Go to Welcome to Rickubis.com for links to my other pages.
Go back to my RICKUBISCAM page

I'm posting the occasional video or picture as a record of what I can still do. What follows will be in reverse-chronological order, with the newest stuff at the top 
(or immediately below this sentence.)  It is helpful to remember that I stopped all formal learning in 1996.  That was about 3 years before I started my website. 
I don't post here often, but I still update occasionally.  How many people can say they have practiced any kind of exercise or sport for (today is 7/8/21-so that
makes 35 years since I started) this long? 

Note (9/2/2019) It's just over a year after my second hip replacement. For a while-at least-it doesn't cause me discomfort to walk around. I've been trying to keep
a schedule of practicing/working out for about an hour every day. I think i'm going to have to admit that I really shouldn't do much of the external style forms any
more.  They just cause me problems afterwards. So, I'm doing more of what's on THIS page. I've been looking at "cleaning up" some of the pakua (or bagua) 
movements. I've been trying to look at earlier videos to see if I can reclaim some of the original movements. I started abbreviating movements quite a long time ago,
after my knee injury. I can't do too much of the leg rotations though (turning my feet inward or outward too much is bad for the prosthesis).  For a start, I've re-digitized
some early movements from the original tape. I've put these at the very bottom of this page--since the video was filmed sometime around 1999--before the car 
accident and my knee surgery. I'm going to try reclaim some of the movements that I did then. At least this may have some archival value. Take a look at the bottom.

Note (5/23/2017) After all this time has passed, I have come down to practicing 4 tai chi routines and other exercises with those. 
Those are: 1) 24-Movement Simplified (this was developed in 1956, mostly from Yang style by the Chinese Sports Committee to make tai chi accessible to more 
people (according to various sources)).  2) 48-Movement Simplified (this was developed in 1976, and was built with techniques taken from various styles of Tai Chi
(according to various sources)).3)  Yang Style 40-movement (this is what I've seen it called...but I can't find any other information on it. Originally, I'd thought it was
called a 60 movement form)  4) 32-Movement Long Sword Form (this was developed in 1957 by the Chinese Sports Committee (according to various sources). 
 As far as the Pa Kua goes....I am not sure which styles of Pa Kua I was taught. I know that the walking "breathing" exercise sets pair with the palm change sets, but 
that's all I know.  It's possible to see some variation over time as I do these exercises...but I've been doing this is for over 20 years. My body doesn't move like it used to.
Also, in all these years they have become my exercises--so any mistakes or changes are my own; adapted to suit me.  

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October 20, 2023-- These are some alternate sections for  my exercise routine.  The images below show a frame from each video clip. The description under 
each image is a link to the clip. This is an update that I added to the other page, but am copying these here; even though these are "external" forms. As mentioned
elsewhere on this page...since I'm doing mostly "internal" forms these days for less stress on my parts; I still like to do some external workouts to loosen
things. At least, until I hurt something and I have to behave myself again. :-) So I'm just posting updates here instead of on the external page.

   
     mantis external form2 tang lang zeo                         1st broadsword form                                      2nd straight sword form                               1st 6' stick (staff or cudgel) form  

 
               1st spear form

August 11, 2023-- External kung fu stuff:   I've been able to practice about 60 - 90 minutes at least 4 times a week for the last couple years. I've noted 
some of those exercises on my other martial arts pages. But for the last week or so, I've been working on my second straight sword (or long sword) form.
I hadn't tried to do it for a few years, probably because of my decaying hip (I can't remember why, but it's been about 5 years or so). Now that my hip has
been fixed I figured I could try this form again. Of course, there are a lot of positions I can't do any more, but it was fun to reconnect with the form.  At my age
(some years past 65), I'm just happy  I can do it at all.I spent a week going through it so that I could get video specifically on this date.  The images below 
are from the video, which is at this link. And, I guess I'll be adding it to my workout routine again. The workout routine is described on this page.

March 28, 2023 (03/19/2023)-- Just checking in. I did most of the usual forms today. But today, I only filmed the 40-Movement Simplified Yang Style Tai Chi. Here's the video.
   
  48-movement simplified Tai Chi 03/28/23    

January 4, 2023 (01/04/2023)-- It's a new year! For a little over 2 years, I've been able to practice at least an hour almost every day. It's a great way to enjoy being outside when
the weather is nice. But...here I am now, past 60 years old, and doing exactly what I'd wanted to do when I'd first walked into that school. I think that's pretty cool.
   
