In this revised edition of his 1989 book, Chungliang Al Huang, President of the International Living Tao Foundation writes: “Every morning in China, nearly everybody comes out of their house to do some form of Tai Ji exercise in the fresh air. The Chinese believe that a person must begin each day by harmonizing his or her body-mind-spirit with nature.” The author presents the basic movements of this ancient martial art with color photographs by Si Chi Ko.

Chungliang Al Huang describes Tai Ji as “a moving body meditation” that emphasizes proper breathing and body postures making for optimum health of both the body and the mind: “We call Tai Ji – the no-mind, no-control, no-purpose Dance of Nature.” Flexibility is all. To illustrate this process, the author brings up the image: “Remember how your body feels swimming downstream, effortlessly being carried away.”

Perhaps the spiritual practice of openness is the chief benefit of this martial art. Chunglian Al Huang concludes: “Learn to open yourself. Stretch your arms. Open your legs. . . . Open your heart and your mind. Relax and breathe. You will find your horizons expanding, your vision improving . . . Enjoy this open arm, open-mind, open-heart position. Tai Ji is Joy and Happiness.”