Opera for Taiji Practice

 

 Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato has taught opera master classes at Carnegie Hall for many years. In this video, you can clearly see the link to t'ai chi practice: connecting energy, breath, root and how that can be harnessed in singing.

New Anthology: Taijiquan Master Reference: An Anthology

  

Taijiquan Master Reference

Edited by Michael DeMarco

A comprehensive collection of articles from the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, in two volumes.

Volume One & Two combined: 962 pages, hardcover, $74 US  

Available through https://www.viamediapublishing.com/china 

 "This is an anthology of articles relating to taijquan (tai chi) that were previously publishing over two decades in the quarterly Journal of Asian Martial Arts, noted for its high academic and aesthetic standards. Included here in 960 pages are sixty-four articles, 735 illustrations, glossaries, maps, charts, and bibliographies. Researchers can benefit from this handy anthology, particularly for the information and analyses presented, including the rich bibliographic listings. Taiji practitioners will also gain insights to benefit their own practice, be it for health and/or self-defense.

"Via Media Publishing was founded in 1992 in order to produce the peer reviewed quarterly Journal of Asian Martial Arts (1992–2012)—the first publication of its kind to focus on martial traditions in an academic format. Many of the authors were scholar–practitioners, who utilized their unique talents to present articles from various specializations, such as Asian Studies, kinesiology, history, anthropology, philosophy, and physical education. Those who were serious about this field subscribed to the journal to read articles noted for their high academic and aesthetic standards. Most were in the United States, Canada, and Europe, but also in other areas of the world. These naturally included martial art schools and individual practitioners. There was a strong base among university and public libraries too. As founder of Via Media, I’ve decided to assemble this anthology of articles relating to taijiquan. There are over three hundred million taiji practitioners worldwide, drawn to the art mainly for health maintenance and it therapeutic value. Researchers can benefit from this handy anthology, particularly for the information and analyses presented, including the rich bibliographic listings. Taiji practitioners will also gain insights to benefit their own practice, be it for health and/or self-defense. Included here are sixty-four articles, the same number of hexagrams in the Book of Changes (Yijing). In addition to 735 illustrations, there are glossaries, maps, charts, and bibliographies. Taijiquan is the term representing the general category of study, but taijiquan can be subdivided into its branches, from the original Chen Family Style to the highly popular Yang Family Style. Other lineages are presented, such as the Wu and Sun systems. The variety of material in this anthology reflects in-depth scholarly research and the experience of master practitioners. It will be a valuable source taijiquan enthusiasts for future decades. By making this book available to individuals and libraries, we hope this rare material will greatly contribute to further research in this field and inspire many to learn taijiquan with aspirations to mastery."

Volume One authors include:

Robert W. Smith , Peter Lim Tian Tek , Stephan Berwick , Tim Cartmill , Bosco Seung-Chul Baek , David Gaffney , Zhang Yun , Russ Mason , Kenneth S. Cohen , Douglas Wile , Herman P. Kauz , Stanley E. Henning , Cai Naibiao , Wong Yuen Ming , John Loupos , Jake Burroughs , Benjamin Lo , Michael Rosario Graycar , C.J. Rhoads , Leroy Clark , Asr Cordes , Linda Lehrhaupt , Nigel Sutton , Dietmar Stubenbaum , Barbara Davis , Bradford Tyrey , Marcus Brinkman , Arieh Lev Breslow , Adam Wallace , Wong Jiaxiang , Sophia Delza , Charles Holcombe , Carol M. Derrickson , Stuart Kohler , Donald D. Davis , Dennis Willmont , Donald Mainfort , Miriam O’Connor , Andy Peck , Mark Hawthorne , Yaron Seidman , Joel Stein , Xu Yizhong , Yuan Weiming , Xu Zhengmei , Danny Emerick , Hal Mosher , S. Dale Brown , Greg Brodsky , Lawrence L. Mann , Michael A DeMarco

Volume Two: Michael DeMarco , Robert W. Smith  , David Gaffney  , Benjamin Lo , Tim Cartmill , Stephan Berwick , Stanley Henning , Herman Kaus , Douglas Wile , Bosco Seung-Chul Baek    

A recent article in The Guardian recommends t'ai chi for fall prevention.

The National Institute on Aging reports that more than one in four adults 65 and older fall annually. Fortunately, it’s an avoidable threat.

“Falls are not inevitable,” says Emily Nabors, the associate director of innovation at the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging. “There are many things you can do to reduce your risk.”

And a study on t'ai chi for brain health!

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1435996/abstract