Developed over many centuries, Tai Chi Chuan incorporates the principles of Taoist philosophy with the accumulated knowledge of the traditional martial arts. Wu Style is known as the "three-in-one exercise," invigorating the mind, the internal energy (qi), and the body. Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan describes the origin and philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan, and then details its multiple health benefits. Step-by-step instruction in the practice of the Tai Chi Chuan solo form is presented.

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.

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.

Here is the original, rarely seen Tai Ji Quan developed by Yang Lu Chan's best Imperial Palace Guard student, Quan You, over 150 years ago. While other styles branched off into sport, health, and meditation, Quan You's disciples preserved the traditional ways. This book covers the principles, characteristics, and essentials of the Wu method, along with its famous masters. The entire classical form is illustrated step-by-step, and includes weapons skills.

Today people around the world are discovering the benefits of Tai-chi, an ancient Chinese system of exercise based on calm, graceful movements that condition the body from the inside out. With benefits like reduced stress and anxiety, plus improved flexibility and concentration, Tai-chi has become the ultimate form of exercise for relaxing and strengthening both body and spirit. Master Huang's Complete Tai-chi is the definitive introduction to the Condensed Form of Wu-style Tai-chi, a form that has gained enormous popularity as a healing exercise because it stresses the development of internal energy for self-healing. The 36 postures of this style are beautiful in their simplicity and completely safe, regardless of one's age or physical condition. Included in this book are a detailed guide to the 36 postures (with more than 250 illustrative photographs), a historical overview of Tai-chi, and translations of classic works by Tai-chi masters. The demands of Tai-chi are small, but the rewards are great. A few minutes each day and a bit of open space are all one needs to find a new path to youthfulness and longevity, and at the same time reach the peak of physical and emotional well-being.

Complete Tai Chi Chuan is the first book in English to deal extensively with the concepts of 'inside the door' training and the inner art, including therapeutic and martial aspects of Taoist internal alchemy. Drawing on original historical research, the author identifies the links between the art and Chinese philosophy. Fully illustrated throughout, the book includes: history, theory and philosophy, hand form, practical training, inside the door' training techniques, working with weapons and competition.

It is recently believed that the art of Taijiquan lies in the slow forms with a constant speed and smooth transitions from one movement to another. However, in the classical schools of Taijiquan, after disciples acquire the Long Dajia form (Large Frame) well, consisting of a series of exaggerated slow movements, they begin the study of the secret section of the style, called Xiaojia (Small Frame) or Kuai Quan (Fast Fist). The «Fast Fist» is a “combat” way to fulfill the form, where all the movements are made at a different pace, fast forms change with smooth ones and all the methods have a pronounced applied nature. This book is devoted to a detailed description of the fast form of the Taijiquan style Wu - Kuai Quan. This form was practiced and taught to their disciples by such great masters of Taijiquan as Wu Jianquan and Ma Yueliang. CONTENTS: Introduction Chapter 1 Philosophical aspects of applied art of Taijiquan Chapter 2 Ji Ben Fa (Basic Techniques) - Hand Form - Stances - Chui Fa (Punching Methods) - Tui Fa (Kicks) Chapter 3 Kuai Quan - The “Fast fist” form Conclusion

This clear, step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of Bagua Zhang lays out the principles, practices, and underlying philosophy of this cerebral and sophisticated Chinese internal martial art. Leading readers from the most basic precepts of Bagua Zhang practice to advanced techniques, Kent Howard draws on his deep understanding of the art and his decades of teaching to set students on a path toward mastery. While Bagua Zhang is often perceived as a complex martial art that is difficult to learn, Howard breaks it down into clear and easily absorbed principles and exercises that beginners can master and incorporate into higher levels of practice at their own pace. Numerous easy-to-follow photographs illustrate core practices such as circle-walking, post standing, and palm changes, as well as foundandational techniques of posture and alignment, fluid motion, generating whole-body power, absorbing and redirecting energy, striking while in motion, and much more. In addition to providing a solid foundation for a lifetime practice, Bagua Zhang Fundamentals also offers more advanced practitioners valuable tips on how to increase their knowledge and understanding of this multifaceted martial art.