Stalking Yang Lu-chan

by Robin Johnson

This unique manual of internal methods, inspired by the skills of Yang the Invincible, reveals key elements in finding and training a Tai Chi body. How did Yang do it? From whom did he learn? He watched the Chens but had to train alone in secret. Yang Lu-chan had to learn from himself, through his own body. Beginning in the stillness of Wu Ji standing, the author presents core components of Tai Chi movement. Each chapter identifies, describes, and explains structures and techniques of a moving body. What, in plain language, are the meanings of stillness in motion? How does ground-level attention ensure seamless moves in solo forms and applied technique? Which complementary action principles ensure the correct shape and energy? What is modesty, and how does it optimize energy exchange? Why are form orientations both useful and misleading? How does a Tai Chi boxer employ the fourth dimension? These and other questions about Tai Chi movement are answered in clear and direct language. There are no theories nor confusing aphorisms. And the methods employ sensing and deeds, not thinking and ideas. Whatever your intent--self-care, self-defense, or enhanced understanding--you'll find ways to progress at all levels. The author has distilled thirty years of exploration and deep respect for Yang into this manual. Rather than think and talk, he has tried to put himself in Yang Lu-chan's shoes.

132 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[JC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected this to be better than it was. Unfortunately, for a guide book it was over-written, with no (much needed) illustrations or other guides apart from the text. The author started off his ideas with a good approach, in my opinion, he would draw from his own experiences to first describe the technique. Then he would switch his language to a technical level that bordered on the pretentious. Finally he became nearly incomprehensible when he would mention things that even I, as a 15 year practitioner/scholar of Tai Chi Chuan, had to search my memory to recall his references, yet he cited them like they were common knowledge. I think what happened, and this happens a lot when trying to explain something you need to intuit rather than intellectualize, he couldn't find a way that he felt directly communicated his intent, so he talked around the subject.

The book had one great line:

"What kind of Martial Art is Tai Chi Chuan? The invisible kind. It's taken as a joke, but the joke is that it isn't one."

I had hoped to recommend this to my beginning students as a guide to how you should feel internally when practicing Tai Chi, however, this is not the book for a beginner. I'll stick with Bob Klein and Al Huang for the moment.