Customer Reviews

Complete Book of T'ai Chi

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have studied three books on Tai Chi. The different forms used by different masters can create confusion. The form in this book is an accepted standard. The layout, details, photographs, tips and text are superb. Pictures of the entire form are reproduced, in sequence, on the fly leaves. Learning Tai Chi requires a teacher. But this book will accelerate your learning process appreciably.

This exceptional photographic book is one of a kind. It stands as close as you can get without being with a true teacher. Indepth detail showing all necessary steps and jestures that are required. The only thing missing is an actual teacher to ask questions.

...but ugly goes straight to the bone, and this book is a literal example of both sides of that old aphorism. While the raw quantity and quality of photos are very good, the main substance of the book - teaching the Cheng form - is done poorly by the book model. The model displays poor posture in almost every photo, with a curved back (Tai Chi demands a straight back) and lack of precision in positioning of hands and feet. As a martial artist with moderate experience interested in learning Tai Chi, the sloppiness in form was very disappointing. Contrast this book with the expert and distinct posture and position of, say, Master Liang's book, and the technical errors are even more glaring.

As it demands great self-control and awareness, Tai Chi is virtually impossible to learn well without a teacher, and this book will not help you in any case. To really learn good technique, find a solid teacher, and get a better book.

This book is great. The only thing that the author miss is the flowing of all the movements at a slow, even and inpausible pace. The author concentrates on 'song', relaxation awareness, this is vital but he miss pointing out that tai chi is actually an art of constant change and not taught by the numbers. Furthermore Grand Master Cheng Man Ching's 37 step form takes about 9 and 12 minutes preferbably. All these reference is taken from Nigel Sutton's, Tai Chi Chuan: Roots and Branches.

The photos in the book are very clear but that's a bad thing... The book presents bad technique and form. As a tae kwon do, wing chun, and with a months experience in tai chi, even I know that it has bad form. But, the book gives you a lot of information and teaches a lot.

By far the best book I have found that explains Tai Chi in terms a beginner can understand. Stewart describes each move by breaking down body movements. I am an instructor of the Yang style and recommend it to all of my students, use it daily myself. Thank You Stewart
Molly Carrington
Lowcountry tai chi .com
Bluffton SC

I started at a Tai Chi class and needed some extra help at home. This book provides numerous pictures of each movement and position so you can actually tell how to move. There is also a handy illustrated guide at the bottom of each page that shows how each position fits into the previous motions and what will be coming next: a flow from pose to pose basically. This was a nice companion to my class. Easy to use and understand, great color and description.

I find it interesting to read other book reviews when it comes to the martial arts. It is an easy thing to find fault with almost any martial arts book, but it seems to occur more often in books about the Chinese arts like Tai Chi. The fact that the author does not have perfect form compared to a master with forty years experience should not deter readers of this text. The book is designed for beginners and like any physical skills text, one should use the volume in combination with real hands-on training with a Tai Chi instructor. This book has beautiful clear photographs to help explain each particular move.

This text covers many of the basic Tai Chi movements such as ward off, single whip, brush knee and twist, toe kick, fair lady works shuttles and other tai chi moves. In conclusion, this is a good introduction to tai chi.

Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art Myths--Cafe Press).

the book is a helpful link towards my understanding of tai chi. the movements are well defined and easy for the novice to comprehend. the book was recommended by my tai chi teacher as a support system to her class techniques. the book is used but in very good condition.

...but ugly goes straight to the bone, and this book is a literal example of both sides of that old aphorism. While the raw quantity and quality of photos are very good, the main substance of the book - teaching the Cheng form - is done poorly by the book model. The model displays poor posture in almost every photo, with a strongly curved back (Tai Chi demands a straight back) and lack of precision in positioning of hands and feet. As a martial artist with moderate experience interested in learning Tai Chi, the sloppiness in form was very disappointing. Contrast this book with the expert, precise posture and position of, say, Master Liang's book.

As it demands great self-control and awareness, Tai Chi is virtually impossible to learn well without a teacher, and this book will not help you in any case. It's too bad, because it otherwise uses good practices (multiple perspectives on a posture, notes on each main sequence, foot diagrams, transition drawings). You'll need to find a solid teacher, and get a better book.