Preface. Introduction. Introductory Commentary to All 5 Levels. Level 1. Level 2. Level 3. Level 4. Level 5. About the Authors.
How to systematically work up from the fundamental steps of Taijiquan to the advanced levels
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang is the 19th generation lineage holder of Chen Family Taijiquan. He is an official "national treasure" of China and he conducts seminars all year round across the globe. Together with Jan Silberstorff he founded the World Chen Xiaowang Taijiquan Association (WCTA) in 1994 which is the largest Chen style Taijiquan organisation in the world. Master Jan Silberstorff became the first Western indoor student and family disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang in 1993 and now teaches in 15 countries around the world as a 20th generation successor of the Chen family. Jan co-founded the WCTA and is the leader of the German section. He has also recently founded sections in Brazil and Chile. In 2009 he founded a charity organisation called WCTAGhilft, which is helping 170 children in need in Sri Lanka and Brazil. He is a champion of many Taijiquan tournaments in both Europe and China, and has published books, articles, DVDs, and produced TV series on Taijiquan. Jan is fluent in Chinese having lived in China for many years. He now lives in Germany and Brazil.
Chen has great knowledge of the art and the poetic Taijiquan
classics, but chooses to explain the concepts in as practical term
as possible.
*Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine*
You will find more practical and useful information crystallised
into this one article than in many books, so by reading this you
will save yourself both time and money. The Five Levels of
Taijiquan is a route map for the study of taijiquan, and is
suitable for people of all levels.
*Absolute Tai Chi*
Regardless of the style you practice, including qigong forms, you
can apply the teachings here to good measure. I enjoyed the fact
that the original Chinese of the master is included. The
translations, by his German student, a taiji master in his own
right, are clear and to the point. He also includes much
supplementary material, to make the teachings more easily
understandable. Another valuable contribution from the folks at
Singing Dragon Press, who are becoming an important source of
excellent material on the healing arts.
*The Empty Vessel*
Taijiquan is a teaching of the Dao. The Dao is not far from man,
but it is man who distances himself from the Dao. The Great Dao is
without a gate. If you pursue it with insistence and perseverance
and if you enter the depth step by step, you will finally reach it
and enter it, just like fire ascending from water, just like a
flower blossoming amidst the snow. Hence he who has the
determination is indeed going to complete the task.
*Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang*
Jan Silberstorff's illuminating commentary on Chen Xiaowang's Five
Levels of Taijiquan guides the Taijiquan student from the first
step, through to the deepest levels of skill. A meticulous study
that will engage the most advanced reader.
*David Gaffney & Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim, authors of Chen Style
Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing and The Essence of Taijiquan,
UK*
The book that Jan Silberstorff has written is one of the most
helpful guides to clearly evaluating a person's progress in
learning the martial art of Taijiquan. Jan has provided a precise
way of examining this process of moving from beginning to advanced
levels of practice. He has included the original lectures by his
teacher Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, the 19th generation Gatekeeper
of the original Taijiquan tradition. In these lectures Grandmaster
Chen identifies the stages of development from being stiff and
uncoordinated, struggling to learn the basic choreography to the
requirements for the highest level of mastery. Jan has interpreted
and made commentaries filled with examples that make the book
entertaining as well as illuminating for the reader. This book
provides practitioners of all styles of Taijiquan with concrete
milestones based upon specific physical skills and their mental
associations that enable a person to develop from beginning to
advanced level.
*Bill Helm, 20th generation disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang,
Daoist priest and founder of Daoist Sanctuary, San Diego, USA*
For many, beyond the basic learning of movements and sequences of a
Tai Chi form it is difficult to ascertain one's development,
particularly once it goes beyond a year or two. The Five Levels of
Taijiquan sets out clear, definitive guidelines on how best to
evaluate and improve your progress. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and
Jan Silbertorff set out a blueprint not only on how best to train
but, more importantly, what progressive steps are necessary for
effective achievement.
*Ronnie Robinson, Editor, Tai Chi Chuan & Oriental Arts magazine,
UK*
Taijiquan Grandmaster, Chen Xiaowang, has often said that no
language fully captures the richness of all that is Taiji - even
Chinese. But here, in this landmark translation and analysis of
Chen Xiaowang's text on the five levels of Taijiquan, Jan
Silberstorff has captured the essence of Taijiquan's progressive
training in English. Jan's uniquely insightful commentary and
explication of an accurate translation of Chen Xiaowang's writing
on the topic, marks a turning point in the scholarship of this
sublime discipline. Imbued with a rare depth of view into authentic
Chen family Taiiquan - the original martial art from which all
styles of Taiji emanate - The Five Levels of Taijiquan makes a
substantial contribution to the field, as the essential guide for
any Taijiquan student's practice and progress in this ancient
martial art.
*Stephan Berwick, Founder of True Tai Chi, Chinese martial arts
instructor, and co-author of Taijiquan Hand & Sword, Taijiquan:
Chen Taiji 38 Form and Applications and Tai Chi for Kids,
Washington, DC, USA*
I was quite excited about reading this book before it arrived, and
being only a thin volume, devoured it in a couple of sittings.
Master Silberstorff has a clear and simple style, writing as
someone who evidently practices what he preaches and knows his
subject matter extremely well...The fact that the target audience
for this book is so incredibly small enhances my respect for Master
Silberstorff. He writes for the elite as only a true Master
can.
*Spiritualise*
I would venture it is not the sort of book to read cover-to-cover
in one sitting, more the sort of book you can return to again and
again. In summary, this short book is well worth reading.
*Tai Chi Finder*
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