Andrew Jan

· Details the 8 core forms of Wu-Style Tai Chi with fully illustrated instructions · Ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities due to the "small frame" primary stance, slower and smaller movements and conservation of energy · Explains how Wu Style provides a natural introduction to martial arts boxing · Reveals how Wu Style eases stiffness, relieves back pain and reduces abdominal fat Wu-Style Tai Chi follows the flow of chi energy, rather than directing it as in traditional Tai Chi. Centred on a "small frame" stance-that is, feet closer together and arms closer to the body-and a slower progression of movements in solo practice, Wu Style offers a gentle Tai Chi form for beginners and, when practised with a partner, a grounding introduction to martial arts boxing and Fa Jin (the discharge of energy for self-defence). The more functional stance, smaller movements and conservation of internal energy make Wu-Style Tai Chi ideal for older practitioners as well as those with health disabilities. Condensing the 37 movements of Wu Style into 8 core forms, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan illustrate how to build a personal short-form Wu-Style Tai Chi practice. They explain how Wu-Style Tai Chi removes energetic blockages and helps to elongate the tendons, reducing stiffness and allowing the limbs to return to their natural length and full range of motion. Regular practice of Wu Style relieves back pain as well as reducing abdominal fat, the biggest hindrance to longevity. Exploring the martial arts applications of Wu Style, the authors trace its history beginning with founder Wu Chuan-Yu (1834-1902) as well as explain how to apply Wu Style to "Push Hands" (Tui Shou) and Fa Jin. Through mastering the short-form Wu Style detailed in this book, Tai Chi practitioners harness a broad range of health benefits as well as build a solid foundation for learning the complete long-form Wu Style.

After mastering the Inner Alchemy practices of Lesser Kan and Li and Greater Kan and Li, the advanced student is now ready for the refinement of the soul and spirit made possible through the practice of the Greatest Kan and Li. With full-color illustrated instructions, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan explain how to establish the cauldron at the Heart Center to collect cosmic light, activate the Cranial and Sacral Pumps, and align the Three Triangle Forces. They detail how merging energy at the Heart Center then leads to the birth of the immortal spirit body, uniting you with the Tao and allowing you to draw limitless energy and power from the Cosmos. The authors explain the proper Pi Gu diet and herbs to use in conjunction with Kan and Li practice and provide warm-up exercises, such as meditations to expel the three Worms, or “Death Bringers,” that can imbalance the three Tan Tiens, leading to misdirection in your sexual, material, and spiritual goals. Revealing the ancient path of Inner Alchemy used for millennia by Taoist masters to create the “Pill of Immortality,” the authors show that the unitive state of oneness with the Tao made possible through Kan and Li practice represents true immortality by allowing past and future, Heaven and Earth, to become one.

· Includes illustrated instructions to connect astral energy with the energies of animals, children and plants to grow the immortal foetus or spirit body · Provides warm-up exercises and a complete daily Kan and Li routine · Explores how these advanced formulae are used for astral flight and realisation of the Wu Wei state Building on the Lesser Kan and Li formulae for the development of the soul body, this book provides illustrated descriptions of the Greater Kan and Li formulae to create the immortal spirit body. Used by Taoist masters for thousands of years, these exercises are for advanced students of Taoist Inner Alchemy and mark the beginning of the path to immortality. Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan reveal how to use Taoist inner alchemy to harness the energies of Sun, Moon, Earth, North Star and Big Dipper and transform them to feed the soul body and begin development of the immortal spirit body. They explain how to reverse yin and yang power through energetic work at the solar plexus, thereby activating the liberation of transformed sexual energy. They explore how to open the heart centre and how to connect astral energy with the energies of animals, children and plants to grow the immortal foetus or spirit body. The authors provide warm-up exercises, including the Inner Smile and Fusion practices and outline a complete daily Kan and Li routine for mental and physical health, longevity, astral flight and realisation of the Wu Wei state.

· Explains how to collect energy within and discharge it for self-defence as well as healing · Explores how to counter the natural instinct to resist force with force and develop yielding softness through the 13 Original Movements of Tai Chi · Illustrates routines for the partner practice of "Push Hands" (Tui Shou) Fa Jin, an advanced yang style of Tai Chi, complements the physical, mental and spiritual conditioning available through solo Tai Chi practice and the internal martial arts of Taoism. Fa Jin enables adepts to harness the energy of yin, yang and the earth in the lower tan tien and discharge it as an extremely close-range yet explosively powerful blow in self-defence and partner practice as well as in healing techniques. Integrating the teachings of many Taoist masters, including Chang San-Feng, the creator of Tai Chi; Wang Tsung-Yueh, the legendary 19th-century master; Bruce Lee, the actor and martial artist who made the "one-inch punch" technique famous and the Magus of Java, a living master able to discharge energy in the form of electric shocks, this book explores the history, philosophy, internal exercises and physical practices of Fa Jin. Drawing on Iron Shirt Chi Kung and Tan Tien Chi Kung techniques, Master Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan reveal the secrets to collecting yin and yang in the lower tan tien and discharging the energy in a seemingly effortless yet explosive blow. Illustrating several routines of the Tai Chi partner practice of "Push Hands" (Tui Shou), they explain how to apply Fa Jin techniques by "listening" to your opponent's intentions and countering the natural instinct to resist force with force through yielding softness and redirection. The authors, also, detail how to prepare for this advanced practice through stretching, meditation, breathing, relaxation and energetic exercises as well as the Eight Gates and the Five Steps, known collectively as the Thirteen Original Movements of Tai Chi.