Tai Chi DVD?
 

Hi

Can anyone recommend a good dvd to help me learn tai chi?

Thanks

I learned tai chi from a Chameleon .........

He moved so slow I did not notice him at first ~

I climbed a Peach Tree on Maui and tried to shake the last peaches from the top branches.......

As I wildly shook the tree a Chameleon spun on the branch just in front of my eyes ......

Ever so slowly he reached for another branch to better brace himself ......



I do know of some good DVDS which teach a combination Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga which are quite amazing. "Miranda Esmonde-White" teaches a program she calls "Classical Stretch" and it is most amazing.

Hi Racer

I was looking for just tai chi, not a combination. The traditional poses that you see people doing in china in groups. I don't want it for fittness, I want it for connecting to my chi and relaxing me.

Look at www.taichi18.com
There is a low resolution video of the practice on the website.
This will give you an idea whether you might like this particular form.

Thanks Rin :)

"Tai Chi For Beginners" The instructor is Chris Pei. :)

hi Sun girl, the dvd`s do help but is it not possible to search out a tai chi teacher in your area? obviously if this isn`t possible a dvd would definitley be the way but the help you get from a teacher is so much more than you will gt from a dvd.

Agreed with peteyzen. DVDs can only do so much for you. The best way to learn and connect is to get taught in person. DVDs might just vaguely go over the stances and poses whereas in person you get taught all of the minute technicalities that adds to the whole.

I am certain you are right but all the lessons I have found are during the day and I work full time. Also, my life is manic so I need to be able to fit it in where I can. I figure some tai chi is better than none at all.

I used to do yoga, which I know is different, but I loved it and I wanted to try out tai chi to see which I preferred.

might be worth contacting the teachers you have found who teach during the day and asking if they know of anyone who teaches in the evenings, (Tai chi is usually a close knit community who know each other)
in any case good luck and yes some tai chi is better than none at all.
Also, you might like to explore Chi Gung dvd`s as these are more easily followed and give all the health benefits

One general difference between Tai Chi and Qigong is that Tai Chi can be quite complex because it is a series of movements which need to be executed in a specific sequence. Qigong is often a number of largely independent movements and although there may be a preferred sequence they could be done in any sequence. Qigong forms are easier to learn and the complexity of Tai Chi is often a contributing factor to the high drop out rates.
Many of the internet based offerings (including taichi18) are more Qigong than Tai Chi.

Have to say I quite like the idea of there being a set sequence.

I have learnt the Sun Salutation for Yoga and the flow is lovely. I have a poor memory so anything I can learn by rote is good. And the ritual-ness of repetition also attracts me.

Some Tai Chi sequences are not only complicated but also very long. How does a 150+ form sequence which has to be executed in an exacting manner sound to you?

With Qigong it doesn't really matter if you get the sequence wrong or forget about one movement. Just try to remember it next time.

And let's not forget the people who have some physical impairments and cannot perform some movements or have difficulty to perform the balancing act of Tai Chi because of advanced age.

Some people may take issue with this statement, Tai Chi is unforgiving, for the really dedicated or fanatic. Qigong is for ordinary people who like to do some energy work for themselves.

So Rin, I get the impression you are not so much a fan on tai chi? :wink::tongue:

I'll find some you-tubes of them both and take a look then.

Have to say, there must be some people out there that like tai chi otherwise it wouldn't still be so popular.

All this leads to another question....

Are there different sequences for tai chi? If there are some with 150 moves are there others that are short?

I'd like for people to stick with the practice and for that one must be able to experience oneself as competent. Continual doubts about execution and a long learning cycle delay the benefits one derives from the practice because one has to concentrate on the mechanical aspects rather than the energetic ones.
Googling for Tai Chi forms brings up
8 forms, 10 form, 13 postures forms
18 forms, 24 forms, 32 forms, 36 forms, 37 posture forms, 40 forms, 42 forms, 45 forms, 48 forms
73 forms, 83 forms, 103 hand movement forms, 108 forms
and I haven't even worked through all the google results.

The different sets are usually different movements, e.f Spring Forest Qigong will be quite different to Wild Goose Qigong, etc.

Many people start with Tai Chi because that is what they usually hear about first.

That makes sense Rin.

So, will you not feel the chi if you don't do it spot on perfect? Or, if you just try you will still feel it?

Where does the need for perfection come from? The tradition or the connection?

