Best Books Award Finalist - USA Book NewsGold Winner - Living Now Book AwardsWinner - Eric Hoffer AwardWinner - eLit Award Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is a slow and relaxed moving meditation. It is also a sophisticated martial arts system. Through practicing Taijiquan, you are able to calm down the mind, locate your spiritual center, and consequently find your entire being. From the relaxed moving exercise, you can bring your physical body into an ultimate level of relaxation and natural ease, resulting in smooth Qi (inner energy) and blood circulation. This is a key to maintaining health and recovering from sickness. This book is an in-depth guide for beginners to learn Taijiquan properly. It offers a general plan for practicing Taijiquan, and then goes into great depth to present enough content for proper learning. You will learn: What Taijiquan is How to practiceThe history of TaijiquanTaijiquan posturesAbout Qi and QigongMain Fundamental stancesCategories of QigongTaiji qigongQigong training theoryQigong and TaijiquanTaijiquan thirteen postures (eight doors and five stepping)The traditional Yang Style Taijiquan Long Form This REVISED EDITION has a new easy-to-follow layout, each movement presented in a series of large photographs with clear same-page instructions for each Taiji posture. This book is sure to advance your practice and save you much time and energy.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1. General Introduction
1-1. Introduction
1-2. Common Knowledge of Chinese Martial Arts
1-3. General History of Taijiquan
1-4. History of Yang Style Taijiquan
1-5. Taijiquan and Health
1-6. What is Taijiquan?
1-7. Contents of Yang Style Taijiquan Practice
1-8. How Do You Learn Taijiquan?
1-9. Becoming a Proficient Taijiquan Artist
Chapter 2. Qi, Qigong, and Taijiquan
2-1. Introduction
2-2. Qi, Qigong, and Man
2-3. Categories of Qigong
2-4. Qigong Training Theory
2-5. Qigong and Taijiquan
Chapter 3. Taijiquan Thirteen Postures (Eight Doors and Five Steppings)
3-1. Introduction
3-2. Eight Doors
3-3. Five Steppings
Chapter 4. Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan
4-1. Introduction
4-2. How to Practice Taijiquan Sequence
4-3. Postures and Taijiquan
4-4. Fundamental Eight Stances
4-5. Taiji Qigong
4-6. Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan
Chapter 5. Conclusion
Appendix A. Names of Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan Movements
Appendix B. Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms
Appendix C. Taijiquan Classical Yang Style DVD
Index
About the Author
About the Author :
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Gongfu training at the age of 15 under the Shaolin White Crane Master Cheng, Gin Gsao. Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts. With the same master he also studied Qin Na, Tui Na and Dian Xue massages, and herbal treatment.
At the age of 16, Dr. Yang began the study of Taijiquan under Master Kao, Tao. Dr. Yang's tai chi can be traced back to the Yang family through Master Kao's teacher Yue, Huanzhi, an indoor disciple of Yang, Chengfu.
After learning from Master Kao, Dr. Yang continued his study and research of Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong.
Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese Gongfu since 1961. During this time, he has spent 13 years learning Shaolin White Crane, Shaolin Long Fist, and Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has more than thirty years of instructional experience.
Review :
"Excellent Resource! Five Stars! This book is a fount of information! It not only includes how to perform the moves but the history of Chinese martial arts itself. I learned so much while reading it.It provides a comprehensive look at the art of Tai Chi Chuan, its history, and the theory and practices behind it. Towards the end there are pictures that show the movements of this martial art and, again, explain in great detail how and why to perform them in such a way - as well as the many ways they can be modified to different results. All in all, I'm very glad I have this book - it's beautifully put together with a lot of information. Tai Chi Chuan contains 402 pages, so there's a LOT of history, information, and practice here. A good addition for anyone looking to not only learn this discipline, but learn more about Chinese martial arts in general and Tai Chi Chuan in specific." -- Angela Hanson, touchthenight.blogspot.com
