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Tai Chi: A Practical Introduction
Tai Chi, the martial art that focuses on sequences of movements, promotes excellent health and relief from stress, and is suitable for people of all ages. This clear, accessible introduction includes a section on the history and philosophy of Tai Chi and a detailed explanation of the Tai Chi movements, the 48 Form Set.
119 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
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May 23, 2024
A HELPFUL INTRODUCTION TO THIS FORM OF SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT
(This book was originally published in 1993 as ‘The Art of Tai Chi.’)
Author Paul Crompton wrote in the Introduction to this 1998, “You may have seen film clips of people in the Far East moving very slowly and gracefully in parks and open places. The chances are they were doing Tai Chi. They were performing sequences of movement, arranged in a definite order, at a uniform speed… Every movement conforms to definite principles, sustained throughout the sequence… The benefits of this can be considerable… Once the sequences of Tai Chi have been learned, then the whole body, mind and spirit feels more harmonized, returning as it does to something more natural in itself. The joints of the body function most correctly; the muscles stretch and contract with a feeling of ease; the breathing gradually slows down and the brain lose for a while its burden of concerns.” (Pg. 2)
He continues, “where did the Tai Chi we have today, a blend of methods, ideas, theories and stories, come from? … today there are several styles, each bearing the family name of the founder… [Some] people will tend to emphasize the movements which suit them, maybe repeat them several times and reduce the number of times the movements which do not suite them are performed. Someone else may be more interested in slow, calming movements and will emphasize them; or be more interested in fighting and so introduce more fighting techniques into a Form, and perhaps change the speed. These and other variations are possible and indeed found within that range of Tai Chi sequences.” (Pg. 5-6)
He explains in the first chapter, “This chapter … as straightforwardly as possible presents some of the philosophy which the majority of Tai Chi students find when they attend classes and read the literature… Over two thousand years ago there were so many systems of philosophy in China that they were known as ‘the hundred schools.’ Taoism and Buddhism were two among many and had no particular prominence. Gradually these two schools became very important, along with the teachings of Confucius and his philosophical descendants.” (Pg. 9-10)
He states, “In Tai Chi training a student tries to see what is natural in his or her movements. Though the movements of Tai Chi are in a sense not natural, that is, they have been introduced from the outside, this is justifiable because the usual movements of civilized people are even further from what is natural. Therefore, Tai Chi movements help to restore what is natural. In the end, as it were, one can dispense with Tai Chi movements, having found once again what one had as a child.” (Pg. 13)
He continues, “the [subject] which has had the greatest influence on Tai Chi theory is the notion of the five elements. One of the key areas of Chinese scholarship in which the number five is found is in the study of history… one of the five elements is always succeeded by another… Water gives rise to wood; wood gives rise to fire; fire gives rise to earth; earth gives rise to metal and metal gives rise to water.” (Pg. 16-17)
He says of Chi, “Chi means internal or intrinsic energy, vitality, universe life-force… One of the major problems with the theory of Chi, from the point of view of many members of the Western medical profession for instance, is that they do not accept a direct cause and effect link in experiences where Chi is supposed to have been instrumental in bring that experience about.” (Pg. 20-21)
He notes, “in the majority of Tai Chi styles the trunk is held erect, the head ‘suspended,’ chin sunk, elbows down, knees bent, and so on. These ways of holding and moving the body contribute to keeping a firm base and a stable posture in which the energy can circulate, without the eruption of tensions in the body aimed at maintaining balance.” (Pg. 29)
The book then has a long section illustrating and explaining various Tai Chi movements.
He concludes, “Since 1968 Tai Chi has spread far and wide in the Western world… Diverse people produce diverse views and Tai Chi has not avoided this. Today we can find a number of views about the art… Tai Chi is a very personal thing, an intimate thing. It has to do with the circulation and use of your own energy, your Chi. A teacher can give only indications, the rest is up to you.” (Pg. 116-117)
He adds, “How much time should you spend on training?... You get from Tai Chi, like everything else, what you put into it… Tai Chi is a rewarding study and an enjoyable one. If you have an affinity for it your life will be enriched.” (Pg. 119)
This book will be of interest to anyone seeking an introduction to Tai Chi.
