I have been attending a free weekly tai chi class at my local library since July. I needed to find a new teacher, and to also learn a less-complicated version of tai chi, and this class practically fell in my lap. It's nice when things work out.
There are actually two different classes, different forms, being taught each week. A beginners class teaches the circle form, which features a few basic tai chi moves that are repeated in a circular pattern. The second, more advanced class is teaching Yang style 24 form tai chi. This is the one that I'm most interested in learning.
I already had learned many of the moves that are part of the 24 form when I was doing the 108 form. Once I master this routine I could do this one anywhere, anytime. The teacher is very good and the rest of the class all seem like nice folks. On some Fridays I even stay for both classes. I think I finally found a form of exercise that I really enjoy doing on a regular basis.
The book and DVD of The Power of Tai Chi, featuring Master Shao Zhao Ming is a nice introduction to basics of tai chi, including philosophy, breathing and forms. Concepts like qi (personal energy) and Dan Tian (where energy is stored in the body) are explained in easy-to-understand words, pictures and exercises. Shao even includes some basic qi gong concepts and exercises, demonstrating them with and his wife Ching, recommending doing qi gong before starting to practice tai chi. He also demonstrates the martial applications of tai chi, an aspect it is good to remember that underlies all of the seemingly serene postures.
This is a nice biographical video on Master Shao (not included on the DVD)
Warm-up and cool down exercises and a relaxing meditation are also included. The meat of the package is Tai Chi 8-form, an extremely shortened version of Yang-style tai chi. I'm not sure how purists would feel about his routine, but it does include some of the well-known postures — Repulse Monkey, Brush Knee, Parting the Horses Mane, Jade Lady, Cloud Hands, etc. The book presents step-by-step photos with explanations of each exercise and routine. It is best to read the book first and then watch the DVD which is structured in exactly the same sequence. Viewers will be able to follow along more easily after they have read and seen examples of the main concepts.
I have been learning the long-form of the Yang style for the past few months and have come to feel that it is just too much for me. I'm about a third of the way through the 108 moves and have been looking around for some other resources. I don't think this Tai Chi 8-form will do the trick. I need something a bit more challenging, but not as intense and exhaustive as the 108-form. There is a 24-form version that I hope will be what I'm looking for. But for someone who is just starting out and would like to dip their toe in the tai chi waters I think this book and DVD combo would be a good place to start. Just the meditation section at the end of the DVD is a nice, peaceful, thing to do.
My acupuncturist is teaching me the Yang style long form of tai chi. I don't look quite as effortless and flowing as the gentleman in this video yet, but I have mastered the moves up to about the 3.42 minute mark. I've got a long way to go. There are A LOT of moves — 108 — but many of them repeat. Just memorizing the sequence will be good for not just my body, but my brain.
... I'm pretty tired and my ankles and knees aren't exactly sore, but let's say I'm feeling them. A lot of the moves are done with knees "soft," but keeping them continually bent is a new experience for me, and just underlines how I need to build strength in my legs. Tai chi baby steppin' ...
