Tai Chi: Health for Life (Paperback)

~ Bruce Frantzis (Author) "We recognize tai chi when we see people doing a series of silent, fluid, seamless slow-motion movements..." (more)
Key Phrases: nei gung system, small frame styles, lower tantien, Push Hands, Chuang Tse, Lao Tse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

From Library Journal, April 15, 2006
A well-known and popular tai chi teacher and practitioner, Frantzis (Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body) presents a thorough foundation for anyone thinking about starting tai chi or students of the practice who have not been introduced to the discipline's philosophy and benefits. In other words, readers will not find a demonstration of the movements. The author opens by defining tai chi and placing it in the larger context of Chinese thinking and traditional Chinese medicine before moving to a discussion of the health benefits, most of which derive from the control of stress and movement as well as meditation. Frantzis closes with some nuts-and-bolts issues of what students can expect to learn from tai chi and how to choose a teacher. The appendixes contain great information on how tai chi differs from yoga and chi gung and the Five Elements. Highly recommended for public, hospital, and consumer libraries. —Howard Fuller, Stanford Health Lib., Palo Alto, CA

"Tai Chi; Health for Life is not only an encyclopedia but is the foundation for the inspiration to begin the study and practice of this fabulous approach to life.” —C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., Founding President of the American Holistic Medical Association and author of Life beyond 100: Secrets of the fountain of Youth and Healing Remedies.

“I’ve been a tai chi teacher since 1971. This book answers many questions I have had about tai chi and those my students have asked me.” —Ken Van Sickle, tai chi sword specialist and original student of Cheng Man Ching, one of the first high-level chi masters from China to teach in the West.

"Bruce Frantzis is a true master.” —Michael E. Gerber, author of The E-Myth Revisited and E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World-Class Company

Product Description

Western medical studies demonstrate that Tai Chi — "the perfect exercise," according to Time magazine — combats immune deficiencies, mitigates arthritis, improves circulation, decreases high blood pressure, and helps the elderly regain physical balance. This comprehensive guide reveals how and why. Rather than teaching a specific style of Tai Chi, the book gives readers the intellectual foundation and inspiration to use the practice as a potent preventative healthcare routine and regain control of their health. Written by one of the first Westerners to become a Taoist lineage master, the book is full of practical, down-to-earth information, and covers wide-ranging topics including choosing an appropriate style and teacher; using Tai Chi to boost mental stamina and improve workplace productivity; how it enhances sexual, athletic, and intellectual performance; Tai Chi’s relationship to Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy; and how it can be used as a moving meditation and spiritual practice.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583941444
• ISBN-13: 978-1583941447
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,702 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #60 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Stress > Exercise
  #98 in	Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts > Taichi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gives Good Basic Overview, December 12, 2007

By	the_pawn (United States) - See all my reviews

The book provides a clear introduction to tai chi, its benefits, and different styles. Also, it gives some practical advice on finding a good teacher and maintaining realistic expectations. However, I think the book would be more valuable if it analyzed one of the forms in detail, with photographs--as is quite common in other tai chi books. Also, the benefits of studying tai chi could probably be summed up more succinctly. Overall, this book best serves the neophyte.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, December 20, 2007

By	Paul D. Pallante - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book. Gives a good framework for understanding the complete art of Tai Chi. Definitely not a step by step "how to" book, but an excellent "why do" book. The benefits of Tai Chi practice are elucidated clearly, while giving an intimate look into the inside elements that make Tai Chi tick (an often overlooked quality in many Tai Chi books that seem to favor bunches of pictures and captions as filler instead of real content). I'm a big fan of Frantzis' other books, and this one did not disappoint. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Health For All, November 26, 2007

By	Sam Miller - See all my reviews

A treasure chest of knowledge examining the various health aspects and history of tai-chi chaun. A valuable book for beginners outlining many of the basic principles which are often left out of modern day teaching. Therefore this will help prospective students identify a qualified instructor. Equally, advance students will benefit from this "encyclopedia" of Tai-Chi energys. Already a classic and should not be overlooked.