Stewart McFarlane

Relax your mind and body, strengthen your muscles, and improve your circulation, flexibility, and posture with this practical guide to g'ai chi ch'uan by Master Instructor Stewart McFarlane.

Authoritative advice:
The Complete Book of T'ai Chi shows the complete Cheng Man-ch'ing Form, the most popular style of T'ai chi ch'uan. Author Stewart McFarlane teaches this form with a clarity of style deriving from his extensive theoretical knowledge and many years spent teaching at all levels. He conveys the practical details and higher aspects of T'ai chi ch'uan with a clear, authoritative voice and an insight and simplicity rarely found in the West.

Explicit instruction:
Exercises, movements, and postures are explained in detail and illustrated with full-color, step-by-step photographs. Footprint diagrams show the correct foot positions and weight distribution essential for each stance. The Complete Book of T'ai Chi enables beginners to discover the physical and spiritual benefits of T'ai chi ch'uan, and helps experts to perfect their technique.

'T'ai chi is the ideal antidote to modern-day stress.'-Your Health

Written by master instructor Stewart McFarlane, in conjunction with Tan Mew Hong of the Zhong Ding Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Association, The Complete Book of T'ai Chi is a detailed practical guide to the techniques of this ancient martial art.

Contents

How to use this book
Introduction
1 T'ai chi basics
T'ai chi for mind and body
Stretching and flexibility exercises
Preparing to learn t'ai chi
2 Master Cheng's t'ai chi
Prepaering for t'ai chi
Preparation
Beginning
Left ward-off
Right ward-off
Roll back, press, adn push
Turn the body, and lower the hands
Single whip
LIft hands
Shoulder strike
White crane speads wings
Brush knee, twist step
Strum the lute
Brush knee, twist step
Step forward, move, parry, and punch
Apparent close-up
Cross hands
Embrace Tiger, return to mountain
Ward-off, roll back, press, and push
Turn the body, and lower the hands
Diagonal single whip
Fist under elbow
Step back to repulse the monkey I and II
Diagonal flying
Cloud hands I and II
Decending single whip
Golden rooster stands on one leg
Right toe kick
Left toe kick
Turn body, heel kick
Brush knee, twist step
Step forward, and plant a punch
Step forward to right ward-off
Roll back, press, and push
Turn the body, and lower the hands
Single whip
Fair lady works shuttles I, II, and III
Left ward-off
Right ward-off, roll back, press, and push
Turn the body, and lower the hands
Descending single whip I and II
Step up to seven stars
Step back to ride the tiger
Turn body, lotus kick
Draw a bow to shoot the tiger
Step forward, move, parry, and punch
Apparent close-up
Cross hands
Close t'ai chi
3 T'ai chi skills
Developing t'ai chi skills
Pushing hands drills
Applications
Glossary
How to choose a t'ai chi class
Index
Acknowledgments… (meer)