Best video of the long-form I've found online! Everything else is either poor-quality, from an angle that's hard to copy, or doesn't have the movement names.
You are most welcome. Thank you for you kind appreciation.
Місяць тому
Fantastic video for following along and closest to the the Yang form I learned -- which makes me ask the question: comparing to other videos or to the Yang form I learned there always seem to be small, sometimes bigger, differences ... do different Tai Chi practicioners see this as normal and how then do they practice meeting with others? Adjusting to the one leading in front?
Thank you for your kind comment about my videos. I'm pleased to hear that it's close to your execution of it. Everyone will have their own style with little subtleties (and sometimes big ones). I'm assuming that you are talking about a situation where you are in a class or workshop that is doing the form you are familiar with. If that's the case, I suggest that you not be distracted by trying to mimic the one leading. That will just throw off your own form, and can induce stress in trying to "keep up." Do YOUR form. So that's what I do when I'm with a group of fellow Tai Chi Players. For example, the Yang 24 is most common around the globe... and you will see a myriad of differences (as well as similarities). The COMMON thread are the 24 gestures themselves. So as long as everyone is in sync with those gestures, how each individual approaches each gesture shouldn't really matter. After all, I don't really check out how those close to me might be moving. I only note what gesture they are doing so that I stay connected within the group. Now, if you're talking about taking lessons from a teacher on the form you already know, you have a couple of decisions to make.... 1. Mimic what the teacher is showing you, and if you like it better than how you do it, then replace yours with theirs. I've made some modifications to my own forms through the years because I will notice something that enhances my joy of doing the form. I tell my students that Tai Chi is a journey of epiphanies and discoveries. 2. if you're happy with your form and you don't want to modify it, that's fine. Consider learning a different/new form just for a change. Hope this response helps you manage your situations to your benefit. Regards, -Lucky-
Місяць тому
@@StephenLuckingham thanks a lot for your detailed and helpful answer! I assume the message is also, that the differences in detail in one style to another are less important rather than the proper conduct and attitude in doing the form -- that this is mainly what it is about and that one can "feel" that as well if it flows naturally or not Again, I find your video here just perfect for following along in my practice at home. Thanks 🙂.
@@NancyKamm I'm sorry... once I finish a project and post it to UA-cam, I destroy the files to save space. However, you could try this approach. There's software that will download youtube videos called saveoffline. com .... You copy and paste the URL for this video (ua-cam.com/video/KRDx7M2G4VA/v-deo.html&lc=z22hsf0otuqtzz3c5acdp433klwhrqvwozqags5pb1xw03c010c.1548037530494871) into the safeoffline.com window, and click the download icon to the right of the window. You will see a list of download options, the first few will capture video and audio as you view it in UA-cam. At the bottom, you will see "Display more formats." Click that to get a list of more options... some where you can download video only, and some where you can download audio only. The only "problem" is that if you download only the audio, and click "Play" ... it launches in your default browser. The download doesn't create an MP3 format of just audio. If you want that, you might have to use some software to record it as you play it on your browser. If you aren't all that technical, maybe you can find someone you know who might have a way to convert the "Web" version (that runs on a browser) to an MP3 format so you can save the file wherever you want. Sorry, that's the best I can do for you... -Lucky-
The smooth, continuous flow is very appealing. But the upright posture and minimal horizontal movement is curious. Certainly not the conventional large frame style. Is this supposed to be an early medium or small frame variation? Though clearly the Yang 108, the style reminds me of Yangjia Michuan, the origin of which is unclear but clearly not the standard form of Yang Cheng-fu. Regardless, this is yet another reason why Yang style is more remarkable in its evolution and diversity than many realize.
