The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi

Author: Peter M. Wayne, PhD

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2013-04-09

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0834828480

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A longtime teacher and Harvard researcher presents the latest science on the benefits of T’ai Chi as well as a practical daily program for practitioners of all ages Conventional medical science on the Chinese art of T’ai Chi now shows what T’ai Chi masters have known for centuries: regular practice leads to more vigor and flexibility, better balance and mobility, and a sense of well-being. Cutting-edge research from Harvard Medical School also supports the long-standing claims that T’ai Chi also has a beneficial impact on the health of the heart, bones, nerves and muscles, immune system, and the mind. This research provides fascinating insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms that explain how T’ai Chi actually works. Dr. Peter M. Wayne, a longtime T’ai Chi teacher and a researcher at Harvard Medical School, developed and tested protocols similar to the simplified program he includes in this book, which is suited to people of all ages, and can be done in just a few minutes a day. This book includes: • The basic program, illustrated by more than 50 photographs • Practical tips for integrating T’ai Chi into everyday activities • An introduction to the traditional principles of T’ai Chi • Up-to-date summaries of the research on the health benefits of T’ai Chi • How T’ai Chi can enhance work productivity, creativity, and sports performance • And much more


Tai Chi Wu Style

Tai Chi Wu Style

Author: Mantak Chia

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2013-01-22

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1620550059

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A guide to the internal martial arts exercises of short-form Wu-Style Tai Chi • Details the 8 core forms of Wu-Style Tai Chi with fully illustrated instructions • Ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities due to the “small frame” primary stance, slower and smaller movements, and conservation of energy • Explains how Wu Style provides a natural introduction to martial arts boxing • Reveals how Wu Style eases stiffness, relieves back pain, and reduces abdominal fat Following the flow of chi energy, rather than directing it as in traditional Tai Chi, Wu-Style Tai Chi focuses on internal development, seeking to conserve chi energy and gather jin power from the Earth through the tan tien. Centered on a “small frame” stance--that is, feet closer together and arms closer to the body--and a slower progression of movements in solo practice, Wu Style offers a gentle Tai Chi form for beginners and, when practiced with a partner, a grounding introduction to martial arts boxing and Fa Jin (the discharge of energy for self-defense). The more functional stance, smaller movements, and conservation of internal energy make Wu-Style Tai Chi ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities. Condensing the 37 movements of Wu Style into 8 core forms, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan illustrate how to build a personal short-form Wu-Style Tai Chi practice. They explain how Wu-Style Tai Chi removes energetic blockages and helps to elongate the tendons, reducing stiffness and allowing the limbs to return to their natural length and full range of motion. Regular practice of Wu Style relieves back pain as well as reducing abdominal fat, the biggest hindrance to longevity. Exploring the martial arts applications of Wu Style, the authors trace its history beginning with founder Wu Chuan-Yu (1834-1902) as well as explain how to apply Wu Style to “Push Hands” (Tui Shou) and Fa Jin. Through mastering the short-form Wu Style detailed in this book, Tai Chi practitioners harness a broad range of health benefits as well as build a solid foundation for learning the complete long-form Wu Style.


Bagua and Tai Chi

Bagua and Tai Chi

Author: Bruce Frantzis

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 1583943595

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In Bagua and Tai Chi, noted teacher Bruce Frantzis demonstrates through these two important practices what is required to develop and embody high levels of chi flow. Inside the slow-motion movements of tai chi is a sophisticated mind/body/spirit practice. Derived from the I Ching (Book of Changes), bagua is unique in its circular movements, spiraling energy, and unpredictable changes of direction. Frantzis begins with an overview of both bagua and tai chi and their origins in Chinese culture, followed by comprehensive advice on how to incorporate these practices into daily Western life. Written in an easy, conversational style, the book provides an explanation of an art that is practiced by millions in China to release stress and maintain a vigorous level of health. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the 2.3 million Americans who currently practice tai chi report improved sleep, conditioning, and overall wellness. Bagua and Tai Chi offers a gentle healing and strengthening system that will appeal to a wide audience, including martial artists, meditators, dancers and athletes, personal trainers, and anyone looking to reduce stress and increase calmness and clarity through an effective, low-impact body practice.


Tai Chi Fa Jin

Tai Chi Fa Jin

Author: Mantak Chia

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2012-02-08

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 1594778116

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A guide to the seemingly effortless yet explosively powerful martial art techniques of Fa Jin • Explains how to collect energy within and discharge it for self-defense as well as healing • Explores how to counter the natural instinct to resist force with force and develop yielding softness through the 13 Original Movements of Tai Chi • Illustrates routines for the partner practice of “Push Hands” (Tui Shou) Fa Jin, an advanced yang style of Tai Chi, complements the physical, mental, and spiritual conditioning available through solo Tai Chi practice and the internal martial arts of Taoism. Fa Jin enables adepts to harness the energy of yin, yang, and the earth in the lower tan tien and discharge it as an extremely close-range yet explosively powerful blow in self-defense and partner practice as well as in healing techniques. Integrating the teachings of many Taoist masters, including Chang San-Feng, the creator of Tai Chi; Wang Tsung-Yueh, the legendary 19th-century master; Bruce Lee, the actor and martial artist who made the “one-inch punch” technique famous; and the Magus of Java, a living master able to discharge energy in the form of electric shocks, this book explores the history, philosophy, internal exercises, and physical practices of Fa Jin. Drawing on Iron Shirt Chi Kung and Tan Tien Chi Kung techniques, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan reveal the secrets to collecting yin and yang in the lower tan tien and discharging the energy in a seemingly effortless yet explosive blow. Illustrating several routines of the Tai Chi partner practice of “Push Hands” (Tui Shou), they explain how to apply Fa Jin techniques by “listening” to your opponent’s intentions and countering the natural instinct to resist force with force through yielding softness and redirection. The authors also detail how to prepare for this advanced practice through stretching, meditation, breathing, relaxation, and energetic exercises.


