Four-Season Tai Chi II - Summer This is part of a series of Tai Chi forms following the change of seasons for a healthy life.  According to the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing), the essence of the summer season is flourishing and growth.  Therefore, Tai Chi practice should be active and release the abundance of yang energy, exercising the cardiovascular system and preparing for harvesting energy in the autumn. Chen Style Tai Chi is the favored practice among young people and martial artists.  It is characterized by spiraling and coiling, occasional powerful strikes, stamping, and jumping.  All of these motions from the core, driven by internal power, and will train you to develop inner strength.  This short form is a combination of Master Tsao's studies from recent years with Grandmasters Chen Zhenglei and Zhu Tiancai.  He teaches in English with front and back views.  Suggested 25 class hours. (Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Levels)

This is a popular routine for internal martial artists.  It is characterized by spiral energy and combat techniques expressing numerous power hits (fajin).  Cannon Fist is also called Chen Style Routine Two.  Its firecracker power is based on the accumulated energy from Routine One's soft silk reeling.  In this instructional DVD, Master Jesse Tsao presents the routine in its classic form, in English with detailed instruction and front and back view demos.  He credits this new DVD on the teachings from Grandmasters Chen Zhenglei and Zhu Tiancai. It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation.  Suggest 30 class hours.  (Difficulty: Intermediate through Advanced Levels)

Chen Style Tai Chi New Frame (Xin-jia Cannon Fist) is based on internal power accumulation in the practice of routine 1, with more advanced kung fu techniques added in such as leaping, stomping, sweeping, grappling, and twisting.  Its stance tends to be compact for better mobility in self-defense applications, using faster motions with bursts of internal power for the execution of martial techniques.  Master Tsao teaches this traditional routine posture by posture, in detail in English, with both front and back views.  It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation.  Suggest 45 class hours.  (Difficulty: Intermediate through Advanced Levels)

This video shares with you the most popular Chen Tai Chi fighting aspect.  The principles are based on Tai Chi Classics: to redirect or borrow an opponent's force first, then strike his weak point.  Master Tsao reveals Tai Chi's fighting secrets in an easy-to-understand and use manner.  Each posture is demonstrated first, then details teaching its application in Push Hands and self-defense fighting.  It is good for self-study or as a useful reference for teachers.  Instructions are given in English.  It is good for self-study, or a good resource for instructor's teaching preparation.  Suggest 25 class hours.  Played by Master Jesse Tsao and Andrey Poddoubnyi (Difficulty: Intermediate through Advanced Levels)

This video shares with you the most popular Chen Tai Chi fighting aspect.  The principles are based on Tai Chi Classics: to redirect or borrow an opponent's force first, then strike his weak point.  Master Tsao reveals Tai Chi's fighting secrets in an easy-to-understand and use manner.  Each posture is demonstrated first, then details teaching its application in Push Hands and self-defense fighting.  It is good for self-study or as a useful reference for teachers.  Instructions are given in English. Suggest 25 class hours.  Played by Master Jesse Tsao and Andrey Poddoubnyi (Difficulty: Intermediate through Advanced Levels)

All moves are practical, useful techniques for self-healing and self-defense, based on traditional Yang Style Tai Chi for ease of learning and recall. Combined with the fan's openings and closings, one practices stress release and energy circulation.  It also emphasizes self-defense as each move has clear martial meaning.  The closed fan can be a baton to deflect, strike, stab, or bludgeon an opponent.  The open fan can be used to shield, distract, or even cut because traditionally, the ribs of the fan would have sharpened points.  Dr. Jesse Tsao created this routine based on his Ph.D. research on traditional Chinese exercise for disease prevention and well-being. He teaches in English with reviews after each lesson. It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation. Suggested 20 class hours. (Difficulty: Beginner Level)

There are not enough references of Tai Chi's applications in self-defense today because it has been de-martialized from its original fighting purpose to make its way into the general population.  Master Tsao shares with you his research and 30 years of teaching experience in the major applications of Simplified Tai Chi Form 24.  The principles are based on Tai Chi Classics: to redirect or borrow an opponent's force first, then strike his weak point.  This video reveals Tai Chi's fighting secrets in an easy-to-understand and use manner.  It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation.  Suggest 25 class hours.  Instructions are given in English.  Played by Master Jesse Tsao and Karl Newmeyer.  (Difficulty: Beginner Level)

This well-kept Tai Chi secret develops many aspects: Section 1 develops concentration and balance, Section 2 works on joint flexibility and arm strength, and an optional, bonus Section 3 trains self-defense skill. The routine is based on characteristic Tai Chi postures with the traditional “eight-immortal flute's" martial functions. Detailed instruction is given in English with a front and back view demonstration. Suggest 20 class hours. (Difficulty: Beginner Level, Advanced for Section 3)

  It attracts Tai Chi practitioners with its strong martial arts aspect.  The slashing motions of the sword are controlled from the center of the body with spiral energy flow.  There are 49 movements in the routine.  Master Tsao presents a demonstration, followed by step-by-step instruction in slow motion, in English.  There are plenty of repetitions in both front and back view.  It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation.  Suggest 30 class hours.  (Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced Levels). DVD-R, (61 minutes)