100 Best Tai Chi Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best tai chi books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

Featuring recommendations from Jack Ma, Steve Blank, Tim O'Reilly, and 32 other experts.
1
A lucid translation of the well-known Taoist classic by a leading scholar-now in a Shambhala Pocket Library edition.
Written more than two thousand years ago, the Tao Teh Ching, or -The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue, - is one of the true classics of the world of spiritual literature. Traditionally attributed to the legendary -Old Master, - Lao Tzu, the Tao Teh Ching teaches that the qualities of the enlightened sage or ideal ruler are identical with those of the perfected individual. Today, Lao Tzu's words are as useful in mastering the arts of leadership in...
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Tim O'ReillyThe Way of Life According to Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching), translated by Witter Bynner. My personal religious philosophy, stressing the rightness of what is, if only we can accept it. Most people who know me have heard me quote from this book. "Seeing as how nothing is outside the vast, wide-meshed net of heaven, who is there to say just how it is cast?" (Source)

Naval RavikantIn the philosophy side, I’ve been rereading the Tao Te Ching. (Source)

Jack DorseyQ: What are the books that had a major influence on you? Or simply the ones you like the most. : Tao te Ching, score takes care of itself, between the world and me, the four agreements, the old man and the sea...I love reading! (Source)

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2
Conventional medical science on the Chinese art of Tai Chi now shows what Tai Chi masters have known for centuries: regular practice leads to more vigor and flexibility, better balance and mobility, and a sense of well-being. Cutting-edge research from Harvard Medical School also supports the long-standing claims that Tai Chi also has a beneficial impact on the health of the heart, bones, nerves and muscles, immune system, and the mind. This research provides fascinating insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms that explain how Tai Chi actually works.

Dr. Peter M....
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3
Josh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind as a teenager when his father's book "Searching for Bobby Fischer" was made into a major motion picture. After dominating the scholastic chess world for ten years, Waitzkin expanded his horizons, taking on the martial art Tai Chi Chuan and ultimately earning the title of World Champion. How was he able to reach the pinnacle of two disciplines that on the surface seem so different? "I've come to... more

Joan BoixadosRecover soon from your mistakes. (Source)

Erik RostadFor career books, I'll focus on more overarching themes. You can get books on particular skills you need for a given job, but these books will help having the right mindset for a career and how work should fit into the greater story of your life. For learning new skills: The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin. (Source)

Chris OliverThe Art of Learning as well is phenomenal. You're always learning new things in programming and startups so being good at learning is a crucial skill to have. (Source)

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4

The Book of Five Rings

Written over three centuries ago by a Samurai warrior, the book has been hailed as a limitless source of psychological insight for businessmen-or anyone who relies on strategy and tactics for outwitting the competition. less

Ryan HolidayWidely held as a classic, this book is much more than a manifesto and manual on swordsmanship and martial arts. It’s about the mindset, the discipline, and the perception necessary to win in life or death situations. As a swordsman, Musashi fought mostly by himself, for himself. His wisdom, therefore, is mostly internal. He tells you how to out-think and out-move your enemies. He tells you how to... (Source)

Zach Even EshLove this book & should have re-read long ago. . It only takes a page or 2 to change your life IF YOU FOLLOW THROUGH. . #musashi #samurai #undergroundstrengthgym #undergroundstrengthcoach #undergroundstrengthbook… https://t.co/zL8zxUwCJG (Source)

Stephane GrandI do not believe there are business and non-business books. Business is life, you do business like the man or woman you excavate from the person you are told you are. Hence, the most potent business books are not about business, in my opinion. What makes a great business book is that it is a book that helps you find a better version of yourself. Therefore, I would say that my favorite business... (Source)

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5
Master the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan with this informative guide.

One of the most popular Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan is also one of the most effective stress relievers available. In China, it is also used extensively for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects on health and fitness are now widely recognized in the West. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the practical application and potential benefits of Tai Chi Chuan.

This tai chi guide is packed with...
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6

T'Ai Chi Classics

According to Master Liao, the great power of T'ai Chi cannot be realized without knowing its inner meaning. T'ai Chi Classics presents the inner meaning and techniques of T'ai Chi movements through translations of three core classics of T'ai Chi, often considered the "T'ai Chi Bible." The texts are introduced by three chapters explaining how to increase inner energy (ch'i), transform it into inner power (jing), and project this inner power outward to repel an opponent without physical contact. Master Liao also provides a description of the entire sequence of T'ai Chi... more

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7

The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

The Literary Tradition

A handbook of the classical Chinese literature on which the art of t'ai chi is based. First English translation of the classic texts of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. This is required reading for practitioners of every style. less

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8
This revised edition of our best selling beginner Tai Chi Chuan book includes a new and modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly.

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today's most popular tai chi forms. Once learned, it can be performed in only six minutes. If you are learning tai chi in a school, a fitness club, a community or recreation center, or even the local park, this is the tai chi form you are likely to encounter.

