Yan Zhen Fa – Shaolin Damo (Bodhidharma) Weaponed Series

Name: Shaolin Damo Weaponed SeriesInstructor: Yan Zhen FaLanguage: MandarinSubtitles: English 1. Shaolin DaMo 24 Techniques #1This is the fundamental routine for Yan Zhen Fa’s description of the DaMo branch of Shaolin. The “24 Techniques” is actually a little misleading. What you have here is a linear form such as Tan Tui. Shaolin has a number of these such as the LuoHan Fists and the Punching Form. This series of three DVDs actually covers what is essentially a 12 Road Tan Tui. What’s unsual here is that each pair of roads is the obvious counter to the previous pair so, by the time you’ve learned the 24 roads you’ve learned a single person set AND a two person set. This is not the same as a typical two-person set because each road sticks to one series of actions and one theme. It take all three DVDs, each about an hour for all the details, and there is no demonstration of the partner version of the form: just the individual practice.About 53 Minutes Mandarin/English Subtitles3. Shaolin DaMo 24 Techniques #3This is the fundamental routine for Yan Zhen Fa’s description of the DaMo branch of Shaolin. The “24 Techniques” is actually a little misleading. What you have here is a linear form such as Tan Tui. Shaolin has a number of these such as the LuoHan Fists and the Punching Form. This series of three DVDs actually covers what is essentially a 12 Road Tan Tui. What’s unsual here is that each pair of roads is the obvious counter to the previous pair so, by the time you’ve learned the 24 roads you’ve learned a single person set AND a two person set. This is not the same as a typical two-person set because each road sticks to one series of actions and one theme. It take all three DVDs, each about an hour for all the details, and there is no demonstration of the partner version of the form: just the individual practice. About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles4. Shaolin DaMo Duck-Shaped FistThis form of boxing imitates the movements of the duck flying, in the water and on the ground. Yan Sifu says this is quite rare and he would feel guilty if he didn’t pass it on. Duck boxing typically and in this case has some unique facets. The first is an expanded chest. This is accompanied by an arched back, both quite unusual in Chinese martial arts. His demonstration of it also includes the distinctive duck walking and crossing foot steps. There are many double armed actions such as windmill blocking and wing flapping. Stances are short and often accompanied by head bobbing distinctive to the style. Some circling movements resemble Bagua and, in that vein, there are no fist actions but many palms strikes. Yan, though an old man, had a light and lively spirit during the demonstration. This is a traditional set with no attempt to make it pretty or fancy. About 55 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles5. Shaolin DaMo Shaolin Tai Chi QuanThis is a very unsual set bearing no resemblance to normal Tai Chi Chuan whatsoever. Though based on Tai Chi principles this form is “firm” without being hard. The movements probably resemble the Long Fist boxing of the Cha style more than any other. There is some indication that there may be a little Duck Boxing, Tai Zu and even Sun Bin Quan spicing up the mix.About 59 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles         7. Shaolin DaMo Dragon Movement Double SabersAs you watch Mr. Yan gives the introduction to this set you will notice the trembling leaf-like actions of his right hand. He goes onto apologize that some of the actons of the double swords are very hard and he is a bit old and might not accomplish them. Martial artists of this generation all over the world are creating these DVDs not so much to make the big bucks as to record what they know will be their last chance to keep alive their beloved styles. That doesn’t mean we have to do anything about this other than recognize their motives for what they are. Actually he gives a perfectly respectable performance in a form that has more unusual double saber actions that most and even a touch of Duck Boxing, it seems.About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles8. Shaolin DaMo LuHua Spear This set acts as a respository of so many spear thechniques that it might be called more of a master set, as in the case of Yan’s Snowflake Saber. It won’t be to everyone’s taste since, though not plain, it’s down to earth and solid; but this set contains more basic techniques, along with hand changes, whirls, rolls and thrusting variations that most of those we see. Again, age is a factor in performance: not knowledge.About 53 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles10. Shaolin DaMo SurveyThis DVD is a demonstration of the major contents of the Damo Shaolin lineage. Besides the 12 Road Tan Tui, we are shown the Snowflake Saber, The Forest Piercing Sword, the LuHua Spear, and the basis of the style: the 24 Technique Form.About 46 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles Missing:2. 24-Techniques Routine 26. Snowflake Knife9. Woods Piercing Sword Skill