Product Description
TAI CHI FOR HEALTH, YANG SHORT FORM with Terry Dunn. This beautiful two-hour program provides complete and detailed instruction in the 37-posture Yang style Short Form of Tai Chi Chuan created by Professor Cheng Man-Ching, one of the greatest Tai Chi masters of the 20th century. The Short Form was adapted from the classical 108-posture Yang Family Long Form specifically to allow western students to learn Tai Chi more easily and requires approximately 10 minutes to perform once it is learned. It is one of the most popular Tai Chi routines, widely practiced throughout North America, Europe, China, Taiwan, S.E. Asia. This DVD is one of the most complete and comprehensive instructional references on Tai Chi and students of all levels use this video for years and years. In the program s core instructional segment running 65 minutes, veteran Tai Chi instructor Terry Dunn offers clear and precise verbal instructions in each Tai Chi movement and posture as he is performing them slowly, bringing to light numerous details and nuances with training anecdotes, and allusions to the Tai Chi Classics and ancient Taoist writings. A running second camera angle window (picture within picture) throughout the instruction gives complete viewing of expert Terry Dunn s movements. Music by Tom Canning and Vangelis. This 2-hour program contains: 1) Historical and philosophical introduction to Tai Chi Chuan. (4 min.) 2) Warm-up Exercises: breathing, basic Tai Chi postures (wu-chi or Universal Post , the the cat stance or sit stance, and the bow stance), and "circling pattern", also known as Wave Hands Like Clouds done in the bow stance. (40 minutes) 3) Step-by-step instruction in the 37-posture Yang Short Form (65 minutes) 4) Demonstration Flow of entire Short Formby Terry Dunn (10 minutes). Tai Chi for Health Yang Short Form is without doubt the most popular instructional Tai Chi video in North America. According to Nielsen-Videoscan, from 1998 to 2004, Terry Dunn s two Tai Chi for Health DVD s by accounted for 35% of all DVD programs sold in America with the word Chi in their titles (Short Form accounting for 19%; Long Form accounting for 16%). With more than 9 million sold since their release in 1990, Terry Dunn s Tai Chi for Health programs have done more to popularize Tai Chi practice in the West than any other media publication. Originally released on VHS cassette, the latest Tai Chi For Health Short Form DVD features the convenient and user-friendly Select Lessons mode, whereby the viewer can select any Tai Chi posture or exercise in the program and that section is played continuously in a loop until one presses the "next" button--thus affording convenient, hands-free repetitive Form practice.
Review
81 of 88 people found the following review helpful: ***** The battle dance of life and flow., October 30, 1999 Reviewer: A viewer The only thing lacking in this video is special effects and computer graphics. However, it starts overlooking the sea with Terrence Dunn performing the Yang Short Form. Motivational music plays and a voice narrates the philosophy of yin and yang, The Great Terminous, Taoism, etc. Various shots of the various movements in the form are shown with the sea as background and symbol of the Tao. The form ends and we are shown a shot of average people Strumming the Lute and Lifting Hands. Then the slow grueling and flowing dance begins as Mr. Dunn leads us through the 40 odd postures in the form, detail by detail. Finally, a work of art is presented. The entire Yang short Form being presented by Mr. Dunn with a superb musical background. The beauty of this dance is enhanced and we are both informed and entertained. I loved this tape and will one year move on to the Long Form. I must also, before concluding, say that the basics of Qi Gong and the three fundamental stances of Tai Chi are dealt with in detail and are presented as warmup exercises. 78 of 81 people found the following review helpful: ***** Varry Good., November 1, 2000 Reviewer: A viewer I really enjoyed this video! Terence Dunn is a good teacher when it comes to VHS instruction. He explains every move in detail and even has extra camera angles for the hard to learn postures. This is the best Tai Chi video availible. I have to say something about an earlier review of this video. Who ever said this video does not demonstrate real Tai Chi is misinformed. Terence Dunn is as real as it gets short of getting a Taoist from China to teach you the postures. He is right about it not being complete... 