I want to learn more of the history of Tai Chi. Wondering if anyone can recommend a good book on the history and/or theories behind Tai Chi.
The Power of Internal Martial Arts - Bruce Frantzis Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua - Lu Shengli Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan - Fu Zhongwen Taijiquan: Classical Yang Style - Yang Jwing Ming Tai Chi Theory and Martial Power - Yang Jwing Ming A Study of Taijiquan - Sun Lutang Enjoy
This site is pretty good when it comes to the development and history of tai chi. http://www.itcca.it/peterlim/index.htm
This book goes into the theories of the energies, it's quite esoteric though and requires quite some experience to appreciate: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tai-Chi-Classics-Shambhala/dp/1570627495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354046708&sr=8-1&keywords=tai+chi+classics"]Tai Chi Classics[/ame]
Off th' top o' me haid- By Doug Wile- TC Touchstones TC's Ancestors Lost TC Classics ( I think that's the title) Cheng,Man-ch'ing-TCC:A Simplified Method of Calisthenics Huang,Wen-shen-Fundamentals of TCC Yearning K. Chen (Chen,Yen-lin)- TCC It's Effects and Practical Applications Yang,Jwing-ming-Advanced Yang Style TCC Vol I,T'ai Chi Theory and T'ai Chi Jing --- I think that's probably the same book Dan Bian listed tho',Jimmy Yang's books underwent some title changes in the years after I bought them. (WHY do people do this to us?)
As a non-tai chi guy, I found this one interesting and informative, and I'm sure it would be better for a practitioner. The Complete Book of Tai chi chuan, by Wong Kiew Kit
Wong Kiew Kit is a bit of a contraversial character. He makes a lot of far fetched claims in his writing, and uses a lot of mystical mumbo-jumbo, sometimes getting too wrapped up in it. Plus, the cult mentality of the Wahnam group...
Maybe its easier for the layperson to read because its written by an observer? Though likely no. I picked it up because I was interested in seeing some of the principles of tai chi from an outside perspective, and despite all the fluff it was an interesting look.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Steal-My-Art-Times-Master/dp/1556434162"]Amazon.com: Steal My Art: The Life and Times of T'ai Chi Master, T.T. Liang (9781556434167): Stuart Alve Olson: Books[/ame]
A few more worth reading/collecting: On Taiji theory and form: The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan - Yang Chengfu Stalking Yang Lu-Chan - Robin Johnson Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan - Cheng Man Ching There Are No Secrets - Wolfe Lowenthal Gateway to the Miraculous - Wolfe Lowenthal Tai Chi Chuan Ta Wen - Chen Wei-Ming Taiqiquan - Li Deyin On Taiji Sword: The Complete Taiji Dao - Zhang Yun The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship - Zhang Yun Tai Chi Weapons - Dr Tseng Ju-Pai Taiji Sword and other Writings - Chen Wei-Ming Classical Tai Chi Sword - Petra & Toyo Koboyashi Taiji Jian - James Drew On Application Principles: Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere
If one wants to read/practice the more esoteric Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classics (Shambhala Publications) Waysun Liao Master Waysun Liao Temple Style Tai Chi
Waysun Liao's credentials have been widely called into question in the past. I don't know much about him personally, but a number of very experienced Taiji'ers on MAP have pointed out that his claims to know some kind of secret 'original' Taiji are highly dubious.
I am a student of his (indirectly). My teacher is one of his oldest student here in Chicago in the early 70s and I can attest to my teacher's internal power. I've been practicing this beautiful art since 1998. It is an internal art (yes much to the cliché) but its true. Much of the art is powered by chi kung/nei kung called the Basic 13. It's not the same Basic 13 as most tai chi has but its a simple art to practice in that you practice the Basic 13 at least 45 minutes and then the SOLO FORM. Solo Forms are chi kung for each tai chi forms and practiced together with the Basic 13. After each forms are practiced (empowered) then you practice the LONG FORM (dance), by the time you finished the whole form master (perhaps a year at least), then form is now "empowered". That "empowerment" is what Master Waysun Liao called the JING..the conversion of CHI into refined virbrations stored in our Dan Tian (Tan Tien). Lots of standing and sitting meditations to augment the push hands practice. Ultimately, all tai chi, bagua, hsing-i, i-chuan, lieheubafa are products of the Taoist's Wudang NEI JIA. They are internal arts but "externalized" as the rigors of it (or the demands of it) are mostly too-much in our instant-gratification-centric world. The tao is full of mysteries and what is deemd "supernatural" or too-esoteric are nothing but NATURAL. GM Waysun Liao's Temple Style Tai Chi is controversial because it is misunderstood. It is effective and beautiful and I've been very fortunate to have practiced it and still practicing it.
I'm not really going to make the case against such a claim. But, I just wanted to point out that a lot of research suggests that this is not the case at all and there is scant genuine evidence if any to support the assertion. Influence from Taoism, sure. But these styles being forged by Taoists on Mount Wudang, not so much. Briefly; Xingyi is attributed to Lu Fei, a famous general. I chuan was developed by Wang Xiang Zhai who learnt xingyi first. Bagua was developed by Dong H Chaun from different styles he learnt with the influence of Taoist circle walking for good measure. Hard to know where to begin regards the other two..
Here comes an overview - enjoy: Tai Chi Chuan in the History of Chinese Martial Arts http://www.amazon.com/Chuan-History-Chinese-Martial-Arts/dp/1500934054/ Martin2