(This book was originally published in 1993 as ‘The Art of Tai Chi.’)
Author Paul Crompton wrote in the Introduction to this 1998, “You may have seen film clips of people in the Far East moving very slowly and gracefully in parks and open places. The chances are they were doing Tai Chi. They were performing sequences of movement, arranged in a definite order, at a uniform speed… Every movement conforms to definite principles, sustained throughout the sequence… The benefits of this can be considerable… Once the sequences of Tai Chi have been learned, then the whole body, mind and spirit feels more harmonized, returning as it does to something more natural in itself. The joints of the body function most correctly; the muscles stretch and contract with a feeling of ease; the breathing gradually slows down and the brain lose for a while its burden of concerns.” (Pg. 2)
He continues, “where did the Tai Chi we have today, a blend of methods, ideas, theories and stories, come from? … today there are several styles, each bearing the family name of the founder… [Some] people will tend to emphasize the movements which suit them, maybe repeat them several times and reduce the number of times the movements which do not suite them are performed. Someone else may be more interested in slow, calming movements and will emphasize them; or be more interested in fighting and so introduce more fighting techniques into a Form, and perhaps change the speed. These and other variations are possible and indeed found within that range of Tai Chi sequences.” (Pg. 5-6)
He explains in the first chapter, “This chapter … as straightforwardly as possible presents some of the philosophy which the majority of Tai Chi students find when they attend classes and read the literature… Over two thousand years ago there were so many systems of philosophy in China that they were known as ‘the hundred schools.’ Taoism and Buddhism were two among many and had no particular prominence. Gradually these two schools became very important, along with the teachings of Confucius and his philosophical descendants.” (Pg. 9-10)
He states, “In Tai Chi training a student tries to see what is natural in his or her movements. Though the movements of Tai Chi are in a sense not natural, that is, they have been introduced from the outside, this is justifiable because the usual movements of civilized people are even further from what is natural. Therefore, Tai Chi movements help to restore what is natural. In the end, as it were, one can dispense with Tai Chi movements, having found once again what one had as a child.” (Pg. 13)
He continues, “the [subject] which has had the greatest influence on Tai Chi theory is the notion of the five elements. One of the key areas of Chinese scholarship in which the number five is found is in the study of history… one of the five elements is always succeeded by another… Water gives rise to wood; wood gives rise to fire; fire gives rise to earth; earth gives rise to metal and metal gives rise to water.” (Pg. 16-17)
He says of Chi, “Chi means internal or intrinsic energy, vitality, universe life-force… One of the major problems with the theory of Chi, from the point of view of many members of the Western medical profession for instance, is that they do not accept a direct cause and effect link in experiences where Chi is supposed to have been instrumental in bring that experience about.” (Pg. 20-21)
He notes, “in the majority of Tai Chi styles the trunk is held erect, the head ‘suspended,’ chin sunk, elbows down, knees bent, and so on. These ways of holding and moving the body contribute to keeping a firm base and a stable posture in which the energy can circulate, without the eruption of tensions in the body aimed at maintaining balance.” (Pg. 29)
The book then has a long section illustrating and explaining various Tai Chi movements.
He concludes, “Since 1968 Tai Chi has spread far and wide in the Western world… Diverse people produce diverse views and Tai Chi has not avoided this. Today we can find a number of views about the art… Tai Chi is a very personal thing, an intimate thing. It has to do with the circulation and use of your own energy, your Chi. A teacher can give only indications, the rest is up to you.” (Pg. 116-117)
He adds, “How much time should you spend on training?... You get from Tai Chi, like everything else, what you put into it… Tai Chi is a rewarding study and an enjoyable one. If you have an affinity for it your life will be enriched.” (Pg. 119)
This book will be of interest to anyone seeking an introduction to Tai Chi.
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