The Chinese Art of
Tai Chi Chuan
The First Three Sets
Author Howard Gibbon
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoy reading this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.
The Author’s Website:
The
Author
Testimonial
from Prof. Sir Steven Russell
Testimonial
from Chee Soo President dated ITS
1984
Introduction
Stances
Guidelines
For Good Practice
Golden
Principles
The
First Three Sets - Moves 1 to 11
A
Final Message
The
Table of Content for the Complete Tai Chi Manual
Customer
Testimonials
Other
East-West Publications
~~~~
Master Howard Gibbon, a practitioner of the Taoist Arts for thirty eight years, was a student of the late Grand Master Chee Soo for twenty-one years. Through dedicated practice and regular personal training with Chee Soo Howard was awarded the highest grade issued by the Grand Master.
Having taught the Lee Family Style for the past thirty five years Howard has guided many students to Instructor levels and continues the work of his Master in regular classes, weekend seminars and specialized workshops all over the country. Howard has also conducted seminars for the Education Service, Mental Health Authorities, Keep Fit Associations and taught in Jersey and Northern Ireland where he was sponsored by Londonderry County Council.
Howard has had several articles published in newspapers and magazines on aspects of the Taoist Arts. Details of his other available publications are listed at the back of this manual. Howard has made a personal commitment to pass on the teachings he has received in a way that he feels follows the true spirit of the Arts.
~~~~
This course is accredited by Prof. Sir STEVEN L RUSSELL
MD(MA)K St J, DSc(HC), FFHom(MA), DrAr, Dhom, Dphyt, DHM, DAA, FAHP(I), MMA, RMHIS, VP.
Founder and Dean of the INTEGRATIVE COLLEGE OF HOLISTIC MEDICINES:
Now, at the start of the 21st century, we are living in an age of greater personal awareness and spirituality. The Training Course, taught by MASTER HOWARD GIBBON provides the most concise guide to Holistic Health available, and also addresses the very issues that are central to the movement.
The Training Course lays great emphasis on the fact that although the majority of people are still hoping for the ‘quick fix’ to health that the last century promised, increasingly more people are aware that they are responsible for their own health and not others. The Training Course shows in very simple terms how to achieve optimum health with least effort.
The Tai Chi Training Course illustrates the benefits from a holistic point of view on the following practices:
Tai Chi Ch’uan
K’ai Men (Chi Gung)
Dao Yin (Respiratory Therapy)
During my many years in practice in Holistic Medicine covering the whole spectrum of therapies I have had the honour to meet a few practitioners of unquestionable ability and dedication to their art. MASTER HOWARD GIBBON ranks highly with any of them. This becomes immediately obvious when one watches this modest man in action. He has a unique empathetic way of teaching where even in a class of a number of students one feels they are the only ones being taught. MASTER HOWARD GIBBON’S many filled classes throughout the North - East of England are a true testimony to this man who has dedicated his life to the cause.
Howard is supported by his lovely wife Gisela.
Howard is a holder of the highest grade issued by Grandmaster Chee Soo and is the Chief Instructor for The East – West Taoist Association.
Howard also has a Diploma in: Advanced Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Taoist Practices from the ‘Integrative College of Holistic Medicines’
The ‘Integrative College of Holistic Medicines’ is affiliated to and accredited by:
Association of Holistic Practitioners (International)
The Open International University of Complementary Medicines
The East – West Taoist Association is registered as an International School with: The Association of Holistic Practitioners International to teach:
Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Dao Yin, K’ai Men and other Taoist Practices.
~~~~
Testimonial
from Master Chee Soo
~~~~
The Chinese people have been practising the art of Tai Chi Ch'uan for centuries. In fact it is practiced to such an extent that, in the past, it has drawn the bewildered attention of tourists. All over China many Chinese rise early to practise their Tai Chi movements in the park, on the roof tops, in car parks and on balconies, in fact anywhere they can find a bit of space. Some people practise in groups and some prefer to practise alone. Many people in the West are under the impression that Tai Chi is only for the elderly. This is incorrect, ideally Tai Chi should be taught from an early age. For the last thirty-eight years I have been practising the Taoist Arts which originated in China. I have found Tai Chi Ch'uan particularly helpful. Tai Chi is excellent for reducing mental stress, and also for reducing tension in the muscles of the body.
