Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice [Paperback]

Kuo Lien-Ying (Author), Simmone Kuo (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 1999

Originally published before Kuo Lien-Ying left China and then again in 1966 soon after his arrival in the United States, Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice has now been edited and expanded by his widow and disciple, Simmone Kuo. Her version includes new material on the philosophical origins of Tai-Chi Chuan, particularly how it relates to the I Ching, the most ancient text of Chinese wisdom. The book also provides explanations of the meaning of this ancient and elegant martial art--its name and history--the keys to understanding the Thirteen Movements, archival photographs of Lien-Ying performing the movements, and other supplementary literature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kuo Lien-Ying was one of the most distinguished and revered martial artists of the twentieth century. He was born in Sanyuan City, in northern China in 1890, and began training as a boy. He went on to study, practice, and teach a great array of Chinese martial arts. Kuo Lien-Ying's life spanned the time of great upheaval and tranfition between the Ching dynasty and modern China. A great master of traditional art, he continued to practice and teach in San Francisco until his death in 1984.

Simmone Kuo has taught Chinese internal martial arts in San Francisco for the last two decades. She is familiar to Bay Area citizens and children from her many television and school appearances. She continues to lead classes at the academy which bears her family name and is a member of the Physical Education Department at San Francisco State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 2nd edition (February 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556432984
• ISBN-13: 978-1556432989
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #853,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely don't...., September 3, 2002

By 

Marco Morena "Mormarc" (Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This book is just a celebration of Lien Ying Kuo.
Asolutely too much pages for celebration with family and relatives photos.
Just something (really something...) general and elementary instruction on tai chi practice.
The form.
Do you know the kind of tai chi book where the form is described with just a big picture on each page and with only the name of the posture? That's it.
Probably this book could have a very high emotional value for the pupills of Lien Ying Kuor (as it would also be for me if I were his pupill)but, absolutely, no any "Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice" in this book neither in theory nor in practice.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting look at tai chi, January 4, 2002

By 

John Ball (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

Kuo's book on tai chi chaun is an interesting look at his style of the martial art. The text of the book seems to be drawn mostly from the tai chi classics, though organized through the author's own understanding of the art. The photos included are good, and illustrate the postures of his tai chi form. This book also contains a brief introduction to Chinese philosophy as it relates to tai chi, which is useful for readers new to the subject. This book is not a training manual, but more of an overview of the style of tai chi practiced by the author.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a Tai Chi instruction book, April 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This is not a book for the beginning student. The illustrations are vague and the postures lack detailed descriptions. It would be of interest to the Tai Chi book collector. It is more an immortalization of master Lien-Ying than a primer in the art of Tai Chi.