Cultivating the Ch'i: The Secrets of Energy and Vitality (Chen Kung, Vol 1) (Paperback)

~ Stuart Alve Olson (Compiler, Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is the first English translation of a work considered by the Chinese to be the bible of T'ai Chi Chuan containing the original writings from the Yang family secret journal and describing the rare T'ai Chi Chi Kung exercises. the two most exciting features of this book are the unique stop-motion multi-image photography and a deep understanding of the text revealed in Stuart Olson's notations.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

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Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Dragon Door Publications; 3rd edition (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938045113
• ISBN-13: 978-0938045113
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,495 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the ADVANCED student of Tai Chi, January 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cultivating the Ch'I (Chen Kung) (Paperback)

An excellent book of Taiji Qigong theory. As an instruction manual, you will find that there are many places within the text to get swamped. An instructor to guide you through these pitfalls is an absolute MUST. All in all, it is one of the best Chi theory books I have read. I intend to collect all of Stuart Olson's books. He is a great writer and a very well studied man. Thanks Mr. Olson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Qigong students or Taijiquan practioners that want a qigong, November 9, 2007

By	James G. Snyder "taiji dreamer" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has a very good introduction Yang Family Taiji Qigong theory, which is separate from Taijiquan martial art theory and application. There are many good books that address the second set of topics, and far fewer that teach taiji qigong. The only persons that I have ever spoken to about this book who were disappointed were those who were expecting Taijiquan theory.

In this book you will find a qigong set that I can highly recommend as a pre-taijiquan warm up set or as a qigong practice by itself. I teach my students this set as an excellent warm up (usually repeated three times), though this can also be a very good 10 minute work break qigong, especially since it doesn't use up a lot of space.

I commend the author on the use of a unique form of multi-image stop motion photography (see the cover illustration) to teach these movements. It still not always exactly clear how to execute these movements, but if you compare these to the traditional Chinese illustrations that Stuart Olson also has in this book they are fantastic.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best T'ai Chi Books ever !, February 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cultivating the Ch'I (Chen Kung) (Paperback)

If you do T'ai Chi Ch'uan Just read it ! you will not disagree