Profesor Cheng Man-ch'ing (1902-1975), Zheng Manqing, Man Jan: Tai Chi Chuan Master (original) (raw)
Research by
Michael P. Garofalo
Bibliography Biography Links Quotations T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chi Kung Yang Style Taijiquan Well-Being
T'ai Chi Ch'uan 37 Form List Video Online Aging Well Tai Chi Classics Learning Happiness Jin
Sensing/Pushing Hands Rooting Sung/Relax/SoftenMind (Yi, Hsing) Sword (Jian) Big Index
Bibliography and Links
Regarding Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing (1902 - 1975)
VSCL = Valley Spirit Center Library of Mike Garofalo
Alphabetical Subject Index to the Cloud Hands: Taijiquan and Qigong Website
Anatomy of Movement. By Blandine Calais-Germain. Seattle, Washington, Eastland Press, 1985, 1993. Translated from the French by Nicole Commarmond. Index, 289 pages. ISBN: 0939616173. VSCL.
BibliographyBy David Swarbrick.
Biographical Timeline of Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing
Biography of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing by Tam Gibbs
Body Mechanics of Tai Chi Chuan: For the Art of Self-Defense. By William C.C. Chen. New York, 1973.
Breathing and Taijiquan: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.
Chang San Feng: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes, history, legends.
Cheng Man-ch'ing Chronology
1902 Birthday: 29 July 1902. Born in Yungchia, in the Province of Chekiang.
1916 Began studies in painting, poetry and calligraphy in Hangchou
1916 Began a lifetime success at selling his paintings
1919 Published poetry in Peking
1920 Went to Peking with Lo Fu-kan and LoYing-kung
1923 Teacher of Chinese Painting at Peking Academy of Fine Arts
1926 Began study of Chinese Medicine with Dr. Song You-an
1930 Established College of Chinese Culture and Art
1930 Began study of Tai Chi Chuan with Yang Cheng-Fu (1930-1936)
1932 Began three year study of Classics with Master Ch'ien Ming-shan in Yang-hu in Chiangsu Province
1935 "Tai Chi Form and Applications" published. By Yang Cheng-Fu and Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing.
1936 Practicing medicine and herbalism/pharmacy full-time or part-time successfully for the rest of his life.
1938 Created the 37 Posture Short Form while in Hunan
1939 Teaching Tai Chi Chuan professionally
1941 Married Ms. Yi-Tu. Took the name "Man-ch'ing." The couple had two sons and three daughters.
1946 Member of National Assembly for Republic of China
1949 Moved to Taiwan
1950 "Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi" published
1951 He started the Shih Chung T'ai Chi Association in Taipei, where many former and current accomplished students and teachers like Benjamin Lo, Liu Hsi-heng, Hsu I-chung, Dr. Qi Jiang Tao, Robert W. Smith, T. T. Liang, William C. C. Chen, Huang Sheng Shyan and others trained with Professor Cheng.
1961 "Essence of Gynecology" published
1963 "New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Development" written
1964 Established the Tai Chi Institute in New York where many former and current accomplished students and teachers like (Robert Ante, Pat Benton, Victor Chin, Y. Y. Chin, Robert Chuckrow, Lawrence Galante, John Gaines, Tam Gibbs, Natasha Gorky, Michael and Lora Howard, Stanley Israel, Herman Kauz, Saul Krotki, Lou Kleinsmith, Wold Lowenthal, Lisa Marcusson, Maggie Newman, Min Pai, William C. Phillis, Mort Raphael, Lucjan Shila, Ken VanSickle, Patrick Watson, Judith Weaver, Carol Yamasaki, Frank Young, Ed Young) and others trained with Professor Cheng. The Bix Six, the Top student leaders were: Tam Gibbs, Lou Kleinsmith, Ed Young, Mort Raphael, Maggie Newman, and Stanley Israel.
1975 Died on March 26th, Midnight
The following English language authors studied Taijiquan with Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing: William C. C. Chen, Robert Chuckrow, Lawrence Galante, Tam Gibbs, Herman Kauz, T. T. Liang, Wolfe Lowenthal, Benjamin Low, and Robert W. Smith. All have written books in English about Taijiquan. Important translators of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing's writing include Mark Hennessy with related Yang Style Taijiquan translations by Louis Swaim, Yang Jwing-Ming and Douglas Wile.
.
Cheng Man-ch'ing Biography by Tam Gibbs
Cheng Man-ch'ing Advanced T'ai-Chi Form Instructions. With selected writings on Meditation, the I Ching, Medicine and the Arts. Compiled and translated by Douglas Wile. Brooklyn, New York, Sweet Chi Press, 1985. 162 pages. ISBN: 0912059036. VSCL.
