This book is an in-depth guide for learning Tai Chi Chuan.
Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is a both a relaxed moving meditation and a sophisticated martial arts system. Unique to any other form of exercise, it trains the body (movement), the mind (meditation) and the spirit (confidence).
Through practicing Tai Chi Chuan, you are able to calm down the mind, locate your spiritual center, and consequently find your entire being. From these 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 to learn Tai Chi Chuan properly. It offers a general plan for practicing, and goes into great depth, presenting enough content for many years proper learning:
You will learn:
- What Tai Chi Chuan is
- How to practice
- The history of Tai Chi Chuan
- Tai Chi Chuan postures
- About Qi, Qigong, and man
- Fundamental stances
- Categories of Qigong
- Warm-up and get loose exercises
- Tai Chi Qigong
- Qigong training theory
- Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan
- Tai Chi Chuan thirteen postures (eight doors and five stepping)
- The traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form step-by-step
| Dedication |
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v | |
| Editorial Notes |
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vi | |
| Foreword |
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ix | |
| Preface |
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xi | |
| Acknowledgments |
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xv | |
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Chapter 1 General Introduction |
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1 | (1) |
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1-2 Common Knowledge of Chinese Martial Arts |
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2 | (1) |
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A Brief History of Chinese Martial Arts---East and West |
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3 | (10) |
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Northern Styles and Southern Styles |
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13 | (2) |
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Internal Styles and External Styles |
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15 | (3) |
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18 | (1) |
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Hard Styles, Soft-Hard Styles, and Soft Styles |
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18 | (2) |
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Four Categories of Fighting Skills |
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20 | (1) |
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The Dao of Chinese Martial Arts |
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21 | (8) |
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The Real Meaning of Taijiquan |
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29 | (1) |
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1-3 General History of Taijiquan |
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30 | (2) |
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1-4 History of Yang Style Taijiquan |
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32 | (4) |
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36 | (2) |
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38 | (3) |
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1-7 Contents of Yang Style Taijiquan Practice |
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41 | (2) |
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1-8 How Do You Learn Taijiquan? |
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43 | (6) |
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1-9 Becoming a Proficient Taijiquan Artist |
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49 | (4) |
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Chapter 2 Qi, Qigong, and Taijiquan |
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53 | (1) |
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54 | (20) |
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74 | (2) |
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External and Internal Elixirs |
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76 | (1) |
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Schools of Qigong Practice |
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77 | (7) |
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2-4 Qigong Training Theory |
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84 | (14) |
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98 | (9) |
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Chapter 3 Taijiquan Thirteen Postures (Eight Doors and Five Steppings) |
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107 | (3) |
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110 | (17) |
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127 | (6) |
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Chapter 4 Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan |
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133 | (2) |
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4-2 How to Practice the Taijiquan Sequence |
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135 | (1) |
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4-3 Postures and Taijiquan |
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136 | (4) |
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4-4 Fundamental Eight Stances (Ji Ben Ba Shi) |
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140 | (5) |
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145 | (1) |
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Still Sitting Meditation (Yin) |
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146 | (1) |
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Still Standing Meditation (Yang) |
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147 | (3) |
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150 | (10) |
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160 | (27) |
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4-6 Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan |
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187 | (180) |
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367 | |
| Appendix A Names of Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan Movements |
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345 | (4) |
| Appendix B Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms |
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349 | (14) |
| Appendix C Taijiquan Classical Yang Style DVD |
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363 | (2) |
| Index |
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365 | (8) |
| About the Author |
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373 | |
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.
