Customer Reviews

Tai-Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Kuo Line-Ying is recognized by all as one of the West Coasts preeminent Taichi Chuan practitioners. After his death in 1983, his widow Simmone Kuo has carried on his work. This book is a reprint of his own book, that documents the Kuan Ping style that he taught. This style is the one said to have been founded by Yang Lu Chan before he began teaching publicly in the Imperial Palace. For Taiji scholars this text is a must

This book is for those who are into the theory behind the practice of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan. There are no form instructions but it does have some information for standing meditation which will dramitically improve whatever T'ai-Chi Ch'uan form you do practice.

While it is not an instruction book on T'ai Chi it does cover a lot of the philosophy of Taoism and the fascinating life of Sifu Kuo.

If you are looking to learn all 64 forms he taught I would suggest The Healing Art of Tai Chi: Becoming One With Nature by Martin and Emily Lee. They were students of his and the book is much more detailed on the postures.
Another book of theirs is Ride The Tiger To The Mountain: Tai Chi For Health (Portable Stanford). While it has less forms it extremely detailed, making it great for beginners.

As a student in the linage of Master Kuo, I am continually amazed by his vision for T'ai Chi, especially T'ai Chi in America. His wisdom has changed the lives of me and millions of others in this country, so much for the better. Thank you Master Kuo, wherever you are, for this and your other works.

Bill Douglas

Simmone, the wife of Kuo Lien Ying, is my professor at SFSU. She teaches Elementary Tai-Chi Chuan, Advanced Tai-Chi Chuan, and Shaolin Chuan on campus. This book is an excellent supplement to what she teaches and lectures. Tai-Chi is a very relaxing exercise. It teaches patience and concentration. Pick up this book if you feel you need that in your life.