The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan

by Yang Chengfu, Louis Swaim (Translator)

Martial arts master Yang Chengfu’s seminal work on the techniques and applications of Yang-style taijiquan—now available to Western practitioners for the first time
 
The publication in 1934 of Yang Chengfu's book, The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan ( Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu ) marked a milestone in the modern evolution of the art of taijiquan. Using what is best-termed demonstration narrative, the author presents form postures and suggested applications from his own perspective, as he performed them. This methodology renders Yang Chengfu's direct, hands-on teaching of the art with such immediacy and liveliness that the reader experiences the master’s teaching much as his students did.
 
This English translation finally makes Yang Chengfu's classic work available to taijiquan enthusiasts in the West. It includes notes and commentary that clarify the author's frequent classical and literary turns of phrase and elucidate the philosophical and political underpinnings that shape the text. The translator investigates and compares several early taijiquan books in order to help explain the roles played by two of Yang Chengfu's students, Dong Yingjie and Zheng Manqing, in bringing Yang Chengfu's words and teachings into print. Serious students of taijiquan, and those wishing to deepen their knowledge of taijiquan history and theory, will find this seminal work indispensable to their study and practice.

Genres: Martial Arts

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2005

Reviews

[Will Brown]

This is a must read for anyone who follows or trains in the styles of Yang Chengfu's students. (ie Cheng Man Ching). It is notoriously difficult to follow but the ideas you can glean from the study will help clarify your tai chi. This is a book that you will study again and again, but you really have to work at it.

I'm not sure anyone can ever say they have read this book in total. It's impossible to understand its meanings with a cursory read.

[M. Apple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to finally have the "original," but the constant interruptions by the translator, while informative, are distracting. I would have preferred these interludes to be combined in a separate section at the end and listen to the actual author (who probably was Cheng Man Ching or another of Yang Cheng Fu's students and not Yang Cheng Fu himself). Seeing the actual photos rather than a drawing copying the photo is a plus of this book. Too bad the translator misidentifies one. See http://www.yangchengfu.org/index.html for more information. Still, a good addition to any tai chi collection.

[Fulvio Tai Chi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo libro dovrebbe essere nelle librerie di tutti i praticanti di Tai Chi Chuan se non altro per le illuminanti parole del M°Yang Cheng Fu all'inizio dell'opera.
Peccato per i molti errori nella stesura (e nella traduzione)

[Andy Mccarl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, you are never entirely finished...

[Ray Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a reference than a read-once-through book, this is an invaluable guide to understanding the application of the postures in the Yang forms.

[Terrangirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for anyone studying Yang or Yang derived style of Taijiquan