T'ai Chi According to the I Ching: Embodying the Principles of the Book of Changes
MARTIAL ARTS/ EASTERN PHILOSOPHYT’ai Chi According to the I Chingpresents a practice that is the first-time correlation of two major Taoist philosophies. T’ai Chi is a physical expression of Taoist thought--a philosophy in motion. T’ai Chi initiates a process of internal alchemy that allows for the stimulation and accumulation of chi through the major energy systems of the body. Physically, this process restores youthful flexibility. Spiritually, it frees the mind to roam the sublime Tao.The relationships between T’ai Chi, the I Ching, and Taoist philosophy are well established in many of the classical texts and teachings handed down from the time of the Yellow Emperor (c. 2500 b.c.e.) continuing up to the period of Chang San-Feng (c. a.d. 1200). Until now these relationships have not been explored in Western texts. Stuart Alve Olson now shows how the eight trigrams of the II Ching relate to the eight basic postures of T’ai Chi and how together they comprise the orderly sequence of the postures in the Before Heaven T’ai Chi Form, the foundation of all T’ai Chi forms.Using more than 250 photographs, Olson provides a step-by-step guide to each posture in the Before Heaven T’ai Chi Form and illustrates the sixty-four postures of the After Heaven T’ai Chi Form. In addition, the author discusses the universal principles of T’ai Chi that enable one to master the practice and access all the health and philosophical benefits of T’ai Chi as well as gain insight into the philosophy of the I Ching.T’ai Chi According to the I Chingis an essential reference book for any serious student of T’ai Chi, the I Ching, and Taoism, showing how beautifully Taoism is expressed in the motions of the T’ai Chi form.STUART ALVE OLSON is a longtime student of renowned T’ai Chi Ch’uan Master T. T. Liang. He has also studied under numerous Buddhist and Taoist masters, including Ch’an Master Hsuan Hua, Kung fu and healing Master Oei Khong-hwei, and Dharma Master Cheng Yi. He is the author ofQigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal,T’ai Chi for Kids, andTao of No Stress. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.