MARTIAL ARTS/ EASTERN PHILOSOPHY T'ai Chi According to the I Ching presents a practice that is the first-time correlation of two major Taoist philosophies. T'ai Chi is a physical expression of Taoist thought--a philosophy in motion. T'ai Chi initiates a process of internal alchemy that allows for the stimulation and accumulation of chi through the major energy systems of the body. Physically, this process restores youthful flexibility. Spiritually, it frees the mind to roam the sublime Tao. The relationships between T'ai Chi, the I Ching, and Taoist philosophy are well established in many of the classical texts and teachings handed down from the time of the Yellow Emperor (c. 2500 b.c.e.) continuing up to the period of Chang San-Feng (c. a.d. 1200). Until now these relationships have not been explored in Western texts. Stuart Alve Olson now shows how the eight trigrams of the II Ching relate to the eight basic postures of T'ai Chi and how together they comprise the orderly sequence of the postures in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi Form, the foundation of all T'ai Chi forms. Using more than 250 photographs, Olson provides a step-by-step guide to each posture in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi Form and illustrates the sixty-four postures of the After Heaven T'ai Chi Form. In addition, the author discusses the universal principles of T'ai Chi that enable one to master the practice and access all the health and philosophical benefits of T'ai Chi as well as gain insight into the philosophy of the I Ching. T'ai Chi According to the I Ching is an essential reference book for any serious student of T'ai Chi, the I Ching, and Taoism, showing how beautifully Taoism is expressed in the motions of the T'ai Chi form. STUART ALVE OLSON is a longtime student of renowned T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master T. T. Liang. He has also studied under numerous Buddhist and Taoist masters, including Ch'an Master Hsuan Hua, Kung fu and healing Master Oei Khong-hwei, and Dharma Master Cheng Yi. He is the author of Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal, T'ai Chi for Kids, and Tao of No Stress. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: The Undercurrents of I Ching T'ai Chi 1. T'ai Chi 2. The Eight Diagrams and the I Ching 3. Huang Ti: Teachings Attributed to the Yellow Emperor 4. Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching: The Classic on the Way and Virtue 5. T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ching: The Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan 6. Historical Origins of T'ai Chi: Chang San-feng and Chen Wang-ting Part II: The Framework of I Ching T'ai Chi 7. The Tai Chi Symbol (T'ai Chi T'u) Treatise on the Symbolism of the Supreme Ultimate The T’ai Chi Circle 8. Fu His's Before Heaven Arrangement of King Wen Treatise on the Eight Diagrams 9. The After Heaven Arrangement of King Wen 10. The Philosophy of Before and After Heaven Treatise on the Secrets of the Eight Postures 11. The Eight Gates Diagram Relating the Eight Gates to T’ai Chi 12. Developments of Wu Chi 13. The Five Activities (Wu Hsing) The Meaning of the Wu Hsing Treatise on the Verses of the Five Methods 14. The Three Powers (San Tsai) 15. The 16-Posture I Ching T'ai Chi Form Arrangement The Ten T’ai Chi Stances The Eight Hands The Before Heaven 16-Posture Form Arrangement Charts (circular, square, and linear) The Before Heaven 16-Posture I Ching T’ai Chi Form Overview of the Posture Instructional Information Wu Chi Position 1 Beginning T’ai Chi 2 Warding-Off (L & R) 3 Rolling-Back 4 Pressing 5 Pushing 6 Single Whip 7 Lifting Hands 8 Shouldering 9 White Crane Spreads Wings 10 Brush Knee and Twist Step 11 Playing the Lute 12 Chop with Fist 13 Deflect, Parry, and Punch 14 Follow to Seal, Carry to Close 15 Crossing Hands 16 Conclusion of T’ai Chi Wu Chi Position Before Heaven Form Posture Movements Summary PART IV The After Heaven Form 16. Arranging the Images of the Sixty-Four Postures The After Heaven 64-Posture I Ching T’ai Chi Form