Customer Reviews

Tao and T'ai Chi Kung

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an unusual text by a true master. Written in astraightforward manner it gets to the heart of the philosophy and meaning of Tai Chi Kung. It also the only text I know of which details numerous preparatory exerices to develop the proper stretch, strength and internal muscle development to accomplish the goals of Tai Chi Kung.

I've been studying Tai Chi Chuan for a while and have read several good books. The first several chapters gave me insight to some concepts that I've heard over and over but didn't quite sink in. Robert phrased things in a way that gave me a new appreciation for the philosophy of Tai Chi and how we exercise that philosophy in our practice. Thank you!

I like good Tai Chi books. They educate and inspire. You can read them, put them away for a while, then pick them up again to be re-educated and re-inspired. This book is along those same lines, although there are better out there.

This books does not give a form. A book like this doesn't have to - Loupos' books don't have forms in them. But it would be nice to have more form examples (or push hand examples) to demostrate points.

An example of the author's points is found concerning pressing in push hands relating to the classics text about when the opponent pushes he has to go far to find anything, but when put (the opponent) he discovers that space is very short. The author's intepretation is that you retract your body so that the opponent has to go farther, but you move your body together with your hand. That gives you an idea of the level of interpretation.

In terms of the Taoist philosophy, the author really does not explain what was meant within the context of Tai Chi classics. Rather, he is spelling out his own understanding, bringing in Hindu concepts and concepts from his Korean Karate training. I'm always interested in how people interpret the classics; just know what you are purchasing.

Likewise, the supplemental exercises the other review hypes are from yoga, karate, ballet, etc. Again, interesting to see how someone approaches the subject, but this exerises are not traditional Tai Chi exercises.

All in all, a good book. Not the first one on my shelf that I would reach for, but worth reading for the Tai Chi enthusaist.

Amazing philosophy book in application of the esoteric concepts of Dr.Sohns approach to Tai Chi!!