Suggested Reading
Tai Chi
T’ai Chi: The Essential Introductory Guide by Alan Peck. An excellent introduction to the MiddleWay School’s lineage of Tai Chi and in Tai Chi in general from a recognised Tai Chi Master and also primary teacher of the MiddleWay schools teachers.
Cheng Tzu’s Thirteen Treatises on T’ai Chi Ch’uan by Cheng Man-ching, Martin Inn and translated by Benjamin Pang-lo. Cheng Man-ching was Dr Chi Chiang-tao’s main teacher and is well renowned as bringing Tai Chi to the west in the 1960’s. His definitive work here on Tai Chi holds profound teachings of the intricacies of Tai Chi foundations.
Classical Tai Chi Sword by Dr Chi Chiang-tao and Toyo & Petra Kobayashi. Toyo and Petra learnt Tai Chi form and Sword direct from Dr Chi and the book contains written history and advice on Tai Chi sword practice.
Lost Tai Chi Classics from the Late Ching Dynasty by Douglas Wile. A scholarly and historically well researched book by Douglas Wile famous for his equally well regarded book “T’ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions”. The book covers source material and 1st generation writings of valuable teachings from the Yang family and Chen and Wu aswell.
Tai Chi Qi & Jin: Ultimate guide for developing Internal & Intrinsic energies by Stuart Alve Olson. Written by an indoor student of the late great Tai Chi Master T.T. Liang famous for his “Tai Chi Chuan for Health and Self Defence”. However the main part of the text comes from translations of Y.K. Chen a disciple of Yang Chen-fu (grandson of the founder of Yang style Tai Chi) from the Yang family manual of Tai Chi. The book covers pure internal practice of Tai Chi and details some more advanced aspects of sensitivity.
Qi-Gong
Chinese medical Qigong therapy: A comprehensive clinical guide by Jerry Alan Johnson. Probably the most extensive document in English written covering all aspects of Qigong. It focuses mainly on medical Qigong but also covers chapters on Taoist, Buddhist, Spiritual and Martial Qigong. Primarily a manual for practitioners of Medical Qigong as a treatment but has so much of interest to other practitioners of other internal arts.
Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-Yun Translated by Stuart Alve Olson. A very interesting and well written practical book on the famous 8-Brocades of Silk Taoist health exercise routine. Stuart clearly sets out the origins of this particular practice and gives commentary on some of the original meanings of instructions. He covers the important aspect involved in all internal work and martial arts and that is how to use the mind aswell.
Taoism
The Taoist I Ching Translated by Thomas Cleary. A superior translation of the old Taoist classic on advice how life-changes can be managed by means of Taoist divination. The translations themselves into English can still need some understanding of Taoist writings, but still the most accurate translation of the I Ching to date.
Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook (Shambala Classics) Translated by Thomas Cleary. Another classic by Thomas Cleary detailing various translations within the Taoist tradition on internal practice. The translations still produce arcane language yet the processes spoken of are the same processes in Tai Chi. This is specially of note as there is a translation of Taoist understanding from Chang San-feng, the alleged founder of all styles of Tai Chi. Not a practical book but full of interesting research and motivating stories.
Chinese Medicine
Principles of – Chinese Medicine: The only introduction you’ll ever need by Angela Hicks. Angela, along with her husband John Hicks and Peter Mole, are the founders of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, a well renowned and one of the most important colleges of Traditional and 5-Element Chinese Medicine in Europe today. Angela gives an easy to digest introduction on the origins and practice of Chinese Medicine covering its theory, practice aswell as covering Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. A valuable and straight forward introduction into the subject.
The Web that has no Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk. A more detailed background on Chinese Medicine and its clinical observations aswell research into its modern aswell as traditional applications. This book gives a more considered view and greater depth into the factors behind ill-health and the theory of treatment.
Dharma
When things fall apart by Pema Chodron. An encouraging book that gives rich advice on not just modern day situations of the heart and mind, but presents it with some practical answers from the Buddhist tradition. A book that doesn’t require you to be Buddhist, but encourages you to be mindful of how the mind operates in life based experiences.
How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life (His Holiness the Dalai Lama) by H.H. The Dalai Lama and Jeffery Hopkins. An essential book from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on how to live a mindful and meaningful life by skilful means. Presenting the advice and practical information from a simple and motivating way. The heart of the book teaches about the twin pillars of Buddhist practice: Compassion and Wisdom.
Spirit
Energy Healing: A Pathway to Inner Growth by Jim Gilkeson Jim Gilkeson worked with a well respected energy worker called Bob Moore. Similarly Alan Peck made his first forays into internal practice by studying under Bob Moore too and this book gives plenty of progressive and practical exercises to comprehend subtle body energy.
