Beginner's Tai Chi Chuan (Paperback)

by Vincent Chu (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Tai chi chuan is known at the Supreme Ultimate art - it at once embraces Taoist philosophy, is a holistic health exercise and is an effective self defense art. No wonder millions of people practice tai chi on a daily basis, making it the world's most popular health and self-defense system. The tai chi presented in this book grew from the author's experience in teaching at community education programs and is written with the novice in mind. As such, the traditional Yang family long form has been abbreviated and those movements that beginners usually find difficult to perform have been removed - in this way, beginners will be able to learn faster and thus start obtaining the health benefits of practicing tai chi right away.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Unique Publications (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892515172
• ISBN-13: 978-1892515179
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,313 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Steps, June 24, 2000

By	"stefpj" (United States) - See all my reviews

An excellent and important book for anyone interested in learning Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. In addition to a concise explanation about Yang Style history, philosopy, etc., students will benefit from an emphasis on correct fundamentals.

The book is 'user-friendly'. Students will appreciate the clear photography, well organized layout and easy to understand description of proper posture as demonstrated by the author. This is a strong point from my experience because proper form is so essential for right development in this art. Many of the books on the subject are often too difficult or confusing to understand!

In addition, there are few students that understand the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Therefore, a clear and easy to understand book written in English (as the source language), by a master, who loves to teach and is geared to the fundamentals of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is a truly exciting development.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm impressed!, September 14, 2000

By	kevin (Quincy) - See all my reviews

Vincent Chu has written a wonderful book that offers some very practical insights into the mysterious art of tai chi chuan. Mr. Chu has been able to accomplish something which has escaped all other authors in the tai chi community: he has analyzed both the practical and philosophical aspects of tai chi in a manner that will appeal to both the tai chi novice and to the experienced practitioner. The beauty of the book lies in the fact that the novice will not be intimidated by Mr. Chu's accessible description of tai chi's often esoteric nature, while the experienced practitioner will find ample areas of his practice enriched by a reflective reading of the author's analysis. There is truly something for everyone here. In addition, the photographs and narrative are truly superior, and will strengthen any practitioner's understanding of tai chi chuan. I highly recommend this book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Maybe I'm too new to appreciate it., March 5, 2002

By	carl smith (council bluffs, ia USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book to be somewhat a waste of my money for now. The book does the usual overview or Tai Chi origins and "benefits of", but the pictures and desriptions are lacking for a beginner. There are two nice aspects of this book, though. One is the Q and A section at the end, which really has some good info. Second is the pictures at the begining of poor posture/form and good posture/form. The good/bad section doesn;t offer much explaination, so some of the pictures are still cryptic. Well organized and compact, but I think I need something a little more basic.