Wen-Ching Wu

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today’s most popular and easy to learn tai chi forms. This book presents both the Simplified 24-posture Tai Chi form and the Simplified 48-posture Tai Chi form. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today’s most popular tai chi forms. Once learned, it can be performed in only six minutes. If you are learning tai chi in a school, a fitness club, a community or recreation center, or even the local park, this is the tai chi form you are likely to encounter. The martial arts applications for each posture are shown so you can understand that every movement has a purpose. The Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 48 Posture is a popular tai chi form practiced by those who want a longer, more challenging sequence. Once learned, it can be performed in only twelve minutes. The forty-eight posture form is often the next form a student studies after learning the twenty-four posture form. Here’s what is inside this book: Theory to help you understand tai chi’s important tai chi conceptsWarm up exercises for safe and proper tai chi practiceFundamentals so your tai chi movements will be easy and naturalFoot diagrams so you will know what direction to faceThe complete Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture form, step-by-stepMartial applications for each movement of the 24 posture formThe complete Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 48 Posture form, step-by-step This book presents in a modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly. No matter your age, tai chi chuan is a wonderful way to improve your health and well-being.

This revised edition of our best selling beginner Tai Chi Chuan book includes a new and modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly. In 1956, the Chinese Athletic Committee created the Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form from the Yang style. The movements in this simplified form are easy to learn and the postures are standardized to the Yang style. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is the most popular beginner tai chi form practiced today. It takes about 10 hours to learn and can be performed in 6 minutes. In 1976, the Chinese Athletic Committee created the 48 Posture Tai Chi form from Yang, Wu, Chen, and Sun styles. This allows an intermediate practitioner to experience these traditional styles in one short form. This tai chi form can be performed in 12 minutes. Inside this book: * A general introduction to tai chi chuan. * A theoretical foundation of tai chi chuan. * Tai chi history. * Guidelines for good practice including fundamental stances, balance, breathing, and movement. * The entire Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form with step-by-step instructions. * Martial applications for the Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form. * The entire 48 Posture Tai Chi form with step-by-step instructions. * Foot placement diagram.

Kung Fu Elements is the Wushu training manual that martial artists have long awaited. It is the first of its kind in the English language. It contains the essence and elements of both Internal and External Styles of Wushu. It is an invaluable training reference for any instructor or serious student of any style of martial arts This book contains seven chapters, plus an extensive glossary, including: *Classifications of Wushu styles, history, and philosophy *Traditional methods for building a strong foundation *Techniques for developing powerful kicks *Sanshou fighting applications and combinations *Effective uses of grappling (Qinna) and takedown (Shuaijiao) techniques *Iron Sand Palm training and Cavity Press (Dianxue) *Internal Strength, Light Body, and many other Kung Fu attainment methods *A Glossary of Wushu styles, practitioners, and terms In Wushu, we train the physical to aid the shapeless; cultivate the shapeless to care for the physical. The training of Wushu gives one the necessary conditioning to master one's own physical body, and gain a greater understanding of the inner workings of the mind and spirit. This book includes the training methods used by ancient Wushu masters to achieve great heights. With this book at your finger tips and your desire to excel, you too can achieve great heights in your martial arts training

"Sword Imperatives is a beautifully written book with captivating stories, clearly described movements, photos, and illustrations." The Chinese double edged sword is known in martial arts traditions as the king of blades. It is regarded by both scholars and martial artists as the most distinguished of all weapons. Sword ownership in ancient China represented power, prestige and rank. Sword Imperatives is the authoritative reference book dedicated to the proper and effective use of the double edged sword. Whether you practice sword for health or for martial arts, you will find this book the foremost guide to mastery in sword skills. With practice, you will be able to move the sword in perfect balance and harmony like an agile phoenix twisting and turning effortlessly with grace and power. This book includes: * Brief philosophy and history of sword development * 29 essential sword movements and drills * Green Dragon Kung Fu Sword routine * 32 Posture Tai Chi Sword routine