T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense

"Tai chi helps reduce stress and anxiety. And it also helps increase flexibility and balance. If you are looking for a way to reduce stress, consider tai chi. Originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements."—Mayo Clinic

Do the Chinese have a secret for youthfulness, health, long life and peace of mind? If they do, an important part of it lies in T'ai-chi, the exercise that millions have been practicing for centuries. To young and old, male and female, weak and strong, T'ai-chi is a wonderful source of relaxation and well-being. In fact, the Chinese consider its purpose to be nothing less than rejuvenation and prolongation of life.

T'ai-chi is an effortless and rhythmical art that stresses slow breathing, balanced and relaxed postures, and absolute calmness of mind. It requires no special equipment or place to practice, and takes no more than ten minutes a day.

This book, from renowned Tai Chi master, Cheng Man-Ch'ing, introduces T'ai-chi as a means to a healthier life, as a sport and as a method of self defense. It is a complete step-by-step manual for the beginner. With conscientious practice, readers will master the sequence of thirty-seven postures that will make up the T'ai-chi solo exercise. Students will learn how to progress from exercise to sport to self defense with maximum efficiency. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and more than 275 photographs and 122 foot-weighting diagrams guarantee an understanding of the correct form.

A history of T'ai-chi, including thumbnail sketches of famous masters, and the first English translation of the basic T'ai-chi document, known as the T'ai-chi Ch'uan Classics, are also included.

The late Cheng Man-ch'ing was an international authority on T'ai Chi and wrote two earlier books on the topic.

Robert W. Smith is also the author of The Secrets of Shaolin Temple Boxing and A Complete Guide to Judo. He lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.