Customer Reviews

Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan: The Fighting Art of the Manchurian Palace Guard

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First, let me confess: I LOVE tai chi, but I HATE tai chi books. You simply cannot learn tai chi from a book. That being said, this is one of the best tai chi books I've read, and it has overcome my hate for the breed. I recommend it heartily to students of both the Wu and Yang styles. Wu derived from Yang style, but classical northern Wu is the closest thing out there to the early or Old Yang style being taught.

I myself practice the northern Wu classical form, but from a diferent teacher in the lineage than the authors. So I am NOT a student of either author or their teacher. But I bought this book because I saw them perform this style and recognized their high level of skill. The reason I studied the wu is because years ago, I knew a number of high level teachers of tai chi, who practiced multiple form styles - chen, yang, wu, hao, etc. I asked them which one I should learn. They ALL told me privately that northern wu was their favorite style. And many added that the Northern Wu Sword is also their favorite sword form - which as a bonus also is covered in this book.

I discovered that the Northern Wu classical style is the best kept secret in tai chi circles. Many teach the Yang to beginners because its easy and people know it and ask for it. But the preferred main form for internal development amongst many teachers I respect is often the northern Wu. As a past president of the National Qigong Association, and director of Healing Tao University [...] in the New York Catskills, I have met a lot of the top practitioners in the energy arts of qigong and taiji. In fact, I impressed enough by the authors I may ask them to consider teaching the form at my summer retreat program.

This is clearly the best book about Wu style, and its origins/relations to Yang style. But it goes way beyond that to make this simply a great book for anyone intereseted in tai chi. The history - with hard to find photos - and theory are exceptionally clear. The photography and text on each of the 83 postures is very useable. They've included a superb translation of the tai chi classics - that you can actually understand (not just obscure poetry, the fault of merely academic translations). They included a Chinese- English glossary of tai chi terms that is the best I have seen in print. The book covers applications and theory with refreshing brevity and sharp insight.

In short, get the book. And find a good northern wu style teacher. You'll never regret either.

This is what I look for in a martial arts book. It is well-written, concise, and coherent. It is aesthetically pleasing but still very practical, much like the art it describes.

The sections on the art's history, philosophy and applications are informative and colorful without being "hyped". The complete, illustrated Wu "long form" section is terrific, with notes on each movement; it will be invaluable for reference and review. The entire sword form is also illustrated and explained (although, unlike the "long form", combat applications of the sword movements are not included). The authors' close connection with Li Bing Ci makes this book a terrific companion to his excellent but erratically-subtitled DVD's; I feel like I finally have the "interpreter" I have often wished for while attempting to follow his demonstrations.

This book will take its place next to my dog-eared "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere" by Westbrook and Ratti, and a number of lesser Tai Chi books will now be bound for the next garage sale.

It was a pleasure to read this book. The information is laid out beautifully in a clear, easy-to-understand format highlighted by wonderful historical and instructional photographs. I am very impressed with how comprehensive this book is in just 200 pages. Not only does it outline the history and principles of Taiji (Tai Chi,) but it also contains a step-by-step description of the form, sword form and push hands. The applications or fighting photos are very clear and easy to emulate.

The authors present this pure, unmodified art as it was passed to them directly from Li Bing Ci in Beijing. They possess the talent not only of understanding the Chinese language but also the principles behind the art. There is a great translation of the "Tai Ji Quan Treatise" by Wong Zong Yue with interpretation at the end of the book. Also included is a useful glossary of terms with their pronunciation and definition.

This is a classic book that would appeal both to those curious about Taiji as well as seasoned practitioners. I am 15 years into my Taiji journey of learning and teaching and have read many books on the subject. I put this one at the top of my list.

On the bookshelves of the martial arts section there are few books that can truly be called thorough and complete. The "Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan" by Tina Zhang and Frank Allen in one of these few.

The history section is a concise look at the history of Tai Ji Quan from the perspective of the northern Wu style school. Instead of just regurgitating the usual legends, it tells an interesting story and gives the reader a quick introduction to the confusing and convoluted field of martial arts history. Unlike many Tai Ji books it actually has some new information, specifically about the Northern Wu style so that any Tai Ji player will get some new perspective on the development of the art.

The principles of practice are well laid out and to the point. There are many facets to be worked on here from alignments, to breathing, vision, and more. Very interesting are instructions on Compression and Expansion which is often absent in Tai Ji practice, yet is one of Tai Ji's most useful and enriching aspects.

The form is taught carefully with full instructions, yet not overlong or boring. Tai Ji enthusiasts should be able to make a close comparison of this with their own work and see how it is the same and different. The sword form is also fully taught and should also be quite useful for comparison.

A note on the combat applications. Any Chinese martial arts book that is missing the fighting uses of the form should be considered useless. This is where the hard gongfu training is demonstrated. The creativity and proficiency of the author is always shown best in the applications. Your form may be great but are your fighting moves silly and wrong-headed? In the case of "Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan" the answer is decidedly not! The applications are a short section, but instead of wasting endless space on explanations, the pictures are worth a thousand words. Each shows the essence of a fighting technique, and almost all of the Wu style form movements are demonstrated in combative use. The demonstrations are clear and provide much fodder for exploration and experimenation by the reader. They are simple and direct so you can grab a friend and quickly get to work trying them out with no wasted time.

Finally the theory and translation of the Tai Ji classics in the end is of course another mandatory part of a good Ta Ji book. The special points of Northern Wu Tai Ji are also translated so the reader gets a small taste of what makes this style unique.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all Tai Ji Quan players, and all who want a close look at the intricacies of Chinese martial arts.

