Question about Claire Hooton

[len mccoy]

I have a wonderful DVD called called "The Method Tai Chi Beginner's Level". It is very clear and detailed. Claire Hooton the discs author refers to her form as that of Dr. Cheng ManChing and indeed about the first thirteen moves are an excellent presentation of Cheng ManChing's 37 posture short form. The way she moves, pivoting on the heel, facing fully forward in single whip, keeping her rear leg flexed in bow stance etc is very much the Cheng Manching style not classical Yang style. After stepforward parry punch however she does something odd. She does find needle at the bottom of sea followed by spread arms like a fan. These moves aren't even in Cheng Manching's short form (although they are in classical Yang style).
Does anyone out there know:
Is there more than one Cheng ManChing short Form?
or Did Claire Hooton invent this on her own?
I like this variation for a number of reasons and will keep doing it no matter what but would like to know it's history. Many thanks for any help.
Respectfully,
Len McCoy

[sean_stonehart]

Don't know her & don't know much about more than 1 CMC form.

I know a lot of people that put out DVD's will do things like that (include stuff, drop stuff, change stuff) to make sure that there's "plausible deniability" & a degree of separation between them & you should questions ever arise.

If you dig it, roll with it.

[Johnboy554]

Hi Len,

probably a bit late in the day to reply to this - but since I've only just joined I'll oblige.

I too have the DVD by Claire Hooton. It is indeed a Yang short form but is not the CMC version... it's very close though and is a derivation of CMC's form which was compiled by William CC Chen: 'The Yang Style in 60 Movements'.

To compliment the Claire Hooton I can thoroughly recommend WCC Chen's book entitled 'Tai Chi Chuan - The Art of The 60 Movements Yang Style Short Form'. In it Master Chen explains in detail breathing, speed & power theory, rooting, body mechanics and very clear instruction in the form.

Hope this helps,
John

[taichi]

She is very good.