NOTE: Please be aware that we only have one or two copies of some of these. Many aren't even in print any more. Even if it is listed here it may already be out of stock (we'll try to keep it updated but they may go fast).

Chen style Tai Chi Chuan - SC126
by Ma Hong
$25.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
350 pages, Softbound. Excellent, clear photos.

OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

If you’ve ever experienced the Tai Chi of Ma Hong close up you will be impressed by the range of motion, the line, the depth of stances and what really comes up particularly strong, the symmetry of his movement. On top of that we have heard that he has practiced the Chen Fa Ke styles and would not let if be blocked by the old style Chen which he would not abandon. Add to that the fact he started training Tai Chi at the age of 40 and you look at those thighs perfectly parallel to the earth and that’s pretty much as proof of expertise needed. Interesting lay out. All photos anchored at he bottom of the page all text upward.

 

Chen Style Tai Chi Self Defense - SC338
by Sun GuoXi
$14.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
323 pages, Softbound. Illustrations. 1993.

As anyone familiar with Chinese history will tell you we now have a period of expansion and absorption. In one of the biggest consolidations in centuries: martial arts have a special roll in bringing diverse styles of Kung Fu together. This is not necessarily bad, it is an obvious attempt , at least in part, for a number of skill sets and subsets to be “linked” with the better known styles such as Bagua, Xing Yi and Tai Chi. All sorts of mixtures are appearing: I see Chen style poles brought in, Tong Bei punches, Mi Zong Lost Track forms, Phoenix Double Swords, all being centralized in the bigger branches like Tai Chi. It will take a close scrutiny to reveal if these skills will “fill in the gaps” while presenting the essence of lesser known styles. These Chin Na techniques engage your partner with Tai Chi’s capture skills, ending with powerful, classic grabs, locks and throws. Not to mention an entire section with practice using specialized equipment and another with anti-knife moves.

Wu-Hao Style Tai Chi Self Defense - SC630
by Zhai Wei Chuan
$15.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
175 pages, Softbound. Photographs. 2006 printing

This is from the “other” form of Wu style commonly called Wu-Hao Tai Chi Chuan; the one with the character for “martial” as its style name, originated by Wu YuXiang (a patron of Yang LuChan). We don’t see a surplus of information on this branch of Tai Chi. This book shows over 300 good quality photographs of the entire108 movement routine. Teacher Zhai is an accomplished practitioner, highly skilled in his form which is a small, concentrated actions and emphasizing sensitivity and balance. Of the five “family” versions of Tai Chi this is probably the most rare.

We no longer have copies of this book in simplified Chinese characters; click here for same book in traditional Chinese characters.

See him move! You can also find Zhai Sifu's VCD collection HERE!

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Usage - SC404
by Yang Zhen Duo & Yang Jun
$14.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
89 pages, Softbound. Illustrations, DVD + chart.

Here is a clear presentation of usage in the Yang Family form of Tai Chi. Demonstrated by the direct family lineage holders, this book goes through the major movements of the Yang Long Form and shows spot applications for many postures. The DVD that accompanies this book is about 15 minutes long, with good production values. The explanation, given by Yang Zhen Dou, is in Chinese but the demonstrations of single, double and freestepping Push Hands is so clear it barely matters. Different aspects of the routine are shown by Yang Jun's effortless pushes and captures. A nice inspiration to relax and slow down.

Introduction to Chen style Tai Chi SC601
Feng Zhi Qiang
243 pages, photographs, softbound,
Simplified Chinese Characters; $16.95

With his usual powerful form and integrity of movement Feng Zhi Qiang demonstrates his 24 move Chen Tai Chi. Feng is an expert in Xing Yi as well and the "seasoning" of that style is evident in his every move. Introductory sections deal with practice and principles.

We no longer have copies of this book in Simplified characters, but click here for the book in Traditional characters.

A True Description of the Art of Yang style Taijiquan 
SC-835     
Wei Shu Ren
285 pages, Hardbound, Color and B/W photos, Simplified Chinese Characters; $32.95

OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

This is a book about how Yang style Tai Chi actually WORKS. Wei Shu Ren takes the movements and uses drawings, arrows, illustrations, photographs and descriptions to create, on paper, the type of class you would want to attend, breaking down the Tai Chi strategy and showing the details of its applications. He discusses the Golden Bell, mechanics of movement, application of force and more. A great candidate for translation. Hundreds of photos in B/W and color. The book also includes a 22 move set, mostly to illustrate the key points of usage. A number of "flying Tai Chi student" pictures but, in this case, they appear from a teacher who is trying to instruct rather than mystify you. Limited supply.

