Staff Fundamental Training - Tai Chi and Shaolin Techniques by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming [DVD]

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Product Description ------------------- The Root of Long Weapons Training. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming teaches Staff fundamental training and partner matching practice. The techniques are compiled from Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and Shaolin White Crane Gongfu (Kung Fu), offering uniquely comprehensive instruction of Southern-style Soft and Soft-Hard Staff training. Techniques include: Sliding Striking Stinging Coil Stinging Blocking / Bouncing Point Striking Chopping Staff Sparring Advance-Retreating Circle-Sealing Four Corners Repel-Neutralizing Follow-Neutralizing Entering Four Sides of Staff Sealing Step Forward to Seal the Staff Sweeping Strikes in 4 Directions Matching Fundamentals Dr. Yang offers detailed instruction for each movement, and corrections while students demonstrate, making it easy for the viewer to refine their staff technique. Staff training develops the fundamental skills required for all other long weapons training, and it is traditionally the first long weapon learned in Chinese martial arts. Review ------ The staff is a logical first choice for anyone interested in weapons training, as it teaches 70% of the skills needed for the majority of long weapons, as Master Yang explains at the beginning of this DVD. This DVD is an excellent introduction to learning staff, as Master Yang does it right by teaching a very strong foundation to the student. I have numerous tapes and DVDs that I purchased over the years that are nice to watch, as they show wonderful demonstrations of various staff and weapons forms. However, the majority of these DVDs and tapes do not include any basic training, or if they do it is very minimal. I dare say that although Master Yang is already known for providing good foundation training in all of his productions, this DVD is at the top of the list for teaching a very thorough and complete foundation prior to teaching any kind of form. This DVD is made up of three sections, of which the first two sections were previously available on separate VHS. The first section of the DVD teaches 6 techniques, the second section 6 more techniques and the third section includes two man drills that cover numerous techniques as well as some free sparring at the end, with the participants wearing protective equipment. Master Yang studied the staff while training in White Crane, Tiger, Long Fist and Taijiquan. He talks about how each of these styles have various techniques and training methods to offer the student, yet each of them is also missing parts of the process. Master Yang has taken the best of Shaolin and Taijiquan techniques and training methods and combined them with the soft style of White Crane staff. The contents of the DVD are as follows: Section One · Sliding · Sliding Stinging · Chopping · Coil Stinging · Advance-Retreating Circle Sealing · Four Corners Repel Neutralizing Section Two · Following-Neutralizing Entering · Blocking / Bouncing · Four Sides of Staff Sealing · Step Forward to Seal the Staff · Point Striking · Sweeping Strikes in Four Directions Section Three · Coil Stinging · Up Coiling · Side Coiling · Center Stinging · Four Corners Repel Neutralizing · Four Corners Sliding Strike · Four Corners Diagonal Strike · Bouncing · Groin Scooping Strike · Step Forward to Seal the Staff · Short Matching · Free Sparring SECTIONS ONE AND TWO (12 TECHNIQUES) In the first two sections of this DVD, the techniques are demonstrated by three different students. These demonstrations are done sequentially instead of simultaneously. This offers the benefit of being able to focus on one demonstrator at a time. Each of the students of Master Yang bring different skills to the demonstration, as well as different weaknesses. Master Yang can be heard giving corrections from off screen. The techniques in the first two sections are demonstrated by each of the three students in a stationary pose, while moving, with a normal grip and with a reverse grip. At times the students make mistakes or seem to forget a move for a second or two. However, as one student might be better from a technical point of view, another brings more intent to the moves. The moves are learned fast, so that the student can feel the move and better be able to produce power. Over time the moves can be done more slowly, while focusing on coordinating the breath and the movements. This leads to more internal power. --Google SECTION THREE (2 MAN DRILLS AND SPARRING) In section three, Master Yang is shown demonstrating all of the techniques. He then either demonstrates their usage with another student in a two person drill, or he has two students demonstrate the two person drill for that particular technique, while wearing protective head, wrist and hand gear. This section brings a better understanding of not only how the techniques actually work, but also demonstrate the effectiveness of the techniques. At the end of section three the students take turns in having two man free sparring with the staffs. I was very happy to find this section, as in sections one and two Master Yang does not make much of an appearance, as he has his students do the majority of the demonstrations. In section three Master Yang spends a great deal of time demonstrating techniques and is much more hands-on with the process. This DVD is valuable to all practitioners that are interested in learning weapons or enhancing their understanding of how to apply power, even without weapons usage. The techniques used in staff fighting displayed on this DVD display many of the concepts and techniques that are so integral to Taijiquan. --Google