| "Simplified Tai Chi Chuan: Simplified 24 Postures | | | | teaching. However, the voice over on this DVD is |
| with Applications and Standard 48 Postures" with | | | | done well and if the viewer does what is said and |
| Master Liang, Shou-Yu is an excellent DVD by | | | | follows along with Master Liang, the form can be |
| YMAA for anyone who wishes to learn or better | | | | learned. This portion of the program is the "meat" |
| understand Tai Chi Chuan. Out of many Tai Chi | | | | as far as teaching the 24 postures. |
| instructional DVDs to choose from, this is a wise | | | | Now that the 24 Posture form has been |
| choice. | | | | completed, the program goes into the history of |
| The DVD starts out acknowledging there is a | | | | the 48 Posture Tai Chi Chaun. There is a younger |
| companion book that explains some aspects in | | | | female, Kelly Maclean, demonstrating the form as |
| greater detail. Then there is a short introduction | | | | the brief history is told. Then she performs the |
| that shares the philosophy and benefits of | | | | entire 48 Posture form with subtitles for the |
| practicing Tai Chi Chuan. As the narrator explains, | | | | posture names. As with the earlier 24 posture |
| you see video of Master Liang performing Tai Chi | | | | form, it is repeated without the subtitles. |
| Chuan movements and other scenes that | | | | The program does not show the rear view next, |
| compliment the narration. | | | | but rather goes right to the details of the 48 |
| Next there is a brief history of Tai Chi Chuan | | | | Postures portion. They don't repeat the |
| section that was interesting, and a little blurb | | | | instructions for the movements that are also |
| regarding how to learn the forms. From there, the | | | | contained in the 24 Posture form. Like earlier, the |
| DVD goes into the 24 Posture (Simplified) Tai Chi | | | | instruction comes from a voice over while |
| Chuan Postures. Master Liang first demonstrates | | | | Maclean performs the movements. This section |
| the entire form, with subtitles appearing below | | | | does not contain the martial applications. After the |
| him to name each of the 24 postures. This is a | | | | closing posture, the programs ends and goes |
| great preview of what is about to be taught, and | | | | straight to the credits. |
| a good reference as to what doing the completed | | | | The DVD also contains a slide show of the |
| form should be like. The DVD then shows the | | | | postures, which is basically photographs of the |
| completed form from the front without the | | | | postures as you would find in a book, with the |
| subtitles, and then the rear. Please note, you will | | | | posture names to the side with pleasing music |
| be into the video a bit over 25 minutes at this | | | | playing. I liked the music, but I don't know if these |
| point. (It is a long DVD, which I've found to be a | | | | slides help with the instruction, since moving video |
| trademark of YMAA, they like to pack as much | | | | illustrates them much better than stills. (that is |
| into their products as possible which as a | | | | why having this DVD as a companion to the book |
| consumer I really appreciate.) | | | | is ideal) Regardless, it was an interesting extra |
| The form is then performed again, with subtitles | | | | feature. |
| at the bottom providing breathing instructions. The | | | | The production quality it top notch as I've found |
| subtitles tell you when to inhale and when to | | | | with all of the YMAA DVDs I've viewed. There |
| exhale with the movements. This is actually a | | | | are over 100 chapter selections to assist you with |
| very important aspect of Tai Chi Chuan, and all | | | | the portions of the DVD you wish to study. |
| martial arts, and I liked that it was included. It will | | | | However, I wished the menu would have been |
| be a good tool for people to practice their | | | | broken down a bit more. For instance, under the |
| breathing as they do the form, something that | | | | 24 postures detail section, you start at the |
| should be done each time. | | | | beginning. If you want posture 15, you have to hit |
| Next comes the 24 Posture From with | | | | the skip button to pass through all the others to |
| Applications. This section shows each of the 24 | | | | get there. This is easy enough to do, but it would |
| postures done solo and then the self-defense | | | | have been great to have each posture listed in |
| application performed on an attacker in slow | | | | the menu. (Would have been a huge menu |
| motion and then regular speed. Multiple applications | | | | though) Like other YMAA DVDs, this one contains |
| are shown for some postures. There is not | | | | the YMAA catalog and video previews of other |
| "instruction" during this section, only illustration or | | | | products. |
| demonstration. (For me, instruction is when an | | | | There are a lot of Tai Chi videos out there. Some |
| instructor actually teaches you by talking, | | | | are good and others are terrible. This is definitely |
| explaining, and demonstrating all together. Of | | | | one of the good ones. There is a lot of |
| course this is for video, in person the instructor | | | | information presented in a clear format. If you |
| also assists, corrects mistakes, etc.) | | | | practice or want to practice Tai Chi Chuan, this |
| The DVD then goes into more detail for each | | | | DVD is a great resource to compliment what you |
| posture. This is done with the illustration, or | | | | are learning in a class, or if you are unfortunate |
| demonstration of the postures and applications by | | | | enough not to have an instructor, this DVD will |
| Master Liang with a voice over explaining the | | | | help your home study and you can definitely learn |
| movements. I prefer DVDs where the instructor | | | | a lot from it if you also put in the time practicing |
| actually talks you through things rather than a | | | | what the DVD teaches. |
| voice over. I feel that is more like the instructor | | | | |