The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation (Tai Chi)

This is the kind of stuff you wish your teacher told you. You may not understand it until later, but it's in your brain.This book is the same way, as you progress more of it makes sense or fits in a different way each time you read it.I have two copies, one at work and one at home.

First a bibliographical note: although the ISBN has not changed from earlier editions, this latest (and possibly last) edition is more than just a reprint. While all of the original text (and those wonderful "Letters") have been retained, it also contains a totally new section on the "42-Step Taijiquan Compulsory Routine", complete with line drawings and a floor-diagram. Also, the title now conforms to Pinyin spelling.No-one is going to learn a Taijiquan sequence from this book; that is not its purpose and there are many other works out there which pretend to that role. Further, some of the traditional historical accounts presented by Master Jou have possibly been superceded by the investigations of modern researchers such as Professor Doug Wile). But for the serious Taijiquan practitioner, Master Jou's work is still an absolutely essential reference. No-one else has so ably presented the essentials of the art's philosophy and internal structural dynamics. Further, in intelligibly relating Taijiquan to classical Chinese culture, Master Jou provided a wonderful key to the art's deeper elements.Master Jou's unique combination of an intelligently critical approach with a genuine reverence for the classics drew together students and masters from many different Taijiquan traditions. He must therefore be considered one of the "grandmasters" of North American Taijiquan. He is much missed, but at least we still have this book!

In its time, this book was the most comprehenesive text book of Tai Chi Chuan in the english language. Master Jou covered every topic in an academic and very intimate fashion. Master Jou was truely a Master of Tai Chi because he was very willing to expose his vulnerablities and weaknesses to teach others how to be powerfully human. He introduced many people to the concept that tai chi was more than a form, but an entire system of development. He defined the lineages, traditons and histories of the major systems and was the first to introduce many players to Chi Kung and integrated movement. My students are all strongly encouraged to read this book. May he assume his place among the Immortals.

An absolute gem! From the very beginning, I was inspired by the amazing accomplishments of a man who first began his Tai Chi journey, at age 47, when he was at death's door due to an enlarged heart and severe gastric disorders. The extent of his accomplishments is quite evident from the extraordinary insights he shares on the internals - the true essence of Tai Chi. I dare say that there are many very senior practitioners of Tai Chi who, upon reading this book, will realize that they have not really been practicing Tai Chi at all. This book will quickly let sincere students everywhere know whether their current instructor truly knows Tai Chi, or whether they need to continue their search for a genuine master of this marvelous art. Master Tsung Hwa Jou's writings serve as a clear guide to help students to distinguish the few flowers that exist today in a vast field overrun by weeds.