The martial arts...
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9

Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan

In this erudite yet practical book Professor Cheng shares the secrets of his lineage and takes us to the heart of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, presenting it as a martial artm a medicine, and a means of exercise and self-development. With examples from anatomy and physics, he demonstrates precisely how the postures and moves work, internally as energetic principles, and externally on opponents. Professor Cheng always emphasizes that disease (like an attack from an opponent) is an opportunity for training. The practitioner of T'ai Chi Ch'uan may serve as his (or her) own doctor and, likewise, as the... more

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10
Drawing on Zen philosophy and his expertise in the martial art of aikido, bestselling author George Leonard shows how the process of mastery can help us attain a higher level of excellence and a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our daily lives. Whether you’re seeking to improve your career or your intimate relationships, increase self-esteem or create harmony within yourself, this inspiring prescriptive guide will help you master anything you choose and achieve success in all areas of your life.

In Mastery, you’ll discover:
The 5 Essential Keys to...
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Terry LaughlinA set of prescriptions or principles, for attaining mastery. (Source)

Maurice AshleyDetailed the challenges that we all face on the road to expertise in any field. (Source)

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11

Tao of Leadership

The Tao of Leadership is an invaluable tool for anyone in a position of leadership. This book provides the most simple and clear advice on how to be the very best kind of leader: be faithful, trust the process, pay attention, and inspire others to become their own leaders. Heider's book is a blend of practical insight and profound wisdom, offering inspiration and advice. less
Recommended by Dustin Moskovitz, and 1 others.

Dustin Moskovitz[Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book during a Stanford lecture.] (Source)

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12
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is a slow and relaxed moving meditation. It is also a sophisticated martial arts system. Through practicing Taijiquan, you are able to calm down the mind, locate your spiritual center, and consequently find your entire being. From the relaxed moving exercise, you can bring your physical body into an ultimate level of relaxation and natural ease, resulting in smooth Qi (inner energy) and blood circulation. This is a key to maintaining health and recovering from sickness.

This book is an in-depth guide for beginners to learn Taijiquan properly. It offers a...
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13

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan

Fu Zhongwen's classic guide offers the best documentation available of the Yang style of taijiquan. The superbly detailed form instructions and historic line art drawings are based on Fu’s many years as a disciple of Yang Chengfu, taijiquan’s legendary founder. Also included are concise descriptions of fixed-step, moving-step, and da lu push hands practices. Additional commentary by translator Louis Swaim provides key insight into the text’s philosophical language and imagery, further elucidating the art’s cultural and historical foundations. less

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14

A Morning with Grandpa

Mei Mei s grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses?Winner of Lee & Low s New Voices Award, A Morning with Grandpa celebrates, with lively spirit and humor, the special bond between grandparent and grandchild and the joy of learning new things together. Readers of all ages will want to try out... more

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15
Reiki is an ancient and profoundly simple system of "laying on of hands" healing derived from Tibetan Buddhism. In the West, Reiki has been kept highly secret for many years. ESSENTIAL REIKI presents full information on all three degrees of this healing system, most of it in print for the first time. Teaching from the perspective that Reiki healing belongs to all people, Diane Stein breaks new ground in her classic guide to this ancient practice. While no book can replace the directly received Reiki "attunements," ESSENTIAL REIKI provides everything else that the healer, practitioner, and... more

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16
The inspirational teachings in this collection show that the real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature. The teachings are drawn from the talks and writings of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the popular Japanese martial art of Aikido, a mind-body discipline he called the "Art of Peace," which offers a nonviolent way to victory in the face of conflict. Ueshiba believed that Aikido principles could be applied to all the challenges we face in life—in personal relationships, as we interact with society, and at work and in business.

This...
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17
Our world is undergoing a reality revolution. More and more people are discovering the power of their minds to shape the world around them faster than ever before. The question is: how do you create the reality of your design?

Brian Scott wants to help you find the answer. After walking away unscathed from a near-fatal shooting in his home, Brian began a fanatical search for answers. He deepened his research into parallel realities, quantum mechanics, and consciousness to uncover what happened in his close call with death. Along the way, he developed a series of...
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18
"Wolfe Lowenthal's quiet little memoir will with window-opening wisdom reinforce, I think, my view of how Cheng stood on Tai Chi. It tells how a young writer reacted to this strange Chinese man when he appeared in New York City in the mid-1960s and stayed there for a decade before returning to Taiwan to die in 1975. In a nickel town where neurosis is a cardinal virtue, the Tai Chi center established by Cheng soon became an oasis of learning. In my visits there I was invariably approached by a quiet fellow with a ready smile and loads of questions. His form and sensing hands improved but he... more

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19
For centuries, the Chinese exercise system called Chi Kung has been shrouded in secrecy. The Way of Energy is the first comprehensive guide to the most powerful form of Chi Kung ever developed -- "standing like a tree".
A gentle, yet profoundly beneficial form of exercise, which requires very little movement, this form of Chi Kung unlocks deep reserves of energy builds internal stamina, strengthens immunity, relieves chronic illness, and promotes the natural regeneration of the nervous system.
Using step-by-step instructions and more than 100 drawings and full-color...
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20

Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation

Cheng Man-ch'ing, the famed master of t'ai chi, is regarded as an enormously influential figure in codifying the most widely practiced form of the ancient martial art. This volume, developed by the martial arts master and scholar, details the way that students arrive at a posture -- from beginning movements to the end pose. Master Cheng provides practitioners with a complete and concise guide to the Short Form, enabling them to make rapid progress. less

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21
The classic text suitable for Reiki beginners and masters alike--now revised and updated with the latest findings and techniques into this arcane energy healing practice

An exciting and comprehensive handbook, Reiki for Life contains everything readers need to know about the healing art of Reiki, including basic routines, details about the power and potential of each level, special techniques for enhancing Reiki practice, and helpful direction on the use of Reiki toward spiritual growth. Comparing the origins and development of Reiki in the West and the...
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22
Now 101 years old, Master T. T. Liang came to the U.S. from Taiwan in the 1960s to introduce t'ai chi to America. His life story is full of the stuff that makes a great martial arts adventure: a career as a high-ranking government official, street fights and shootouts, opium dens and prostitutes, mystical martial arts masters and monks—the story of a life lived to the absolute maximum. Twenty-five photographs add to the captivating life story of this great t'ai chi master. less

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23
Deepen your practice and find balance--Yin Yoga comes home

Expand your yoga journey with a guide to essential yin yoga poses to practice at home, whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi. Yin yoga is a style of hatha yoga informed by Chinese Daoist practices, with a focus on the meridians and proper alignment. The poses are passively held for 1 to 5 minutes to help strengthen joints, ligaments, and fascial tissues.

This user-friendly reference offers just enough philosophy to get you straight to the practice. Artwork and detailed...
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24

The Tai Chi Space

How to Move in Tai Chi and Qi Gong

This pictorial guide with supporting text is the first of its kind, illuminating the fundamentals of the arts of tai chi and qi gong through metaphor and visuals that are easy to understand.

Beginning students will learn basic principles in a simple format, while experienced stylists will discover nuances that shed light on the secrets of deep, internal, and energetic training that powers the well-documented health and healing benefits of the arts.
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25

The I Ching or Book of Changes

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is one of the 1st efforts of the human mind to place itself within the universe. It has exerted a living influence in China for 3000 years and interest in it has spread in the West.

Set down in the dawn of history as a book of oracles, the Book of Changes deepened in meaning when ethical values were attached to the oracular pronouncements; it became a book of wisdom, eventually one of the Five Classics of Confucianism, and provided the common source for both Confucianist and Taoist philosophy.

Wilhelm's rendering of the I...
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26
Qigong is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease, and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer, immune system disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating, comprehensive volume, renowned qigong master and China scholar Kenneth S. Cohen explains how you too can integrate qigong into your life--and harness the healing power that will help your... more

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27

Chuang Tzu

The Inner Chapters

Revered for millennia in the Chinese spiritual tradition, Chuang Tzu stands alongside the Tao Te Ching as a founding classic of Taoism. The Inner Chapters are the only sustained section of this text widely believed to be the work of Chuang Tzu himself, dating to the fourth century B.C.E. Witty and engaging, spiced with the lyricism of poetry, Chuang Tzu's Taoist insights are timely and eternal, profoundly concerned with spiritual ecology. Indeed, the Tao of Chuang Tzu was a wholesale rejection of a human-centered approach. Zen traces its sources back to these Taoist roots —... more
Recommended by David George Haskell, and 1 others.

David George HaskellTrees are not symbols or allegories in this foundational Taoist text. Rather, they’re examples of the true nature of life. (Source)

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29

Karate-Do

My Way of Life

The father of Karate-do describes his life of devotion to the practices and spirit of the ancient martial art and his contributions to its modern-day evolution. less

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
31
A complete reference for all levels of Qigong practice. Qigong, the study and use of Qi, promotes longevity, health, and spiritual development. less

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32

Step-By-Step Tai Chi

Tone your body, relax your mind.

Whatever your level of fitness, Step-by-Step Tai Chi offers a simple but effective program of exercise and stress reduction, based on the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi. In addition to learning the fundamentals of Tai Chi through his carefully designed four-level program, Master Lam Kam Chuen will introduce you to Small Circle Form Tai Chi, an original method he has developed—based on classical Tai Chi styles—requiring a minimum of time and space.

Step-by-Step Tai Chi features:

* Detailed and easy-to-follow...
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33
Beyond the Barehand Form, beyond the Qigong, lies the elegant and effective Sword of Taijiquan! Learn to extend your Qi, enhance your art and refine your self. This comprehensive guide contains not only the complete Taiji Sword Form and Taiji Sword Qigong Set, but also seldom taught sword fighting applications and matching exercises.

