Paul F. N. Tam

It is a great honor to undertake the translation of our teacher's work on tai-chi chuan from Chinese into English. However, we were deeply worried that we might not be equal to our task. Since the theory of tai-chi chuan originates from the very core of the Chinese culture, it really racked our brains to select the linguistically appropriate English equivalents that may transmit those culturally specific concepts. Irrespective of this almost unsurmountable difficulty we have, hopefully, managed to put the profound theory and skills into the English language-in a relatively lucid and concise style acceptable to the general readers of English.

Some of the contents contained herein have never been put in writing. They have been passed down for centuries in China through practical training only. A good example thereof is the delicate techniques in 'push-hands,' which regrettably often neglected by the learner is in fact the other side of the same coin in the training of tai-chi chuan.

The pesent work of translation also comprises the first attempt ever made to introduce comprehensively to the English-speaking world the classic tai-chi chuan theory, the subtlety of which, we are ablsolutely sure, the non-Chinese speakers have hardly gained any access to. This is far and away the best practical volume upon the learning of an important branch of Chinese kung-fu.

Master Paul F. N. Tam (1935-) was born in Hong Kong. However, his place of nativity is Kalping County, Guangdong Province, China. He graduated from National Taiwan University of the Republic of China, and then returned to Hong Kong. Thereafter, he was devoted to teaching as well as compiling secondary school textbooks for 28 years.

Master Tam was a disciple of late Master Lung Chi-cheung in his childhood and teens, practising extremely hard on kung-fu as well as traditional Chinese orthopedics. He is competent in a great variety of kung-fu branches, including Northern Shaolin, Tai-chi chuan, Choa-li-fo, Zhou Jia etc.

Master Tam was the instructor in a large number of kung-fu training courses organized by diferent industrial and commercial instititutions in Hong Kong. He had been successively appointed secretary, executive and competition adjudicator of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial arts Association for more than 10 years, having contributed immensely to the development of kung-fu in Hong Kong. In recent years, he was also elected chairman of Northern Shaolin Kuo Yu-cheung Memorial Association. Many of his students are regularly invited to be instructors of tai-chi chuan courses by the Urban Council of Hong Kong.

It can be said for sure that with Master Tam's settling down in California, U.S.A. in 1989, tai-chi chuan has been gaining an even wider global popularity.

Contents

Preface 1
Preface 2
Chapter One Introduction
The meaning of tai chi
Tai chi chuan
The origin of tai chi chuan
Family tree of tai chi chuan
The legends of Grand-Master Zhang San-Feng and the geneaolgy of tai chi chuan
Chapter Two The therapeutic effects of tai chi chuan
We must take part in sports
Tai chi chuan is the best sports
Persistent 'tai chi chuan' training to achieve good health and longevity
Chapter Three How to learn tai chi chuan
Guidelines in respect of posture
The 'tai chi chuan' postures in respect of hands, eyes, body, steps and spirit
Basic requirements of tai chi chuan
Foundation of exercises of tai chi chuan
Chapter Four Tai chi chuan postures
Terminology of tai chi chuan postures
Demonstrations of the whole set of tai chi chuan postures
The hierarchy of tai chi chuan practice
Chapter Five Training of tai chi inner energy
The body relaxed and at ease
Mind fully concentrated
Mind concentrated at the space under the navel
Integration of consciousness and inner energy
Methods
Chapter Six Tai-chi push-hands (jostling)
The eight skills in tai-chi push-hands
The techniques of tai-chi push-hands
Essentials of tai-chi push-hands… (meer)