This is large frame. Distinction between large and small is this. Small frame was developed as the better martial art method, while large frame was designed for health. When I do pushing hands, my movements are much smaller and less detectable. I've demonstrated on students how I can launch them very far with very little effort and over a very short distance. To demonstrate this, I have a student stand in wuji and tell them to make themselves stiff as a board. I isolate pushing them with just my bicep. Then, I set it up the same way, lock my arm, and isolate my quad. In the bicep push, they will lean away, but not to far. In the quad push, being a bigger muscle, they will usually have to take a step to regain their balance. Then I change to Qi mode, eliminating the muscular methods above, and they go flying. Their testimony is that they can feel "harsh force" with the 2 muscular examples, but feel nothing or something like being moved like a wall of water that encompasses them. I remind them that we are 98% water, so that analogy is a good one. Keeping to one height works for either large or small frame. "The Tai Chi student will gain the flexibility of a child, the strength of a lumberjack and the wisdom of a sage." When you adhere to keeping to one height, you get two benefits. 1. After you open the form, you should sink the Qi to the point where you are "sitting in a chair." In fact, that's one exercise we do where I will have students hover over a chair in a squat, but not sit down for about 10 seconds. Then I have them sit down slowly. They are not allowed to PLOP into the chair, but roll into it. So keeping to one height will be a reference point to help them "remain seated" during the whole form which strengthens the quads big time. A lot of students will rise and fall because the burn in the quads from being at one height is uncomfortable. For me, having done from by this principle for 45 years, I no longer have to deal with the burn factor. New students suffer, but I encourage them to stick it out. It will go away. I tease them when they rise and fall by saying we are not doing the Tai Chi Waltz! :-) 2. By maintaining one height, the Qi flow is more focused in a direct manner. The power of a tsunami wave, which is one height and massive, inflicts more damage than intermittent waves. Catch my drift? (See how I did that!?) To say minimal horizontal is not conventional large frame style would also apply to small frame style, which are uniquely different. I can only suggest that you try doing your form with this principle in mind and feel how demanding it will be on your quads. Work through the burn, and keeping to a minimal horizontal will be easier. One other point. When you are able to gain the strength from this principle, you'll begin to notice that the upper body will become smoother and softer. Think of it this way. From the t'an t'isn and below is "earth" and above is "heaven." If my lower body (earth) isn't solid, I can't achieve a "heavenly" experience since my support is weak. My balance is at risk as well. When transitioning from gesture to gesture and following Yang Cheng fu's Principle #4 (separate Yin from Yang) very slowly, I need to have a stong base below in order to relaxed above. Give it a shot, then tell me how it feels. This will take some serious concentration because you are probably ingrained with a habit of rising and sinking between steps. An image I provide is one where you are doing the form under a ceiling that is 1/8" above your head. Don't hit the ceiling! This is going to require you to change your footwork where your Yin (empty) leg will need to stay bent more than if you rise up on your Yang (full) leg. I don't know how old you are, or if you are familiar with who Grouch Marx of the Marx Brothers is. If you are, maybe you can see him doing is low "duck walk" will toking on a cigar. That would also be a good image to help you keep to the minimal horizontal movement. Keep me posted and have fun playing with this new challenge. -Lucky-
Great video watching the footwork, up until Fair Lady Works Shuttles - Left at 17:38 when you step too close to the camera with the feet and can no longer see the footwork after that for the remainder of the video. I'm unfamiliar with the crossing of the right foot over the left in that posture that moved you too far into the camera after that.
