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YMAA PRODUCTION • DR. YANG, JWING-MING • "TAIJI SWORD, CLASSICAL YANG STYLE" • WRITTEN BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING • PERFORMED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING, ROBERT WAS and VADAS MIHALY • EDITED BY DAVID SILVER AND MEDIA MANIC • VIDEO PRODUCTION SUPERVISION BY DAVID SILVER • DVD PRODUCTION BY MEDIAMANIC • DIRECTED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING |
Taiji wrestling, or Taiji Shuai Jiao, is considered to be one of the four skills that comprise the fighting arts. These four skills are:
The techniques shown on this tape involve disrupting or destroying the root of the opponent. Rooting is considered a fundamental part of Taijiquan and the skill of being able to destroy the root of your opponent is invaluable.
The first tape of this series focuses on applying Shuai Jiao techniques when the opponents face each other either with their right hand to right hand or left hand to left hand. This is called Crossed Pushing Hands. The following taiji postures/forms are taught with Shuai Jiao applications during Crossed Pushing Hands:
TAPE ONE - CROSSED PUSHING HANDS TECHNIQUES
The second tape of this series covers the situation when the opponents face each other with their right hand facing the left hand of the opponent and their left hand facing the right hand of the opponent. This is called Parallel Pushing Hands. The following taiji postures/forms are taught with Shuai Jiao applications during Parallel Pushing Hands:
TAPE TWO - PARALLEL PUSHING HANDS TECHNIQUES
The tape begins with some short demos of Dr. Yang Jwing Ming throwing various students onto the ground using applications taught on this tape. The techniques and applications on this tape are presented first by Dr. Yang Jwing Ming as he slowly demonstrates the applications while giving very detailed explanations of the move. He then shows the applications at faster and faster speeds. Following his teaching the applications are then demonstrated using students of Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. During the student's demonstration of the applications Dr. Yang Jwing Ming steps in to correct or praise the student's efforts. The mistakes the students make are similar to the mistakes made by anyone buying these tapes and the subsequent corrections by Dr. Yang Jwing Ming become relevant to the viewer .
By showing the common mistakes made by students it becomes much easier for the users of this tape to realize when they are making mistakes and how to correct them. Too many instructional tapes only show the teacher doing a perfect form or perfect application. Without seeing someone do it the wrong way the student only receives half of the overall picture. Seeing a demonstration the correct way and the wrong way makes it a more complete lesson and gives valuable corrections that are usually only available when taking a lesson in person with the teacher.
The first application covered is Grasp the Sparrow's Tail during which Dr. Yang Jwing Ming shows how to use the hands, arms and legs to effect the opponent's root. Dr. Yang Jwing Ming shows how to use the left hand to push aside the right arm of the opponent, allowing Dr. Yang's right hand and arm to attack the upper body and head of his opponent.
An interesting variation of this technique is demonstrated by Bruce Lee in the movie "Enter the Dragon". During his fight with O'Hara, the henchman of the main bad guy, Bruce Lee faces off with O'Hara in the Crossed Pushing Hands starting position, with their right arms touching at the wrist. Bruce Lee then uses the beginning of the technique as shown in Grasp the Sparrow's Tail where he brings his left hand up to push/pull the right arm of O'Hara out of the way so he can strike the right temple of O'Hara with the top of his right wrist. The movie has to be watched frame by frame at this point to realize what Bruce is doing due to his amazing speed, but once viewed it is basically the same beginning as the technique taught on this tape. Bruce chooses to strike to the head instead of continuing on with a wrestling throw, but the moves leading to the strike and/or throw are the same. Remember, Bruce Lee learned Taijiquan from his father around the same time as he began learning Wing Chun from Yip Man.
The applications on this tape are taught by showing a simple version first. After explaining and demonstrating the moves the students are then shown more details and how to use other parts of the body to add to the application's effectiveness. As each part is added the applications become more powerful looking and seem to require less effort. Dr. Yang Jwing Ming shows the moves from opposite views so that all the parts of the techniques can be shown.
As one gets further into the tape it becomes clear that all four of the fighting skills are used in the applications. Very powerful combinations of punching, kicking, Chin Na and wrestling are taught Throughout this tape the four skills are used together to produce very powerful Taijiquan based applications. Dr. Yang Jwing Ming has the necessary training, skill and knowledge to teach these complex applications in a clear manner.
I recommend these tapes to anyone interested in the martial arts value of Taijiquan. Learning the applications presented on this tape not only give the student valuable self defense skills, but they also assist in sharpening one's form. When the applications are known for the moves in Taijiquan it becomes easier for the student to remember the moves and do them correctly. Additionally, the health benefits of Taijiquan appear to increase when the form is done correctly from a Martial Arts perspective. Health and fighting are part of the whole, yin and yang, and when they are learned together each becomes stronger.
Click on the picture below to see a demo video of the tape.
Copyright 2007 Patrick H. Dickson • All Rights Reserved
