Critical Condition

Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Video Series - Volume Six  Tai Chi Kung
San Chai Tai Chi Academy
Running time: 58 minutes  Price: £24.99   
This sixth volume on Robert Poyton's yang style video series covers  chi kung exercises that are specific to Tai Chi. The tape begins with a brief over-view of the aims and purposes of chi kung (qigong) before introducing the basic method of Standing Post (Zhan Zuang) which is common across many Tai Chi styles. Correct posture is covered, both external and internal, and the importance of correct mental posture is also explained. Different methods of breathing are also described. Following the basic method a six-posture version of the Standing Post is shown, plus how to make the exercise even more challenging (for the masochists amongst you!).
Of course, Tai Chi in itself is a form of qigong and Robert also shows how you can take individual postures from the form and practice them as a qigong exercise. We are then shown a specific meditation using the opening posture of the form - Wu Chi. I liked the point that is stressed throughout this tape - that these exercises are simple, but certainly not easy. That has definitely been my experience - nothing looks simpler than "standing still" for half an hour, but in fact it is very, very difficult.
The last section of the tape takes us through a moving qigong set based on the movements of the large frame Yang form. This set, as well as giving a good stretch and general body workout, emphasises the opening and closing of the main acupuncture points in the hands and feet and gets a real "energy buzz" going.
Overall I found this a very useful tape one that, as it is not working on a specific form or style, will benefit students from any background.
Review by  John Cooper

Barefoot Doctors Handbook for Heroes-a spiritual guide to fame and fortune
I may not have acted like a good Taoist when I first saw this book, and I've always done my best to steer clear of clichés which is why the cover brought about a swift and brutal judgment of the contents.  What you first see on the bookshelf staring back are a couple of keen attitude students in the obligatory indoor sunglasses, ill fitting Oxfam attire and strategic piercings designed to annoy over rich, uninterested parentage.  That's it's bad point, and luckily for me, had I not felt obliged to cast a cursory glance over it having being lent it by a friend at Taiji, I would be less enlightened right now.
Being named Spanner, I'm in no position to be questioning the fact that the author calls himself Barefoot Doctor, but one thing stands,  he is a doctor. In a very Chinese sense of the manner, that is.  He's not Chinese (I suspect he's a southerner) but he does openly display a remarkable sense of understanding the Tao.  His martial arts background is impressive, being a student and teacher of the three popular Chinese internal martial arts Taiji, Pa Kua and Hsing I and appears to have done extensive research into all three.  Of their history, philosophy and effective martial application he is confident and forthcoming, and should someone new to the game of internal martial arts pick up this book, he explains the true nature, benefits and reasons for practising these arts as well, if not better, than any I have read.  He clears away the mysticism so the reader can truly appreciate what lies at the centre of the martial arts, and what they can expect with a little dedication.
Although I place little faith in the foundations of Tarot cards and other such divination, his directions to the authentic use such items are well laid out and fair.  I won't dismiss them just yet.  If I can help it!  To someone who this is of interest to, I suspect it is most informative.
Unexpectedly, the chapter that really caught my attention was that of meditation.  In my Kung Fu days, meditation accompanied by a good, deep horse stance was always emphasised as a very important lesson in martial arts.  I may have got the hang of it, if not for the endless horse stances! But the wonderful Taoist techniques he guides you through are almost immediately effective, and progress is made quickly. I now get up half an hour early to meditate and receive a lot more benefit from Qigong.
To sum up: If you don't like this book, you're wrong. If you do, groovy baby! (See you in Oxfam!)

Review by Spanner. Book lent to Spanner by Giles Dring. Book no longer owned by Giles Dring.  Spanner owned by overwhelming feeling of self satisfaction due to acquisition of book.

FILM REVIEW--THE QUEST
Directed by and starring - Jean Claude Van Damme
Written by - Frank Dux and Jean Claude Van Damme

For all those who are not interested in martial arts films, stop reading now. For those who are, watch "The Quest".  It's effectively a remake of "Bloodsport", which launched Van Damme's career. If you don't already know, "Bloodsport" was a film about a no-holds-barred tournament involving the world's best fighters. It was based on the real life exploits of Frank Dux, who, incidentally, co-wrote "The Quest". The only thing about "Bloodsport" which really entertained was the mixture of different martial arts on show. It attempted to depict confrontations between different styles, and to good effect. Does anyone remember how VD managed to beat the Sumo guy? Ouch.
Anyway, "The Quest" is pretty much the same thing, only slicker. This is what I think: -

Plot. Absolutely no surprises. Quite boring really. You can safely leave your brain in neutral when you watch this film.
Directing. The Muscles from Brussels tries his hand at directing, and for the most part does a reasonable job. He's no Tarantino, but he keeps things tootling along nicely, and does very well with the tournament fights. As a bonus, we don't get bogged down with the slushy sentimentality that is often a feature of VD films. I don't know if this is VD's first directorial effort or not. If it is, then I'm quite impressed.
Acting. VD is supposed to have once said, "I'm a movie star, not an actor". Whether he said that or not, it's perfectly true. He's his usual monosyllabic self. However, the film does something quite clever. It doesn't ask its actors to fight, and it doesn't ask its fighters to act. As a result, the fight scenes are excellent and we actually end up caring about the characters. Roger Moore (yes, THE Roger Moore) plays an Aristocratic English con man, and he hams it up like a good 'un. This more than makes up for the tedious VD. There's the usual handsome wench for VD to impress which I could easily have done without. Overall, the acting in "The Quest" is not really that bad.
Jean Claude Van Damme.  VD is in the best shape I've seen since his early films. Whoever did the fight choreography for this film somehow got him to make a real effort. He looks great. Ok, so he can't act, but that's not really expected of him. He also manages to spare us his usual tricks, like doing the splits, holding a kick at head height and baring his bum. (Not all at once, obviously). Personally, I think that this is his best work to date.
Fight Scenes. In the first half there are some big set pieces eating lots of budget. Nicely done, but nothing to get excited about. The really good stuff comes later, in the tournament itself. There are many fighting styles on display, and the differences are shown well. The bout between Korea and China captured my attention particularly, and Scotland's fate is pretty funny. And as for the Brazilian and African…!! Grappling arts get a raw deal, but you can't have everything. Western Boxing is shown as completely inadequate, and since this film was co-written by Frank Dux, you have to wonder if that's a deliberate statement. The final fight is a VD trademark: - he takes a real pasting from the big bad guy, then somehow finds some inner strength at the last minute and KICKS BOTTOM! This plot device has been well overused by VD, and I wish he'd pack it in. I think the final is the worst fight of the tournament.
As martial arts films go, "The Quest" is excellent. As normal films go, it's only just average. All in all, it's well worth a look.
Oh, and yes, it is a lot better than "Bloodsport".

Review by Geoff Taylor