Another superbly produced video that shows clear examples of applications. I'm not really an "applications" practitioner, although I know a couple. However, visualising how techniques might be used definitely helps to learn some of the martial meaning behind the postures of the form. As far as self-defense is concerned, everything depends upon a given situation. Training applications to set scenarios always seemed a bit contrived to me. As long as we don't get attached to a fixed way of responding, then the capacity to respond becomes much more viable. Or maybe I'm totally wrong about that, maybe learning how to execute a few well-trained techniques should ensure they will have a better chance of success should they be necessary to deploy. The problem might be that there could be more than one attacker, the element of surprise or, worse still, weapons could be involved. My Tai Chi journey hasn't really exposed me to much application training as such, although I've found training drills like Tui Shou, Da Lû and San Shou to be very helpful in developing a better feel for how postures work and begin to get into more free flowing practices based on principles of Tai Chi. I'm a long way short of getting there, but it's a lot of fun training and to explore these things with collaborative partners who put pressure and tests on me to find out what works and what doesn't. For the things that don't work, then it's back to more training and practice until they do. Keep up the great work with this impressive archive that I'm sure can only capture a small amount of what you guys do. I hope you continue to grow your channel and build your online and presencial group of followers and fellow practitioners. A big shout out to Sifu Raymond Brand, the man who first taught me Tai Chi, Zhan Zhuang and Baduann Gin.
@spinningdragontao19 күн бұрын
@@markdonovan1540 Thanks for your kind comment. This comment requires a good response. I'm working till Tuesday, I'll get to it then 🙏🏻
@spinningdragontao17 күн бұрын
Finally have some time to respond better. If a martial art were a house, then the applications would be one room in that house. Drills, form, push hands etc all have their own rooms. To make the house complete it has to have all the required rooms properly contained within its structure and fully understood. The understanding is the roof under which your skill resides. So practicing the techniques/ applications to fully understand them gives a greater skill set because more is understood than just the classics. Of course, to each his own and no one has to do all of the training. I like that people do Tai Chi Chuan for what they want out of it. It makes for a more colourful world.
@markdonovan154017 күн бұрын
@@spinningdragontao Brilliant analogy, I like it and it rings true.
@tmaeer544620 күн бұрын
i learned a lot from 'stand still like a tree' but putting those principles into self defence/tai chi still seems a headache
@spinningdragontao20 күн бұрын
@@tmaeer5446 Like everything, it's never easy to start but with a little time, good instruction and practice everything becomes attainable.
@spinningdragontao19 күн бұрын
@@tmaeer5446 ps. Thank you for your kind comment.
@huzhuiwei20 күн бұрын
Sifu Rand makes it look so easy... if only. Thanks for posting
@spinningdragontao20 күн бұрын
@@huzhuiwei It's true he does make it look easy - yet it's only practice. We are hopefully helping to show the way.
@spinningdragontao19 күн бұрын
@@huzhuiwei ps. Thank you for your kind comment
@tigranpetrosyan5975Ай бұрын
Losers 😢
@huzhuiweiАй бұрын
Nice, had seen bits of this before but never the whole thing. Thanks for posting.
@spinningdragontaoАй бұрын
You're welcome
@markdonovan1540Ай бұрын
Our community pool is open, so I've been practising the form in the deepest part, up to my neck. There's a time slot in the afternoon when the pool is empty, so it's a great opportunity to do this. I definitely recommend it if anyone has access to a quiet pool.
@spinningdragontaoАй бұрын
Up to your neck might be a little deep 😉 but glad to hear you are doing it 👍🏻
@frederickg.61552 ай бұрын
All sparring devolves into boxing or kick boxing😂 Nice to see Tai Chi students sparring or doing self-defense. MMA or BJJ has really hurt CMA in the US sadly. I study Wu but not sure we will ever get to push hands or sparring🥹🥹
@spinningdragontao2 ай бұрын
It's a shame that potential martial students of Tai Chi often don't get the opportunity to study the Chuan aspects of the arts. Indeed fighting is mostly fists and feet, the throws and grappling, controls and locks are range and situation dependant. I'll be doing a video or two on push hands and its methods and way to start practicing. Yes, mma, bjj have taken their toll on cma. Some deservedly so because as in all things there are those who don't teach properly or fully and also those that are, for want of a better word, charlatans. The irony that mma and bjj are both rooted in traditional martial arts and take from them seems lost on the majority of people. We all have the same physical strengths and weaknesses, same structure and limitations. All martial arts do to one extent or another is exploit those.
