Pages: Tai Chi Tips - DVD/Book Reviews

Tai Chi DVD's

My Review of Tai Chi Combat 1
I have always been interested in doing Tai Chi but thought that prancing about in a silk suit like a fairy a bit daft. I had heard of the combat type of Tai Chi and Master Wong has delivered for me. I can learn Tai Chi but now there is a serious combat application for it. Master Wong has introduced me to Tai Chi – in all its forms – in a big way.

This DVD is huge value for money with the Yang and Chen forms of Tai Chi Combat and also the bonus Chi Kung 'meditation-breathing' part. I have now other Tai Chi DVD's in the Wushu style but I prefer Master Wong's version as it is more simple and involves more stretching for making you strong. Although the Wushu versions are handy in order to tune-up Wong's style. This is a tailor-made DVD with menu access to all the sections, it is no warmed over video.

BUT…. Master Wong can be very hard to follow. While the DVD is well produced, sometimes it is over-produced and the camera switches from one to another when you want to see what he is doing yet you get a side shot close up of him talking. Also he will start a move and then say: "I'll start again." Which is quite annoying as you stand there mid pose waiting for him to catch up.

I wanted to give this DVD 4 out of 5 due to the above point, but I can't, it is too good for that. Say 5 minus a tiny bit. It is a superb DVD and has a huge amount of material to work through.

Tai Chi Combat 2
Master Wong does it again! Most of this DVD covers Chen style, so if you don't do Chen style I don't think that the small part of Yang style is worth a whole double DVD for. The Yang style section deals with the application of the forms into combat, which is handy but could have been on Tai Chi Combat 1. The Chen style section deals with more basic exercises, and alternative form and more combat application. There are a few more extras like an introduction by Master Wong and a section selling protection gear. If you have Combat Tai Chi 1 then you may want this, if you buy this then you will need to buy Combat Tai Chi 1 as it is not a fully rounded product in its own right it really is a follow-up and you will need the information from 1 to make sense of 2. This DVD is a little over-produced. If Chen style is your thing then this is going to be good for you.
[Click here to view at Amazon.co.uk]

Tai Chi the 24 forms
I also have this DVD which I found good to 'brush up' on Master Wong's looser style with, it is a very slow and percise DVD (well a video conversion) but it does give a good veiw of Tai Chi:

Tai Chi Book

The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan
This is a superb book, more for a great insight in Tai Chi rather than a 'how to manual'. It does include line drawn pictures of the sequences from different styles but they are going to be hard to follow in order to learn the forms, better for reference to brush up on your form. There is a lot of background info on Tai Chi and history. Also the different aspects are discussed: health, combat, spiritual. Honestly: you do need this book, if no other.

Chi Kung Books

Chi Kung: The Way of Energy by Lam Kam Chuen
On the Master Wong DVD is a sort section on Chi Kung, which I found interesting but after trying it I felt very angry for no real reason, I got this book which told me where Master Wong had misslead me such as: recommending that you close your eyes, whereas the book says don't close your eyes. It deals mostly with meditation chi kung.

Chi Kung for Health and Vitality: A Practical Approach to the Art of Energy
This book is superb, a complete overview of Chi Kung, looks at the many aspects of health. This really is an esential read if you want to know a lot about chi kung.

Meditation Book

Mindfulness in Plain English by B.H. Gunaratana
One of the best books I have found is this one on meditation. I have had many atempts but this one helped most.

Pages: Tai Chi Tips - DVD/Book Reviews