Mastering Taijiquan in the Modern Age
Subtitle: A Comprehensive Handbook of Philosophy, Principles, Methods, Practice, and Real-World Applications
Publisher: House of Baqiao
Published: 2025
Language: eng
Format: eBook
ISBN-13: 9798999324900
Copyright date: 2025
Subjects: Sports; Philosophy
Description: Mastering Taijiquan in the Modern Age presents a systematic reexamination of Taijiquan as a discipline grounded in observable interactions between mind, muscles, and movement. Moving beyond metaphysical interpretation and stylistic formalism, the book reframes Taijiquan as a structured body of principles that can be tested, refined, and applied across diverse contexts.
Drawing on more than fifty years of practice and interdisciplinary study, the author integrates historical analysis, philosophical inquiry, and experiential experimentation to clarify long-standing ambiguities surrounding core Taijiquan concepts such as Jin, Yi, and Relaxation, while introducing new conceptual constructs—including External Force, Integration, and Synchronization—to address previously undefined or fragmented aspects of practice. Traditional symbolic frameworks—particularly Yin–Yang and related philosophical constructs—are examined critically and reinterpreted through modern logic, human physiology, and everyday experience.
The book is organized into eight parts, progressing from historical background and mainstream practice to foundational principles, martial applications, staged training phases, daily-life integration, and future-oriented frameworks. Emphasis is placed on self-testable methods, incremental practice phases, and clear conceptual definitions, enabling practitioners and researchers alike to distinguish principles from forms and outcomes from appearances.
Intended for both experienced practitioners and scholars from related fields, this work introduces a modern framework for “Scientist-Practitioners,” positioning Taijiquan as an evolving field of inquiry rather than a fixed tradition. It contributes a coherent, contemporary perspective to the study of Taijiquan, bridging classical thought with modern analytical approaches.
Table of contents: title: Preface; title: About the Book; title: Note on Citation; title: Glossary of Terms (Front Matter); title: Terms and Capitalization; title: Naming Conventions; title: Note on Chinese Names; title: Disclaimer; title: Part One: Historical Background; title: Chapter 1: The Origins of Kung Fu; title: Chapter 2: Kung Fu’s Emergence; title: Chapter 3: Development of Taijiquan Theory; title: Chapter 4: Historical Writings on Taijiquan Theory; title: Chapter 5: Evolution of Taijiquan’s Practice; title: Part Two: The Mainstream of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 6: The Basics of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 7: Taijiquan’s Lineage and Evolution; title: Chapter 8: The People and Culture of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 9: Styles of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 10: Forms of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 11: Demeanor of Performance; title: Part Three: The Essentials; title: Chapter 12: The Power of Jin; title: Chapter 13: Knowing Relaxation; title: Chapter 14: Knowing Yi; title: Chapter 15: Trigger and Drive; title: Chapter 16: Training of Yi; title: Chapter 17: Physical Dynamics of Taijiquan; title: Part Four: An Art of Fighting; title: Chapter 18: The Finesses of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 19: Push-Hands; title: Part Five: Manage Expectations; title: Chapter 20: Taijiquan as Martial Arts; title: Chapter 21: Taijiquan’s Place Among Combat Arts; title: Part Six: A Journey’s Six Phases; title: Chapter 22: Practice Phase 1 – Mimicking; title: Chapter 23: Practice Phase 2 – Training on Yi; title: Chapter 24: Practice Phase 3 – Training of Jin; title: Chapter 25: Practice Phase 4 – Integration; title: Chapter 26: Practice Phase 5 – Synchronization; title: Chapter 27: Practice Phase 6 – Push-Hands; title: Part Seven: Taijiquan in Daily Life; title: Chapter 28: Merged with Life; title: Chapter 29: Play Safe; title: Part Eight: The Future of Taijiquan; title: Chapter 30: New Applications; title: Chapter 31: A New Framework; title: Chapter 32: Scientist-Practitioners; title: Chapter 33: More Visions on the Future; title: Afterword; title: Glossary of Terms (Main); title: Appendix: Collected Axioms; title: About the Author; title: About the Publisher