Complete Tai-Chi: The Definitive Guide to Physical and Emotional Self-Improvement

282 Pages·1993·47.68 MB·English

by  Alfred Huang

Master Alfred Huang
u
COMPLETE
The
Definitive
Guide to
Physical and
Emotional
Self-Improvement
COMPLETE
Tai--chi

COMPLETE
Tai--chi
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
TO PHYSICAL &
EMOTIONAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT
MASTER ALFRED HUANG
T UTTLE PU BLISH I NG
Tokyo • Rutland, Vermont • Singapore

Dedicated
to those
who are searching for
a new way to enlightment and spiritual growth
in this New Age of Consciousness
and to those
who are becoming more aware
of their own responsibility for health
and unity of body, mind, and spirit

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
Introduction 13
Part I : How to Learn and Practice Tai-chi
1. Understanding the Structural Framework of the
Body 19
The Spine 22
The Head 23
The Rib Cage 24
The Pelvic Girdle 24
The Shoulder Girdle 27
2. Understanding the Primary Powers of the
Universe 30
Attune the Body 33
Attune the Breath 36
Attune the Mind 39
Part II : The History of the Origin and
Development of Tai-chi
3. Exploring Legend and Confusion 45
7
4. A Historical Overview of the Most Important
Contributors 51
Chen Wang-ting and the Chen Family Martial
Arts 51
Contributions of Wang Tsung-yu 54
Contributions of Yang Lu-chan and Wu Yu-
hsiang 56
Contributions of Li Yi-yu 60
Hao Wei-ching and Sung Lu-tang 61
5. The Development of Tai-chi-New Styles
Emerge 63
Evolution of the Chen Family Style 63
The New Form 63
The Circular Form 64
The Old Form Survives 64
Birth of the Yang Style 65
Yang's Descendants Carry On 66
Yang Cheng-fu Develops the Modern Yang
Style 68
Wu Chien-chuan Continues the Evolution of
Tai-chi 68
6. Development and Current Styles 72
The Art of Push Hands 74
Part III : The Condensed Form of Wu-style Tai-chi
7. Unique Features 79
Origins of the Style 79
Healing Power 81
Focus Is on Internal Energy 82
Compact, Brisk Movements 83
Movements with Edges and Corners 84
Body Is Kept in a Straight Line 85
Central Equilibrium Is Maintained 86
Source of Movement Is in Pelvis 86
Movements End Where They Begin 88
Spiritual Aspect Is Accentuated 89
Postures Possess Flesh and Bone 90
8
CONTENTS
8. How to Practice Tai-chi 92
Standing in Stillness and Balance 92
Lift Spirit, Meditate with Heart 93
Key to the Directions 98
The 36 Postures of the Condensed Form of
Wu-style Tai-chi
IS ECfJON ONE I
POSTURE 1: Grasping Sparrow's Tail 102
POSTURE 2: Single Whip 113
POSTURE 3: Slant Flying 115
POSTURE 4: Raise Hands, Step Forward 116
POSTURE 5: White Crane Spreads Wings 119
POSTURE 6: Brush Knee,Twist Step 121
POSTURE 7: Hands Pluck Pipa 128
POSTURE 8: Step Forward and Intercept,
Punch 130
POSTURE 9: Seal and Close 135
POSTURE 10: Embrace Tiger, Push Moun-
tain 137
POSTURE 11: Fist Under Elbow 138
POSTURE 12: Backward Repulse Monkey 141
POSTURE 13: Pick Needle at Bottom of Sea 144
POSTURE 14: Fan Through Back 147
POSTURE 15: Cloud Hands 151
-Single Whip- 156
~SE-criO-N -Tw-o
1 I
POSTURE 16: High Pat on Horse 158
POSTURE 17: Right, Left Separate Foot 159
POSTURE 18: Turn Around, Kick 167
POSTURE 19: Trample and Punch 169
POSTURE 20: Turn Around, Raise Foot
Twice 173
POSTURE 21: Retreat, Step on Tiger 180
POSTURE 22: Strike Ears with Fists 185
POSTURE 23: Turn Body, Kick with Toes, Kick
with Heel 188
POSTURE 24: Wild Horse Splits Mane 192
POSTURE 25: Jade Lady Works at Shuttle 198
-Single Whip- 219
CONTENTS 9