Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qigong: Amazon.co.uk: Bill Douglas: 0021898629098: Books

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Synopsis

This step-by-step guide shows how to get started doing T'ai Chi - and its energy-boosting offshoot, QiGong - from choosing an instructor to learning the 64 basis postures and creating 10-minute routines that can be done at home, work or anywhere.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect in-depth primer for studying any style of Tai Chi, 8 May 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qigong (Paperback)

If you learn the external Tai Chi forms, but do not consider the quality of motion, the emotion of motion, and the psychology of motion -- then you miss the essence of Tai Chi. That is why this book is a powerful asset to anyone studying any form of Tai Chi. It goes to the heart of Tai Chi philosophy and examines the "internal" aspect of Tai Chi motion and its deep meaning as a microcosm of life.

This book recommends live classes as the optimum way to learn Tai Chi, but in a class setting there is not time for any teacher to explain the wealth of information this book contains. Therefore, this book is a powerful addition to any class or video program.

This book could also be helpful to Tai Chi teachers seeking simple ways to explain complex Chinese concepts. It is not easy to make the complex simple. This book does it.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Fun, &Contemporary Approach to Ancient Wisdom, 20 Sep 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qigong (Paperback)

The book explains that Traditional Chinese Medicine (of which T'ai Chi & Qigong are a part)works best when the practitioner "understands" and "believes" in the therapy. Therefore, the in depth analytical explanation of this ancient health science, coupled with the experiential exercises peppered throughout the book, create a powerful program. I noticed that the T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion, Sifu Hong Yijiao, rated this book excellant for this very reason. For a deep understanding of the many facets of T'ai Chi & Qigong's Eastern mind/body philosophy and Western medicine's growing understanding of it, this book is an excellant resource. Teachers as well as expert students will find many ways of looking at T'ai Chi & Qigong that are fresh, modern, and meaningful to everyone in today's stressed out modern world. Especially the chapters on using T'ai Chi & Qigong for specific therapies, corporate wellness, and social health problems, including education and prison rehab. A great resource for anyone interested in T'ai Chi & Qigong, but especially for those newly curious about it, it makes a top rate primer. Also, it is a great desk reference for anyone in the health or education field. Every doctor and nurse should have a copy of it.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended by United States T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion, 17 May 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qigong (Paperback)

>"Sometimes Chinese culture can be difficult to explain. Sifu Douglas successfully uses American culture to explain the art of T'ai Chi Chuan. He simplifies difficult concepts, making them easier to understand. This book takes the best parts of T'ai Chi and makes them understandable to Americans without requiring a grounding in Chinese culture and history." > Sifu Hong, Yijiao, Ranked Number One in T'ai Chi Forms, U.S.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine for most practitioners, but not for the martial artist
The book is easy to read and does explain concepts well - but there just isn't enough information on the martial aspects

to the author's credit he doesn't set out to cover the... Read more