T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom [Paperback]

Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001

Unlike most t'ai chi books, which focus strictly on how to do the t'ai chi forms, T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom presents a personal, practical view of this intriguing martial art. Lehrhaupt shares illuminating stories from her own life and the lives of her students that show how t'ai chi can be a vehicle for profound self-discovery and spiritual growth.

In learning to master each body posture, t'ai chi students often confront self-doubt, frustration, and the desire to compete and compare themselves to others—problems that also arise in daily life. Lehrhaupt shows how these and other obstacles provide valuable opportunities to deepen awareness and recognize the striking continuities between practice and everyday life.

Each section of the book includes practical exercises designed to enhance students' understanding of t'ai chi movements, and a helpful appendix answers many frequently asked questions about t'ai chi training such as how to find a teacher and how to balance practice with family life. Full of useful insights and guidance, T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom will be a valuable companion for all students of this increasingly popular martial art.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Zen priest as well as a t'ai chi instructor, Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt takes us into the soul of t'ai chi in T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom. Not exactly an instruction manual (there are only a few of the basic exercises and no photographs), this unique book reads more like a topnotch meditation manual, describing practices but also pitfalls, warning of frustrations and praising the outcomes of perseverance. In personal anecdotes that range from the humorous to the painful, Lehrhaupt touches on aspects of t'ai chi, such as balance, stillness, and steadfastness, that will be familiar to anyone who has learned a physical skill. The success stories of her students and of herself are an inspiration to take up this soft art and experience the wisdom that comes from cooperating with the cosmos. --Brian Bruya

From Publishers Weekly

Martial artist and ordained Zen priest Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt offers T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom, an anecdotal description of how t'ai chi is more than just a martial art, but a way of life. The book contains some advice on technique, as well as useful exercises for readers to practice their methodology, but its core is a personal story of how the author came to understand chi as a life force. It's surprisingly well-written for a debut book.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570624453
• ISBN-13: 978-1570624452
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Tai Chi & Qi Gong

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Supplement to Your T'ai Chi Study, April 8, 2007

By 

Brian D. Miller (Norwalk, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom (Paperback)

I've been studying T'ai Chi for about 2 years and every book I buy attempts to teach me the complex movements of the form through simple line drawings or cruddy old photos. This book leaves the form for your instructor. What it does very well is give you insight into the author's path of learning tai chi. I was definitely inspired by her story to make the time to pracitce and stick with it. If you're looking for something more motivational than "left hand brushes across the left knee" then this is the book for you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable book that goes beyond forms, May 13, 2008

By 

Kevin Teixeira (Morgan Hill, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom (Paperback)

I have tried many different T'ai Chi classes before finding my way to Yi Chuan, which could be described as a modernized free-form internal martial art from China. Nothing can substitue for a great teacher or studying wiht a living master of any art or sport. But, this book has been very inspirational for me. So many teachers, books and classes in the U.S. focus on teaching the T'ai Chi forms when it is the internal path that seperates T'ai Chi, Yi Chuan, Hsing Yi Chuan, Ba Gua from Karate and many Kungfu styles. Some key topics: the importance of standing mediation techniques to build strength in the legs (and body) and mental calmness in the mind; facing the challenge of maintaining a daily practice on your own; boredom as one of the mind's tricks for distracting you from putting out just a bit more effort to keep going, and much more. These are topics I haven't seen touched on in any book, let alone discussed by teachers. A valuable book for anyone studying a individual sport or martial art.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a path, May 6, 2007

By 

Brad (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom (Paperback)

As the title reads, this book is about being the practice of tai ji, not just doing it. The movements are supposed flow and you feel your weight shift from left foot to right foot and front foot to back foot, etc. as one movement, concentrating your attention on the process. In one chapter she describes the intention of flowing movements well when discussing the series of movements known as "fair lady works the shuttle". She illustrates it by comparing the movements and your weight flow to the forward and backward ebb of waves. I liked that description.