The Yang Taiji 24-Step Short Form
A Step-by-Step Guide for all Levels
Published on 15. November 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-84819-041-2 (ISBN)
Description
Yang 24-Step Taijiquan is one of the most widely-practiced Taijiquan forms in the world today, and the form that most people first learn. Gentle enough to be suitable for the elderly, yet challenging enough to stretch even the most experienced practitioner, it is also one of the most accessible and rewarding.
In his new book, James Drewe provides a comprehensive and detailed explication of the postures and movements of the form. For each, he describes exactly how the weight flows, how to use the hands, how to move the limbs, and how to relax into the movement, clearly explaining each step with the aid of foot patterns and photographs. Sections on the internal aspects of Taijiquan, descriptions of the subtle variations that may be made when performing certain movements, and even instructions on how to fit the movements to music are also included.
This comprehensive guide to Yang 24-Step Taijiquan is an invaluable resource for taiji practitioners at all levels, including beginners, as well as taiji instructors, and students of other martial arts.
In his new book, James Drewe provides a comprehensive and detailed explication of the postures and movements of the form. For each, he describes exactly how the weight flows, how to use the hands, how to move the limbs, and how to relax into the movement, clearly explaining each step with the aid of foot patterns and photographs. Sections on the internal aspects of Taijiquan, descriptions of the subtle variations that may be made when performing certain movements, and even instructions on how to fit the movements to music are also included.
This comprehensive guide to Yang 24-Step Taijiquan is an invaluable resource for taiji practitioners at all levels, including beginners, as well as taiji instructors, and students of other martial arts.
Reviews / Votes
James has made a very good attempt at demonstrating the benefits from practicing the modern TaiJi form - 24 Step... some good tips and exercises. -- UK Tai Chi, Betty Sutherland A step-by-step guide for all levels... I love this book for spreading understanding of tai chi. I hate it for taking away some of the magic, but mostly I love it for being a comprehensive and readily understood aid to learning and teaching. After all, there's always a deeper magic! -- Tai Chi Finder This comprehensive book maps out in scrupulous detail, supported by nearly 700 photographs plus drawings, all the moves (hands, feet, legs, torso, musculoskeletal system, breathing, and more) for each of the twenty-four forms. Each form includes instructions for beginners as well as for more advanced practitioners... the author has done an admirable job... his passion for sharing this accessible version of taiji is evident throughout the text. With words of wisdom, complemented by years of experience and perspective as teacher, Drewe draws forth the subtleties of the "feeling" (of the moves), helping students access a deeper embodiment of the forms --- truly bridging mind and soul through this mindful movement practice. -- Bobbye Middendorf - Foreword ReviewsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
648 black and white photographs and 23 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 253 mm
Width: 179 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
796 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84819-041-2 (9781848190412)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
James Drewe has been practising taiji and qigong since 1975. He has studied taiji with Master Chu King Hung, Richard Watson, Prof. Li Deyin, Master Wang Yanji, Simon Watson, and Master Huang Ping. He currently teaches Yang, Sun, Chen, and Wudang styles of taiji, including various sword, fan, and stick forms. James is Vice-Chairman of the Longfei Taijiquan Association, a member of the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA) and is a registered instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (TCUGB). James is the author of Taiji Jian 32-Posture Sword Form, also published by Singing Dragon.
Content
1. Introduction. 2. Warm-Up Exercises. 3. Posture. 4. Grounding. 5. Relaxation and Release. 6. The Hands and the Hand Positions. 7. The Arms and Shoulders. 8. The Knees. 9. Stances (Buxing). 10. Footwork Techniques. 11. The Process of Stepping. 12. Breathing in the Form. 13. Definitions. 14. Structure of the Standardized Yang Taiji 24-Step Beijing Short Form. 15. Description of the Yang Taiji 24-Step Form. 16. Easy Reference. 17. Beyond the Basics. 18. Open and Close. 19. Footprint of the Form. About the Author. Further Reading.