Developed by Wang Lang over 300 years ago, Praying Mantis Kung Fu is the only martial art based on the fighting skills of an insect. This fascinating system utilizes swift, methodical movements for defense and offense, and is well respected as an art that helps practitioners develop great strength and perseverance. The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu provides an in-depth look at the history and practice of this remarkable martial art. Author Stuart Alve Olson, a student of T. T. Liang, draws on the lineages of Masters Feng Huan-I and Wang Han-Fon, but includes...

This book presents an in-depth analysis of Zhang Sanfeng's Tai Ji Quan Treatise, the most important document of all Tai Ji Quan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan) classical literature. Olson's commentary provides clear descriptions on each verse of the treatise and how it applies to actual Tai Ji practice. Zhang Sanfeng (Three Peaks Zhang), a Taoist priest of the 12th century, is credited with the creation of Tai Ji Quan and several works on Neidan (Internal Alchemy). He reportedly lived 170 years, from the late Song dynasty through the Yuan and into the early Ming dynasty. Zhang's life exemplified the...

This book provides a succinct organization of materials and advice Li Qingyun provided on the subject for attaining health and longevity. Stuart Alve Olson's The Immortal: True Accounts of the 250-Year-Old Man, Li Qingyun is a large book covering many aspects of Li's teachings and life, and since it is a direct translation of Yang Sen's Chinese edition, it can be more challenging to navigate the teachings. Stuart's purpose in translating The Immortal was to present that work as Yang Sen intended, and he didn't provide any personal in-depth commentary and instructions to clarify...

This book reveals the simple and effective method of Embryonic Breathing within Taoist meditation for the purpose of opening the lower Elixir Field, the very foundation of Internal Alchemy. It focuses on Stuart Alve Olson's translation ofThe Lofty and Foremost Jade Emperor's Canon on Embryonic Breathing, a very popular sixteenth century Taoist text comprising nine verses, as well as a translation ofthe brilliant commentary by Taoist Master Zhong Xuzi. In addition Olson provides a concise and informative introductionand commentary on the nine verses of the text, and shares much of what...

The Seen and Unseen, based on the teachings of The Yellow Emperor's Yin Convergence Scripture, presents the philosophical details for engaging in the inner contemplative forms of meditation. Many methods on meditation are based on the teaching of ceasing all thought, but in this work the practice goes to the contemplation and observation of thoughts and mind. As the Yin Convergence Scripture states, "Mind creates everything."There is nothing other than mind, so the understanding and contemplation of it will culminate in realizing the Tao.The Yin Convergence...

The Yellow Court Series focuses on the monumental and influential Taoist teachings of the Yellow Court Scriptures, which are divided into two books simply known as the External Illumination (attributed to Lao Zi, sixth century BCE) and the Internal Illumination (composed by Madame Wei Huacun, 251-334 CE, founder of the Highest Clarity Sect).
The Yellow Court teachings were the first Taoist texts to describe the methods of Internal Alchemy through meditation and Qigong methods, as opposed to the earlier metallurgical processes of External Alchemy. The...