are recommending the DVDs
over the less expensive, but Chinese only, VCDs. There are a lot
of explanations here and the English is helpful. Click if interested
in the VCD
versions of these disks.
Click
pictures to see larger versions.
#24707 Original Striking Taiji Sanshou (Wan Lai Sheng Style)
Instructor Wu SunXiong, president of Wan Lai Sheng Union of Macao
Single DVD $15.95 Mandarin/ English Subtitles
From the box: "Striking Taiji SanShou belongs to ZiRan Men. It possesses some elements of Taiji while it differs a lot from TaiJi for its movements are composed by taking apart those of taiji and restructuring them. Striking Taiji Sanshou aims at providing practitioners with the most effective methods to gain victory in a fight. Thus it contains both elements of internal arts and external arts and tools like Taiji Ball, Taiji Pole and so on."
This Striking Taiji dvd is a curiosity: while it shows several key attributes of Taiji, as named, it also incorporates Wan Lai Sheng's own core movements from ZiRan Men. In other words he applied ZiRan principles to Taiji movements, creating an impressive marriage of form and function. He did this by substituting ZiRan's Eight Actions with Taiji's eight actions.
One other thing, we really like about this DVD is that instructor Wu adeptly uses many martial instruments such as heavy rings, conditioning rods, a ball and a gripping jar.
Wan Lai Sheng studied under Zhao XinZhou, Liu BaiChuan, Liu ShenXian, Du XinWu. He took colors in the first National Arena Wushu Competition in NanJing, a special local in those days. Besides his many posts and teaching positions he also showed his skills as a competitor. Along with applications there was some gossip (of course) informal matches said to involve Gu RuChang, Wan Lai Sheng, Yang Chen Fu and others.
Wan Lai Sheng was an innovator and the TaiJi on this DVD shows a unique approach to focused usage. The little ten-movement-plus sequence shown is, I believe, a concentrated attempt at simplification, a goal many practitioners seek, a great demonstration of how key elements must blend.
A different sequence with a very different set of key movements.
Glenn Hairston’s Informal Tai Chi Series: Tai Chi for the Street
Here is another presentation by Shifu Glenn Hairston, the creator of the ever popular “Internal Damage” DVD. Internal Damage presented a no-nonsense approach to Tai Chi Chuan as a real life defense style informed by his years as a detective, witness and executive protection expert. It deals straight on with the martial aspect of Tai Chi Chuan, showing the direct application of this Art as a formidable and effective means of self defense.
In this new series he goes into even more depth, taking key Tai Chi movements and elements, presenting them with very exact and complete breakdowns, showing their principles and the applications. This exhaustive approach guarantees that just about anyone will be able to learn these skills and improve their practice.
The back cover to his series says this best:
Volume One covers such fighting methods as Brush Knee, Single Whip, High Pat the Horse and Two Fists Club Ears
Volume Two teaches the applications of: Fight Tiger, Play Arms Like Fan, Repulse the Monkey, Ward Off, Seven Star Punch and Elbow Strike.
Volume Three takes you through Fair Lady Works the Shuttles, Needle at Sea Bottom, Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, Parting the Wild Horses Man and Punch Under Elbow.”
A final note from the back cover: “He has been a martial artist for almost fifty years and studied and taught Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Okinawan and Viet Namese Martial Arts and GUESS WHAT! His chosen system for the street is Tai Chi Chuan.”
What could be a better endorsement?
Plum Special:
Buy any 2 Hairston DVDs (including Internal Damage) and pay only $36.95 each (10% discount)
Buy any 3 Hairston DVDs and pay only $33.95 each (15% discount)
Add Internal Damage DVD to the whole set and get an additional 15% discount on that, too!
#24338 Hand Push of Chen style
with Chen Fa Ke disciple Zhang JianPing
It is said that the phrase Push Hands was originally known as either Accepting/Connecting Hand (Jie Shou) or Striking Hand (Da Shou). It should be focused on Reeling Silk Energy and sticking sensitivity. This Three DVD set, taught by Zhang Jianping (a direct disciple of Chen Fa Ke and a 10th generation inheritor) goes into much detail describing the intricacies of Chen Push Hands. There are probably more versions of Push Hands here than any other single presentation we have offered. As far as circling and following methods Zhang shows single and double flowers, mobile patterns, Four Hand operations, Da Lu, vertical and horizontal patterns, folding and reverse and more. He also gives ten seizing methods that start with simple wrist locks you can apply while Pushing all the way up to full throws. His method has the advantage of consistency within the style of Chen Taiji and nothing looks “grafted on” form other sources.
#24339 Tai Chi Sparring: Yang style with Shui De Ming
What could be more confusing? San Shou means to fight in a tournament style, to throw together some miscellaneous self defense moves, to practice “real” applications and to practice a choreographed two person form (not to mention being the name of a self defense style developed by Jimmy Wu). The thread running through all this is at least some reference to applied CMA. This is the famous form said to be developed by Yang Chen Fu and released somewhere around 1943. Then, as in this case, reorganized by Sha Guo Zheng. Many people practice this long two person set with varying degrees of intensity and practicality. This is a medium fancy version with some ballet like movements but, as a general rule, not on essential actions. For instance whenever Mr. Shui’s partner places her retreating leg she does so with a wide expressive leg circle. As the cover says, “It is a hybrid of entertainment, exercise, and playfulness and techniques.”
