Provides a step-by-step photographic guide to each posture in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi form and illustrates the 64 postures of the After Heaven T'ai Chi form. Also includes discussion of the universal principals of the pratice of T'ai Chi and the philosophy of the I Ching.
Starting from the basic principle of "If one wants to know how to eliminate stress, ask someone who is without stress, " Stuart Alve Olson introduces the simple, time-tested exercises of Taoist masters to teach even the most harried Westerner how to go beyond reducing stress to eliminating it all together. Photos.
Taijiquan is Internal Alchemy in motion, and the Taiji Qigong Form and supplemental exercises in Tai Ji Qi (Volume One of the Chen Kung Series) represent the very foundation for the Internal Alchemy aspects in the practice of Taijiquan.The information in Stuart Alve Olson's six-volume Chen Kung Series, available to the Chinese reader for nearly eighty years, covers the entire Yang family system of Taijiquan practice and philosophy. Chen Kung's original Chinese book, published in 1936, 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.
The first English translation of Master Li Ching-yun's teachings on the Eight Brocades, the central practice of qigong. • Explains the physical and spiritual benefits of the Eight Brocades and offers step-by-step instructions for this powerful sequence of postures. • 85 illustrations highlight the postures and philosophies. • Author's commentary provides insight and depth to the original translation. Throughout history Taoists have promoted the development and restoration of the Three Treasures-- body, breath, and spirit--through the gentle practice of qigong. At the center of the qigong practice are the Eight Brocades, a series of postures that developed during the 3,000-year Taoist quest for longevity and vitality. Now qigong expert Stuart Olson translates into English Master Li Ching-yun's treasured teachings on the Eight Brocades. One of the most famous qigong masters of this century, Master Li Ching-yun is reliably chronicled to have lived more than 250 years, during which he practiced the Eight Brocades on a daily basis. His longevity and personal endorsements attest to and validate the Eight Brocades as the quintessence of Taoist health and qigong practices. With Master Li Ching-yun's original teachings as a guide, Stuart Olson presents an authentic yet accessible approach to this unique practice. Each exercise is accompanied by original text from Master Li, step-by-step instructions for each posture, illustrations of the positions, and insights on theory and practice. Because the Eight Brocades are the foundation of all qigong, this book provides valuable advice for all practitioners, regardless of the style they practice or the depth of their experience.
Now 101 years old, Master T. T. Liang came to the U.S. from Taiwan in the 1960s to introduce t'ai chi to America. His life story is full of the stuff that makes a great martial arts adventure: a career as a high-ranking government official, street fights and shootouts, opium dens and prostitutes, mystical martial arts masters and monks—the story of a life lived to the absolute maximum. Twenty-five photographs add to the captivating life story of this great t'ai chi master.
The books in this two-volume series present the most important tools and information on how to utilize the Book of Changes (I Ching). The Book of Sun and Moon, an alternative-though accurate-translation for the title of the I Ching, is both a book of divination and calculation. Its use in divination means to apply intuition concerning the oracle of the hexagrams (the sixty-four images of broken and unbroken Yin-and-Yang lines). Its ability to calculate and determine possible outcomes for any situation involves examining the logical correlations associated with each of the hexagrams and what images they change into and head toward. Using the Book of Sun and Moon is like being a detective or tracker. The images are the clues and tracks, and a good detective or tracker needs not only tools of deduction and observation, but also a strong sense of intuition. Hence, the Book of Sun and Moon provides the main tools for both. Some questions put to the Book of Sun and Moon may only seem to need an understanding of the oracle portion, while others may only seem to require the use of logic and calculation. Without applying both intuition and logic, however, you are only receiving half the picture and limiting the amount of information the Book of Sun and Moon can provide. Volume I contains background historical information and explanations of the I Ching's construction and uses for divination and calculation. Volume II contains the translations of the original Book of Sun and Moon, along with specific correlations for the hexagrams and trigrams for interpretation, as well as Stuart Alve Olson's commentaries derived from various Chinese and English sources. These new editions of the Book of Sun and Moon provide a distinctly Daoist perspective on the work, which sets them apart from the majority of other translations of the I Ching that contain commentaries based on Confucian ideals and philosophy.