The 'Tai Chi Form' is a sequence of movements which are performed in a standing position. The movements are slow and graceful, they are also a splendid therapeutic exercise. After having mastered a few movements of the Tai Chi form, as you practise, the muscles of the body will start to relax. The mind, because it is required to focus on the physical movements, stops racing from one thought to another. The mind now starts to become calm. With a little regular practice, anything worthwhile requires a little effort, you will develop a feeling of serenity. This is why Tai Chi is often described as 'Meditation with Movement'.
Tai Chi Ch'uan is usually translated to mean the 'Supreme Ultimate,' an apt description. Over the years I have learnt, and I am still learning, many things about myself which have helped me to understand myself and others better. The depth of understanding one can obtain from the practice of Tai Chi Ch'uan is inexhaustible.
This knowledge is not an intellectual study only - or a physical study only - or a spiritual study only, but a harmonious combination of them all. The regular practice of Tai Chi will develop the individual into a more balanced person. Enabling them to appreciate themselves, others and the world we live in to a much greater degree.
This harmony of mind, body and spirit brings great happiness and good health to the practitioner; but it has to be earned. The more effort you put into the practice, the more you will get out of it. This does not mean that you should be very intense about your practice. On the contrary, this would restrict your development. You should dedicate yourself to your practice in a relaxed manner with a feeling of exhilaration. When you start to learn the Tai Chi form your concentration is focused on imitating the movements of the instructor. You have to learn where to place the hands and feet, where the weight is, more on one foot than the other. Are the hands held in the correct position for the posture shown? So at first, whilst you are beginning to learn, the form has a rather robotic quality. The instructor pauses after each posture giving you time to observe the correct positions of hands and feet. After you become more familiar with the movements the instructor will ask you to perform a posture and then walk round correcting hand and foot positions. Checking your stance, making sure you are not leaning this way or that way. Helping you to obtain an upright posture. In this way the student experiences what their body feels like when it is in the correct position.
This is a very important part of the initial training. The student must learn to pay attention to themselves. Not look round for others mistakes, but learn to concentrate their mind on what they themselves are doing. In this way the students learn to ground themselves.
Some students are only concerned with learning the form as quickly as possible. Referred to by instructors affectionately as ‘number cruncher's’, they become agitated if they feel they are not being taught quickly enough. This is due no doubt to the competitive attitude that is fostered in us from an early age in the western world. This is a shame because this attitude, if it persists, will severely restrict the student’s development.
If you want to learn to type and you decide to learn properly from the start, you must learn to touch type. You will find the initial effort hard and with little apparent reward. Others who taught themselves to type using two fingers may laugh at your efforts suggesting that you give up, and do it the easy way. However, if you persist diligently, eventually you will be able to type much more efficiently than you could using two fingers. This fact may be hotly disputed by the two finger brigade.
So it is if you persist with your Tai Chi training. Resist the temptation to go off and learn something new as soon as you start to feel a little bored because you have to repeat the same movements you think, and I stress you think, you know. Then you will not miss the opportunity to develop internally, an opportunity to learn how to become one with yourself. If you dash off to another class you will become bored again soon, and have to move on again. Learning a little of many things, but nothing of any substance. You may gain lots of external experience and knowledge. But you will gain little experience and knowledge of your inner self.
The practice of Tai Chi will put you in touch with your physical body. You will become aware of the muscle changes that take place when you step forwards, backwards, sideways, lift a leg into the air in a kicking action, bend at the waist, etc. It will teach you to be aware of your own unnecessary excessive use of energy. You will learn how to move your body more naturally, more efficiently using up less energy as you do so. This will give you a greater reserve of energy to draw on in times of stress. Your temperament will improve and you will become a happier person.
~~~~
Stances for Tai Chi Chuan. There are thirteen basic stances in our Tai Chi Form which were laid down originally by the Lee family of ancient China. They have the names of animals and birds as was the custom in those far-off days.
Where applicable stances should be practiced on both sides i.e. left and right. Good posture is very important. Carefully study the photographs and note that the back is kept straight and the head erect. Pay attention to the positions of the feet and hands copying them as you practise running through the stances.
To practise the stances before attempting the exercises is time well spent because if you are already familiar with the various stances you will be able to give your full concentration to performing the movements of the form correctly. Lao Tzu said ‘Dealing with things while they are small is easy.’ The stances are the basics; take a little time to learn those first before attempting the form itself.
