Cheng Man Ching - 37 Movement Tai Chi

Cheng Man Ching performs the 37 Movement Tai Chi form that he created. He was a student of the famous Tai Chi master Yang Cheng Fu.

[@davidmalcolm4023]

I did study a bit with one of his senior students which was very interesting. I started with his book, co-authored with Robert W. Smith, back in '68/69 but very soon realised I needed a teacher for this and this started a long journey into Tai Ji, Xing Yi, Ba Gua, Qi Gong, Chinese Medicine, the language, philosophies and culture, etc. At nearly 74 years old, still find daily Tai Ji and Qi Gong practice invaluable. You can stay shallow or go very deep: the benefits just amplify.

[@johnpaulsecond4626]

at seventy i am learning more through tai chi now than when i started back almost fifty years ago; there is no end to how much one can learn through the university of chi and its applications within and without

[@stockmanbooks]

I began learning Tai Chi back in the 1980s but didn't practice often until 2005. It became a daily routine and has been for almost 20 years. At 77 years old, my mobility, balance, and leg strength are far beyond others my age. Wish I had taken it more serious earlier in life. If you want to do something for your body that has lasting effects-learn Tai Chi!

[@bobdudy7177]

I learned this Form in the early 90's from Robert, from the Taoist Sanctuary, San Diego. I still practice it, as it's such a great way to meditate and relax. When I was learned it, the hardest part was to move slowly, at the time I couldn't really understand why. Now in my late 60's I get a chuckle because that's how fast I am able to move. But the point is to use every muscle and joint every day, as they will cease up from lack of motion and use. Everyday is just one more piece of Rice Paper, placed upon the others. No Belts, and no destination, just being in the Zen and now.

[@leisulin]

It blows my mind to watch Prof. Cheng doing so flawlessly all the things we're trying to do as practitioners--mainly fully separating the weight (pouring it ALL into one foot then the next), and fully relaxing... I find the former esp. hard to do completely so watching him do it so effortlessly during Repulse Monkey and esp. Turn and Strike With Heel (which I can't seem to do correctly at all, which he does, again, like it's the easiest thing in the world), just amazes me. I'm grateful to find these old films of Prof. Cheng uploaded so I can watch him over and over and use this to try to correct my own form.

[@bb1201957]

Watch the "Rare video" of him at his prime: 4:27 length. Beautiful music, simple effortless movements!

[@edboldt3769]

I felt the same way... even the little shuffle step he makes to keep it all on camera

[@maytan1622]

Amazing grand master

[@sentimanlekgothoane5322]

Great form as a start to learn Yang Cheng Fu 108 Long Form. Thanks for sharing!

[@learntorelax277]

The biggest problem with videos is that people believe this is THE way to do it rather than just one of many ways of performing the form. The Professor would have been constantly adapting the movements. The way he did the form ten years earlier would look similar but quite different in many ways. The way to learn tai chi is not to mindlessly follow movements but to constantly test, experiment and adapt your skills according to different criteria - maximum power with minimum effort, energy flow, structural alignment and so on. Make the form your own personal expression of what it is to be human and alive. The way he did the form in this video is the way that suited him and his body and energy flow at that exact moment in time.

[@david9180]

This is exactly the reason that we have so many so called masters that continue to perform incorrect form as a form of self improvised expression yet cant defend themselves and remain far away from the softness that transforms chi ' just about every form that I've seen has huge mistakes that beginners shouldnt make but they think they've nailed it '

[@talkingstick2u]

Well said Learn to Relax. I concur wholeheartedly. You can never step into the same river twice. As a flow artist, I'm constantly evolving and engaging in the art of f~l~o~w. I take Qigong and tai chi breathing and forms and apply them to my buugeng, triplegeng, dragon staff, silk flags or other such flow tools. I spin into a move that I never know if I will be able to do again. I'll forever remember the day I spent by the ocean playing with a five-spin toss of my staff into the wind before a major storm... I threw it out towards the ocean and it came back at me in a boomerang effect, perfectly executed. I may never be able to recreate that again in my lifetime. Creative chaos is a way of living, a way of life.

[@david9180]

A flow artist ?? 😅😅

[@red-sun-academy]

David, please don't laugh at TalkingStick as he's simply someone on his own Tai Chi journey. Tai Chi isn't about putting yourself above someone. Everyone learns at their own rate. He's simply training, as you are. I cringe when I see someone diss another who's training. It's unkind.