  24-movement simplified Tai Chi 01/04/23    48-movement simplified Tai Chi 01/04/23      40-movement Yang style Tai Chi 01/04/23      32-movement Tai Chi sword  01/04/23

May 2nd and May 16 2022-- I'm still practicing. Every now and then I've shot some video since last year. Today, I had the camera there for something else, so I decided to
shoot some video for this page, too. Nothing much has changed (which is actually good news, I suppose). As of today, nothing hurts too much, though I sometimes
get various arm or wrist strains (I think it's from doing much more photography than I used to). When I walked into that kung-fu school about 36 years ago (1986),
I'd already had some martial arts experience (a few years of tae kwon do mostly), and I wanted something different. I was looking for something I could eventually
do outside; and that would allow me to enjoy the environment. Before I could get to that point, I learned a lot of Chinese martial arts, and enjoyed all of it. I spent
time, effort, and money for 10 years.  I worked so much because I'd intended to teach more (aside the classes I was sometimes covering), but that didn't work out 
for a number of reasons. But...here I am now, past 60 years old, and doing exactly what I'd wanted to do when I'd first walked into that school. I think that's pretty cool.
   
      Pakua Style 2 changes 1-8  05/02/22             Pakua Style 3 changes 1-8  05/02/22          40-movement Yang Style Tai Chi 05/02/22      32-movement Tai Chi sword  05/02/22

I still do a few of the external forms.  I do them carefully. I've pieced together information about our school from various sources (internet, conversations with other students, etc.)  Various 
Chinese masters had moved into Korea years ago.  They continued teaching there, and over time they "shared" students, so those students learned different styles, and put them together
into their teaching methods.  I've read that a few styles of Praying Mantis were part of that blend. Our style seems to have influences from styles of Pa kua chang and Tang lang quan.
This form is a Mantis form, called Tang lang zeo.  I do it this way, but not exactly as I was taught--since I'm older (with replacement joints and stuff). But, a search online shows it performed 
in many different "flavors" (this seems to be true for most styles of martial arts, by the way).
 
      Mantis form Tanglang Zeo 05/02/22                              48 Movement Simplified Tai Chi 05/16/22           

August 2021--    I have turned 65 this year.  I thought as a sort of celebration, I'd shoot video of most of my current exercises and post them here.
It's an odd feeling to realize that I'm this old, and that I've been doing these exercises since around 1986 (actually learned them1986-1996--so about 30 years ago).
The techniques don't look as good as I'd like, but that's what I've got.   If you've found this page, and are curious at all, the older videos (nearer the bottom) will
show more about how they were supposed to look (and there's the other page, too). But hey--I'm 65 years old.  I did the videos at various times through the month, 
to cover different things.  I haven't trained inside a building for decades.  I haven't worn a proper uniform in decades. When I shot these videos it was August, 
in Houston--around 90 degrees with high humidity. So I'm wearing a loose tank top, sweatpants, and converse sneakers (because flat soles). My exercise routine 
takes about 60 - 70 minutes. I do a basic set of work, and then occasionally add different forms.

Pakua stuff:  Videos 08/05/2021  I used a different camera and tried to record the entire routine for the pakua exercises. This means I do a series of 8 "breathing positions"
on the circle (I change position halfway around) in one direction, then reverse and do those 8 the other way--then I do 8 palm changes one way, and turn and to them the other.
 I tried the different camera because of the length of the video. I'd forgotten that the resolution wasn't very good. Anyway, I did "Set 2" and "Set 3".  I could have edited them to
make them shorter, but I wanted to show what it looks like in real time. I could perform them slower, or a bit faster.  Videos 08/07/2021  These show all three "sets" of palm 
changes.  Usually, I start on the South point of a circle, facing West. I start clockwise (turning right) and then do the first palm change on the East point, then do the other 7 on
the West or East points.  After 8th change, I turn at the East point to go counterclockwise, and do the 8 changes again. The videos I shot this day only show one set of 8 changes.

 
  Pakua Style 2 everything 08/05/21   Pakua Style 3 everything 08/05/21              

               
          Pakua Style 1 changes 1-8  08/07/21                     Pakua Style 2 changes 1-8  08/07/21                           Pakua Style 3 changes 1-8  08/07/21

Tai Chi stuff:   I usually do the Pakua first.  After that, I'll work on any "external" forms that I might want to do. These days, I don't do them
regularly, and only a few of them. I shot a few videos, and may do a few more demos. Those will be further down the list. After any of external forms, I do 4 Tai Chi 
forms. As noted elsewhere on my pages, I know the Simplified 24 Movement, Simplified 48 Movement and Combination 40 Movement Yang forms (videos 08/06/21).  
I also know the 32 Movement Sword Form (videos 08/07/21).  When I learned these, the internet wasn't available.  Knowledge of any of these was not easy to find. NOW
anyone can go online and look for any of these forms (or anything else on my pages). They'll find many descriptions and all kinds of video demonstrations out there.
And...there are many stylistic differences in how the movements are don.. All of that was just to say that these show how I do the forms, and there may be some 
differences from what I was taught, and it really doesn't matter at this point.

 
  32-movement tai chi sword 08/07/21 far view      32-movement tai chi sword 08/07/21 closer view 

Deep breathing stuff:  (videos 08/06/21) After I've done the rest of the work out, I finish with 3 sets of breathing exercises. Any one of these would probably work
as a good exercise. Doing them all works to sort of "3-step downshift" to resting.

