The Tai Chi Handbook [Paperback]

Herman Kauz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 9, 1974

The ancient Chinese art demonstrated in words and pictures -- showing the rhythmic coordination, balance, and harmony developed by dedicated practitioners of this mental-physical exercise.

B & W photographs throughout

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The ancient Chinese art demonstrated in words and pictures -- showing the rhythmic coordination, balance, and harmony developed by dedicated practitioners of this mental-physical exercise.

B & W photographs throughout

From the Inside Flap

The ancient Chinese art demonstrated in words and pictures -- showing the rhythmic coordination, balance, and harmony developed by dedicated practitioners of this mental-physical exercise.

B & W photographs throughout

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Main Street Books; 1St Edition edition (July 9, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385093705
• ISBN-13: 978-0385093705
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The poor body structure in this book is dangerous, June 12, 2000

By 

Al Simon - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tai Chi Handbook (Paperback)

When I first started learning Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), this was one of the few books available. As such, it has some historical interest and some sentimental value for me.

However, as a Taijiquan teacher, I am strongly opposed to this book as a learning text. Quite simply, the body structure demonstrated in the postures in this book is potentially damaging to your body, especially your knees.

There are numerous examples, but an extreme example is the photo of Squatting Single Whip. Compare this photo to any photo of Cheng Man-ching, the author's teacher, available in numerous books performing the same movement. You will see that the author has misaligned his knee and collapsed his ankle, as well as arching his back, into an unnatural and potentially dangerous position.

If you are interested in the style of Taiji shown in this book, you are much better off with one of the books by this author's teacher, such as _Master Cheng's New Method of T'ai Chi Self-Cultivation_.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required text for all my classes., May 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tai Chi Handbook (Paperback)

Ideal text for the beginner. Easy to read. Extensive pictoral presentations in the book with dialog instructions and again at the end of the text to demonstrate the flow of the exercise from beginning to end. Students can check their positions before a 90 degree move and then after the move. If you want to get a feel for Tai Chi, this is a good, quick starter book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I require the book for my students., March 26, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (USA (Lenoir NC) Blue Ridge Kung-Fu Arnis Academy #3) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tai Chi Handbook (Paperback)

I teach the Yang style Tai chi and use this book as the foundation to my class. It is exactly the form we teach and people really like it to suppliment our form. I would highly recommend it. We have been using it for 5 years now.