Sincerley,

Jess O'Brien
Oakland, CA

As all practitioners of Tai Ji know there are many books written about the art. So what is the distinguishing points of this new book on the Northern Wu style by Tina Zhang and Frank Allen? First of all the book concentrates on the Northern Wu style of Tai Ji which has never been done before in English. The book discusses the history of the development of Tai Ji and when and how and by whom, the Northern Wu style was developed. Secondly the book discusses the lineage of the Northern Wu style. Often the importance of the lineage of an art is not understood. It isn't done to say how long lived or how important the practitioners are. It is done to show that there is a continuous link between the past and the present of the art - a continuity that shows its roots and development. This Northen Wu lineage is discussed in a very interesting manner down to the current lineage holder in Beijing, Li Bing Ci. It is important to say that Frank and Tina are part of this lineage as students of Li Bing Ci. Next the book discusses the principles of the art. This, to me, is one of the most important chapters of the book. As a practitioner of the art it is important to know the distinguishing points that are necessary to practice correctly and to progress in the art. These principles are discussed in clear , non-technical language that teaches you what to concentrate on while you practice. Progress in these arts requires a good teacher but having a reference that lets you refer to the principles of the arts is invaluable. The book goes on to show the details of the form. This is not done to imply you can learn the art from the book but rather as a personal reference when you have questions about the forms. This is done for both the classical Northern Wu empty hand form and the classical Northern Wu sword form. The photographs are well done and demonstrate the principles of the art discussed in chapter 3. Seeing Tina do these forms, even in the static mode, give you a goal to shoot for in your own practice. The last two chapters are wonderful. First, they translate the Tai Ji Quan treatise in practical clear English. I've read this treatise many times in the past from other translators and found it too flowery and not specific to my practice. This chapter was so clear and relevant I couldn't believe I was reading the same treatise at first. The last chapter discusses the practice of the Wu style and the progression you must go through to progress in the art. It is well written and rich. It will pay dividends from multiple readings.

I love this book. The illustrations are good, the cover is attractive and the content is excellent. My only regret is that it isn't available in hardcover as I'm wearing it out already. If you're interested in the Wu style, especially the classical forms, get this book. You'll be happy you did.

Yours in the Tao.

I really enjoyed this book on Tai Ji Quan because of the reference to the martial art aspect. Also the history and body princples are explained in a way that is to the point. This keeps the book interesting and fun to read.

An excellent book. The authors are both accomplished internal martial arts teachers and have a close relationship with Li Bing Ci, the 4th generation grandmaster of the Classical Northern Wu Style. The information in this book was previously unavailable in English and should be of interest to anyone studying Tai Ji, particularly those interested in the martial aspects of the art. The book will prove invaluable to anyone specifically interested in the Northern Wu style.

Some information in the history section may prove controversial but the authors have done extensive research and it is commendable to see martial arts history that doesn't simply quote legend.

Although it is always preferable to have a teacher, this book goes a long way towards providing the images and text for learning Taiji on your own, which is an unusual occurance. The images are sharp and there are many of them. Using figure numbers, the images are linked to the text, which is as clearly written as is possible.

The introduction gives excellent background on the evolution of Northern style taiji and provides biographies of the people that developed and spread the art. The introduction is followed by a section on the Principles of Wu Style Taijiquan, which provides interesting information on the differences between the hard and soft, and the external and internal martial arts styles.

The Wu style described in the book consists of 83 movements with images covering the beginning and end of each movement plus images for all key changes in posture.

In addition to the Taiji form, the book contains a good section on Push hands, which incluses more than 50 images showing fighting applications using the Wu style movements.

The Classical Sword Form is also presented and the presentation is just as well done and extensive as the Taiji form.

The book is a well done, authoritative, excellent addition to the martial arts literature.

Earl D. Morgan MD, FACFE, Diplomat American Board of Medical Acupuncture, Chief Instructor Brockway Isshinryu Karate Association (4th dan), assistant Bagua instructor Wu Tang Physical Culture Association.

This is not just another "me too" book on Tai Ji (Tai Chi). Rather Classical Northern Wu Tai Ji Quan is a martial artist's view of Tai Ji, an area sadly missing in many of the other references around today.

The authors do an excellent job leading the reader through the lineage of the system in an informative, provocative and interesting manner in the history section. Building upon this, they outline in practical language the principles upon which internal martial arts are built. Continuing on, the authors describe in detail both empty-hand and weapons forms. All to soon the book culminates with actual martial applications drawn from the forms.

At the risk of redundancy, it is in this final area, the martial applications that Classical Northern Wu Tai Ji Quan distinguishes itself from so many other books on Tai Chi. Through detailed pictures and descriptions, this book leaves no doubt as to the martial potential of Tai Ji.

Every practitioner of the internal arts as well as those seeking the knowledge and skills missing in the external arts should add this book to his/her library regardless of skill level. There is truly something for everyone included in this remarkable work.

Not only does this book offer a detailed description and clear photography of the Tai Ji Form and Sword Form, for these alone would be reason for those practicing or interested in Classical Northern Wu Style.
What makes this book invaluable for ALL internal martial artists is its direct and straight to the point explanations of the martial applications, how to apply the qualities of a Tai Ji practice to become more effective, and specifically what training methods the internal fighter will utilize in contrast to an external stylist. It is within these teachings that Tina Zhang and Frank Allen show their understanding of the complete art, integrating all the components into a whole... which is the essence of Tai Ji.