Dr. yang jwing-ming's best book to start ?

[BaiPacho]

Hi 

I've decided to start doing some research on Daoist practices and Tai Chi.
I've set my mind on Dr. yang jwing-ming and his books.

From where would you advice me to start , from what I've heard he has the habit of repeating a lot of information from previous books.I am considering "Qigong  Meditation:Embryonic Breathing" but also something on the topic of Tai Chi.

What would you guys advice me ? 

   

[Chang]

I would not suggest study of the books by Dr. yang jwing-ming. He is not a man to use one word where five will suffice and makes hard work of explaining the simplest of concepts.

 

Before deciding whose books you wish to study you must first decide your goals. You mention tai chi. Do you wish to practice tai chi as simply an aid to health or do you wish to pursue it as a martial art. when you can answer that question then you can begin to look at the various styles. You should also consider if there is a class which you can attend as learning from books and videos will not take you as far and as swiftly as a good local instructor.

 

the same can be said for Qigong. What do you hope to achieve and what local classes could you attend.

[doc benway]

I agree with Chang on all accounts. Your time is much better invested with a teacher than with Dr. Yang's books. 

Daoist arts are experiential. The theory and intellectual description offers little support or value in the absence of skillful practice.

[rex]

I like his videos: http://ymaa.com/publishing/dvd/qigong/qigong_theory

I got numbers 3 & 6 - really clear, detailed and informative.

Edited April 25, 2016 by rex

[silent thunder]

Find a teacher, if at all possible.

 

But also, I would suggest to read anything you can find on the topic and devour them repeatedly, let them set for a year and hit them up again, it's amazing to me what new things will leap out at me from a reread given new insights via practical experience.  I wouldn't presume to know whether or not you'll find anything useful in Dr Yang's material, but I found his book Roots of Chinese Qi Gong to be clear, concise and basic years ago.  Maybe start there.

 

For the record, I highly value even books and lectures that don't shed light on great truth, especially over time as more material is gathered and compared to deepening experience in practice.  It's all grist for the mill and nothing is wasted. 

 

Sometimes it's ever easier to identify what I am not, than to nail down exactly what I am...

[Aetherous]

I have his taiji DVD, and it's pretty well made. I had a really hard time trying to learn it due to the detail and the number of moves...also kind of felt like, "Why am I doing this?" because it wasn't quite active enough to be considered exercise, it isn't really effective as a martial art, and as qigong it's not so palpable.

That's just my personal experience with it. But like I said, it's quite well made...maybe you will enjoy it!

[zerostao]

 

Hi 

 

I've decided to start doing some research on Daoist practices and Tai Chi.

I've set my mind on Dr. yang jwing-ming and his books.

 

From where would you advice me to start , from what I've heard he has the habit of repeating a lot of information from previous books.I am considering "Qigong  Meditation:Embryonic Breathing" but also something on the topic of Tai Chi.

 

What would you guys advice me ? 

   

you say you have already set your mind on Dr. YJM, what else did you consider as alternative choices?

I find his dvds very easy to follow and i have several of the books. 

maybe you're resonating with YJM for a reason, you could always email him and ask him where to start?

[dawei]

I started with self-teaching and self-reading of Dr. YJM...   it can be done as a starting point but the fact is, doing Qigong without supervision can be dangerous.   I tested several of his claims and found them to be true results when followed carefully.

 

 

A must first read:

Chi Kung: Health and Martial Arts

 

Close second read:

The Essence of Tai Chi Chi Kung

 

Others I recommend:

 

Chinese Qigong Massage: General Massage

 

Root of Chinese Chi Kung the Secrets Of (Ymaa Chi Kung Series, #1)

 

Qigong Meditation: Embryonic Breathing

[Michael Sternbach]

I have his taiji DVD, and it's pretty well made. I had a really hard time trying to learn it due to the detail and the number of moves...also kind of felt like, "Why am I doing this?" because it wasn't quite active enough to be considered exercise, it isn't really effective as a martial art,

 

I always have to smile when I hear people say that Taiji isn't effective as a martial art. As a matter of fact, it's one of the most effective (and potentially deadly) martial arts that you can find.

 

 

However, it's understandable that people have this misconception, because for decades, Taiji has been advertised primarily as an exercise for health.

 

and as qigong it's not so palpable.

 

Personally, I find the long form a superb form of Qigong.

 

That's just my personal experience with it. But like I said, it's quite well made...maybe you will enjoy it!

