Universal Form: Three-Minute Routine for Transforming Stress to Power and Peace

The author also has a DVD out which should be used to compliment this book. The author has a background in Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts. As an instructor in Tai Chi, I found this form ideal for a warm up and cool down exercise when teaching Tai Chi. I also have taught this stress management form in my senior class. The beauty of this form is that it can be done almost anywhere, even sitting which I now must do because of my medical condition. The form is simple and easy to learn. I strongly recommend you read and study this book so you have a clear understanding of the purpose and objectives doing the three-minute form for power and relaxation. In conclusion, this universal form is for anyone desiring a simple method of stress reduction. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician, Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Avanced Techniques).

Doing the Universal Form can improve your physical and mental health and you don't need special shoes, clothes or place. You only need to bring your mind and body in harmony with your breathing and movements. The Universal Form's simple techniques conceal the powerful benefits gained for those who practice the three-minute program every day. Master Lawrence Tan has devoted his life to the study of Martial Arts. He has devised a system that strengthens the body, with emphasis on the philosophical and health payback you give to yourself. Combat for the average Joe, doesn't take place in a ring; it takes place with our boss, significant other and even with our-selves; the every day struggle. The book guides you through the program to help bring you the Power, Energy and Peace that we all seek; to live each day to the fullest. I would highly recommend the book and video tapes.

I have studied Martial Arts for some time now and I have studied Tan's Tri-Harmony system for two years. When learning Master Tan's style, The Universal Form is the first form you are taught. It becomes the foundation for the rest. It is both subtle and powerful. It incorporates truly universal principles of Body, Breath and Mind. So often in life today, especially in the fast paced city life, we do not breath fully and deeply. We deprive our muscles and organs of oxygen and open the way for stress and illness. When working the form you are alternately using and stretching all the muscles in your body, while flooding the body with oxygen. This strengthens the body from within, while maintaining and improving flexibility. One year ago I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle to work. I shattered a one inch section of my left collar- bone into fragments. The Orthopoedic Surgeon said there is no way to operate on this type of injury and that I would not likely regain more than 50-70% mobility in that arm. I waited for two and a half months for sufficient bone growth to take place, then worked with Sifu Rich Huang, who teaches Master Tan's Style. In only 8 more weeks I had regained all my former mobility and my strength was increasing again. Master Tan's Universal Form I feel is directly responsible for my full recovery. I had been practising it daily for a year prior to the accident and I'm sure this helped to create an atmosphere within the body that made full healing possible. The Orthopoedic Surgeon was astounded when I last visited him, only four and a half months after the accident. He could not believe after that severe a break, that I was able to regain full flexibility and strength. This excercise can be performed by any age group, in any space in just three minutes. Yet, the benefits are long reaching and pervasive. I have studied several movement forms, but this is the one I will be teaching my children. I cannot recommend it enough!

"The Universal Form" is a very interesting yet skeptical concept. The Universal Form is a moving meditational exercise which combines movements of many Kung-Fu styles but is very different in that this form is orchestrated into a three minute meditation designed to alleviate stress. The logic of The Universal Form created by Lawrence Tan: Martial arts training teaches us what to do under extreme life-and-death circumstances against an opponent though disciplining our body, soul, and mind. Tan demonstrates that these same techniques utilized correctly can empower us against a more ordinary adversary, stress an obstacle that faces everyone mentally, physically, spiritually, in one way or another more commonly than others. In Tan's 35 years as a Martial artist he has taught many people to defend themselves however, in realization that the chance of a person being attacked on the streets is relatively small compared to the guaranteed assault of every day stress. The Universal Form inspired by Bodhigharna the Legendary master of Zen and Saolin Kung-Fu aspires to improve posture flexibility, strength, balance, coordination and your respiratory cardiovascular and central isolated muscle groups and the abilities to control them. Like Bruce Lee Tan teaches according to principles, not just techniques. As with tai chi or yoga, you can energize and relax, calm and focus your mind, improve your posture and enhance daily performance. However Tan states the Universal Form is easier to learn but must be learned and practiced properly.

Its a great book for those who are looking for a way to relax quickly. I have seen the video companion for this book first, but recommend for others to read the book first before anything.The book really tells you about your body(no matter what shape, condition its in)and how to manage it. It teachs the basic principles of getting in touch with your body and learning to control various parts, such as anger, self control, awareness and the physical aspects.Again, I like to stress that reading the book first helps you greatly before following the video exercise because it helps to train your thoughts better.