Tai Chi Chuan is a philosophical and martial discipline practiced daily by millions of people worldwide. Though its benefits as a means of enhancing health and relaxation are well known, it is a viable and effective martial art.

Nigel Sutton has devoted many years of his life to the study of Tai Chi's roots (its history, traditions, and basic movements) and its branches (the meaning and applications of the movements). The product of his endeavors is this introductory guide to the movements and application of Master Chang Man Ching's Tai Chi Chuan, a style noted for its combative effectivness. Sutton has masterfully captured the essence of this popular tradition in both its holistic and martial appraoches. His simple but clear instructions and over 190 illustratons make learning Tai Chi easy.

Nigel Sutton began training in the martial arts at age thirteen and is an instructor of Tai chi Chuan. He has learned, reserched, and taught Tai Chi in a number of counties around the world including the United Kingdom and Malaysia, the birthplace of his style's founder, Cheng Man Ching. A frequent contributor to martial arts magazines around the world, he is well known for his articles in the prestigious Journal of Asian Martial Arts and Fighting Arts International. He is also author of the book Applied Tai Chi Chuan.

Contents

Introduction
Roots
Part One: Form
Chishi-Beginning
Zuo peng-Left ward off
You lan jue wei (Peng, lku, ji, an)-Grasp the sparrow's tail (Ward off, rollback, press, and push)
Zhuan shen diao shou-Turn body and drop the hands
Dan bian-Single whip
Ti shou shang shi-Lift hands
Kao-Shoulder strike
Bai he liang chi-White creane spread its wings
Lou chi ao bu-Brush knee twist step
Shou hui pipa-Strum the llute
Lou xi ao bu
Jing bu ban lan chui-Step forward, move, parry, punch
Rufeng sibi-As if closing a door
Shizi shou-cross hands
Bao hu gui shan-embrace tiger, return to mokuntain
Xie dan gian-Diagonal single whip
Zhou di kan chui-Fist under elbow
Dao nian hou-Step back repulse monkey
Xie fei shi-Diagonal flying
Yun shou-Cloud hands
Dan bian xia she-Single whip, low form
Jing ji du li-Golden rooster stands on one leg
Zuo you fen jiao-Left and right toe kick
Zhuan shen deng jiao-Turn body heel kick
Jing bu zai chiu-Step forward and plant a punch
Jing bu lan jue wei-Step forward grasp the sparrow's tail
Dan bian-Single whip
Yu nu chuan suo-Fai lady plays shuttles
You lan jue wei-Right grasp the sparrow's tail
Shang bu qi xing-Step up to seven stars
Tui bu kau hu-Step back to ride teh tiger
Zhuan shen bai lian tui-Turn body white lotus kick
Wang gong she hu-Draw a bow to shoot the tiger
Jing bu ban lan chui-Step forward, move, parry, and puknch
Part Two: Branches
From form to function
Starting points: Applying the form
Chi shi-Beginning
Peng, ti shou shang shi, yu nu chuan suo-Ward-off, lift hands, fair lady grasps shuttles
Jing bu ban lan chui-Step forward, move, parry, punch
Lu, shouk hui pipa-Rollback, strum the lute
Xie fei shi, dan bian-Diagonal flying, single whip
Lou xi ao bu-Bruksh knee twist step
Tai chi kicking technique
Yun shou-Cloud hands
Bai he liang chi-White crane spreads its wings
Bao hu gui shan-Embrace tiger return to mountain
Jing bu zai chui-Step forward and plant a punch
Dao nian hou-Step back repulse mnkey
Zhou di kan chui-fist under elbow
Shang bu chi xing, tui bu gua hu-Step up to seven stars, step back to ride a tiger
Rufeng sibi-Apparant close up
Shi zi shou-Cross hands
Ji-Press
An-Push
Part Three: Gaining from the experience of the past
The Classes
Part Four: Signposts for the path
Ng kiong hin
Tan ching ngee
Lau kim hokng
Koh ah tee