@frederickg.61552 ай бұрын
That is the short form? Wow, well done. That reminds me of Wu 44 which is very challenging.
@spinningdragontao2 ай бұрын
This is the short form designed by Grandmaster Lam Kam Chuen of Stand Still Be Fit fame. Thanks for your kind comment.
@paulmaloney47133 ай бұрын
Master Lam is a Master of Chi Kung and has popularised Zhan Zhuang in the West for a number of decades, through his classes and books
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Indeed he is and he has. Yet there is so much more to his skills also.
@denizhuseyin51913 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing this - very instructive and clearly explained. I hope the recipient of Sifu Rand's demonstration made a quick recovery. It was, at least, all in a good cause!
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind comment. Thankfully the recovery was relatively quick
@smoggie28333 ай бұрын
Another great insight into the techniques - I appreciate all the pain and suffering you had to endure to produce these videos! Thank you for posting.
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Thanks Smoggie for your kind comment
@JustinThorts3 ай бұрын
This is great. Love the behind the scenes part. It is good to see how you go about choosing what to show and also the fun you have doing it. Great video
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind comment
@markdonovan15403 ай бұрын
Yield to the point of pressure, if you can...
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
That's the way... But not when you are the crash test dummy 😂
@Vroomfondle10663 ай бұрын
Do you have currently run any classes in the Greater Lodon area?
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Since the lockdown classes have been limited because we lost our hall and now halls have increased their costs so we use parks and gardens however I have been teaching online also. Use the email address on the about page and we can sort something out
@markdonovan15403 ай бұрын
Excellent video of application techniques.
@spinningdragontao3 ай бұрын
Thanks. It was a long day being punched, kicked, thrown and locked joints and this was towards the end of the day.
@cedricbagna2574 ай бұрын
Un saluto a un caro e grande maestro...resterai sempre nei nostri cuori .🌓🌓🌓Cedric
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Anzi, sempre. 🙏🏻❤️
@JustinThorts4 ай бұрын
I've got to be honest. I never knew Tai Chi was anything like this and I'm definitely not in the queue to be used by Sifu Rand as a crash test dummy - Props to you guys This stuff looks lethal😱
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the kind comment. 👍🏻
@markdonovan15404 ай бұрын
You both got a very comprehensive "going over" there. Knee trap before punch ears was a knee one on me...
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Oh yes the sneaky leg trap 😉
@TubieTom4 ай бұрын
I wonder, what an attacker - even with only basic experience - would do with his left hand. I bet he would NOT touch the shoulder of the performer..... but rather his face... with the hand forming a fist. This "technique" is wishful thinking!
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
This technique, like any technique, is being demonstrated to show said technique. If you are a martial arts student /practitioner, even if you are a boxer. Techniques are demonstrated in isolation not in reality. Indeed, this technique, like most would rarely happen like this in a fight, not impossible but highly unlikely, but then we aren't saying that's what would happen. We are stating clearly that these are Classical Techniques from a form. So thanks for your comment and for taking it completely out of context to show you know better. Well done.
@JustinThorts4 ай бұрын
Durr 🤣🤣 Clue's in the title mate
@JustinThorts4 ай бұрын
Thanks for this it is a very useful reference for making the DDJ. The herbs smell great too 😃
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Glad it's helpful. I'm happy the herbs reached you quickly. If you need any advice just ask.