37 postures is just a shortened version. Mr. Dunn does have a Long form instruction once you learn the Short Form. But in terms of learning 100% real tai chi ch'uan postures, this video is great for the beginner! I loved it! 33 of 38 people found the following review helpful: ***** Real Tai Chi, July 18, 2006 L. Sutton (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews This is a DVD for those who have taken Real tai chi. Not the kind taught in most gyms or health spas which is just a form of dancing. To take Tai Chi one must learn Qigong the two go hand in hand. If you do not focus on mastering the internal aspects of Tai Chi breathing and meditation you are just dancing. So that being said, I have studied this form under a respected master of Tai Chi and I can say the this video is a great companion to taking a real class. This gives you the ability to go home and practice while having a good reference as to how to do the postures correctly. This is not a "workout" video and people who do Tai Chi to "workout" don't understand what this internal form of martial art is all about. Tai Chi takes a life time to master it is not a quick fix for you or your health. If you try to take shortcuts you will not master Tai Chi you will just be dancing and although this may look cool to the uneducated it is not doing you any good. The comment made about the warm up being too long is a sure sign that the person who wrote that does not have the patience to work with Tai Chi. I went to class 3 times a week for over 6 months before I could even progress past the warm up. If you don't have the patience to develop the basics don't bother with the moves because you will be doing them incorrectly and you won't have the stamina needed to do the whole form correctly. Terry Dunn does the forms exactly as the old masters teach them and if they are too difficult for you then go to your gym and take "tai chi dancing" and pretend you are a martial artist. If you have the patience to learn real tai chi then this DVD is a great way to learn it from the ground up. --customers' reviews submitted to amazon dot com
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: ***** Best martial art instructional videos ever made., March 19, 2007 Gregory Gram; GPG; (Middleton,ID) I have been a professional martial arts instructor and pro trainer for 25 years. I have been producing and editing my own videos since 1995. Terry Dunn has been my inspiration. His descriptions of technique is excellent and the production is very professional. I highly recommend his work to anyone wishing to learn Tai Chi where there is no instructor available or as a reference to class. 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: ***** Like Having a Grand Master in your living room, January 5, 2007 John Passacantando (Virginia) Terry Dunn's "how to" video is terrific. I have his "Tai Chi" short form on video and now on DVD. A sweetness and wisdom come right through. This guy really knows his stuff and he knows how to teach. He's also right when he says to only use the instructional tape as a supplement to a real teacher, but this tape is an invaluable backup and tool for practicing at home. John ***** Excellent instructional video, December 26, 2008 By R. Hart (Alpharetta, GA United States) - An excellent, comprehensive video for learning Tai Chi. I do wish that he also filmed the moves when he was facing the same way you were, so it would be easier to follow, while watching and doing the moves yourself. But that being said, he explains each move with careful and complete detail so that you can follow along. I would still recommend taking some classes - to keep you from developing bad habits or wrong moves - somethings that a competent teacher will be able to point out. I had studied and practiced Tai Chi for a few years, some 20 years ago, and this video was all that I needed to get back to where I was then. ***** Excellent Instruction on Tai Chi Short Form, February 2, 2009 By Runny Babbit; David; (Ann Arbor, MI) - This instructional DVD excels in its attention to detail. I have had some training as a Tai Chi assistant instructor and I find Mr. Dunn's form and teaching style excellent for keeping the student in correct posture. For most people learning Tai Chi, it is very difficult to remember all the positioning details correctly. It is much too easy to perform the forms sloppily in an effort to look smooth. Unfortunately, much of the benefit of the discipline is lost in this manner. Mr. Dunn's attention to detail in the form of reminders, such as alignment, relative positions of joints, and whether hips are open or squared, keeps me disciplined and focused. 