Hi Keith: Yea... I know. Problem is that the camera is stationary. I don't have the luxury of a camera who can follow me around.... but for this particular part of the form, that wouldn't help either. The viewer would just get more confused. Ideally, this should be filmed from overhead so you can see the 4 directions I move to. These videos were never meant to "teach" the form, though many people seem to be enjoying them. They are actually "tools" that complement what I teach in my classes. Some of my classes are only 1 day a week. The students forget everything I showed them 10 minutes after they walk out the door. So I put together a bunch of videos that detail the gestures for review and homework. I follow the same pattern in that I start with an "Agenda" where I show what movements I will detail. That is followed by the detail instruction. And then lastly, I give a "practice" video that the student can follow along with. When I was trying to figure out how to solve the 4 directions of the Fair Lady, I was walking around in circles in my basement... eventually stopping and laughing at myself since I finally realized that without an overhead shot, I simply can't do much better than to try to verbally describe what I'm doing. So if you are subscribed, you can start with this video, and let UA-cam kick of the detail clip, followed by the practice clip. If you are trying to figure this out from the video where I execute the entire form, you will not be able to see everything. It was not my ability or intention to do that. It was just to give people a little view of the form. The detail videos of each gesture is where you should be to "work out" whatever gesture you are practicing. So subscribe, then watch this video... and let it run the next two to give you the idea of my approach. Hopefully, that will help you. -Lucky- ua-cam.com/video/q-UiHaiS3S0/v-deo.html
@@StephenLuckingham Thank you. Yes I will subscribe. I've seen a few others of you explaining challenging postures, such as snake creeps down, and find them quite helpful to me to understand and augment my own practices, complementing what I am learning from the studio I attend here. There are many layers to the onion, and I appreciate what you share here.
@@keithjohnsen8353 , Snake creeps down is INCORRECT NAME.. it just SLIDING DOWNWARD. To caucasians, easier for chinese masters to call it snake creeps down.
@@peacebe2u480 If they choose to call it that for Westerners, then that doesn't make it incorrect. It's just dressing it up, like White Crane Spreads its Wings, or Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain. I wouldn't call those necessarily "wrong". Just poetic.
Best video of the long-form I've found online! Everything else is either poor-quality, from an angle that's hard to copy, or doesn't have the movement names.
Thank you sir... I appreciate the kind compliment...
Thank you so much for this beautiful form.
You are most welcome. Thank you for you kind appreciation.
Fantastic video for following along and closest to the the Yang form I learned -- which makes me ask the question: comparing to other videos or to the Yang form I learned there always seem to be small, sometimes bigger, differences ... do different Tai Chi practicioners see this as normal and how then do they practice meeting with others? Adjusting to the one leading in front?
Thank you for your kind comment about my videos. I'm pleased to hear that it's close to your execution of it.
Everyone will have their own style with little subtleties (and sometimes big ones). I'm assuming that you are talking about a situation where you are in a class or workshop that is doing the form you are familiar with.
If that's the case, I suggest that you not be distracted by trying to mimic the one leading. That will just throw off your own form, and can induce stress in trying to "keep up." Do YOUR form.
So that's what I do when I'm with a group of fellow Tai Chi Players. For example, the Yang 24 is most common around the globe... and you will see a myriad of differences (as well as similarities). The COMMON thread are the 24 gestures themselves. So as long as everyone is in sync with those gestures, how each individual approaches each gesture shouldn't really matter. After all, I don't really check out how those close to me might be moving. I only note what gesture they are doing so that I stay connected within the group.
Now, if you're talking about taking lessons from a teacher on the form you already know, you have a couple of decisions to make....
1. Mimic what the teacher is showing you, and if you like it better than how you do it, then replace yours with theirs. I've made some modifications to my own forms through the years because I will notice something that enhances my joy of doing the form.
I tell my students that Tai Chi is a journey of epiphanies and discoveries.
2. if you're happy with your form and you don't want to modify it, that's fine. Consider learning a different/new form just for a change.
Hope this response helps you manage your situations to your benefit.
Regards,
-Lucky-
@@StephenLuckingham thanks a lot for your detailed and helpful answer!
I assume the message is also, that the differences in detail in one style to another are less important rather than the proper conduct and attitude in doing the form -- that this is mainly what it is about and that one can "feel" that as well if it flows naturally or not
Again, I find your video here just perfect for following along in my practice at home. Thanks 🙂.
Beautifully done - I've looked everywhere for the tradition Yang 108 Form because I want to learn it very much Thank you!