  
  Breathing set 1 (longfist) 08/06/21      Breathing set 2 (pakua) 08/06/21        Breathing set 3 (taichi) 08/06/21   

External kung fu stuff:   As much as I'd like to continue doing them, I really can't do too many "external"
kung fu forms.  I only do one hand form regularly, one stick form, and sometimes one broadsword form. Part of the problem
is that I just can't put the stress on my joints and back that faster movements generate. (Hey, mostly 65 years old, with two
full hip prosthesis).  I've tried doing forms slower, but they don't feel right. So...there it is. Anyway, here are some. The 
hand form was filmed 08/06 and I prefer this one because it has always had less kicks than the others.  The stick form was
filmed 08/07. I did it twice, once at "old guy normal speed" and one at "step-by-step demo" speed.  I've removed parts from almost
all of these forms.  I've taken out all tumbling--such as rolling; all high kicks, all jumping and crescent kicks.  It would be too easy to 
overstress my hip prosthesises (how  do you say more than one prosthesis?). Therefore, movement leading up to and after those
were also modified.

  
   Mantis Hand Form Tang Lang Zeo   08/06/21                     Stick form normal   08/07/21                            Stick form step-by-step demo   08/07/21   

I figured I'd add some more forms. On 09/10/21 I did a spear form and a broadsword form.  The spear is shown at a "faster" then "slower" speed.

  
                Spear Form    09/10/21                                         Spear Form done slower    09/10/21                                  Broadsword form   09/10/21   

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

June 09, 2021--  A bit of pakua and a bit of tai chi.  I'm still doing about an hour of martial arts exercise almost every day. Here are some clips I shot today, just to show
I'm still at it.  Links to the clips are below the images.  As I've passed 60 years old a few years back, I enjoy every time I get to do these exercises.

  
          Pakua Style 2 change 3 video                          Pakua Style 3 change 2 video                           Pakua Style 3 change 4 video                            

    
            40-movement Yang style Tai Chi video

April 02, 2021--  Basic Tai Chi Breathing and hand movements-- When I first learned Tai Chi  wepractice a basic set of hand and foot movements. Those movements 
were related to a different tai chi form and style (that didn't feel right for me).  Later, I put together this basic movement set. This is partly to help new students get a "feel"
for how tai chi movement should work.  For that reason, I kept foot and leg position simple so the new student can concentrate on what the hands and arms and upper 
body are doing.  I do it now so I can remember it (in case I'm asked to show anyone) and also because I enjoy it.  As with the others, breathe along with the movements.
 Generally, inhale as hands/arms move towards the body, and exhale as they move away. That means hips, knees, and ankles are taking up the slack as you walk. Go
through the full set of 12 positions while circling in one direction, then turn and go the opposite direction around the center (center is on the left) and do all 12 positions.  
I've made a video demo (shown below) before. I filmed another one, but this time I experimented with filming me from the front and from the back.  To do this, I did the
routine--moved the camera so it was behind me--then did the routine again.  Then, made a video clip that spliced the two views together. This was an experiment, but
I think it turned out well.  There's a slight difference in timing--since I did the form twice.  Here's the video clip.  The image below is a frame from the clip. 

November 15, 2020--  Exercising; and still social-distancing.   Nothing especially different here, just posting for my personal historical record.  I will point out that I'm 64
years old...mostly.  One hip is 2 years old, the other hip is 15 years old.  There have been a few other artificial parts added, and a bit of trimming around one of my knees. 
Anyway, I really enjoy being able to walk without any discomfort.  I'm doing the movements that I feel comfortable with. Therefore, some of these forms are going to look a
bit off, but I've altered them to fit my capabilities. 

NOTE:  I've added something different to the the tai chi video clip. I thought it would make it a bit more interesting, and give some further perspective.

First, Pakua. Today, I recorded clips of the "breathing exercises" that go with the three different styles. I don't do the sliding, flat-footed stepping, since it's
uncomfortable. But I do lower my body and push forward with less weight.  So the images and clips are paired, showing the breathing, and then the palm changes.

 
                                    style 1 breathing                                                                                   style 1 palm changes                             

    .  
                                    style 2 breathing                                                                                    style 2 palm changes        

    .  
                                    style 3 breathing                                                                                    style 3 palm changes        

August 11, 2020--  Exercising; and still social-distancing.   Nothing especially different here, just posting for my personal historical record.  I will point out that I'm 64 years 
old...mostly. One hip is 2 years old, the other hip is 15 years old.  There have been a few other artificial parts added, and a bit of trimming around one of my knees. Anyway,
I really enjoy being able to walk without any discomfort.  I'm doing the movements that I feel comfortable with. Therefore, some of these forms are going to look a bit off, but
I've altered them to fit my capabilities. 
NOTE:  The last video (2nd Image bottom row) is a sort of drill where 7 different palm techniques are 'thrown". This one is relatively simple, with very little 
footwork. In all the years that I've been putting videos on this page (or the other), I've only shown videos that demonstrate striking a few times...and I deleted
those long ago. I still do some ot these drills but not every time I exercise, and when I do them, I don't do many repetitions.  