#24340 Routine #1 Sanshou Chen style
with Wang ZhanHai
Wang Zhan Hai (son of Wang Xi An) demonstrates a form developed by his father. This is a San Shou routine where there are a lot of explosive movements strung together in a sequence completely different from any represented in normal Chen usage. Wang Zhan Tai demonstrates this “San Shou” version of the set then breaks it down into sections.
#24341 Pushing Hands: Yang style
with Shui De Ming Double DVD $27.95, Mandarin/ English Subtitles
A Yang teacher who has produced a number of DVDs and VCDs) comes out with a newer and somewhat fuller expalantion of Push Hands from the Yang standpoint. Numerous tips on circling, of course, in the second of this TWO DVD series Shui breaks down the eight energies and gives a practical and very classical explanation of the Yang approach to Push Hands. He emphasizes, rightly, that Beng is found in every movement. He then goes through the eight powers and shows how they can be found, in many ways, in every aspect of the Joint Hand pushing applications. Shui claims lineage from Niu Chun Ming. He also demonstrats the basic and more advanced Push Hands patterns
In his own words, “Why do we practice Pushing Hands. Because only in Push Hands can we truly understand the value of Tai Chi.” In this he echoes the Chinese version of “form and function” known as Yong and Ti. People get very confused about this. Westerners exposed to Push Hands and applications think that martial means hitting and grappling. But from a Push Hands standpoint the “use” can be as abstract as knowing the proper alignment and application of force. It doesn’t have to be expertly done ( I certainly prefer this as a realistic skill) but it does have to be the Yong (function) or all you have is a Ti (body, structure) without meaning.
ithout meaning.
#12003/12004 The RANDOM
CIRCLE
A Double DVD by
Jason Tsou
Each DVD 1 hour,
Both DVDs
"The
poem "Random Circle" dates back at least as far as Yang
Ban-Hou, uncle of Yang Cheng Fu and the son of Yang Lu-Chan (founder
of Yang T'ai Chi). Yang taught this poem to his students because
he felt that in it lay the secrets of Push Hands in....four levels...."
Our opinion: These two DVDs demonstrate a sequential and highly successful format for training push hands, starting with over a dozen Reeling Silk exercises. These are not at all wistful, but rather encompass just about all the possibilities one might encounter. Next, he concentrates on what makes Push Hands a viable, martial practice. Most people can do the pattern and throw themselves into attack. What they can’t do is transition from one to the other. Jason Tsou confronts and dismisses that. His so-called ‘Random Circles’ eventually unlock in a very non-Random way. An expert in Yang and Chen styles, Tsou Sifu shows a strong and determined application. He catches the opponent’s energy, anticipates the pattern, and strikes like a "grindstone crushing an egg.” An unlimited number of practical applications, including Chin Na, come from these circles.
Jason
Tsou has been a martial artist for
over 40 years. He has taught T'ai Chi and Kung Fu in both Taiwan
and the United States. He has also founded
a number of clubs on both theEast and West coasts. He studied Yang,
Chen and Wu styles of T'ai Chi with Yang Bao-Chien, Chang Yu-Cheng,
Su Yu-Chang and Adam Hsu. He also studied at the Wu Tang Center
from GrandMaster Lu Yun-Chiao. He has also worked under Chang Deng-Shen
in Taiwan. Besides T'ai Chi, Jason Tsou is proficient in Ba Gua
and Xing Yi as well as other external martial arts.
DVD
One
shows over a dozen training techniques for Push Hands.
DVD
Two
shows many Push Hands applications from different styles of T'ai
Chi and from various circling patterns.
During the instruction of these disks Liu makes the point that Ba Gua, Tai Chi or Xing Yi, the energies involved have to be mastered in a similar way. Starting with Push Hands as a base Master Liu shows many, many hands on applications with a distinct emphasis on Fa Jing so there is much jumping around and being thrown back into a pink sofa they have set up on the lawn. Liu's hands are knowledgeable and his presentation is good and experienced. This is strictly a Jing based use of power and his running commentary shows the casualness with which he takes his skills. Xing yi sets shown at the end as appendix. See his other DVD...
#10257 Single
Hand Push - Fixed Steps
Teacher:
Li De Run, fourth generation disciple of Yang style Tai Chi. Chairman
of Shen Yang Research Center. Demonstrator: Zhu Chang Hai. Yang
Jian Hou, son of Yang's creator Yang Lu Chan, taught Hu Xing Zhai
who in turn taught Li De Run. This method is highly organized taking
the practitioner no only through a series of steps but different
angles and formations. Probably the most consistent and sequential
of all presentations of Push Hands. Applications are shown but are
somewhat secondary to the general plan of progressive steps.
