It is a weapon method rooted in traditional Chinese mace, a blunt and heavy weapon used to deliver strong smashes. This practice reinforces Chen Tai Chi's motion starting with the center dan tian rotation, drivers coiling energy all the way to the wrists' small twisting circle to initiate large power blows. This is unique training for wrist rotation to stimulate six hand-meridian channel's origin points around the wrists energy flows. It will also help prevent carpal tunnel and improve arm strength. Baton length around 18" and 1.5 to 2" in diameter, prefer heavy/solid wood.  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: Beginner through Advanced Levels).

Some people call Tai Chi the "Chinese Yoga," but Tai Chi is more focused on flowing motions instead of static postures to open energy meridians.  This DVD provides good cross-training for yoga people to try Tai Chi postures, and is also a good workout for Tai Chi people for total body conditioning.  Postures range from simple to demanding, so people of all conditions and skill levels will have something to work on.  Demonstrations are given in front and back views, and Master Tsao gives a detailed description of each posture's breathing patterns, energy circulation, and self-defense applications.   (Difficulty: Beginner through advanced Levels) (Difficulty: Beginner Level)

It requires a partner to practice with you, but Master Tsao teaches you a unique way to start with yourself.  This is a new approach to teaching Push Hands and is a good reference for Tai Chi instructors.  Learn the basic moves at home to practice the postures and understand the energy flow, then match with another person to develop sensitivity and react with peng, lu, ji, an (ward off, roll back, press, push). Tai chi push hands can build strength and flexibility of your Core muscles, form the central link between your upper and lower body. A strong core underpins almost everything you do. It is key to improving performance in almost any sport by extending your range of motion. Your slimmer waistline and better defined ab muscles will be hard to ignore. Push Hands will keep you motivated and continue to challenge you as you make progress.  Master Tsao teaches in precise detail in English and demonstrates with Alain Mellan. Suggest 30 class hours.  (Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced Levels). DVD-R, (63 minutes)

Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi for Vitality is based on Dr. Jesse Tsao's PhD research project, combined tai chi posture with Qigong practice to open meridian channels and develop the inner energy (neigong) to prevent disease and strengthen the internal power. This instructional DVD is packed with energy-boosting techniques that will have you outpacing, outlasting, and outperforming friends who are years younger. No matter your age, you can possess energy that lasts all day — and into the night. Instructed by Master Jesse Tsao in English with reviews after each lesson. It is good for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation

Tai Chi staff in Yang Style Form 24 is totally based on the popular Simplified Tai Chi in Form 24.  It is easy to learn for people who know the barehand form.  The purpose is to use the staff to train your neigong and neijing, your internal power.  Strike with the staff to create vibration force, kicking back to your body to improve your structural alignment and balance.  This is created for Tai Chi Healthways' instructor program and continuing training curriculum, and is also made to honor Professor Li Deyin who is the icon of Tai Chi Form 24.  Dr. Tsao trained under him for 10 years in Beijing, China. Demonstrations are given in front and back views, and Master Tsao gives a detailed description of each posture's martial application, and showed where it comes from the original barehand form.   (Difficulty: Beginner through advanced Levels).  (60 minutes).

This is a therapy (or preventive practice) for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or Parkinson's Disease.  The stick provides you with a focal point to help  with hand-eye coordination.  The twisting moves can stimulate energy circulation in your fingers and wrists, prevent frozen shoulders, and improve the elasticity of the tendons around your elbows.  Combined with various tai chi postures, it stretches and tones your muscles, activates the hip and knee joints, improves the flexibility and strength of your spine, and  prevents lower back pain. The practice is adapted from the tai chi joint locking techniques of qin-na, a traditional  secret training approach for developing spiral inner energy.  Therefore, this routine can also be used as a martial arts drill.

Compact Tai Chi Sword in Mixed Styles blends Tai Chi with various sword techniques, including Wudang sword, Ming Dynasty General Qi Jiguang's (1528-1588) long saber (Miao-dao), Yu Chenghui’s two-handed longsword, and Medieval long-sword methods. Both Qi and Yu hailed from Penglai, China, my hometown, where the historical use of longswords in martial arts training is abundant. This routine serves as my homage to this tradition. Its core focus is utilizing the sword as a tool for body conditioning and harnessing inner energy, emphasizing dragon and tiger strength, while also integrating practical sword defensive and offensive techniques. Notably, there's a seamless connection between weapons and tai chi bare hand routines. While a standard-sized sword suffices, a heavier longsword facilitates training the back, waist, and hips for blade movement, minimizing reliance on arm muscles.

Practical Stretching Anywhere in the Qigong Way

Stretching is an excellent thing you can do for your health. Without the need of a floor mat, these simple yet effective moves can help you limber up for tai chi and Qigong practice or any sports, improve your balance and prevent falls, increase your flexibility, and even help relieve arthritis, back, and knee pain. Dr. Jesse Tsao put together this stretching routine based on traditional Chinese tai chi and Qigong practices. They are easy and practical to use anywhere, each posture has Qigong energy circulation benefits, and they can be customized to your ability anywhere from easy to challenging. You’ll find these moves can boost overall flexibility and loosen up tight muscles, including specific stretches to ease back pain, stiff hamstrings, and the neck and shoulder pain that comes from spending too much time sitting at a desk staring at a computer!