I am asked:
I was wondering if you would be able to advise me on the suitability of your DVDs/videos for specific aims and purposes. I have been to Tai Chi classes in the past but simply don’t have time to attend now due to work and family commitments. Would your DVDs allow me to develop a reasonable understanding of the form in the absence of ‘proper’ lessons? I have several reasons for wanting to do Tai Chi: Firstly as a meditation technique; secondly, as a form of relaxation; and finally, as a form of self-defense that I could eventually teach to my son. Do you think that DVDs would enable me to achieve these aims and, if so, which would you recommend?

I might reply:
My reply to your first question must begin with a paradox and I would need to say two things. First I would say; if there is a Tai Chi class anywhere near you I would recommend that you do whatever you can to attend. And then I would also say that "Yes, I am certain that one of our DVDs/vids would allow you to develop a reasonable understanding of the form". Perhaps I am resorting now to this inscrutable, paradoxical gobbley-gook because I would rather offer my opinion as regards the problem than give you just one single, definitive answer. So I may I put it this way:

One of the wisest things that my Father has ever said to me is "The hardest part of going for a jog is - putting your trainers on". He inscrutably suggests that, once you have put your trainers ... and sox's and shorts and vest on, you have passed the point of no return and you will jog; notwithstanding the fact that you have not even got out the door or hit the road yet!

The best advice that I have managed so far for my son is 'always have at least two tins of value (premium) beans in the house at one time' - so I don't blame you if you choose to ignore me when I say that I reckon that the best thing you can do is BOTH. Buy one or more of our distance learning media packages AND go to a class near you! Maybe that suggestion is nearer to ridiculous than inscrutable.

In March of this year an article entitled "Do this a Thousand Times and it Becomes Yours" was published @ taichido.com as a development/extension of Newsletter issue 51. Therein I expand on the subject of why it might be about three years before anybody can really get to know (begin to become intimate with) the Yang Long Form. I say:

"... to adequately teach the Yang Long Form I require the personal attention of the average student for around about 150 hours. I do not talk all of that time, I talk for perhaps half of that … say 75 hours … … … so that's just a tad over 3 days of listening and just as much watching and copying. In all - less than week out of a lifetime. No bad really eh? I reckon that is a fair investment for a lifelong practice that may just assist and ease the practitioner into a healthy, happy and contented old age and indeed may actually extend the life of that practitioner! It sure won't do any harm.

Hypothetical question: What would happen if I taught 'intensively', say over a residential long weekend?

What I reckon would happen is this: If I just talked, demonstrated and asked the group to copy me for three days I would have to send these students away with a syllabus detailing which posture or sequence of postures they should practice in successive weeks thereafter. This syllabus would contain 100 modules with each requiring a minimum of 5 hours study and practice time for each module. In other words, I could say all that I need to say all at once over a long weekend; but it will still take any individual student 3 years (at one module a week - practicing each 5hrs - say an hour a day - five days a week) to learn, master or 'absorb' it all anyway. Even then … the student may have by then done "Grasp the Sparrows Tail" a thousand times and come to share in the timeless owning of it; but this is only so because it was one of the first to be subject to this idiosyncratic repetitive practice."

Just four months later, in taichido Newsletter issue 55 published just four months ago in June 2006 I was on a slightly different tack, but talking about the same thing when, in a paragraph or two concerning "The process of teaching and learning Tai Chi" I wrote:

"This [process] is really is no different to that involved in any other 'art' 'form'.
Good art will always demonstrate or showcase the artist's or craftsman's refinement of technique; and the finest forms of art will normally be imbibed with originality or at least a certain style.
The greatest works of art are unique, un-do-again-able one offs.

By necessity, just like in all the other arts, the primary method of learning Tai Chi involves much repetition.

It is best taught by visual/physical demonstration and in turn learnt at first by imitation and later mastered through repetition. Personal, self-motivated, disciplined, regular practice i.e. repetition, repetition and more repetition!!!

However, no matter how well, proficiently, efficiently or skillfully it is done, unlike most other arts - like say paint on a canvas within a frame, - there will never be an end product with Tai Chi."

In the Army they say: "There are only two rules. 1. Call me Sir and 2. Always do what I say!" Similarly, based perhaps upon the Hollywood portrayals of super-tough chiseled jaw westerners or stony faced more exotic types, martial art teachers have the reputation of being stern. Despite any impression that I just may have loaded into this, my response to a common and perfectly reasonable question, I am not the Drill Sergeant, feared dictator or disciplinarian; not at all. Those that are able to and then do further choose to actually come here in person to my home dojo to learn Tai Chi with me will I am sure vouch for that - and they know that I have only one command: You have got to get yourself here once a week and ring my doorbell.

Thus I know from experience (both on a personal level and as a teacher of others) that all manner of 'difficulties' can be overcome - and the rewards of Tai Chi practice can be reaped - in proportion to the effort or commitment put in. The more you put in, the more you get out - but first you must put in and then you might, only 'might' get a lot out. This is Tao. Life on life's terms?

To conclude this particular Newsletter I reproduce below a correspondence that this time, Mark dealt with. The scenario and dilemma of the sender is different (they all are - they are all individuals!) but Mark's answer is in essence, strikingly similar to my own - and a lot shorter (and diplomatic) than my diatribe above!

I've been viewing your site now for several months, whilst beginning my journey in to the world of Tai Chi Chuan (which I am thurouly enjoying!) I've read pretty much everything on the website with much interest.
My Tai Chi practice has grown slowly from a DVD by an Australian Doctor (Dr.Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Beginners), and I hope to soon to move on to the 24 form style (Peking I believe?). I have also been attending a local class, however, herein lies my dilemma: the Class teaches Wudang (Wu) style.
I have been seriously thinking of buying your DVD but as it presents the Yang long form, it clashes with my class. I like my class due to thepeople, teacher and what he teaches (more the martial art side (including weapons forms at a later stage and the 16 part Nei Gung, both of which I would like to study)).
Here is my question: Is it sensible to learn two forms (the Yang Long and Wu styles) at the start, or should I stick to one? Going by your article on the Wu style, it is very similar to the Yang formm, but is it too deferent, or is it worth a go?

I really look forward to your views on this.

Mark's reply was: I think that you should go with the Wu classes and focus on them. The truth is that no book or dvd can replace a teacher (and I say that knowing that I've just lost a sale!) so I would concentrate on your classes to get the grounding and understanding and use them as the central focus of your studies, and then when you are more accomplished, explore other styles such as the Yang - an exercise that will be the richer for your previous studies. Then I would suggest you try one of my DVD's !!!! The 'group' and interaction that you will be a part of while learning Woo will be as important as the instructor and is very special.

Good luck with your studies.

Postscript:
The DVD's CD-ROM's etc. are the best that we can do - within the limits of the media. Each (i.e. DVD or CD-ROM) have their own limitations - and strengths. In our opinion, all of these electronic mediums are more suitable for the subject matter than any other 'of its type' book.

All of our products are specifically conceived, designed and produced as "Distance Learning Media". They are all a lot more than just films of Me, Mark or anyone else just 'doing' Tai Chi with commentary. The products are privately and personally produced - but they are none the less of the highest professional standard. Mark and I are both perfusion teachers; Mark at Southampton University (academic I .T.) and me in this specific area and with more than a decade of specialist experience.

We began producing products in DVD format "due to public demand". TV's/DVD players are usually situated in more spacious surroundings that a computer workstation. Notwithstanding this last important point it is my opinion that all in all the DVD-ROM Complete Yang Long Form is the most comprehensive and user friendly product and therefore that one receives my highest personal recommendation.