Table of Contents
Dedication v
Editorial Notes vi
Foreword ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Chapter 1 General Introduction
1-1 Introduction 1
1-2 Common Knowledge of Chinese Martial Arts 2
A Brief History of Chinese Martial Arts-East and West 3
Northern Styles and Southern Styles 13
Internal Styles and External Styles 15
Martial Power-Jin 18
Hard Styles, Soft-Hard Styles, and Soft Styles 18
Four Categories of Fighting Skills 20
The Dao of Chinese Martial Arts 21
The Real Meaning of Taijiquan 29
1-3 General History of Taijiquan 30
1-4 History of Yang Style Taijiquan 32
1-5 Taijiquan and Health 36
1-6 What is Taijiquan? 38
1-7 Contents of Yang Style Taijiquan Practice 41
1-8 How Do You Learn Taijiquan? 43
1-9 Becoming a Proficient Taijiquan Artist 49
Chapter 2 Qi, Qigong, and Taijiquan
2-1 Introduction 53
2-2 Qi, Qigong, and Man 54
2-3 Categories of Qigong 74
External and Internal Elixirs 76
Schools of Qigong Practice 77
2-4 Qigong Training Theory 84
2-5 Qigong and Taijiquan 98
Chapter 3 Taijiquan Thirteen Postures (Eight Doors and Five Steppings)
3-1 Introduction 107
3-2 Eight Doors ($$$) 110
3-3 Five Steppings($$$) 127
Chapter 4 Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan
4-1 Introduction 133
4-2 How to Practice Taijiquan Sequence 135
4-3 Postures and Taijiquan 136
4-4 Fundamental Eight Stances (Ji Ben Ba Shi, $$$) 140
Still Sitting Meditation (Yin) 146
Still Standing Meditation (Yang) 147
Moving (Yang) 150
Stationary (Yin) 160
4-6 Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan 187
Chapter 5 Conclusion 367
Appendix A Names of Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan Movements 345
Appendix B Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms 349
Appendix C Taijiquan Classical Yang Style DVD 363
Index 365
About the Author 373
