Taijiquan highlights the history and future development of the traditional Chinese martial art, Taijiquan—more known in the West as Tai Chi—which focuses on balance, flexibility and health.
“Taijiquan is a cultural form which is rich in traditional Chinese characteristics … It takes the dialectical ideas of Taiji, yin and yang of Confucianism and Daoism as its core idea. Furthermore, it combines the functions of temperament cultivation, physical exercise and martial confrontation. As a form of exercise, it involves the concept of oriental inclusiveness, whereby its practitioners exercise in intention, qi, form and spirit … As an intangible cultural form, Taijiquan takes sports as its main external manifestation while reflecting the cognition and scientific practice of human beings in the natural world.”
From the Preface
List of Figures
Series Foreword
Preface
The Editorial Committee
Chapter 1 The Origin and Lineage of Taijiquan
Chapter 2 The Theorectical System of Taijiquan
I. Control Qi by Mind, Move the Body by Qi, and Focus on Intention Rather than Force
II. Stretch Out the Body and Make Flexible Movements
III. Start a Silk-Reeling Jin
IV. Shift Emptiness and Fullness Appropriately
V. Coordinate Every Part of the Body
VI. Move Smoothly Without Pause
VII. Keep the Balance between Hardness and Softness
VIII. Alternate with Quickness and Slowness
Chapter 3 The Technical System of Taijiquan
I. The Five Footwork Methods and Their Corresponding Types of Jin of Taijiquan
II. Taijiquan’s Eight Types of Jin and Eight Techniques
Chapter 4 Functions and Values of Taijiquan
I. The Combat Value of Taijiquan
II. Health Preservation Value of Taijiquan
III. The Social Value of Taijiquan
Chapter 5 The Future Development of Taijiquan
I. The Future Development of Taijiquan in China
II. The Inheritance and Development of Taijiquan in the International Community
Chapter 6 Stories of Well-Known Taijiquan Masters
I. Chen Wangting Competing in Military Skills at a Drill Ground
II. Chen Wangting Guarding along the Yellow River
III. Chen Wangting Asking for the Lent Ox at Mumenzhai
IV. Chen Wangting Creating Taijiquan
V. Chen Suole Spoiling His Sons in Pinggao
VI. Twin Brothers Capturing Bandits
VII. Chen Family Setting a Rule after Chen Qiaoniu Killed a Bully
VIII. Chen Jingbai Killing a Bully by His Powerful Shouldering
IX. Chen Jixia, Well-known for His Elbowing
X. Chen Gongzhao Fighting against a Bull
Postscript
Appendix I: A Brief Chronology of Chinese History
Appendix II: Glossary (Chinese-English)
Index
Basic Information
- 978-629-7646-52-7 (Paperback)