I mean is it like learning to play a violin in that you have to persevere through making a lot of horrible noises for quite some time before you get any sign of it working? Or is it like playing the piano where you can start off making some nice noises, but it's much better if you do it properly?

Does that question make sense?

The most important quality in both practices is to be "relaxed", meaning no unnecessary tension in body and mind.
Asking yourself in your mind "what is the next movement again?", wondering whether one really executes a movement the way it should be done, trying to hurry thing along, etc. is creating tension in one's mind and this will reflect in one's body.
Forcing oneself to perform a movement picture perfect even though one may have an injury and can only do so with pain, is creating tension in the body which reflects in the mind.
Remember the 70% rule, only do things to 70% of what is possible. Practice will move you forward, today's 70% would have been yesterday's 80% and last week's 90%.

One of the best practices is to just stand in the Qigong stance. See how far you can "relax", observe where there is unnecessary effort and see whether you can let go of it, but do not force anything. You will feel manifestations of Qi fairly quickly.
Yeah, standing can be a bit boring and it goes against our western idea that we should be able to do something about anything, including getting Qi to flow and feel it.

One does not have to be perfect but one should strive towards the most excellent execution possible at the time. This will be different for beginners and more advanced practitioners, it will even be different from day to day, and "relax" also applies here. There is no place to criticize oneself when today's practice feels out of sorts compared with yesterday's.

Hi. Erle Montaigue

If you cant fine a teacher look at erle on you tube

Ive done tai 10 years and taught

Learn some qi gong too they complement each other

Smile Tai Chi. Like the Tao should be looked at through a smile

Rins percentages work. Just feel at home in the movements. And follow you heart. You might be remembering tai chi more than learning it

Greetings..

I am pleased to offer my website for reference http://threeharmonytaichi.com

I have been on this journey for more than twenty years, and every day, every movement, every practice, is a further exploration into the 'nature' of my own existence, and the 'nature' of my relationship with Life..

I have studied forms with 8 movements and forms with 365 movements.. i have an affinity for the 42 movement form, the 108 Yang form, Gim (double edged straight sword), and staff (long and short)..

Fortunately, i have not mastered any forms, as that might reduce the thrill of discovery that still seduces me to practice and learn and explore the bottomless well of Taiji awareness..

Be well..

Tai Chi DVD Master Jesse Tsao Free Instructional Video Lesson


www.taichihealthways.com/tai-chi-dvd.htm

I actually learned Tai Chi sword from Master Tsao. No matter how long I searched nobody was offering the course where I lived. lol!

I love Miranda Esmonde-White. I have always believed that flexibility is the key to a healthy life. I always thought to myself her technique is the key. Just recently I was looking at buying a DVD season from her. Which one would you recommend????

All or any of them~:smile:

Thanks Racer X. I'll try one of her videos.

first third of the "Yang Cheng Fu form" by Erle Montaigue

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5DD6B2748EC7DB8E

one of the best vids for learning from a vid, i've found. you'd have to purchase the dvd to do the whole form but this is certainly an excellent intro imo...if you can't get to a class. in a class you'll pick up the chi feeling quicker due to the "energy share" and maybe "chi transference" from the teacher...either or i don't think you have to be doing it long to feel the benefits. there are 2 tai-chi group finder sites in the uk, might be one in your country too

Michael Wynne's Healing Tao - http://www.healingtaousa.com/. His "Tai Chi For Enlightenment - Primordial Qigong". It's amazing.

I think Jet Lee also has a online Taichi program. If you do your research you will find it.

You can learn Tai Chi forms right here right now for free



Taiji Canon Fist Chen Style 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC-u...6J9A&i ndex=2

Taiji Yang Style form
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlHG...16F2&index= 2


Tai Chi Canon Fist 2 Chen style
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjzf...m4z 37NStfmGo

:smile: - the Yang style is the easiest to learn at first - then you realize that you're capable of learning it and the Chen becomes easy to learn as well :smile:

Learning tai chi on a DVD is like having a date and goodnight kiss on a cell phone.

I just want to do forms - I don't care about fighting - it depends on how you look at it --- I was just glad to find a good teacher who teaches forms and forms only in the lesson -- I got what I wanted from the dvd playlist -----> http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/sh...11#post1945911

the best things in life are free
I don't really want to interact with a teacher either - the video is what I prefer
I just do the forms as a chi kung exercise anyway -
my goal was always to do Chinese martial arts for health - fighting was never the goal - it's a good chi kung exercise

I don't even like the term martial arts - I just prefer to look at it all as chi kung exercises

I'm not trying to complicate this

How can you do a Tai Chi Form as Qigong ?
There are differences ... Are you confusing Forms as Moves ?

