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BEGINNING CHEN STYLE TAIJIQUAN: The first steps to taijiquan gong fu
This book is aimed at those who are beginning to study taijiquan or are thinking of beginning taijiquan. In particular it is aimed at those who would like to gain taijiquan gong fu and develop significant taijiquan skill.
It is about how to learn taijiquan, not about taijiquan. While these are related topics, they are not the same. The primary aim of this book is to help the reader find the most likely path to reach their goal of good taijiquan skills. It does aim to improve understanding. It will explain why a great deal of practice is so necessary. It does not aim to teach someone taijiquan. It does not contain any curriculum or training schedule. It is not aid at advertising or promoting taijiquan. It is unlikely to convince anyone to take up taijiquan. It is aimed at those who are interested in gaining actual taijiquan skills. It does not contain lots of pictures. It is not a replacement for a teacher (although I hope it may help the reader understand what a good teacher is and so find a good teacher by helping the reader know how to recognise one). It is not replacement for practicing.
Nick Gudge is a student of Wang Haijun and teaches Chen style taijiquan predominantly. He began training taijiquan in January 1986 as an effort to reduce pain in his knees from two sporting injuries in 1984. His taijiquan skill has come from his training with Wang Haijun. When he began training with him in 2002 he had not yet reached Level 1, despite more than 15 years of training. He lives close to Lough Derg in the West of Ireland with his partner Kim and has three adult children and an airedale!
It is about how to learn taijiquan, not about taijiquan. While these are related topics, they are not the same. The primary aim of this book is to help the reader find the most likely path to reach their goal of good taijiquan skills. It does aim to improve understanding. It will explain why a great deal of practice is so necessary. It does not aim to teach someone taijiquan. It does not contain any curriculum or training schedule. It is not aid at advertising or promoting taijiquan. It is unlikely to convince anyone to take up taijiquan. It is aimed at those who are interested in gaining actual taijiquan skills. It does not contain lots of pictures. It is not a replacement for a teacher (although I hope it may help the reader understand what a good teacher is and so find a good teacher by helping the reader know how to recognise one). It is not replacement for practicing.
Nick Gudge is a student of Wang Haijun and teaches Chen style taijiquan predominantly. He began training taijiquan in January 1986 as an effort to reduce pain in his knees from two sporting injuries in 1984. His taijiquan skill has come from his training with Wang Haijun. When he began training with him in 2002 he had not yet reached Level 1, despite more than 15 years of training. He lives close to Lough Derg in the West of Ireland with his partner Kim and has three adult children and an airedale!
276 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
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October 26, 2025
Very interesting book with good insights, explanations and inspiration of tai chi practice.
Found it a bit repetitive at moments, but still a good read for beginners or not so beginners.
Found it a bit repetitive at moments, but still a good read for beginners or not so beginners.
Displaying 1 of 1 review