Many people learn tai
chi just so they can show off to somebody else.
They learn certain movements from the outside,
but they the miss the inside, the essence.
And some tai chi teachers also have made this mistake.
(Chungliang Al Huang)
Tai chi classics
Across the years, various
teachers have expressed their
tai chi
expertise in writing.
These works are referred to as 'the tai chi classics'.
They represent the
essence of the art and students are encouraged to read the classics and imbue
their tai chi with the
spirit of these insights.
The classics highlight considerations and qualities necessary for tai chi.
The student must study the classics carefully and apply them according to
their own skill and insight.
Without the characteristics depicted in the classics, the training cannot be
called tai chi.
3 classic treatise
Here are three of the tai chi classics:
There are a number of 'tai chi classics'
books available such as
The Essence of Tai Chi Chuan - The Literary Tradition by Lo et al.
A lot of information can be found via the
internet.
Reading more
In addition to the tai chi classics, it is also advisable to read
other books that can expand your understanding of tai chi in some way.
We recommend
The Art of War, Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu,
Krishnamurti and
The Book of Five Rings - as a good
beginning.
There are many other useful titles.
Page created 19 March 1998