Chen style Taijiquan is the oldest of the five main Taijiquan styles. In this book, Master Jan Silberstorff, a leading Chen practitioner, shares his expertise and insights.He explains the background to Taijiquan, and its key principles, and gives the reader a true insight into the Chen system. Master Silberstorff sets this within the historical context of Taijiquan in China, its country of origin, and explains the martial, health and spiritual aspects of traditional Chen Taijiquan. He discusses the different Chen forms and the importance of each, as well as the place of competition and the effect on participants.The book also contains the complete sequences for both the empty hand and weapon forms.This accessible and comprehensive guide to Chen style Taijiquan is ideal for beginners and will also be useful to advanced practitioners wanting to deepen their practice.

Acknowledgments. Preface. Preface to this Edition. Notes about this Book. What is Taijiquan? Part 1. The System of Taijiquan. Chapter 1. Some Facts upon the History of Taijiquan. Chapter 2. What is Qi? Chapter 3. Taiji: A Philosophy. Chapter 4. Taijiquan: A Martial Art. Chapter 5. Taijiquan: A Teaching of Health. Chapter 6. Taijiquan: A Spiritual Exercise. Chapter 7. Techniques and Principles of Taijiquan. Part 2. The Chen Style of Taijiquan. Chapter 8. The System of Chen Taijiquan. Chapter 9. The Forms of Chen Taijiquan. Part 3. Taijiquan: In the Middle of Life. Chapter 10. Something about Yin and Yang. Chapter 11. Taijiquan, Tournaments and the Problems of Success. Chapter 12. The Mistake of Double Weighting. Chapter 13. Taijiquan and Sexuality. Chapter 14. Taijiquan in the World: A Resumé. Part 4. Taijiquan in the Mirror of Medicine. Chapter 15. The Medical Point of View within the Chinese Tradition. Chapter 16. Medical Examinations of Taijiquan. Part 5. Words by the Patriarchs of the Chen Clan. Chapter 17. Verses and Dicta. Chapter 18. Important Notes on Martial Appliances by Chen Changxing. Chapter 19. The Five Levels of Evolution in Taijiquan by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Chapter 20. Interview with Grandmaster Xiaowang. Chapter 21. Sequences in Technique with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Afterword. Glossary. Appendices. Part One: World Chen Taijiquan Association. Part Two: The Forms of Chen Taijiquan. Part Three: The 19-step form. Part Four: The 38-step form. Part Five: First Form, "Old Frame". Part Six: Second Form, "Old Frame". Part Seven: First Form, "New Frame". Part Eight: Second Form, "New Frame". Part Nine: Sword Form. Part Ten: Sabre Form. Part Eleven: Pole/Spear Form. Part Twelve: Halberd Form. Part Thirteen: Double Sword Form. Part Fourteen: Double Sabre Form.