About Schollarly Approaches to Studying a Martial Art:
To gain a well rounded understanding of the
art of taijiquan read many many books by many different authors and practice
diligently with stimulating teachers. You will often find varying interpretations
and contradictions between your sources. True schollarship requires contradictions.
Contradictions stimulate debate and result in refinement of understanding. Exposure
to varied perspectives is a good thing because it helps us to gain enough information
and knowledge to ask our own questions of our teachers and in our practice.
Good researchers never rely on only one source for their information. They want
a well rounded version of "reality".
Here is a reading list of selected taiji and related texts that I have read and gained something from. The list is not exhaustive. I take no responsibility for the information provided in any of these books (unless I have written or edited them). Happy reading. -Seth Davis (please send suggestions if you can think of any exceptional books)
Taiji Reading List
"Chinese Swordsmanship- The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition"
By Scott M. Rodell (Available at Ziran Martial Arts- as Textbook for swordsmanship)
"Taiji Notebook For Martial Artists"
By Scott M. Rodell (available at Ziran Martial Arts)
"Tai Chi Chuan Theory and Practice"
By Paul F.N. Tam (Available at Ziran Martial Arts as Textbook for Gu Style Taijiquan)
"The Tai Chi Book - Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice"
By Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.
"The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan"
By Jou Hsung Hua
"T'ai Chi Chuan For Health and Self- Defense -
Philosophy and Practice"
By Master T.T.Liang
"The Essence of Taijiquan"
By Lo/Inn/Amacker/Foe
"Tai Chi Chuan Theory and Practice"
By Paul F.N. Tam (Available at Ziran Martial Arts as Textbook for Gu Style Taijiquan)
"The Inner Structure of Tai Chi"
By Mantak Chia & Juan Li
"The T'ai Chi Boxing Chronicle"
by Kuo Lien-Ying, Translated by Guttman
"Taijiquan Theory"
Dr. Yang Jwing Ming
"The Illustrated Canon of Chen Family Taijiquan"
by Chen Xin (available in English- Translation by Alex Golstien
"Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method"
by Hong Junsheng, Translted by Chen Zhonghua
Youth Reading List : (Martial arts books to interest young readers.) Please send suggestions.
"Secrets of the Tai Chi Circle"
by Luke Chan
updated October 2011