Cheng Man-ch'ing and T'ai Chi: Echoes in the Hall of Happiness. Edited by Michael DeMarco. Authors: Barbara Davis, Benjamin Lo, Russ Mason, Robert W. Smith, Nigel Sutton, Yizhong Xi, Weiming Yuan. Santa Fe, New Mexico, Via Media Pub. Co., 2015. Index, bibliography, notes, 196 pages. ISBN: 978-1893765061. VSCL.
Cheng Man-ch'ing Enterprise Website
Cheng Man-ch'ing Essays on Man and Culture. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Mark Hennessy. Berkeley, California, Frog Ltd., North Atlantic Books, 1997.
200 pages. ISBN: 1883319269.
Cheng Man-ch'ing: Master of Five Excellences. Translation and commentary by Mark Hennessy. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, Frog, Ltd., 1995. 166 pages. ISBN: 188331903X. Discussion of Master Cheng's work in calligraphy, poetry, painting, medicine and tai chi chuan. VSCL.
Chen Man Ching: The Official Family Run Website They offer a 4 DVD set of Dr. Cheng at work in Tai Chi.
Cheng Man-ch'ing Simplified Yang Style Tai Chi From Soft Answer Tai Chi Chuan.
This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington � 2018 CCA 4.0
Cheng Man-ch'ing T'ai Chi Ch'uan: A Simplified Method of Calisthenics for Health and Self Defense. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Team translation reviewed by Dr., Beauson Tseng. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1981. 135 pages. ISBN: 0913028851. VSCL.
Cheng Man-ch'ing T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Patience Tai Chi Association. Instructional DVD, 63 minutes. The complete and authentic 37 posture form. Limited supplies in VHS format.
Cheng Man-ch'ing T'ai-Chi Short Form. Instructional DVD. As taught by Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.. NTSC DVD, color, 63 minutes. ASIN: B00BMAVIVC. "This DVD has three parts: (1) Demonstration of Cheng Man-ch'in's Short Form by Robert Chuckrow, (2) Form instruction, and (3) Rear view of form (student view). The instruction part is clear and detailed, and all the movements are taught in succession with different camera views and repetitions." Dr. Chuckrow was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing. VSCL.
Cheng Man-ch'ing - Google Search
Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang Style Taijiquan 37 Postures Form: List of Postures/Movements, with directions. By Mike Garofalo, 2008.
Cheng Tzu: Master of the Five Excellences. A Life Biography of Cheng Man Ching by Tam Gibbs, 1978.
Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo and Martin Inn. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1985. 223 pages. ISBN: 0938190458. VSCL.
Review by David Wade Smith in 2005, "This book is my constant companion. I've carried my original 1985 copy with me everywhere since it was first published. I should declare my bias: I was a student at Professor Cheng's school in New York starting in 1974, the year before he passed, and studied and eventually taught there until 1986. All of his senior students considered this the Bible of Professor Cheng's form long before it was ever published in English. We had classes in which Ed Young, one of the Professor's senior students, translated it for us chapter by chapter, his forehead breaking out in a fine sweat with the effort of attempting to adequately convey the Professor's meaning. I still have my notes from those sessions, and Ben Lo's translation compares very favorably with Ed's. I often quote or read from the Thirteen Treatises to my students, and always recommend it as an indispensable work. In short, if there is one single most essential volume on Professor Cheng's Tai Chi Chuan, this is it--and I believe it can prove equally valuable to students of other styles and forms. I especially recommend it in combination with "Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Chuan Self-Cultivation," translated by Mark Hennessy (Frog Ltd., 1999)."
Chen, William C. C. - Tai Chi Chuan
Classics of Tai Ch Chuan: Principles, Theory, Philosophy, Teaching, Publications. By Mike Garofalo.
Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods. By Robert W. Smith. Berkeley, CA, North Atlantic Books, 1974, 1990. ISBN: 155643085X.
Cloud Hands T'ai Chi Ch'uan Subject Index
The Complete Book of T'ai Chi. By Stewart McFarlane. New York, DK Publishing, 1997, 1999. Index, 119 pages. ISBN: 0789442590. Detailed instruction in the Cheng Man-ch'ing Short form, 37 movements. VSCL.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tai Chi: A Practical Approach to the Ancient Chinese Movement for Health and Well-Being. By Angus Clark. Hammersmith, London, Element Press, 2000. Index, bibliography, glossary, notes, 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0007122486. VSCL.
The Development of Taijiquan Styles - Lineage Charts. Al Duncan.
Daodejing by LaoziTao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Over 25 translations of the 81 Chapters of the Daodejing, resources, extensive indexing in English, Spanish, and Romanized Wade-Giles Chinese.
Daoism (Taoism)Extensive information, bibliography, links, resources, Tao Te Ching.
