Customer Reviews

A Morning Cup of Tai Chi (The Morning Cup series)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Very often I have read tai chi books that explain the art of tai chi using Chinese metaphors, like snake creeps down, making it very difficult for me to comprehend and use them in my daily exercize. The genius of John Fey is his ability to use simple American concepts which I am familiar as the basis of his routines. For example draw a circle with your hand. I am amazed at the benefit I have achieved by using John's previous books and tapes. I am 65 years old and move and have the energy of a 40 year old. Do not be fooled by the simplicity of the book. Practicing the tai chi routines have a powerful effect on the mind/body.

Although this is a cute and fun idea, and I like the author's integrated and eclectic approach, unfortunately, I have to say that this is not tai chi by any traditional standard of tai chi performance that I know. The tai chi set presented here has you performing the numbers 1 through 10 in the air, and at the end of each number, you trace the tai chi yin/yang pattern in the air. Although this results in your doing something akin to chi gung or tai chi, they are not the actual chi gung movements or tai chi movements, either. If you are looking for something like tai chi that isn't tai chi, then perhaps this book is for you. Otherwise you could simply make up your own movements and you'd be about as well off. This is because the original chi gung and tai chi movements are based on very specific Chinese taoist and medical principles and the body mechanics and alignments are extremely detailed and meticulous. Sorry to criticize the book and disagree with the other reviewers here, who are quite well meaning, but they don't sound like they really know what tai chi is about, either.

I just Googled John Bright-Fey's name and found his webpage, which says he is a legitimate lineage inheritor and master and knows tai chi, ba gua, and hsing i, the three internal boxing arts, as well as other areas of eastern philosophy, medicine and knowledge. This is quite impressive, as there are very few people who have have truly learned all three internal arts, such as Sun Lu Tang, one of the most famous figures in the history of the Chinese martial arts. He died in 1930 and was also the inventor of the Sun style of tai chi. Even granting such a rarified distinction and level of erudition to the author, nevertheless, the movements presented in the book aren't tai chi. There is some value in the other information, such as visualization, relaxation, and meditative concepts, but again, that doesn't obviate the fact that the shown movements aren't actual tai chi.

Tai chi is also a martial art and there is no mention of those applications. I realize some people may only want to do tai chi for health purposes, which is fine, but then they should go to the trouble of learning the real art, at least one of the shorter short forms, which range from 24 to 88 movements. The author says that he invented this method since many people couldn't learn the actual form. Well, the shortest short form I know of is only 24 movements. This is shorter than many karate or tae kwon do forms (although not all), significantly shorter than your typical kung fu form of 50-75 movements, and a lot shorter than the usual tai chi long form, which, depending on the style of tai chi (Yang, Wu, W'u, You, Sun, Wu Dang, or Lu) can be anywhere from about 80 to over 300 movements in the case of the Yang Cheng Fu form, and even more if you're doing the original Yang Lu Chan form. If someone can't learn the short form then they should just stick with one of the less demanding methods of chi gung.

And finally, the more traditionally oriented instructors have reservations about even the very popular short forms, since they feel they still don't reflect the true art or chi principles. It's all ultimately based on chi, and the shorter forms are thought to be too brief to build up and cultivate chi. Hence, one should only learn the short forms as a stepping stone to finally learning the original long form of any of the traditional styles.

I also went to the trouble of downloading the video clip that shows people doing the set and also has testamonials by many of his students, including a physician. This is fine, and the form looks quite pleasing and aesthetic to the eye, and it contains a variety of movements that I suspect may be useful and healthy as a form of, shall we say, slow and soft calisthenics. But again, these are not the actual tai chi movements, otherwise, any sufficiently slow and graceful looking sequence of movements could claim to be "tai chi." In that case, why not ballet, or synchonized water dancing such as in the Olympic sport?

I give the book 3 stars for effort and for creativity, and in recognition of the author's overall qualifications (I'm assuming they are all legit) but be advised that the movements here are a significant departure from the true tai chi art. Perhaps the best way to use this book would be as a stepping stone to learning the actual art.

