Tai Chi Chuan: The 27 Forms

Great read Alito if interesting info and instruction in tai chi

I was lucky to see Marshall Ho'o on PBS back in the 1970's, I think it was. His wit, wisdom, and patience as he showed us all in a series how to perform Tai Chi. I am so thrilled to have this book and I am brushing up on the Temple Exercises while I wait for the DVD. This is healthy, low or no impact circular movements performed slowly and it feels so good, mind, body, spirit, like swimming in the air. If I remember correctly, Mr. Ho'o told us on that PBS series once, that he was injured stuck in bed, and he began by just moving his eyes in a circular motion, which activated the chi and promoted the healing process, just that little bit. If you are wheel chair bound, you might want to ask a Tai Chi expert or physical therapist if Tai Chi upper body circular movements would be helpful to you.

Anybody who is looking to get started in Tai Chi and qigong would be well served by this inexpensive tome from a great teacher. In addition to a complete set of instructions for the Yang short form, he prefaces this with a set of qigong exercises commonly performed in Buddhist temples, which by themselves make the book a worthwhile purchase.

Ho'o shows 9 classic chinese exercises, which are pretty good in themselves. Ho'o then shows 27 essential forms of Tai chi chuan. The pictures and discriptions aren't bad, but if you've never seen the movements, you may want to consider the video by the same author as well. Pushing hands is briefly discussed, and self defense possibilities are shown for a lot of the moves. All in all, a tidy little book to get one started in Tai chi.

Marshall Ho'o has been called the father of American Tai Chi Chuan by many of us who's lives were forever enriched by this extraordinary teacher. Master Ho'o was one of the greatest intellectuals of our time. He gave his students not only the physical disciplines but mental and spiritual lessons to encourage personal growth. This book is a treasure for every warrior of integrity and defender human dignity. A damn great step by step lesson guide too!