I used this book to reconnect with the Tai Ji form I was taught over twenty years ago (I’ve since learned (and mostly forgotten) a short-form Yang style, a short form Chen style, and a Taoist long-form (a variation of the 108 posture Yang form)).
The form presented in the book was very similar to the one I first learned, and the book was extremely helpful when I decided to re-teach myself. Of particular interest to me was how my body responded: without conscious memory, my body somehow recalled the ‘fiddly bits’ that enable a smooth transition from one posture to the next.
The book offers a brief history of tai ji, some basic principles, and descriptions and pictures of the long form (108 postures) Wu style. There is also a section with pictures and descriptions of the Wu style sword form.
I’d recommend this book as a resource for anyone who — like me — has let their practice slip a bit. The book would also be beneficial to anybody who is just learning the Wu form. But this book only scratches the surface of this art: there are other books that explore the roots of Tai Ji Quan in greater detail.
Note: I would not advise anyone to attempt to learn Tai Ji Quan from a book. There are principles that only a gifted teacher can impart to a student. Some basic guidance is required to set the practitioner along the path.
db johnston
almost falling 