About the Author
Stuart Alve Olson, longtime protégé of the Taijiquan Master T.T. Liang (1900–2002), is a teacher, translator, and writer on Daoist philosophy, health, and internal arts. Since his early twenties, he has studied and practiced Daoism and Chinese Buddhism.
As of 2013, Stuart has published eighteen books, many of which now appear in several foreign-language editions. He is currently working on completing the entire Chen Kung Series with revised editions of earlier works as well as new volumes on sections he has never previously published.
Stuart has performed numerous book signings, appeared on many TV and radio talk shows throughout the United States, written several articles for martial art and Daoist magazines, and has taught Daoism and Taijiquan in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada, and Italy.
Stuart was voted the 2012 IMOS Journal Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Author on Qigong.”
He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Lily.
Brief Biography
On Christmas Day, 1979, Stuart took Triple Refuge with Chan Master Hsuan Hua, receiving the disciple name Kuo Ao. In 1981, he participated in the meditation sessions and sutra lectures given by Dainin Katagiri Roshi at the Minnesota Center for Zen Meditation. In late 1981, he began living with Master T.T. Liang, studying Taijiquan, Daoism, Praying Mantis Kung-fu, and Chinese language under his tutelage.
Starting in the spring of 1982, Stuart undertook a two-year Buddhist bowing pilgrimage, “Nine Steps, One Bow.” Traveling along state and county roads during the spring, summer, and autumn months, starting from the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis and ending at the border of Nebraska. During the winter months he stayed at Master Liang’s home and bowed in his garage.
After Stuart’s pilgrimage, he returned to Liang’s home to continue studying with him. He and Master Liang then started traveling throughout the United States teaching Taijiquan to numerous groups, and continued to do so for nearly a decade.
In 1986, Stuart published his first four books on Taijiquan—Wind Sweeps Away the Plum Blossoms, Cultivating the Ch’i, T’ai Chi Sword, Sabre & Staff, and Imagination Becomes Reality.
In 1987, Stuart made his first of several trips to China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. On subsequent trips, he studied massage in Taipei and taught Taijiquan in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In 1989, he and Master Liang moved to Los Angeles, where Stuart studied Chinese language and continued his Taijiquan studies.
In early 1992, Stuart made his first trip to Indonesia, where he was able to briefly study with the kung-fu and healing master Oei Kung Wei. He also taught Taijiquan there to many large groups.
In 1993, he organized the Institute of Internal Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota, and brought Master Liang back from California to teach there.
In 2005, Stuart was prominently featured in the British Taijiquan documentary Embracing the Tiger.
In 2006, he formed Valley Spirit Arts with his longtime student Patrick Gross.
In 2010, he began teaching for the Sanctuary of Dao and writing for its blog and newsletter.
In 2012, Stuart received the IMOS Journal Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Author on Qigong.”
Body of Works
Daoism Books
Tao of No Stress: Three Simple Paths (Healing Arts Press, 2002).
Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-Yun (Healing Arts Press, 2002).
The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic: The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality (Inner Traditions, 2003).
Forthcoming
Clarity and Tranquility: A Daoist Source Book for Meditation (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
Refining the Elixir: Attributed to the Song Dynasty Daoist Priest Zhang Sanfeng, Daoist Immortal Three Peaks Zhang Series (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
The Immortal, Li Qingyun: The 250-Year Old Man, 1678–1933 by Yang Sen, translated by Stuart Alve Olson (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
The Yellow Emperor’s Yin Convergence Scripture (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
The Actions and Retribution Treatise (Valley Spirit Arts, 2015).
The Book of Sun and Moon: Traditional Perspectives on the Book of Changes (Valley Spirit Arts, 2015).
Taijiquan Books
T’ai Chi Thirteen Sword: A Sword Master’s Manual (Unique Publications, 1999).
T’ai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals, illustrated by Gregory Crawford (Bear Cub Books, 2001).
Steal My Art: The Life and Times of Tai Chi Master T.T. Liang (North Atlantic Books, 2002).
T’ai Chi According to the I Ching: Embodying the Principles of the Book of Changes (Healing Arts Press, 2002).
Imagination Becomes Reality: 150-Posture Taijiquan of Master T.T. Liang (Valley Spirit Arts, 2011).
Tai Ji Quan Treatise: Attributed to the Song Dynasty Daoist Priest Zhang Sanfeng, Daoist Immortal Three Peaks Zhang Series (Valley Spirit Arts, 2011).
The Wind Sweeps Away the Plum Blossoms: Yang Style Taijiquan Staff and Spear Techniques (Valley Spirit Arts, 2011).
Chen Kung Series
Tai Ji Qi: Fundamentals of Qigong, Meditation, and Internal Alchemy, vol. 1 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2013).
Tai Ji Jin: Discourses on Intrinsic Energies for Mastery of Self-Defense Skills, vol. 2 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2013).
Tai Ji Bing Shu: Mastering the Arts of Sword, Saber, and Staff Weapon Skills, vol. 6 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
Forthcoming
Tai Ji Quan: Practice and Philosophy of the 108-Posture Solo Form, vol. 3 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2015).
Tai Ji Tui Shou & Da Lu: Mastering the Eight Operations of Sensing Hands and Greater Rolling-Back, vol. 4 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2014).
Tai Ji San Shou: Dispersing Hands Exercises for Mastering Intrinsic Energies Skills, vol. 5 (Valley Spirit Arts, 2015).
Kung-Fu Books
The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Blue Snake Books, 2010).
Forthcoming
18 Lohan Exercises (Valley Spirit Arts, 2015).