The Elements of Tai Chi. By Paul Crompton. Longmead, Element Books, 1990. Index, glossary, notes, 125 pages. ISBN: 1852301570. Introductory survey.
Essays on Man and Culture. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Mark Hennessy. Frog Books, 1997. 136 pages.
The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan. By Yang, Chengfu (1883-1936). Translated by Louis Swaim. The original publication date was in 1934. The original book was edited by Professor Cheng Man-Chi'ng. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 2005. Introduction, appendices, bibliography, 124 pages. ISBN: 1556435452. In this book, the entire sequence of the specialized and named martial movements/postures/sections/forms is numbered from Section 1 up to Section 94; thus, the popular long taijiquan from, the Yang 94 Form. VSCL.
The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition. Translated and edited by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo; Martin Inn, Robert Amacker, and Susan Foe. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1979, 1985. 100 pages. ISBN: 0913028630.
Faigao Batann and Jane Faigao. In New York, Bataan had served as Cheng Man-ching�s personal assistant and chauffeur. Professor Cheng was a master of Chinese medicine, martial arts, calligraphy, painting and poetry; but apparently did not drive. The Faigao's went on to lead Tai Chi in Colorado, and at the Naropa Institute.
Five Principles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Gateway to the Miraculous: Further Explorations in the Tao of Cheng Man-ch'ing. By Wolfe Lowenthal. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, Frog Ltd., 1994. 124 pages. ISBN: 1883319137. Wolfe Lowenthal was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing from 1967-1975; and later taught Taijiquan at the Long River Tai Chi Circle. VSCL.
Tam Gibbs, As I Knew Him By M.T. Steven Rose.
Green Way Research Subject IndexTaijiquan and Qigong research and practices by Mike Garofalo.
The Hall of Happiness By David Kaufman. Reminiscences about the Professor's Shih Jung School of Tai Chi in New York in 1974.
Images of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing
Lao-Tzu: My Words are Very Easy to Understand. Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching by Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated from the Chinese by Tam C. Gibbs, 1981. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1981, 1971. 240 pages, Chinese characters for each of the 81 Chapters. Brief biography of Professor Cheng. ISBN: 9780913028919. VSCL.
Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching Daodejing by Laozi. Over 25 translations of the 81 Chapters of the Daodejing, resources, extensive indexing in English, Spanish, and Romanized Wade-Giles Chinese.
List of Movements in the Yang Style Tai Chi 37 Postures Form created by Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing A Valley Spirit Taijiquan Guide by Mike Garofalo. This list, in English, of the postures in the 37 Yang Short Form by Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing also includes the Wade-Giles transliteration of the Mandarin Chinese phrases used to identify each posture, directions for what direction to face for each posture, and a list of the books and webpages used as references when preparing this guide. Published by Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California. First published online in September, 2008. Revised on March 10, 2016. PDF Format, Print Only.
Long River Tai Chi School. The Taijiquan school of Wolfe Lowenthal, student of Cheng Man-ch'ing (1967-1975) and author of There Are No Secrets, Gateway to the Miraculous, and Like a Long River.
The Martial Spirit: An Introduction to the Origin, Philosophy and Psychology of the Martial Arts. By Herman Kauz. Woodstock, New York, The Overlook Press, 1977. 141 pages. ISBN: 0879513276. VSCL.
Master Cheng's New Method of T'ai Chi Chuan Self-Cultivation. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Mark Hennessy. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, Frog, Ltd., 1999. 128 pages. ISBN: 1883319927. Originally written in Chinese in 1963. VSCL.
Master Cheng's Thirteen Chapters On Tai Chi Ch'uan. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Douglas Wile. 101 pages. Sweet Chi Press, 1982. 101 pages. ISBN: 978-0912059006. Originally written in Chinese in 1949. VSCL.
Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan
Master of Five Excellences. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Mark Hennessy. Frog Books, 1996. 184 pages. ISBN: 978-1883319038. "Professor Cheng Man-Ch�ing regarded a set of five disciplines�the "five excellences"�to be the mark of a well-rounded person: calligraphy, painting, poetry, t�ai chi, and medicine. Although he is best known for his teachings on the martial arts (in particular, his highly influential adaptation of t�ai chi), versatility was central to Cheng�s philosophy of life, and he encourage his students to combine artistry with scholarship. This inspiring book is a commentary on and working compendium of Cheng�s literary and pictorial interpretations of these subjects. Of interest to aficionados of Chinese art, culture, and history, Master of Five Excellences also offers internal techniques for practitioners of the martial arts, as Hennessy provides an insight into the rarely-glimpsed creative side of Cheng Man-Ch�ing."
A Master Passes: A Tribute to Cheng Man-ch'ing. By Robert W. Smith, 1979.
