Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan (Paperback)

~ Fu Zhongwen (Author), Louis Swaim (Author) "Although Chinese martial arts are divided into numerous factions, it is important to know that they all contain techniques that are based on philosophical principles..." (more)
Key Phrases: right empty stance, left palm arcs, right fist changes, Single Whip, Advance Step, Grasp Sparrow's Tail (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan is the first English translation of Fu Zhongwen's esteemed handbook on the art of Taijiquan. The book's superbly detailed form instructions are based upon Fu's more than twenty years of first-hand study as a disciple of the eminent Yang Chengfu. The historic line-art drawings that accompany the text were rendered from photos taken of Yang Chengfu's form. Together, the drawings and form instructions constitute some of the best documentation that we have of the traditional Yang Style Taijiquan form as taught by Master Yang Chengfu. Other important features of this book include: * Fu Zhongwen's elucidation of moving points of concentration, termed jindian, in the Grasp Sparrow's Tail sequence of the form. * Succinct descriptions of Fixed-Step Push Hands, Active-Step Push Hands, and Da Lu practice. * Careful new translations of the five core "Taiji Classics". * The translator's close investigation into the language of the "Taiji Classics," revealing the grounding of Taiji theory in abiding philosophical themes.

About the Author

Louis Swaim lives and practices in Oakland, California. He has also translated an earlier taijiquan manual, Yang Chengfu: The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (North Atlantic Books, 2005). He received his master’s degree in Chinese history, Mandarin, and Classical Chinese at U.C. Berkeley, and did additional language study at the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies. He has been a taijiquan practitioner for over thirty years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (September 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556433182
• ISBN-13: 978-1556433184
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #536,069 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A handbook for the advanced student or teacher, April 11, 2000

By	Al Simon (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

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.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate tai chi book, July 6, 2001

By	Marco Morena "Mormarc" (Italy) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure !!!, July 7, 2004

By	Tatsat (Bangalore) - See all my reviews

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.