Customer Reviews

T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Wu Style): Body And Mind In Harmony -- The Integration Of Meaning And Method

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This book was my first Tai Chi book, and so I still believe it has some merit. I believe it brings up many valid points which will be very useful for American readers, and the book serves as a good introduction. However, it is an imperfect method in description of the postures and pales in comparison to books by masters of many years. The book I would most suggest to anyone is Complete Tai-Chi by Master Alfred Huang.

Sophia Delsa,a dancer, was one of the early Westerners that lived in China, studied Chinese dance and Tai Chi Chuan. Keep in mind, this is probably one of the earliest book in English about Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. It is written in four parts which provides multi level insights into the way,the exercise, the interpretation and the life of Tai Chi. The book did not get into the martial aspect of Tai Chi, however it is a very good read with photographs and drawings of the form by the auhor. Her teacher was Master Ma Yueh Liang, a very famous Wu style Taichi master.

I found this book to be an excellent book to polish my T'ai Chi. I have used this text as part of taking a class with the Wu style and found it nearly invaluable. Each movement is described in detail and the pictures, while inadequate for a learn-it-yourself senario, are perfect for jogging your memory of what the pose should look like so you can practice at home. It does not provide enough description or diagrams for easy solo learning, though it is possible with enough concentration and dedication.

I also enjoyed the beginning portions of the book that discuss the philosophy behind the form. They go nicely in depth into what this discipline is about. It is heavy reading though, Delza doesn't bother talking down to her audience nor does she stand on a soap box and pitch her book to the masses. She explains what she has studied and does it intelligently.

I have not tried this book in conjunction with DVDs yet, but as I am losing my teacher, I intend to pair this book with a DVD to continue my practice. The pairing should work fine since the DVD will give me a visual of the form and Ms. Dalza's book will give me the indepth look at what I am doing so that I may do it correctly.