Patience T'ai Chi Association. Sifu William C. Phillips.
Performance Time: Cheng Man-ch'ing = 9:03 minutes. Simo Mildred = 9:39 minutes. Paul Crompton = 5:36 minutes.
Photographs - ArchivesProvided by Hsu Fun Yuen. Cheng Man-ch'ing Images
Portraits: Cheng Man-ch'ing Images
Principles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Professor Cheng. The Offical Website of Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing. Painting, calligraphy, medicine, poetry and tai chi chuan.
"Professor Cheng Man-Ching's Design of the Yang Style Short Form" by Master Wasentha Young. A good article in the recent Qi Magazine: Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness (Volume 27, Number 4, 2017, pp. 30-37.)
Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing's Simplified T'ai Chi Ch'uan (37 Postures). Instructional videotape by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo. San Francisco, Universal T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association, 1991. Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo studied under Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing from 1949 untill 1975.
The Professor: Tai Chi's Journey West. A documentary film, directed by Barry Strugatz, released as a DVD in July of 2016, and with a running time of 72 minutes, color, DVD. Featuring Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing. VSCL.
Push Hands, Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing. Found on pp. 189-205, in the book:Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo and Martin Inn. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1985. 223 pages. ISBN: 0938190458.
"The fundamental movements of Push Hands are contained in Grasp the Sparrow's Tail. The Heavenly Level is the function of feeling. Listen to Strength [_t'ing chin_], Interpreting Strength [_tung chin_], and Omnipotence are all based on push hands. It is an orderly progression from T'ing Chin to Omnipotence, which is the pinnacle. The practitioner should begin from push hands and practice until mastery is achieved. Then you can gain something."
- Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing,Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan, 1985, p. 190.
The Intrinsic Energies of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson. Chen Kung Series, Volume Two. Saint Paul, Minnesota, Dragon Door Publications, 1994. Index, 194 pages. ISBN: 093804513X. VSCL.
Push Hands and Dalu Sections, pp. 103-112, found in:The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan (Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu). By Yang, Cheng-Fu (1883-1936). Translated by Louis Swaim. The original publication date in Chinese was in 1934. The original Chinese book was edited by Professor Cheng Man-Chi'ng. It follows closely the 1931 publication title "Taijiquan Shiyongfa" (Application Methods of Taijiquan). Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 2005. Introduction, appendices, bibliography, 124 pages. ISBN: 1556435452.
Return to Stillness: Twenty Years with a Tai Chi Master. By Trevor Carolan. De Capo Press, 2003. 256 pages. ISBN: 978-15692444876. VSCL.
Rooting, Grounding, and Centering in Taijiquan: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.
Short Form, Beijing, Simplified 24 Movements, Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Style. By Michael P. Garofalo. 269KB. List of the movements (.html and .pdf), detailed descriptions with illustrations, links, bibliography, quotations, and notes.
Short Yang Form. Produced by Mark Allen.
Silk Reeling and Spiral Energies in Taijiquan: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.
Simplified Taijiquan, 37 Movements Form, Yang Style, of Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Somaesthetics, Mind-Body Movement Arts: Theory and Practices
Standard Simplified 24 Form Taijiquan in the Yang Style. Beijing, Simplified 24 Movements, Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Style. By Michael P. Garofalo. 269KB. List of the movements (.html and .pdf), detailed descriptions with illustrations, links, bibliography, quotations, and notes.
Subject Index to the Cloud Hands: Taijiquan and Qigong Website
Sword (Jian)
Sword - Standard 32 Sword Form in the Yang Style32 Movements Taijiquan Sword Form.
Sword - TaijiquanSwordsmanship and traditions, Taijiquan Sword, Lore, Traditions, Bibliography, Notes, Quotations, Resources
Sword - Yang Family Style55 Movements Taijiquan Sword Form.
T'ai Chi. Instructional videotape by Tricia Yu. 90 minutes, VHS and DVD formats. Detailed instruction in the Cheng Man-ch'ing short form.
T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport and Self-Defense. By Cheng Man-ch'ing and Robert W. Smith. Tuttle Pub., 2004. 128 pages. ISBN: 978-0804805605.
The Tai Chi Book: Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice. By Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.. Including the Teachings of Cheng Man-ch'ing, William C. C. Chen, and Harvey I. Sober. Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, YMAAPublication Center, c 1998. Index, 209 pages. ISBN: 1886969647. Dr. Chuckrow was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing. The Cheng 37 Posture form is described and illustrated with photographs on pages 177-204. VSCL.
Tai Chi Chuan: Embracing the Pearl. Including the teachings of Cheng Man-ch'ing, William C. C. Chen, and Harvey I. Sober. By Robert Chuckrow. Rising Mist Publications, 1995. 151 pages. ISBN: 978-0964591905.