If a person wants to be at their best
then they should pattern themselves after water
~Selection from the Tao Te Ching

John Bright-Fey is a natural teacher who takes simplicity to new levels of brilliance. When you learn other styles of T'ai Chi, you have to be so concerned about each movement and you can almost feel your inner perfectionist becoming frustrated.

With New Forest T'ai Chi, you are freed from perfectionism and finally you can express your creativity and personalize the flowing sequence of healing motion. To me, learning New Forest T'ai Chi was like learning how to paint imaginary calligraphy with my hands.

Not only is this form of T'ai Chi easy to remember, it heats the body, gives you an excellent workout and calms the nervous system. You also don't have to buy any special equipment. Some of the benefits I noticed almost immediately was more flexibility.

Grandmaster John Bright-Fey takes you through a series of exercises on the CD and all the exercises are featured in whimsical drawings with additional instruction and notes. He also covers topics like breathing, traditional Chinese medicine and has even translated four chapters from The Tao Te Ching. After reading the book, your workout will have a new depth of creativity.

I'd like to say this was "one, two, three" T'ai Chi. However, I think it is much more like calligraphy in motion. You paint numbers with your hands and this makes the movements super easy to remember.

Highly recommended for all ages. This gets you moving and it is truly a fun routine that you will never forget. The spiritual elements come from your own experience while doing the exercises and your peace of mind will last long after the routine has been completed. I felt happier, as if I had let my creative child out to play. I'm looking forward to reading all of John A. Bright-Fey's creative and healing books.

Also look for John A. Bright-Fey's video or DVD. I think this book is a beautiful companion to the DVD or Video.

~The Rebecca Review

I have always wanted to learn the basics of tai chi, but my area does not have any classes available and most videos and books I've found are too complicated and long. I can always find 15 minutes a day for this program and feel refreshed and renewed everytime I do it. I probably would have started tai chi a long time ago if I'd have had such an easy to follow book like "A Morning Cup of Tai Chi: One 15 Minute Routine to Nurture Your Body, Mind & Spirit."

This book may not be for an advanced Tai Chi person, but it certainly is perfect for me & I will continue to use it no matter what level I attain. I highly recommend this book.

I got the book last January as a New Years resolution. Started playing Tai Chi in April. Practiced daily,liked it so much I tried to convert others to the discipline. It is so easy. I saw my chiropractor in December for a check up and he said "What have you been doing different? You"re in alignment and need no adjustement. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it." I told him about New Forest Tai Chi. This book and technique is "user friendly". It has made Tai Chi a way of life for me. Sure there is more to it than this. John Fey Bright has spurred my reading in the subject. I consider him a great teacher. I endorse this book daily. I am sure I bore people about it. It is just that the book has been so helpful to me.

I love this book! I have tried to learn tai chi from videos and took a class that I could not keep up with. I find that I can easily do the exercises in this book and got the New Forest video that also helps. For the first time, I feel like I am doing tai chi! The imagery in the book inspires my movements and makes me feel smooth and graceful. I feel great! It might be simple but it is perfect for me and I love it!

I love this book and cd set. It is a wonderful way to start the day. I especially like the fact that Bright-Fey provides simple key words and concepts that I can remember throughout my day to help me relax and be more fully present no matter what I am doing. I appreciate the fact that i don't have to learn complicated routines or movements to benefit from this program - Bright-Fey uses movements I was already familiar with and then layers the movements with simple images that I find very helpful for cultivating a deep sense of well-being and relaxation. The more I play this CD, the more I enjoy it and the more I find myself using the images throughout my life! I've also noticed that my balance is better and my ability to focus has improved! I think it is a great book/cd, especially for anyone who has never tried anything like this before.

I make Morning Cup of Tai Chi part of my waking ritual, before I even open the newspaper! New Forest Tai Chi is a simple and beautiful mind-body exercise that everyone can do. Equally impressive are the selected chapters from the Tao Te Ching that Bright-Fey has translated. I had no idea that this ancient book of wisdom actually contains tai chi instruction. My morning routine is already more fluid and focused from reading his translations. What a way to start the day.

I've tried 'regular' Tai Chi and understand and respect it, but this is a form that can be done right away and is easily remembered. I'm using it with my senior fitness classes and they love it!

I found this book very easy to follow and enjoyed it right from the start. I find the instructions very easy to follow