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

by Wong Kiew Kit

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804834407
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	11/15/2002
Series:	Tuttle Martial Arts
Edition description:	1st Edition
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	467,630
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

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