T'ai Chi Ch'uan For Health and Self-Defense: Philosophy and Practice. By T.T. Liang. New York, Vintage Books, 1977. 137 pages. ISBN: 0394724615. T.T. Liang studied with over 15 teachers, including Cheng Man-ch'ing. VSCL.
T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Links, Bibliography, Quotes, Notes
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan. By Chen Wei-Ming. Translated by Benjamin Pan Jeng Lo and Robert W. Smith. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1986. 61 pages. ISBN: 0938190679.
Tai Chi Classics. By Waysun Liao. New translations of three essential texts of T'ai Chi Ch'uan with commentary and practical instruction by Waysun Liao. Illustrated by the author. Boston, Shambhala, 1990. 210 pages. ISBN: 087773531X. VSCL. A slightly modified version of Cheng Man-ch'ing's Short Yang Form is found in this book on pages 128-210; with line drawings and detailed descriptions.
Tai Chi Classics: Principles, Theory, Philosophy, Teaching, Publications. By Mike Garofalo.
Tai Chi Concepts and Experiments: Hidden Strength, Natural Movement, and Timing. By Robert Chuckrow. YMAA, 2021, 240 pages. Advice from a Yang Style teacher.
Tai Chi Dynamics: Principles of Natural Movement, Health and Self-Development. By Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D. Boston, Massachusetts, YMAA Pub. Center, 2008. Index, 252 pages. ISBN: 978-1594391163. Dr. Chuckrow was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing, William C. C. Chen, and Harvey I Sober. VSCL.
T'ai Chi Dynamics: Insights into Chen Man-ch'ing's Style. Instructional videotape by Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.. 65 minutes, VHS. A good discussion and illustration of key concepts such as: yin and yang, li, jin, circularity, body mechanics, sung, peng, qi, alignment, and footwork. Dr. Chuckrow was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing.
Tai Chi for Health. Instructional DVD. By Terrence Dunn. NTSC DVD, 120 minutes, 2004. Tai Chi for Health. Instructional videotape by Terry Dunn. 120 minutes, VHS. The Cheng Man-ch'ing 37 posture form is taught by Terry Dunn, a student of Abraham Liu. Includes an introduction to Tai Chi, breathing exercises, warm up suggestions, and step-by-step instructions in the form. DVD: B0002ZDR7Q, and VHS. VSCL - DVD version.
Tai Chi for Health and Vitality: A Comprehensive Guide to the Short Yang Form. By Robert Parry. Hamlyn, 2005. 144 pages. ISBN: 060061090X.
Tai Chi Handbook: Exercise, Meditation and Self-Defense. By Herman Kauz. Doubleday, 1974. 192 pages. ISBN: 0385093705. A student of Master Cheng, with a high level background in judo and karate, provides a fine introduction to both Tai Chi and Cheng's short form.
Tai Chi Made Easy. A Step-by-Step Guide to Health and Relaxation. By Robert Parry. Photography by Laura Wickenden. London, The People's Medical Society, 1997. Index, 144 pages. ISBN: 1882606256. Excellent, detailed instructions in the Cheng Man-ch'ing 37 posture short form.
Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style. Translated with commentary by Yang Jwing-ming. Translations and commentary on Chinese Classics. Boston, MA, YMAA Publications, 2001. Index, glossary, 192 pages. ISBN: 1886969094. A translation of 49 documents by Yang, Ban-Hou (1837-1892) and by a few other Yang family members. VSCL.
Tai Chi Sword (Jian) Professor Cheng loved to play with the Tai Chi Sword.
Tai Chi Sword, Yang Style. Bibliography, Links, Form List, Resources. 55 Movements Form. By Mike Garofalo.
Tai Chi: The Supreme Ultimate. By Lawrence Galante. Edited by Betsy Selman. York Beach, Maine, Samuel Weiser, 1981. Bibliography, footnotes, 208 pages. ISBN: 0877284970. VSCL.
Tai-Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport and Self-Defense. By Cheng Man-ch'ing and Robert W. Smith. Tuttle, 1967, 2004. 128 pages. ISBN: 978-0804805605.
T'ai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions. Translated by Douglas Wile. 153 pages.
Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style - The Complete Form and Qigong. By Yang, Jwing-Ming. Boston, MA, YMAA Publications Center, 1999. Index, glossary, 333 pages, 562 illustrations. ISBN:188696968X. VSCL.
Taiji Sword, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form, Qigong and Applications. By Yang, Jwing-Ming. Edited by James C. O'Leary. Boston, Mass., YMAA Publications, 1999. Index, glossary, list of form postures, 205 pages. ISBN: 1886969744. VSCL. The standard 54 Yang sword form.
