The Chinese Art Of T Ai Chi Ch Uan

"For the Western reader this is quite simply the best of the many books on T'ai Chi Ch'uan." -- David L. Hall, University of Texas. The foremost work on the ancient Chinese art of T'ai Chi Ch'üan in the English language is now even better. Master practitioner and teacher Sophia Delza has thoroughly revised her original guide to include substantial new material. T'ai Chi Ch'üan: Body and Mind in Harmony is a comprehensive survey of the age-old martial art, a system of activating the body for the development of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Clearly detailed descriptions of the movements, illustrated with detailed drawings and photographs, enable you to practice alone. The book features a stimulating analysis of how body and mind function harmoniously, and a concrete explanation of how form and structure develop lasting physical health, mental alertness, stable vitality, and tranquility. "You have reaped a good harvest from your faithful practice and perseverance. Your book reveals profound comprehension (mind plus feeling). I am happy your are teaching." -- Grandmaster Ma Yueh-Liang, President, Wu Chien-Ch'uan, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association of Shanghai, People's Republic of China

A handbook of the classical Chinese literature on which the art of t'ai chi is based. First English translation of the classic texts of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. This is required reading for practitioners of every style.

Unlock the secrets and health benefits of this ancient internal Chinese martial art! T'ai Chi Ch'uan (or taijiquan), a Chinese internal martial art, is best appreciated in the West for its health and fitness benefits, as an art of self-defense, and as a spiritual path. In classical Tai Chi, these aspects form an inseparable unity. In this guide to the classical Yang style, Petra and Toyo Kobayashi present the foundations of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and give comprehensive insights into its methods. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the inner energy--Ch'i--and its contribution to a refined practice of T'ai Chi and its application in self-defense. This Tai Chi book contains a clear and fully illustrated exploration of the 37 positions of the Yang style's short form and a basic partner exercise, Push Hands. Easy-to-follow photographs and diagrams with step-by-step instructions will help you to improve your practice. Ideal for practitioners at any level. Chapters include: The Styles The Principles Quotations from Old Masters Sixty-Four Questions and Answers About T'ai Chi Ch'uan Six Levels of Development The Thirteen Basic Positions and Techniques Advanced Practice Important Questions to Ask Yourself and more!

For the student who has already mastered the basic postures, this book addresses itself to the philosophy behind the system of movements and to all the variations possible.

Douglas Wile translates and analyzes four collections of recently released nineteenth-century manuscripts on T'ai-chi ch'uan. These writings of Wu's older brothers Ch'eng-ch'ing and Ju-ch'ing, and his nephew Li I-yu, together with the transmissions of Yang Pan-hou, represent a significant addition to the seminal literature. The rich new texts allow us to make a fresh survey of longstanding issues in T'ai-chi history: the origins of the art; the authorship of the "classics;" the differences between Wu, Yang, and Li; and the roles of Chang San-feng, Wang Tsung-yueh, Chiang Fa, and the formerly missing link, Ch'ang Nai-chou. The original Chinese texts of the four new sets of classics have been appended for the convenience of Chinese readers and scholars. The book reconsiders the world of the Wu, Yang, and Li families of Yung-nien and reconstructs it against the background of the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, and the decline of the Manchu dynasty. New biographical sources illuminate the domestic and political lives of the Yung-nien circle and their orientation to the late imperial intellectual trends. The development of T'ai-chi ch'uan in the nineteenth century is explored in the context of China's cultural response to the challenge of the West and the role of body-centered arts in Asia during the drive for independence and the ongoing search for national identity.