Customer Reviews

Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists

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Have you ever seen video footage of an old taiji master effortlessly tossing around multiple attackers half her age while maintaining an expression of peace and calm, and wondered where that amazing skill comes from? It's not magic, and it's not just a matter of learning martial techniques. This amazing ability comes from a complete understanding and mastery of the internal aspects of tajiquan. It comes from understanding the mindset of the art's architects and adopting it as your own. "Taiji Notebeook" gives clear instruction for developing the necessary structural, mental, and energetic framework that is the foundation to all of the other amazing benefits taijiquan has to offer.

"Taiji Notebook" will be beneficial for taiji practitioners at any level, but I especially recommend it for the beginner. Many of the concepts discussed in this book are subtle and are only able to be applied effectively by the advanced student. However, this book may save years of frustration in the hands of the novice by giving her the proper mindset with which to train.

Many modern taiji books discuss the movements of taiji forms in broad terms (e.g. step left, bring your hand to dantien level, etc.), but fail to explain the structure on which those movements are based, or neglect the martial context. Others list countless varieties of fajin, but vague, if any, description of the actual process of developing fajin in the first place. "Taiji Notebook" is one of the clearest explanations available of the internal aspects of the art, as transmitted in the Taiji classics, but written by and for the modern native English speaker.

We live in a rough and tumble world, "Taiji Notebook" can be a great first step in learning how not to get thrown.

There are no shortcuts in taijiquan (tai chi chuan) but there are guideposts along the path and Taiji Notebook provides quite a few. It's broken up into very short, readable chapters that cover a variety of topics like: breathing, fang song, fajin, mistakes, fear, flow, the dui fang, san shou and many other things that beginning, intermediate, and advanced students face as they learn tai chi.

When I first started my practice of tai chi I bought every book I could find. But I quickly noticed that most of the books simply showed you how to do the form, through pictures, but very few attempted to teach you what the form was about, how you should approach it, why you should do it, and what it could do for you (besides health aspects).

Taiji Notebook is just such a book. I wish I had it when I first started tai chi, but at the same time I'm just as happy I have it now after a few years of practice. This is one of those books that you can go back to over and over again and see new things. So as your own practice advances your understanding of some of the things Rodell talks about will also expand.

It is fast becoming one of those well thumbed, dogeared books on my bookshelf. I highly recommend it!

The book is full of explanations and advice, clearly written by a person who has long experience in the art and it makes it alive. All parts of the whole system of
taijiquan, such as basic exercises, form, pushing hands, free hands, weapons form and -fighting are vividly shown in their place and role. With examples from the classics and analysing experience of his own Scott M. Rodell clearly explains that the true essence of taijiquan can only known through its martial aspect.

I have been studying Tai Chi Chuan for over 10 years and have read several book on Tai Chi Chuan, finding most of them to be a dissapointment. Very few books on the subject, especially recent ones, actually discuss how to approach the practice of Tai Chi Chuan in such great detail as this book. It is small, concise, and ultimately cuts to the heart of Tai Chi practice and philosophy. There is an amazing amount of detail and breakdown of concepts that are often (intentionally) left vague or not discussed in other works, and the insights revealed are invaluable. This is an author who has steeped himself in the tradition, the culture, and the classics of the art, and made them completely accessible to modern practitioners. Along the way, Mr. Rodell has cut through the mysticism and hype, offering critiques of and solutions to the common mistakes of modern practice
I'll try not to duplicate too much of what others have written about this book as I agree with them, and would highly recommend this book to practitioners of any level. As with all great teachings, the information presented carries layers of meaning that grow with the practitioners understanding of the material. As others have said, this is the real deal.

As a serious student of taijiquan, I find Scott Rodell's book, "Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists" to be one of the most valuable resources in my growing library on the topic. Mr. Rodell shares his deep knowledge and experiences as a martial artist with the reader in a series of concise topical essays that are read and assimilated easily - yet are worthy of regular contemplation. I've re-read the book many times - finding new meaning with each reading. I consider it to be a foundation reference - to be placed along side the "classics" - as it conveys a lifetime of wisdom and learning, based on authentic transmission from Yang family masters. I consider it to be a foundation text for any serious martial arts student. I highly recommend it to my fellow students of all taijiquan styles! Buy-it, Read-it, Use-it, Recommend-it. You won't be sorry!

I recently had the fortunate opportunity to attend a 9-day seminar with the author in Tallinn, Estonia, along with a wonderful group of highly motivated, friendly and skilled students. The seminar was a combination of sword, push-hands and martial applications from the Michuan Hand Form.

Little gems from the Taiji Notebook were often "mantras" throughout the week. Examples being, "the waist is the commander", and, "control the center", which were patiently repeated and repeated by the author.

I use a highlighter pen for practical books like this so as to quickly reread and review. It is interesting to find what one believes to be perhaps filler on the first pass may just become something important to focus on the next time around. So, I read it again searching for more. This is the kind of book that one can constantly refer to and know you have learned something, and then find one more thing to help you. Even though I may have heard it all before, maybe a dozen times, it is clearly written here and easy to locate by topic.

Taiji Notebook is a quick-read compilation of all important areas of Taiji from the author's own life experience and training. Written by a Westerner in a straight forward and easy-to-read style. It makes is clear there are no secrets but rather a question of if you are now able to effectively use the input. Highly recommended for all those interested in the soft martial art of Taijiquan.

Scott Rodell shares his experiences, insights, and knowledge of taijiquan very openly in this appropriately titled book. There is a sense that much of the text was hand-written after a good practice or mini-revelation. It is casual in this sense, but also well organized, with an excellent balance in discussing the principes, personal thoughts and daily experiences with the art. There is a also a very strong sense of history, not to preach, but to strive to bring the art back to where it should be.

Again, Mr. Rodell has given us a book which cuts away the veils of mysticism, hype, and "dojo lore" which often mask the reality of many Asian martial arts, taijiquan in particular. Those with no background in the art, or who are newcomers to it, can readily understand and more easily absorb its basic principles thanks to a practical manual such as this. The author's expertise and standing in the field, combined with a clear and readable prose, make for an unbeatable combination.

Rodell's insights into the methods and principles underlying Yang style taijiquan form a powerful guide for practitioners of all levels.

I bought this as a compliment to his book on Chinese Swordsmanship. This little book is filled with interesting thoughts and insights from someone respected in the taiji world.