Qigong and Tai Chi

Qigong and Tai Chi

Author: Mari Silva

Publisher:

Published: 2021-06-25

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 9781638181347

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Discover Qigong and Tai Chi, and their health benefits! Two manuscripts in one book: Qigong: An Essential Beginner's Guide to Developing Your Chi and Cultivating Healing Energy Tai Chi: Unlocking the Power of an Internal Chinese Martial Art, Including the 24 Forms and Meditation Techniques for Beginners With our stressful pace of life and the plethora of illnesses, it's no wonder more people are suffering from chronic and acute illnesses that could otherwise be prevented. Lack of energy and vitality due to stress keeps many of us from living a full and satisfying life. In this book, you'll learn all the important things you need to practice Qigong and Tai Chi and enjoy its benefits. In part one of this book, you will: Learn why you should practice Qigong every day. Discover the three important components of Qigong. Uncover the three key areas of the body that need to be intentionally corrected. Learn the 12 important Qigong exercises. Find an entire chapter on the Qigong diet. See examples of general and benefit-specific Qigong daily routines. In part two of this book, you will: Learn about the rich art and history behind Tai Chi. Uncover the philosophy and benefits of Tai Chi. Discover several different Tai Chi styles and who introduced these styles to the world. Find out the differences between Tai Chi and Qigong. Realize the importance of meditation and breathing in Tai Chi. Learn the various movements and stances used in Tai Chi. Discover the 24-move Tai Chi sequence. Explore strategies and tips to help you during combat. Click on the "add to cart" button to grab a copy of this book and start cultivating healing energy!


T'ai Chi Classics

T'ai Chi Classics

Author: Waysun Liao

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2023-11-21

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0834845369

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An essential guide for T’ai Chi practitioners of all skill levels—with an overview of basic principles and commentary on three classic internal martial arts texts According to Master Liao, the great power of T’ai Chi cannot be realized without knowing its inner meaning. T’ai Chi Classics presents the inner meaning and techniques of T’ai Chi movements through translations of three core classics of T’ai Chi, often considered the “T’ai Chi Bible”. Divided into three chapters, the guide explains how to increase inner energy (ch’i), transform it into inner power (jing), and project this inner power outward to repel an opponent without physical contact. Master Liao also provides a description of the entire sequence of T’ai Chi movements, illustrated by his own line drawings.


Internal Body Mechanics for Tai Chi, Bagua and Xingyi

Internal Body Mechanics for Tai Chi, Bagua and Xingyi

Author: Ken Gullette

Publisher:

Published: 2018-08-02

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 9780692112663

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This is the book Ken Gullette wishes he had been able to read when he first began studying Tai Chi, Bagua and Xingyi in 1987. It gets to the point, stripping the mystical mumbo jumbo away, leaving detailed, real-world explanations of the six fundamental body mechanics that everyone should know when they study Tai Chi (Taiji), Bagua and Xingyi. For the first time, these body mechanics are organized and discussed clearly, with more than 250 images and highly-detailed but simple language. If you are a student or even a teacher of these arts, you should be able to learn something here that will deepen your own insight into the arts. Ken has studied with some top internal arts masters, and during the first ten years he was teaching, he boiled down the body mechanics he learned into six key concepts. In this book, he explains them in the same step-by-step detail that he uses in teaching his students, building on each of the concepts until you have a clear roadmap of what you need to practice for high-quality internal structure and movement. As Ken explains it, "The true intent of the internal arts is self-defense. The body mechanics in this book are the starting point you need to develop the structure and internal strength that is required for the relaxed power, the iron wrapped in cotton, that the internal arts are known for. This is the starting point upon which all other skill is built." Ken has studied these arts since 1987, is a tournament champion, winning in empty-hand and weapons forms, no-contact, light-contact and full-contact matches, and he has students worldwide who have studied his DVDs and his website, www.internalfightingarts.com. Concepts covered in these pages include: the ground path, peng jin, whole-body movement, silk-reeling energy, Dantien rotation, and opening/closing the kua. From the explosiveness of Xingyi to the relaxed power of Tai Chi and Bagua, the road to internal skill is long and difficult, but very satisfying. There is nothing "soft" about these arts. They are powerful arts of self-defense. And it all starts here.


Essence of Taiji Qigong

Essence of Taiji Qigong

Author: Jwing-Ming Yang

Publisher:

Published: 2005-11-01

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781594390210

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Teaches the purpose and methods of Taiji Qigong and demonstrates techniques including stretching, warm up exercises, wai dan standing still meditation, stationary taiji qigong: primary, coiling, and rocking sets, and walking taiji qigong.


Tai Chi

Tai Chi

Author: Paul Lam

Publisher: Tai Chi Productions

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780975061947

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Master teacher Paul Lam distills twenty-four popular forms into six to offer a tai chi workout for all students, including three qi gong exercises.