Welcome aboard! Glad you're pleased...
O
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@@StephenLuckingham Thank you. Could you tell me what background music you're using and is it available retail?
@@NancyKamm I'm sorry... once I finish a project and post it to UA-cam, I destroy the files to save space. However, you could try this approach. There's software that will download youtube videos called saveoffline. com ....
You copy and paste the URL for this video (ua-cam.com/video/KRDx7M2G4VA/v-deo.html&lc=z22hsf0otuqtzz3c5acdp433klwhrqvwozqags5pb1xw03c010c.1548037530494871) into the safeoffline.com window, and click the download icon to the right of the window.
You will see a list of download options, the first few will capture video and audio as you view it in UA-cam. At the bottom, you will see "Display more formats." Click that to get a list of more options... some where you can download video only, and some where you can download audio only.
The only "problem" is that if you download only the audio, and click "Play" ... it launches in your default browser. The download doesn't create an MP3 format of just audio. If you want that, you might have to use some software to record it as you play it on your browser.
If you aren't all that technical, maybe you can find someone you know who might have a way to convert the "Web" version (that runs on a browser) to an MP3 format so you can save the file wherever you want.
Sorry, that's the best I can do for you...
-Lucky-
@@StephenLuckingham Thank you so much! I have a friend who could download it from your video and now I have it. Appreciate your help. Nancy Kamm
@@NancyKamm You're welcome... Enjoy!
Very well done!
Best with instructions.
Bhe !!! Potrebbe !!!!
The smooth, continuous flow is very appealing. But the upright posture and minimal horizontal movement is curious. Certainly not the conventional large frame style. Is this supposed to be an early medium or small frame variation? Though clearly the Yang 108, the style reminds me of Yangjia Michuan, the origin of which is unclear but clearly not the standard form of Yang Cheng-fu.
Regardless, this is yet another reason why Yang style is more remarkable in its evolution and diversity than many realize.
This is large frame. Distinction between large and small is this. Small frame was developed as the better martial art method, while large frame was designed for health. When I do pushing hands, my movements are much smaller and less detectable. I've demonstrated on students how I can launch them very far with very little effort and over a very short distance.
To demonstrate this, I have a student stand in wuji and tell them to make themselves stiff as a board. I isolate pushing them with just my bicep. Then, I set it up the same way, lock my arm, and isolate my quad. In the bicep push, they will lean away, but not to far. In the quad push, being a bigger muscle, they will usually have to take a step to regain their balance.
Then I change to Qi mode, eliminating the muscular methods above, and they go flying. Their testimony is that they can feel "harsh force" with the 2 muscular examples, but feel nothing or something like being moved like a wall of water that encompasses them. I remind them that we are 98% water, so that analogy is a good one.
Keeping to one height works for either large or small frame.
"The Tai Chi student will gain the flexibility of a child, the strength of a lumberjack and the wisdom of a sage."
When you adhere to keeping to one height, you get two benefits.
1. After you open the form, you should sink the Qi to the point where you are "sitting in a chair." In fact, that's one exercise we do where I will have students hover over a chair in a squat, but not sit down for about 10 seconds. Then I have them sit down slowly. They are not allowed to PLOP into the chair, but roll into it. So keeping to one height will be a reference point to help them "remain seated" during the whole form which strengthens the quads big time. A lot of students will rise and fall because the burn in the quads from being at one height is uncomfortable. For me, having done from by this principle for 45 years, I no longer have to deal with the burn factor. New students suffer, but I encourage them to stick it out. It will go away. I tease them when they rise and fall by saying we are not doing the Tai Chi Waltz! :-)
2. By maintaining one height, the Qi flow is more focused in a direct manner. The power of a tsunami wave, which is one height and massive, inflicts more damage than intermittent waves. Catch my drift? (See how I did that!?)
