Customer Reviews

Tai Chi Chih! Joy Thru Movement

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Clearly, some who have rated the book low haven't taken the time for even the most cursory examination. They object that it is not "Tai Chi Chuan". Of course not, it is "Tai Chi Chih" and a quick reading of the introduction will reveal both the intent and the origin of Tai Chi Chih. I don't believe there is any attempt to mislead here, nor is the title a cynical marketing ploy.

What Tai Chi Chih is is an excellent qigong set designed entirely for health and meditation and which can provide many benefits of the far more difficult Tai Chi Chuan. It is very gentle and can be performed by almost anyone.

I have studied Tai Chi Chuan and a number of other qigong systems and have a strong basis for comparison. Different qigongs seem to produce different "qualities" or feelings/vibrations of qi. I find the effect of Tai Chi Chih to be quite perceptible, very pleasantly physical, very detoxifying, like a deep internal massage. Just a few days of practice begins to yield more energy and a feeling of more ease and balance. It circulates the qi very effectively and leaves my abdomen and back feeling very open, springy, and unravelled. The rocking on the feet draws up earth qi which is circulated within via arm movements.

Tai Chi Chuan feels a lot like this, when practiced correctly, but is more difficult to achieve. When practiced incorrectly, I have found it can actually exacerbate tension and energy blockages in the body.

Take time to study the movements of Tai Chi Chih and practice them for many days before making your own evaluation. It would be better still to learn from one of several videotapes on Tai Chi Chih.

Sure, the title has "Tai Chi" in it and it really is't a Tai Chi book in the usual sense. Go beyond the title and you find Stone has given us a marvelous set of Chi Kung exercises that anyone can do.

The author realized that most people just do not have the discipline and patience to learn Tai Chi. So he took his years of experience among Chi Kung Masters, produced 19 forms that move the Chi and gave it as a gift to all of us.If you do not want to do Tai Chi, but want its benefits get this book or even better the tape.

Stone is an interesting sincere guy who has led a remarkable life. Read the description of his spiritual writings and background on other areas of Amazon.

So he shouldn't have called it Tai Chi Chih. So what. Other authors have done the same, "Tai Chi Chi Kung" Or Tai Chi that or Tai Chi this- not uncommon. It sells exercise books.

Mr. Stone's work to bring Tai Chi Chih to the world is a great service to us all. This excellant form of Qigong is reaching a wide audience of people who are reaping great benefits.

We have heard wonderful things about Tai Chi Chih all over the country through Tai Chi Chih teacher's and students involved with World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day.

Again, thanks and congratulations to Mr. Stone on his important and highly effective work.

Bill Douglas, Founder of World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day

This book is a precious resource and aid for both new and continuing Tai Chi Chih students (and teachers). The easy-to-read text and photos clearly define the principles and mechanics of the 20 fun-to-learn movements within this gentle, non-aggressive, stress-relieving practice. Helpful tips that will enhance and deepen one's personal relationship with Tai Chi Chih are generously offered by the practice's originator, Justin Stone. Tip: The Great Circle Meditation at the end of this book is not to be missed!

When Justin Stone developed Tai Chi Chih from several other chinese internal strengthening and healing exercises, he gave folks another way toward self improvement. More active than Yoga and simpler than tai chi chuan, Tai Chi Chih is a satisfying, non-sweaty exercise program. Easy to learn (over the course of eight or so sessions with an accredited instructor)or in a couple of months using the book, a companion VHS tape, or DVD -- a person can learn an exercise routine that can be done in pajamas before breakfast.

Excellent! I wish this was available in DVD form!. The book is well written and the photos are very helpful. I did T'ai Chi Chih many years ago and had forgotten some of the movements but this has brought it all back.

I looked up material on this before purchasing the book. I liked the idea of a Tai Chi form that was easy to learn and did not take up a lot of space to execute (you can comfortably do it in a 4' by 3' floor space). You can also do just the arm movements in a chair with low or no arms.

The book was easy to learn from. The written instructions for the movements are clear and the sequential photographs help a lot. I learned this while I was on vacation -- just kept adding two or three movements every couple of days until I was doing them all.

I had this years ago and lost it in a flood. The movements are simple yet profound, deceptively so.
I practice yoga regularly but found I wanted to incorporate these flowing, meditative movements as well.
The energy really gets going.

I took a class in T'ai Chi Chih many years ago, but didn't practice enough to get it all to sink in. When I wanted to start up again, I found I didn't have time to go to class. This book, along with Justin Stone's video has really helped me pick up the movements once more. I think that the explanations and photos are very helpful. This is a good resource.

I am writing in response to the person who left a comment on July 23, 2002. This person does not know what they are talking about. There are two forms of Tai Chi. One is this book, which is a easier method to learn. The other is Tai Chi Ch'uan, which is a more experienced version. If this person has read as many books as they say they have, they would know that. This is a good book.