Martial Arts Clothing

Review by Patrick H. Dickson:

The DVD begins with an excellent lecture by Master Yang on basic concepts of martial arts applications in Taijiquan. As Master Yang points out, you can practice Taijiquan for health-purposes only and do this with very little instruction from a teacher.

However, to learn the martial side of Taijiquan requires a teacher along with hands-on practice of the applications, preferably with a variety of persons of various sizes, strengths and skills. The lecture covers familiar material as well as new concepts. The lecture is over thirty minutes long and every minute is enjoyable and informative.

Master Yang’s style of Taijiquan originates with Yang Pan-hou, the second child of Yang, Lu Chan, the originator of Yang Style Taijiquan. Yang Pan-hou was second in skill only to his father, Yang, Lu Chan. Yang Pan-hou was known for teaching a very martial arts oriented version of the Yang style.

One of the aspects of this DVD that I love is the teaching of how to utilize coiling techniques in the applications. Usually, and I find this inaccurate, people say that Yang style does not use coiling. As Master Yang so capably demonstrates, coiling is an integral part of applying the techniques found in Chen Style as well as Yang Style Taijiquan. Even the Yin Yang diagram shows the pattern of coiling within the design.

Master Yang points out that as one develops a sense of enemy, Qi is more easily led in the body. What I’ve always found to be interesting is that some practitioners state their reluctance to learn any of the martial aspects of Taijiquan, as their interest is only for the health benefits. The irony being that if they learned the martial side of Taijiquan, then the benefits of health would increase. The movements become more balanced, integrated, powerful and effective when done with a sense of purpose (martial intent), as is displayed when one practices the movements with knowledge of the martial applications.

There are 37 unique postures (patterns) in the long set of Yang Style Taijiquan. The long form of Yang Taijiquan, whether counted as 88 or 108 movements, has many repeats of some of the 37 unique postures. Ward off, rollback, press and push are repeated seven times throughout the form. These four movements are the heart of the Yang Style of Taijiquan. They represent the cardinal directions and four of the movements from the original 13 movements of Taijiquan. Consequently Master Yang gives these four movements their due when demonstrating applications found within the four movements.

Many of the techniques found within the 37 postures have been covered in previous DVDs by Master Yang. Without viewing the DVD it might be assumed that this would be material already available on other DVDs. However, Master Yang, demonstrating a clear understanding of the techniques that are the foundation of the applications, is able to present new ways of employing the techniques found within the 37 postures of Taijiquan.

While watching the DVD I felt two seemingly opposite feelings; the feeling of recognition as he described various applications, as well as the feeling of learning new knowledge as Master Yang presented another view of how to use the postures of Taijiquan in a martial way. Remember, there are few techniques, and many applications that are manifested from the understanding and use of these techniques.

One of the points stressed throughout the DVD is the importance of the legs in the application of techniques. The legs are the foundation, the root and the origin of power in Taijiquan. In the classes I teach one of the things I stress is if you have trouble following the form, then just follow the leg movements. Without the foundation, the rest (upper body movement) is ineffective.

Bottom line, the DVD is excellent. Along with the many applications demonstrated throughout the DVD by Master Yang and his students, Master Yang and his daughter Kathy also demonstrate the Yang Style Taijiquan form. Master Yang and Kathy Yang look great together as they show the form.

This is a must-have DVD for the serious Taijiquan practitioner.

Review by Derek Olsen:

I heartily recommend this DVD for anyone in the beginner to high intermediate levels of learning taiji. In particular, it’s best for those who are not rank beginners, who know a short form and are looking for more. This presentation:

* Offers a lecture-overview of the practical fundamentals of taiji

* Shows Dr. Yang doing a modified version of his Yang short form

* Shows Dr. Yang discussing each one of the 37 positions of the Yang short form and demonstrating its martial applications with a partner.

You will not get everything out of this DVD after one or even a handful of viewings. Rather, I got the sense that it is a DVD to return to often in different stages of your training because there are important concepts here that you will only be ready for as your knowledge and form progress.

I was getting back into taiji after a ten-year hiatus and a friend suggested I take a look at this DVD. Not only was it the perfect refresher that helped me fit right in to a level 2 taiji class at my gym, but as a former aikidoka I was pleasantly surprised to see martial applications that took me back to my aikido days; blocks, throws, joint locks and more lay behind the flowing motions. I had never guessed they were there because my former teachers had never talked about the martial applications… Now, I’m not at the level that I can use any of these applications yet, but just knowing that they’re present reminds me to focus on my form and posture to avoid picking up bad habits in my training.

