Chen Kung

The sword, saber, and staff weapons of Taijiquan are implements for improving your health, expressing qi, and issuing intrinsic energy (jin). Even though these three weapons are complete training systems of Taijiquan within themselves, each has a primary focus in its practice: Sword develops the skill of extending intrinsic energy through the arms and hands. The handling of the sword is likened to the skills of a Chinese calligrapher with a writing brush, making use of very refined yin and yang movements. Saber develops the skill of issuing qi from the spine. The handling of the saber is equated to the skills of a Chinese archer pulling a bow, making use of movements for drawing-in and releasing energy. Staff develops the skill of directing intrinsic energy through the waist. The wielding of the staff relates to the skills of a Chinese fisherman poling a boat across the water, moving the entire body as one unit with steady, relaxed, and flowing motions. All practicers of Taijiquan and other martial arts and health regimes should definitely consider training one or more of these incredible weapon arts. The Yang Family was truly genius in making these weapon practices "part and parcel" to their Taijiquan system of training. Without learning the skills inherent to each weapon, your level of skill can not reach its highest potential, as each weapon becomes an extension of the body, providing the skills of expressing intrinsic energy, qi, and spirit-whether within a self-defense situation or in your daily activities.

This volume in the Chen Kung Series is a landmark translation and explanation of Taijiquan's most profound text-the Yang family's secret training journal on Intrinsic Energies (Jin). The commentary brilliantly explicates a work that will be an essential reference for any Taijiquan practitioner. Intrinsic Energies are the profound and marvelous skills of an accomplished Taijiquan master. They are the very foundation of self-defense skills in Taijiquan and are what sets Taijiquan apart and beyond all other styles of martial art. Anyone interested in developing their Taijiquan skills to the highest levels needs to read and study this work. "I predict that this will be one of the most important works on T'ai Chi yet to be published in English. While the text itself is enlightening, the real pearls of knowledge contained in this book are to be found in Olson's commentary. Concepts and ideas typically mystified by practitioners are masterfully presented in a clear, direct manner."-Dan Miller, editor Pa Kua Chang Journal The information in Stuart Alve Olson's six-volume Chen Kung Series, available to the Chinese reader since 1936, covers the entire Yang family system of Taijiquan practice and philosophy. Chen Kung's original Chinese book is a distinct and invaluable resource that is now accessible to English readers through the brilliant translation work and insightful commentary of Stuart Alve Olson. No matter what style of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) you practice or what level of skill you have achieved, the Chen Kung Series will greatly broaden your knowledge and skills, as it is truly a "Master's Program" on the art of Taijiquan.