Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong Techniques & Training

by Wolfgang & Peifang Zhou with Manfred Grosser Metzger

1996

Library's review

Escape the frantic pace, stress, and draining conflicts in life, and let in a fresh new source of energy based on two of the world's oldest relaxation methods-the stretching movements of tai chi ch'uan, and the warm-up and breathing exercises of qigong.

Join millions the world over who are
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discovering this life-enhancing way to start each day. All the techniques needed are clearly spelled out, and demonstrated in photos by one of the authors, an award-winning tai chi master.

Tai chi ch'uan's fluid movements can be done by people of all ages and conditions, even those who are unable to take part in other activities. The Beijing short form offered here (24 forms) focuses on all major muscles and areas of stress-upper and lower back, neck, shoulders, feet, and more.

While exercising your entire body, tai chi ch'uan also helps you relax and slow down when stress begins building up. It allows you to feel energized and fresh, all day long.

Contents

Foreword
Introduction
1 Tai chi ch'uan & qigong in Chinese tradition
History of tai chi ch'uan
History of qigoing
The influence of Chinese philosophy
2 Tai chi ch'uan & qigoing: Antidote to today's stress
Stress & time
Slowing down vs. rushing
Tai chi ch'uan & qigong as slowing-down exercises
Tai chi ch'uan & medicine
Qigong & medicine
Choosing the Beijing short form
Criteria for performing tai chi ch'uan movements
A word about breathing
Mental aspect of practising tai chi ch'uan
3 Tai chi ch'uan & principles of athletic movements
Basic elements of athletic movements
Phases of movements within tai chi ch'uan
Modern movement theory & traditional Chinese thought
4 Learning tai chi ch'uan & qigong
Preconditions for learning & training
Theoretical & practical preparatins
Warm-up & preparation with qigong
Practising basic tai chi ch'uan movements
5 Beijing short form
Paths & forms
Orienting the body during movement
Descriptions of the 24 forms
Form 1 Beginning
Form 2 Parting the horse's mane
Form 3 Stork spreading its wings
Form 4 Brushing your knees & stepping
Form 5 Playing the pipa
Form 6 Fendingoff the monkey
Forms 7 & 8 Grasping the sparow's tail-Left & right
Form 9 Simple whip
Form 10 Moving hands like clouds
Form 11 Simple whip
Form 12 Patting the hrse's neck while riding
Form 13 Right heel kick
Form 14 Hitting your opponent with both fists
Form 15 Left heel kick
Form 16 Crooked whip-left
Form 17 Crooked whip-right
Form 18 Throwing the loom-left & right
Form 19 Needle at the bottom of the ocean
Form 20 Unfolding your arms like a fan
Form 21 Turning around, warding off & punching
Form 22 Closure
Form 23 Crossing your hands
Form 24 Conclusion
Short glossary
Short bibliography
Index
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ISBN

806959576

Publication

Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
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