               .     
  48 movement tai chi video (incomplete because battery died)                  pa kua set 2 change 5                                  pa kua set 3 change 4

     .     
                    pa kua set 3 change 7                                                  palm throwing drill                                            

July 2, 2020--  Exercising during social-distancing.   Everyone knows about the virus pandemic that has been growing since the end of 2019.  Soial protocols to help slow  the 
spread of the virus went into effect starting in March 2020.  During the first month or so, I didn't try to go anywhere. But, when I checked the nearby park, I saw that there was no
crowds of people at all, so I was able to exercise there.  I've shot a few clips during this time...and finally decided to post something, just to show that I'm still moving around.  
I'm just happy that I can get some exercise in.   I still do the exercises described in all the entries below--adding up to about an hour of workout time.

    .     
    40 movement tai chi video_(full form)                    32 movement tai chi sword (full form)        Pakua change B3   Pakua change C4   Pakua change C7

Sept 28, 2019--  Pakua style B palm changes.   After reviewing some of the videos that I did many years ago, I decided to try doing these 2 set mores like I did in the past. I 
discovered that even though my hips have been repaired, I still cannot do some of the close inner leg twists (and also the outer ones) that I did back then. Anyway, I tried 
modifying the movements-again-so that they were more like I did before.  I think it looks a bit different than I'd been doing over the past few years.

 style B palm changes 9/28/19   Pakua style C palm changes.    style C palm changes 9/28/19

August 13, 2019--  Pakua palm changes..   Here is a comparison of the 4th palm change for the three different pakua styles.
Here they are:    style A palm change 4   style B palm change 4   style C palm change 4

August 9, 2019--  Pakua palm changes from style B. and the beginning of the 40 Movement Combination Tai Chi form.   I'm trying to do at least an hour of exercise every day 
(weather permitting).  There will be some minor differences (hopefully) while I try to work back into how I first did these movements.. That means I'm going to have to rely on the 
internal forms for my exercise.  These movements can be done slower, or lower, or with any other minor tweaks to increase the workout (or make it easier). I try mostly for smooth
transitions.  The clips also give an idea of about how long it can take to do these exercises. Here they are:
 style B palm change 1  style B palm change 2 style B palm change 3 style B palm change 4  style B palm change 5  style B palm change 6  style B palm change 7  style B palm change 8    

August 1and 2, 2019--  Pakua basic breathing positions and then palm changes.   I'm trying to do at least an hour of exercise every day (weather permitting). Unfortunately, I'm finding out 
that the "external" forms that I learned may be causing problems with my 60+ year-old skeleton. That means I'm going to have to rely on the internal forms for my exercise.  So I'm starting 
with the walking and breathing drill below, and then I'm going through all of these breathing positions and palm changes that I was taught for the three styles of pakua.  As I've mentioned 
before, I do NOT know which styles these are, so I call them A. B. and C. All I know is that I enjoy doing these exercises.  As time goes by, I'll try to clean up my performance. I've had a lot 
of negative reinforcement over time while my hips broke down, and various motions had hurt a lot--prompting me to avoid them.  It's refreshing to be able to move again. These three sets,
along with the walking/breathing below, and the static breathing and the 3 tai chi forms, and the 32 movement sword make about an hour of workout time (or more). Over these two days, 
I've recorded the entire set of exercises for each style. I don't think I'd ever filmed this before.  These movements can be done slower, or lower, or with any other minor tweaks to increase
the workout (or make it easier). I try mostly for smooth transitions.  The clips also give an idea of about how long it can take to do these exercises. 
Here they are:  pakua style A   pakua style B   pakua style C   One more thing, August 1, 2019 makes one full year with my new hip!

June 02, 2019--  Pakua basic walking and breathing drill  I don't know what else to call it.  This was a set of arm positions that were taken while walking a circle. Sometimes, we'd do this for 
30 minutes or more. Walking can be slow or fast. While walking, the legs are not rigid and the body is lowered slightly.  Turn the upper body so you're looking at the center post (or tree, or 
whatever) and not looking down--keep eyes level. The pakua "sliding" or "mud step" is normally used--where the entire bottom of the leading foot is kept parallel with the ground surface as
it is pushed forward.  Then it is placed so the entire sole touches at once.  This puts a lot of stress on my hips, even after the new prosthesis, so I'm not stepping like that here. I am sliding the
forward foot before I step down, but heel is touching first.  Try to walk with as little "bounce" as possible. That means hips, knees, and ankles are taking up the slack as you walk. Go through 
the full set of 12 positions while circling in one direction, then turn and go the opposite direction around the center (center is on the left) and do all 12 positions. The video clip which is here 
shows the different positions going in the first direction only (walking so the center is on my right), and one set of loosening exercises.

