T'ai chi chuan may literally mean "the ultimate way of the fist," but you don't have to be in fighting form to experience its multitude of benefits. It's an ancient art that demands skill and discipline, facilitates relaxation, and promotes awareness of the body and its energy flow. With its historical and practical perspectives, and wonderful archive illustrations (including Chinese engravings and watercolors), this handbook irresistibly draws you into the world and atmosphere of t'ai chi. What changes can you expect to experience when you start this course? T'ai chi calms brain processes, respiratory and pulse rates, and emotions. It shifts the mind from stress-related thoughts; improves use and coordination of muscles and joints; slows down the aging process; releases positive, controlled energy; reduces or eliminates the need for drugs; enhances performance in work and leisure, and aids sleep. Start by cultivating internal energy with chi kung, a related but even older form of martial art that t'ai chi has incorporated. It involves slow, sometimes completely static exercises, including sitting in meditation. Because stillness and inner focus are such essential elements in Taoist philosophy, and a key to complete relaxation, you'll also investigate the principles behind wu-wei--"doing nothing" or "letting be." An entire program (over 100 pages) of tai'chi exercises follows, all designed to encourage positive energy flow and mental well-being. Each exercise or sequence has step-by-step photographs with detailed captions, and tip boxes highlighting common faults and how to avoid them. Simple, repetitive introductory movements help you become accustomed to the technique befor
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed instructions for the student,
By
This review is from: Tai Chi For Body, Mind & Spirit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Physical & Mental Balance (Paperback)
This book is great for the beginner who is just learning the Yang style Simplified Form and for the more advanced student. Of course, Tai Chi is best learned with the guidance of a teacher, but a book like this would be very helpful. The book starts with some philosophy and history of Tai Chi, continues with Qigong exercises, then details the movements and postures of the 24 forms--each illustrated with several color photos--and finishes up with a chapter on meditation. I enjoyed the book for its beautiful illustrations, its clear descriptions, and because it teaches the forms the way I know them. I will recommend it to my students.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Tai Chi Book Ever,
This review is from: Tai Chi For Body, Mind & Spirit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Physical & Mental Balance (Paperback)
This book is both simple and profound. A basic guide to Tai Chi, beautifully illustrated in color with every aspect of the 24-step Tai Chi Chuan, plus opening energy exercises, Qigong, meditation, two-person practices and more. I bought it as a supplement to a beginner's class about ten years ago and still use it as a reference, to correct, and to enhance the practice. Good energy found here!
4.0 out of 5 stars
good beginners book,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Tai Chi For Body, Mind & Spirit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Physical & Mental Balance (Paperback)
some problems with seeming discrepancies between what's written and what's pictured, but generally a good way to develop a program on one's own
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