Walk one step at a time and you will reach your destination calm in mind, body and spirit. Try to jump ahead quickly and you will only wear yourself out and create disharmony within yourself. My teacher Grandmaster Chee Soo often used to say the slowest is the fastest and although I did not understand what he meant at first, with persistence and patience he drove the message home.
Eagle Stance
Stand with your heels together and your hands by your sides.
Keep the knees relaxed.
Bear Stance
Stand upright with your hands by your sides looking straight forward and place your feet the width of your shoulders apart. Again the knees should not be locked straight but stay relaxed.
Dragon Stance
From Eagle stance, step forwards with the right leg and simultaneously bend the right knee and straighten the left leg so that the right leg supports your weight. (right Dragon stance)
Monkey Stance
From Dragon stance transfer your weight onto the left leg as you simultaneously straighten the right leg. Your body weight should now be carried by the left leg. Now slide your right foot back towards you a little and raise the toes of your right foot.
Riding Horse Stance
From Eagle stance step off to the left with your left leg, so that your feet are slightly wider than the width of your shoulders apart, bend your knees and place your hands on the thighs.
Leopard Stance
From Bear stance, step off to the right about 15 centimeters, bend your right leg and straighten your left leg as you do so, so that you now have your weight on your right leg (right Leopard)
~~~~
As you practise keep the following points in mind.
Keep your body upright without tension or stiffness, this will enable you to remain balanced constantly. It is possible to stand erect without hardness and remain soft without becoming sloppy. However, attaining this requires a lot of practice, and finding that middle road does not come easily.
Head and neck should be naturally straight, not forced, and relaxed.
Relax the shoulders, let them sink, try not to hold them up.
Hands should be relaxed without tension.
Fingers should be straight, not curled, and together but without tension.
Relax your abdomen and make sure your clothes do not restrict your breathing. You will learn to breathe deeply into the stomach as you progress. Diaphragm or Yang breathing is better for your general health than breathing into the chest as many people do today.
Try to keep the legs relaxed. When you transfer your weight from one leg to the other, make sure the leg not carrying your weight is relaxed. This way you will get a perfect balance of yin and yang. One leg works whilst the other relaxes.
Exceptions are Eagle, Bear, Snake and Riding Horse stance where the weight is evenly distributed. However, as you pass through these stances try to keep the legs as relaxed as possible.
Experts perform Tai Chi movements with ease. They have wonderful control, and the gentleness of their movements are such that they seem within everyone’s capabilities. They are; but most people are amazed at the amount of work, concentration and control needed to perfect one such movement.
The Tai Chi form is still only a physical outlet or external expression of your inward self. Your inner self is far, far greater than you may imagine. The Chinese arts reveal all the energies that you naturally carry within you at any moment. The deep sensory perception and dynamic forces that we all process. You have these now, although you may not realise it.
Our task is to help you cultivate them, harness and control them, so they can be stored rather than letting them go to waste. Then they can be used for your own benefit, and in time for the benefit of others, too.
Tai Chi is not only a way of attaining physical fitness and prowess. It offers you a way of life and helps you to live it.
The following guidelines may help you attain perfection in many directions. They cover the internal and external fields of the mind, feelings, spirit, energies and the body.
Head
Hold your head upright from the coccyx to the crown of the head, keeping the spine straight at all times. There are few exception to this rule in Tai Chi. Banish tension out of your mind and face, relax, keeping yourself composed and at ease.
Eyes
The eyes should look steadily ahead, without strain. There are only a few cases where they should look up or down. A relaxed steady look should be maintained.
Tongue
The tongue should be placed against the roof of the mouth, allowing saliva to gather and eventually be swallowed. Saliva is a great treasure of the body. In Chinese alchemy it is said to give clearness to the eyes and help strengthen the general health of the body.
Arms
Never fully straighten the arms, instead always keep them slightly bent. Keep the elbows pointing down except for the rare occasions when the arms are raised above the head. Keep your arms completely relaxed regardless of how they are moved or held.
Hands
In all forms of Western and Chinese boxing the hands are important. However, in Tai Chi they are more important still, because of the intricate patterns and movements they have to perform. It is essential to have complete control over them whether they are closed in a fist or open.
