Beschreibung:
In this book Graham Horwood describes the various styles of Tai Chi Chuan, exploring its roots in the Chinese philosophy of Taoism as well as elaborating on the evolution it has undergone over millennia. He highlights parallels between its source, The I Ching, and archetypal principles from both Eastern and Western philosophy and medicine.
In Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life, Graham Horwood describes the various styles of Tai Chi Chuan, exploring its roots in the Chinese philosophy of Taoism as well as elaborating on the evolution it has undergone over millennia. In order to understand the energetic method of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung, he highlights parallels between its source, The I Ching, and archetypal principles from both Eastern and Western philosophy and medicine. The text and diagrams show the synergy between the different cultures, and shows how they are all linked. This enables the beginner or the experienced Tai Chi practitioner to improve their understanding of Tai Chi, which will strengthen both the mind and body, opening the gateway to the inner person.
Drawing on information from the Yang family's formerly secret teachings, the book explains how to build chi (energy), circulate and store it, and also includes an exclusive set of Chi Kung exercises which will augment the building, circulation and storage of chi for the healer and martial practitioner, showing the path to optimizing the practitioner's energetic and spiritual development. The exercises are accompanied by an explanation of where chi comes from and its application for the mind and body as well as the flow in the meridians.
The book provides an excellent introduction to both the theory and key practices of Tai Chi Chuan for the beginner, and multi-level insights for the seasoned practitioner that will enhance his or her practice and understanding of Tai Chi Chuan.
Introduction. Jung, Wilhelm, and the I Ching. The I Ching and Life in Harmony. Feng Shui and the Balance of Nature. Science, DNA, and Tai Chi. The Role of Change in the University Life Force. The Dark and Light Sides of Tai Chi Chuan. Chapter One: The Philosophy of Taoism from a Western Perspective. Chinese Thought and History. Alchemy and Opposition. The Number and Name of Creation. Tending the Waters of the Unconscious. Chapter Two: The History of Tai Chi Chuan. The Four Styles of Tai Chi Chuan. An Ancient Way of War. The Tai Chi Hermit. The Spiral Dance of Chen Wang Ting. Tai Chi Goes Underground. Yang the Shadow Boxer. The Yang Family Style. What the History of Tai Chi Tells Us. Chapter Three: The Eight Pa Qua Trigrams. Chinese Archetype: Chien–Heaven. Chinese Archetype: Kun–The Receptive. Chinese Archetype: Kan–The Abysmal. Chinese Archetype: Li–The Clinging. Chinese Archetype: Tui–The Joyous. Chinese Archetype: Chen–The Arousing. Chinese Archetype: Ken–Keeping Still. Chinese Archetype: Sun–The Gentle. Conclusion of the Pa Qua and Their Relationship. Chapter Four: The Five Elements–Wu Hsing. The Relationship with the Tai Chi Form, Movement, and Internal Organ Balance. The Psychology of the Wu Hsing. The Four Elements in Greek Thought. From Paracelsus to Quantum Physics. Applications in Tai Chi. Fire Element. Earth Element. Metal Element. Water Element. Wood Element. Conclusion. Chapter Five: The Science of the Inner Breath–Chi Kung. Sexuality, Reproduction, and the Maintenance of Healthy Chi. Forms of Chi Kung. Chi Kung 1–Reverse Breathing. Chi Kung 2–Microcosmic Orbit. Chi Kung 3–Macrocosmic Breathing. Chi Kung 4–Ball Breathing. Chi Kung 5–Condensing Breath. Chi Kung 6–Heaven and Earth Breathing. Chi Kung 7–Meridian Breathing. Chi Kung 8–Five Element Internal Organ Breathing. Chi Kung 9–Eight Trigram Breathing. Chi Kung 10–Variations for Healing. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.
