Sword Fundamental Training (YMAA)
by David Silver
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DVD details
Actor: Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, Kathy YangDirector: David Silver
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); Spanish (Unknown)
Format: NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 180 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-02-13
Studio: YMAA Publication Center
DVD Reviews of Sword Fundamental Training (YMAA)
DVD Review: Excellent introduction to Chinese sword!
Summary: 5 Stars
My sword background is primarily with Japanese and Korean sword work, so I found Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's DVD "Sword Fundamental Training: Solo Drills and Matching Practice" different from what I'm familiar with, but very interesting and very well done for an instructional DVD.
I've been very impressed with Dr. Yang's DVDs on Chin Na, especially since my primary art of Hapkido also consists of many joint lock and pressure point techniques. So I wanted to learn more of the sword fundamentals from the Chinese arts that Dr. Yang teaches. This is a very good DVD to introduce those concepts and training methods.
The DVD is divided into six main chapters: Intro, General Knowledge, Techniques, Solo Practice, Matching Practice, and the Conclusion. These six main chapters are divided into more than 60 chapters to help you skip to the section you want to review and study. The entire program is a little over three and a half hours long, so you will want to take notes and skip back to the sections as you progress. There are subtitles that go along with Dr. Yang's instruction. I don't think they are necessary, but having them there does not hurt. They do not match the exact words of Dr. Yang, but convey the general concepts he discusses.
The first portion of the DVD focuses on information and history of the sword. It was very interesting and informative. It's a lecture on the sword that includes Chinese proverbs on the sword. This portion was very interesting if you are interested in all things martial as I am. Dr. Yang then teaches 27 fundamental techniques with the sword. The instruction is very clear, and Dr. Yang brings out students to assist him in showing applications of the techniques. So many DVDs would just show the movement once or twice and move on to the next. Dr. Yang provides so much more, and it is really refreshing to see an instructor who goes above and beyond while teaching.
The next portion of the program entails the solo practice drills. There is a lot to learn and practice here. The Chinese movements are different from the Japanese and Korean I'm used to, and I enjoyed learning some different ways to use the long blade, even if some of the movements seemed awkward due to being foreign to me. At times Dr. Yang has students perform the solo drills, so you get to see different variations of solo practice.
The final section before the conclusion is the matching practice with a partner. There were ten different matching drills and again, Dr. Yang gives so much while teaching. Going slow, watching the DVD, and working with a partner, and you can definitely learn a lot from this program. Again, Dr. Yang's students demonstrate live practice with the drills Dr. Yang teaches. Watching them illustrates how you can practice.
I really enjoy Dr. Yang's instruction and explanations. He has such a tremendous amount of knowledge and I feel we are fortunate to have access to that knowledge through the books and DVDs he has authored and produced. Even with such knowledge and the traditional background, he still interjects humor and modern American culture, such as near the end when he says it takes a long time to become a Jedi.
Another thing that really impressed me, and I've mentioned it already, is the amount of information Dr. Yang provides on this DVD. I recently checked out a three-volume set on self-defense from my local library. Each DVD was thirty minutes long. I thought to myself, why didn't they put all of this on one DVD? They wanted to make more money, that's why. This DVD is over three and a half hours long. If that other company had produced it, it would have been released as seven DVDs. It is just one more reason I really respect Dr. Yang and YMAA.
The DVD also contains the standard YMAA Extras: About YMAA, Catalog, Video Previews, and DVD Credits.
This is an excellent introduction to Chinese sword. It provides history and information about the sword and enough instruction on techniques to provide many hours of learning and practice. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn or know more about Chinese sword techniques.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
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