Essential Books
T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense by Cheng Man-Ch'ing, Robert W. Smith
This book, from renowned Tai Chi master, Cheng Man-Ch'ing, introduces T'ai-chi as a means to a healthier life, as a sport and as a method of self-defense. It is a complete step-by-step manual for the beginner.
Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan by Cheng Man-ch'ing (Author), Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo (Translator), Martin Inn (Translator)
In this scholarly yet practical book, Professor Cheng shows precisely how the postures and moves of t’ai chi work, with examples from anatomy and physics, both internally as energetic principles and externally on opponents. This is a must have for any serious practitioner of T’ai Chi Ch’uan
The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan - The Literary Tradition by Benjamin Lo. etal.
The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a translation of the T'ai Chi Classics, the principles on which T'ai Chi Ch'uan is based.
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan
This book, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen, was written by Professor Ch'en Wei-ming, who was a famous exponent of the Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan and a student of the great master, Yang Cheng-fu.
This book is based only on what Professor Ch'en heard in his teacher's classes and his own personal questions.
Other Relevant Martial
Lao-Tzu: My Words are Very Easy to Understand by Cheng Man-ch'ing
Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching by Cheng Man-ch'ing
Cheng Man-Ching's Advanced Tai-Chi Form Instructions
With select writings on Meditation, the I Ching, Medicine, and Art
Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation by Cheng Man-ch'ing (Author), Mark Hennessy (Translator)
This volume, developed by the martial arts master and scholar, details the way that students arrive at a posture -- from beginning movements to the end pose. Master Cheng provides practitioners with a complete and concise guide to the Short Form, enabling them to make rapid progress.
Tao Te Ching It is always good to explore different translation and see which one resonates with you.
Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English:
Known for their poetic and elegant translation, a good balance between accuracy and readability.
Ursula K. Le Guin:
Her translation is known for its straightforward and accessible language, making it a good option for beginners.
Stephen Mitchell:
Mitchell's translation is more poetic and spiritual, emphasizing the mystical aspects of the Tao Te Ching.
