Tai Chi for Kids (Martial Arts for Kids) [Hardcover]

Jose Figueroa (Author), Stephan Berwick (Author), Stephanie Tok (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2006 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Martial Arts for Kids

A fun and accessible introduction to studying Tai Chi-designed specifically with the interests and capabilities of young martial artists in mind.

Tai Chi for Kids will help kids getting started in Tai Chi and help them to practice at home. It includes thorough introductions to the history and philosophy of Tai Chi, what to expect in the first few classes, how to warm up and practice setting goals. With over 75 full-color illustrations, including 40 clearly diagrammed Tai Chi moves, along with lots of fun facts and informative sidebars written in kid-friendly, jargon-free language, this is the perfect introduction for the younger martial artist.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jose Figueroa has won numerous grand championships and first place titles at every major Chinese martial arts tournament in the United States.

Stephan Berwick is one of only two Americans certified as a martial arts instructor at the Xi'an Athletic Technical Institute in Shaanxi, China.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804835632
• ISBN-13: 978-0804835633
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Martial Arts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tai Chi for Kids -- wonderful!, July 8, 2006

By 

Patricia Sadiq "+Patricia" (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids (Martial Arts for Kids) (Hardcover)

This really unique book is not what me and my kids expected. The authors succeeded in presenting a Tai Chi book that in a way is not a Tai Chi book. They combine simple, but important traditional Tai Chi exercises, combined with fun partner drills using balls, push-ups, and other easy to teach exercises, all based on real Tai Chi principles. Don't expect the book to teach the standard Tai Chi forms. This is completely different and teaches easy to learn exercises that offer Tai Chi benefits, (usually promoted for adults), for kids. The illustrations are great and the anecdotes, such as how important Tai Chi practice is for kids in Chen Village (Tai Chi's birthplace in Northern China), give this very unique book a charm and usefulness all its own. Even if my kids don't continue practicing the Tai Chi exercises, they love looking at the illustrations of a boy and girl doing the moves, as well as reading the clear text of the history and storys about Tai Chi. Compared to other kids oriented Tai Chi books out there, this is by far the best available. We adore it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reference Book for Older Kids, but Somewhat Complicated as a How To Tool, August 1, 2008

By 

Kate Boswell MFT "Therapist, 2bstressfree.com" (Marina del Rey, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids (Martial Arts for Kids) (Hardcover)

What I love about this book is that it introduces kids to the idea of the mind body connection, meditation, and guided imagery. It is also a good reference book for older kids who are interested in Tai chi and want to know more about the history and philosophy. It has a very good but simple introduction to the concept of yin and yang, and how practicing Tai chi is the emobdiment of yin and yang. I like how it shows physical ways to meditate/relax the body and mind, through some Tai chi exercises. It also has some fun games to play solo or with a partner, to learn about energy, or to warm up and cool down before and after Tai chi practice.

Okay, what I don't like, and why I did not give it five stars...The instructions for the various poses and stances were somewhat complicated. As an adult, they were hard to decipher, so I imagine it wouldn't be that easy for the kids to learn from it either. Each positon has only one picture of the completed move or position. The verbal instructions are very long, and not broken down clearly into steps. There are no pictures of the various steps leading up to the completed move/positon.

I am a long time Tai chi student and a long distance grandmother. My grandkids practice with me when we get together during vacations. It is my experience that adults and kids learn Tai chi through imitation. In class, of course, we have a teacher and advanced students to imitate, with minimal verbal instructions. I think the book could teach more clearly, if the verbal instructions were broken down into shorter steps, each accompanied by a picture to imitate.

I will be sending this book to the kids, along with another book, Tai Chi For Kids: Moving With the Animals, which is for little kids. I think that the one about moving with the animals is actually a better teaching tool, with Tai chi for Kids as a good companion/reference/informational book for older kids. If the kids prove me wrong, and give a glowing report about how well this book teaches them, then I will be sure to post an updated review! Kate

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tai Chif for Kids, January 9, 2007

By 

Monika I. Domaracki (Lynwood, Western Australia Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids (Martial Arts for Kids) (Hardcover)

Brilliant book. Children find it easy to understand. The exercises described are fun and easy to do.