Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essence of T'ai Chi

by Chungliang Al Huang

Embrace Tiger, Return to The Essence of T'ai Al Chung-liang Embrace Tiger, Return to The Essence of T'ai Real People FIRST First Edition Thus, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($3.50 price intact). Published by Real People Press, 1973. Octavo. Paperback. Book is very good with shelfwear. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.Seller 301737 Martial Arts We Buy Books! Collections - Libraries - Estates - Individual Titles. Message us if you have books to sell!

Genres: Martial Arts, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Health, Reference

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Chungliang “Al” Huang (Chinese: 黃忠良) is a notable philosopher, dancer, performing artist, and internationally acclaimed taijiquan master and educator, having received the Republic of China’s most prestigious award in the field of education, the Gold Medal Award, from its Ministry of Education.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Janet Eshenroder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a long-time read. I am hoping to slowly work these concepts into my Tai Chi practice over the next year.

This book was kept with my old yoga & spiritual reference books in the basement bookshelves. When I started serious organization, I was delighted to find a book so relevant to my current New Year's resolutions. The pages are yellow with age, and while I remember keeping the book through many culling, I can't remember how it came into my possession originally. Now, after three years of getting established in the movements of Tai Chi, I am working on internal energy focus and the flow. How perfect to rediscover this book.

Sometimes one paragraph is worthy of a year's introspection and exploration. I hope to keep the book close and keep working on integrating this awareness into my Tai Chi practice. Already I notice a difference.

[Paul Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is somewhat of a Hippy 70's interpretation of the art and does has some rather embarrassing photos, (especially the earlier edition of singing and dancing youngsters) it reads like a breath of fresh air in comparison to all those geometric obsessive instruction manuals that deliver little other than angles and weight percentages. Al Huang worked alongside Alan Watts and you'll sense that influence in his words and approach to teaching. I wrote to Al Huang a little while back and he informs me that the red jumpsuit that appears on the original cover has been put to good use.

[David Montes Sori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pues el libro no era lo que esperaba o lo que buscaba específicamente pero aún así me gustó y me ayudó a entender más a fondo sobre el Tai Chi, que a fin de cuentas era lo que buscaba. Yo buscaba un poco más sobre movimientos, fundamentos y cosas así pero la "esencia" también es importante.
Descubrí muchas similitudes con el Cristinismo y otra religiones, con las que se relaciona, como el Budismo, el cual sabemos que comparte ciertos términos o fundamentos. Me quedo con ganas de seguir aprendiendo Tai Chi, mejorar, hacerlo parte de mi rutina diaria, incluso podría intentarlo como método de oración. Habrá ue verse.

24.05.2020
Plan de la libertad, Chiapas.
Lecturas en tiempos del COVID 1/10

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written in a conversational tone. I feel like maybe it was transcribed from seminar material. He describes a lot of what is being shown as if to a group. Huang is one of the renowned teachers at a California institute called Esalen and the artistic nature of that group and place come through in his teachings. I feel like he is one of the few teachers who embrace the "art" portion of martial arts as he teaches. He encourages the student to really feel and to move accordingly. He calls it the Tai Ji Dance. There were many Taoist principles examined in this book and Huang's personality shone through.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

So just found an even older diary from my mid-20's (i.e., mid-'70s, and apparently this is what I was reading, along with Bodymind, The Whole Person Healthbook, T. Lobsang Rampa's The Third Eye, and promo literature for some New Age religion called "Eckankar," which I don't remember at all and haven't heard of since, but according to Wikipedia is still out there somewhere - or maybe it's just been "reincarnated."

Was still relatively new to t'ai chi back then, as was America in general so not a lot to choose from.* This isn't a step-by-step "how-to" book so much as an extended (one might say "endless") rumination on "what it's all about, baby" that came from Huang's lessons at the famous Esalen Institute in Big Sur, an early home of "humanistic alternative education." Try as I might - and I've tried a coupla times over the years - was never able to get past the first few chapters. Guess I was just too square, man.

* Although best all-around book as a "how-to" (especially if you also look up his videos on YouTube) remains Cheng Man-ch'ing's T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense, published just two years after this book.

[Parker Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those rare gems that you could read over a hundred times and still only glimpse but a very small fraction of its total wisdom. Every word counts in this volume. There is nothing superfluous in Huang’s teaching, just pure honesty born or lived experience. Timeless and applicable to us all, whoever and wherever we are, this book is invaluable.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful journey into the mind and heart of a true Master of Tai Chi Chuan 太极拳. I bought this book in Canada, and have carried it with me for almost 50 years - since 1974 - paid $3.70 for it - it's priceless to me now.

[Ray Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feeling at the end of this is that to criticise it is to demonstrate you didn't understand it. Therefore I can only speak in terms of what I got out of it. As a student of Tai Chi, many of the ideas here I have already heard from my own Master. However, there were sections that did increase my understanding of the essence of Tai Chi, and gave me new ideas to explore. I would mostly recommend this to those already studying Tai Chi as those who aren't, or those who have just started, may only skim the surface of what the author is imparting, and not find it very interesting at all.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of balance, compassion, and the encouragement of creativity. Right after my first read, a high school student told me I had written a very cool chemistry exam (though he doubted that he had passed it?!). Of interest to martial artists (tai chi) and calligraphers. Beautiful photos that catch where the author is at.

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book exploring Chungliang Al Huangs life from his early days to his later years teaching. You feel drawn into the storytelling as he takes you on his journey. Must read for any Tai Chi enthusiast.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading again after about 8 years--just as miraculous as the first time.

[E.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one I recommend to all my students. A must have for anyone following the Way.

[Suzanne Newnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought taiji alive. Even the pictures and wording within the book evoked movement, a dance.

[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I continually refer back to or retread to settle myself down again.

[Scribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, very readable, very apt at this point in my progress with both tai chi and the tao.