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I have an extensive background in Qigong as well as the Alexander Technique, and Standing (zhan zhuang) is my preferred practice. It is a subtle practice, involving as it does just standing there; hence it is not easy to grasp or to write about. However it is, as is often claimed, the 64 million dollar secret behind martial and healing accomplishment. Mark Cohen clearly gets it, very much knows what he is talking about, and does a very good job of conveying it. This involves explaining very specific aspects of alignment and mental attitude. There are few books that do this practice justice; Diepersloot's two volumes are the only ones comparable.
That said, I would have liked a lot more illustrations (there are a number of photos of the author, as well as a student of his, demonstrating the postures), especially diagrams of the anatomy referred to. The author refers the reader to anatomy texts; a better solution would have been to include the diagrams, appropriately annotated. That would have moved the book up a notch towards the almost impossible goal of teaching zhan zhuang in a book.
I could also have done with smaller print, which would have allowed the author to elaborate on some of the more advanced instructions where he just suggests the practitioner work through the different layers of muscles without giving more detail.
I would also have liked a bit more material on placing the mind in the body, moving the Qi. This is not hard, but easily mystified, and a little more explanation would help the beginner.
But these are nitpicks. It is an excellent book. For anyone serious about learning qigong or internal martial arts, you can learn the essential basic practice of zhan zhuang from this book; but get Diepersloot's too, as well as Frantzis' "Opening the energy gates".
- Paperback: 358 pages
- Publisher: MSC Creative Enterprises; 2 edition (February 27, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0988317885
- ISBN-13: 978-0988317888
- Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.8 x 10 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Average Customer Review: 58 customer reviews
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#570,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1572 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #8982 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)
- #140108 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)
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