More than just a "how-to", this book also contains theory, history and a complete guide to fundamentals--all essential to building a deep, understanding of this art, long considered to be the highest achievement in Taijiquan, as well as the most...
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34
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
AS SEEN ON NATIONAL PUBLIC TELEVISION
 
      We’ve been led to believe that when we get sick, it’s our genetics. Or it’s just bad luck—and doctors alone hold the keys to optimal health. For years, Lissa Rankin, M.D., believed the same. But when her own health started to suffer, and she turned to Western medical treatments, she found that they not only failed to help; they made her worse. So she decided to take matters into her own hands.
     Through her research, Dr. Rankin discovered that the health care she had been...
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35
With his expert teachings, philosophical insights, and pragmatic imagery, world-class yoga instructor Tias Little turns the anatomy of the physical body into a tool for navigating the subtle body.

Yoga of the Subtle Body
unites practical somatic concepts and wisdom teachings in this guide to the anatomy of the physical, mental, emotional, and subtle bodies. Tias Little is a master teacher, and he brings his precise instruction to the wisdom teachings and philosophy of hatha yoga. He offers us a guided tour of the body's structure and physical anatomy, then uses this...
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36

A Study of Taijiquan

This extensively illustrated primer is the first English edition of Sun's classic 1919 book which explores both the theory and practice of the style, with emphasis on movements and postures. Tim Cartmell's translation provides both a standard by which practitioners can judge themselves and valuable information relevant to all versions of taijiquan. Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into English. less

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37
The Little Book of Energy Medicine is a simple, easy-to-use "pocket guide" to one of the most powerful alternative health practices in existence today, from world-renowned healer Donna Eden. In this book, Eden draws on more than three decades of experience to offer readers a simple introduction to the core energy medicine exercises she recommends for feeling rejuvenated, happier, more alert, and less anxious.

Featuring a Five-Minute Daily Energy Routine for restoring the body’s natural energy flow, in addition to information on specific energy medicine exercises that can...
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38

Miyamoto Musashi

His Life and Writings

Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashi's life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth.

Musashi's best-known work, The Book of Five Rings , provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short...
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39

The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan

The publication in 1934 of Yang Chengfu's book, Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu) marked a milestone in the modern evolution of the art of taijiquan. Using what is best-termed demonstration narrative, the author presents form postures and suggested applications from his own perspective, as he performed them. This methodology renders Yang Chengfu's direct, hands-on teaching of the art with such immediacy and liveliness that the reader experiences the master’s teaching much as his students did.This English translation finally makes Yang Chengfu's classic work... more

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40

Complete Tai Chi Chuan

Complete Tai Chi Chuan is the first book in English to deal extensively with the concepts of "inside the door" training and the inner art, including therapeutic and martial aspects of Taoist internal alchemy. Drawing on original historical research, the author identifies the links between the art and Chinese philosophy. Fully illustrated throughout, the book includes history, theory, and philosophy; hand form; practical training; and working with weapons and competition. less

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
41
Native shamanic traditions tell us that there are cords, strands, threads, and filaments of energy that flow to and through us, connecting us to everyone and everything in the Universe. Some energy strands make us feel vibrant and alive. Others deplete and weaken us. Most of us are unaware of these energy strands, but they are extremely powerful forces that surround us every day.

In her latest book, Energy Strands, Denise Linn shows you how to release the cords that bind you and strengthen the ones that heal you. She shares methods she’s personally practiced over the years...
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42
Reiki master and best-selling author Diane Stein has been a dedicated hands-on healer since 1988. Stein believes strongly that this powerful healing art, once a closely guarded secret tradition, should be accessible and available to all. Since she began teaching in 1990, Stein has initiated thousands of students in all three levels of Reiki healing. Through these efforts she developed a comprehensive teaching method that encompasses the fundamentals of this ancient system.

The ESSENTIAL REIKI TEACHING MANUAL equips the Reiki initiate with the practical tools needed for launching a...
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43
This book is a sequel to Wolfe Lowenthal’s first book: There Are No Secrets. Like the previous book, it is about his teacher, the great Cheng Man-ch’ing, the art of Tai Chi Chuan, and his experience as a student and teacher. less

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44

Karate-Do Kyohan

The Master Text

Nineteen "kata" ("forms") of karate - the art of self-defense without weapons - are presented here in complete detail. They are the ones selected by the great master and teacher, Gichin Funakoshi, to give comprehensive training in Karate-do, the way of karate. less

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45
In 1995, Vianna Stibal, a mother of three young children, was diagnosed with a cancer that was quickly destroying her right femur. Everything she had tried using conventional and alternative medicine had failed, until she employed a simple technique that she used in her work as an intuitive reader. Amazed that she had cured herself instantaneously, Vianna started to use this technique in her sessions with clients and saw person after person miraculously heal.

