Thousands of books have been written about Tai Chi through the centuries. A trip to the local bookstore or a search online will yield more titles than you can ever read. What is a student to do?

You cannot really learn Tai Chi from a book, but books can help you to understand principles and the philosophical basis of the art. They can provide guidance to improve practice and can act as a memory aid. The quality and utility of the vast store of these writings is of course variable and readers should take caution.

Having said this, there are a few Chinese writings that are widely recognized as "source" documents about the art. These were written by various masters and occasionally anonymously. The style is typically poetic and lyrical in tone but be assured, they are direct and practical guides to the practice of Tai Chi. Every Tai Chi student should study these writings if nothing else.

It is also important not to "over mystify" things. Tai Chi is a martial and healing art. As such, it is completely pragmatic and practical. The serious boxer will have little use for things that don't work. Likewise, as a self care health practice, Tai Chi enjoys it's reputation because it has simply worked for the people who have tried it.  The training works for anyone who will take the time to try it with a qualified instructor and a willing heart. So dive into these "classics" and keep them in mind as you practice.

Links to the Classics are found below. There is a downloadable PDF for most of these.