Customer Reviews

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan

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Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan is the first complete English translation of Fu Zhongwen's book. As the translator states in the introduction, this is a handbook for the more advanced student or teacher who has already learned the Yang Style Taiji form and who wishes to investigate the finer levels of detail. The book includes an excellent translator's introduction, as well as translation notes to the Taiji Classics that reveal the grounding of Taiji theory in the larger context of Chinese philosophy.

This is the only book writing whose review, I feel humbled; because it is not just written by someone who is a good Teacher, or one who KNOWS a lot about Tai Chi Chuan but a Tai Chi MASTER.

Important Points:

1. One must understand Yang Cheng Fu's and Fu Zhongwen's approach to learning Tai Chi, which is different from our conventional approach. Their emphasis has been to discover and understand the principles through the movement. So doing the movements correctly is of primary importance, because only then one will be able to master the secrets of Tai Chi. So Don't go looking for tonnes of Theory since this book is from a legendary master. It is completely practical, giving you the guidelines as to how to do Tai Chi Chuan practice thereby providing you the necessary tool to discover all the theory by yourself instead of just believing what the master says.

2. I don't like to write praises about this book because it is well beyond words. Don't believe me, do the practices as told, keeping the internal aspects in focus as well (like, an insubstantial energy in the head, the qi sinking to the Dantian, use intent rather than strength, etc.) and you will for and by yourself know what this book is worth.

3. Many Tai Chi books focus on the theory and explain so well that we "agree" and say "yes" to all of it without making it a part of our lives. Those theories operate in our lives only as long as we keep thinking about them. In this respect, I find the approach of this book different - it focuses on the practice and on doing the practice you get to understand something - not necessarily a theory - and that understanding expresses itself by itself, with or without your thinking of it.

4. Fu Zhongwen was one rare treasure of China and of the Tai Chi world. His understanding is evident not in the words he speaks but in his actions. He had accepted challenges on behalf of Yang Cheng Fu during their trip to southern China, fighting martial artists from different form of martial arts all fighting for their honour - and Fu Zhongwen was never defeated. This shows his understanding of Tai Chi. Why do I mention this? Many people say they know Tai Chi and are unable to fight, but Tai Chi brings about a unification of Jing, Qi and Shen. If so, then you can easily express it in a martial way. If you cannot, then it shows that your jing, qi and shen are not unified - i.e., your Tai chi doesn't have Kung Fu, or it is no Good.

Please keep the above points in mind before purchasing this book.

I would once again pay respects to the great master Fu Zhongwen for his great gift to me.

Ps: I am no disciple or student of Fu Zhongwen or his son Fu Shengyuan, nor am I in any way related to his Tai Chi institutions. I respect him for what I have read of him on the internet and the depth of his words in this book.

This books is really a worth to buy. It's much more deeper than any other Tai Chi book I've ever read. I've never find so deep descriptions of the movement covering any aspect of the movement itself. For a beginner a so big amount of information could make confusion but anyway this is the book where you will find tips and knowledge every time you read it again.

Swaims translation of Fus incredibly detailed description of Yang Style Tai Chi is both clear and interesting. The text itself covers details of the form, descriptions of push hands, and discussions of the Tai Chi classics and theory. Fus text contains much more detail than most of the classic texts, and he goes to great lengths to explain his points. Anyone who practices Tai Chi will find some point in the text which would help their practice. My only complaint is that the historical line-drawings which illustrate the moves are limited in the detail they can convey.

This is one of the best instructional translation of Tajiquan book.Mr.Louis Swaim has done an excellent job of translating,compiling and giving his commentary.His commentary also reflects his understanding of this profound art.I hope he will translate more Chinese martial arts books.

Pretty much what you are looking for in a Yang family style book. It will not teach you Taijiquan, find a teacher for that. It will help you look upon what you are doing better and with a wider eye. It is very interesting, and if you are asking questions about the forms and stuff you are learning, this will answer them.

A definite must for any Yang family Taijiquan lookers ;) Very nice, Very much worth the money, yet it should be worth more, in my opinion.

Very detailed descriptions of each posture in the traditional Yang Family T'ai-Chi Ch'uan. For the practioner who wants to get to the bottom of each posture in the form. The new translations of some of the T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Classics is very enlightening.

I highly recommend this book to serious practitioners. I use it diligently. Even though it's a publicized 'health' version of the Yang style form, the book serves as a repeated reference for years to come.

It's a thick read, complex, and detailed, so go at it with the mindset of looking up the posture you're working on, reading up on that posture, and getting maybe one or two things out of the text. Practice for a few months, go back and reread the same posture and you'll pick up a couple more things. Wash, rinse, repeat. This is what makes it an incredible book with great depth.

The negatives of this book are that it could use more photos of in between movements, more footwork diagrams, and definitely application.

That's the best book of Yang Style Taijiquan i've ever read. Much better than the others (including the book of Yang Chenfu, and Zhen Manqing and Yang Zhenduo's books). Its incredibily clear and detailed. But that's not a beginner's book, its for those advanced students who already knows the traditional yang long form.

Highly recommnded. Terrific book and brilliant translation with excellent, insightful comments from the author Fu Zhongwen as well as the translator Louis Swaim. This book is an invaluable resource in learning Yang style Tai Chi for the serious student. I took up Tai Chi about 2 years ago and this book, in conjunction with attending a Yang style Tai Chi class every week, along with a video of the instructor, was immensely valuable in learning Tai Chi. There is a variety of insightful information and instruction passed on from Fu Zhongwen in his book that one would not deduce from simply watching a video, or possibly even in a class.