[@leonardvojka5404]

It’s quite amusing yet beautifully ironic that you two brought together - assuming ‘they’ were in the perceived need for reunification - the wholeness of practicality with the openness for assimilated adaptation and integrated embodiment, as an expression beyond originality, for all is natural - so it “becomes” naturally original, for it is originally natural, without the pretense of worded notions and interpretative conclusions or meanings. “Being without being”.

[@dorgannancy]

Also learned and forgot. 77 now and wish I had persevered. New beginning. Thank for such a clear video.

[@meditationamsterdam]

You have more stability and depth of mind now, start again :0)

[@lutang15]

Me too

[@johnminnitt8101]

Me too. I learned this form 50 years ago from a Chinese teacher in London, who had been a pupil of this master. Maybe relearning it will help my aged self.

[@davidgroth26]

Watching this in half speed it is incredible, the complete balance and focus and strength of one position before moving to the next. Awesome!

[@TaichiStraightlife]

Great idea! Would never have thought of it by myself; many thanks.

[@williambell7463]

This is almost the 37 Form which I learned from Sifu Bob Lowey of Seven Stars about 30 years ago. I still perform it every morning after Qi Gong exercises. Ching's balance and "softness" of movements are effortless.

[@charleswoodside1437]

I learned this form in 1974. And would like a copy of form . Please

[@williammitchell1804]

I have never seen anyone be this balanced. His movements are so smooth is doesn't look like he is putting forth any effort to do the form.

[@eldersonjosue8882]

Fight ? Lol

[@eldersonjosue8882]

😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@eldersonjosue8882]

MMA 😬✋

[@leisulin]

@@eldersonjosue8882 You should read the books by Wolfe Lowenthal on Prof. Cheng and his level of mastery of the art. You might learn something............and then again, given your level of disrespect and ignorance, you might not........

[@brigittemilde44]

Thank you very much for uploading the Videos of this Great Master

[@ianstoner5636]

Learned, taught, forgot!!! Now relearning as late-middle age creeps upon me and flexibility seeks to escape 😉 Excellent resource.

[@edboldt3769]

mike pekor

[@autummsun]

Me too...I need to relearn this!

[@pygmygodeus9450]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for posting it. I love this one.

[@greatMomiz]

this was the master of the master of my master ❤

[@rick31869]

I STUDY TAI CHI WITH SIFU PAUL NETTLES AND THE BOYS , THANKS MASTER , ITS BECAUSE OF YOU WE LEARN THIS TODAY ! WE ARE 5th AND 6th GENERATION /DESCENDANTS FROM YOU !

[@Positivelifeacademy]

I am blown away by his flow

[@KaddyFeast]

Great! Only ever seen his outdoor NYC river park short form. This was so informative!

[@shamsuddinali7205]

Peace and blessings thanks for sharing

[@red-sun-academy]

AMAZING balance on his spinning heel kick (5:40). I am so impressed and in awe.

[@okafala605]

Masterful!

[@hannahcrazyhawk]

Love this, thank you!

[@xanderp3325]

Part 1 1. Preparation N 2. Commencement N 3. Peng (Ward off L) N Then the 4 energies of Grasp sparrow’s tail 4. Peng (Ward off R) E 5. Lu (Roll back) 6. Ji (Squeeze/Press) 7. An (Push) 8. Single whip W 9. Raise hands N 10. Kào (Shoulder stroke, Lean forward) N 11. White crane W 12. Brush knee twist step W 13. Play guitar, brush knee twist step W 14. Step up, deflect downward, intercept and punch W 15. Withdraw and push W 16. Cross hands N Part 2 17. Embrace tiger, return to mountain SE then diagonal Single whip NW) 18. Fist under elbow W 19. Step back and repulse monkey, L and R W 20. Step back and repulse monkey, L W 21. Diagonal flying NE 22. Wave hands like clouds, L N (transition: L foot steps up to N) 23. Wave hands like clouds, R, L, R, L N then to Single Whip W (transition: R foot steps to N) 24. Single whip W, snake creeps down 25. Golden rooster stands on one (L) Leg W 26. Golden rooster stands on one (R) Leg W 27. Pluck to transition, Separate R foot (High kick with heel) NW 28. Pluck to transition, Separate L foot SW 29. Turn body (pivot on R heel) and kick with L heel E 30. Brush knee, L and R E 31. Step forward L and punch R fist down E (followed by Grasping the sparrow’s tail E and Single whip W) 32. Fair lady weaves shuttle left NE (R foot steps to E, then L foot to NE 33. Fair lady weaves shuttle right NW (followed by two more Fair ladies, SW (R foot steps across, then L foot steps to SW) then to SE, Ward Off L N, then Grasping the sparrow’s tail E, Single whip W and Snake creeps down) W 34. Step up to seven stars W 35. Retreat to ride tiger W 36. Turn body sweep lotus leg W (arms are parallel to floor while turning) 37. Bend bow shoot tiger W (followed by advance, deflect, block, intercept and punch, withdraw and push, cross hands and conclude to Wuji)

