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Simplified Tai Chi Chuan: 24 Postures with Applications & Standard 48 Postures
This revised edition of our best selling beginner Tai Chi Chuan book includes a new and modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today’s most popular tai chi forms. Once learned, it can be performed in only six minutes. If you are learning tai chi in a school, a fitness club, a community or recreation center, or even the local park, this is the tai chi form you are likely to encounter. The martial arts applications for each posture are shown so you can understand that every movement has a purpose. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 48 Posture is a popular tai chi form practiced by those who want a longer, more challenging sequence. Once learned, it can be performed in only twelve minutes. The forty-eight posture form is often the next form a student studies after learning the twenty-four posture form. Here’s what is inside this No matter your age, tai chi chuan is a wonderful way to improve your health and well-being.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
157 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Shou-Yu Liang
16 books4 followersGrandmaster Shou-Yu Liang began studying qigong at age 6. He is one of China's top Coaches of Excellence.
Shou-Yu Liang was born in 1943 in Sichuan, China. At age six, he began his training in qigong, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. He was taught esoteric qigong and the martial arts of the Emei Mountain region, including Emei Dapeng Qigong.
At age eight, his grandfather also made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Qigong and Wushu with other well-known masters of the time.
By the time he was twenty, Shou-Yu Liang had already received instruction from 10 of the most well-known legendary grandmasters of both Southern and Northern systems. His curiosity inspired him to learn more than one hundred sequences from many different styles.
As he grew older, through and beyond his college years, his wide background in various martial arts helped form his character, and led him to achieve a high level of martial arts and qigong skills.
Some of the training he concentrated on included: the Emei Styles, Shaolin Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Chuojiao, Qinna, vital point striking, many weapons systems, and qigong methods.
Shou-Yu Liang received a university degree in biology and physiology in 1964 then taught high school in a remote village in China. This was part of his re-education program enforced on him for being born in a bourgeois family, by the government during the political structure of the time.
During the years of the Cultural Revolution, all forms of martial arts and qigong were suppressed. To avoid conflict with the Red Guards, Shou-Yu Liang left his teaching position and used this opportunity to tour various parts of the country. During his travels, he visited and studied with great masters in Wushu and qigong, and made many friends with people who shared his devotion. His mastery of qigong and martial arts, both technically and philosophically grew to new horizons.
At the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government again began to support the martial arts and qigong. During the reorganization and categorizing of the existing martial arts, research projects were set up to seek out living masters and preserve their knowledge. It was at this time that the Sichuan government appointed Shou-Yu Liang as a coach for the city, the territory, and the province.
Many of Shou-Yu Liang's students were among the top martial artists of China.
In 1979, he received the title of Coach of Excellence since 1949, by the Peoples Republic of China.
Many of these students are now professional Wushu coaches in colleges, in the armed forces, or have become movie stars.
In 1979, Shou-Yu Liang received several appointments, including committee membership in the Sichuan Chapter of the Chinese National Wushu Committee and Coaches Committee.
In 1981, Shou-Yu Liang visited Seattle, Washington. This trip marked another new era in the course of his life.
Shou-Yu Liang was born in 1943 in Sichuan, China. At age six, he began his training in qigong, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. He was taught esoteric qigong and the martial arts of the Emei Mountain region, including Emei Dapeng Qigong.
At age eight, his grandfather also made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Qigong and Wushu with other well-known masters of the time.
By the time he was twenty, Shou-Yu Liang had already received instruction from 10 of the most well-known legendary grandmasters of both Southern and Northern systems. His curiosity inspired him to learn more than one hundred sequences from many different styles.
As he grew older, through and beyond his college years, his wide background in various martial arts helped form his character, and led him to achieve a high level of martial arts and qigong skills.
Some of the training he concentrated on included: the Emei Styles, Shaolin Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Chuojiao, Qinna, vital point striking, many weapons systems, and qigong methods.
Shou-Yu Liang received a university degree in biology and physiology in 1964 then taught high school in a remote village in China. This was part of his re-education program enforced on him for being born in a bourgeois family, by the government during the political structure of the time.
During the years of the Cultural Revolution, all forms of martial arts and qigong were suppressed. To avoid conflict with the Red Guards, Shou-Yu Liang left his teaching position and used this opportunity to tour various parts of the country. During his travels, he visited and studied with great masters in Wushu and qigong, and made many friends with people who shared his devotion. His mastery of qigong and martial arts, both technically and philosophically grew to new horizons.
At the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government again began to support the martial arts and qigong. During the reorganization and categorizing of the existing martial arts, research projects were set up to seek out living masters and preserve their knowledge. It was at this time that the Sichuan government appointed Shou-Yu Liang as a coach for the city, the territory, and the province.
Many of Shou-Yu Liang's students were among the top martial artists of China.
In 1979, he received the title of Coach of Excellence since 1949, by the Peoples Republic of China.
Many of these students are now professional Wushu coaches in colleges, in the armed forces, or have become movie stars.
In 1979, Shou-Yu Liang received several appointments, including committee membership in the Sichuan Chapter of the Chinese National Wushu Committee and Coaches Committee.