 

I don't know Jwing-Ming Yang's Taiji DVDs, even though I have a number of his other DVDs and many of his books. They are all excellent. However, I'm studying Taiji mostly with the Montaigues' material. Eli Montaigue is teaching the Old Yang form on a series of videos that address every minute detail. Here is a sample:

 

 

If one can learn the form by this alone depends on the individual, I think. It works for me, but then again, I always enjoyed learning stuff on my own. Also, I have a background in other martial arts.

[Aetherous]

I always have to smile when I hear people say that Taiji isn't effective as a martial art. As a matter of fact, it's one of the most effective (and potentially deadly) martial arts that you can find.

 

I have to roll my eyes at such opinions.

 

Personally, I find the long form a superb form of Qigong.

 

It is good! But I said not very palpable.

[Michael Sternbach]

I have to roll my eyes at such opinions.

 

I have heard that rolling the eyes is also a good exercise. Anyway, as my post implies, teachers who can convey the martial aspects are rare and far in-between.

 

It is good! But I said not very palpable.

 

No kind of qigong is very palpable - for the majority of people.

[joeblast]

lol.....anyone that thinks taiji is not a very effective martial art most likely simply has never met anyone who could utilize it well.    go spar with someone who knows the applications thoroughly, and pray there's padding on the walls.

 

 

Embryonic Breathing - if there is ONE book of Dr Yang's to purchase, that is it.  Even if only for the scads of translation of ancient text in there.

 

 

Tai chi - there is simply no substitute for personal instruction.  You will habituate so many errors* its not even funny if you dont get personal instruction. 

*that will lead to you getting your tail handed to you

 

Oh, and find a teacher who knows the martial applications of it

 

(And read Taomeow's Chen thread in her ppf, that thread is the most golden taiji thread on the entire forum.  but if you're a beginner...its going to be a LOT to digest.)

 

 

(if you're in eastern PA/northern NJ/NYC area, go train with Lin. http://www.guizhenhui.net/  his taiji is excellent, his martial applications are awesome.  there's no padding on the walls, but he's good enough to stop or slow precisely where needed.  it was most entertaining and informative watching him do push hands with sifu rudy curry a couple years back....two very accomplished practitioners that know how NOT to give up their root!)

Edited April 27, 2016 by joeblast

[doc benway]

I'll be a little contrary here and suggest that taijiquan really isn't a great martial art for most people. 

While the potential is absolutely there for it to be quite formidable, it's a very rare student that will achieve such potential.

I've studied for about 12 years with a teacher that emphasizes martial training and very few students have the level of commitment necessary to actually make it work. 

The degree of expertise required to make it practically effective in a street situation, or even in the ring, is considerable.

If you want to learn to fight, you can be an effective fighter much faster with more modern training methods, IMO.

But if you want the "supreme ultimate fist" and are prepared to devote a decade or two, taijiquan is amazing.

[joeblast]

well, if its the student's fault, one can hardly blame the teacher or style

[Aetherous]

It's the style's fault.

[taichiwhitey]

I'm a student of dr yangs and I would recommend the essence of shoalin white crane as a great first book. He gives proverbs passed down to him from his white crane master that I found very motivating as a martial artist. The embryonic meditation book was very thorough in its translation of ancient documents but I wouldn't recommend it as a first book. Also I must agree that tai chi cannot be learned through a book or dvd. I practiced for a year alone in the mountains with a dad and book and when I trained with different dr yang I had to start from the first move again. I would suggest finding a seminar or retreat near you and investigating the instructor to find the right one for you. Make sure they know the martial applications and that they have been instructed from a proper master. Good luck my friend

[Michael Sternbach]

I'm a student of dr yangs and I would recommend the essence of shoalin white crane as a great first book. He gives proverbs passed down to him from his white crane master that I found very motivating as a martial artist.

 

Yes, that's a great book. The DVDs that are accompanying it are also very interesting.

[YiYinYiYang]

.

Edited August 12, 2017 by YiYinYiYang

[Mig]

Dr Yang? where is his Yang?

What is so great about his books. I've got the Chinese qigong and I found it informative but not as a scholar but mostly as a vulgarization of qigong with many wanted information left. I thought we had both yin and yang? What is for you yang from a Daoist perspective?

[dawei]

Dr Yang? where is his Yang?

 

http://ymaa.com/publishing/authors/dr.yang_jwing-ming