Simplified Tai Chi 24 form demo (YMAA Taijiquan) Yang style by Liang, Shou-Yu

Demonstration DVD available: http://ymaa.com/publishing/internal/t...

In 1956, the Simplified (or 24 Posture) Taijiquan was compiled by the Chinese Sports Commission. Tremendous efforts were put into promoting Taijiquan. The 24 Posture Taijiquan was derived from the traditional Yang Style Taijiquan long form. It was the result of many Taijiquan masters working towards standardizing and simplifying Taijiquan, for use as a health promoting exercise. Many of the more complicated and repeated movements were deleted from the long form for ease of learning and practicing. The sequence starts off with very simple movements and gradually becomes more complicated. Even though the 24 Posture Taijiquan sequence is a simplified version of the long form, it is still a "traditional" sequence with the original martial applications in every movement.

It consists of 20 different postures from the Yang Style Long Sequence. Three of the postures are done on both left and right sides, and one of the postures repeats itself, making a total of 24 postures. Because this sequence is based on Yang Style Taijiquan, the training guidelines and principles of Simplified Taijiquan follow the characteristic "flavor" of the Yang Style. The entire Simplified Taijiquan sequence should be performed at an even pace with no abrupt changes in the transition, and following the guidelines and principles outlined in the Detail sections of this DVD and in the textbook 'Tai Chi Chuan'.

The instructions are presented with as much relevant information as possible in the Detail Section. For beginners, there may be too many details to assimilate at one time. In classroom instruction, the instructor often tells students to only pay attention to one or two aspects of the sequence at a time. As students get better at the primary aspects of the sequence, the teacher will then introduce more aspects of the movements to the students. As you learn from this video, it is recommended that you do the same — focus on one aspect at a time. When you begin to learn the postures, don't be overly concerned with coordinating your breathing with the movements. Once your movements are smooth, then start to pay attention to your breathing. Study the detailed guidelines and principles and try to incorporate them into the entire sequence.

Liang, Shou-Yu was born on June 28, 1943 in the city of Chongqian, Sichuan Province, China. When he was six he began his training in Qigong, the art of breathing and internal energy control, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. Mr. Liang was taught the esoteric skills of the Emei Mountain sect, including Da Peng Qigong. When he was eight, his grandfather made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Wushu (martial arts).

DVD on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Tai-...