In 1981, Shou-Yu Liang visited Seattle, Washington. This trip marked another new era in the course of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 28, 2016
It is a very good book to learn Tai Chi for beginner, especially 24 postures with martial applications (because 48 postures didn't have martial applications in this book).
The pictures is nice and big enough so the reader can see the detail with ease.
Recomended to learn with DVD, the master Shou-Yu Liang move is very detailed and easy to follow.
The pictures is nice and big enough so the reader can see the detail with ease.
Recomended to learn with DVD, the master Shou-Yu Liang move is very detailed and easy to follow.
June 11, 2019
I understand why this was a USA Best Book Award Finalist. If you don't have this book or a similar one in your Taiji (Tai Chi) library, I highly recommend this text by Shou-Yu Liang and Wen-Ching Wu.
Simplified Tai Chi Chuan is excellent for anyone looking to start or improve their Yang-style Taiji methods and skills. It has everything from base fundamentals (such as qi/chi and other philosophies), history, stretches, caution notes on avoiding over-extensions and strains, and a visual walk-through of how to perform 24 and 48 forms.
I would emphasize the greatest strength is the applied combative/defensive techniques for 24 form. Although many Yang-style practitioners know how to use it meditatively as an exercise, only a select few know how to apply these techniques against a sparing partner. This makes the text a fun read, especially if you enjoy learning about the applied movements and techniques of any martial art.
Although it's sad not to see applied techniques for 48 form, it is understandable, as it would make the book incredibly long. Additionally, since 48 form is a combination of various Taiji styles, it makes sense that examples and methods are not included, and would need a number of credible authors to explain how to perform each technique in sparing or defense. [From what I know, 48 form is used as a competitive performance art, where judges rank performers based on how well they execute each move and their form overall.]
Still, this book is useful for learning Taiji as meditative exercises or if you are seeing something a little more vigorous and applied. If you are looking for deep, pages-long, expansive philosophy and theory, then I suggest another text.
Simplified Tai Chi Chuan is excellent for anyone looking to start or improve their Yang-style Taiji methods and skills. It has everything from base fundamentals (such as qi/chi and other philosophies), history, stretches, caution notes on avoiding over-extensions and strains, and a visual walk-through of how to perform 24 and 48 forms.
I would emphasize the greatest strength is the applied combative/defensive techniques for 24 form. Although many Yang-style practitioners know how to use it meditatively as an exercise, only a select few know how to apply these techniques against a sparing partner. This makes the text a fun read, especially if you enjoy learning about the applied movements and techniques of any martial art.
Although it's sad not to see applied techniques for 48 form, it is understandable, as it would make the book incredibly long. Additionally, since 48 form is a combination of various Taiji styles, it makes sense that examples and methods are not included, and would need a number of credible authors to explain how to perform each technique in sparing or defense. [From what I know, 48 form is used as a competitive performance art, where judges rank performers based on how well they execute each move and their form overall.]
Still, this book is useful for learning Taiji as meditative exercises or if you are seeing something a little more vigorous and applied. If you are looking for deep, pages-long, expansive philosophy and theory, then I suggest another text.
January 15, 2018
A good basic intro to the simplified 24 form. I like the fact that it has the 48 form too as i may well be tempted to learn that too one day.
One element which seems like something of a waste of space is the martial applications bit where it shows you how to implement each movement in a combat situation. Supposedly learning the martial applications will inform your understanding of each movement and therefore improve your mastery of the form but I kind of found the opposite to be true. Mostly the applications seemed kind of irrelevant and sometimes the applications seemed to encourage me to move my body in a way very different from the manner indicated in the instructions, e.g. if you are deflecting a blow you will naturally choose to sweep your arm in the way that seems most likely to deflect that blow, not in the more formal way that the instructions suggest. Furthermore sometimes there would be two different combat examples which would seem to suggest that you perform the movements in two totally different ways. Basically what i found is that they seemed like a waste of space, they sort of confused matters more than they clarified them and I doubt that more than 10% of people reading the book would have been studying tai chi as a means of self defence anyway.
Overall it's a good basic tai chi book although I suspect that most people will only want to read the parts that instruct you on how to do the 24 form, rendering about 70% of this book to be pretty irrelevant.
One element which seems like something of a waste of space is the martial applications bit where it shows you how to implement each movement in a combat situation. Supposedly learning the martial applications will inform your understanding of each movement and therefore improve your mastery of the form but I kind of found the opposite to be true. Mostly the applications seemed kind of irrelevant and sometimes the applications seemed to encourage me to move my body in a way very different from the manner indicated in the instructions, e.g. if you are deflecting a blow you will naturally choose to sweep your arm in the way that seems most likely to deflect that blow, not in the more formal way that the instructions suggest. Furthermore sometimes there would be two different combat examples which would seem to suggest that you perform the movements in two totally different ways. Basically what i found is that they seemed like a waste of space, they sort of confused matters more than they clarified them and I doubt that more than 10% of people reading the book would have been studying tai chi as a means of self defence anyway.