In Tai Chi we have seven main types of hand formation.
The first is Sun Palm. The hand is pushed forwards with the fingers pointing upwards. In this formation the chi flows from the stomach (Tan Tien) up the spine and down into the arm and palm. This movement of the hand and arm looks gentle and soft, but the force pushed out of the Sun Palm is quite dynamic.
The second is the Cloudy Palm. The back of the hand faces away from you with your fingers pointing upwards. The arms and hands are relaxed completely and the shoulders are allowed to sink. The chi is recalled to the stomach (Tan Tien).
The third is the Crane’s Head. The fingers point downward. The shoulders, arms and hands are completely relaxed and loose. The chi is recalled to the stomach.
The fourth is the Lifting Palm. The back of the hand faces the floor and the palm faces upwards. The chi may or may not be activated, the choice is yours.
The fifth is the Side Palm. The little finger edge points downwards and the tip of the thumb points upwards. In this position the chi flows into the little finger edge of the hand.
The sixth hand formation is the Hammer Palm. The palm faces downwards and becomes the striking point.
The seventh is the Closed Palm or Fist. The fingers are closed into the palm but should remain fairly loose. The chi flows strongly into the hand.
Legs
The legs are used to support the body at all times. Muscle changes take place through them as the body moves. The legs therefore play an important part in all movements of the torso.
It is a golden rule that, however the foot is moved, the heel is placed on the floor first, then the ball of the foot and finally the toes. The heel to toe movement is maintained no matter what the angle of the foot. This is not easy at first especially when the leg steps back from Dragon stance into Duck or Monkey stance. Constant practice is the only way to perfect keeping control of your balance and leg movements; practise very slowly.
Breath
For all beginners, breathing naturally through the nose should be the regular practice. Once you have learnt twenty moves or so the following may be applied. But make sure you know these moves well enough to perform them in a relaxed manner physically, and without the brain racing from one thought to another.
Both of which will burn oxygen more quickly and make the following inadvisable.
All the movements of Tai Chi are based on inward and outward movements, so the breathing can be harmonised with them. You should inhale with the odd numbers and exhale with the even numbers. Learn to co-ordinate your breath with your movements. You will gradually take longer and deeper breaths, which will definitely benefit your health. You will then need to concentrate on breathing into your stomach, apart from the few times when the arms raise above the head, when the breath naturally raises into the chest. This abdominal breathing excites and activates the chi, and also gives you an internal massage. This is achieved by the expansion and contraction of the internal organs. All this helps the blood circulation and liver functions and generally aids the working of the metabolism. In Chinese alchemy and Taoist thought the lower stomach is referred to as the ‘lower caldron’, and it is accessed and activated by diaphragm breathing. This is the object of our deep breathing. This area is also a psychic centre of primary importance, the main focal point of the Chi (vitality power) and Li energy (macro-cosmic energy). Their harmony in the lower stomach is know as ‘the inner circle’ of the body which governs the spiritual and psychic channels of the mind and body. Therefore it must be looked after, nurtured and protected. It is of prime importance to the health of the body, the mind and the spirit, in both their internal and external activities.
~~~~
2) Everything about you should be completely relaxed, especially the mind.
3) Maintain rigidly the heel and toes principle for all foot movements.
4) Co-ordinate the movements of the upper and lower halves of the body.
5) Harmonise the internal and external physical aspects of the body.
6) Ensure there is continuity of movement at all times.
7) Be sure that all movements follow a curved or circular form. There are no straight lines in Tai Chi.
8) Study our Chinese breathing systems.
9) Learn to breath deeply into your lower abdomen, and keep you tongue against the roof of your mouth.
10) Extend your chi on all outward movement. (Even numbers)
11) Recall and relax your Chi on all inward movements. (Odd numbers)
12) Live the way of Chang Ming. (Chinese macrobiotics)
13) Study the laws of living within the realms of a spiritual path.
14) Study the use and harmonisation of the vitality power and macro-cosmic energy, the internal and external energies.
~~~~
The original eight stances were expanded to thirteen some 10,000 years ago when the Tai Chi sequences where formulated by the early Taoists. This book retains the original animal names which were adopted by those early Taoists and the Lee family throughout the centuries.
As Tai Chi became more widely known many teachers hid their techniques behind phrases such as ‘Brush Knee and Side Step’, ‘The Crane Exercises its Wings’ etc. This enabled them to keep some originality for themselves.