@JustinThorts4 ай бұрын
Thank you. The herbs I ordered from you arrived today. I'll be adding them to a litre of Brandy and look forward to seeing the results. 👍
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
I have found it to be a very effective and useful recipe. Have fun making it. Remember the warnings 👍🏻
@GermanSausagesAreTheWurst4 ай бұрын
Been there! lol My old Judo sensei always told us to look at your belt buckle area when you're being thrown.
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Yes, that's a useful tip 🙂👍🏻
@markdonovan15404 ай бұрын
Crashmats might be a good idea for the next video! Look after those hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists - and your neck!
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
Yeah... Might have to look into getting some 👍🏻
@spinningdragontao4 ай бұрын
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@kenken87655 ай бұрын
So I just steep some ginseng in brandy and that's a weak Dit Da Jow? What other herbs can I add that makes a weak Dit Da Jow? Ginger? Chilies? I remember a liniment here that uses both ginger and chilies steeped in coconut oil. What are the exact proportions of ginseng can I use for 350ml or 500ml bottle of brandy? How long should I steep it?
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Ginger and chillies are both pain killers and circulation enhancers. You can add those. However, in the above video you have a full list of herbs to make an excellent Dit Da Jow so why not just follow the recipe. For the brandy and ginseng, put a whole root into the brandy, after a couple of weeks it will have a different texture just keep the root in there and use the brandy. Top up if necessary, the ginseng will steep and seep it's properties for a long time.
@kenken87655 ай бұрын
@@spinningdragontao Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking of making a weaker dit da jow to use for my mother's knees. When you mentioned that the ginseng brandy infusion is very good for joint pains and varicose veins, I thought it would be perfect. I found that Dit Da Jow works so well but it's expensive here and as you say is a bit overkill. By the if I may ask more, Do I have to cut up the ginger and chillies? Do I have to make cut marks on the ginseng to make it seep into the brandy better? Maybe in the future I will attempt to make the dit da jow recipe since I also practice Quan Fa. But as of now due to budget and also I need to translate the ingredients to Hokkien since almost all Chinese here speak it and cannot understand Mandarin (I tried multiple times), I might have to postpone it. The ginseng brandy will be my first attempt in making homemade TCM.
@markdonovan15405 ай бұрын
Moral of the video: Don't get cocky with Sifu Rand... I was shown an interesting application of this where the rising hand cups the neck and pulls the opponent onto the upward rising knee - very risky to practise it though.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
There are so many variations in the many movements of the form. Interestingly enough Sifu Rand and I were discussing this aspect only today. That unlike the vast majority of martial arts use of forms, Tai Chi has multiple applications for almost all of the movements. In fact it's unusual for the movements to be only what you see. And yes it's dangerous to be around Sifu Rand and doing applications 😂
@Vroomfondle10665 ай бұрын
Arggg! With a side helping of 'Ouch My Balls!'...
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Yeah it is literally - don't cough or you won't get them back 😂
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Graham Barlow's article as mentioned in the video: thetaichinotebook.com/2024/01/20/tai-chi-applications-needle-at-sea-bottom-fan-through-back-white-snake-spits-out-tongue-torso-flung-punch/
@huzhuiwei5 ай бұрын
in the form... is this snake creeps down to golden rooster on one leg?
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
In the Lam short form this is Retreat to Pull down to chop opponent with fist to Golden Cock Stands on One Leg. So yes and no. Snake Creeps Down could be substituted in here but it comes in later in the form so it's nice to have the practice of a different technique available. I hope this answers your question.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Just to add to my previous answer; in the Guangping /Kwonping Yang Long Form Snake Creeps Down does indeed preceed Golden Rooster /Cock but the previous move to that is single whip. I'll be adding the full Long Form in the spring.
@huzhuiwei5 ай бұрын
@@spinningdragontao question answered, many thanks!
@Vroomfondle10665 ай бұрын
Not bad, but I can't help but notice there doesn't appear to be any kind of crotch focused attack with this technique....
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
You are right in this classical version the kick to the groin is not shown. Such an attack is in the many variations that exist hidden in the form. Probably the reason for this is Chinese cultural modesty. Thanks for your comment.