As I hinted before, there’s a lot packed into the lectures and demonstrations that will help practitioners of different skill levels.

For beginners, the initial lecture is great because it gives you a sense that taiji really isn’t just about waving your arms slowly as you move around; rather there is a discrete body of techniques that describe the foundation of the art. Too, the discussion of the adaptation of the style by various Yang family patriarchs teaches that the patterns you learn from your teachers are, first of all, not set in stone and, second, adaptable for practitioners of all sizes and shapes. The demonstrations are great–but don’t worry about trying to figure out the martial applications now. Instead, Dr. Yang will draw attention to the part of the form where the actual “work” occurs. That is, he tells you exactly which movements are the most essential to execute correctly.

More intermediate practitioners who are more experienced will get more out of the applications. Furthermore, Dr. Yang notes which ones are particularly common and effective in push-hands.

The single most important thing that Dr. Yang tries to teach in this DVD, however, is not just technique or even specific applications themselves. His overarching purpose is to teach advanced students how to “read” a form, how to take a short or long form and to analyze it, visualize it, and understand the logic and theory that lie behind it.

Me–I’m nowhere near that level now and it will probably be years before I get there. However, there are a host of skills, techniques and tidbits packed into this presentation that I will be enjoying as I slowly work towards that point.

In summary, then, some quick pros and cons:

Pros:

* The DVD grows with you. Watch it once and you’ll realize you need to watch it again (and again) to learn more.

* I love that you can jump to any of the 37 positions/applications. I’m learning the Beijing short form which is different from the classical Yang but this way I jump quickly to the position I’m looking for.

* It reinforces that taiji really is a martial art, not just a slow-moving exercise and thus form and execution matter!

Cons:

* The only regret I have about the DVD is that I didn’t get the accompanying book too. In the lecture, Dr. Yang mentions some things (13 postures?) that he doesn’t explain; the way he alludes to them, however, suggests that they are laid out in full in the book.

Overall, a great DVD!!

Review by Melissa Williams:

I highly recommend this book to anyone. As a civilian who dabbled sparingly in martial arts most recently over a decade ago, I am in no way an expert in anything that is contained in this book except for the fact that I have been a victim of violent crime. Any one of us could be the next victim of violence and the ideas that Sgt. Miller proposes on preparing yourself to survive assault should be basic lessons for anyone wanting to learn self-defense. Being aware of your surroundings, knowing your E&E routes, understanding that if someone hits you, you will freeze, and understanding that to an assaulter, you are just a piece of meat standing between what he wants and you have. These lessons are important, and in all the self-defense classes for women I’ve seen, only the first of that list has even been mentioned.

Sections 3 and 4 were enlightening into a realm of human experience I am profoundly grateful that I do not have to deal with or even think about for a vast majority of my life. I am very grateful to the small group of individuals who deal with the criminal aspect of our society and create that opaque veil that shields us from ever having to deal with the thought of humans enjoying hurting and killing others of their species. Law and Policy Makers should really read this section and try to understand it. Then ask the question: Are we making our society better with our incarceration system?

Finally, on a very personal note I found Section 6 to be insightful for its practical look at the problems of training. I am one of those survivor-students that looked for an Instructor to teach me how to never be raped again. I tried Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan Karate and finally Jiu-Jitsu trying to find an instructor that could give me that peace of mind. Sgt. Miller articulates why I couldn’t find what I sought quite nicely in section 6. I never found anyone that I could trust in a MA Instructor, and turned to Counseling instead, where I found the peace I needed to rewrite my “self-story”.

Review by Chowderhead:

I’d always had a nagging feeling about my martial arts training; though there was no question it was good for my health, I was never too sure it was really relevant to self defense. The scenarios we practiced had nothing in common with the (few) *actual* violent encounters I had witnessed, which were short, brutish, and entirely unfair. (And for some reason didn’t involve “Needle to Sea Bottom” or a Gracie-esque arm bar.) Since I live a pretty staid life, my training never gets tested.

Which is unlike the author of this book — a jail guard involved in physical confrontations on a near daily basis. In this book Rory Miller pretty much devastates the notion that what goes on in most martial arts classes has anything in common with the fights and strategies he’s observed in his work. He details types of confrontations, the people likely to be involved in them, and strategies they’re using, and the often critical flaws in the way students are “prepared” for them by movies or the dojo.

As such, this is pretty much required reading for anyone taking or teaching martial arts for self-defense.

