For the first time in history, you can reap the benefits of centuries of closely guarded wisdom!

Fo rht first time in history, you can reap the benefits of closely guarded wisdom! Explore Dr. Yang's translations and their meanings of these long-held secrets of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan.

A guide to the internal martial arts exercises of short-form Wu-Style Tai Chi • Details the 8 core forms of Wu-Style Tai Chi with fully illustrated instructions • Ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities due to the “small frame” primary stance, slower and smaller movements, and conservation of energy • Explains how Wu Style provides a natural introduction to martial arts boxing • Reveals how Wu Style eases stiffness, relieves back pain, and reduces abdominal fat Following the flow of chi energy, rather than directing it as in traditional Tai Chi, Wu-Style Tai Chi focuses on internal development, seeking to conserve chi energy and gather jin power from the Earth through the tan tien. Centered on a “small frame” stance--that is, feet closer together and arms closer to the body--and a slower progression of movements in solo practice, Wu Style offers a gentle Tai Chi form for beginners and, when practiced with a partner, a grounding introduction to martial arts boxing and Fa Jin (the discharge of energy for self-defense). The more functional stance, smaller movements, and conservation of internal energy make Wu-Style Tai Chi ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities. Condensing the 37 movements of Wu Style into 8 core forms, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan illustrate how to build a personal short-form Wu-Style Tai Chi practice. They explain how Wu-Style Tai Chi removes energetic blockages and helps to elongate the tendons, reducing stiffness and allowing the limbs to return to their natural length and full range of motion. Regular practice of Wu Style relieves back pain as well as reducing abdominal fat, the biggest hindrance to longevity. Exploring the martial arts applications of Wu Style, the authors trace its history beginning with founder Wu Chuan-Yu (1834-1902) as well as explain how to apply Wu Style to “Push Hands” (Tui Shou) and Fa Jin. Through mastering the short-form Wu Style detailed in this book, Tai Chi practitioners harness a broad range of health benefits as well as build a solid foundation for learning the complete long-form Wu Style.

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.

Anyone who has studied taiji long enough to gain proficiency in the fundamental practices, probably has read enough to also grasp the general history and theory of the art. What we read influences our ideas about what the word “taiji” represents as a practice. For this reason, it is beneficial to look outside the mainstream writings to gain a broader view of the rich tradition taiji encompasses. A look at some of the lesser-known lineages can illustrate fascets of taiji that would have otherwise been overlooked or under appreciated. In the first chapter in this anthology, Wong Yuenming details the Li Family Taiji style as it developed from the teachings of Yang Luchan. Sources state that Yang Luchan gave his student Wang Lanting classics writings from Yang’s teacher Chen Changxing, manuals, secret instructions, “heart transmissions,” and various notes. Wang’s gifted disciple, Li Ruidong, formulated a curriculum that was uniquely immense, including training regimens he inherited at the turn of the century. Cai Naibiao’s chapter focuses on a “gatekeeper” of Wu Family Style Taijiquan, Wu Daxin. He was the grandson of Wu Jianquan (1870-1942), the founder of this lineage. Daxin was particularly famous for his taiji saber skills. The author is a lineage holder living in Hong Kong and was able to provide much information and insights into the life and contributions of Wu Daxin. Training in Sun Lutang’s taiji style presents not only an extremely healthy exercise, but also an effective system of combat as author Jake Burroughs discusses in chapter three. This is a concise yet inclusive overview of Sun Family Taiji boxing, including the historical background, real-world applications, and the theory involved in this often overlooked system of taiji. Burroughs is assisted in photographic presentations by Tim Cartmell. The final chapter presents a branch of Yang Style as taught by Xiong Yanghe (1888-1981), who was a leading scholar/practitioner in Taiwan over the decades. Information assembled here provides a comprehensive overview of Xiong Style Taiji. Included are Xiong’s lineage, his preservation of the system, and its significance for the understanding taijiquan as a martial art and exercise for health.