Liang, Shou Yu has published some excellent martial arts books and videos in collaboration with Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming.   Together they have published books on Bagau, Hsing I and Taijiquan, to name a few.    Liang, Shou Yu has impeccable credentials, having studied with the top masters of the Northern and Southern styles of China.     Besides being a highly skilled martial artist and effective teacher, Liang, Shou Yu has a wonderful sense of humor.

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan DVD contains the following sections:

• Introduction to Taijiquan

• Slideshow of the two forms, Simplified 24 and the Standard 48

• The Simplified 24 postures form

• The Standard 48 postures form

SIMPLIFIED 24

This DVD offers the following sections for the Simplified 24 form:

1. Front View of the Form

2. Rear View of the Form

3. Breathing Instructions

4. Martial Applications

5. 24 Postures Details

This section starts off with an explanation of how the Simplified 24 was created by the Chinese Sports Commission in 1956.   The masters who helped create this form borrowed postures from the long style Yang Taijiquan form, taking out the more difficult moves and the repeated sections.

The DVD instructs one to focus on one or two aspects of Taijiquan at a time.   When the practitioner feels comfortable, then they can move onto other aspects of Taijiquan.   The user is counseled to become smooth in the practice of the form before worrying about how or when to breath.   Once the form is smooth and relaxed, then the practitioner can begin to learn the proper breathing methods.

The following is a list of the Simplified 24 postures:

1. Commencing

2. Part the Wild Horse's mane

3. White Crane Spreads Wings

4. Brush Knee Step Forward

5. Playing the Lute

6. Repulse the Monkey

7. Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail

8. Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail

9. Single Whip

10. Wave Hands Like Clouds

11. Single Whip

12. High Pat on Horse

13. Right Heel Kick

14. Strike Ears Both Fists

15. Turn Body Heel Kick

16. Left Lower Body Stand on One Leg

17. Right Lower Body Stand on One Leg

18. Shuttle Back and Forth

19. Needle at Sea Bottom

20. Fan Through the Back

21. Turn Body, Deflect, Parry and Punch

22. Appears Closed

23. Cross Hands

24. Closing

The first form I ever learned was the simplified 24 back in 1978.   I later stopped practicing this form after learning the Chen Simplified, First Lu Chen long form and the Yang long form, as well as the Tung  Family Fast Set.   However, even though I no longer practice the Simplified 24, it is the form that was my first introduction to Taijiquan.    

Many people that want to learn Taijiquan attempt to learn either too long a form or too complex a form when they are beginners.    Consequently, many people that start to learn Taijiquan give up after becoming frustrated.    The Simplified 24 is a good form to start with to help determine if Taijiquan is right for you.   Pretty much Taijiquan is right for everyone, and the Simplified 24 makes it a little easier to persevere and spend  enough time to realize the benefits of practicing the form and recognize the value of making Taijiquan a lifetime commitment.

MARTIAL APPLICATIONS

Liang, Shou Yu demonstrates two to three applications for each of the 24 postures in the form.   The applications are demonstrated as follows:

FIRST:    Solo demonstration, with Liang, Shou Yu showing the move from the form

SECOND:    Demo of the application in slow motion with Liang, Shou Yu and a student

THIRD:    Demo of the application at regular speed with Liang, Shou Yu and a student

STANDARD 48

This DVD offers the following sections for the Standard 48 form:

1. Front View of the Form

2. 48 Postures Details

This section starts off with an explanation of how the Standard 48 was created by the Chinese Sports Commission in 1976.   The masters who helped create this form used many of the same postures from the Simplified 24 as well as postures from the CHEN, YANG, WU and SUN Styles of Taijiquan.     Where the Simplified 24 would be done at a slow steady pace, the Standard 48 includes fast movements to illustrate the power of FA JING (issuing of power).

The Standard 48 does not include martial applications.    Whereas the Simplified 24 could be learned reasonably well from this DVD, the Standard 48 would require that one be experienced in Taijiquan as well as having the assistance of an instructor.

The production quality is excellent on this DVD, and the DVD menus allow one to access any part of the material easily and quickly.     

Click on the picture below to see a demo video of the tape.

Copyright 2007 Patrick H. Dickson • All Rights Reserved