Bagua Daoyin

Bagua Daoyin
Author: Jinghan He
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2008-06-15
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1846428203

The beautiful, complex movements of Bagua require a lifetime to master fully, but can be practised with significant physical and mental health benefit at any level. In this highly illustrated guide, Master He, a fifth generation practitioner, introduces the ancient Daoist principles on which Bagua is based, its place within the Chinese martial arts, and the approach to life it nurtures. Many pages of photographs illustrate a programme of sequences, showing the beauty of the movements, and the positions and transitions the practitioner is aiming for. Bagua Daoyin supports and trains the body and the mind to promote balance and harmony. The external movements are echoed in the internal body, which promotes the flow of energy that leads to greatly improved health, a tranquil and focused mind, and increased longevity. Practitioners quickly report reduced stress levels and increased enjoyment of life. This fully illustrated introduction to Bagua Daoyin will be essential reading for Bagua, Xingyi and Taiji practitioners at all levels, dancers, and indeed anyone interested in improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

Striking Beauty

Striking Beauty
Author: Barry Allen
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2015-08-04
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0231539347

The first book to focus on the intersection of Western philosophy and the Asian martial arts, Striking Beauty comparatively studies the historical and philosophical traditions of martial arts practice and their ethical value in the modern world. Expanding Western philosophy's global outlook, the book forces a theoretical reckoning with the concerns of Chinese philosophy and the aesthetic and technical dimensions of martial arts practice. Striking Beauty explains the relationship between Asian martial arts and the Chinese philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, in addition to Sunzi's Art of War. It connects martial arts practice to the Western concepts of mind-body dualism and materialism, sports aesthetics, and the ethics of violence. The work ameliorates Western philosophy's hostility toward the body, emphasizing the pleasure of watching and engaging in martial arts, along with their beauty and the ethical problem of their violence.

Ba Gua

Ba Gua
Author: Hsing-han Liu
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Total Pages: 138
Release: 1998
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9781556432767

The Taoist yogic discipline of Ba Gua is an internal form of the ancient art of kung fu--as are the much older t'ai chi and Xing I. Ba Gua is the most arcane and yogic of three sister arts--t'ai chi and Xing I are the others--and is distinguished by serpentine turning and circling momvements and its own internal energy exercises, Ba Gua Qi Gong.

Warrior Guards the Mountain

Warrior Guards the Mountain
Author: Alex Kozma
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2013
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1848191243

Inspired by the author's personal training experiences, this book presents an intimate exploration of the philosophy of some of the rarest martial art forms. Encompassing the arts of China, Japan and India/South East Asia, it includes in-depth conversations with esteemed Masters such as Dr Serge Augier and Master He Jing Han.

Alchemy of Pushing Hands

Alchemy of Pushing Hands
Author: Oleg Tcherne
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2009
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1848190220

Pushing Hands develops sensitivity to the body's internal state and can be used to help control the emotions, the circulation of energy and physical balance. This book teaches the reader how to act in harmony with any external event without losing their 'balance' or center, enabling them to respond with confidence and flexibility to each situation.

Bagua Quan Foundation Training

Bagua Quan Foundation Training
Author: He Jinghan
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2009
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 9781848190153

The ancient Chinese art of Bagua Quan combines internal cultivation - the training of the mind - with external application, strengthening and supporting the health of the body. In this book, Master He explains the philosophy and techniques of Bagua Quan and provides the reader with an accessible approach to the practice of the art.

Taiji Jian 32-Posture Sword Form

Taiji Jian 32-Posture Sword Form
Author: James Drewe
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2009
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1848190115

Written by an experienced teacher of Taijiquan, this book provides a detailed description of the Jian (the sword), its parts and how it should be held. Using photographs and illustrations, the author gives step-by-step instructions for the main 13 applications including sword strokes, stances and footwork techniques.

Chen

Chen
Author: Jan Silberstorff
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 319
Release: 2009
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1848190212

In this book, Master Jan Silberstorff, a leading Chen practitioner, shares his expertise and insights into Chen style Taijiquan, explaining its background and key principles. He discusses the different Chen forms and the importance of each, as well as the place of competition and the effect on participants.

Cha Dao

Cha Dao
Author: Solala Towler
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2010-10-15
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 085701014X

In China, the art and practice of drinking tea is about much more than merely soaking leaves in a cup of hot water. The tradition is rooted in Daoism, and emerged from a philosophy that honoured living a life of grace and gratitude, balance and harmony, and fulfilment and enjoyment - what the ancient Chinese called Cha Dao, or the Way of Tea. Cha Dao takes us on a fascinating journey through the Way of Tea, from its origins in the sacred mountains and temples of ancient China, through its links to Daoist concepts such as Wu Wei or non-striving and the Value of Worthlessness, to the affinity between Tea Mind and the Japanese spirit of Zen. Interspersed are a liberal helping of quotes from the great tea masters of the past, anecdotes from the author's own trips to China, and traditional tea stories from China and Japan. The unique health benefits of tea are also explored, and a chapter is devoted to describing the history, characteristics and properties of 25 different tea varieties. This book will interest tea lovers, as well as those who want to learn more about tea culture, Daoist and Zen thought and practice, and Asian history and culture.

Meet Your Body

Meet Your Body
Author: Noah Karrasch
Publisher: Singing Dragon
Total Pages: 186
Release: 2009-02-15
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 085701000X

Many of us hold on to old fears, traumas and stresses and allow them to define and frame our lives. This book shows how to relieve these problems and help you look and feel better on a profound level. Based on the idea that the body is composed of twenty-one important hinges, Meet Your Body shows how we can 'oil' and free these hinges, stretching the body out so we can feel healthy and happy more of the time. Noah's therapeutic work uses a hands-on manipulation of the body's connective tissue designed to enhance posture and freedom of movement. From this theory of structural integration, Karrasch has developed a focus on the inseparable connection between our minds and our bodies, our bodymindcore. Guiding the reader through the various hinges of the body, from the big toe to the hip to the head, the author shows how learning to isolate and stretch these hinges in new ways can lead to a happy bodymindcore, making a great difference to overall health and wellbeing. Each chapter addresses a particular hinge physically as well as sharing ideas about its emotional component, and includes photographs and drawings illustrating a variety of bodymindcore techniques. This book offers people with both ordinary and extraordinary body challenges new ideas for how they can make changes in the way their bodies work for them. A practical guide to releasing bodymindcore trauma, Meet Your Body challenges us all to get in touch with and listen to our bodies to improve our health and overall happiness.