Overall it's a good basic tai chi book although I suspect that most people will only want to read the parts that instruct you on how to do the 24 form, rendering about 70% of this book to be pretty irrelevant.
February 19, 2018
If you are learning any beginner form this book will introduce you to taijiquan in the best possible way. You can also get the DVD. I have both in my collection, but it was truly the most important one that I have. It is best to use this book and dvd with an excellent instructor who is training students in a standard manner. When you are first learning tai chi you will want to understand all the basics and this book/dvd does that. It helps you create a solid foundation in studying this ancient art. But the book/dvd goes one step further in helping you to understand the martial applications. This book is a WOW for me and my continued training. You won't want to learn tai chi, as a beginner, without it!
January 27, 2022
A great resource for those studying 24 or 48 forms Tai Chi. The background and historical information is useful as are the suggested applications of techniques. I would still recommend in-person training however this is a good supplement for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of Tai Chi
March 6, 2017
This classic book and companion DVD have helped thousands of practitioners learn the traditional 24 form and 48 form. Highly recommend.
December 11, 2022
pretty interesting intro. Pics of poses is so-so, I've seen better
March 3, 2017
Very helpful for learning Tai Chi.
June 25, 2014
Recently revised and updated, “Simplified Tai Chi Chuan: 24 Postures with Applications and 48 Postures, 3rd edition” has hit the streets. This 336 page paperback, by Liang and Wu, is readably insightful and readily informative. It is clearly meant for novice practitioners.
“Simplified Tai Chi Chuan” explains the history and background to Tai Chi Chuan-Yang style with clarity, but without burdening the reader. The authors also bring the student up to speed on the Chinese philosophy that lies behind Tai Chi Chuan. But the largest portion of the book exhibits both the 24 postures and standard 48 postures. The 48 postures segment simply walks the learner through each position with large, easily looked-at pictures and directional markers. The 24 postures portion of the book follows the same format, but with one hugely helpful addition: it is filled to the brim with martial examples for many of the postures.
“Simplified Tai Chi Chuan” is a simple book that seeks to broaden and deepen a student’s appreciation for Tai Chi Chuan. Though I seriously doubt one could actually learn Tai Chi Chuan from the book alone, nevertheless for those who are being instructed by a trained coach, this will be a valuable supplement. I gladly recommend the book.
Thanks to the kind folks at YMAA Publications Center, Inc, for the free review copy used for this write-up.
“Simplified Tai Chi Chuan” explains the history and background to Tai Chi Chuan-Yang style with clarity, but without burdening the reader. The authors also bring the student up to speed on the Chinese philosophy that lies behind Tai Chi Chuan. But the largest portion of the book exhibits both the 24 postures and standard 48 postures. The 48 postures segment simply walks the learner through each position with large, easily looked-at pictures and directional markers. The 24 postures portion of the book follows the same format, but with one hugely helpful addition: it is filled to the brim with martial examples for many of the postures.
“Simplified Tai Chi Chuan” is a simple book that seeks to broaden and deepen a student’s appreciation for Tai Chi Chuan. Though I seriously doubt one could actually learn Tai Chi Chuan from the book alone, nevertheless for those who are being instructed by a trained coach, this will be a valuable supplement. I gladly recommend the book.
Thanks to the kind folks at YMAA Publications Center, Inc, for the free review copy used for this write-up.
July 12, 2014
Applications are hard to learn out of a book. That's why I give this 4/5 stars.
The history and philosophy behind tai chi chuan, the five element theory, yin and yang, and breathing and body positioning are my favorite parts about this book.
Some of the applications, I would guess, are either very basic, very contrived (who punches and kicks at the same time on the same side?!), or some combination of the two.
Play with the applications in this book to find the ones that really work for you.
(Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.)
The history and philosophy behind tai chi chuan, the five element theory, yin and yang, and breathing and body positioning are my favorite parts about this book.
Some of the applications, I would guess, are either very basic, very contrived (who punches and kicks at the same time on the same side?!), or some combination of the two.
Play with the applications in this book to find the ones that really work for you.
(Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.)
August 21, 2014
This book starts off with a nicely detailed past of the different versions of the beginnings of Tai Chi Chuan. And then it goes in to the different theories of Tai Chi Chuan. What a pleasure to see the finely detailed photographs and diagrams of the positions of the 24 postures with application and 48 postures. This book is very well put together and easy to follow. This book is good for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Everyone will benefit from the health aspects of practicing Tai Chi Chuan. I highly recommend this book for everybody.
January 6, 2015
Absolutely the tops for learning tai chi. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan includes both 24 postures and 48 postures, which means for beginners (like me), I have what you might call the first and second steps of tai chi. Well presented with clear photos, diagrams, and instructions. It's a keeper!Simplified Tai Chi Chuan: 24 Postures with Applications and Standard 48 Postures
April 16, 2020
This is a pretty good book showing the Yang Tai Chi 40 and 108 routines. The bulk of the book focuses on the 40 part routine and how the form is used for defensive purposes. There is also a fair amount of historical information.
The healing component is secondary at best.
The healing component is secondary at best.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews