READING LIST/WORKSHOPS

Here are some of the most important Tai Chi books to help improve your personal understanding and development of the art. These books cover a range of perspectives, from historical and philosophical to practical and scientific, providing a well-rounded understanding of Tai Chi. Remember that while books are valuable resources, they should complement, not replace, hands-on practice and instruction from a qualified teacher. Most of these books are available on Amazon or at your favorite bookseller.

“The Tai Chi Classics” by Waysun Liao: This book is highly regarded for its exploration of the fundamental principles of Tai Chi..

“Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions” by Douglas Wile: This historical work provides insights into the origins and development of Tai Chi, challenging common misconceptions.

“There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing and His T’ai Chi Chuan” by Wolfe Lowenthal (senior student of Chen Man Ching): This book offers valuable anecdotes and wisdom from one of the most influential figures in bringing Tai Chi to a Western audience.

“Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain” by Chungliang Al Huang: This book provides a fresh perspective on Tai Chi, focusing on the spirit of the art rather than just technical details.

“The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi” Peter M. Wayne: This book offers a scientific approach to understanding the health benefits of Tai Chi.

“Cheng Tzu’s Thirteen Treatises on T’ai Chi Ch’uan” by Chen Man Ch’ing: This classic text is essential for those seeking a deeper understanding of Tai Chi principles.

“The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing: Tai Chi and the Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone” by Paul Read: My choice as a Tai Chi Outlier and if he were alive today no doubt it would be Chung Zhu’s as well. . Irreverent, in the tradition of Chuang Zhu, this book asks why we practice this ancient art in the 21st century and what we can expect from doing so. The Noble Art of Tai Chi and Leaving Things Undone extends the calm and peace of tai chi practice into our hectic daily lives and the tension-filled world around us.

And Last but not Least, the first and perhaps foremost “Tai Ji Quan Treatise:” Attributed to the Song Dynasty Daoist Priest Zhang by Stuart Olson (Author), Patrick Gross (Editor). See link below.

This book presents an in-depth analysis of Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Ji Quan Treatise, the most important document of all Tai Ji Quan (T’ai Chi Ch’uan) classical literature. Olson’s commentary provides clear descriptions on each verse of the treatise and how it applies to actual Tai Ji practice. Zhang Sanfeng, a 12th century Taoist priest is credited with the creation of Tai Ji Quan and several works on Neidan (Internal Alchemy). He reportedly lived 170 years, from the late Song dynasty through the Yuan and into the early Ming dynasty. Zhang’s life exemplified the Chinese ideal of a true wandering immortal.

Click the link for a free pdf version:
https://tinyurl.com/2s44umuh

WORKSHOPS

If and when we hear of any local workshops, we will post it here. If you have or know of an upcoming workshop, please list it below in the COMMENTS.