He doesn’t offer a specific training program as a solution — which is kind of the point. He’s asking the reader to chew on the facts, not the fantasies. Fights aren’t likely to be fair, or resemble sparring sessions. But they do have predictable participants, patterns and dynamics — from the “Group Monkey Dance” to the “permission” that people give themselves to go on or give up.

It’s a very particular reality he’s describing; the book is pretty much a straight download from the author’s life and brain. Though some academic or journalistic perspective (stats, references, etc) would have strengthened the thesis a little, the personal mode gives the book a direct style that’s somehow authoritative and modest at the same time. There’s a real clarity of effort here that reminded me of The Book of Five Rings (Shambhala Classics) — with a bit of analogy and personal poetry replacing Musashi’s occasional lapses into secrecy and obscurity. Miller is able to deliver a parable (say, about blind men and an elephant) or a personal revelation without belaboring it.

That style might be the most interesting aspect of the book for a reader like me — who wants a good read as much as good info. Though Miller (uncharacteristically) pulls a punch in the very last paragraph of the book, there’s a voice here I want to hear a lot more from — even, or maybe especially, if it has nothing to do with spilt blood.

Review by :

The form demonstrated by Master Zhang on this video is an ancient qigong set, which has benefited Chinese people for centuries. Hong-Chao Zhang is a well-known, accomplished and humble master, who has a deep understanding of qigong theory and principles. It’s clear in the graceful and fluid motion demonstrated that he is an exceptional teacher of Chinese Qigong.It is nicely filmed in a training studio, with clear instruction, and traditional Chinese music throughout.Most important in any of the Chinese martial arts is that the theory and principles are studied and understood, because this root is the source of successful training. When a master truly understands qigong theory, he then understands the reason for each movement and method of Qi circulation, and the human body in general. For this reason, he is uniquely qualified to comment on and instruct any and all qigong sets, as the theory is true throughout. This keeps the art ‘alive’. It is unimportant which lineage the exercise comes from. Any sincere student of the martial arts understands this.As we learn more and more about human physiology and qigong science, it is important to seek for answers with an open, humble mind.

Review by Patrick H. Dickson:

The DVD has the following chapters:

THEORY REVIEW

BREATHING & ENDURANCE

MANIFESTING QI INTO POWER

INCREASING YOUR QI

NORMAL & REVERSE ABDOMINAL BREATHING

MEDICAL FIRE / SCHOLAR FIRE

PRACTICES

DAN TIAN BREATHING

YONGQUAN BREATHING

LAOGONG BREATHING

FOUR GATES BREATHING

SPIRITUAL BREATHING

5 GATES BREATHING

MARTIAL GRAND CIRCULATION

CANDLE TRAINING

I love the review of Qigong theory which is presented at the beginning of each of the Understanding Qigong series DVDs. No argument that some of the material is covered repeatedly in each of the DVDs. This approach in the presentation of the series is very convenient. I would hate to have to keep pulling out earlier DVDs in the series just to refresh my memory about the theories, principles and practices of Qigong. It is very reinforcing to have the material reviewed again.

Along with more familiar material is the inclusion of new material that relates to the chapter/subject at hand. This adds to the body of knowledge about Qigong that Master Yang so ably passes on to his viewers and students. Remember though, these DVDs are one of many parts of a student’s bag of tricks.

The serious student should:

Watch DVDs and videos of the style in which they are interested

Read printed material on the subject

Take lessons with a qualified teacher (Master Yang if one is so lucky}

Visualize the movements, postures and applications

Teach the material if qualified

Carry over the principles and techniques into one’s daily life

PRACTICE/ANALYZE EVERYTHING (As Master Yang states often, “have an inquiring mind”.)

A student must be selective, in choice of a teacher, which books to read, DVDs to watch and students to teach. Time is finite in this existence, one must choose the way to spend one’s time wisely. How many times have I heard from students that their life is so busy, they have no time to practice their Taijiquan, Qigong or whatever style they are studying.

Even ten minutes a day seems to many people to be impossible, a waste of time, or just not doable for some reason that they can’t seem to explain convincingly. The material presented in this series is worth taking the time each day to practice, analyze and absorb.