The animal names for each stance are used in the following instructions which are grouped into the sets of the sequences. The first fifteen sets up to number 50 comprise the short form which is taught to a high standard before students progress further.
The First 3 Sequences
4-6 Play the Guitar
7-11 Fair Lady Weaving
Preparation - Facing South
Start in eagle stance. The heels should be touching and the toes pointing slightly outwards. Don’t lock the knees but keep them loose and relaxed.
Eagle Stance
Face south with your back facing north. (Providing this is practical depending on where you are practising)
The body should be relaxed and the mind tranquil. You should be at peace with yourself and your place in nature. Pause a while to compose yourself.
Step off to the left with your left foot so that your feet are a shoulder width apart. When you step off place the heel down first, then the toes.
This is an important difference to some other forms of exercise, and indeed some other forms of Tai Chi. Within the Lee Style, whenever you step forwards, sideways, or even backwards, you place the heel down first then the toes.
Now you are in bear stance.
Bear Stance
Your whole body should be upright but relaxed. Take a few moments to relax in this position before you start. Masters will stay in this position until they feel their chi move. Then and only then will they start the physical movements. However, for now just commit the check list below to memory and follow it before you move on.
Check yourself for tension
Are your neck and shoulders relaxed?
Is your chest relaxed and not pushed forwards and upwards as if you are on parade? Relax your chest so it depresses slightly and your shoulders relax and round forwards a little. Slightly mind you, it should be natural not something you make happen.
Are your stomach and hips relaxed? If not imagine that your weight i.e. your flesh and muscles are hanging on your skeleton frame. Your weight is drawn downwards, making you feel strong and rooted. Hey! That’s good isn’t it, I bet you feel better already.
Now check your knees. Are they loose? Not bent but just relaxed with no undue muscle tension. Some people insist this is slightly bent. That’s okay - whatever gets the job done.
And last the ankles and feet. Relax the ankles. Relax the feet, imagine your weight falling into them making them spread out. This makes for a more solid foundation. Strong trees have strong roots and are more likely to survive a storm.
No. 1 (Facing South)
Breathing in from bear stance draw your left foot in until the left heel touches the heel of the right foot. As you do this circle the hands forwards and inward so they end up in front of your body. They should be 5 to 10 centimetres below your navel with the fingers pointing towards each other, palms down, but not touching.
No. 2 (South)
Breathing Out let the hands float forwards and upwards in an arch.
1a
As they pass your eyes at 1a follow your hands with your eyes looking at the back of your hands. So as you execute this move your hands draw an arc from just below your navel up until the palms are pointing towards the ceiling
Note: There must be no straining to do this. It is better to raise the hands to the point just before you feel yourself starting to strain then stop. With practice you may relax more making it possible to point the hands towards the ceiling.
No. 3 (South)
Breathing in reverse this process by letting the hands arc downwards whilst still watching the back of the hands. As you pass the point shown at 1a let your hands continue but leave your eyes looking straight forward. So you are now at the point shown in 2a.
2a
At this point relax the hands so that they fall due to gravity. Now rotate both wrists inwards so the palms face upwards. Straighten the hands so the fingers point towards each other but do not touch.
No. 4 (South)
Breathing out Step forwards with your right leg placing the right heel onto the floor whilst sinking your weight onto your left leg bending the left knee slightly. As you place the right foot down transfer your weight onto the right leg allowing it to bend as you simultaneously straighten the left leg into right dragon stance.
Whilst you execute these leg movements the forearms move forwards with the right hand circling over the left so they end up parallel to the floor with the fingers tips of the left hand level with the wrist of the right as shown.
No. 5 (South)
Keeping the fingers of the left hand level with the wrist of the right circle the hands upwards round an imaginary ball shape so you are at position 4a.
4a
Now turn the hands inwards again keeping the fingers of the left hand in line with the wrist of the right. Transfer your weight onto the back leg (left) bending the left leg as you straighten the right and simultaneously allow the hands to ride over the imaginary ball shape and then slide back towards your body so the left elbow gently touches the ribcage. The right hand is slightly forwards of the left so the fingers of the left hand are still in line with the wrist of the right. During this the right foot first slides back a little, then you raise your toes into monkey stance
No. 6 (West)
Relax the wrists allowing the hands to droop, the right first then the left over it as in figure 5a.
