Description
The foremost work on the ancient Chinese art of T'ai Chi Ch' an in the English language is now even better. Master practitioner and teacher Sophia Delza has thoroughly revised her original guide to include substantial new material. T'ai Chi Ch' an: Body and Mind in Harmony is a comprehensive survey of the age-old martial art, a system of activating the body for the development of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Clearly detailed descriptions of the movements, illustrated with detailed drawings and photographs, enable you to practice alone. The book features a stimulating analysis of how body and mind function harmoniously, and a concrete explanation of how form and structure develop lasting physical health, mental alertness, stable vitality, and tranquility.… (more)
Library's review
T'ai chi ch'uan is a composition of 108 basic forms (with inner variations) done continuously with a flowing movement executed with 'slowness, calmness, clarity, balance and awareness.' The structures are so varied as to put into play every part of the body, from the smallest joint to the largest
T'ai chi ch'uan is designed to keep one from getting 'aged' as one gets older. It is valid at no matter what age. The progressive ability to do it correctly for the minimum of twenty minutes assures one continually of one's good health and agelessness. To do it at all is a step toward being better physically, emotionally and mentally.
In this first popular explanation in English of t'ai chi ch'uan (Wu Style), Sophia Delza, the only Western woman master of the system, discusses its underlying philosophy and describes every step of each movement in pictures and lucid text. Of it, she says:
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a system of activating the body for the development of physical emotional and mental well-being that produces a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of tranquility that western exercises do not give. This in itself may not sound unusual since many exercises so promise, but what is unique in this case is the technical method, with its form and spirit, which promotes this desirable state.
We in the west are apt to overdo in exercises and sports, believing that a hard, tense movement indicates srength and control and that power comes for the ability to expend energy violently. The technique of t'ai ci ch'uan is contrary to such a method. It is in the philosophy of t'ai chi ch'uan that energy can be controlled, strength balanced, vitality stabilized by using the body in such a way as not to strain the muscles, not to overactivate the heart, not to exert oneself excessively. The technique of t'ai chi ch'uan is based not only on a physical method, but also on an emotional and mental attitude, from which a state of awareness, calmness and concentration evolves. This consideration of man's total health is intrinsic in the forms and techniques of t'ai chi ch'uan.
First and foremost a dancer of extaordinary skill and creative ability, Miss Delza is also a writer and lecturer on the art of the dance forms of China and the exercise-art of t'ai chi ch'uan, which she teaches at the United Nations and at her own studio. Her knowledge of her subject is profound, for she has spent many years in China studying the dance and, in particular, the Wu Style of t'ai chi ch'uan under the great master, Ma Yueh-Liang. She is the first woman master of this system in the occident and she performs both this and other Chinese dances before delighted audiences from coast to coast.
'Whenever and wherever she performs, Chinese people are captivated by her accomplished and faithful rendition of the wonderful and difficult Chinese Theatre Dance.' says Koo Hsien-Liang of the Chinese Culture Consultation Bureau. 'Miss Delaza makes t'ai chi ch'uan beautiful because she is a good and brilliant dancer.'
Contents
Part I The t'ai chi ch'uan way
Introduction
What t'ai chi ch'uan is
Benefits
Characteristics of the way of movement
Structure (Yin-yang)
Harmony of body and mind
Two intrinsic princoples: Softness and circular movement
Five essential qualities
Part II Fundamentals
Gerneal remarks
Principles to be observed
Basic positions
Part III Preliminaries
Suggestions for study
Explanatory notes
Part IV The practice of t'ai chi ch'uan
Appendix Historical background: A consistent heritage
Excerpts from Ming Dynasty documents
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muscle, with harmonious designs and significant patterns. The perfect weaving of the dynamics of movement and form gives the body litheness and buoyancy, promotes fine circulation and quiets the mind.T'ai chi ch'uan is designed to keep one from getting 'aged' as one gets older. It is valid at no matter what age. The progressive ability to do it correctly for the minimum of twenty minutes assures one continually of one's good health and agelessness. To do it at all is a step toward being better physically, emotionally and mentally.
In this first popular explanation in English of t'ai chi ch'uan (Wu Style), Sophia Delza, the only Western woman master of the system, discusses its underlying philosophy and describes every step of each movement in pictures and lucid text. Of it, she says:
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a system of activating the body for the development of physical emotional and mental well-being that produces a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of tranquility that western exercises do not give. This in itself may not sound unusual since many exercises so promise, but what is unique in this case is the technical method, with its form and spirit, which promotes this desirable state.
We in the west are apt to overdo in exercises and sports, believing that a hard, tense movement indicates srength and control and that power comes for the ability to expend energy violently. The technique of t'ai ci ch'uan is contrary to such a method. It is in the philosophy of t'ai chi ch'uan that energy can be controlled, strength balanced, vitality stabilized by using the body in such a way as not to strain the muscles, not to overactivate the heart, not to exert oneself excessively. The technique of t'ai chi ch'uan is based not only on a physical method, but also on an emotional and mental attitude, from which a state of awareness, calmness and concentration evolves. This consideration of man's total health is intrinsic in the forms and techniques of t'ai chi ch'uan.
First and foremost a dancer of extaordinary skill and creative ability, Miss Delza is also a writer and lecturer on the art of the dance forms of China and the exercise-art of t'ai chi ch'uan, which she teaches at the United Nations and at her own studio. Her knowledge of her subject is profound, for she has spent many years in China studying the dance and, in particular, the Wu Style of t'ai chi ch'uan under the great master, Ma Yueh-Liang. She is the first woman master of this system in the occident and she performs both this and other Chinese dances before delighted audiences from coast to coast.
'Whenever and wherever she performs, Chinese people are captivated by her accomplished and faithful rendition of the wonderful and difficult Chinese Theatre Dance.' says Koo Hsien-Liang of the Chinese Culture Consultation Bureau. 'Miss Delaza makes t'ai chi ch'uan beautiful because she is a good and brilliant dancer.'
Contents
Part I The t'ai chi ch'uan way
Introduction
What t'ai chi ch'uan is
Benefits
Characteristics of the way of movement
Structure (Yin-yang)
Harmony of body and mind
Two intrinsic princoples: Softness and circular movement
Five essential qualities
Part II Fundamentals
Gerneal remarks
Principles to be observed
Basic positions
Part III Preliminaries
Suggestions for study
Explanatory notes
Part IV The practice of t'ai chi ch'uan
Appendix Historical background: A consistent heritage
Excerpts from Ming Dynasty documents
Show Less
Publication
The Good News Publishing Company North Canton, Ohio
Original publication date
1961