20 of 21 people found the following review helpful: ***** Great introduction for beginners, June 29, 2002 Reviewer: A viewer This is my first Tai Chi tape. I learned the whole 37 postures and flow from this tape, great for beginners. It is very basic but good production, no fancy props. Terrance is an excellent instructor giving clear explanation. For people with normal knees, I think the long warm up with half squat position may hurt their knees. I kind of cheated with short warm up and go to learn the postures directly. When your knees get stronger, you will feel more comfortable. There is actually a book 'Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Chuan Self-Cultivation translated by Mark Hennessy that writes out this exact short form in detail. The book really helps me to understand the foot position and to remember the sequence. I recommend this tape for Tai Chi beginners. --amazon dot com reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: ***** Best martial art instructional videos ever made., March 19, 2007 Gregory Gram; GPG; (Middleton,ID) I have been a professional martial arts instructor and pro trainer for 25 years. I have been producing and editing my own videos since 1995. Terry Dunn has been my inspiration. His descriptions of technique is excellent and the production is very professional. I highly recommend his work to anyone wishing to learn Tai Chi where there is no instructor available or as a reference to class. 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: ***** Like Having a Grand Master in your living room, January 5, 2007 John Passacantando (Virginia) Terry Dunn's "how to" video is terrific. I have his "Tai Chi" short form on video and now on DVD. A sweetness and wisdom come right through. This guy really knows his stuff and he knows how to teach. He's also right when he says to only use the instructional tape as a supplement to a real teacher, but this tape is an invaluable backup and tool for practicing at home. John ***** Excellent instructional video, December 26, 2008 By R. Hart (Alpharetta, GA United States) - An excellent, comprehensive video for learning Tai Chi. I do wish that he also filmed the moves when he was facing the same way you were, so it would be easier to follow, while watching and doing the moves yourself. But that being said, he explains each move with careful and complete detail so that you can follow along. I would still recommend taking some classes - to keep you from developing bad habits or wrong moves - somethings that a competent teacher will be able to point out. I had studied and practiced Tai Chi for a few years, some 20 years ago, and this video was all that I needed to get back to where I was then. ***** Excellent Instruction on Tai Chi Short Form, February 2, 2009 By Runny Babbit; David; (Ann Arbor, MI) - This instructional DVD excels in its attention to detail. I have had some training as a Tai Chi assistant instructor and I find Mr. Dunn's form and teaching style excellent for keeping the student in correct posture. For most people learning Tai Chi, it is very difficult to remember all the positioning details correctly. It is much too easy to perform the forms sloppily in an effort to look smooth. Unfortunately, much of the benefit of the discipline is lost in this manner. Mr. Dunn's attention to detail in the form of reminders, such as alignment, relative positions of joints, and whether hips are open or squared, keeps me disciplined and focused. 20 of 21 people found the following review helpful: ***** Great introduction for beginners, June 29, 2002 Reviewer: A viewer This is my first Tai Chi tape. I learned the whole 37 postures and flow from this tape, great for beginners. It is very basic but good production, no fancy props. Terrance is an excellent instructor giving clear explanation. For people with normal knees, I think the long warm up with half squat position may hurt their knees. I kind of cheated with short warm up and go to learn the postures directly. When your knees get stronger, you will feel more comfortable. There is actually a book 'Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Chuan Self-Cultivation translated by Mark Hennessy that writes out this exact short form in detail. The book really helps me to understand the foot position and to remember the sequence. I recommend this tape for Tai Chi beginners. --amazon dot com reviews
About the Actor
TERENCE DUNN is a masterful instructor of Chinese martial, yogic, and healing arts with more than 37 years of training; for the past 20 years he has been a leading a pioneer in popularizing the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong (Chi Kung) in the western world through nationwide seminars, classes in southern California,his video programs, and numerous television appearances. In 1990, Terence wrote, directed, produced, and performed two instructional videos called Tai Chi For Health, Yang Short Form, and TCFH, Yang Long Form, which for the past twenty years have been the most popular instructional videos on Tai Chi--according to Nielsen Videoscan, with more than 9 million units combined as of 