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Tao
Te Ching
by Lao Tsu (translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English). Perhaps
something more than a classic. Lao Tzu's work was writen in the
Warring States period (475-221 B.C.) There are over fifty English
translations of the Tao Te Ching. This one is our favorite and
in our opinion, the best one for Tai Chi Players. A must read
for serious players interested in a look into the heart of Tai
Chi practice.
Cheng
Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'Ai Chi Ch'Uan - by Cheng Man
Ch'Ing. The cover has a color print of one of Master Cheng's paintings.
And the book includes examples of his calligraphy. The only book
of its kind authorized by Master Cheng's estate. Contains a preface
by Cheng's wife. Master Cheng thoroughly describes each motion
and it's application. Includes photos of the author practicing
the form with explanations.
T'Ai
Chi Ch'Uan for Health and Self-defense: Philosophy and Practice
- by T. T. Liang and Paul B. Gallagher. Personal and insightful
commentary from Master Liang, along with excerpts from many other
Tai Chi songs and tales from China. It contains an excellent translation
of the classics... by a translator that obviously understands
the subject being translated.
Essence
of Tai Chi Chuan: The Literary Tradition - A collection of
brief poetic classic writings from the great tai chi masters.
Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo, one of Cheng Man-ch'ing's
most accomplished students.
Douglas Wile
Translations:
Yang Jwing-Ming:
Beyond
the Closed Door: Chinese Culture and the Creation of T'ai Chi
Ch'uan - by Arieh Lev Breslow. A thorough and exhaustive examination
of the Chinese culture and traditions from which Tai Chi grew
that pieces together a Chinese world view and cultural heritage
that is intelligible to Westerners. It frames Chinese ideas in
the context of Western thought... and pointing out the similarities
as well as the differences. The first section is an overview of
Chinese culture that introduces you to Confucius, Lao Tzu and
Chang Tzu as well as the importance of Yin and Yang. The book
then moves to an understanding of Chinese religion and philosophical
thought (Confucianism and Buddhism) along with the interplay of
these with the many shifts of political regimes over 4500 years
of Chinese history. Arieh Lev Breslow has been teaching T'ai Chi
for over 20 years, most of which have been at the Jerusalem School
of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, which he founded in Israel.
T'Ai
Chi Classics (Shambhala Classics) - by Waysun Liao (Translator).
It's always best for a translator to understand the subject matter.
I've seen Waysun Liao do things that can't be described by conventional
physics. His knowledge is more than genuine. He really knows how
to develop fa-chin or discharging force.... and its not with muscle
nor mere body mechanics. If you are interested in generating and
expressing internal energy... this should be at the top of your
book list.
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