Basic Movement and Breathing Exercises Ok, I don't know what else to call them.  These were sets of exercises that I saw shown at the school.  They weren't taught together, or at the same time,
but over the years, I've grouped them together.  The definitions for them are my own--but make sense considering how the movements go. For these, since there is not too much movement, it's 
possible to concentrate more on breathing, and the pace and repetitions can be adjusted according to desired workout at the time. Basically the movements should coincide with breathing. Slow
inhale as arms move in, and slow exhale as hands and arms move out.  A few more notes follow below.  These days, I do these as a sort of "warm down" after the other exercises I've been trying
to do routinely.   I will have to post a video and pictures showing the basic positions (as I can do them now).  For all of these, it is necessary to exhale while moving into each new position, BUT, it
is also possible to hold each position and do a slow breathing cycle (or multiple cycles) before moving to the next position. The links below each image will show a video clip of the exercise.

Basic Breathing Drill-- This was done along with the Long Fist/Mantis style training.  The idea is to stand in low chair stance inhale deeply before, and exhale while doing the hand motions. Exhale
as long as possible and time it so full movement is reached at the end of the exhalation.  The set includes forward movements and final hikng stance for the last position to the left. Then return to 
beginning and repeat to finish on the right. 

Basic Pakua Breathing and Position--This was done associated with the Pakua training.  Concentrate on proper body/leg position and arm/hand position. When stepping, step smoothly and slowly.
Time movements along with breathing. You should finish facing the same direction as you started.

Basic Tai Chi Breathing and hand movements-- The first time we were taught Tai Chi, we spent months learning basic movement.  During part of that, we learned a basic set of hand and foot 
movements. Those movements were related to a different tai chi form and style (that didn't feel right for me).  Later, I put together this basic movement set. This is partly to help new students get a "feel"
for how tai chi movement should work.  For that reason, I kept foot and leg position simple so the new student can concentrate on what the hands and arms and upper body are doing.  I do it now so I 
can remember it (in case I'm asked to show anyone) and also because I enjoy it.  As with the others, breathe along with the movements.  Generally, inhale as hands/arms move towards the body, and
exhale as they move away.

    .  
                             Basic Breathing Drill                                                                 Basic Pakua Breathing and Position                                          Basic Tai chi breathing and hand movements

May 04, 2019--  Now that I can walk without any pain, I've started trying to regain more different exercises that I used to do. I'm also walking a lot more, and trying to practice about an hour each day.  I still 
have to limit my some movements--after all, both hips are no longer biological.  For now, I'm happy doing what I can. For "internal" forms, I doing both the "walking breathing" sets (8 positions) and the palm
changes (8 changes) for each different style (which I only know as 1, 2, and 3) going in one direction, then doing the entire set in the other direction.  I  also go through the 3 tai chi forms I've been doing 
(simplified 24 and 48; combined 40) and the 32 movement tai chi sword. I do a few other basic exercises and drills as well. I also try to work in some "external" forms, which I'll list on the other page.  
The images and clips here show just a part of each style I'm doing now. 

    
 Pakua style 1: breathing positions 1-4; palm changes 1-4            Pakua style 2: breathing positions 1-4; palm changes 1-4         Pakua style 3: breathing positions 1-4; palm changes 1-4

 
             Beginning of 32 movement  tai chi sword   

October 06, 2018--  My hip is fixed! It's so good to be rid of that discomfort.. Today, I shot video of myself doing these forms, about 3 months after the bad hip was replaced. In the video clips, I can still do 
the forms (with some adjustments for age, etc.).  Click the links to see the video clips.  The remaining 3 pictures below are frame-grabs from the video clips.
 2nd pakua set one side  40-movement Yang style taichi  32-movement taichi sword.  I can do about an hour and a half of these an various other exercises.  It's really great when I can work in the session 
at the same park where I can watch all kinds of other birds the same morning...as I did on this day.

July 27  2018--  I 've been practicing when I can, but my remaining natural hip has finally gotten very bad. I feel that I've been able tocontinue using it, because these excercises have 
kept it from "freezing" or fusing. There is NO cartilage left in the joint, as can be seen in this xray of my hip taken last April (below left). Today, I shot video of myself doing these forms,
three days before the bad hip was replaced. In the video clips, I can still do the forms (with some adjustments for age, etc.) but it's obvious that I'm having trouble walking.
Click the links to see the video clips. The remaining 3 pictures below are frame-grabs from the video clips. 
 2nd pakua set one side(mp4)  40-movement Yang style taichi(mp4)  32-movement taichi sword(mp4).  I'll see how things work after I've healed from the installation.

