taijiquan-ccebook-Valuable English Books

The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan

Author: Yang Chengfu
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Keywords: taijiquan, applications, essence
Number of Pages: 160
Published: 2005-03-02
List price: $16.95
ISBN-10: 1556435452
ISBN-13: 9781556435454

First published in China in the 1930s, this legendary text by the founder of taijiquan authoritatively explains every aspect of this practice, with detailed descriptions of concepts like "Lift the Spirit" and "Sinking of Shoulders and Elbows." Also exploring more complex ideas like "Solid and Empty Space" and "Using the Mind Instead of Force," the book teaches martial artists and even casual practitioners all the fundamental positions and applications, as explained by the master. This first-ever English translation includes extensive notes and explanations.

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Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate

Author: Rick Barrett
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Keywords: gate, western, taijiquan
Number of Pages: 280
Published: 2006-01-26
List price: $16.95
ISBN-10: 1583941398
ISBN-13: 9781583941393

Written specifically for the Western practitioner, Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate blends modern science and philosophy with the traditional wisdoms — drawn from classic t’ai chi literature — that underlie Chinese martial arts. Author Rick Barrett authoritatively describes a wide range of movements, practices, and positions in the context of such topics as being in the zone, effortless power and force versus power, the whole-body energetic connection, instant meditation, and energetic coherence. Step-by-step exercises help make this sometimes daunting discipline simple and access

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Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan

Author: Fu Zhongwen
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Keywords: taijiquan, style, yang, mastering
Number of Pages: 264
Published: 2006-05-09
List price: $16.95
ISBN-10: 1583941525
ISBN-13: 9781583941522

Fu Zhongwen’s classic guide offers the best documentation available of the Yang style of taijiquan. The superbly detailed form instructions and historic line art drawings are based on Fu’s many years as a disciple of Yang Chengfu, taijiquan’s legendary founder. Also included are concise descriptions of fixed-step, moving-step, and da lu push hands practices. Additional commentary by translator Louis Swaim provides key insight into the text’s philosophical language and imagery, further elucidating the art’s cultural and historical foundations.

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The Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translation

Author: Barbara Davis
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Keywords: translation, annotated, classics, taijiquan
Number of Pages: 240
Published: 2004-02-05
List price: $16.95
ISBN-10: 1556434316
ISBN-13: 9781556434310

Along with Chinese art, medicine, and philosophy, taijiquan has left the confines of its original culture, and offers health, relaxation, and a method of self-defense to people around the globe. Using the early texts now known as the Taijiquan Classics which have served as a touchstone for t’ai chi practitioners for 150 years, this book explores the fundamental ideas and what they mean to practitioners, students, and scholars. It also incorporates newly discovered sources that address the history of taijiquan and newly translated commentaries by Chen Weiming.

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Chen Style: The Source of Taijiquan

Authors:Davidine Sim, David Gaffney,
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Keywords: taijiquan, source, style, chen
Number of Pages: 200
Published: 2001-12-10
List price: $17.95
ISBN-10: 1556433778
ISBN-13: 9781556433771

The authors present the history, philosophy, and training methods of the original style of Taijiquan. Step-by-step exercises illustrate activating spiral energy, combining hard and soft movements, and achieving a connection between intent, breathing, and movement.