Rating: Summary: Very poor video quality, it's not worth it. Review: In Dr Yang's DVD I expected to find a good reference for my practice of the Yang 108 form, but I am very displeased with the quality of the DVD. For the price that I paid, I expected a least good video quality. When Dr. Yang executes the complete form the illumination is very poor; there are close ups of the upper body and obviously, the movement of the legs is not seen; you get lost with changes of camera angles; at some point, you can see people in the background; and the stage is not properly set up. Also, and with all due respect, his movements are weird. I have seen several presentations and videos of other professional instructors of the Yang 108 form and there are several differences in the way movements are executed. Definitively I do not recommend this DVD to any one who wants to use it as a reference, you can use it as a movie.
Rating: Summary: Greatest Tai Chi Video Ever Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Stunning DVD for Tai Chi practitioners. Beginners be caref Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Not for beginners Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Not for beginners Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: A reference video, not for the beginner Review: This is really more an encyclopedia article than a learning video. Note also this video comes from a fighting art viewpoint; no relieve-stress-on-the-beach scenes here. As reference it goes into MUCH detail, but for beginners this is too tedious a place to start. All the moves are shown from about the same angle; new learners usually need more help than that and will find this video frustrating in that respect. If you already know the form, are looking for more historical background or are coming from another martial art you will find a lot of data. So it all depends on your goals - to learn the form look elsewhere, this is way overpriced. But if you already know the form and are looking for details, you may find it interesting. Either way though its a bit pricey for what you get.
Rating: Summary: Brutal! Review: This was the worst Tai Chi dvd I have ever had the misfortune to experience. About the only thing this is good for is putting you to sleep!
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