Customer Reviews

The Big Book of Tai Chi: Build Health Fast in Slow Motion

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In my opinion this is a rather plain book about Tai Chi. The author's deep knowledge clearly shows up. The problem I have with this book is that it is tailored to appeal a narrow section of the market: the prospective Tai Chi students. The book explains in great detail all the benefits one can gain from practicing TaiChi. However, it does not tell anything about "how". It is not an instructional book: it's mere Tai Chi propaganda. If you already practice Tai Chi and have just a decent knowledge about the energy in the body, you'll find this book only marginally useful. I am not saying that it's a terribly bad book. What I am trying to say is that from the author of "Opening the energy gates of your body" I expect much, MUCH more than that. I studied the "Gates" probably six times cover to cover, and countless times I consulted it to plan my Chi Gung training. I read "The big book of Tai Chi" once, and I don't think I'll read it again. Any average TaiChi student could write a similar book in 3 months: c'mon, Mr. Franzis, tell us something we don't know!!

To begin with, I must state my biases - I have taken a number of seminars and retreat weeks from Bruce Frantzis, and he is an incredible teacher. He is one of the few Westerners recognized as a martial arts and meditation master in China, and this book is a product of that knowledge and experience.
That said, the book has both perceived pluses and minuses, depending on where you are coming from. Unlike most other Tai Chi books, this is not a detailed How To book. For example, those interested in learning the form will not find it in this book. As the author correctly points out, Tai Chi, like any movement art, is best learned from a competent teacher. I do not consider this a minus, but some may. Form instruction aside, what is of interest is what IS covered.
The book is encyclopedic in its breadth: among the topics covered are the basics of Chinese medicine as the basis of Tai Chi's health benefits, how Tai Chi can improve health, reduce stress, promote longevity, and help specific groups of people including the young, sedentary workers, physical laborers, athletes, the overweight, and people with disabilities. He covers Tai Chi as a martial art, as spiritual practice, different styles of Tai Chi and how to choose between them, specific learning expectations for beginning, intermediate and advanced students, and choosing a teacher. Esoteric concepts such as chi, dissolving energy, and opening and closing joints are discussed in some detail. And those are just some of the topics covered. The beginning student, or someone who is just curious about Tai Chi, may well be overwhelmed by the number and variety of concepts that are introduced and discussed, especially if they try to read it from cover to cover. Instead, it is best read a section or a chapter at a time. Even the advanced practitioner will likely find new concepts and ideas that he or she has not encountered before. Much of this information is either scattered through various texts, or just plain not available anywhere else. As such, it can serve as an invaluable reference, and is a bargain at the price. As with any encyclopedia, enough information is imparted to give a taste, but detailed How To information is not provided. This is no doubt deliberate. Here again, let me emphasize, practice requires the assistance of a competent teacher, as incorrect practice could potentially lead to injury. Tai Chi is, after all, a physical, a mental, and for some, a spiritual exercise, and there is only so much that can be gotten from the intellectual exercise of reading a book. Highly recommended!

If someone could sit down with a master and ask them as many questions as they'd like about tai chi, this book may very possibly be the product of such a dialogue. Readers who invest the time to read this book receive the benefit of a very rare person's experience and advice. I especially appreciate the photos that are incorporated throughout the book.

The Big Book of Tai Chi
By Bruce Frantzis. Published by Thorsons (add UK price here?)

For a man who confesses to hating writing, Bruce Frantzis does a damn fine job of it. He has produced some of the best, most down-to-earth, books on the internal arts and his new mammoth volume - The Big Book of Tai Chi - is literally just that. He has decided to look at Tai Chi from an unbiased viewpoint, not favouring any particular style or school. Rather, he has looked at the foundation for all Tai Chi styles using his encyclopaedic knowledge and written a primer to them all.

Mr Frantzis begins with the history, always contentious, and progresses to explaining how and why the internal arts work in relation to health, both physical and mental. He has long been a voice crying in the wilderness, warning of the inevitable collapse of the health systems in the West. While working as a Chi Kung doctor in China, Mr. Frantzis saw how vital Tai Chi and Chi Kung were in a country with a shortage of western-style doctors. Consequently, he has worked hard to bring his knowledge to the West, in the hope that it will be used to improve the health of the masses as it has in China. His ground-breaking Chi Kung book, Opening the Energy Gates, was just the beginning. The Big Book has a wider scope, discussing what the differing styles of Tai Chi can do for health and what to look for in a good teacher. Mr. Frantzis also considers the Taoist approach to health and how we in the West could benefit from it. Some of this has been covered in other books, but this one is a real blockbuster both in size and approach. The publishers are pushing its launch worldwide and seem to be of the opinion that this book will bring Tai Chi and Chi Kung to the attention of a much wider audience. It is an easy read but does not 'dumb down' the arts. It is intended for both beginners and seasoned players. One very detailed chapter is geared specifically to intermediate and advanced practitioners, another describes what beginners can expect from Tai Chi.

Most Chinese masters have difficulty with our language and we certainly have trouble in understanding their often flowery and ambiguous descriptions of the form. With his fluent Chinese, Mr Frantzis gained insights into the Chinese culture and arts that is reflected in both his teaching and writing. The author also has the great advantage of being not only a top martial artist but also an accomplished practitioner in medical Chi Kung and Tui Na bodywork, both of which are branches of traditional Chinese medicine. As a lineage master in the Taoist arts in general, he can give an overview that few of us would be aware of were it not for this book. He considers how Tai Chi works for healing, physical and emotional self-defence, stress reduction, promoting longevity and developing spirituality. One chapter looks at how tai chi can benefit different groups of people. For example, tai chi can mitigate the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome in computer users. Another chapter helps students choose the most appropriate tai chi form for their particular needs. The five main styles, large, medium and small frame tai chi, and long, medium and short forms are discussed in detail.

