Angus Clarke (2002) Illustrated Elements of Tai Chi  Includes very good illustration and description of the Yang Short Form including Dr Chi Chiang Tao's variation of the Cheng Man-ch'ing Form. Also includes history and background to Tai Chi.  Element Books  (Recommended Book for Yang Style Short Form & Tai Chi for Health)

Angus Clarke (2001) The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tai Chi Includes very good illustration and description of the Yang Short Form including Dr Chi Chiang Tao's variation of the Cheng Man-ch'ing Form.  (earlier edition of recommended Book for Yang Style Classes)

Petra and Toyo Kobayashi (2003)  Classical Tai Chi Sword  Wonderful text book on Tai Chi Sword as taught by Dr Chi Chiang Tao.  The very best visuals I have come across in a book to show a moving form.  Also includes much valuable and useful information about Tai Chi Sword.

Cheng Man-ch'ing  T'ai Chi Ch'uan A simplified method of calisthenics for health and self defense   The paperback version of the classic on Cheng Man-chi'ing's Yang short form with photos and descriptions.

Wolf Lowenthal  There are No Secrets   Stories of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing from the perspective of one of his students. Inspiring and informative as it includes many of the Professor's teachings.

Wolf Lowenthal  Gateway to the Miraculous   Further explorations of the Tao of Cheng Man-ch'ing.  Also includes extracts from Yang Cheng Fu's teachings.

Cheng Man-ch'ing  Cheng man-Ch'ing's Advanced T'ai-Chi Form Instructions   Includes Cheng's explanation of martial applications of the form as well as a number of his articles on Tai Chi, medicine, painting and meditation.

Paul Lam and Judith Horstman (2002)  Overcoming Arthritis Dorling Kindersley.  Plenty of good practical advice and information about general health and living with arthritis. Also includes description of he Sun Style Tai Chi for Arthritis Form that Dr Lam created for people with arthritis. This form is suitable for most people, including those with other health and mobility difficulties. Dr Lam has also produced excellent teaching DVDs.

Alan Peck  (1990)  An Introduction to T’ai Chi  Optima  An excellent general introduction with lots of information and advice for students.  (unfortunately out of print at present)

Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo, Martin Inn, Robert Amacker, Susan Foe  The Essence of Tai Chi Ch'an - The Literary Tradition   The Tai Chi Classics - translations with beautiful calligraphy by Benjamin Lo.

Master Lam Kam Chuen (2003) The Way of Power, Gaia Books Ltd  This book includes exercises to build power, and standing exercises Zhan Zhuang.  There are also several other Gaia titles by Master Lam, including the The Way of Energy and The Way of Healing.

Karel and Eva Koskuba  Tai Chi for Every Body Very clear and easy to follow instructions in an unusual 'stand up' format.  This book has excellent basic information, based in Chen style, but helpful for everyone. 

B K Frantzis The Big Book of Tai Chi: Build Health Fast in Slow Motion Comprehensive and authoritative.

Cheng Man-ch’ing and Robert W Smith (first published 1967, later editions include 1980) T’ai-chi  The ‘Supreme Ultimate’ Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense  Includes very full description and many photos and diagrams of the Yang Form, along with information from the Classics of Tai Chi   Charles E Tuttle Co

Essential Tai Chi by Chungliang Al Huang.  Includes beautiful photographs and Chinese calligraphy, inspiring writing and a fairytale story of the origins of Tai Chi.  ISBN 1587611090.  Celestial Arts. May be out of print but second hand copies are available and other earlier versions exist. 

Video:

Master Lam Kam Chuen Stand Still Be Fit – The Way of Energy  Channel 4 Video www.channel4.com

DVD and video

Paul Lam Tai Chi for Arthritis  East Acton Videos Includes Dr Lam’s Sun Style form for people with arthritis, very clear step by step instructions along with input from students.  Dr Lam has also created Tai Chi for Diabetes, designed specifically for this condition.  Dr Lam's videos are very well presented with easy to follow instructions.  These and many other Paul Lam videos, DVDs, audio CDs and books available from:  www.taichiproductions.com (international ordering).  Some products may be available in the UK from Lesley Roberts, UK master trainer for Paul Lam's programmes, at  http://www.lifestyletaichi.co.uk/training_products.html

Websites

Alan Peck’s Natural Way T’ai Chi School website has a wonderful introduction to Tai Chi with explanation about links to health and martial arts along with advice about practice.  Alan has also included many articles about theory of Tai Chi, drawing on his deep knowledge and experience of Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.  http://www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk/

Tai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for Health - A network of people interested in widening the availability of Tai Chi and Chi Kung to anyone, regardless of age, physical or mental ability or condition of health.  The Forum offers training courses to Tai Chi teachers and Health Professionals.  www.tcckf.org.uk

Lakes Tai Chi, www.pswift.freeserve.co.uk principal teacher Dee Swift who runs short courses as well as her regular classes.  Dee teaches on the Tai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for Health Teacher's Certificate course.  Her website includes lots of good links to other tai chi websites and a really interesting section of views from students.

Pennine Tai Chi, www.penninetaichi.co.uk principal teacher John Bolwell who has trained in many martial arts including Tai Chi and working with weapons.  John also takes a deep interest in many other physical and performing arts, including Beijing Opera and often combines story telling with movement and martial arts to create a spellbinding experience.  John was also a founder member of the Tai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for Health.

Living Movement Tai Chi - Angus Clark's school.  www.livingmovement.com

Tai Chi Union for Great Britain www.taichiunion.com   Lists of teachers and general information.

Tai Chi Finder www.taichifinder.co.uk   Lots of information about Tai Chi, finding a teacher, videos, DVDs and much more.

Tai Chi Caledonia www.taichicaledonia.com a wonderful annual tai chi camp with opportunities to study with many teachers and meet other tai chi students.

Downloads & Resources for students

Yang Short Form Class Handout downloads

Tai Chi Sword downloads

Tai Chi Based Exercise for Special Schools downloads

Teaching and Learning Tai Chi & Research

TEACHING & LEARNING TAI CHI

Teachers and students may be interested in a study I undertook about what helps students learn and remember a Tai Chi Form.  Many thanks to the students and teachers who took part in the research.  The report gives information about teaching and learning strategies that work for those who responded.  Further comments will be very welcome to build on the findings of this research.  Teaching and Learning a Tai Chi Form.  What Works? 
A research project for Certificate in HE Education, 2007.  The pdf file is 20 pages long so you may want to read online before printing.

Session Planning Sheet for Teachers

Click here to download a blank session planning sheet in Word format typical of those used in Adult Education classes. 

Tai Chi Teachers - Get Listed on Tai Chi Finder

Go to www.taichifinder.co.uk choose 'listing' then 'add a listing'.  You will need to register before you can log in.  The system is a bit cumbersome but well worth the effort.  Many of the organisations I work for found me this way, as well as many of my individual students.

HEALTH RESEARCH

Many clinical studies are under way and it seems new research is published almost daily.  A major review of studies in this area by Wang is The Effect of Tai Chi on Health outcomes in Patients with Chronic Conditions  Wang et al  Arch Intern Med 2004: 164 : 493-501  abstract:  http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/164/5/493  This webpage also includes onward references to other later articles citing this one.

Further information about research evidence on health at www.tcckf.org.uk