Handbook of t'Ai CHI Ch'uan Exercises

This book has a couple of nice chapters covering the basic characteristics of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the key points of practice. It then has separate chapters on the short 24-form, the standard 88-form, and push hands. Since I do not practice the standard 88-form or push hands, I cannot comment on those chapters. The chapter on the short 24-form is excellent. Each motion is covered in great detail, both with written instructions and diagrams. The written instructions are quite detailed, yet easy to follow and there are notes at the end of each motion that provide additional focus and emphasis. The diagrams are also very well done.

I agree with one of the previous writers that this really is an undiscovered little gem of a book. It has some great advice that is hardly to be found in other books. For example, it has a very simple mnemonic on how to remember when you're supposed to be breathing in vs. breathing out--considered a more advanced way of doing the form, but if you read this passage you'll know it for good. Also, very cool, detailed footwork diagrams showing angle and direction both for the short and the long form. And rarely seen advice pointing out that one can be double- weighted in two ways--you can be double-weighted youself, but also you can be double-weighted with an opponent. All in all a great little book (actually not so little, with over 600 different illustrations) and well worth the money. You'll still need some professional instruction or a video to be able to get far enough to use the book, because a book really can't teach you the form or the postures, but if you do, the book will enhance your existing knowledge. Once you have the form down, you can start to learn the martial applications if you're so inclined. By the way, learning those will help your form practice, since it will help you remember and understand how actually to best perform the movement. Perhaps the briefest definition of tai chi is that it consists of both small and large circle martial chi gung. If you understand that you will probably know more than the vast majority of the practitioners out there.

In all honesty I am tempted to purchase another copy of this book in case something bad happens to the copy I currently own. Yes I liked it that much, and yes I think it has that much value. As far as the deeper aspects of Tai Chi you should look elsewhere but, I have yet to see a book that is better than this when it comes to describing the Tai Chi movement. The only thing better than this book is watching someone demonstrate the form. If you want a book to help you memorize all the moves to supplement what your master teaches you, I highly recomend this. It is important to cultivate Qi energy I know, but it is just as important to learn the basics moves first. If you want to move in water you have to relax and let yourself float, while using smooth and correct motions to get to the other end of the pool. So it is with Tai Chi; you use graceful movement, to let your spirit float in the vast ocean that is Qi energy. In the same way that relaxing and yielding in the water allows the body to move better in a swiming pool or ocean, so to does yielding and relaxing allow the spirit to move in far vaster ocean of energy. This means then, that this yielding nature, like in swiming, must be acompanied by graceful and skilled movement to yield the maximum benefit. With careful practice with an instructor, this book, and a lot of patience and determination its possible to master this art. Oh, one last thing. Please keep in mind that martial arts, any martial art, are not sports. Martial arts were designed for the purpose of defense through physical harm, i.e. maiming or killing. To reduce the martial arts to something like a sport competition is to take it as lightly as one takes a children's game like baseball. Martial arts should never be taken lightly, least of all something as potentially dangerous as Tai Chi. The martial arts are just that; arts. Treat this like an art form, and you will find many rewards.

This book is the best overall Yang Tai Chi book I have read for a variety of reasons. One: It contains a plethora of drawings to go with each portion of the forms. Even though photos normally look better, a good drawing can more easily show exactly how the movement should be carried out. These drawing are very good, they include movement arrows so that you can see the intended direction of movement to get to the position of the next drawing. In addition, at the end of each complete form is a diagram showing the relative positions of the feet through out the form. Second: It contains alot of information. This book covers the Yang simplified and standard forms, as well as basic push hands techniques. The only thing that it lacks on is information on theory, so if you are looking for a book on Tai Chi theory, this isn't the book you are looking for. Third: The editor left no wasted space and organized the information very well. The book is crammed with information and is nice and compact. It is still large enough to get the job done and takes up less space on your shelf, or wherever else you keep it. Fourth: The price is very reasonable for a martial arts book. Especially given the quality of the book. So if you are looking for a great reference book on yang Style Tai Chi, this is the book I would suggest to you.

Excellent reference for learning the Yang-style Tai Chi Ch'uan. The detailed instructions and movement diagrams walk the reader through the form and its transitions. Covers the Simplified and Standard forms as well as Push Hand exercises.