Ideas for a Taijiquan/etc... documentary request!

[froggy]

Hello there, I hope this post finds you all well.

I have been given the opportunity to…let’s say propose a documentary on taiji or qigong, etc… I am actually already making a very scientific documentary on taiji, but this second new documentary will be is more lifestyle oriented.

So I thought I’d ask for your suggestions for what topics in the internal arts you think will make interesting documentaries for mass consumption. The length can be one hour, or feature length, the genre can be any…investigative, health oriented, culture, humor,….etc… Just think of what may interest an American and International audience, and how it should be presented.

The most overdone type of taiji doc which I’ve seen, which I don’t want to do is the “this is taiji, look how wonderful it is, now let’s go hug some trees” which I’ve seen far too many off.

Any suggestions would be great. You can email me at eb7g @shaw.ca. Thanks.

[Shadow Skill]

I believe a doc. involving the fighting aspects and benifits. Would be a different spin on internal martial arts. Instead of "Tree hugging"

[blooming lotus]

As long as you incorperate something scientific on varied styles of taiji / qigong, and some scientific info on chi and tcm and what the movements and meridian streams / channels are about etc, I would consider it a watch I wouldn't miss. ;) :)

[cerebus]

Peace on you michelle. :p

[David Jamieson]

every morning in the park near my place an old man practices the yang 24 (aka the beijing 24).

he is joined by a couple of other older folks and sometimes younger folks.

His movement is fluid and sure footed.

Perhaps something that alludes to the retention of youth through practice. I have seen many who are his age or younger that are basically broken down and not as clear in step or mind as this old fellow.

why not look into what maks tai chi special in this aspect. How does it keep the old feeling young? Besides the everyday exercise aspect, there is tremendous value in practice in this respect imo.

[David Jamieson]

I woudl also add that you will have not such an easy time finding people who understand and practice teh martial aspect of tai chi.

That seems to have been overshadowed by health practice long ago. Many people who practice have no idea how to apply tai chi martially, especially not in a full blast conflict.

at least in my experience, i have not met anyone who exclusively use tai chi as a vehicle of combat prowess. perhaps some borrow from it's principles, but this is not an exclusive part o their combat practice either sportively, competitively or in a for real sense.

I would say though that I once knew of a person who taught our federal police force the combat aspects of tai chi. He worked for a long time with the drug enforcement division of said police force.

From what I understand, these policemen likely have used his training in their jobs to subdue, restrain and contain the criminal elements they deal with without allowing harm to come to themselves or to the various offenders who become violent that they deal with.

[blooming lotus]

on that note of martial vs health, particulary chen, has some extremely well thought throws that would make you balk!! Maybe you could do the ma intro via that??