Yang style 2 person form

Nei Jia: the Qigong and Taijiquan Forum Taijiquan and the Internal Martial Arts
1

Does anyone practice the Yang two person form? I have been starting to learn it and would like more help than just in class. I am wondering if anyone knows of a good video copy that covers the forms.

Thanks

Sho Pi

2

There aren’t too many video’s around on this form… presumably because it is meant to “unlock” the martial side of taiji and so tends to be kept in-house.

The only public information I’m aware of for the Yang version is through Erle Montaigue - he has a free illustrated book on the both sides plus the combined san-sau, and he also has videos that go into more detail. I like the book, but I don’t think you can learn from it because the transitions are important - it’s more of a guide.

It is a brilliant form to be learing… perhaps one of the best ever devised.

www.taijiworld.com

3

Stewart Olson has a tape put out in the 1980s fo T.T. Liang and student showing the two man, 188 form.

Dr. Jay Dunbar school frequently has seminars on it and used to teach it at the taichi farm in Warwick New York.

http://www.magictortoise.com/

Some of the old TASTE OF CHINA videos have it demonstrated in the Masters’ demonstration.

4

I’ve learned both sides of the Yang fighting set as taught at YMAA. That version is in Dr. Yang’s books “Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan”, and “Tai Chi Chuan Martial Applications–Advanced Yang Style”. I would really recommend the second book, as it shows one or two alternate applications for each of the standard 88 moves. I don’t believe Dr. Yang has a video out on this subject, though.

I really love this 2-person form. Compared to the solo form, I think it gives you a much greater understanding of combat stepping, body positioning, striking with different parts of the body, and accessing “open doors”.

5

Ky-Fi

Ahhhh you just reminded me of where I saw Jwing Ming Yang perform the two man form: His first Yang taiji tape. I believe he ends the tape with a shortened performance of the two man set. Although you can’t learn it from the tape, it gives you a feel of the flavor and tempo and sometimes that is as important as knowing the entire form.

6

Thanks for the help. I agree that it is great form. It puts a lot into perspective from the form.

I will look up the books that you recomended but do you know how to get a hold of the video with T.T. Liang. That would be something great to see.

Sho Pi