The Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan Wisdom from Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Other Great Thinkers

by Boedicker, Freya; Boedicker, Martin

• ISBN13: 9781583942635
• ISBN10: 1583942637
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-14
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Summary

The essence of Tai Chi Chuan lies in the rich philosophy of ancient China. While most Tai Chi practitioners are aware of the value that studying Chinese philosophy can bring to their practice, it is often difficult to pick out those texts that are most relevant to Tai Chi and connected to its development.The Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuanpresents, for the first time, a concise overview of the Chinese martial and spiritual philosophies that drive this ancient tradition. Authors Freya and Martin Boedicker, who teach Tai Chi throughout Europe and South Africa, present freshly translated excerpts from such popular and widely studied works as theTao Te Ching,theI Ching,andThe Art of War,as well as writings by philosophers and strategists such as Zhuangzi and Wuzi. Each chapter of this concise volume focuses on a single work or philosopher, and includes a short history of each one as well as a description of their relevance to Tai Chi. An extensive glossary of important Chinese terms rounds out the book.The Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuanoffers readers a direct connection with the concepts that form the foundation of Tai Chi, inspiring a deeper understanding of the art and its applications.

Author Biography

Freya and Martin Boedicker run the Forum for Traditional Wu Tai Chi Chuan and teach Tai Chi in Germany, England, Holland, Poland, Belgium, Spain, and South Africa. They are long-time students of Ma Jiangbao, the son of Wu Yinghua and Ma Yueliang. Martin Boedicker, who has obtained a master's degree in East Asian Science, has taught a seminar on "Visualizing Chinese Thinking Structures" at the University of Witten for six years. Freya Boedicker, a chemistry teacher, also develops Tai Chi teacher training. Both have published articles on Tai Chi theory and application in Tai Chi journals across Europe. They live in Willich, Germany.