[@shamsuddinali994]

Learned forgot and learning again inspiration

[@markdonovan1540]

Keep going, don't stop now that you've started again

[@F-15_Crew_Chief]

So true...

[@xanderp3325]

Same

[@winglow7615]

His rival in San Francisco was Ko Lin Yin, who said what's so good about him, he died in his early 70's. What Ko didn't say was Cheng loved to drink. That's what killed him.

[@red-sun-academy]

Really? I didn't know this. Good for Cheng Man-Ch'ing, lol. I wonder if he liked White Russians shaken, not stirred, since he was such a cool guy!

[@billy79521]

I am lucky to know now even the small amount of what I was taught then.

[@titoubrouwers2017]

such power

[@123StillMoving321]

Thought I knew it - Ha! Didn't! Always more to learn and lots to unlearn....thank you for great, no nonsense, no distractions video! And thank you Cheng Man Ching!

[@gianniverri]

Greatgreat

[@Daoistify]

As a long time practitioner of Taijiquan I have great respect for Prof. Cheng. However, I have never understood his limp hands. When watching his video I can’t help but think his age has impacted how he expresses the movements. But, who am I to question a Master. Regardless, I was taught to hold my hands with more intention and be more concise with each movement.

[@JackpineGandy]

I was taught mindfulness and "empty hands" and a "graceful palm" -the hands are not limp, their position and form is deliberate with no more muscle tone than is needed to maintain any given form the hand presents. If your hand or your arm is too firm - too rigid - too much muscle tone, then you cannot perceive whatever subtle information your immediate surrounding gives you. In the classics this is called "listening energy" and is not limited to the ears...this form of "listening" describes the sensory input from every part of your body. I believe there is no single "correct" outward manifestation of the form as long as the principles are observed. This is my understanding of what I was taught. I am not saying yours is wrong. If you are getting what you wanted from taichi, then you are doing it right. I entered into the practice to protect myself from myself, in my line of hard and dangerous work. I retired with no ailments or injuries or lingering disabilities, while my co-workers did not. My practice is different from yours but it works for me.

[@lindaj5492]

I was taught as a beginner many years ago to seek “soft” yet awake “fair lady’s” hands by giving the hand a single shake - as if flicking water from it - and allowing the fingers & thumb to naturally separate. Also was taught to not “hold” the hand in a position, as that ‘action without intention’ creates muscular tension. And the principle “intention, Chi, movement”. Love these videos of CMC!

[@david9180]

Fair ladys hand is a transition that his master yang was working on towards the end of his life instead of the angular hand in long yang form ' the fair ladys hand allows chi to flow and also prevents locks or chi na ' a stiff angular position cam be locked into a restraint but a soft hand cannot

[@mrenormouscroc]

What he is doing is embodying one one the most important principles, which is, "Know the male, yet keep to the female." Softness is the greatest strength. I hope you understand this. It took me a long time to get this and why he does it this way. When you practice ultimate softness it creates a profound change in consciousness, I'm sure you can see it in him.

[@ReverendPop]

The last true master

[@riverbelowmountain]

LOL you don't know what your talking about beginner

[@C-handle-r]

Does anyone know why CMC37 doesn't include "nail to the bottom of the sea"? Imo it's a very effective manoeuvre and I am surprised it IS included in the chin gov 24 style.

[@pauljd8]

I teach this form and it's great to see his flow. But that flow is utterly ruined by suddenly putting an advert in the middle. Whoever decided to do that clearly has no idea about how watching another perform tai chi can affect people.

