INFORMATION - Overview
Recommended Reading
Now Available!
Wu Style Chi Kung written by Gerald A. Sharp and Patricia Kessler Since producing the video series in 2006, we have had several requests to provide more information on the rare Wu Style Tai Chi Chi Kung. Now for the first time in print in any language, this comprehensive practice is available in book form. The Chi Kung is organized in two series: The Eight Methods and the Five Elements both of which are inter-related, yet address various aspects of chi flow and connective tissue enhancement. With over 300 illustrations, it is published in a horizontal format with a wire binding, in order to make it easy to stand up; much like an easel for easy reference during practice. Also check out the Wu Chi Kung three-part instructional Video Series for more information on this profound and highly useful Chi Kung practice, as well as a Special joining both the book and the video series.
One of my favorite versions of the Tao Te Ching is translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English. We now have both versions, the larger version featuring Gi Fu Feng's calligraphy and Jane English's contemplative photos, and the smaller, pocket version featuring notes by Jacob Needleman. Initially I was diappointed with the pocket version which lacks the calligraphy and photographs, but the extensive Introduction and Notes by Jacob Needleman are so insightful, you really have to have a copy of this pocket-sized version. Great for slipping into a backpack and a more natural fit for a hand than an iPad or reader. What can I say, I like the freedom of bending a book. You can find a copy in our Chi Flow Store.
Jane English has a website of her own, Earth Heart, where she offers her unique, fine-art monochrome prints and Tao Calendar.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, as translated by Dr. Maoshing Ni, Ph.D. is one of the most insightful books written on Tao and the Five Elements. While it's required reading for budding (and long term) physicians of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it also is a must read for dedicated internal arts practitioners.
This fine work is further joined with an all-encompassing two-volume video series of the Swimming Dragon Chi Kung with step-by-step instruction for Moving, Standing, & Sitting Meditation, as well as Healing Sounds. The Swimming Dragon is very possibly the Chi Kung practiced by the Yellow King himself. Check out this book and video special (known as "Beneath the Yellow Emperor's Ancient Clothes") and other book and video packages under our Specials category.
Michael P. Garofalo has a variety of superior online directories and his catalogue of poems (including his own) and writings are worth perusing. Not only will you link to many timeless ideas, but likely will learn or rediscover some diamonds in the rough as well. I especially like his "Cuttings" collection which offers haiku and poetry for the seasons and the months of the year. Also of note are his Cloud Hands Directory and "Daoist Perspectives" page, which includes endless information on Tao (Dao) and several perspectives on the Tao Te Ching.
Connect with
Barry Fishman's Poetry at Chi Flow. Barry's poems are an inspiration and a reflection of his dedication to T'ai Chi practice and its benefits. He is a student of Sophia Delza, and a Wu Style practitioner residing in New York.
Supreme Ultimate Fist
The Ultimate Illusion: Being Right Side Up
Suggested Viewing
Dr. Jeremy's at it again and this time he's discussing fighting: baby fighting, girl fighting, woman fighting, man fighting, etc. So don't think you're ready for a sucker punch until you get the latest in Chinese from the Dr.
This is a link to Teacher Ma Yueh Liang doing the Fast Set in Germany in the late eighties. This is a great example of precision and momentum being joined together in solo forms practice. It also leads to questions for Wu Stylists featured on the cover of tai chi and related martial arts magazines as being lineage holders such as: Why does your form lack exactness , and look so radically different from Teacher Ma's; especially if you claim any connection with him whatsoever?
Additionally, I like this link to Sha Guozhen, Jiang Rong Qiao's top student, doing Xingyi Ba Shi Quan, an important animal and element linking set in the Xingyiquan practice of the Jiang Rong Qiao Nei Jia Kung Fu system. A translation of Jiang's classic Xingyi text, "Xingyi Za Shi Chui and Ba Shi Quan," by one of our most favorite translators (and practitioners), Joseph Crandall is at this link. In it, Crandall translates Jiang's words on two of the main linking sets of the Hebei School of Xingyiquan. Our most recent translation of Sha Guozhen's book on Xingyi Two-Person practice and commentary on fighting, "Xingyi San Shou Pao," can be found at this link.
Directories
Directories can be useful in finding a teacher or connecting with other practitioners. However, not all directories are created equal. One of the biggest Wu style Taijiquan teacher directories was built on a printed directory with a "pay us to include you" scheme, and a "pay us more and we'll make it worth your money:" This sort of thing is not an uncommon way to inflate one's lineage or reputation, but it is usually a poor way of finding a teacher. Our agenda for including the people and groups in the Virtual Community below is that they have listed us or connected with us (although in some cases it is not a very close connection). These connections are important in the virtual community. Without these links actually pointing here (and associated website hits and search engine ranking) some might never find our website.
Tai Chi America Directory; Scheele Directory (a big one); Budoseek directory; Goode Tai Chi ; Cloud Hands Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung
New to the Chi Flow Store
The first English translation of the Wu Style Taijiquan Fast Set book
and our newest video series:
The Soaring Crane Chi Kung Two-Part Instructional Series
Other Chi Kung Instructional Videos Now Available at the chiflow.com online store:
