Tai Chi Chuan Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form Qigong

by Yang Jwing-Ming

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is one of the most popular and effective health and exercise activities practiced today. This revised edition offers beginners a comprehensive introduction to Tai Chi, a step-by-step guide to learning the complete form and the fundamentals necessary for correct practice.
In this guide, you will learn:

• History of Tai Chi Chuan
• The relationships between Qi, Qigong, and Tai Chi
• Tai Chi Chuan’s Thirteen Postures
• Tai Chi Qigong Sets
• The Complete Yang Style Long Form, step by step
• How to practice Tai Chi for best long-term results

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Health, Philosophy, China

972 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[TheoG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information

I already had some knowledge of the history and practice of tai chi chuan and still found book a little confusing at first. It makes sense after review and practice. Also, must use DVD. Dr Yang is a grandmaster, he is a purist, and this book is very good, but it is not for the casual learner of tai chi or the person who wants quick and simple explanation. I found the guide on Chinese pronunciation helpful for learning the Chinese names of different forms, I find myself rereading chapters & gaining greater insight as my own practice of tai chi improves. I am a female, 67 yrs old and currently using Dr Yang's 37 form DVD. Tai chi has changed my life in ways I never imagined.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one stop shopping for students of the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form (i.e. 108 forms.) That’s not to suggest that it only describes the sequence of that form. It does that, but it also offers lessons in the history of the art, explanations of chi and qigong, and elucidation of the fundamentals of the art.

The book is divided into four parts. Chapter one examines the history of this martial art and places Tai chi chuan in the context of Chinese martial arts as well as the Yang Style within the context of Tai chi chuan. The nine sections of the first chapter also explore Tai chi chuan as a means to healthy living, and provide guidance to students on how to go about taking up the practice.

Chapter two consists of five parts that delve into the concept of chi (qi), or energy. This section mixes together mythology of traditional Chinese theory on chi with scientific explanations where science has something to say on the matter.

The third chapter describes the 13 postures of Tai chi chuan, which are a set of fundamentals that feature prominently in the martial art. This is a relatively brief section and is where the book becomes photo intensive.

The fourth chapter offers students guidance about the unarmed element of Yang Style of Tai chi chuan. While the capstone of the chapter is a systematic walk through the Long Form, there’s also coverage of some Yang Style fundamental movements as well as presentation of meditation practices taught in the system. It should be noted that this book doesn’t cover the sequence of the Yang Style Short Form (a.k.a. 24 Forms, or the Beijing Standard Form.) (I mention that because that’s the most popular form in the world and many students may want to learn about it specifically. This book offers many insights into the minutiae of the component forms, but doesn’t describe it as a sequence.) There is a fifth chapter, but it’s only a brief conclusion.

With respect to ancillary matter, like most martial arts books, it’s graphic-intensive. The bulk of the graphics are photos that are used in chapters 3 and 4 to clarify the movements and postures. Said photos have arrows and other figures drawn onto them to help clarify the movement involve. There are also a few line diagrams and maps, and chapter 2 has a many scientific photos, diagrams, and anatomical drawings.

There are three Appendices. The first provides a list of the forms of the Yang Style Long Form. The second is a glossary of the many Chinese terms mentioned in the book. The final Appendix provides information about the DVDs that are available to be used in conjunction with the book (there are markers throughout the book to provide suggestions of when students should turn to the video lessons.) There are end-notes of cited material, but I read the Kindle edition, and most of these were unavailable because Chinese characters didn’t convert to the electronic format. This was no big deal for me because I couldn’t read the Chinese reference material anyway, but if you read Chinese, you might opt for the hard copy of the book.

I learned the Yang Style short and long forms several years ago, and bought this book to provide some background and technical guidance. I found the book to be interesting and informative, and would recommend it—particularly if you’ve learned the Yang Style (but one may find the early chapters interesting even if one hasn’t.) The author uses a number of entertaining and educational stories and the book is readable and insightful for students of all levels.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fount of information! It not only includes how to perform the moves but the history of Chinese martial arts itself. I learned so much while reading it.

The word for martial in Chinese is wu (武). This word is constructed from two Chinese words zhi (止) and ge (戈). Zhi means to stop, to cease, or to end and ge means spear, lance, or javelin, and implies “general weapons.” From this you can see that the original meaning of martial arts in China is “to stop or to end the usage of weapons” (止戈為武).

It provides a comprehensive look at the art of Tai Chi Chuan, its history, and the theory and practices behind it. Towards the end there are pictures that show the movements of this martial art and, again, explain in great detail how and why to perform them in such a way – as well as the many ways they can be modified to different results.

All in all, I'm very glad I have this book – it's beautifully put together with a lot of information. Tai Chi Chuan contains 402 pages, so there's a LOT of history, information, and practice here. A good addition for anyone looking to not only learn this discipline, but learn more about Chinese martial arts in general and Tai Chi Chuan in specific.

[David Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the greatest books ever written on Tai Chi, by the prolific author Jwing-Ming Yang. He includes not only the form, but the meaning and purpose of each movment, plus an introduction to many of the deeper aspects of Tai Chi that are not often taught. You get a nice short intro to Tai Chi Qigong, which is the internal energy side of the practice known for its healing benefits. And, you get a basic overview of Tai Chi history and the theory/philosophy that makes it such a fascinating art.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book less about the forms of Tai Chi Chuan and more about it's historical and medical significance to the human form, this book is for you. It was amazingly well written and very detailed. It was by far the most enlightening look at any of the Asian martian arts I've ever had.

Buyer beware, this is not a fly-by-night self-help book meant to casually teach you the forms of the art but rather meant to educate you on the art itself so that you might be capable of learning the art at it's highest form.

[Debdanz]

Interesting chapter with a biological explanation of qi- we know a lot about biochemistry but not much about biophysics yet.

[Andromeda Robins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough subject to learn from a book, the writing about the history and motivations behind Tai Chi Chuan were nice to read though.

[Kara Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very thoroughly informative.

I must return and study it again.

[Vo Khon · Rating 5 out of 5]

sách có ghi các yếu tố cần để tập thái cực quyền.
Tuy vậy, đây là 1 cuốn trong cả bộ sách khi công của tác giả. Có vài ý khác lưu ý cách tập khí công lại nêu trong cuốn The history of qigong. Phần cuối sách nêu cách tập nhưng khó làm theo được nếu không có băng đĩa.
Tập khí công theo tôi sau khi đọc rất khó làm theo, làm theo sách này thôi thì được cái động tác là giống, đi sâu hơn phải đọc thêm sách khác. Tác giả cũng có ý giới thiệu rõ kế khi muốn tìm hiểu sâu hơn( lâu rồi quên hk nhớ tác giả đề quyển nào).

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview/introduction of the concept of qigong, with a good history of Chinese martial arts, and useful pictures on forms. This was an enjoyable read. It would be cool to see some people in the west incorporate qui into their practices while not being pseudo scientific.

[Pete Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the content crosses over from the author's other works. But the format is clean and easy to work with. Dr. Yang also has videos that show the practitioner and an opponent. In my mind, that's key for understanding the form. But the offense - defense still photos in the book are pretty good.

[Eric Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introductory/foundational/meta chapters were really interesting, but the step-by-step instructions are not useful to me at the moment, so I stopped there.

[Rohan Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound

A start of a long journey it will take many years but a must read if you have an interest in Taiji.