Book contains: Over 150 old photos and drawings, 135 pages of detailed information from the source. A distinctive book authored by one of Madam Sun Jian-Yun's (daughter of Grandmaster Sun Lu-T'ang) direct long-term students. Contains old translations from Chinese boxing masters, lectures and explanations from Madam Sun [1913-2003] and original students of Grandmaster Sun [1861-1933]. Topics covered concern old practices of Sun Taijiquan (Tai-Chi), Sun and Cheng styles of Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Qigong, sword practice methods, and an overview of Grandmaster Sun's history with photos. Introduction to several of Madam Sun's direct long-term students: Bradford Tyrey (USA), Dave Martin (United Kingdom), and Su-Ying Martin (United Kingdom). Writings on: Glimpses into the Life of Grandmaster Sun Lu-T'ang, The Essence & Smoothness of Qi Within the San-t'i Posture, Old Xingyiquan Teachings of Master Guo Yun-Shen [1827-1903], Baguazhang & Xingyiquan's I-Chin Jing (Changing Tendon Classic), Guo Yun-Shen's Animal Pairings in Xingyiquan: Dragon & Tiger, Developing Inner Force Through Standing, Ten Character Hands, Food & Drink That Harm Qi, Taoist Methods of Grandmaster Sun Lu-T'ang, Traditional Sun Family Sword Practices, Sun Family Bagua Sword Methods, Introduction to the Eight Immortals & Sword Methods, Ten True [Correct] Sword Shape Methods, A Lecture on Internal Sword Practices - Presented by Madam Sun Jian-Yun in 1987, An Explanation of Lao Yin Yunshou (Old Yin Cloud Hands), Questions & Answers, Moving Qi Among Three Points & The Skill of Nurturing the Small. This is our first book offered on traditional Sun family style practices. We highly recommend that you also purchase our second book 'Traditional Sun Lu-T'ang Style: Commentary by Madam Sun Jian-Yun, Daughter of Sun Lu-T'ang - Questions & Answers on Taijiquan - Baguazhang -Xingyiquan - Qigong (Volume I), full of old photos and training methods.

This extensively illustrated primer is the first English edition of Sun's classic 1919 book which explores both the theory and practice of the style, with emphasis on movements and postures. Tim Cartmell's translation provides both a standard by which practitioners can judge themselves and valuable information relevant to all versions of taijiquan. Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into English.

The name Sun Lu Tang rings familiar to almost anyone who has studied one or more of the major "internal" styles of Chinese martial arts. Because Sun was highly skilled in Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, and Tai Ji Quan, he wrote five different books on these subjects and synthesized the three arts to invent Sun Style Tai Ji Quan. His name has become well known wherever Chinese martial arts are practiced. Sun Lu Tang's treatise on Xing Yi Quan, published in 1915, was his first work and it was the first book published publically in China which integrated the thories of martial arts with Chinese philosophy and Daoist Qi cultivation theories. In addition to the original text of Sun's Xing Yi Quan book, this English translation also includes a detailed biography of Sun Lu Tang and an interview with his daughter, Sun Jian Yun. Book jacket.

Xing Yi Quan Xue (The Study of Xing Yi Quan)was written by Sun Lutang in 1915. This book gives clear instructions not only in the basics of Xing Yi Quan and the important principles for beginners, but also clearly teaches and illustrates the major forms of the style including the Five Elements, Wu Xing Lian Huan Quan, the 12 Animals, Za Shi Chui, as well as the paired practice routines of the Five Elements and An Shen Pao. Sun Lutang mastered all three internal styles of Chinese Boxing: Taiji Quan, Bagua Quan, and Xing Yi Quan. His teachers included: Guo Yunshen (Xing Yi Quan), Cheng Tinghua (Bagua Quan), and Hao Weichen (Taiji Quan). Later in life he founded his own style of Taiji: Sun style Taiji Quan.

Douglas Wile translates and analyzes four collections of recently released nineteenth-century manuscripts on T'ai-chi ch'uan. These writings of Wu's older brothers Ch'eng-ch'ing and Ju-ch'ing, and his nephew Li I-yu, together with the transmissions of Yang Pan-hou, represent a significant addition to the seminal literature. The rich new texts allow us to make a fresh survey of longstanding issues in T'ai-chi history: the origins of the art; the authorship of the "classics;" the differences between Wu, Yang, and Li; and the roles of Chang San-feng, Wang Tsung-yueh, Chiang Fa, and the formerly missing link, Ch'ang Nai-chou. The original Chinese texts of the four new sets of classics have been appended for the convenience of Chinese readers and scholars. The book reconsiders the world of the Wu, Yang, and Li families of Yung-nien and reconstructs it against the background of the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, and the decline of the Manchu dynasty. New biographical sources illuminate the domestic and political lives of the Yung-nien circle and their orientation to the late imperial intellectual trends. The development of T'ai-chi ch'uan in the nineteenth century is explored in the context of China's cultural response to the challenge of the West and the role of body-centered arts in Asia during the drive for independence and the ongoing search for national identity.

Bagua Quan Xue (The Study of Bagua Quan) was written by Sun Lutang in 1917. It was the first book to offer detailed instruction not only in the boxing forms of Bagua Quan but on the underlying theory and philosophy. This book gives clear instructions not only in the basics of Bagua Quan and the important principles for beginners, but also clearly teaches and illustrates the major forms of the style including Single Palm Change, Double Palm Change, and the Eight Animal Changes (Lion, Qilin, Snake, Sparrowhawk, Dragon, Bear, Phoenix, Monkey). In addition Master Sun clearly shows how the postures of the boxing correspond to the Bagua Diagram and the theories of Bagua. In the last chapters Master Sun covers some advanced aspects of practice such as how to choose the practice location and time, as well as the advanced work of transforming the Shen.

Book contains: Over 130 old photos and drawings, with 100 pages of detailed information. An authoritative book authored by one of Madam Sun Jian-Yun's (daughter of Grandmaster Sun Lu-T'ang [1861-1933]) direct long-term students. Old writings on the Neijiaquan practices of Taijiquan (Tai-Chi), Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Qigong. This book focuses on questions that we asked Madam Sun [1913-2003] in class, and her detailed explanations. This is part of a series of books on traditional Sun family practices and is highly recommended as a follow-up text to our 1st book: The Internal Practices of Sun Lu-T'ang. Introduction to several of Madam Sun's direct long-term students: Bradford Tyrey (USA), Dave Martin (United Kingdom), and Su-Ying Martin (United Kingdom). Our second book offered on traditional Sun family style practices. This book introduces many of the profound methods of practice taught by Grandmaster Sun Lu-T'ang, and is an absolutely essential text for pursuing the traditional Sun family style Taijiquan (Tai-Chi) form instruction and cultivation of qi presented in our third book in this series.