[@mrenormouscroc]

Supreme emptiness

[@C-handle-r]

I'm not mesmerised by his technique or anything. But what can you expect from an 80 year old or so man? But this is the best example on YT I think when you want to learn this form. Remember to play around with the execution speed yourself, relax and always to to floooooow.

[@lindenblock]

I'm uncertain of the year that this was filmed, but he died at the age of 72 so he's nowhere near 80 in the film.

[@bossywossy111]

Ultimate flow, has no structure. Structure is simply to being you to the banks, to find the flow. Once you find the flow, you can still continue with the structure, but it's so important. The flow will be dictating the movement, rather than the other way around.

[@JL-bo4bh]

It does not look soft but his playing is martial art oriented. If you have good eyes you can see how he applies Jin in movements. His modified foot work is much superior to original Yang style.

[@leisulin]

I'm surprised you can mean it when you say "it does not look soft". When I see him do Grasping the Sparrow's Tail (which movement occurs 3(?) times in the short form), he looks extremely soft to me. If I'd ever had the chance to push hands with him I think he could/would have launched me like a missile.

[@ritesofpassageinc]

@@leisulin I pushed hands once with Ben Lo, Master Cheng's senior student who settled in San Francisco, and yes he launched me like a missile, while I couldn't touch him.

[@leisulin]

@@ritesofpassageinc I also got to push hands with another of this students, Wolfe Lowenthal. It was embarrassing! I was trying so hard to "do nothing", but every few seconds he'd gently swat one of my hands, whichever had just transgressed, and so I tried again....same thing over and over for about 5 minutes!

[@ShmsuddinAli-gg4le]

Praises and Abundant Thanks to Allah Alhamdulillah through all conditions Amiin

[@ahfortune]

中正安舒，難得的大師高清影跡。應該是在美國授拳時留影的吧！感謝分享。

[@JL-bo4bh]

應該是在美國, 臺灣很少這樣長條的硬木地板.

[@shamsuddinali7205]

Alhamdulillah received

[@matt_iles]

When was this recorded?

[@leisulin]

Back in the 1960s, I think....or early 70s?

[@margiesanchez2906]

It's simply just beautifully done my he ,s just fab, we all have alot of work to get that good at it esp. Blanching practicing. I know exactly what I need to practice. I will definitely do practicing the form that's something that we all need to do get better at practice the form. MZS

[@adalbertXZ]

Extremly bad for knees.

[@stockmanbooks]

Exact opposite.

[@yintaichi]

This is SO depressing ! Watching a Dead Man shuffle around. If you want to see Yang style Tai Chi watch a Fu Zhong Wen.!

[@chronoko]

Then don't watch it. Everyone would hate to see you get depressed.

[@davelewis3336]

You sound like a very undisciplined no respect and Mcdojo blk belt or whatever

[@robertjohnson3140]

Fu zhong wen is dead also. Fu and cheng were classmates under yang cheng fu.

[@richardlstern8241]

Learn To Relax: Right, and also to suit your own build. And you might have to allow for injuries you have. It evolves as you age.

[@charlesstepp2083]

"His" approach to tai ji is no more valid than "Yours."

[@robertjohnson3140]

Once you have the 108 down cheng 37 is very easy to learn I taught myself cmc 37 in 40 minutes. However to get balance the form must be done on both sides. Chen style is my main tai chi form. I also do the cmc 37 with chen body mechanics and active chan su jing.

[@moominkraft6427]

My master used to "remind" me that Tai Chi is easy to learn but difficult to master ....

[@mindfulskills]

It doesn't get any better than this. Professor Cheng's wife, however, didn't like this video because his face was in shadow. The video was shot from a ladder.

[@wuchi51]

best angle of all his vids

[@RussMcClay]

This is great to find! I studied T'ai Chi with a friend in Southern California almost 50 years ago using his book T'ai Chi Ch'uan: A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health & Self Defense. It was one of the reasons I move to Taiwan over 35 years ago. The interesting thing is I never got into T'ai Chi in Taiwan due to other pursuits. But now I'd like to pick it up again and seeing the man doing the moves in the video is very inspirational. Thank you.

[@pierrehaga2865]

Pratiquons, pratiquons, encore et encore.

[@wilmamorri8190]

É l'amore per questa antica disciplina, che per i cinesi è parte integrante della loro cultura, che può portare a questi eccezionali livelli di conoscenza del proprio corpo, mente ed energia. Grazie per questo bellissimo video. ❤

[@9705gigi]

We thru o you