Название: Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks: The History of a Martial Art
Автор: Mark Chen
Издательство: Blue Snake Books
Год: 2019
Страниц: 256
Язык: английский
Формат: epub
Размер: 23.2 MB

The first-ever English translation of the most important masterworks of Chen Style Taiji, as originally published by the renowned grandmaster Chen Zhaopi.

Chen Zhaopi (1893-1972) is universally recognized as a preeminant grandmaster of Chen Style taijiquan, an ancient martial art that is the foundation of all taijiquan schools. During his lifetime, Chen was lineage successor and teacher to Chen Village's current generation of senior masters, including Chen Xiaowang, Wang Xi'an, Chen Zhenglei, Zhu Tiancai, and the late Chen Qingzhou. This book is the first-ever English translation of key selections from his seminal 1935 publication, Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks. Gathered together are taijiquan's most important texts dating back to its earliest period of development. These include the writings of its putative creator, Chen Wangting, and its reorganizer, Chen Changxing, and the biographies of eminent family members such as Chen Zhongshen. Author and translator Mark Chen's commentary provides readers with the most complete picture of taijiquan's origins, evolution, and theory to date. Also included is a step-by-step, pictorial exposition of Chen taijiquan's "old frame" first form, demonstrated by Chen Zhaopi himself.

Nowhere in the whole world can there be a route without a return path. Nor can there be mostly straight without bending. Because matters have their appropriate treatments, action must vary greatly. Since ancient times, this has been an unalterable principle. Fighting is frequently discussed in this world; doubly so with qi. In what way can we consider man as divided in two parts? What is called “two” is breathing; breathing implies yin and yang. Fighting cannot be without movement and stillness. Qi cannot be without exhalation and inhalation. Exhalation is yang, inhalation is yin; rising is yang, descending is yin. Yang qi rises and it is still yang; yang qi descends and becomes yin. Yin qi rises and becomes yang; yin qi descends and remains yin. This is the difference between yin and yang. What is meant by pure and impure? Rising up is pure, sinking down is impure. Pure is yang, impure is yin. However, when speaking of them separately, they are called “yin and yang”; when speaking of them together, they are called “qi.”

"A precious presentation of taijiquan’s essential theory and practice as found in original documents—clarified and enriched by a uniquely qualified author." - Michael DeMarco, publisher of Via Media Publishing and the Journal of Asian Martial Arts and instructor at Winged Lion School of Tai Chi