Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98256 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
The most important and fundamental text of the art - from the founder of Tai Ji Quan; Master Yang Cheng Fu Until now - never published in English - will ensure that this book is a top selling martial arts title All martial artists will be interested in this book - gives detailed descriptions of the combative applications of Tai Ji Quan that are rumored about but rarely seen Including copious notation and explanation, the book will illuminate and illustrate the essence of Tai Ji Quan as the founder presented it The founder of the most popular martial art in the world, Tai Ji Quan (also known as T'ai Chi Ch'uan) was Master Yang Cheng Fu. He wrote a book that was published in China during the 1930's. Until now that text has remained a mystery to those who don't speak Chinese. For the first time it will be published in English by North Atlantic Books. Translator Louis Swaim, who brought us Fu Zhong Wen's "Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan" in 1999, has expertly rendered Master Yang's writings into English. Including copious notation and explanation, the book will illuminate and illustrate the essence of Tai Ji Quan as the founder presented it.

Customer Reviews

Indispensable classic.
This was the first ever book to try to introduce Tai Chi to readers and is by the founder of the Yang style, Yang Cheng Fu. It contains about 100 photos of him in Long Form postures, with his accompanying explanations of the movements and their applications. As such, the book is a classic that no serious practitioner of Yang Style Tai Chi should be without on their shelves. In particular, it is invaluable for the photos of the founder's postures which are still a model of perfect style and deserve to emulated by everyone who practises the long form. The only reason why I have witheld one star from this book is that it is not appropriate for beginners. There are not enough photos to be able to learn the form from this, and the explanations of the movements are not always comprehensible and there are many gaps in the transitional movements. Nevertheless, the book remains an invaluable resource for style for the more advanced practioner already familiar with the Form from elsewhere.

A fascinating insight into the practice of a master.
Having practiced Tai Chi Chuan for several years, I have found this book to be a valuable study aid and reference source.
Sometimes the applications can be slightly hard to follow, but if you stand up and have a go, then all becomes clear.

A very good book, and highly recommended for practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan.

good but the synopsis provided is false
This is a classic text written by an indubitable master. He was not however tyhe founder of Taijiquan , but of the Yang style thereof. That honour belongs to General Chen Wangtin or possibly the legendary Zhang San Feng. The yang style is however the most widely practised and though it is better adapted to excercise than martial application itss founder was a renowned fighter and knew what he was talking about . Read this book, but for martial application the Chen and Sun styles are more suitable