Martial arts master Yang Chengfu’s seminal work on the techniques and applications of Yang-style taijiquan—now available to Western practitioners for the first time The publication in 1934 of Yang Chengfu's book, The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu) marked a milestone in the modern evolution of the art of taijiquan. Using what is best-termed demonstration narrative, the author presents form postures and suggested applications from his own perspective, as he performed them. This methodology renders Yang Chengfu's direct, hands-on teaching of the art with such immediacy and liveliness that the reader experiences the master’s teaching much as his students did. This English translation finally makes Yang Chengfu's classic work available to taijiquan enthusiasts in the West. It includes notes and commentary that clarify the author's frequent classical and literary turns of phrase and elucidate the philosophical and political underpinnings that shape the text. The translator investigates and compares several early taijiquan books in order to help explain the roles played by two of Yang Chengfu's students, Dong Yingjie and Zheng Manqing, in bringing Yang Chengfu's words and teachings into print. Serious students of taijiquan, and those wishing to deepen their knowledge of taijiquan history and theory, will find this seminal work indispensable to their study and practice.

Martial arts master Yang Chengfu’s seminal work on the techniques and applications of Yang-style taijiquan—now available to Western practitioners for the first time The publication in 1934 of Yang Chengfu's book, The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu) marked a milestone in the modern evolution of the art of taijiquan. Using what is best-termed demonstration narrative, the author presents form postures and suggested applications from his own perspective, as he performed them. This methodology renders Yang Chengfu's direct, hands-on teaching of the art with such immediacy and liveliness that the reader experiences the master’s teaching much as his students did. This English translation finally makes Yang Chengfu's classic work available to taijiquan enthusiasts in the West. It includes notes and commentary that clarify the author's frequent classical and literary turns of phrase and elucidate the philosophical and political underpinnings that shape the text. The translator investigates and compares several early taijiquan books in order to help explain the roles played by two of Yang Chengfu's students, Dong Yingjie and Zheng Manqing, in bringing Yang Chengfu's words and teachings into print. Serious students of taijiquan, and those wishing to deepen their knowledge of taijiquan history and theory, will find this seminal work indispensable to their study and practice.

Your go-to illustrated guide to the practices, history, and philosophy of the popular Yang style of taijiquan Fu Zhongwen's classic guide offers the best documentation available of the Yang style of taijiquan. The superbly detailed form instructions and historic line art drawings are based on Fu’s many years as a disciple of Yang Chengfu, taijiquan’s legendary founder. Also included are concise descriptions of fixed-step, moving-step, and da lu push hands practices. Additional commentary by translator Louis Swaim provides key insight into the text’s philosophical language and imagery, further elucidating the art’s cultural and historical foundations.

DISCOVER THE MARTIAL ESSENCE OF TAI CHI CHUAN Here's your chance to take the next step in your tai chi journey. Martial applications found within tai chi chuan are a direct link to your tai chi as a form of self-defense. When you study the martial side of tai chi, you can become proficient in a variety of high-level skills, including sensing, neutralizing, yielding, striking, chin na, and even throwing. If you know a tai chi form, you are going to discover the essence of your movements by becoming aware of their martial applications. If you are practicing tai chi pushing hands, you will greatly improve your skills with this understanding of martial applications. If you are ready, you are going to love the amazing tai chi fighting set. This fully choreographed set (requires a partner) will combine all your tai chi skills into one 5-minute routine. This book includes: Martial applications for the Yang-style long form Martial applications for Yang-style tai chi pushing hands The complete Yang-style tai chi fighting set For any style of tai chi chuan, this book will be important for practitioners who wish to develop a deeper understanding and advanced skills. Learn how to analyze the forms and defense applications in your tai chi, gaining higher-level knowledge of your style. Discover the martial applications of Yang style. These insights will give you greater understanding of your own art. Find inspiration. Master Yang's writing will inspire you to investigate the martial applications of your tai chi style. This edition includes an easy-to-follow layout. Each technique is presented in four to six large photographs with detailed instructions on how to perform the movements. Motion arrows are used on the photographs to help you execute the movements correctly.

IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK AT A REDUCED RATE OF 20$ INCLUDING SHIPPING/POSTAGE, PLEASE VISIT OUR SHOP: https: //purplecloudinstitute.com/product/the-heart-treasure-of-taijiquan/ The art of taijiquan that Yang Luchan took to Beijing and Yang Chengfu later took to Shanghai represented a pinnacle of Chinese culture and martial arts. However, in terms of both form and application, what is now commonly called taijiquan seldom reflects the qualities that first made it a legendarily effective art for fighting, health, and inner transformation. The Heart Treasure of Taijiquan washes away the sands of time to restore public knowledge of taijiquan's brilliant core. Written for the modern reader, this book thoroughly illuminates the authentic inner teachings of Yang family taijiquan. From detailing contemporary misunderstandings of taijiquan and its place in Chinese culture, to explaining the correct meanings of fundamental concepts; and from elucidating classic writings, to recording an extensive Q&A with students, The Heart Treasure of Taijiquan enables the reader to understand the essence of this path. The principles presented in this volume can be freely integrated with training in any style of taijiquan, or used to deepen any internal or external martial arts practice. Master Ren Gang of Shanghai is a true inheritor of Yang style taijiquan. Deeply familiar with its philosophical marrow, he is recognized by his elders and peers as a master at the highest levels of practice, with formidable aptitude in its combat applications. His taijiquan is pure and free from elements borrowed from other traditions. Ren has gained the full benefits of the art physically, mentally, and spiritually. The translator, Mattias Daly, is a twenty-year student of Chinese martial arts, spiritual practices, and traditional healthcare. In order to ensure a highly faithful translation, he made numerous journeys to Shanghai to discuss the complexities of taijiquan philosophy with Master Ren and personally experience the training methods and martial applications he describes. The Heart Treasure of Taijiquan enables students to transform their own practices and retrace the footsteps of its foremost masters. A must-read for practitioners of Yang-style tai chi chuan and all thoseinterested in the philosophy of Chinese martial arts in general." - Kostas Dervenis, Headmaster of the Pammachon Cultural Foundation, author of The Martial Arts of Ancient Greece and The Magus of Java "Perhaps the best book translated into English on the real practice ofTaijiquan and what it takes to learn it. Within its pages is also the bestelucidation of the Taiji Classic, returning the words to their rightful placeas a practical guide to developing skill and not the esoteric text so manymake it out to be." - Andrew Nugent-Head, Founder of the Association for Traditional Studies, Chinese medicine physician and educator, practitioner of Yin style baguazhang

Black Belt Hall-of-Famer Marshall Ho'o explains the ancient Chinese art of exercise and moving meditation in a short form, with temple exercises, self-defense moves, sparring, and health benefits. Fully illustrated.

Now 101 years old, Master T. T. Liang came to the U.S. from Taiwan in the 1960s to introduce t'ai chi to America. His life story is full of the stuff that makes a great martial arts adventure: a career as a high-ranking government official, street fights and shootouts, opium dens and prostitutes, mystical martial arts masters and monks—the story of a life lived to the absolute maximum. Twenty-five photographs add to the captivating life story of this great t'ai chi master.