Easy to read and follow, Beginning T'ai Chi will give you the power to enrich your life both physically and spiritually. You'll be amazed at how this simplified method of a martial art form that is more than 800 years old can augment your sense of well-being, bring you inner peace and strength, and revitalize your energies.

Practiced by millions, T'ai Chi is among the most rapidly growing martial arts today. It teaches you how to relax, cope, and get in touch with yoour inner self. In this useful book for newcomers to the martial art, Tri Thong Dang has successfully trimmed traditional t'ai chi's more than 80 movements which ordinarily demand years of practice-to a succinct 24 movement forms which can be easily mastered. Accompanying each of these forms are clearly drawn, step-by-step illustrations that make it impossible to misinterpret the text. Beginning T'ai Chi will guide you toward recaliming and recharging your life.

Contents

Acknowledgments
An introduction to the world of t'ai chi
Why t'ai chi?
A glimpse into the history of t'ai chi
Why this form for the beginner?
The basic movements
About learning from a book
The simplified t'ai chi form
Form One: Commencing
Form Two: Part the horse's mane (both sides)
Form Three: White crane spreads its wings
Form Four: Brush knee (both sides)
Form Five: Hands strum the lute
Form Six: Step back and roll arms (both sides)
Form Seven: Grasp the bird's tail (left side)
Form Eight: Grasp the bird's tail (right side)
Form Nine: Single whip
Form Ten: Wave hands like clouds (left side)
Form Eleven: Single whip
Form Twelve: High pat the horse
Form Thirteen: Kick with the right heel
Form Fourteen: Strike the opponent's ears with both fists
Form Fifteen: Turn and kick with the left heel
Form Sixteen: Push down and stand on one leg (left side)
Form Seventeen: Push down and stand on one leg (right side)
Form Eighteen: Work at shuttles (both sides)
Form Nineteen: Needle at the bottom of the sea
Form Twenty: Flash arm
Form Twenty-one: Turn and deflect downward, parry, and punch
Form Twenty-two: Apparent close
Form Twenty-three: Cross hands
Form Twenty-four: Closing form
Conclusion

More than a martial art, T'ai Chi is also a holistic method of self-healing, a form of moving meditation, and a philsophical way of life. Health, relaxation, and self-defense are but a few of the many reasons cited for practicing this traditional exercise, which was created by a Taoist sage eight centuries ago. Now a recreational activity practiced by millions of people worldwide, T'ai Chi, wth its physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits widely recognized and praised, is the fastest-growing martial art in the world today.

In this handy guide, Master Tri Thong Dang, who has been an instructor of the Chen, Yang, Zhao, and T'ai-Mantis systems of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for over three decades, describes the 'Simpllified T'ai Chi' form, a set of movements specifically designed for beginners by China's Ministry of Physical Culture and spirits. Master Tri's concise but lucid descriptions highlight the spiritual essence of the form and at the same time display its graceful simplicity. With over 160 clear, easy-to-understand illustrations, this excellent volume is the ultimate introduction to the world of T'ai Chi.

Tri Thong Dang was born in Vietnam and studied under the reverend Grand Master Chiu Chuk-Kai, eighth-generation master of the Chinese T'ai-Mantis system. Master Tri also teaches Pa-kua Chang, Hising-i Ch'uaun, and Ch'i Kung. He is the author of the bestseling novel Beyond the Known (also published by Charles E. Tuttle), has an MA in physical education from California State University, and is the founder and director of the Budo Educational Center, Sacramento, California.

Contents

Acknowledgments
An introduction to the world of t'ai chi
Why t'ai chi?
A glimpse into the history of t'ai chi
Why this form for the beginner?
The basic movements
About learning from a book
The simplified t'ai chi form
Form One: Commencing
Form Two: Part the horse's mane (both sides)
Form Three: White crane spreads its wings
Form Four: Brush knee (both sides)
Form Five: Hands strum the lute
Form Six: Step back and roll arms (both sides)
Form Seven: Grasp the bird's tail (left side)
Form Eight: Grasp the bird's tail (right side)
Form Nine: Single whip
Form Ten: Wave hands like clouds (left side)
Form Eleven: Single whip
Form Twelve: High pat the horse
Form Thirteen: Kick with the right heel
Form Fourteen: Strike the opponent's ears with both fists
Form Fifteen: Turn and kick with the left heel
Form Sixteen: Push down and stand on one leg (left side)
Form Seventeen: Push down and stand on one leg (right side)
Form Eighteen: Work at shuttles (both sides)
Form Nineteen: Needle at the bottom of the sea
Form Twenty: Flash arm
Form Twenty-one: Turn and deflect downward, parry, and punch
Form Twenty-two: Apparent close
Form Twenty-three: Cross hands
Form Twenty-four: Closing form
Conclusion