Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form and Qigong [Paperback]

Yang Jwing-Ming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 1999

The complete, Taiji book from America's best known teacher! A traditional, step-by-step guide to a healthy body and relaxed mind.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (April 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188696968X
• ISBN-13: 978-1886969681
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book goes with companion video/DVD, November 23, 2004

By 

Charlie Duane (Mass., USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form and Qigong (Paperback)

As a novice I have collected most of Dr. Yang's writings on Qigong and Taijiquan, as well as some tapes and dvd's. His background is well worth looking into, particularly the 25-page account in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts (Michael A. DeMarco, interviewer, Vol 12, Number 2, 2003) currently available on the YMAA website.

In this book Dr. Yang recaps the high points of his earlier foundation books on Qigong (Chi Kung), so that this text can be considered complete by itself. However, while those books go into more detail and have more Qi training exercises, Dr. Yang adds new content here.

At a glance, pages 66 to 76 contain completely original material. He also cites "The Body Electric" by Robert O. Becker, the man who healed "hopeless" fractures with subtle electrical currents. The first 100 pages deal with background, historical surveys, and anecdotes.

Published literature has contention over what the real Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is and should be. Whether a flowery dance, a health-giving exercise, or the ultimate form of moving meditation aimed at enlightenment.

The gist of Dr. Yang's argument is that authentic Taijiquan has both spiritual and martial roots. That proper theoretical perspective, combined with disciplined practice, leads to the deep levels of Taiji. Simply, he sees Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) as a sophisticated progression of Qi (Chi) exercises.

However, saying and doing are two separate things. Another 80 pages are devoted to fundamental stances and Taiji Qigong exercises, all illustrated with photographs and arrow lines showing movement. The final 120 pages go to the 113 posture long sequence itself. (These two sections contain 489 photographs of Dr. Yang demonstrating the movements.)

Three considerations. First, the numbering system and page layout of the photographs can be a pain, so be ready with a pencil. Second, the printing and binding of this book could be better, so think of it as a training manual and get on with your practice. Third, Dr. Yang's writing style reads as "thought in Chinese and diagrams, written in English." Sometimes it takes effort and time to reach the deeper meaning of his writing.

The companion DVD and book make an exceptional combination. While the printing and binding of the book rates slightly below standard, the production quality of the DVD gets superior marks.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unfinished, too little detail, too much rehashed material., October 22, 1999

By 

Alex van Deelen ([e-mail]) (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form and Qigong (Paperback)

Basically, if you don't already have Dr. Yang's previous books on qigong, you won't be bothered by the repetition of old material of which most of this book consists. Also, it contains a (the?) entire long form of yang style tai chi. However, I am puzzled as to what this form has to do or how it is connected to Yang Ban Hou, especially as this book is sold by suggesting that this is his form - he isn't even featured in the index, there is no information on him in the book, and I was under the impression that he performed a small frame of tai chi, unlike the form portrayed in this book. Lastly, there is no explicit mention of any fast movements (fajing), which is also one of the selling points on the corresponding website, nor does it have a step by step explanation of how fajing is to be performed. Overall, it is my impression that this book has been hastily put together and perhaps in a future edition, these deficits will be corrected.

My humble opinion,

Alex van Deelen

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clear explanation of Qi Gong and Taijiquan Yang style, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form and Qigong (Paperback)

Dr. Yang clearly explains the principles of Qi Gong, mixing ancient believes with scientific evidence uncovered in recent years. His explanation of the Yang style Taijiquan in superb and the pictures are extremely clear.

If you practice Taijuquan seriously, this may help get a better understanding.