Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life [Paperback]

Chungliang Al Huang (Author), Jerry Lynch (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1994

Written by a sports psychologist and a renowned T'ai Chi master, here is a guide to enriching all of life's pursuits through the practice of its simple mental tools and wisdom. Using stories of success from athletes and businesspeople, the authors present techniques and exercises to promote relaxation and enhance performance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Taosports embodies an Eastern philosophical and religious approach to optimizing experiences. According to the authors, "thinking body, dancing mind means that you have within you all that you need to be and to do anything you wish." The authors provide many exercises for the best utilization of this process. The tools include visualization, focusing, and centering. Examples of how athletes and others have benefited by incorporating elements of Taosports are included throughout. Other books by Huang include Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain (Celestial Arts Pr., 1990) and Quantum Soup (Celestial Arts Pr., 1988). This self-improvement guide gives a taste of Tao but should not be considered an introduction to that subject. Buy for demand.
- J. Sara Paulk, Concord P.L., N.H.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Bantam Trade Paperback Ed edition (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373781
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373783
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology
  • #39 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Taoism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be the bible for all elite athletes!, March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life (Paperback)

Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch have put together a truly exceptional sports reference. The book is divided into three peices. First, it teaches the reader a special approach to solving problems. This process includes directed thoughts, afirmations, visualizations and many other techniques to tackle ones goals. Next the book addresses every problem an athlete could possibly encounter in pursuit of world class performance. The authors have disected these obstacles and given several strategies for conquoring them. Finally, the third part of the book (actually about the entire second half) presents all of the phsychological traits which exemplify champion athletes. From detachment to integrity, every last emotion and thought of a champion is addressed in this book. Thinking Body, Dancing Mind is very usefull for beginners who are just learning the basics of their sport. Amazingly, the book takes on an entirely different dimension for world-class athletes, who are struggling for an edge. For these athletes this book can be liked only to the bible.

For those interested in maximizing there performance, Optimum Sports Nutrition by Dr. Micheal Colgan is another great source for athletics.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing combination of Tao and Sports Psychology, February 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life (Paperback)

Perhaps, it was my expectations. But this book marks an extreme disappointment for me. As someone who has interests in both the Tao and sports psychology, I thought that the combination had incredibly potential. In fact other Sports Psychologists like Robert Nideffer in his books Psyched to Win and An Athlete's Guide to Mental Training discuss the benefits of Eastern philosophy on enhanced performance but not in the direct approach promised in this book. But what Jerry Lynch has put together is a quick "fix-it" book which reads more like David Leadbetter's Golf instructional book, "Faults and Fixes", than a book that seeks to address the real connections between the Tao and Sports (or business) performance. The title promises substance. The answers in this book are hollow. For example, they describe a meditative exercise on Candle focusing (p.64) as such: "this is an easy, quick way to strengthen your ability to focus and be present in the moment, in the Beginner's mind". He goes on in one paragraph to tell the reader to stare at the candle exclude all thoughts and if the mind wanders just go back to the flame. Well, for anyone who has seriously considered and attempted meditation we could only wish it was this simple. Commiting yourself to improving your performance in sports or business through improving your mental skills/approach takes knowledge, practice and skill. It is never "quick and easy" just as teaching you to hit 300 yard drives down the middle of the fairway is not in any way "quick and easy". There are a number of concepts and ideas that are useful in this book especially for a novice to both the Tao and Sports Psychology. But if you are familiar, you'll be much better off reading the Tao te Ching for yourself and also reading Nideffer's books mentioned above or Terry Orlick's In Pursuit of Excellence if you are interested in Sports Psychology/Enhanced Performance through Mental Training

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Tool for Committed Athletes, December 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life (Paperback)

This book addresses most of the stumbling blocks many athletes encounter in their quest for excellence. It then suggests specific guidelines for achieving not only performance excellence but also an internal sense of calm and satisfaction with the effort and accomplishment.
The format is succinct and easily used as a reference when specific concepts need to be reviewed. It is not a deeply theoretical book. Rather, it is a very practical and, in my experience, highly effective friend. It has totally changed my approach to my sport (and to my life) with wonderful results.