ThetaHealing is essentially applied quantum physics. Using a theta brain wave, which until now was believed to...
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46
This book contains step-by-step instructions and photos of the Six Easy Steps for the Beginners and 24 Forms. It also shows you how to progress to higher levels of tai chi. less

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47
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body explains the practice of chi gung (qigong), the 3000-year-old self-healing exercise system from China. Originally published in 1993, this book has become a classic that has inspired tens of thousands of Westerners to learn to activate their chi—life-force energy—to improve their health, reduce stress and reverse the effects of aging. This fully revised edition has more than 100 pages of new material, including Longevity Breathing methods; how cross-training in chi gung can enhance other exercises such as yoga, golf and weight training; and... more

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48
Emotional trauma can upset the harmony of the body and reduce the body's ability to heal and regulate itself. Once the traumas are identified and treated, the body will function at an optimum level and will respond to treatments for other conditions present.


This book integrates the multi-diagnostic and treatment methods existing in Chinese medicine, and contains diagnostics such as facial, pulse, tongue, and channel palpation diagnosis. Treatments include acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, qigong, shamanic drumming, and lifestyle and nutritional recommendations. Many...
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49

Between Heaven and Earth

Two of the foremost American educators and healers in the Chinese medical profession demystify Chinese medicine's centuries-old approach to health. Combining Eastern traditions with Western sensibilities in a unique blend that is relevant today, Between Heaven and Earth opens the door to a vast storehouse of knowledge that bridges the gap between mind and body, theory and practice, professional and self-care, East and West. less

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50
Barbara Ann Brennan, founder of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and best-selling author of Hands of Light and Light Emerging, is one of the most influential healers and spiritual leaders of the 21st century. Now, in her latest book, Core Light Healing, her work continues with revolutionary new information on working with the creative process and the fourth level. The fourth-level, or astral, world bridges the creative pulse from the physical to the higher levels of reality and manifestation. Core Light Healing also chronicles Barbara Brennan’s life journey... more

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51
This book's primary focus is on the detailed descriptions of the three main internal boxing methods (Hsing I, Ba Gua, and Tai Chi), as well as many substyles. In-depth comparisons and analyses of the different arts in regard to their methods of movement, principles and philosophies, use of force and energy, body mechanics, and some practical applications, are also described. Frantzis also includes "Personal Odyssey" sections where he recounts many of his interesting encounters with famous martial arts masters. This feature recalls Robert W. Smith's Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods,... more

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52

The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate

The Spiritual Legacy of the Master

Gichin Funakoshi, "the father of karate," once said that "the ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants." less

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53
First developed twenty years ago by Vianna Stibal, ThetaHealing is essentially applied quantum physics. Using a theta brain wave, which until now was believed to be accessible only in deep sleep or yogi-level meditation, the practitioner is able to connect with the energy of All That Is – the energy in everything – to witness healings of the physical body, and to identify and change limiting beliefs. This book is for those who have already started to experience the magic of this energy healing modality, and wish to deepen their understanding of the Seven Planes of Existence – the philosophy... more

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55
The guide to engaging and directing the three primordial forces of Earth, Heaven, and Higher Self to achieve enlightenment and immortality

• Explains how to circulate the life force, or chi, by balancing yang (male) and yin (female) currents of bioenergy

• Includes an overview of the complete Taoist body/mind/spirit system along with newly refined methods of activating the life force

• The sequel to the classic Awaken Healing Energy Through the Tao

In 1983, Mantak Chia introduced the “Microcosmic Orbit” to the West. Prior to that time,...
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56
What is Tai Chi and why is it taught as a Martial Art by some and as a Health Art or Way of Life by others? What are the origins of the art and why are there different styles? What is the "Form" and how long does it take to learn? These are a few of the 50 simple questions in this fascinating book full of anecdotes, facts and humour, that will help you choose the class of Tai Chi right for you. less

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57

Quantum-Touch

The Power to Heal

Quantum-Touch is the touch-based healing technique that uses the chi of both practitioner and client, bringing them into harmony to allow the body to heal itself. Quantum-Touch differs from other healing techniques because it does not require long years of study and presents none of the common hurdles of understanding or application; anyone can learn to use it to become a healer, both of others and of self. In this new edition of his best-selling guide, Richard Gordon leads the reader step by step, clearly explaining how to use breathing and body-focusing techniques to raise one's energy... more

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58
Master the Chinese martial art of T'ai Chi with this accessible, illustrated guide.

T'ai-chi (Tai Chi) is an effortless and rhythmical art that stresses slow breathing, balanced and relaxed postures, and absolute calmness of mind. It requires no special equipment or place to practice and takes no more than ten minutes a day.