@Vroomfondle10665 ай бұрын
Relieved to hear that it's there in spirit! Is there perhaps a secret form demonstrating how to deflect, enter and strike the family jewels from every conceivable angle?@@spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
@@Vroomfondle1066 There is so much of Tai Chi that is hidden in plain sight. The secrets of Tai Chi are all self secret; by this I mean that they reveal themselves through good tuition and persistent training. One could be told everything about Tai Chi and how it works but that academic understanding doesn't enable one to do it. With each level more opportunities of action reveal themselves. When faced with a well trained opponent the groin area is often well protected by one means or another because we all know from a very young age that area is vulnerable and especially in training. However, other areas may present as better targets which open the door to your chosen target. It's all there, it's just waiting for the practitioner to find it.
@markdonovan15405 ай бұрын
A nice bit of Muay Thai knee in there! Easy does it, those type of applications can hurt! I recently learnt an "application form" from my teacher, which has a lot of knees and elbows. I'm still in the stage of getting more of a feel for it, but I've never tried it with anyone yet. The risk of injury is quite high when using knee and elbow techniques in applications training.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Yes indeed, knees and elbows are intrinsically powerful, they don't need a big movement lead in to use them. Always start slowly, speed is not a skill. Thanks for your kind comment.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
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@smoggie28335 ай бұрын
It's quite clear to me what is meant by the video title and in what context it should be understood. However the German translation reads: "Übung macht den Meister" which literally translates word for word back to English as training/exercise/drills makes/forms the master... which is perhaps more apt to our chosen arts.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Nice. I like it. 😃👍🏻 Thank you for your kind comment.
@smoggie28335 ай бұрын
This is very helpful. Having watched all of your form instruction videos, this shows some small details and nuances I would never have picked up on from any other video angles. Excellent and thanks for taking the time and trouble to show something new.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Thanks, I'm glad it is useful. It's not necessarily easy to put across all the relevant information but this certainly gives a different view in terms of the form. 👍🏻
@huzhuiwei5 ай бұрын
Great demonstration - thanks for posting
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Thank you for your kind comment.
@pascodavid5 ай бұрын
Year of the dragon its time for me to show what I have been doing all these years in Wing Chun.
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
Go for it. Good luck. Please send me a link 👍🏻
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
If you want to support the channel: www.patreon.com/SpinningDragonTao ko-fi.com/spinningdragontao
@Vroomfondle10665 ай бұрын
Aha...the Chinese version of the old Cockney Cock Punch!
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
😂👍🏻
@Vroomfondle10665 ай бұрын
I see now why that posture is tradionally referred to as 'Holding the Ball'...
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
😂 Indeed 🤦🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
@markdonovan15405 ай бұрын
It's all hidden until it's needed, then out of the shadows comes the unexpected response. I love the way his whole body rotates freely on its central axis. It's very compact but loose and springy at the same time. Sifu Raymond Brand was very gentle with you two, this time...
@spinningdragontao5 ай бұрын
I laughed out loud at the last line 😃 yes thankfully I wasn't thrown into the wall... This time 😂
@JustinThorts5 ай бұрын
None of that looked easy to film but was very interesting to see. Some of the techniques were unexpected from such small movements. Thanks for sharing.
@Vroomfondle10666 ай бұрын
That is a pretty comprehensive battering!
@spinningdragontao6 ай бұрын
Lol... Yeah... Pretty much.
@markdonovan15406 ай бұрын
I might have to start taking paracetamol myself, before watching these painful application demos! It's wonderful to see Sifu Raymond Brand showing his skills like this. You are a worthy student who's always been willing to suffer for the cause, respect to that 🙇♂️
@spinningdragontao6 ай бұрын
Thanks I appreciate your kind comment. It was a particularly painful day but it's difficult to show how these work without doing them properly to an extent.
@denizhuseyin51916 ай бұрын
Thank you for the clear explanation of the technique and the slow-mo. A nice example of a seemingly innocuous but effective punch to the chops!
@spinningdragontao6 ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind comment. Indeed an innocuous punch the chops hurt like hell 😂