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Preface

Taiji Quan is a gem of the Chinese traditional culture and in the recent few centuries it has rapidly developed worldwide and has always been considered as half of Chinese wushu. However, the Taiji Quan is an intrinsic essence of art that embodies unique qualities and deserves its own recognition. These are clearly identified as Taiji Quan is well organised, has the feature of self-defence, self-awareness, and it contains both the wisdom and philosophy of wushu. Therefore, it is capable of generating and improving one’s health.

Most of us would often think that practising the Taiji Quan would be rather fussy and time consuming because it requires a lot of time and patience as its movements are slow and gentle – it seems to be more suitable for the elderly and women. Fortunately, this is not completely true. All we need in order to master the art of Taiji Quan is to have a firm basis, and understandings of its underlying concepts.

This book of single set complete Taiji Quan in-place movements is what this is all about - to allow you to establish a strong fundamental techniques and provide you with clear simplified steps of Taiji Quan, as well as ample explanations on the effects and reasons of each steps.

There are basically eleven sets of single-set complete Taiji Quan in-place movements in this book, each of which has their respective original names of the traditional Taiji Quan and their movements resemble those of the Yang family’s Taiji style. However, this book emphasizes on continuous repetition in each sets hence you will get the feel of the movements and grasp the concepts more easily. They will also enable you to do the Yang style or any other forms of Taiji Quan more easily.

In addition to that, you don’t really have to do all the eleven sets every time you practise this Taiji Quan. In fact, you can choose only one set and practise it everyday. Its benefit on you will still be significant. For example, if you are experiencing poor appetite and often feel weak all over, you can choose to practise only the Lou Xi Au Bo (brush knee twist step) daily because you believed that it can improve your physical fitness and body constitution. It is likely that you will regain a good health through your determination and consistency in practising that particular step.

The integration between both your physical movements and your breathing or Qi (life energy) will strengthen your body, both internally and externally, particularly when you exercise this Taiji Quan consistently. You will not have to worry about an imbalanced physical structure or strength because the steps are arranged for both the left and right sides of your body.

This book of Taiji is easy to learn and practise. You will also find it easy to teach others. It is suitable for all walks of life, regardless of your age, gender, nationality, etc and it requires only little space. I personally enjoy it, find it an excellent method for a daily routine exercise and felt its benefit on improving my health and well being. You will definitely like it and will feel the ‘miracles’ of the Taiji Quan in you.

Y.S Chow

Taiji Quan: Tested Chinese Art Of Healthy Living

English Proverb says,” An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The emphasis is on what you eat.

Chinese martial art Master says, “Practicing Taiji Quan daily lengthens your life-expectancy and makes you a healthy man mentally as well as physically.” The stress is on body movement.

From the view of medical science as regard to bodily health, nutritious food and regular exercise are both essential. The question is,” What type of exercise entailing bodily movement is most suitable for and conducive to people of all ages, especially for senior citizens irrespective of sex?”

Master Y.S Chow tells us, “Taiji Quan is well organized. It contains both the wisdom and philosophy of wushu (martial art). It is therefore capable of generating and improving one’s health.”

In his book entitled “The Single Set Complete Taiji Quan In-place movements For Life Preservation”, Master Chow has disclosed his own unique form and style of maintaining health by down-to-earth illustration with beautiful pictures shot in actual movement. The step-by-step description couple with its simplicity in style will make even a beginner to learn the art more easily within a shorter period of time.

Undoubtedly, this book is a masterpiece of master Chow’s experience after many years of practicing and research. Hopefully, it will be beneficial to people of all walks of life who treasure their health more than anything else in the world. May I wish every success for its publication and circulation

Hew Wei Choong

(Secretary-General, Malaysian Chinese Cultural Society)