This book, from renowned Tai Chi master, Cheng Man-Ch'ing, introduces T'ai-chi as a means to a healthier life, as a sport and as a method of self-defense. It is a complete step-by-step manual for the beginner. With conscientious practice,...
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63

WUTAN Tai Chi Chuan

The book then describes the practice of Tai Chi Chuan which includes more than 500 pictures of the Hand Form as demonstrated by Sifu CHENG. From there we move on to the strategy and tactics which form the basis of the application of the self-defence techniques and the practical training necessary to gain proficiency in this application. less

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64
Why does a "clean-living" person get sick, while a more obvious candidate stays healthy? Why does someone with a fatal illness suddenly become well, while another with a more benign condition dies? In "Why People Don't Heal and How They Can," best-selling author, medical intuitive, and teacher Caroline Myss explores the deep-seated, spiritual causes of illness, and the symbolic lessons that underlie it. "In the 1980s, when the New Age movement was growing like crazy, people began to express a willingness to take responsibility for their illness, " says Myss. "We were all convinced that... more

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65
Tai Chi Theory & Martial Power is the next level in Tai Chi Chuan training. This book is written especially for those who have learned the form, begun Pushing Hands, and now want to develop and refine their Tai Chi skills.Tai Chi Theory & Martial Power focuses on the martial essence of Tai Chi Chuan, an aspect many other books ignore. This book explores in depth the subject of Jing (internal martial power), general Tai Chi theory, and the application of Chi in the Tai Chi form. Because Jing training is essential to martial Tai Chi, this work is a valuable reference that no serious... more

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66

Tai Chi Illustrated

Increase muscle strength, improve flexibility, and reduce pain and stiffness. Each year, millions of people worldwide discover the incredible physical and mental benefits of tai chi. Now, with "Tai Chi Illustrated," you can, too.

Internationally renowned instructor Master Pixiang Qiu and mind-body exercise expert Weimo Zhu demonstrate the most effective forms for harnessing the healing power of chi, or energy. Follow their lead and improve balance and coordination, relieve stress, and reduce pain and muscle stiffness.

"Tai Chi Illustrated" is a step-by-step guide...
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67
This is the book Ken Gullette wishes he had been able to read when he first began studying Tai Chi, Bagua and Xingyi in 1987. It gets to the point, stripping the mystical mumbo jumbo away, leaving detailed, real-world explanations of the six fundamental body mechanics that everyone should know when they study Tai Chi (Taiji), Bagua and Xingyi. For the first time, these body mechanics are organized and discussed clearly, with more than 250 images and highly-detailed but simple language. If you are a student or even a teacher of these arts, you should be able to learn something here that will... more

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68
This is the original classic about Short Form, the most popular and widespread form of T'ai Chi in the West. T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a must-read for every serious T'ai Chi student. This book is not meant to "teach" T'ai Chi Ch'uan, but meant to expound upon its meaning to the earnest practitioner; to offer the layperson a glimpse into this ancient art; and to communicate the author's unique perceptions and experiences that only a lifetime of practice can cultivate. Taken in this context, this is a most valuable book. less

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69
Bring the benefits of meditation into your life and master liberating new skills under the guidance of world-renowned mediation guru. less

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71
Qi is the Chinese concept for life force or energy. Qigong is an ancient practice for harnessing Qi and increasing one's vitality (Tai Chi is one of the best-known forms of Qigong). This book explains the concept behind Qigong and describes how to incorporate it into your daily life in order to awaken your life force and experience better health. The author reveals how Qigong can help you improve your health, stress management, longevity, peak performance, wellness and attainment of inner peace. less

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72
The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing is a book that introduces us to a new perspective on Tai Chi and 21st Century Living.

Using the harmonious practice of Tai Chi Chuan and the esoteric philosophy of Taoism, the book describes how to discard traditional ways of Getting Things Done by stripping everything down to its essentials and then, leaving them all alone.

This manual will show you:

* How to reach out and grasp life with more energy, with more passion and with more wisdom.
* How to absorb the simple lessons of Taoism and Tai Chi into your daily...
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73

Chen Style

The Source of Taijiquan

As Taijiquan has become increasingly popular, many people have inquired into its origins and development. Answers can be found in the Chen Style, the original method from Chen Village, Henan Province in the People's Republic of China. This book guides the reader through the historical development of the system, its philosophical roots, and through the intricacies of the various training methods of this unique form of Chiinese boxing. Legendary exploits of the Chen family are included to inspire today's practitioners. less

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74

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen

Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan

"This book, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen, was written sixty years ago by Professor Ch'en Wei-ming, who was a famous exponent of the Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan and a student of the great master, Yang Cheng-fu. In 1927 he established the Chih Jou School in Shanghai where he taught many students. At that time he saw how popular T'ai Chi Ch'uan was becoming and he was concerned that if it became a fad it would lose its original spirit. In the process of its being spread, its principles would be forgotten or mixed with other forms, thus leading to the loss of an important part of its essence.... more

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75
Explores the deep, internal work necessary for the effective practice of tai chi

• Reveals the Taoist principles that gave birth to the Yang-style tai chi forms

• Shows how tai chi can circulate powerful healing energies through the body

Taoist adepts developed tai chi as both a martial art and a way to cultivate their physical body, energy body, and spirit body. Like all Taoist exercises, its main purpose is to form a connection to the basic energy that is the foundation of all life: chi. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, tai chi was...
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76

The definitive text on Reiki-for students, practitioners, and Masters alike-from one of the most respected Reiki teachers today.

Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing, and harmonizing all aspects of the person-body, mind, emotions, and spirit-encouraging deep relaxation and the release of stress and tension, and promoting awareness and spiritual growth. This comprehensive manual provides much-needed support for students and teachers who want to follow the best practices.

Covering Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3, this book conveys information in an...

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77
Yang 24-Step Tàijíquan is one of the most widely-practiced Tàijíquan forms in the world today, and the form that most people first learn. Gentle enough to be suitable for the elderly, yet challenging enough to stretch even the most experienced practitioner, it is also one of the most accessible and rewarding.


In his new book, James Drewe provides a comprehensive and detailed explication of the postures and movements of the form. For each, he describes exactly how the weight flows, how to use the hands, how to move the limbs, and how to relax into the movement, clearly...
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78

Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain

The Essence of Tai Ji

This text describes Master Chungliang Al Huang's techniques of Tai Chi. less

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79

Mind Over Muscle

Writings from the Founder of Judo

In 1882 Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) founded Kodokan Judo at Eishoji Temple in Tokyo. It was the culmination of a lifelong devotion to the jujutsu of the past, which he reorganized while taking great care to retain its classical traditions. Historically, martial arts were practiced only by the elite in Japan. Kano, a renowned educator as well as a sportsman, is credited with popularizing the martial arts, and in particular, judo, among people in all levels of society.

When he was young, Kano studied jujutsu, a martial art practiced in Japan since feudal times, which involved throwing,...
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80
A comprehensive reference tool for maximizing healing of the mind, body, and spirit through a holistic synergy of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda

• Details the foundational principles of each tradition and the many concepts they share, such as qi and prana, meridians and nadis, and energy centers and chakras

• Provides tools for self-assessment including a primer on tongue diagnosis and a mental, emotional, and physical constitutional questionnaire

• Offers breathing exercises, dietary regimens, herbal recommendations, and guides for detoxification, including...
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81
1889659029|9781889659022. Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical. Taoist. Buddhist. Wushu Energy Cultivation published in the year 1996. The author of this book is Shou-Yu Liang . Wen-Ching Wu . This is the Paperback version of the title "Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical. Taoist. Buddhist. Wushu Energy Cultivation ". Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical. Taoist. Buddhist. Wushu Energy Cultivation is currently Available with us. less

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82
Nakamura Taisaburo's landmark book on the art of the sword includes technical information, thoughtful analysis, and fascinating recollections of his own training and teaching. One of the most famous Japanese swordsmen of the twentieth century, Nakamura sensei is widely acknowledged as the preeminent reinvigorator of the practice of tameshigiri (test cutting) as a test of technical and spiritual mastery. The Spirit of the Sword--first published in Japanese in 1980, now translated into English for the first time--is regarded by many as the most complete of Nakamura's writings on... more

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83
Using a lively style and the languages of transpersonal psychology, meditation, esoteric magic, and kundalini, Glenn Morris recounts his amazing adventures and hair-raising close calls while training and then practicing as a master of martial arts. Following in the tradition of the legendary Togakure Ryu of Japan, whose fighting techniques and lore inspired the fascination of westerners with Ninja warriors, he offers guidelines on how to tell sham from authenticity, how to keep friends while developing power, how to voyage safely into the inner landscape, and how to deal with dark... more

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84
A follow up to Pico Iyer’s essay “The Joy of Quiet,” The Art of Stillness considers the unexpected adventure of staying put and reveals a counterintuitive truth: The more ways we have to connect, the more we seem desperate to unplug.

Why might a lifelong traveler like Pico Iyer, who has journeyed from Easter Island to Ethiopia, Cuba to Kathmandu, think that sitting quietly in a room might be the ultimate adventure? Because in our madly accelerating world, our lives are crowded, chaotic and noisy. There’s never been a greater need to slow down, tune out and give ourselves...
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86

Tai Chi in 10 Weeks

A Beginner's Guide

USA Best Book Award FINALIST - 2017Access FREE course video to get you started learning tai chi.This book is designed to guide beginning students through the fundamentals of tai chi in ten weeks. Dr. Aihan Kuhn teaches readers the twenty-four-step Yang-style form. She shares insight on warming up, healing, and avoiding injury. But tai chi is more than just a physical exercise. It is a way of life. Dr. Kuhn shows readers how this art helps us cultivate health, balance, and qi (energy). Each day millions of people around the world practice tai chi for wellness, focus, and self-defense. This is... more

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87
Diana Cooper has been receiving intuitive messages from the dragons for several years and, in this book, shares the wisdom that the they have passed on to her so that others can benefit from the spiritual lessons that these beings are bringing to the planet.  

