The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (Paperback)

by Yang Chengfu (Author), Louis Swaim (Translator) "While he was staying in Guangdong, my father authored this book at the request of his comrades to clearly set forth the essence and applications..." (more)
Key Phrases: tiyong quanshu, shi taijiquan, shi tujie, Single Whip, Grasp Sparrow's Tail, Turn Body (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
First published in China in the 1930s, this legendary text by the founder of taijiquan authoritatively explains every aspect of this practice, with detailed descriptions of concepts like "Lift the Spirit" and "Sinking of Shoulders and Elbows." Also exploring more complex ideas like "Solid and Empty Space" and "Using the Mind Instead of Force," the book teaches martial artists and even casual practitioners all the fundamental positions and applications, as explained by the master. This first-ever English translation includes extensive notes and explanations.

About the Author
Louis Swaim lives and practices in Oakland, California. He is the translator of the highly regarded handbook on the art of taijiquan, Fu Zhongwen: Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan (North Atlantic Books, 1999). He studied Chinese history, Mandarin, and Classical Chinese at U.C. Berkeley. After completing a master's degree, he continued his language study at the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies in Taiwan. He has been a taijiquan practitioner for thirty years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; illustrated edition edition (March 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556435452
• ISBN-13: 978-1556435454
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #226,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yang Chenfu for English readers, October 18, 2005

By	Arturo Clavijo (Bogota, Colombia) - See all my reviews

The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan, which was written by Yang Chengfu, was published in 1923, but despite its importance for taiji practitioners in the west, it was available only in Chinese. I knew about it because my taiji`s master; Dr. Qi Ke Bao, used it as one of his main sources for studying and, of course, teaching it. This book is for advance students who already are acquainted with Yang style long forms and with pushing hands exercises. The emphasis of the author is in functional features and in applications. It is written, as the translator points out, as "demonstration narrative"; when I was reading it, I felt as if receiving specific instructions for the important points in each movement. I think that the translation is precise and that Louis Swaim, the translator, was able to make Yang Chengfu`s ideas accessible to an English reader (Qi Tiang Shu, my master`s son and a Taiji master himself compared some random paragraphs with the original Chinese version and concluded that the translation kept the original sense). I found the translator's comments appropriate and very useful. He explains the meaning of some words, which are difficult to grasp, in such a way that they become more intelligible for a western reader. I think that for someone interested in Taiji, mainly in Yang style, the reading of this book is as necessary as the reading of the Taiji Classics.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yang taichi bible, August 15, 2005

By	Anonymous reader - See all my reviews

This book is the second, and the most complete book written by the founder of Yang style taichi chuan, Yang Cheng Fu.
The form is explained from the application point of view, with large and clear photos of Yang Cheng Fu performing the form (one image per posture).
This is the historical record of the great master, and a must have for every Yang style practitioner.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan, October 17, 2005

By	J. J. Kambic - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have only been taking Yang Style TaiJi 108 form classes for 8 months now. This book reinforces the basics and fundamentals that I have been repeatedly taught all this time. But the book goes beyond that because it helps me to visualize the "opponent" against whom the form is applied.
I highly recommend the book to Yang Style TaiJi students who already have taken classes under a coach who teaches and stresses the need for a solid foundation in form; e.g., upright posture, breathing to the dantien, relax the shoulders and sink the elbows, etc.