An excellent primer, the book could have done with some more illustrations, but as it does not champion a particular style, the interminable form photos aren't missed at all. A must for beginners, this huge work would also benefit any serious player who is modest enough to admit to not knowing it all and open enough to look deeper.

Brian Cookman

This book explores how and why tai chi is effective for decreasing tension and stress, improving the immune system and circulation and developing high performance stamina and flexibility. It tells us how this practice can help us age well, physically and emotionally. It explores the spiritual aspects of tai chi, a subject scantly written about in other books, and how it can help us overcome the deep spiritual malaise so many of us face.

This book does not teach tai chi, as this art must be learned from a teacher. But it does tell you what you should expect to learn at each stage of your practice; what each different style of tai chi is all about and how to choose a tai chi style.

Many practitioners and teachers of tai chi will gain much knowledge that will help them progress in their path. There is information here that is simply not been made available in the West.

People exploring alternatives to aerobics will find that Frantzis makes a great case for using tai chi as a low impact, highly effective self-healing practice.

Bruce Frantzis has done more to demistify Tai Chi than any other western author. He takes the subtle and complex suject of Chi (life energy) and explains it in a way that westerners can understand, without over simplifying. Many other books have been written on Tai Chi, none display Frantzis's level of understanding. If you are an experienced internal artist you may be suprised at the authors willingness to reveal information that has long been kept secret; moveing Tai Chi from just a pretty dance to one of the most effective healing and martial arts in existance. As a practitioner of Taoist Internal Arts for 24 years I am truly gratful to B.K.Frantzis for unselfishly sharing such a wealth of information. Tai Chi teachers should take note: the cat is out of the bag. Either you teach the real deal or you might as well be teaching aerobics. Any perceptive student who reads this book will be able to tell the difference. Maybe the book will raise the standard of internal arts instruction across the board in this country. I hope so.The community could certainly use it.

This book is the most complete and clear book of Tai Chi and Taoist principles that I have encountered in my 13 years of studying energy arts. Mr. Frantzis has a deep and encyclopedic knowledge which he presents clearly and practically. He is a master in his field and his book has deepened my practice significantly.

With this book, Bruce Frantzis skillfully guides you into and through the world of studying Tai Chi.

Whether you are merely curious about Tai Chi or wishing to know what you should be learning at its highest levels of sophistication, Frantzis provides clear answers to your questions.

You're in good hands. Frantzis is an eminently qualified guide. He has spent over 35 years studying Tai Chi and is the first Westerner to be recognized as a Master of Tai Chi in China.
Frantzis knows that you can not learn Tai Chi from a book. So he doesn't try to teach you tai chi movements or techniques.
Instead, he teaches you how to intelligently go about learning tai chi from the teachers you will find.

First, he gives you a grounding in the art, answering in clear and demystifying language the questions that many westerners ask about tai chi, including:

the philosophy and history underlying tai chi;
why and how it promotes good health;
how it reduces stress and promotes longevity;
how it is learned and practiced for self-defense;
how it relates to spirituality.

Frantzis then tells you how to get the most from your study of Tai Chi at each stage of your development; beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

He describes the various styles of tai chi and how to choose or change your style at the various stages of your learning.
He explains how to choose and best learn from a teacher (or teachers) as you progress.

And he describes what your teachers should be teaching you at each stage so that you can know how to ask good questions. He helps you know how to get the most from your teacher and whether you need to augment your studies through seminars with other teachers.

You'll gain valuable advice from this book whether you are just getting started or have been studying for 20 years and are trying to decide how to take your next step toward mastery of Tai Chi. This book can be a valuable reference for you through years of study.

I have been training in Tai Chi for 5 years and I am really unimpressed by this book. No real information. Lots of Bla-bla.
If you are interested in the martial application of Tai Chi get "Tai Chi Chuan Martial Applications: Advanced Yang Style" by Jwing-Ming Yang.
If you are interested in the energy work get "Opening the Energy Gates of your Body " by Frantzis.
There are lots of good Tai Chi books out there. This is not one of them.

I have an extensive library of books about the internal martial arts, qi gong and Chinese philosophy. This is one of the most valuable books in my collection. There is a great deal of material here, covered in great depth, most of which is not available anywhere else.

Frantzis' book takes a unique tack, as one of the other online reviewer has already noted. This is not a how-to, with a long sequence of drawings or photos, diagramming a particular set or form. Rather, this is an extensive set of essays about various aspects of taiji. Most books about taiji contain a few explanatory chapters that give a brief history of the art, perhaps with some background about other martial arts. The rest of the book is then typically a how-to. Unless I have already studied that form with a teacher, I have always found the diagrams and photos interesting but essentially useless. The quality and value of the explanatory chapters vary with the author's experience, skill and ability to articulate the complexity and nuance of an internal martial art.

Frantzis' book is desiged as a reference for the practioner of taiji, whether they are at a beginning or advanced level. It is a source of knowledge and new perspectives that can be consulted again and again, as one's level of expertise deepens and grows. A must have for anyone interested in taiji.