I live in assisted living and I have been isolating the core movements a person more disabled than I can practice. I use Yang and Wu/Hao styles of Tai Chi and my knowledge of Silat and Escrima. I hear people screaming in pain all day and many haven't put their feet on the ground in a long time. I can practice about 5 minutes a day. Love, Mike.
Tai Chi tells an important story It is the beginning of a life The unfolding of a life And the ending of a life When life is good you can practice frequently You can tell the story over and over I look to Tai Chi for positive mental and physical benefits Nothing else in my life is as important as my existence and Tai Chi I look forward to practicing every day One day I will die and my Tai Chi will end Such is simply a part of the Tai Chi form
It's called the "senior form" but it actually looks a lot more complex and explicitly martial than the traditional form. I like how Master Yang has added more complex footwork and transitions to issue and receive energy in multiple directions.
@spiral272 Hi Trevor, Master Yang created this form to be used at the Asian Senior Games and similar competitions. That is why has a diversity of movements and all the essential elements of Yang Family tai chi chuan. The only movement that is not included in recognition of the advanced age of the practitioners who will be performing it is snake creeps down or single whip/low form.
It's amazing, shifu. I had just watched one of your videos where you perform as a teenager, under the guidance of you grandfather. Your moves here are still just as young, filled with this youthful energy, as then. I like the cloud hands circular moving. Always wondered why the steps should only be in one direction, when the move actually offers to take steps in any direction! One question: is the back leg stretched in gong bu? It's difficult to see. In my Yang style school I learned it should not stretch. In Shaolin Qigong I learned many moves that are almost identical with some Yang Style moves, but there, the back leg is stretched. In all Shaolin Kungfu and Qigong the same. Also in Wu style, at least the form I'm learning, stretched, too. I'm a bit confused about this. In my opinion, it offers both advantages and disadvantages. In a defensive way, not stretching the leg (combined with a broad stance) gives more stability. But less power when attacking, the last, small but powerful push from the back leg is missing when not stretching. I have to either lean more forward or go more upright when I stretch the back leg. Again, both have advantage and disadvantage. 🙏
