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The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice - Paperback | Diverse Reads

The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice

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Master the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan with this informative guide.

One of the most popular Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan is also one of the most effective stress relievers available. In China, it is also used extensively for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects on health and fitness are now widely recognized in the West. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the practical application and potential benefits of Tai Chi Chuan.

This tai chi guide is packed with step-by-step illustrations for practice at home and covers everything you would want to know about this ancient art, including its benefits for mental, spiritual and emotional development. It is both an ideal introductory guide and an invaluable reminder for those who have already taken classes.

Topics in The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan include:
  • Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial Art
  • The Concept of Yin-Yang and Tai Chi Chuan
  • The Historical Development of the Various Styles
  • Advice from the Great Masters
  • Techniques and Skills of Pushing Hands
  • Specific Techniques for Combat Situations
  • Taoism and Spiritual Development in Tai Chi Chuan
  • And much more

ISBN-13: 9780804834407

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Publication Date: 11-15-2002

Pages: 336

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.90(d)

Series: Tuttle Martial Arts

Wong Kiew Kit has practiced and taught Shaolin kung fu, chi kung, and meditation for more than 30 years and has over 2,000 students. He is the fourth generation successor of Monk Jiang Nan of the Shaolin Monastery and Grandmaster of Shaolin Wahnam Kung Fu and Chi Kung Institute. He is the author of many books on Eastern wisdom.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations x
Preface xv
1 Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial Art: The Aims and Benefits of Practising Tai Chi Chuan 1
A Concise and Comprehensive Martial Art 1
The Mechanics and Psychology of Different Arts 2
Internal Force, Not Brute Strength 4
An Art of Convenience and Culture 5
The Richness of Tai Chi Chuan Theory 6
Tai Chi Chuan in Health, Character Development and Philosophy 7
2 The Concept of Yin-Yang in Tai Chi Chuan: What You May Have Missed in Your Tai Chi Class 9
The Philosophy of Yin-yang 9
Yin-yang in Tai Chi Form and Force Training 11
Yin-yang in Tai Chi Chuan Application 13
Yin-yang in Tai Chi Philosophy 16
3 The Historical Development of the Various Styles: Health, Combat and Spiritual Joy in Tai Chi Chuan 18
The Earliest References to Tai Chi 18
Zhang San Feng and the Origin of Tai Chi Chuan 19
Early Tai Chi Chuan Masters 22
Chen Wang Ting and Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan 22
The Old, the New, the Small and the Big 24
Yang Lu Chan and Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan 25
The Wu and the Sun Styles 26
The Three Stages of Tai Chi Chuan 28
4 Advice from the Great Masters: Achieving Better Results in a Shorter Time 30
The 'Song of Secrets for Training' 30
The Five Characters Formula 32
The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan 35
5 Fundamental Hand Movements and Footwork: Acquiring Balance and Gracefulness in Tai Chi Movements 40
The 13 Techniques of Tai Chi 40
The Secret of Tai Chi Internal Force 41
Developing Poise and Balance 44
The Four Primary Hand Techniques 54
The Four Secondary Hand Techniques 56
Does Tai Chi Chuan Cause Knee Injury 60
6 The Importance of Chi Kung and Tai Chi Chuan: The Development of Internal Force 64
Health, Combat and Spirituality 64
The Internal Force of Tai Chi Chuan Training 65
Developing a Pearl of Intrinsic Energy 68
7 The Poetry of Energy and Mind: Tai Chi Chuan with Breath Control and Visualization 70
The Purposes of Set Practice 70
Simplified Tai Chi Set - Section 1 71
Simplified Tai Chi Set - Section 2 76
Simplified Tai Chi Set - Section 3 76
Simplified Tai Chi Set - Section 4 82
The 48-Pattern Tai Chi Set 86
8 Techniques and Skills of Pushing Hands: How to Sense Your Opponent's Weakness 100
The Principles of Pushing Hands 100
Sharpening Your Skills of Perception 101
Throwing Your Partner Off the Ground 102
Seeking the Best Angle and Closing Up 108
Advanced Techniques of Pushing Hands 111
Pushing Hands and Combat Efficiency 113
9 Specific Techniques for Combat Situations: Tai Chi Chuan Patterns for Self-defence 116
Requirements for Combat Proficiency 116
From Lifting Water to Repulse Monkey 117
The Profundity of Grasping Sparrow's Tail 119
From Cloud Hands to Needle at Sea Bottom 120
The Final Eight Patterns 124
10 Combat Sequences and Tactics: Techniques, Tactics and Skills for Fighting 127
Martial Arts as Sports 127
The Depth and Scope of Tai Chi Chuan 128
The Why and How of Combat Sequences 131
1 Sequence Triple Punches - Warding Off 133
2 Sequence Three-level Attacks - Green Dragon 134
3 Sequence Whirlwind Kick - Single-whip Low Stance 135
4 Sequence Hiding Flowers - Playing the Lute 137
11 More Combat Sequences and Tactics: Some Amazing Ways to Overcome an Opponent 140
Factors in Winning a Combat 140
5 Sequence Felling a Tree - Rolling Back 141
6 Sequence Pushing Mountains - Thrust Kick 143
7 Sequence Pull Horse - Thrust Kick 146
8 Sequence Eagle Claw - Shoulder Strike 146
9 Sequence Taming Tiger - Flying Diagonally 150
12 Enriching Daily Life with Tai Chi Chuan: How Tai Chi Chuan Enhances Health, Work and Play 153
The Chinese Concept of Health 153
Energy and Chinese Medicine 155
The Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Health 157
More Energy for Work and Play 159
A Healthy Body and a Relaxed Mind 160
13 Wudang Tai Chi Chuan: Attaining Cosmic Reality Through Tai Chi Chuan 164
Tai Chi Chuan and Spiritual Development 164
The Patterns of Wudang Tai Chi Chuan 165
14 Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan: Tai Chi Chuan of the Hard and Fast 184
Transition from Spirituality to Health 184
The Patterns of Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan 185
15 Yang-Style Tai Chi Chuan: Gentle, Graceful Movements for Health 204
The Most Widely Practised Style of Tai Chi Chuan 204
The Patterns of Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan 206
16 The Wu Style of Wu Yu Xiang: Small Movement and Body Technique for Combat 228
External Form for Internal Power 228
The Patterns of Wu Yu Xiang-style Tai Chi Chuan 230
17 The Tai Chi Chuan of Wu Chuan You: How to Avoid Being Hurt in Combat 248
For Health and for Combat 248
The Patterns of Wu Chuan You-style Tai Chi Chuan 250
18 Sun-Style Tai Chi Chuan: High Patterns and Agile Movements 262
Some Advice on Tai Chi Chuan Practice 262
The Patterns of Sun-style Tai Chi Chuan 263
19 Tai Chi Chuan Weapons: Transmitting Energy to Extended Hands 278
Why Weapons Are Not Widely Used 278
Some Functions of Weapon Training 279
Sword, Scimitar and Staff 282
20 The Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan: The Evergreen Classic of Wang Zong Yue 286
The Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan 286
Explanation of the Treatise 288
Three Levels of Attainment 292
21 Taoism and Spiritual Development in Tai Chi Chuan: Attaining Immortality and Returning to the Void 294
Tai Chi Chuan Principles in the Tao Te Ching 294
Attaining the Tao 296
Immortality and the Great Void 299
Notes 303
Further Reading 305
Useful Addresses 308
Index 310