Taijiquan Foundations
Progressive instructional Taiji Videos
by Charles Tauber
Introduction
Taijiquan (Tai Chi) Foundations is a progressive series of instructional videos aimed at explicitly teaching foundational aspects upon which the art of Taijiquan (Tai Chi) relies for both health and martial effectiveness.
The underlying premise of this video series is that Taijiquan is an “experiential” pursuit, the understanding of which comes from correct practice rather than long philosophical discussion. Consequently, the focus of these videos is on a progression of exercises and explanations - in simple, common language - that lead the viewer towards first-hand experience of the basic principles of the art of Taijiquan.
There are currently four videos in the series, each of which is described below. Each video is available in a digital format (MP4) and can be viewed on any modern computer. (I am no longer offering videos in DVD format.)
I use wetransfer.com to provide digital downloads. It is not an automated service and you will not be provided a link to the download immediately upon purchase. I will acknowledge your purchase and send you the download link usually within a few hours of receiving your order.
Each video is $60 USD. The videos can be purchased through PayPal using the buttons for each video, or by e-mailing me at charlestauber@yahoo.ca
The Basics
Volume 1
Volume 1 of Taijiquan Foundations is the intended starting point in the progressive instruction. The video introduces the basic physical mechanics that form the foundation for any style of Taijiquan. While aimed at novices, many more experienced practitioners have expressed that gaps in their knowledge have been filled in working with the material in the video, as well as having provided a useful framework in their own teaching of students.
Volume 1 is 100 minutes in duration, 3 GB in size.
A 22 minute preview of the content is available on Youtube in two parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOIKn3CFE5Q
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Z2-OK0YTM
Silk Reeling
Volume 2
Volume 2 of Taijiquan Foundations, Introduction to Silk Reeling, continues from the material presented in Volume 1. Specifically, while Volume 1 introduces the mechanics of using various parts of the body, Volume 2 teaches how the individual parts of the body are coordinated to unite them in whole-body movement. The material is presented from a Chen style Taijiquan perspective, but applies to many styles of Taijiquan.
Volume 2 is 90 minutes in duration, 3 GB in size.
A 29 minute preview of the content is available on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITAa6ZDiQ5g
Introduction to Taiji Bang
Volume 3 - Introduction to Taiji Bang
Volume 3 of Taijiquan Foundations, Introduction to Bang (Stick) Training, continues from the material presented in Volume 2, although it can be used as a self-containted introduction to the practice.
Specifically, while Volume 2 introduces the mechanics of coordinating the parts of the body into unified whole-body motion, Volume 3 introduces how to apply that motion in strengthing the physical body and getting "qi" and "jin" from the center to the extremities. The practice of the bang (stick) is "applied silk reeling".
Volume 3 is 50 minutes in duration, 1.5 GB in size.
A 15 minute trailer (preview) of the video is available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJfqTGGMYo
Introduction to Taiji Ruler
Volume 4 - Introduction to Taiji Ruler
Volume 4 of Taijiquan Foundations, Introduction to Taiji Ruler, relies upon the material presented in Volume 1, but can be used as a self-contained introduction to practicing with a Taiji ruler for health and self-cultivation.
Volume 4 is 65 minutes in duration, 4 GB in size.
A 13 minute trailer (preview) of the video is available on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/0QJ7R4IYucY