Angus Clark

This instructive guide to the principles and practice of tai chi includess:

History, origins, and philosophy of tai chi.
The basic principles-movement and the body.
Life energies-meridians and the 7 major chakras.
Mind, movement, and focus.
A step-by-step guide to the complete movement sequence.
Branching out-other important aspects of the art.
Tai chi for life, health, and leisure.

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tai Chi is a beautifully photographed, informative, and practical guide to the life-enhancing practice of the short form of Chang Man Ching tai chi. This ancient art is now emerging worldwide as a simple and accessible aid to coping with the pressures of modern living.

Angus Clark is a recognised instructor of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain and has taught tai chi both nationalliy and internationally. He studied this ancient Chinese art with Mike Spinks and Alan Peack and also learned directly from Grandmaster Dr. Chi Chiang Tao. Angus Clark is the founder of the School of Living Movement in Devon, England.

Contents

How to use this book
Preface
1 Origins and history
Introducing tai chi
The roots of tai chi
Change and harmony
The birth of tai chi
A healing art
Seven quaities
Seven steps to progress
2 A body-based practice
Movement, health, and body awareness
The skeleton
The muscles
Body alignment
Stability and mobility
Body shape and posture
Inside the body
The circulation
Digestion and elimination
Sensory systems
Breathing
The energy centers
3 Taking steps and making moves
Preparing for practice
Moves and postures
The language of tai chi movements
Eight basic postures
The stances
Stepping
Balanced walking
Key moves
Warm-up movements
4 The complete shorty form
Introducing the form
Beginning
Ward off left
Ward off reight
Rollback
Press
Push
Single whip
Lifting hands
Shoulder stroke
White crane spreads wings
Brush left knee and push (1)
Play guitar
Brush left knee and push (2)
Punch (1)
Withdraw and push
Crossing hands
Embrace tiger, return to mountain
Rollback, press, push, and single whip
Punch under elbow
Step back to repulse monkey
Diagonal flying
Waving hands in clouds
Single whip
Squatting single whip
Golden rooster stands on one leg
Separate right foot
Separate left foot
Brush knee and push
Needles at sea bottom
Iron fan
Turn body, chop, and push
Bring down
Punch (2)
Kick with heel
Brush right knee and push
Brush right knee and punch downward
Ward off right
Fair lady weaves the shuttle
Ward off left
Squatting single whip
Step back to ride tiger
Turn and sweep lotus
Bend bow to shoot tiger
Punch (3)
Withdraw and push
Completion
5 Tai chi-the broader picture
Branching out
Working with a partner
A fighting art
Tai chi weapons forms
Cultivating energy
6 Tai chi creative living
Tai chi for life
Nature and the elements
Freestyle movement
Creativity and expression
Tai chi at work
Tai chi at leisure
7 Life stories
Achieving self-fulfilment
Growing and changing
Tai chi experiences
Styles, schools, approaches
Glossary
Useful addresses
Further reading (bibliography)
Index
Acknowledgements… (meer)

Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of exercise that helps you combat stress, prevent diesase, and promote fitness and relaxation. In China, Qigong is so widely practiced for health and longevity that it makes an important contribution to health nationwide. This attractive introduction provides a brief history of qigong, followed by step-by-step exercise demonstations that concentrate on the three core areas of qigong. By following these exercises, you reeducate your mind and body, and, through self-exploration, adopt new ways of living that eliminate and reduce the effects of depresssion, fatigue, and stress-making your life altogether more pleasurable and fulfilling.

Angus Clark is an experienced qigong tutor and founder of the School of Living Movement in Devon, England. He teaches both nationally and internationally, and also works with schools, health authorities and community groups in England.

Established in 1971 and read by more than a million health-conscious readers each issue, Natural Health is the leading periodical in the field of natural self care. Published by Weider Publications, Inc., its editorial advisory board includes such extesmed authorities as Dean Ornish, Carolyn Dean, and Andrew Weil. Visit us at www.naturalhealthmag.com. To subscribe to Natural Health, call 1-800-526-8440.

Natural Health is a registered trademark of Weider Publications, Inc.

Exercise and heal your mind, body, and spirit with this ancient Chnese practice.

The Secrets of...series offers a unique juxtaposition of theor and practtice, providing clear, ful explanations that demystify each subject and show yu the best way to apply it. This book:

Examines the many different styeles of qigong.
Demonstraties exercises step-by-step with color photography.
Offeres a jargon-free approach that makes qigong easy to understand.
Offers approximately 350 pictures that help clarify concepts.

Contents

How to use this book
Introduciton
Roots
The art of qi
Warm up
White crane
Energy management
Glossary
Further reading (bibliography)
Useful addreses
Index
Acknowledgments… (meer)