Fixed
in this case means "no stepping." This first disk gives
the basics to the Push Hands structure. But Li demonstrates quite
a number of methods. All are broken down and fit into the concept
of the square in the circle or, as Li puts it, the Four Sides. This
is one of the most systemized approaches to learning the different
Push Hands patterns we have ever seen.
DVD
Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10258 Double
Hand Push- Fixed Steps
Simple
horizontal, simple vertical, Full Four Hands, simultaneous Rolling
Hands, Wheel Circling, Threading Shoulders: all are shown along
with key points of verbal instruction. This is the natural outgrowth
of the previous DVD. Some applications are shown but really secondary
to the overall training of the patterns.
DVD
Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10259 Double
Hand Push- Free Steps
The
next, third, DVD in this series is called Double Hand Push with
Free steps or Live steps. Though true to the title, this one begins
with Single Hand Push patterns also with "live" stepping.
It then progresses to Double Hand (also known as Four Hand Operations)
with set patterns of footwork. "Live" in this case does
not mean random or arbitrary. The patterns cover variants such as
Replacement, Circling, Back and Forth stepping and others.
DVD
Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10256 Double
Hand Push- Four Sides $19.50
"As
the saying goes" Find the square in the circle and the circle
in the square." This series of more advanced Push Hand, the
fourth disk in the presentation, shows patterns with just this goal.
Underarm grabs, plucking movements, high corner actions, all add
a dimensionality of the Push Hands picture.
DVD
Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10265 Chen
San Shou/Chin Nah $19.50
No longer available !
Please place
me on your Search List
if you ever find this item.
About an hour, Demonstrator/Teacher:
Chen Er Hu.
One of the best series we've seen on Chin Nah, especially from the
Tai Chi point of view. Also Chen style sets demonstrated with a
good level of expertise. Interesting and occasionally very clever
Chin Nah applications with little explanation but very definitive
applications. Much counter-grappling. A good DVD.
DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles
Although this DVD is now out of print, we may still have copies of it in VCD. Click HERE for that.
#10417 Power
Issuance/Chin Nah $19.50
About an hour, Demonstrator/Teacher:
Shi Zhan.
Literally
dozens of China Nah moves all with a Tai Chi flavor. Many classical
and basic holds, locks and throws are demonstrated. There are also
a number of excellent simple patterns such as elbow controlling
to teach the student the method of avoiding being locked. Many of
the movements are quite simple but done in a quick-catch and repulse
manner. There are also a number of "chains", that is to say a movement,
its counter and the counter to that. All Chin Nah relates to the
basic energies such as Beng and Cai of Tai Chi training. There is
a lot of information on this DVD so the English subtitles can be
very helpful.
DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10418 Self
Defense Push Hands $19.50
About an hour, Demonstrator/Teacher:
Shi Zhan.
A breakdown of push hands in reference to the elements of Tai Chi
self defense. Some pattern play but mostly brief applications of
Tai Chi's moves and energies from the single hand interception.
Also the elements of two hand push hand operations with opposing
and same legs forward. Some nice back and forth patterns and some
pretty clear intermingling of single hand pushing and defensive
applications from the forms. Though basically built on the Yang
pattern the push hands principles apply to all Tai Chi. A lot of
information on this DVD, so the English subtitles can be very helpful.
DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10419 Throwing
Applications $19.50
About an hour, Demonstrator/Teacher:
Shi Zhan.
A DVD chock full of applications and usage including drills for
body conditioning. Many of the movements are simple Chin Nah and
strikes but all are based on the Seven Stars (Head, Shoulder, Elbow,
Hand, Hip, Knee and Foot) and the principles of Tai Chi (Beng, Lu,
Chi, An, Tsai, Lieh, Chou, Kao). Quite a lot of movements; dozens.
Some of the moves are less impressive than others, but we don't
have many DVDs with this density of applications inch per inch.
In this case the ENGLISH SUBTITLES are indeed useful.
DVD Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10260 Yang Tai Chi Push Hands $19.50
The
creator of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan was Yang Lu Chan. Yang had three
sons one of which was Yang Jian Hou, a very famous practitioner.
Yang Jian Hou taught a well known expert, Zhang Ce who combined
his knowledge to create the style known as Tai Chi Wu Xing Tong
Bei Quan (Grand Ultimate Five Elements Through-the-Back Boxing).
The interesting thing is how accurate and classical this "alternate"
branch of Yang Tai Chi transmits the art of Push Hands. Zhang Ji
Zong is a real martial teacher who shows a hands on approach to
the Push Hands emphasizing the principles of the classics over robotic
patterns. A feisty, practical attitude to the material with numerous
pushes and a student trying to survive the trouncing. Single and Double
Push Hands are shown with both fixed and free steps. The key ideas
of sticking, following, the eight energies and fluid, loose movement
are all demonstrated.
#24707 
#24338 
#24339 
#24340 
#24341 
#10259 
#10256 
#10265 
#10417 
#10418 
#10419 
#10260