I just do forms - I don't think about martial things for the most part
I just do it for health -- it wouldn't matter if I was doing bodybuilding or yoga - I would still consider it a chi kung exercise - I consider just standing to be a chi kung exercise - and walking -- if you are doing chi kung all the time - then you are doing it during the taiji form as well

forms are just moves and stances put together - changing from one to the next

I just don't want to call it tai chi because I don't want someone who is trying to fight telling me that I'm doing something wrong -

it is a chi kung exercise 100% ---- I am not confusing anything - I am doing Taiji chi kung


learn Tai Chi ( Taiji ) forms here from Master Wong - right now for free ----> http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/sh...11#post1945911
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I'm not trying to complicate this
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there was one teacher - trying to be a cult leader and trying to put me in his bondage - and he said - "I'm not trying to make this easy "
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so like I said - I'm not trying to complicate this
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we're just doing taiji forms here - it's that simple
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do you want to learn forms or not ?
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' do you want to learn forms or not ? '

I am a Qigong and Tai Chi Teacher :smile: so yes I do want to learn and teach each Form.

Tai Chi is a Martial Art and Qigong is a Healing Art, both different and cannot be mixed if you want to learn either properly and gain the benefits....

Each move goes from Yin/Yang continuously so mixing them together in whatever way you choose is neither Tai Chi nor Qigong.

I'm not a teacher - master wong is a teacher

learn tai chi forms here from Master Wong -> http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/sh...11#post1945911

I disagree with what you say

tai chi is ALSO a martial art - but it is not only a martial art

I'm not trying to make this complicated
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in china you don't have to buy a DVD - they teach it for free
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learn tai chi forms here --> http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/sh...11#post1945911

Tai chi is actually one of the best types of chi kung if it is learned from a teacher. The reason it helps to have a teacher is because they can correct mistakes and give feedback. I've seen a person who learned from a dvd, and his way ov moving was HORRIBLE, and the way he did it, it was a very poor form of chi kung.

The reason that a good tai chi form is better than a lot of chi kung is because a lot of chi kung absolutely sucks because it is extremely limited, and has become like modern yoga, which also sucks. I call it wimpy chi kung, and it is, very, compared to real chi kung.

You should not be teaching tai chi, and probably not chi kung either. It is clear you were taught by rank amateurs and quit learning very early on. You have no depth or understanding, your advice is incorrect, you are a bad teacher. You are the kind of person responsible for ruining the art in the West.

Like this: https://youtu.be/hBMc9s8oDWE

When I was referring to learning tai chi I was not including the self defense aspect. Of course, for that you need a teacher.

I was referring to learning to do the form correctly. It is too easy to develop bad habits and without a teacher they don't get corrected. In any case doing tai chi poorly makes it even more like chi kung, but doing it well makes it a better chi kung.

My suggestion for you, if you want to learn it without a teacher, is to use a full length mirror. Watch the details of the video like a hawk, and watch yourself in the mirror in the same way, and be honest. I've seen a lot of people who are quite lazy at imitation of movement, which is a big insult to the teacher. Try to do an exact imitation as well as possible. Trying to do an exact imitation is the mark of master material.

it's no big deal to me I just do the forms daily on top of a lot of other stuff -- I don't worry about it - I just try to improve flexibility and such - maybe stand in some basic stances if I feel like it - I have a big schedule - tai chi is just a small part of it --- I don't care what the teacher thinks - he's not even around -- just doing it on the health side - I don't care about fighting -

I change the forms and do them incorrectly -- I can't start and end in the same spot because I do the forms inside the house and I have to make adjustments to the forms as I run out of space --- I add more chi kung to them and take away from the tai chi moves -- I just make it my own -- I don't want to be a cult follower of anyone else -
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Ya sure, you can do whatever the **** you want, but what's this cult bull ****? You got emotional problems?

I'm just doing my own thing here -


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyokBAkDXbs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KajB3l45Nk0

I'm not going to wudang where I have to study Taoism

I'm not going to Shaolin where I have to study buddhism

I'm not going to go to chen village and bow down at the feet of the chen family or anything like that

free tai chi dvd videos here -----> https://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/s...11#post1945911


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