The Art of Tai Chi

About the Book

This book is a manual for individual human to maintain and improve health and to develop self-defense techniques.

In Chapter One, the writer presents to the readers and Tai Chi doers the step-by-step instructions to complete the whole sequence of 100 postures in 100 days. TIME is the main factor in doing Tai Chi.

Tai Chi is an exercise for people to make, collect, and conserve energy, "Ch'i", the vital energy of life. Tai Chi is an individual who needs Tai Chi, the exercise, to refill the energy to fulfill daily activities. In Chapter Two, Energy, the readers will understand "Ch'i".

The Mind and Body are examined in Chapter Three. The theory in psychology is applied to the Tai Chi theory explaining that the mind leads the body (movement) in order to make, to collect and conserve energy. The interrelations of Mind, Body and Energy are fully illustrated.

In Chapter Four, The Experience, the writer states his experience in doing Tai Chi. The yard stick is set for the doer to measure his/her level without examination, which is unnecessary in the process of Tai Chi.

Health is the primary goal in doing Tai Chi. Without health one can hardly develop self-defense techniques. Health is a very individual matter and should be taken care of by the individual him/herself. Medical Care is sickness care for the public, while Tai Chi is Health Care for the individual. In Chapter Six some fine points on Health are found.

In Chapters Five and Seven the readers will find the way to develop the powerful self-defense techniques. New theory is introduced and the Tai Chi doers will see why Tai Chi is so powerful.

In Chapter Eight the writer tells the history of Tai Chi in a new and interesting way.

About the Author

I, the writer, was born in Hong Kong in 1941. As a little boy I was enthusiastic towards both the "hard" and "soft" school of kung fu. At the age of 12, I began to learn Tai Chi from my mother, who would always get up early to begin her day by doing Tai Chi. In college, I was a strong young man with sound physique and trained in several sports such as ping-pong, soccer, swimming, basketball, tennis, track and field, but gave little time to Tai Chi.

In Canada after fifteen years of hard work in various careers, I semi-retired due to health problem. In 1986, I had my kidney stone removed from specialist clinic. I lived with the health problems of colon system, back ache, knee injury and body fatigue which were not serious enough to be called illness by the medical professional.

In 1994 I started doing Tai Chi frequently from the advice of my mother who dies at 100 years of age. I did Tai Chi almost every day. I did it in the quiet wood area, the park, on the sidewalk, in the front or back yard of a house. I did it indoor as well, in the bedroom, the livingroom, or the kitchen. When I was traveling I did it in my hotel room. In memory of my mother I developed my Tai Chi 100 Forms. After overcoming my health problems mentioned above, I started teaching my Tai Chi 100 Forms with excellent results. I strongly believe, from my experience in Tai Chi and the results of my students, that Tai Chi, as an exercise, can help solve the health problems (not to cure any sickness). Those who are sick are reminded to see the medical professionals for a cure. I sincerely recommend those who are not sick but weak and with sickness symptoms to do Tai Chi for well-being.