2009. The success of these programs led Terry to create and perform in the remarkable Chi Kung For Health series released in six volumes in 2003, and to the forthcoming 26-part television series for PBS, titled Tai Chi for Health From China. Training: Dunn's extensive training in Chinese holistic health practices has spanned more than 30 years in T'ai Chi Ch'uan, 25 years of Qigong and meditation, and more than 37 continuous years in three forms of Chinese boxing (kung fu). He has studied under some of the most renown Chinese martial art masters of this century: Master Abraham Liu in Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Master York Why Loo in the Six Harmonies/Eight Methods system , Grand- master Ark Yue Wong of the Southern Sil Lum Five Animal Style, Master Share K. Lew of the Tao Tan Pai (Taoist Elixir Method) Kung Fu, and Master Chan Ching-Kai in Yang style Tai Chi Ch'uan and the Six Harmonies/Eight Methods. Certified in 1983, Dunn is an instructor ("Sifu") in the Sil Lum Five Animals, Taoist Elixir Method , and the Eight-Sections-Combined Kung Fu systems. Dunn also holds an honorary black belt in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate awarded to him in 1983. In the area of public safety, Terry produced the life-saving police training video program, Universal System of Arrest & Control for Law Enforcement in 1995 with 8th degree American Kenpo Karate master and veteran police academy instructor Ron Chapel, after assisting Chapel teach Advanced Officer Training seminars for two years to California police departments following the Rodney King fiasco and ensuing Los Angeles riots. Terry has been teaching martial arts in West Los Angeles for more than 25 years, and conducts Tai Chi for Health and Chi Kung for Health seminars nationwide. He teaches these arts of self-defense and energy cultivation to further self-healing, wellness, longevity, mind-body empowerment, and philosophical and spiritual understanding. Dunn has pioneered the practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung practice in modern medicine and in professional sports: He as taught Tai Chi and Chi Kung to outpatients and staff at Cedars Sinai Medical Center since 1998, and became the first Qigong instructor to work on acute-care post-operative patients in an American medical institution (in Cedars-Sinai's Cardio-thoracic Surgery Group). In 2000, Terry became the first full-time Tai Chi instructor in the NBA, training the Los Angeles Lakers during their second World Championship season in Tai Chi and Kung Fu as a regular warm-up and conditioning method in every team practice session.
About the Director
Terence Dunn is a gifted teacher, author, and filmmaker who expresses a trans-cultural, ecumenical vision in his video, television, and film works that provide cultural education and superior instruction in the practice of Asian holistic health methods, with primary focus on Chinese martial, yogic, healing, and spiritual arts, applied Taoist and Chan Buddhist philosophy (Zen), and illuminating the essential role of the science of Yoga in all the great spiritual traditions of the world. In 1989, Dunn produced the phenomenal T'ai Chi For Health video series, today still best-selling amongst all Tai Chi DVD titles. In 1994, Terry released the first editions of his six-volume Chi Kung For Health video series teaching remarkable Flying Phoenix Celestial Healing Qigong. In 2003, Dunn released the second edition of Chi Kung For Health (filmed in Death Valley, CA), and it is without equal in terms of instructional content and production values. In the area of public safety, Terry produced the life-saving police training video program, Universal System of Arrest & Control for Law Enforcement in 1995 with 8th degree American Kenpo Karate master and veteran police academy instructor Ron Chapel, after assisting Chapel teach Advanced Officer Training seminars to California police agencies for two years following the Rodney King fiasco and ensuing Los Angeles riots. This video is still used today by law enforcement agencies and military organizations throughout the world. Terry Dunn is the creator, writer, and producer of the Zen-Bear® animated television series and children s book series, and a forthcoming 26-episode per year television series for public television entitled Tai Chi For Health from China that has been highly endorsed by PBS affiliates.
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : G (General Audience)
- Package Dimensions : 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.93 ounces
- Director : Terence Dunn
- Media Format : Dolby, NTSC, Multiple Formats, HiFi Sound
- Run time : 2 hours
- Release date : March 1, 1990
- Actors : Terence Dunn
- Studio : Interarts Productions
- Number of discs : 1
