Written by the author: This guide is written by Sifu Kendra Mahon (Kung Fu Kendra), who wrote this book. It describes what the book covers and who it suits. It is not an independent review.
At a glance
- Series: Masters of Kung Fu, Book 5
- Type: Biography of the founder of Yang-style tai chi, with a life lesson after every chapter and reflection workbooks
- Formats: Kindle and paperback (coming soon)
- Best for: Readers new to tai chi history, martial artists of any style, book clubs and study groups
- Not for: Anyone hoping to learn a tai chi form from the page; the book points readers to a qualified teacher for that
What the book covers
The book has 59 short chapters in five parts. Yongnian and Chen Village covers his birth in 1799, a poor family, Long Fist training, the Taihetang pharmacy, his teacher Chen Changxing (1771–1853), and his years as an outsider, with the night-watching story treated as legend and his stay given as anywhere from about six to eighteen years. The Cotton Fist covers his teaching in Yongnian, the Wu brothers and Wu (Hao) style, the Salt Shop Manual, Zhaobao, and his sons’ severe training. Yang the Invincible follows him to Beijing from about 1850, the nickname Yang Wudi, the challenge stories, the name taiji, Wu Quanyou, the unproven meeting with Dong Haichuan, and his death in 1872. The Philosophy explains the principles of his art, from soft overcomes hard to stillness in movement, with Wing Chun parallels. Legend and Legacy covers his sons and grandsons, Yang Chengfu’s Ten Essentials, the five family styles, the Zhang Sanfeng legend, Tang Hao, the 1956 24-form, the 2020 UNESCO listing, tai chi in the West, health, film and myths. Extras include a timeline, reading and viewing list, glossary and group guide.
Who should read it
- Newcomers to martial arts: no background is needed to follow the story or the lessons.
- Readers looking for life lessons: each chapter closes with one, written for readers whether or not they ever train.
- Wing Chun and other martial artists: the book sets tai chi principles such as song, listening energy and pushing hands beside chi sau and Siu Lim Tao.
- Groups: book clubs, classes, teams, couples or friends can use the workbooks and the Training Together guide.
How to use it
Read it a part at a time: each of the five parts makes a natural session, every chapter ends with a lesson, and every part closes with a workbook of reflection questions and space for notes. The Training Together guide suggests meeting weekly, choosing one or two lessons to focus on, keeping ground rules for a safe group, and opening each session with a minute of slow breathing or relaxed standing; it also offers discussion questions and a note on professional support. Chapter 59 gives a simple daily practice of standing relaxed for one minute each morning. The book is a biography, not a form manual: for learning the art itself it recommends a class with a qualified tai chi teacher, and it states that tai chi is not a substitute for medical care.
A short excerpt
“His story reminds us that the martial arts, at their best, are not about being invincible. They are about becoming calm, balanced, and wise enough that we no longer need to prove it.”
Where to get it
Yang Luchan: Yang the Invincible is coming soon to Amazon in Kindle and paperback. In the meantime, see Kendra’s other books on her Amazon author page or on Goodreads under Kendra Mahon, and read what students say on the Kung Fu Kendra reviews page. For other Wing Chun books, see our guide to Wing Chun books.
About the author
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, has trained since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash). She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She is the author of 13 books and counting, including the ten-book The Way of Wing Chun series and the Masters of Kung Fu series.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Yang Luchan: Yang the Invincible?
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, who has trained since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash) in Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She writes about Yang Luchan as a martial artist from a neighbouring tradition, not as a tai chi teacher.
Did Yang Luchan invent tai chi?
No. According to the book, he learned his art in Chen Village from Chen Changxing and developed his own way of teaching it; he is the founder of Yang style, not of tai chi as a whole.
Did Yang Luchan really spy on the Chen family to learn tai chi?
The book calls this story legend, since there is no contemporary record of it and it follows a pattern found in many martial arts tales. All accounts agree that Chen Changxing taught him.
Is it available yet?
It is coming soon to Amazon in Kindle and paperback.