To say minimal horizontal is not conventional large frame style would also apply to small frame style, which are uniquely different. I can only suggest that you try doing your form with this principle in mind and feel how demanding it will be on your quads. Work through the burn, and keeping to a minimal horizontal will be easier. One other point. When you are able to gain the strength from this principle, you'll begin to notice that the upper body will become smoother and softer.
Think of it this way. From the t'an t'isn and below is "earth" and above is "heaven."
If my lower body (earth) isn't solid, I can't achieve a "heavenly" experience since my support is weak. My balance is at risk as well. When transitioning from gesture to gesture and following Yang Cheng fu's Principle #4 (separate Yin from Yang) very slowly, I need to have a stong base below in order to relaxed above.
Give it a shot, then tell me how it feels. This will take some serious concentration because you are probably ingrained with a habit of rising and sinking between steps. An image I provide is one where you are doing the form under a ceiling that is 1/8" above your head. Don't hit the ceiling! This is going to require you to change your footwork where your Yin (empty) leg will need to stay bent more than if you rise up on your Yang (full) leg.
I don't know how old you are, or if you are familiar with who Grouch Marx of the Marx Brothers is. If you are, maybe you can see him doing is low "duck walk" will toking on a cigar. That would also be a good image to help you keep to the minimal horizontal movement.
Keep me posted and have fun playing with this new challenge.
-Lucky-
Great video watching the footwork, up until Fair Lady Works Shuttles - Left at 17:38 when you step too close to the camera with the feet and can no longer see the footwork after that for the remainder of the video. I'm unfamiliar with the crossing of the right foot over the left in that posture that moved you too far into the camera after that.
Hi Keith:
Yea... I know. Problem is that the camera is stationary. I don't have the luxury of a camera who can follow me around.... but for this particular part of the form, that wouldn't help either. The viewer would just get more confused. Ideally, this should be filmed from overhead so you can see the 4 directions I move to.
These videos were never meant to "teach" the form, though many people seem to be enjoying them. They are actually "tools" that complement what I teach in my classes. Some of my classes are only 1 day a week. The students forget everything I showed them 10 minutes after they walk out the door.
So I put together a bunch of videos that detail the gestures for review and homework. I follow the same pattern in that I start with an "Agenda" where I show what movements I will detail. That is followed by the detail instruction. And then lastly, I give a "practice" video that the student can follow along with.
When I was trying to figure out how to solve the 4 directions of the Fair Lady, I was walking around in circles in my basement... eventually stopping and laughing at myself since I finally realized that without an overhead shot, I simply can't do much better than to try to verbally describe what I'm doing.
So if you are subscribed, you can start with this video, and let UA-cam kick of the detail clip, followed by the practice clip. If you are trying to figure this out from the video where I execute the entire form, you will not be able to see everything. It was not my ability or intention to do that. It was just to give people a little view of the form.
The detail videos of each gesture is where you should be to "work out" whatever gesture you are practicing.
So subscribe, then watch this video... and let it run the next two to give you the idea of my approach. Hopefully, that will help you.
-Lucky-
ua-cam.com/video/q-UiHaiS3S0/v-deo.html
@@StephenLuckingham Thank you. Yes I will subscribe. I've seen a few others of you explaining challenging postures, such as snake creeps down, and find them quite helpful to me to understand and augment my own practices, complementing what I am learning from the studio I attend here. There are many layers to the onion, and I appreciate what you share here.
@@keithjohnsen8353 Cool... hope this helps. When you looked at the link I sent, you should have seen the feet just fine! :-D
O
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@@keithjohnsen8353 ,
Snake creeps down is INCORRECT NAME.. it just SLIDING DOWNWARD.
To caucasians, easier for chinese masters to call it snake creeps down.
@@peacebe2u480 If they choose to call it that for Westerners, then that doesn't make it incorrect. It's just dressing it up, like White Crane Spreads its Wings, or Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain. I wouldn't call those necessarily "wrong". Just poetic.