Counter-question: Is it assumed that post-1956 truncated forms are significantly different from their parent (pre-1956) forms?

By way of example, compare the modern 73 posture Sun family competition form (from Sun Lutang) with its 97 posture predecessor. The difference is largely in repetition rather than performance (speed or vigour). Similarly, Chen family laojia (old frame) and xinjia (new frame) share enough similarity in performance to shed doubt on the assumption that everything post-1956 is "just low-impact cardiovascular exercises". Having said that though there is a tendency among modern teachers (especially in the West) to under-emphasise the importance of correct breathing, or even omit it any specific practice, and from this perspective I would agree that much of what is being taught represents little more than choreography rather than the core of neigong practices. This speaks more to the teaching and not the arts themselves though.

They developed many new short forms and (long forms too) in 1956, with easier/faster movements and better choreography, to attract new practitioners. Later on, competitions, exhibitions and nice music all helped to lock in the modern taichi exercises at faster speed. The difference on healing effect is a vast difference between the new and the old. Once you are slow enough, the healing effect will be turned on and you should feel and see some improvements from head to toe after 2 weeks. These will include appetite, eye color, skin color, blood pressure, sugar level,........and so on. It is a very effective cancer prevention exercise (30 minutes a day) because of its shot-gun approach by sending more blood to all capillaries.

True, there are many new short and long forms, but I feel it is the teaching that is at fault in not promoting the health benefits. As a practitioner of Yang family tai chi quan (as promoted by Dr Yang Jwing-Ming) I find my form takes an average of 28-30 minutes to complete. However, it is not the movements by themselves that give the health benefits but rather the combination of intention, movement, particular breathing techniques, and an understanding and application of energy work (such as microcosmic orbit). The connections within the physical body down to the fascia level are also not often taught in Western classes (and perhaps not much more in the East these days). Similarly, and perhaps more impportantly, foundational work is not adhered to in the West - it is rare to find a teacher that promotes zhang zhuang for instance. On top of this most Westerners will not practice everyday, often limiting themselves to a one-hour lesson per week. This is simply not going to have much benefit for them, but may be a reflection of the likely fact that the largest Western population having a go at tai chi is the elderley. Unlike in China (say) there is no culture of meeting in the park for morning exercises in Western countries. A bit sad really.

Regarding the new forms: they can be beneficial as a means of engaging people in the art - hopefully with the intention of leading to the core practices. The fast competition wushu forms, with exaggerated and over-elaborate movements, are another animal entirely.

Ultimately all tai chi quan is a mind-body-spirit practice. Take away any one of these and it is no longer tai chi quan (in my opinion).

You are doing the right speed. Most Yang fellas that I know of, they do the Yang long form in less than 23 minutes, which will close up most capillaries in internal organs. They will not be able to feel any healing effect except for good muscles and joints. Since I slowed down my Yang taichi 85 in Feb this year, the whole taichi group has also slowed down since July. I've notice 2 girls with health problems had marked improvements after 2 months (even without deep breathing). We also do other faster modern taichi sets for warm-up and fun. Teachers should not teach too many things if time is limited. Otherwise, they will speed up everything. Zhang Zhuang has a lower healing efficiency. It is more for leg training (In fighting, we are supposed to use our legs to fight with opponent's hands, but people call it internal energy). We do not do meditation and qi as it is a totally different game. We consider it to be highly dangerous to use meditation to modify our brain functions and then perform extraordinary feats. To brain surgeons, they may see it as brain damage. As for me, I use my brain to monitor my leg and kua movements, breathing, and hand movements, in the same order. There is no more mystery about taichi. Yoga is the same, if they slow it down to our speed and smooth over their leg movements, it will be a powerful healing machine.

I guess we will have to agree on some things and disagree on others (but not too many!). I found that zhan zhuang was the best entry for me to experience fang song - 放 松 , and there are many who will attest that zhan zhuang 站 桩 is a particularly effective method of normalising body function at all levels. This is particularly noted by adherents of Yiquan . The leg strengthening aspect is a given, but it is found throughout all taichiquan as it should be derived from holding static postures (ding) - though once again this is often not taught (likely as too boring for Westerners).

Furthermore, people often notice obvious gains at the relative beginning of taking up any movement practice, especially if they are largely sedentary or have some other movement deficiency. Personally I find this a little deceptive. Training in IMA is a long term plan and not a short term quick fix. Once again that is just my opinion, though it sits well with both the classics and the wisdom coming from the current lineage holders.

Interesting discussion though!