Product Description

An extraordinary guide to Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), the "Grand Ultimate" way of health and martial arts. Written by one of China's top-ranked coaches (Liang), the 24 and 48 postures, often referred to as the Short Form, are presented in an easy to understand, step-by-step fashion. Also included are guidelines for breathing, directing the mind, aligning the body and developing Qi (Chi).

* Learn how the practice of Taijiquan can improve health.
* Discover martial applications for each posture that will make your learning more authentic and alive!
* In only twenty minutes a day, you can practice the 24 & 48 postures.
* Gain deeper insight with the explanations and illustrations of the philosophy of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements Theory.
* A practical learning tool for beginners, and an excellent reference guide for more advanced students.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27143 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781886969339
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
One of China's top-ranked coaches to Tai Chi provides an illustrated guide to the 24 and 48 postures, including tips on breathing, aligning the body, and developing Chi. Martial applications are also surveyed in a presentation notable for its many step-by-step black and white photos which excel in illustrating positions and movements. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author
Liang, Shou-Yu

Liang, Shou-Yu was born on June 28, 1943 in the city of Chongqian, Sichuan Province, China. When he was six he began his training in Qigong, the art of breathing and internal energy control, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. Mr. Liang was taught the esoteric skills of the Emei Mountain sect, including Da Peng Qigong. When he was eight, his grandfather made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Wushu (martial arts).

Wen-Ching Wu

Wen-Ching Wu was born in Taiwan, China in 1964. He loved Wushu and many othe sports since a young age. During high school he was on the school's basketball an softball teams. He graduated from high school as a salutatorian. He came to the U.S. in 1983 to study Mechanical Engineering and in 1988, he graduated with honors from Northeastern University, with a BSME degree.

Customer Reviews

Probably the most useful Taiji book widely available.
Any Taiji book begs the question "why does this book exist?" You can't learn from a book after all, so a book must either enhance what you get from your current teacher, or help you find a new one.

The typical Taiji book doesn't stand up to this question. It shows a form (usually poorly executed) sandwiched in a big wad of esoterica that is at best useless to a typical student and at worst misleading.

Master Liang's book, on the other hand, is among the best that I've seen that are available to the public.

First, of all, the examples are shown correctly. My pet peeve in Taiji books is bad posture and poor habits that should be purged after a few years of studying under a competent teacher, if not in the process of editing the photos. In contrast, master Liang's execution is, of course, impeccable. Second, this book contains guidelines for correct execution, which in most Taiji books is completely missing.

These two factors alone make it stand above any of the widely distributed titles. I would prefer a little more emphasis on readily observable criteria of correct performance. Armed with this knowledge, a student could readily critique himself, or a potential teacher. I've seen only one or two better books in this regard, and those were privately published.

Third, the book contains many demonstrations of applications for the 24 movement form which will be of interest to serious students and martial artists. Many people are unaware of Taiji martial applications because the abundance of grappling, throwing and other close quarters techniques makes Taiji fors difficult to interpret.

Finally, while even students of traditional forms will find much of value here, this book covers two of the most widely studied standardized forms. Students of the 24 or 48 forms will find this a valuable reference.

The main drawbacks of this book are that (1) the uniform that Master Liang wears is very loose, while this good for practice, it obscures the posture of the hips and lower back; many students would benefit from a clearer view. (2) This book continues a few bits of obscure nomenclature that has prevailed in the US since early, bad translations of Taiji books. For example Yema Fenzong ("Wild Horse Parts its Mane") is translated as Part the Wild Horse's Mane. Generations of American students have been waving their hands around like they were stroking "My Little Pony's" mane, which is not the right idea at all.

Aside from these minor faults, this book sets a new, higher standard for mainstream Taiji books in English.

When Video Tapes aren't enough
I bought two tapes to learn the 24 Posture Yang Short Form. One by Paul Lam and the other by David Dorian Ross. I liked both and especially enjoy anything David Dorian Ross does. However, I kept finding myself wondering when I tried to practise what I learned on the tapes without watching: "what foot should the weight be on." I looked at many books. This one is great. It gives clear instructions and has photo's with lines to show the direction the hands and feet should move. However, you have the same problem with these directional lines as with a video when you are facing the instructor, i.e., they are mirroring you so what looks like a move to the right is actually a move to the left. That is where the text helps so much. I still am using the videos to learn but this was exactly the adjunct help I was looking for to memorize the moves. After doing a section of the tape, I can go to the book and begin to memorize which foot is bearing the weight and which foot is moving in which direction etc. I am so impressed I am going to order the accompanying video from [online store} as soon as I submit this article.

A near perfect reference guide.
This is a superb book for practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan who have been taught the basics and need a reference guide. (In fact, although I would discourage anyone from learning any martial art from a book, this book is one of the few that might be able to do just that!) The pictures are clear, abundant, and pertinent. The descriptions of each move (or part of a move) are concise and detailed. Also, the various applications shown for each move truly demonstrate the ENERGY of the move, not just an obvious attack and/or defence. The level of Master Liang's skill is evident throughout the book.