5a
Now swing your right foot 90 degrees to the right placing the right heel on the floor. Place the rest of your right foot down bending the right leg whilst pivoting on the left heel turning the left toes to the right in a comfortable position as you straighten the left leg into dragon stance. Allow your hands to unfold turning them palms up (fingers of the left hand still in line with the wrist of the right)
No. 7 (West)
Keeping the fingers of the left hand level with the wrist of the right circle the hands upwards round an imaginary ball shape so you are in the position you were at 4a. This time instead of turning the hands inwards, you slide them over the ball, slowly drawing them level, as you simultaneously turn them to face each other whilst drawing the foot back around 15 centimetres and then lifting the toes up into monkey stance. As you do this allow your head to droop slightly so that you are looking through your hands at the floor.
No. 8 (West)
Relax the wrists allowing the hands to droop towards the floor. Then rotate the hands inwards and upwards until the palms of both hands face the shoulders as in 7a.
7a
Now step forwards into dragon stance with the right leg, straighten the left leg as you transfer your weight. The hands make a gentle movement curving upwards and downwards as you push them forwards so the fingertips end up level with the shoulders.
Note: The elbows should not move past the knee, otherwise you will become unstable.
No. 9 (West)
Transfer your weight back onto the left leg as you bend it straighten the right leg. As you do this the hands draw back making a gentle curve, downwards and upward until they reach the position shown in front of the shoulders whilst you simultaneously draw the foot back around 15 centimetres then lift the toes up. (Monkey stance)
No. 10 (West)
Rotate the palms so they face forwards 9a.
9a
Then step forward, heel down first then the toes, into dragon stance as you push the hands forwards in a gentle movement downwards and upwards.
Make sure to move the elbows on a level with but not past the knees.
No. 11 (West)
Transfer your weight back into duck stance as you bend the left leg and straighten the right. Slide the right leg back (only 5 to 10 centimetres, no more) and raise the toes into monkey stance. At the same time the hands draw back in a gentle curve, upwards and downwards, until they are in front of the shoulders with the palms facing forwards.
~~~~
You have just completed the first three sets!
This is quite an accomplishment and required a fair amount of practice and dedication. Well done!
So what now? Well you can stop there and practise what you have learnt. Done on a regular basis, preferable every day for a few minutes you will derive untold benefits to your physical and mental health.
I say untold because these benefits come to you through the practice. Tai Chi is a living philosophy. A physical medium that through practice raises our individual awareness, increasing our tactile skills. Other exercises such as I Fu Shou, (sticky hands) which you practise with a partner develop further skills. By learning to work with another's movements whilst retaining our own personal balance, we are able to increase our understanding of the world outside ourselves, and thereby learn to respond more appropriately.
This process draws the individual’s inner and outer experiences together creating a vibrant harmony within. But! and it is a big but, these things do not come easily and require persistent dedicated work over a long period of time.
The depth of Tai Chi and related Taoist arts are truly astounding but that does not mean you cannot gain any benefits without years of gruelling work. Tai Chi is often described as ‘The Supreme Ultimate’ which in my opinion is an apt description, and as such Tai Chi has something to offer to everyone who participates.
The benefit received is in direct relation to the effort put in. Actually, I think I will just contradict myself there. Perhaps in truth to start with the effort you put in is greater than the benefit received. However if you persevere, then the circle turns and the benefits received far, far outweighs the effort put in.
So for those who would like to progress the next 12 sets of the ‘Lee Style Tai Chi form’ are available in the complete volume1 DVD and Manual, the manual is available in eBook or HardCopy. Details of this and our other publications manuals and DVDs can be found at the end of this book or at the website address below.
Whatever you decide to do from here on - good luck! May we wish you a long and happy life. May you find and follow your own personal Tao (way) through your journey in life.
~~~~
The Table of Content for the Complete Tai Chi Manual
1
History
2 Introduction
3 Yin and Yang
4 The Tao
5
All 13 Stances
6 Guidelines For Good Practice
7 The
Sequences
8 The Complete Short Form (Moves 1 to 50)
A Final
Message
~~~~
These are some of the many testimonials we have received
To:
Howard
Thank you for sending the DVD so quickly. I have found it
very easy to follow and makes practise sessions so much easier. I
have been attending a class locally and now I know what I am supposed
to be doing with the form I don’t feel such a novice. Your
demonstration with your wife on the cliff top is quite uplifting.
