The Essence of Tai Chi Chuan: The Literary Tradition (Paperback)

by Benjamin P. Lo (Author), Martin Inn (Author), Susan Foe (Author), Robert Amacker (Author) "In motion all parts of the body must be light nimble and strung together..." (more)
Key Phrases: thirteen postures, T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A handbook of the classical Chinese literature on which the art of t'ai chi is based. First English translation of the classic texts of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. This is required reading for practitioners of every style.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (January 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913028630
• ISBN-13: 978-0913028636
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #209,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich, timeless treatise on the principles of tai chi chuan, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This book has become a bible for me as a practitioner of tai chi chuan and push-hands for the past twenty years. It is a collection of brief, often poetic classic writings from the tai chi masters. I read it at least twice a year, and I consider it a must-read for any advanced practitioners of the internal martial arts.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Wing Chun Practitioners Too, March 14, 2005

By	Armando Sainz "Armando Sainz" (Jacksonville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found that this book contains the best writings on Wing Chun available. It was recommended to me by my teacher's teacher. I know it's about Tai Chi concepts but the astute Wing Chun practitioner will benefit immensely from it. No it doesn't show any forms. It's not a "how to" book. It's a "learn deeper things about what you already know" book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to tai chi theory, January 4, 2002

By	John Ball (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a new translation of a number of classical tai chi texts. The translations are clear, and the language flows well. The translators also included brief explications of difficult terms withing the text itself so as not to disrupt the flow of words. The presentation of the book is well done, with many illustrations and pages of calligraphy. While fairly short, this book is very nice introduction to the classic Chinese texts on tai chi.