July 27  2017--  It was still hot out. This is how I'm doing the 24 Movement Simplified Tai Chi form.. 

                              24 movement simplified tai chi  7/27/17  (wmv)   

July 22  2017--  It's hot out. Here are three pakua changes. On good days I can walk ok and on bad days I can't...walk ok. This was a better day. 

                                     3 palm changes-#3,#7,#8  7/22/17  (wmv)   

April 22  2017--  You do the math...I've gathered a lot of birthdays.. I can't do high crescent kicks any more. Still, this is the 48 movement simplified form again--without high crescent kicks. 

                                     48 Movement simplified 4/22/17  (wmv)   

August 2, 9, 12  2014--  I'm 59 years old, that it. Some clips  I shot today.

August 2, 9, 12  2014--  I'm 58 years old, so I don't move like a youngster. . That just comes with the territory. This week, I've shot these clips. I also shot clips of my internal forms, and
those are on the other page.

                              2st  Pakua  Set counterclockwise  (wmv)    (mp4)
                              2st  Pakua  Set clockwise  (wmv)    (mp4)
                              2st  Pakua breathing set  (wmv)    (mp4)
                              3rd Pakua  Set counterclockwise  (wmv)    (mp4)        
                              3rd  Pakua  Set clockwise  (wmv)   (mp4)
                              3rd  Pakua breathing set  (wmv)   (mp4)
                                      tai chi 40 movement Yang form (mp4)
                                      32 movement tai chi sword  (wmv)     (mp4)
                              1st Pakua  Set counterclockwise  (wmv)   (mp4)
                              1st  Pakua  Set clockwise  (wmv)    (mp4)
                              1st  Pakua breathing set  (wmv)    (mp4)

April 13, 2013--  On weekends, or with enough free time, I've been running/walking 1/1/2 - 2 miles, then doing pushups, then a number of exercises to straighten my spine. After that, I still do some 
form work.  Here's what I filmed today (with some on the other page).

                                      1st  Pakua  Set video  12.3mb(wmv)
                                      2nd  Pakua  Set video  15.7mb(wmv)
                                      3rd  Pakua  Set video  16.7mb(wmv)
                                      tai chi 40 movement yang form video (mp4)  
                                      32 movement tai chi sword video  11.7mb(wmv)

September 03, 2012-- I'm still doing what I can.  Now I've been running/walking 1/1/2 - 2 miles, then doing pushups, then a number of exercises to straighten my spine. After that, I still do some form work.  

                       3nd  Pakua  Set video  16.3mb(wmv)                                 48 movement simplified tai chi video 43.9mb(wmv)

August 08, 2012-- I'm still doing what I can.  Now I've been running/walking 1/1/2 - 2 miles, then doing pushups, then a number of exercises to straighten my spine. After that, I still do some form work.  

                       2nd  Pakua  Set video  15.3mb(wmv)                                          Tai Chi Sword  Form video  13.5mb(wmv)       40 movement Yang Style Tai Chi Form video  (mp4)                            

June 09, 2012-- I'm still doing what I can.  Now I've been running/walking 1/1/2 - 2 miles, then doing pushups, then a number of exercises to straighten my spine. After that, I still do some form work.  
Regardless of how they look, I'm still doing these 26 years after I first started learning them. I did these all today after doing the run, etc., and after doing the exercises on the other page. 

             
                  3 Pakua Sets                                                 Combination Form Tai Chi                                                        32 movement Tai Chi Sword
                 1st Set Pakua video  9.6mb(wmv)            40 movement Yang style Tai Chi video  (mp4)              Sword  Form video 5.5mb(wmv)
                  2nd  Set Pakua video  14.3mb(wmv)                       
                  3rd  Set Pakua video  13.2mb(wmv)

July 30, 2011-- I guess I've been offically put on notice. I'm not as young as I used to be.  There are some things that folks my age should consider not doing any more.  However, there are still things 
that I can still do, without stressing certain anatomical structures (such as cerivical disks).  I use my excercises now to maintain range of motion, and I can also evaluate how things are healing.  Today,
I've collected together some of the pakua exercises that I still do.  I was taught these exercises over some years.  With each "style" of pakua, there were two sets of exercises. 
First, there was a set of walking exercises and breathing exercises. These can be performed at whatever pace is suitable at the time.  The idea is to walk with hands in position, then change hands to 
the next position--walk some more; and continue. One usually doesn't move through all the hand positions  quickly, but I've done so in the clips. Otherwise each clip would have been much longer.

Second, there was a set of palm changes for each "style".. These were more technique-oriented, I use them for balance,  coordination and breathing.  Like any of what I practice, it's mine, and I can use
it as I wish.  A set of breathing exercises matches a set of palm changes.  I still cannot be sure of the names of these styles.  Any observed lack of form is entirely my fault. I've also made some changes
because certain alterations of my physiology over time have made some types of movement difficult or not advisable.