Dragons are spirit guides of the angelic realm, but they have very different tasks from the angels. They can create and they can destroy, and they can delve into deep, dense matter to clear it, in a way that angels cannot. Like angels and unicorns, dragons operate on a different wave length from humans and are not visible to...
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88
This useful guide from two of America’s preeminent psychics is unique in its focus on individual psychology and interpersonal relationships. It begins with simple meditations during which practitioners learn how to recognize their own psychic energy—and also determine if that energy is constrained. Psychic Psychology shows how to free energy through such tools as grounding, clearing psychic enmeshment, and finding the space from which to respond most openly, resourcefully, and generously to life. An entire chapter is devoted to exploring the specific energies men and women have based... more

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Don't have time to read the top Tai Chi books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

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91

Qigong Meditation

Embryonic Breathing

Finalist - 2006 Book of the Year Award by ForeWord MagazineThe Root of Spiritual Enlightenment Chinese Qigong can be generally categorized into External Elixir (Wai Dan) and Internal Elixir (Nei Dan) Qigong. The first step of practicing Internal Elixir Qigong has been known as Small Cyclic Heaven (Small Circulation or Microcosmic Meditation). After completing Small Cyclic Heaven, a practitioner will learn Grand Cyclic Heaven (Grand Circulation or Macrocosmic Meditation). The purpose of Grand Cyclic Heaven is to re-open the Heaven Eye (Third Eye) to unite the natural spirit and human spirit.... more

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92
Tai chi ball qigong training is an important component of proper tai chi chuan practice. For martial artists, tai chi ball qigong training can strengthen the torso, condition the muscles, and increase physical power by using the mind to lead the qi. It can be a major training tool to enhance pushing hands ability.

For general exercise, tai chi ball qigong training helps those who might overly focus on 'core body exercises' to strengthen their hips, knees, and ankles. You will improve movement of the spine, increase energy through various breathing techniques, and learn to move many...
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93
The Essential Karate Book is an illustrated, informative guide to the techniques, philosophy and practice of karate.

With 20 chapters covering practically every aspect of karate, this in-depth reference will assist students and instructors as they plot their course through karate instruction, benefiting those at all levels. The Essential Karate Book contains 200 diagrams mapping out moves, 300 color photographs, and a DVD, making it a comprehensive general karate reference for Western audiences.

Readers of this karate guide will learn...
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94

A groundbreaking program that teaches you how to run faster and farther with less effort, and prevent and heal injuries, for runners of any age or fitness level.

In ChiRunning, Danny and Katherine Dreyer, well-known walking and running coaches, provide powerful insight that transforms running from a high-injury sport to a body-friendly, injury-free fitness phenomenon. ChiRunning employs the deep power reserves in the core muscles, an approach found in disciplines such as yoga, Pilates, and T'ai Chi.

ChiRunning enables you to develop a personalized exercise...

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95
In his loft in New york City's Greenwich Village, Sifu Shi Yan Ming trains men and women of all ages, body types and backgrounds in the fundamentals of kung fu. A 34th generation Shaolin Warrior monk from China's Shaolin Temple—the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the mecca of all martial arts—Yan Ming teaches the students at his USA Shaolin Temple that there is no better workout program than his brand of kung fu for getting the body and mind into warrior condition.

Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of four-color photographs, the warrior workout, distills a lifetime of Shaolin...
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97
For over one thousand years, Bodhidharma's (Da Mo) timeless classics have been considered the key to enlightenment and long-lasting youth. Now, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, one of the world's leading authorities on Qigong, has translated and written commentaries to make these ancient and profound teachings accessible to everyone. Using ancient Buddhist and Taoist documents as its foundation, this book analyzes and discusses theory and training methods in a modern, scientific manner, and presents safe ways for you to begin your own practice.

Improve your health and strength through the Yi...
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98
Eric Hoffer Award WINNER - 2009IP'S Highlighted Title Award FINALIST - 2009ForeWord's Book of the Year Award FINALIST - 2008USA Best Book Award FINALIST - 2008 Tai Chi Dynamics is intended for intermediate and advanced tai chi students.The author Robert Chuckrow, PhD, is a tai chi practitioner of more than forty years and holds a Ph.D. in experimental physics. He applies logic and basic scientific principles- Anatomy- Physiology- Physics In order to create a deeper understand of - Muscular action- Breathing- Alignment in tai chi movement and push-handsHe clarifies, in depth, many perplexing... more

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99
The shinobi, or ninja, is one of the most widely recognized figures in the world of espionage—and also one of the most misrepresented. What do we really know about the historical shinobi, his tactics, and his role in medieval Japanese society? In Secret Traditions of the Shinobi, these questions—and many more—are answered. Translated into English for the very first time, this widely sought-after collection of historical documents brings to light the secret practices, techniques, philosophies, and lifestyles of the shinobi.

Included are:

• the Shinobi Hiden,...
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100
Ambika Wauters explores how linking classic archetypes to the seven chakras in the human energy system can reveal unconscious ways of behaving and serve as a valuable tool for transformation and healing. Archetypes, which Carl Jung defined as “patterns of behavior,” have emerged out of the core of human experience—the Mother and the Victim, the Lover and the Actor, the Warrior and the Servant.
In CHAKRAS AND THEIR ARCHETYPES, Wauters shows that creating healthy archetypes is both liberating and fundamental to our well-being. In relating the archetypes to the chakras, she guides us on a...
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Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.