Taiji Sword, Yang Style. Bibliography, Links, Form List, Resources. 55 Movements Form. By Mike Garofalo.
Tao of Tai Chi Chuan. Words of Professor Chen. Translated by David Chen.
Taoism (Daoism)Extensive information, bibliography, links, resources, Tao Te Ching.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu Over 25 translations of the 81 Chapters of the Daodejing, resources, extensive indexing in English, Spanish, and Romanized Wade-Giles Chinese.
Tao Te Ching Translation by Tam Gibbs
There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing and His Tai Chi Chuan. By Wolfe Lowenthal, 1939-. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1991. 142 pages. ISBN: 1556431120. Wolfe Lowenthal was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing. VSCL.
Thirteen Postures of Taijiquan: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes, instructions.
37 Movements/Postures Form Taijiquan of Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Valley Spirit Center Taijiquan Red Bluff, California. Chief Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.
VSCL = Valley Spirit Center Library. Personal library of Mike Garofalo.
Video Online of Cheng Man-ch'ing or his style of Tai Chi
Cheng Man-ch'ing Performing the 37 Short Form 9:03 Minutes
Cheng Man-ch'ing Video 7 minutes. Some Yang form, push hands, and sword form.
Cheng Man-ch'ings Yang Form Performed by Master Cheng Man-ch'ing. Utube, b&w, 7:45 minutes
37 Step Cheng Man-ch'ing Short Taijiquan Form
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. By Ted J. Kaptchuk, O.M.D.. Chicago, McGraw Hill Contemporary Books, 2nd Edition, 2000. Index, bibliography, appendices, notes, 500 pages. Foreword by Margaret Caudill, M.D., and by Andrew Weil, M.D. ISBN: 0809228408. An excellent introduction to traditional Chinese medicine and modern research on the topic. VSCL.
Wisdom of Taiji Masters: Insights into Cheng Man Ching's Art. By Nigel Sutton. Tambuli Media, 2014. 176 pages. ISBN: 978-0692250914.
Yang Form of Tai Chi Chuan List of 37 movements and training principles.
Yang Style 24 Movement Simplified Beijing Short Form
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Short Form. By Bill Helm. Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego, 1996. Edited by Flow Technical Educational Specialists. Spiral-bound manual. 65 pages. VSCL.
Yang Style Tai-Chi Chuan 37. An videotape by Master Yu Cheng Hsiang. 45 minutes, VHS. A demonstration of the Cheng Man-ch'ing form and
some applications.
Yang Style Traditional Long 108 Form
Young, Ed He was a top assistant instructor for Master Cheng Man-ch'ing. Ed was somewhat fluent in both Chinese and English, and frequently explained Master Cheng's instructions and lessons. Master Cheng spoke only Chinese. Ed has published many children's and art books.
This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington � 2018 CCA 4.0
Quotations Regarding Master Cheng Man-ch'ing (1902 - 1975)
Yang Style Taijiquan Quotations and Sayings
Chen Style Taijiquan Quotations and Sayings
Observations by Michael P. Garofalo
"Without doubt, the most influential of these new forms in the West is the 37 posture shortened Yang form of Zheng Man Qing. Zheng was a disciple of the great master Yang Cheng Fu. Zheng developed the short form to enable the art to be learnt more quickly and to be less time consuming so that it can be practiced easily with modern day hectic schedules. Zheng's great skill in Taijiquan made his form very popular. Today it is one of the predominant forms practiced in the West. Many of Zheng's students are today noted masters of the art and continue to promote his short form for both health and self-defense. The shortened form is still Yang style Taijiquan but with the repetitions and some postures removed. The theories and techniques remain unchanged. Almost all of Zheng's works on Taijiquan have been translated into English and their influence is substantial."
- The Popular Modern Styles of Tai Chi Chuan, By Peter Lim Tian Tek
"I have been practicing Tai-Chi Chuan for over fifty years. Only two years ago that I started to understand the word �relax�. I remember my Tai-Chi Chuan teacher Yang Cheng-Fu who did not like to talk much and he used to sit all day without saying a word if no one asked him questions. However, in our T�ai-chi class he would tell us to �relax� repeatedly. Sometimes it seemed like he would say the word hundreds of times during the practice so that the word could fill up my ears. Strangely enough he also said that if he did not tell me of this word that I would not be able to learn T�ai-chi in three life-times (meaning never). I doubted his words then. Now that I think back, I truly believe that if he did not keep reminding me of the word �relax�, I doubt if I could have learned T�ai-chi Chuan in six life-times.