The first set:

Set 1 breathing(wmv)                               Set one palm changes(wmv) 

The second set:

Set 2 breathing(wmv)                               Set two palm changes(wmv)

The third set:

Set 3 breathing(wmv)                               Set three palm changes(wmv)

There was another set of breathing exercises:    Static Breathing Exercise(wmv)

June 04, 2011-- Here's the 32-movement Simplified Tai Chi sword.  Sometimes I do it slower, sometimes I do it faster. This is a bit faster. It's hard to place the camera correctly in order to catch the
entire form and keep me in frame. So, I missed some in the clip where I move out of frame.  32-movement simplified Tai Chi  sword (partial)  (wmv 13.1 mb) 

May 28, 2011-- I had bit of a scare on May 18th and I didn't feel well until  Friday, May 27th. Besides doing the exercise in general, doing forms can serve as a test of recovering mobility, balance and
stamina. Today, I did two weapon forms, and these internal forms.

40 movement Yang Style tai chi (partial)(mp4)  ;  pakua set 1 change 2  (wmv 1.7 mb) ;  pakua set 2 change 3  (wmv 2.3 mb) ;  pakua set 2 change 8  (wmv 2.9 mb) ; 
 pakua set 3 change 7 (wmv 3.3 mb) 

December 11, 2010-- I hadn't practiced the 48 Movement Simplified Tai Chi for many years; so I've been refreshing my memory. I've been practicing all the way through for a while, so I thought I'd go 
through the form quickly. I like the style of the form, and like doing the movements at my own pace. After all, whatever I've learned is mine to use as I want. So, I've filmed the form, so I could see how it looks,
and see what to work on. I shot the form starting in opposite directions to try to get at least 2 different views of the positions and movements.

48 Movement Simplified Tai Chi(wmv  45.6mb)   

48 Movement Simplified Tai Chi alternate view(wmv 42.8mb)  

November 20, 2010-- I shot these video clip during my practice today. These are each a quick demo of the full series of 8 changes for each type. Normally I would walk more between changes, and also
do them from the opposite direction.  It's been 14 about years since I've been in a kung-fu school to learn anything--so all the mistakes are mine..

Pa-Kua set A (wmv 10.3mb)   

Pa-Kua set B (wmv 15.3mb)  

Pa-Kua set C  (wmv 15.4mb)  

November 06, 2010-- I shot these video clip during my practice today.
32 Movement Tai Chi sword (wmv 9.8mb)   This is only a part of the full form.

Pa-Kua set A Change 2  (wmv 1.6mb)   

Pa-Kua set B Change 3  (wmv 2.1mb)  

Pa-Kua set B Change 7  (wmv 2.2mb)  

Pa-Kua set B Change 8  (wmv 2.6mb) 

August 14, 2010-- I shot this video clip during my practice today.
40 Movement Yang Style Tai Chi (mp4)  

August 11, 2010-- I shot these video clips during my practice today.
Pa-Kua set B change 3 (wmv 1.9mb) 

Pa-Kua set B change 5 (wmv 2.1mb)

Pa-Kua set C change 7 (wmv 2.6mb)

          
         32 Movement Tai Chi Sword
   32 Movement Tai Chi Sword VIDEO(wmv 14.5mb) 

March 27, 2008-- The images and clips below were taken on March 24, 2008. As mentioned above, I learned 3 "styles" of palm-change forms, and 4 styles of walking breathing exercises. I've only 
attended one school for these styles. Each of the pictures below represents one of four breathing styles (which I cannot identify). Below each image is a link to a short video of me walking through a series
of 8 changes starting in one direction. I tried to set the camera so that I could fill the frame. So, I tried to stay within frame when I'd change direction. I numbered them in the order I learned them. However, 
the first set of breathing exercises goes with the second set of palm changes above (March 17 sets); and the second set of breathing exercises goes with the first set of palm changes above.

-----------
                   BREATHING SET 1                                                 BREATHING SET 2                                                     BREATHING SET 3
         SET 1 VIDEO(wmv 5.3mb)                               SET 2 VIDEO(wmv 6.4mb)                           SET 3 VIDEO(wmv 5.0mb)

March 17, 2008--GOOD NEWS!! I've had my hip replaced in 2005. Now, I can do a lot of what I used to. For now, mostly "internal" style. I've been practicing the forms I can remember, and as I've 
rehabilitated my leg. Details of the hip repair, and then the following healing with exercise can be seen on this page.

The images and clips below were taken on March 15, 2008. Any mistakes or poor form are entirely my fault, as I haven't had any formal training since 1996, when I left my martial arts school after 10 years.
That's 12 years of practice on my own, less about 4 for hip and knee problems. Still, I don't think I'm doing badly for someone over 50. 
As mentioned above, I learned 3 "styles" of palm-change forms, and 4 styles of walking breathing exercises. I've only attended one school for these styles. Each of the pictures below represents one of those
styles (which I cannot identify). Below each image is a link to a short video of me walking through a series of 8 changes starting in one direction. I tried to set the camera so that I could fill the frame. So, 
I tried to stay within frame when I'd change direction.

