Tao and T'ai Chi Kung grounds the practitioner deeply in both Taoist philosophy and the practical physiology of T'ai Chi Chuan. It delves into the more profound aspects of energy development, explaining how to use the mind to assume the correct "inner posture," ways to distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, and how to become rooted in the tan tien.

The book explores an unusual and exciting Taiji Stick qigong form. The book provides fully-illustrated instruction, and includes a brief account on the origins and guidance for practice. It also features online content which provide further resource for learning the form and understanding the roots of practice.

A guide to the seemingly effortless yet explosively powerful martial art techniques of Fa Jin • Explains how to collect energy within and discharge it for self-defense as well as healing • Explores how to counter the natural instinct to resist force with force and develop yielding softness through the 13 Original Movements of Tai Chi • Illustrates routines for the partner practice of “Push Hands” (Tui Shou) Fa Jin, an advanced yang style of Tai Chi, complements the physical, mental, and spiritual conditioning available through solo Tai Chi practice and the internal martial arts of Taoism. Fa Jin enables adepts to harness the energy of yin, yang, and the earth in the lower tan tien and discharge it as an extremely close-range yet explosively powerful blow in self-defense and partner practice as well as in healing techniques. Integrating the teachings of many Taoist masters, including Chang San-Feng, the creator of Tai Chi; Wang Tsung-Yueh, the legendary 19th-century master; Bruce Lee, the actor and martial artist who made the “one-inch punch” technique famous; and the Magus of Java, a living master able to discharge energy in the form of electric shocks, this book explores the history, philosophy, internal exercises, and physical practices of Fa Jin. Drawing on Iron Shirt Chi Kung and Tan Tien Chi Kung techniques, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan reveal the secrets to collecting yin and yang in the lower tan tien and discharging the energy in a seemingly effortless yet explosive blow. Illustrating several routines of the Tai Chi partner practice of “Push Hands” (Tui Shou), they explain how to apply Fa Jin techniques by “listening” to your opponent’s intentions and countering the natural instinct to resist force with force through yielding softness and redirection. The authors also detail how to prepare for this advanced practice through stretching, meditation, breathing, relaxation, and energetic exercises.

Advanced techniques for utilizing the universal healing connections revealed by Taoist astrology and astronomy • Provides meditations and healing techniques based on Taoist astrology • Allows readers to develop a personal practice based on an understanding of their planetary strengths and weaknesses • Includes Taoist star practices for expanding personal awareness into a cosmic field of chi that will support others in their efforts to heal and grow spiritually Taoist Astral Healing provides a step-by-step program for refining our ability to cultivate, circulate, and retain chi from the stars and planets. While the initial focus of Taoism centers on creating physical health that is deeply rooted in the energies provided by the earth, individuals may also draw down energies from the stars and planets to continue to grow in awareness and to develop their full soul potential. Harnessing these energies allows us to break through the cycles of attraction and addiction, promote longevity, and transform the physical and energy body into a “light body” in order to heal ourselves and others. Taoist Astral Healing teaches how to connect the body with the five elemental forces of nature, as well as the moon, sun, planets, stars, and galaxies. Noting the relationships between specific constellations and points on the body--such as the Big Dipper’s correspondence to the bones of the skull--the authors offer planetary and stellar meditations that allow the inner and outer universes to become more connected. Following the numerous meditations and techniques provided throughout the book, readers develop a personal practice based on an understanding of their planetary strengths and weaknesses and their own spiritual growth.

Provides a step-by-step photographic guide to each posture in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi form and illustrates the 64 postures of the After Heaven T'ai Chi form. Also includes discussion of the universal principals of the pratice of T'ai Chi and the philosophy of the I Ching.

Cheng Man-ch'ing, the famed master of t'ai chi, is regarded as an enormously influential figure in codifying the most widely practiced form of the ancient martial art. This volume, developed by the martial arts master and scholar, details the way that students arrive at a posture -- from beginning movements to the end pose. Master Cheng provides practitioners with a complete and concise guide to the Short Form, enabling them to make rapid progress.