The first English translation with commentary of three classic Taoist texts on immortality • Translates The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic, The Immortals, and The Three Treasures of Immortality • Defines the Taoist concept of immortality and examines the lives and practices of Taoists who achieved this state • Reveals the steps needed to achieve immortality in our modern society Taoist mystics claim that it is possible to achieve immortality: “Within each of us dwells the medicine to cure the affliction of mortality.” Now Western readers can access the wisdom of Taoist masters on the subject of immortality through the first English translations of three classic Taoist treatises: The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic; The Immortals, from the Pao P’u Tzu by Ko Hung of the Sung Dynasty; and The Three Treasures of Immortality, from the Dragon Gate Sect. The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic teaches that one can attain immortality through the cultivation of the three treasures of Taoism: ching (sexual and physical energy), qi (breath and vital energy), and shen (spirit and mental energy). Chinese history is sprinkled with accounts of individuals who applied the lessons of the Jade Emperor and lived up to 200 years. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Taoism, martial arts, and Chinese history and culture, Stuart Alve Olson accompanies his translations with informative commentary that explains the historical context of the texts as well as demonstrates the practical applications of their teachings in contemporary life.
Being Daoist: The Way of Drifting With the Current" provides an interpretation on the basic philosophical ideals of living and thinking as a Daoist. It serves as a primer for Westerners on Daoist teachings and practices, encapsulating the heart of what Stuart Alve Olson has learned from his teachers, from his many years of practicing, and from his study and translation of Daoist works. The chapters on "Understanding the Way, The Way of Renewing Life, The Way of Wei Wu Wei, The Way of Immortals, " and "The Way of Sincerity, Silence, and Gentleness" offer insights into what it means to be Daoist by integrating Lao Zi's philosophy of naturalism into our lives in a Western context. One of the cornerstones of "Being Daoist" is living according to our Personal Dao, which allows us to achieve greater peace and contentment in our lives. In this book, Stuart Alve Olson explains the meaning of Personal Dao, and provides guidance on how we can connect with ours. Just as the Chinese character for Dao shows a person drifting along with the current of a watercourse way, finding and then following your Personal Dao is the essence of "Being Daoist.
This book provides a succinct organization of materials and advice Li Qingyun provided on the subject for attaining health and longevity. Stuart Alve Olson's The Immortal: True Accounts of the 250-Year-Old Man, Li Qingyun is a large book covering many aspects of Li's teachings and life, and since it is a direct translation of Yang Sen's Chinese edition, it can be more challenging to navigate the teachings. Stuart's purpose in translating The Immortal was to present that work as Yang Sen intended, and he didn't provide any personal in-depth commentary and instructions to clarify the teachings. This book then fills in the gaps regarding Li Qingyun's advice and instructions for attaining health and longevity. The first chapter, The Fundamentals of Longevity, starts out with basic, but unique, regimes on acquiring longevity. The second chapter, Foods and Herbs for Longevity, covers more clearly the herbs Li Qingyun and Yang Sen recommended for improving health and life span. The third chapter, Sex and Longevity, explains what Li Qingyun meant by the sexual practices of Refining the Rosy Clouds. The fourth chapter, The Eight Diagrams Elemental Exercises, more popularly called Eight Brocades, includes a detailed look at these exercises. The fifth chapter, Embryonic Breathing and Longevity, delves into Li's teachings on Opening the Three Passes and Embryonic Breathing Qigong methods named after the two primary images from the Book of Changes (Yi Jing)-Qian (Creativity of Heaven) and Kun (Receptivity of Earth). The sixth chapter, The Six Qi, is about the practice of the Six Healing Sounds used for both the cure and prevention of illness and disease, and as a meditation practice. The seventh chapter, Calming the Mind, is about regulating the mind and calming the spirit, the very roots of maintaining good health and acquiring longevity. These seven chapters provide a clear path for improving health and attaining longevity. You may not incorporate all of them into your daily practice, but you'll find numerous little regimes and insights that can prove most useful in your daily life. The intention of this book is not to convince you to take on all the practices, even though that would be quite effective, but to select those elements you find useful and appropriate to your life and schedule.