----------
          STYLE A                                                                                     STYLE B                                                                     STYLE C
   STYLE A VIDEO(wmv 10mb)                                                     STYLE B VIDEO(wmv 18mb)                                     STYLE C VIDEO  (wmv 17mb)

Here are some links to some video clips I shot in 2000 and 2001. There's nothing different about them, except that they were taken some time after my knee surgery. I'd taken links to them off the page, 
but decided to put them back (it's June 6, 2010), just as a record of how long I've been practicing the same exercises.  I learned three different sets of changes, which I call "A", "B", and "C". I don't know
for sure where each originated. By the time these were shot (2000), I'd been practicing on my own for about 5 years (I'd left the school in 1996)--so any lack of technique should be my fault.

----------------------
                                               pa kua zhang

In July of 1999 I had to get knee surgery due to injuries from a car accident. As a result, I've lost some function of one leg, and so may not be able to do ALL of the exercises I used to do. As of 2004,
the knee hasn't improved much, and there has been some damage to the hip as well. That certainly puts a kink on my practice schedule! As time has gone on, I've had to curtail  quite a bit of this activity.

 Special Note 09/02/2019 Here are  links to some video clips that were filmed sometime around 1999. I don't know the exact date--but the first digital formatted files I have show they were made in 1999.
I've found the video tapes from then, but there's no time stamp. I've re-digitized the tapes and have higher-resolution digital files.  But they're from old tape so they aren't great. This is all eight palm changes,
and not too long after I'd left the school. After my knee surgery, I couldn't do the drastic leg twists as shown here...so that's when I started to abbreviate the movements as shown in the later clips above.  
This is the second set of Pakua that I learned. The viewpoint of the camera is looking out from the center of the circle.

----------------------
                                               pa kua set B

Note: I first wrote this section some time in 1999 (I've made minor edits since then). Master Maing Yul Jung also taught me various styles of tai chi and pa kua internal martial arts.  Tai Chi Chuan 
(taijiquan) is becoming popular in this country as an alternative exercise.  Unfortunately, as with anything that is not well known, a lot of untrue claims about it are being made. It IS a very good form of 
exercise. But "slow moving" does not mean "without effort". As with any exercise, it requires sweat and perseverance to yield any major health benefits.  Tai Chi Chuan was originally an effective martial 
art, that is to say, it was used to fight. The original forms of the art were very strenuous, and had combinations of fluid slower movement and explosive quick movement. Over time various students came
up with "different" and "simpler" styles of tai chi. Also, certain Chinese physical education organisations tried to develop standardized forms that would make the exercise aspects more accessible to a 
wider variety of people, further moving away from the practical fighting aspects of this martial art.   

-----------------------
                              Master Jung and I                                             figure 17   tai chi chuan                         figure 18   pa kua zhang 
Figure 17 shows me performing the 24 movement simplified Tai Chi form during a test at my school.

Pa Kua Zhang (baguazhang) has been called the last truly unique martial art. It is the youngest, but it is entirely different than other martial arts in movement and technique. The primary offensive weapon
is the palm (zhang) and the movements of this art are mostly circular. There are many different variations of this art, however, as in tai chi and  other martial arts. So, there are some styles called "pa kua"
that look more similar to other, more traditional Chinese fighting styles.  Figure 18  was taken at the school I attended.

---------------------------
                               figure 19  pa kua zhang                                              figure 20   pa kua zhang

There are two short examples of one style of pakua here. These are from a series of 8 different changes.  Here is change number  three  (FIG.19 mp4 video) , and this is change 
number eight. (FIG. 20 mp4 video )  During my time at the school. I was shown many different excercises in Pa-Kua, and a few different styles.

Pa Kua, Tai Chi, and Hsing Yi are the 3 major "internal" Chinese martial arts. Sometimes, too much emphasis is placed on what defines "internal" from "external". Sometimes, too much emphasis is 
placed on what "this" style is compared to "that" style. Currently, in this country (USA), there is a lot of interest in Chinese philosophy, spirituality, medicine, and martial arts. Since the "spiritual" aspects 
of life are hard to quantify in a hard, scientific manner, these elements can easily be used to mislead or cheat people.  A lot of the foundation for this interest, I believe, is the mistaken belief that one can
get something (like good health, or physical strength, or self-defense ability) for nothing, or almost nothing.  It is NOT going to a one and a half hour class 3 times a week and eating pizzas on the weekends.
  It is NOT attending a one week seminar, or even a 3 month seminar once--or once a year.  
\Note: I first wrote the above some time in 1999. I've left it here because gives some idea of why I started this page.

       Click here  to go back to the home page of this....this....whatever the heck I'm doing.