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This book has translations for many Chinese terms in both Chinese characters and Pinyin (Western phonetic transcription). Due to technical limitations, the Chinese characters have been left out of this epub version of 'Tai Chi Chuan Classical Yang Style.' Chinese character translations are available in the printed version and the PDF ebook of this book. Tai Chi Chuan Classical Yang Style Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming Tai Chi Chuan Classical Yang Style The Complete Long Form and Qigong YMAA PUBLICATION CENTER WOLFEBORO, N.H., USA YMAA Publication Center Main Office: PO Box 480 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 1-800-669-8892 • www.ymaa.com • [email protected] ISBN-13: 978-1-59439-200-9 ISBN-10: 1-59439-200-5 All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Copyright ©2010 by Yang, Jwing-Ming Cover design by Axie Breen Edited by James O’Leary, Jr., with contributions to this revised edition by Dolores Sparrow and Ken Craggs 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Publisher’s Cataloging in Publication The authors and publisher of this material are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury which may occur through reading or following the instructions in this manual. The activities, physical or otherwise, described in this material may be too strenuous or dangerous for some people, and the reader(s) should consult a physician before engaging in them. Printed in Canada DEDICATION To a Great Taiji Spiritual Teacher and Father—Jou, Tsung Hwa Deeply inside, I am experiencing unlimited and uncontrollable sorrow. Master Jou, such a great taiji teacher, passed away so suddenly from an accident. Although it is so sad to look back now to those happy days when I received your teaching and caring, and I know you would be so disappointed that you cannot fulfill your dream to demonstrate your will and capability of living 150 years, still I can remember how everyone saw you grow younger and younger, your spirit becoming stronger each year. All of us, your students and spiritual children of the Taiji Farm, were convinced that through practicing and understanding taijiquan, we could live for a long time with a healthy body and happy mind, just like you. Countless taiji practitioners came each year to your creation, the Taiji Farm, to share your spirit and admire your will power and living force. Like a modern day roundtable of taiji, the Taiji Farm taught us to put aside our differences and petty jealousies and absorb from you your life experience and profound wisdom. Together we learned how to take care of our bodies through practicing taijiquan and qigong, and most importantly of all, we learned that the true journey of our art is the reevaluation of the meaning of our life and an appreciation of the energies that taiji makes visible to our senses. This was your gift to us, to the taiji society, and to the human race. I feel such a sudden sense of loss, which I know I share with so many. I have appreciated every second we spent together, and I quietly listened to your life philosophy and taiji experience at every opportunity. It is hard for me to accept that you will not be there for further discussions and good- natured arguments about life’s different viewpoints. I will miss you whenever the word of taiji appears in my mind. I will never stop talking about the legacy of your life and existence. As I have promised you, I will continue in the promotion of taijiquan, although I know that without you, the burden will be so much greater. I acknowledge my obligation to you, and I promise that as long as I live, I will continue to share what I know without hesitation. Your spirit is my spirit, and the goal of your life is my goal. I only wish the life I can offer, the example I can provide, could be as rich and meaningful as the one that you provided to all of us. I cannot express with words how much I will miss you. But I know that your spirit will live forever and that your name and your story will continue to inspire taiji practitioners far into the future. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming August 4, 1998 EDITORIAL NOTES Using the book and DVD together. Throughout this book, you will see this icon on certain pages. The DVD icon tells you that companion material is found on the DVD. The larger words indicate the type content (e.g. lecture, follow along, etc.), the smaller words indicate the precise menu selection you should choose in the DVD. Romanization of Chinese Words. This book primarily uses the Pinyin Romanization system of Chinese to English. Pinyin is standard in the People’s Republic of China, and in several world organizations, including the United Nations. Pinyin, which was introduced in China in the 1950’s, replaces the Wade-Giles and Yale systems. In some cases, the more popular spelling of a word may be used for clarity. Some common conversions: Pinyin Also Spelled As Pronunciation Qi Chi ch Qigong Chi Kung ch göng Qin Na Chin Na ch n n Jin Jing j n Gongfu Kung Fu göng foo Taijiquan Tai Chi Chuan t j chüén For more information, please refer to The People’s Republic of China: Administrative Atlas, The Reform of the Chinese Written Language, or a contemporary manual of style. The author and publisher have taken the liberty of not italicizing words of foreign origin in this text. This decision was made to make the text easier to read. Please see the comprehensive glossary for definitions of Chinese words.