TAIJI BALL QIGONG

TAIJI BALL QIGONG 3 & 4

YMAA PRODUCTION • DR. YANG, JWING-MING • “TAIJI BALL QIGONG 3 & 4” • WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING, WITH AARON DAMUS, RAMEL RONES, KATHY YANG, BEN WARNER, & RICHARD KRUPP • PRODUCED BY DAVID SILVER • EDITING AND DVD AUTHORING BY MEDIAMANIC • DIRECTED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING & DAVID SILVER

This DVD is a compilation of parts 3 & 4 of the video tape series covering Taiji Ball Qigong. Taiji Ball Qigong should be learned by everyone interested in Taijiquan. The patterns taught in this video are an integral part of Taijiquan movement. Persons already skilled in Taijiquan will recognize the basic types of movement covered in this video. There are many patterns that one does in the Taijiquan form that many students might not realize exist. While doing these Taiji Ball exercises I recognized patterns that I have observed when practicing the martial applications and forms of Taijiquan.

What is also wonderful about this DVD is that Ramel Rones and Kathy Yang, Master Yang's daughter, are two of the five students used to demonstrate the patterns. Ramel Rones has created and published Sunset Tai Chi, Sunrise Tai Chi and Tai Chi Energy Patterns, and he is obviously a very dedicated and serious student/teacher. I'm not aware of any DVDs by Kathy Yang, but she shows most ably that her father's skills have been passed on to her. As I am a father as well, I must admit I got a tear in my eye when I thought of how proud Master Yang must be of his daughter. She has obviously put a lot of time and effort into learning his skills and developing her own. Her rooting is very prominent as she demonstrates the patterns on this DVD.

COURSE THREE TAIJI BALL CIRCLING

There are 16 Circling, Rotating & Wrap-Coiling Patterns taught in this course. There are a total of 48 patterns taught on the two DVDs of this series. Courses 1 & 2 are on a previously released DVD.

Table of Contents:

VERTICAL CIRCLING

Forward Circling, Rotating, and Wrap-Coiling-Yang

Backward Circling, Rotating, and Wrap-Coiling-Yin

HORIZONTAL CIRCLING

Clockwise Circling, Rotating, and Wrap-Coiling-Yang

Counterclockwise Circling, Rotating, and Wrap-Coiling-Yin

At the beginning of each section Dr. Yang demonstrates the techniques that are being taught along with an explanation and description.
Five students are then used to demonstrate the drill while standing in stationary horse stance.
Later they demonstrate the moves while standing in a bow stance while rocking back and forth.
The students then demonstrate one at a time how to take forward and backward, single and multiple steps while maintaining the drill.
Then two students at a time face each other and walk the Bagua circle, each of them walking the circle in a different direction while facing each other and circling, wrapping and coiling the Taiji Ball.

At times Dr. Yang will join in with the group as they each express the movements in their own unique ways. Dr. Yang also walks around and offers advice and corrections about the movements. At times Dr. Yang gives somewhat vague advice, such as "Watch your root" or "Watch your back leg.". A viewer might feel that more instruction should be provided to explain what these suggestions mean. As such, I would caution beginning students that if they try to follow this DVD, be prepared to ponder and learn the basics of Taijiquan movement, as that will help in understanding what is presented here.

Taijiquan Ball Qigong is of much more interest and has more immediate value for those with a background in Taijiquan. Followers of Dr. Yang and serious students of Taijiquan already have a fairly clear idea of the meaning of "Watch your root" and "Watch your back leg", so there would not be a problem in understanding the directions of Dr. Yang. However, let me back pedal a bit. If a student is willing to work hard and dig out the meaning of some of these terms, then even a beginner can benefit from this DVD. Just don't let the lack of understanding slow you down or discourage you, but rather take it as a challenge to make the effort to learn and understand the information.

As you learn these movements and then engage in push hands with another practitioner, you will readily see the value these movements bring to applying the techniques in Taijiquan, as well as enhancing one's ability to adhere, stick follow and eventually lead. In a previous DVD by Dr. Yang, he suggested taking a 100 lb kick bag and circling your arms around it, then using your forearms and palms to spin the bag clockwise and counterclockwise. Additionally he taught how to use the forearms to bounce the bag back and forth. Such an exercise also develops ones sense of touch and allows one to learn the skill of moving large objects effortlessly. The exercises taught on this DVD are similar but more advanced and complex.

COURSE FOUR TAIJI BALL APPLICATIONS

When you begin to watch the DVD from the beginning, choosing to Play All, there is a brief shot of a painting showing two Taiji practitioners engaged in push hands while using a Taiji Ball. When I first saw it I thought, "Now show me some of that on the DVD". Well, part 4 comes through with a ton of applications and two man and solo practice. It is excellent.

Table of Contents:

SELF PRACTICE

Yin Yang Exchange

Circling Yin Yang Exchange
Rotating Yin Yang Exchange
Wrap-Coiling Yin Yang Exchange

Changing Directions

On the Table
On the Forearm

Attaching to the Ball

Sideways
Forward-Back

Rotating the Ball

On the Table
On the Forearm

Wrap-Coiling (Rolling) the Ball

On the Table
On the Forearm
On the Body

Adhere-Connecting to the Ball

Free Style
Flying Dragon Plays with the Ball

WALKING ALONG THE EDGE PRACTICE

Long the Right Angle (Corner)

Along the Edge of a Disk (Circular Motion)

Circle on a Point

Along the Wall (Horizontal & Up and Down)

PRACTICE WITH A PARTNER

Straight Line Listening and Following

Circling Listening and Following

Rotating Listening and Following

Capturing the Ball Practice

Whenever I attempt to review one of Master Yang's productions, I usually feel that I need to write a 20 page review in order to give it justice. As usual, there is a tremendous amount of information on this DVD. I can't even begin to review Course 4 due to space restraints. However, it is the gem of the series. Just don't make the mistake of only trying to learn the applications from Course 4, as tempting as that may be. Spend the time and develop a strong foundation with the previous Courses 1, 2 & 3 prior to attempting the applications in Course 4. Courses 1 & 2 were previously released on DVD.

I'll just repeat my comments from the review of the first DVD of courses 1 & 2. as they apply to this DVD as well "This video has an amazing amount of information. I strongly recommend it to any student of Taijiquan. The skills taught and the benefits received make the video appropriate for anyone interested in body/mind/spirit development." That pretty much sums it up, except I also need to praise the wonderful addition of Taiji Ball applications that are found on Course 4 of this DVD.