What is the meaning of �relax� in T�ai-chi? Here is an example to help you understand the word. When we go visit a Buddhist temple we usually see a statue of Me-Lo Buddha. The one who has a big rounded stomach with a big smile on his face. He carries a large bag on his shoulder. On top of this statue we see a motto: �Sit with a bag. Walk with a bag. It would be such a relief to drop the bag.� What does all this mean? To me, a person himself or herself is a bag. Everything he or she owns is baggage, including one�s children, family, position and wealth. It is difficult to drop any of one�s baggage, especially the �self� bag.
T�ai-chi Chuan is difficult to learn. To relax in practicing T�ai-chi Chuan is the most difficult phase to go through. To relax a person�s mind is the most significant obstacle to overcome in practicing T�ai-Chi. It takes a great effort to train and exercise one�s mind to relax (or drop one�s �self� bag)."
- Cheng Man-ch'ing Myblog Post on this quote.
"Yin is passive, yielding, earthy and supportive; whereas Yang is expansive, active, upward, and outward. When your weight is all on one leg, that leg is Yin (supportive, earthy, inactive, yielding), and the stepping leg is Yang (active, upward, outward, expansive)."
- Robert Chuckrow, Tai Chi Dynamics, p.40
"Cheng Man-ch'ing (鄭曼青/ 郑曼青), a painter, poet, calligrapher, doctor, and t'ai chi ch'uan master, was born in 1902 in Yong-chia (Yongjia 永嘉), present-day Wenzhou 溫州), Zhejiang province. Cheng gained fame as an artist in his early years, and in his thirties, took up t'ai chi ch'uan study with the famed Yang Ch'eng-fu. In his later years, Cheng was instrumental in helping spread t'ai chi ch'uan to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States.
Cheng's name is also spelled Zheng Manqing, and he also went by the names Cheng Yueh (Zheng Yue), Cheng Man-jan (Zheng Manran), Hermit of the Jade Well (Yu-chin shan-jen; Yujin shanren), and other artistic names. He was commonly known as a master of "Five Excellences" (五絕) for his many talents."
- Cheng Man-ch'ing Biography Project
"The Taichi Classics say that the proper root is in the foot. A beginner can develop root by simply spending three to five minutes, morning and night, standing fully on a single leg. Alternate legs and gradually increase the time as you sink lower. This 'bitter work' not only develops a root, it stimulates the cardiovascular system, with benefits the brain. It is essential that your ch'i sinks to the tan-t'ien, both feet adhere to the floor, and you exert absolutely no force. When practicing this Standing Posture, you may assist your balance by lightly touching a chair or table with the middle and index fingers. After a while us only the middle finger. When you can stand unassisted, you my choose either the Lift Hands Posture or Playing the Guitar Posture to continue your practice. Do not fear bitter work. If you do you will never progress."
- Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing,New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation, 1965, 1999, p. 11 [Practitioners might also do Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg Posture or White Stork Spreads Its Wings.] Standing on one leg, holding static poses, is also a common practice in Hatha Yoga, e.g., Tree Pose, Vriksasana.
Rooting, Sinking, Vertical Forces, Balanced in Taijiquan
"T'ai Chi Ch'uan, the great ultimate, strengthens the weak, raises the sick, invigorates the debilitated, and encourages the timid."
- Dr. Cheng Man-ch'ing
"When I teach taichi today, I still cure illnesses, prolong life, and gladden the spirit,
but I can also enjoy the gathering of young and old,
and the sharing of goodness with others.
Resembling Old Lai's childish antics,
never retiring though aged,
Surpassing Hau Tuo's animal frolics,
always concentrating ch'i for softness.
Swallow the heaven's ch'i,
Tap the earth's strength,
Prolong life through softness.
Herein, truly, lie health and happiness."
- Chinese Medical Doctor and Herbalist,
Cheng Man-ch'ing, New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation,
1963, 1999, Translated by Mark Hennessy, p.15
Yang Style Taijiquan Quotations and Sayings
Chen Style Taijiquan Quotations and Sayings
Observations by Michael P. Garofalo
Cheng Man-ch'ing T'ai Chi Ch'uan Form, 37 Movements
Yang Tai Chi Chuan 37 Form of Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
One Page PDF 22Kb List of Postures
Numbering and Sections by Mike Garofalo
Published by Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California on April 15, 2016. A Valley Spirit Taijiquan Guide.
Yang Tai Chi Chuan 37 Form of Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Eight Pages PDF 113Kb List of Postures
Numbering, Names, Notes, Directional Orientation, Codes, English Only, References, and Introduction all by Mike Garofalo
Published by Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California on April 15, 2016. A Valley Spirit Taijiquan Guide.
Yang Tai Chi Chuan 37 Form of Master Cheng Man-ch'ing
Four Pages PDF 98Kb
Numbering by Robert Chuckrow, Chinese Posture Names from Cheng Man-ch'ing, Notes, Directional Orientation, English and Chinese Names of Postures
Published by Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California. First published online in September, 2008. Revised on April 13, 2016.
