Robin Johnson

A Barefoot Boxer's Chronicle Robin Johnson

Here is a first translation, back into body-language, of Tai Chi Chuan's profound yet obscure Classics and Aphorisms. Away from words about words toward words about natural movement and martial action. Stillness Defeats Motion, Softness Defeats Hardness, Adhere Follow Neutralize, Double-weighting, Steel Within Cotton, and more than 100 others, are revealed in this Chronicle as fruits of whole-body action. What was meant by these old words? This book finds answers by exploring the ground between a Body-language too complex for words, and Tai Chi boxing techniques largely invisible to outside scrutiny. Whole-body (Body) combat was the true source of the wisdom later reduced to pithy yet confusing statements, pored over by thousands of students and teachers. Thus a key premise of A Barefoot Boxer's Chronicle is that true Tai Chi Chuan (NEI CHUAN, or internal boxing) is not what is seen "out there", but what is to be found "in here", the source of mysterious Intrinsic Energy. This book orients you toward yourself, and conducts you through the myriad ways of Tai Chi technique. These are governed by a handfull of highly refined skills that you may have only glimpsed up to now. Here are chapter-workshops on Stillness and Motion, Softness and Hardness, and key Tai Chi Essentials, such as Eight Dynamic Techniques and Five Tactical Directions. You'll also find integral sections on Elasticity, Tactics, Stepping, Range, and Number. The main text is bolstered and expanded with generous text notes. And there are methods toward reclaiming your lost or hidden fluidity, flexibility, and power. There are many examples of a (often the) major obstacle to your progress, perverse habits acquired unknown from modern lifestyles. So progress can with perseverence be made in your own way with your own body. This complex and integrated chronicle* marks a lifetime of martial arts, including 40 years of real-time practice in Tai Chi Chuan. Does it work? Is there another or a better way? These have been the guides that you too can apply to the content of A Barefoot Boxer's Chronicle. * See also Stalking Yang lu-chan, available at Amazon.com.