Mastering Tai Chi Cane for Health & Self-Defense: Chen-Style, Yang-Style & Stretch-Massage Forms Rooted in the Taoist Eight Immortals Paperback – June 27, 2022

I just finish to read the Master Tsao's new book on Cane from a Tai Chi Chuan perspective, and I'm very pleased to learn about Cane as both a self-defense tool and health promoting device. I already trained in Savate/Boxe Francaise Cane and of course there are many physical similarity because the human body have a limited number of possible moves, but what sets this book apart are the internal aspects using a Cane in the Tai Chi Chuan way, you don't will find this aspect in Cane Western arts like French Cane, Palo Canario, Jogo Do Pau or Tahtib, neither in Japanese Jodo or Filipino Arnis/Kali/Escrima.Albeit the Cane movements showed in this book are simple, and can be learned rather quickly, their internal aspects demand at least a mid-level in Tai Chi Chuan, mainly in how to flow the chi and the correct coordination between breath, biomechanics and energy circulation.When I was reading the Cane book I recognized the fundamental TCC principles Master Tsao was talking about, and his references to Spring and Autumn Falchion or staff and other TCC weapons position and makes full sense to me.The book includes 3 sections, the first one would be analogous to the Lao Jia Yi Lu and the second, the most interesting for me, would be analogous to the Lao Jia Er Lu or their "New" versions if you prefer. The literature about Lao Jia Er Lu is scarce and this new perspective of applications of the second form principles is a very welcome fresh view. Also, it is harder find resources on how to combine the principles of the 2 forms together in an harmonious and practical way.The third part of the book is about how to use the cane as a Chi Gong device, it is very interesting, personally I not practiced but I have experience with the Chinese Wand exercises and I feel the Master Tsao internal exercises with a cane open a complete new avenue of development.There is also a supplement with a pamphlet on Cane exercises from early 20th century, a nice addition!, also is a proof on how the East and West culture meets and synthetize. The only things puzzle me is this pamphlet is present twice at the end of the book.My verdict: This book is a renovating look on the TCC principles put together in a innovative form, I thing is a book for any TCC level, is a good way to learn TCC fundamentals for a beginner, a good starting point to integrate this fundamentals into TCC physical moves for the mid-level student and a refreshing and innovative way to combine and apply TCC principles for the advanced student and beyond:I recommend heartly recommend this master Tsao new book and I'm pretty sure it will be a resource that anyone seriously interested in progress in TCC will return for a long time.

Mastering Tai Chi Cane for Health & Self-Defense by Dr. Jesse Tsao inculcates three forms, including Yang Style, Chen Style, and Stretch-Massage, with step by step instructions. Dr. Tsao is an international authority on Qigong, Tai Chi, and Tai Chi weapons. I highly recommend this book along with the companion instructional DVDs for greater study and practice, for any or all of the three forms, for those interested in Tai Chi Cane.This wonderful Tai Chi Cane book starts with a superb forward written by Dr. Tsao's son, Jeff Tsao, MD. I have been purchasing Jesse's Instructional DVDs for near 13 years. It was a delectation to learn more details from Jeff about his father, to get greater insight into the life of Jesse, this internationally respected Tai Chi teacher. The forward is followed by the preface, then acknowledgments, and introduction. The introduction relates to the reader the legendary Eight-Immortals. It covers a summary of footwork, stances, holding and movement of the cane, energy cultivation, and the facing direction of the forms in relation to the compass rose. Subsequent sections include the Yang style, Chen Style, and lastly the Stretch-Massage form. Each form is described posture by posture, with each posture described by several movements and photos. What is particularly cool is the photo series at the end of sections, which I found to be very valuable. This book closes with a section about the author, followed by an excellent supplement entitled “The Cane as a Weapon” by A.C. Cunningham (1912).In summation, I believe this is Dr. Jesse Tsao's second best book. I highly recommend everyone interested in Tai Chi to purchase his Practical Tai Chi Training, which is the best Tai Chi book I've ever read. This Tai Chi Cane book is superior to his Eight-Immortal Flute book in both the posture descriptions and writing. Although I've always been interested in the cane as a weapon, this book has given me a renewed impetus to consider and explore more in-depth this utile weapon, which can be incorporated into daily life and carried everywhere!