Internal Damage-Advanced Tai Chi Chuan For Combat – Glenn Hairston

Internal Damage DVD by Glenn Hairston is a must see if you want to see Tai Chi applications done in the street and with a reality-based approach?

Shihfu Glenn Hairston has a no-nonsense feeling toward his art and plenty of experience and training to back it up. But this is more than a DVD of applications. Here is a well produced, modern, edgy piece filmed with graffiti background on a cracked court in the city. But it also has humor. The nice thing about this effort is that, at the center of the music, the jokes, the FX editing is Hairston who impresses us as a serious, honest and sincere practitioner with something to say about his view of the art. That’s not to mention an assistant/student Eric Randolph who gets kudos for actually being able to take a punch and come back smiling and Ron Yuan for his narration with attitude. Glen doesn’t explain every move of his applications but its pretty obvious to those who can see what he’s doing. He even falls into the dedicated instructors trap and shows some skills that definitely require, well, some skill. But most of it is straight forward, clever and very workable. His hands are eloquent, trained, fast, accurate. This is at least one take on Tai Chi where the essence of fighting is completely open, honest and – thankfully – proud of its warrior background. Applause for this teacher and his efforts. Be warned, as the back cover says, “This ain’t your grandma’s Tai Chi.”