Many thanks once again.
Please email me any information you may
have on other useful aids and also classes/courses that may be
available in Yorkshire. I live just outside Wakefield.
Janice Hall
~~~~
Thank you for the speedy delivery of the K’ai Men manual I ordered. I love the format with the in depth instruction on the left and the photo’s on the right. Another very useful addition to my Lee style training library. L. Johnson
~~~~
From: Rosie Mor
To:
Howard
Dear Howard, I have received my online copies of the
newsletter and have now managed to download and read them thanks to
finally getting Adobe Reader sorted out. I feel quite pleased with
myself actually being a computer innocent! Can you please let me know
some details about membership and also if I could come to the April
15th day in Scarborough without attending the other days.
I
am a friend of Mark (P's) and have attended classes with him in
Wakefield - I am going to start going again when I feel I have some
more oomph about me. I have bought your Dao Yin DVD and lay on the
sofa soaking it in, relaxing fully for the first time in ages. So I
thank you very much for that.
with love, Rosie
~~~~
Hello
Howard,
I absolutely love the Tai Chi Dance DVD. The different
viewing angles allows a 360 degree sweep of each move. Allowing you
to really examine each move and the way all the parts synchronize
together to bring about such fluid, graceful, flowing and meditative
movement. Its hard to put into words how brilliant it is to have
this available, like having your own one to one lesson with
Howard. Not being able to attend classes on a weekly basis due to the
time and distance involve, because of living in Dublin, its just
fantastic to play the DVD and feel I can progress with these arts and
gently push them a little further down the road.
N.B.
I Will be there for the Easter Course all going well, which for me
will be such a great thrill to renew the very valuable contact
that is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards, Anthony
~~~~
New Revised Edition of The Short Form DVD
The one that puts you in control of your own training program
This
new DVD is filmed from all four angles as well as having an audio
section where Howard takes you through each move of the 15 sets in
the short form move by move. A beginners dream which also includes
the complete PDF short form manual value £9.95 on the DVD.
The
Original Version Lee Style Tai Chi Form
Volume 1 Moves 1 to
50
Volume 2 Moves 50 to 102
Volume 3 Moves 102 to 140
These DVDs show the training moves from the front only but have been successfully used by existing students for many years now.
Volumes 2&3 include an A5 booklet showing each movement from a front and side view.
Secret Island DVD
24 Ancient Taoist breathing techniques. Wash away your stress and boost your energy levels. Set in a beautiful garden by the river Nidd, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Includes a PDF manual valued at £12,99 on the DVD with instructions to transfer it to your computer.
Tai
Chi Dance DVD - Volume 1 (1 TO 60)
Tai Chi Dance DVD - Volume 2
(61 TO 120)
Tai Chi Dance DVD - Volume 3 (121 TO 185)
Experience
for yourself the exhilaration and renewed energy flow that the Tai
Chi Dance brings. Training moves can be viewed from all four angles
and the format is completely interactive.
Tai
Chi Stick DVD (1 to 70)
Lee Style Tai Chi Staff Training moves can
be viewed from four angles.
Tai
Chi Sword DVD (1 to 70)
Lee Style Tai Chi Sword Training moves can
be viewed from four angles.
Tai
Chi Silk with PDF Manual included on DVD.
The Tai Chi silk is a
firm favourite with many students and Instructors requiring less room
to practise than the Tai Chi Staff means it is a more practical
weapons form for most hall sizes.
East - West Publications
Books & Manuals
Tai Chi Manual
The Lee style complete short form. To be used on its own or alongside
volume 1 DVD. Feel the stress fall away as you practise these incredible
exercises. Suitable for beginners and advanced students.
K’ai Men (Taoist Yoga - Chi Gung)
A complete exercise manual with clear, easy to follow instructions.
Secret Island - Manual
A course of 24 breathing exercises for increased vitality and overall health. These fascinating and beautiful “few minutes“ retreats will ease your day, whether at the office, at work or at home - even when walking to the shops!
You Me & Tai Chi
Learn about the philosophy behind these fascinating arts, combined with inspired insight, humour and common sense.
Lots more information at Howard’s website:
Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.
###