Short video on Wei showing Push Hands

Yang style Taijiquan 37 Steps SC 150
Wei Shu Ren
249 pages, over 450 photographs, softbound,
Simplified Chinese Characters; $32.95

The very famous Yang style teacher shows his 37 step form. With some of the most imaginative photos illustrating his breakdown, he has his student doing Fan Through the Back with a big fan picture, Gold Cock with a pheasant on the page, etc. He also starts the book with a section on the energy body of the Yang style and research pertaining to the practice. Three or four breakdowns per page. Some color front pieces.  A nicely done edition with textured covers. Limited supply.

Short video on Wei showing Push Hands

Chen Style Tai Chi Self Defense - SC202
by Ma Hong
$14.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
280 pages, Softbound. Illustrations. 1993.

This book is really one of the better ones for Chen Tai Chi applications. The reason is simple: all the illustrations are taken from photographs of Ma Hong himself demonstrating the usage of the different moves of Lao Jia. Besides the excellence of Ma Hong's applications the illustrations are good enough to show Reeling Silk energy and correct body angles. Chock full of information with over 515 illustrations!
This book also available in TRADITIONAL characters.

Chen style 38 Moves Taijiquan SC-153
Chen Xiao Wang
143 pages, softbound, Simplified Chinese Characters; $12.95

This little manual was written by the famous Chen master, Chen Xiao Wong. It starts with preparatory remarks on different styles and principles of Taiji, followed by a cleanly illustrated version of the 38 move Chen Taiji. Then, with slightly bigger illustrations, comes a breakdown and self defense demonstration for many moves. Historical notes in the front, aspects of "layered" practice, over 250 illustrations.

	OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

Chen Fa Ke's Taijiquan Practical Combat - SC141
by Li Bao Ren
238 pages, photographs, softbound, Simplified Chinese Characters; $15.95

This is another book in the growing library of texts delving far more into the deeper issues of martial arts than ever in history. We can't say that each and every one of these new editions is automatically helpful or even correct but there is a new spirit of enquiry concerning what has been treated as mysterious until now: this can only benefit in the long run.This fighting method is passed on from Chen Fa Ke the premier Chen stylist of the 20th century. Essentially the techniques explain all the major motions of Chen Lao Jia with Chen Fa Ke’s unique application. Li's method is to break the form into separate movements and then give about a two-page explanation of each move including comments how it was named and, more importantly, how it is applied. Each section begins with an initial photograph of the posture and then breakdown photos of the form in action.

 

46 Posture Taiji - SC810
by Ma Guan Lin
122 pages in color, photographs and a VCD
$18.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;

This student of Feng Zhi Qiang shows a strong and highly concentrated 32 styles form of the Chen family developed by Feng himself. This system, based on Chen style utilizes other skills of Feng's such as Tong Bei and Xing Yi into a coherent structure. Ma, who started his Taiji training in 1972, goes into details about applications of Chen Taiji. His energies are quite accurate as he goes through the form explaining his particular applications. He originally learned from Tian Xiu Chen before studying under Feng.

This is a combination book and VCD. The book, in Chinese, is nicely laid out with many color illustrations. The entire 48 movement form is pictorially represented. Broken into very small sections each only a few minutes long, Ma clearly shows the actions required. The color booklet, the largest of the series, also shows a complete breakdown of the form. There are not applications here but the other VCDs of the series show that Ma is indeed an accomplished and knowledgeable practitioner not only in form but also usage. Also a section on Internal Work.

 

32 Posture Taiji - SC809
by Ma Guan Lin
90 pages in color, photographs and a VCD
$17.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;

This student of Feng Zhi Qiang shows a strong and highly concentrated 32 styles form of the Chen family developed by Feng himself. This system, based on Chen style utilizes other skills of Feng's such as Tong Bei and Xing Yi into a coherent structure. Ma, who started his Taiji training in 1972, goes into details about applications of Chen Taiji. His energies are quite accurate as he goes through the form explaining his particular applications. He originally learned from Tian Xiu Chen before studying under Feng.

This book and VCD combination is quite well done. The book has many color illustrations and is nicely laid out with excellent printing on beautiful paper. There is a pictorial description of the form and a section on the Hun Yuan Qigong. Also this comes with a nicely produced VCD with the author demonstrating. Applications, strong and short, are shown with technical correlations to the form.

	OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

24 Taiji and 12 Internal Exercises - SC808
by Ma Guan Lin
$16.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
91 pages in color, photographs and a VCD

This student of Feng Zhi Qiang shows a strong and highly concentrated 32 styles form of the Chen family developed by Feng himself. This system, based on Chen style utilizes other skills of Feng's such as Tong Bei and Xing Yi into a coherent structure. Ma, who started his Taiji training in 1972, goes into details about applications of Chen Taiji. His energies are quite accurate as he goes through the form explaining his particular applications. He originally learned from Tian Xiu Chen before studying under Feng.

This is a combination book and VCD. The book, in Chinese, is nicely laid out with many color illustrations. Both the 24 Traditional movements and the 12 Hun Yuan (primordial chaos) Qigong movements are pictorially represented. There are many shots of Ma Ang Lu in various poses. Ma is definitely a strong martial artist with smooth and sophisticated movements and a thorough knowledge of applications for his form.

OUT OF STOCK ...but we expect more! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item. And look for our new upgraded site, making want tags like this a thing of the past.

Wu Style Taiji Push Hands -SC 801
by Li Li Yang & Li Jia Kuan
39 pages, good photographs
$14.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;

(Born in 1925, Li was a student of Ma Yue Liang). Most of the techniques in this book are well illustrated by excellent, large photos. Interestingly, teacher Li uses non-Chinese partners. Applications are sequentially shown for specific actions in the Wu style set. The presentation is exceptionally clear and well designed. The TOC includes:

Important Push hands principles, Wu Push Hands characteristics, 52 questions on PH, Fixed step PH, Fa Jing in PH, important writings on PH.

Li Style T'ai Chi Five Star Hammer - SC524
by Ma Jin Lung

Without a doubt one of the lesser known but interesting styles of T'ai Chi is Li branch. It boasts a number of sets influenced by the T'ai Chi philosophy but not looking like derivatives from the Yang style: almost more of a normal Kung Fu style that appears to be done in the "T'ai Chi manner." This large book is beautifully presented with a tasteful combination of excellent line drawings, some of the best we've seen - and photographs of the author. Not only is the Five Star Hammer given but also the Five Dragon Fist and the Li Style T'ai Chi sword. If you are interested in Li branch this is a nice one.
Check out this author's VCDs.

Tai Chi for Health Restoration & Protection - SC506
KangFu BaoJian TaiJiQuan
by Liu Shi Ming
$5.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
186 Pages, Softbound. Photographs.

Using Wu style as a base this Tai Chi teacher emphasizes Tai Chi's curative benefits. These health-oriented books are often "watered down" versions of Tai Chi. However Mr. Liu's form is excellent, even though the photos are only fair. Born in 1911 Mr. Liu has an upright body and excellent shape on his moves. There are supplementary notes on the form and also the principles of Tai Chi practice.

Tai Chi Push Hands - SC406
TaiJi TuiShou RuMen Yu GaoTi
by Tian Jin-Lung
$6.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
186 Pages, Softbound. Illustrated.

A mainland book in simplified Chinese and one of the best presentations of Push Hands skills we have seen. Clear and nicely illustrated. This seemingly simple book is exceptional in its presentation. It starts with text on the requirements and basics of Push Hands. It next discusses the Eight Energies with illustrations of usage. From there it breaks down the four basic forms of Push Hands, Single fixed and lively, Double Fixed and Lively. Finally it shows applications of the Eight Energies in the game of Push Hands. The information isn't tricky or profound but unusually clear and very usable.

YANG Tai Chi's True Narrative - SC216
by Wang Yong Quan
$14.95 Simplified Chinese Characters;
261 pages, Soft bound, Photographs.

There are versions of Yang and versions. This is one of those with many of the "missing moves" added. In over 450 photographs SiFu Wang shows a style of Yang with many additional actions including many steps transformed to kicks. An insert foot chart shows the steps. There is an interesting introduction and notes on "Soft Hand" internal training in the back. Good photos and any of them. No applications but a sophisticated and complex rendition.

About this book: Wang Yong Quan began learning Taiji from Yang Jian Hou at age six (with his father as fellow student). A recommendation from Yang Jian Hou placed Wang with Yang Chen Fu at age 14 but also in an unusual position in that he was told not to pass on what he learned of the Yang secrets. From 1926 Wang taught in a number of venues. Even as vice-president of the Beijing Martial Arts Society he kept his promise to the Yangs. Finally, in the Seventies, he passed important information on to an 18 year disciple. In the Eighties he was persuaded by Qi Yi and Wang Ping Fan, heads of their respective Philosophy and Humanities departments in the Chinese Social Science Institute, to create a written record of the transmission while instructing his final student: Wei Shu Ren.