MARTIAL ARTS BREATHING

The seven types of martial arts breathing exercises are presented in a logical order, that being the progression from easiest to most complex martial arts breathing techniques. They should be studied and learned in the order presented. Students might notice the updated information on the location of the “real” Dan Tian. In the past many Qigong practitioners believed that the lower Dan Tian was located near the front of the body below the belly button. Master Yang explains the difference between the fake Dan Tian and real Dan Tian and the benefits and usage of each during Qigong practice. Master Yang’s understanding over the years has obviously become greater, demonstrated by his corrections to newly published material.

Yongquan is located near the center of the bottom of the foot. Laogong is located near the center of the palm. Being aware of these points and learning to send Qi to them is an essential component of martial arts breathing. Besides the martial benefit of being able to project Qi through these points, one can also gain escape from the cold by warming one’s hands and feet through these types of breathing practices. Many times while practicing the forms I will use these breathing practices to warm my extremities.

During one of the first postures of the Yang Style long form, my teacher suggested raising your two arms until the hands are shoulder height in front, similar to hugging a tree, with the arms slightly less bowed. Your palms can be towards each other or towards the ground, or any angle in between. There are numerous versions of this opening movement. At this point, you work off your feet, kind of like starting a vibration or wiggle movement that starts from the Yongquan points on your feet, letting this wiggling motion move up your body and end at the Laogong points on your palms. When done properly, the Yongquan and Laogong points warm up, feel tingly and slightly electric. This reminds the body/mind at the very beginning of the form to realize this connection to the Dan Tian. It also facilitates sending the Qi through the various gates as one practices the form.

However, I believe that one should first perform the breathing practices on their own. Once proficient, then add these same practices to your form. Where to use them in the form will be easier to understand if you have a solid foundation of practicing the breathing practices on their own prior to adding them to the form.

CANDLE TRAINING

I really enjoyed the candle training that is taught at the end of the DVD. This is a wonderful exercise. Many people might say, “Hey, what’s the big deal. I could look at a candle for thirty minutes no problem, and be focused the whole time.”

Reminds me of when I used to teach Drivers Ed to High School kids back in the late 70′s. During particularly long Drivers Ed movies, I would challenge the students to stand with me in the Qigong posture that is sometimes referred to as the “hugging a tree” posture. The challenge would be to stand for at least thirty minutes and hopefully an hour. One student said that he was a water polo player and had to swim back and forth in the pool while holding a lawn chair over his head.

He claimed that due to this intensive training thirty minutes would be no problem, while I predicted that he wouldn’t last eight. Well, at seven minutes he was yelling that he couldn’t take it any more and put down his arms. (too much muscle use, too little relaxation) Similarly, the majority of persons who try the candle training will probably not last as long as they think they could. However, that’s not the essential point. What is the point is that the effects of this training can provide a person with excellent focus and the ability to carry through on tasks while going about their daily lives.

As Master Yang explains, he most likely could never have published so many books, tapes, DVDs etcetera in such a short time if he had not developed a sense of focus such as that obtained from candle training. Try the training every night. Start with a minute, then two the next night, then three, etc….. What I have noticed is that the exercises that appear to be the simplest, like this one, sometimes offer the greatest lessons and benefits.

Explanations are then given for looking at a candle that is moving and maintaining the focus and attention. Once proficient, the student is advised to begin moving around a candle that is also moving, while maintaining focus and attention.

Strikes are then suggested. Starting with strikes that end 5″ from the candle, a student would practice until able to put out the candle four out of five times. Then move a few inches away, and on and on.

Qi projection through a non-moving arm while maintaining a specific hand position is then explained. The goal being to cause the candle flame to flutter by projecting Qi through your hand. The position in which the hand is held is similar to the free hand posture of Taijiquan Sword practitioners.

BOTTOM LINE

My only criticism is that there should be more usage of animations to demonstrate the various techniques. In the past some of the DVDs published by YMAA have used animation to explain a point, which I found to be very effective in getting the message and lesson to the student. At times Master Yang will say give instructions in how to coordinate body movement and breathing. Unfortunately, without a corresponding animation it is sometimes not clear what he is trying to demonstrate.

However, that criticism aside, if you are serious about learning Qigong, watching this series is one excellent choice for anyone wanting to make efficient use of their time in the study and practice of Qigong. You will save yourself many hours of practicing Qigong in an inefficient or harmful manner by studying the sequence of lessons found in this series.

Review by Darla J. Mueller:

I really loved this DVD. It was excellent in presenting the theory I was looking for. I do more deeply understand why things work the way they do. However, I would have liked more exerices to do, no matter how simple. The DVD basically only gives one and although in time it can be powerful I’m sure, it just left me wanting a little more connection to the material. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone and everyone.