A Valley Spirit Taijiquan Guide by Mike Garofalo. This list, in English, of the postures in the 37 Yang Short Form by Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing also includes the Wade-Giles transliteration of the Mandarin Chinese phrases used to identify each posture, directions for what direction to face for each posture, and a list of the books and webpages used as references when preparing this guide.
There are, of course, many more movement sequences, postures, dingdian, and repetitions of some sequences/postures than just 37. There are 54 numbered movements in the Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang Style Taijiquan 37 Form according to Bill Helm's account in a Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego publication in 1996. Helm's was the 37 Form taught by Master Abraham Liu, a former student of Cheng Man-ch'ing in Taiwan. Any numbering of postures/movements involves making choices, sometimes arbirtrary, about how to do the counting, e.g., Grasping Sparrow's Tail as one movement or four movements, Fair Lady Works her Shuttles as one movement or four movements, how to count repetitions, etc.. Cheng Man-ch'ing himself was not consistent with his counting/naming/grouping in his books although most movement sequences totaled up to 37, maybe for symbolic or mythical numerological reasons. In "Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Chuan Self-Cultivation" (1963, 1999: p 116-122), for example, numbered Movement 37 includes: Bend the Bow, Shoot the Arrow; Step Forward, Block, Parry, and Punch; Cross Hands; Return to Origin. So, Movement 37 has four parts, and considerably different movement parts.
Of course, we are not thinking about counting when we are playing, practicing, training in Taijiquan. We are trying to move gracefully, cultivate softness, and stay rooted amidst the yin-yang flow of the movements. We can have true experiential acquaintance with jins, li, yin, yang, chi, hsing, and shen with or without perfection in the performance of a single Taijiquan or Qigong Form; but, practicing a Form is a crucial and and very useful training tool in Taijiquan.
How someone learnsthe Cheng Man-ch'ing Taijiquan 37 Short Yang Form
Learn from a teacher and practice daily. Your teacher might be an author whose publications you study, a competent instructor teaching you by means of DVD lessons, a live in person teacher, a group you practice with, your daily practice on your own, Internet teachers, liveworkshop teachers, private lessons .... all of these methods and more.
Practicing daily on your own is how you learn.
Learn by Listening, Learn by Seeing, Learn by Practicing, Learn by Reading, Learn by Doing, Learn by Remembering, Learn by Taking Notes, Learn by Practicing, Learn by Visualizing, Learning by Imagining, Learning by Rehearsing, Learn by Practicing, Learn by Memorizing, Learn by Writing, Learn by Correcting .... all these methods and more. Overcome three obstacles: lack of perseverance, greediness, and impatience.
I studied the following books, resources and instructional DVDs:
Master Cheng's New Method of T'ai Chi Chuan Self-Cultivation. By Cheng Man-ch'ing. Translated by Mark Hennessy. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, Frog, Ltd., 1999. 128 pages. ISBN: 1883319927. Originally written in Chinese in 1963. "The Simplified Thirty-Seven Posture Form, with Explanation and Illustrations" pp. 31-122. VSCL.
The Tai Chi Book: Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice. By Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.. Including the Teachings of Cheng Man-ch'ing, William C. C. Chen, and Harvey I. Sober. Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, YMAAPublication Center, c 1998. Index, 209 pages. ISBN: 1886969647. Dr. Chuckrow was a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing and others. The Cheng 37 Posture form is described and illustrated with photographs on pages 177-204. VSCL.
Cheng Man-ch'ing T'ai-Chi Short Form. Instructional DVD. As taught by Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.. NTSC DVD, color, 63 minutes. ASIN: B00BMAVIVC. "This DVD has three parts: (1) Demonstration of Cheng Man-ch'in's Short Form by Robert Chuckrow, (2) Form instruction, and (3) Rear view of form (student view). The instruction part is clear and detailed, and all the movements are taught in succession with different camera views and repetitions." VSCL.
I wrote down theList of the Movements of the Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang 37 Short Form
I studied six books by Cheng Man-ch'ing (listed above) that I own (VSCL).
Wide reading, study and practice in theYang Style of Taijiquan.
Practice, Enjoy, Practice, Rejuvenate, Practice, Refine, Practice, Relax, Practice, Pleasures, Practice, Joy, Practice, Insights, Practice, Contemplate, Practice, Blog, Practice
� Green Way Research, Michael P. Garofalo, 2002-2018 Vancouver, Clark County, Washington
This webpage was last modified or updated on December 23, 2017.
This webpage was published on the Internet WWW in February of 2002.
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Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington � 2018 CCA 4.0
Qigong: Links and Bibliography
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan Website
Yang Style Taijiquan and Qigong
Biography of Michael P. Garofalo