Developed by Wang Lang over 300 years ago, Praying Mantis Kung Fu is the only martial art based on the fighting skills of an insect. This fascinating system utilizes swift, methodical movements for defense and offense, and is well respected as an art that helps practitioners develop great strength and perseverance. The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu provides an in-depth look at the history and practice of this remarkable martial art. Author Stuart Alve Olson, a student of T. T. Liang, draws on the lineages of Masters Feng Huan-I and Wang Han-Fon, but includes detailed description of all major schools, styles, and lineages. The first half of the book focuses on tactics and theory; the second half contains step-by-step descriptions of the fundamental Praying Mantis stances, exercises, footwork, and kicks, clearly illustrated by more than 200 photographs. What sets this book apart from other works on Praying Mantis is its philosophical depth; author Olson gives a clear account of the development of the art and the Taoist principles from which it arose. This book provides the basis for not only mastering the martial art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu but also mastering oneself—the true goal of all martial arts.
This extraordinary book presents the Taoist practices of chanting and ceremony along with the contemplative meditation method of reciting Taoist scriptures. Contained within are rare and first-time translations of Taoist ceremonial chants, four short Taoist texts, and a complete translation of Lao Zi's Scripture on Tao and Virtue (Tao Te Ching). The majority of chants come from the Chinese Taoist work The Highest Treasury of Truth Scripture. Stuart received this text many years ago from his teacher, Master T.T. Liang, who had originally acquired it from Taoist Master Liu Peizhong. In the 1950s, Liu was head of the Taoist Kun Lun Sect in Taipei, Taiwan, and Master Liang had become one of his disciples. The scripture states that the chants derived from the Quan Zhen Sect and were handed down through the Tang dynasty immortal Lu Dongbin. The other works appearing in Taoist Chanting & Recitation come from various Chinese sources, which can be divided into two forms: liturgy of chants and Taoist scripture texts for contemplation. Chanting, recitation, and ceremony may seem simple in use, but their effects are profound and far reaching. Just like casting a pebble into a pond, the ripples extend in all directions. Likewise, the actions, speech, and thoughts of these practices produce good responses. The small act of offering incense, bowing, and a little chanting each morning has a wonderful effect on the rest of the day. There is something beneficial about being reverent each morning that flows into all of your daily events. Chanting, reciting scriptures, and performing ceremony on a regular basis can add a great deal of clarity and calmness to your life.
The first tai chi book exclusively for children ages 4 to 8. • Uses children's delight in imitating animals to teach the eight basic tai chi forms essential for health. • Each exercise is accompanied by colorful artwork and photographs of the author's 7-year-old son demonstrating postures. • Written as a story to invite imaginative play and learning. • Designed for children and parents to play with together and for independent learning by older children. Millions of adults practice the ancient Chinese exercise of tai chi everyday. Now children can experience the numerous health, learning, and social benefits of tai chi--focused attention; enhanced creativity, imagination, self-confidence; and improved balance, circulation, and overall health--through the eight simple exercises introduced in Tai Chi for Kids. Inspired by his own son's excitement with tai chi at the age of only three, master teacher Stuart Olson appeals to the innate imagination and playfulness of children to teach them the eight basic forms of a tai chi practice. Children have fun imitating animals while guided by colorful and playful illustrations and photographs of Olson's son, Lee, performing each posture. Olson uses the language of a storyteller, wonderful animal metaphors that invite children to pretend, and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions so that every child can enjoy such exercises as "Chasing the Monkeys Away," and "Riding the Tiger to the Mountain." The book also includes a fun teaching tale of how tai chi first began that can be read out loud by a parent or independently by the older child. Tai Chi for Kids introduces children to a lifetime of physical fitness and instills in them a love of movement.
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.
This book explains the basic Chinese philosophy you need to understand these Taoist health exercises, and provides an easy-to-follow practical demonstration of the Eight brocades. Olsen includes a translation of Li Ching-yun's The Way of Longevity, as well as Yin Shih Tzu's meditation and breathing methods for spirit, breath and body.
Starting from the basic principle of "If one wants to know how to eliminate stress, ask someone who is without stress, " Stuart Alve Olson introduces the simple, time-tested exercises of Taoist masters to teach even the most harried Westerner how to go beyond reducing stress to eliminating it all together. Photos.
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