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The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong
 
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong (Paperback)

by Bill Douglas (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Alpha Books (9 Mar 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0028629094
  • ISBN-13: 978-0028629094
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 18.6 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 697,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
T'ai Chi is a 2,000-year-old Chinese martial art that is becoming an increasingly popular exercise trend. It appeals because of its calming, de-stressing, and energy-boosting qualities. It also improves balance, co-ordination, strength, and flexibility, and is credited with many health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. Author Bill Douglas has studied T'ai Chi and QiGong for 20 years and teaches at colleges, medical universities, and corporations. He describes the myriad benefits, how to prepare for your first T'ai Chi experience, its different styles, and how and where to practice. Douglas presents 64 T'ai Chi movements in photographs and instructions. Recurring boxes give tips for living the principles, definitions of Chinese terms, special cautions and anecdotes. The difference between T'ai Chi and Qigong is not clearly explained, however: "T'ai Chi's goal of relaxing the mind and body to encourage the flow of energy through us makes it QiGong. However, not all QiGong is T'ai Chi". Then he tells us to "forget about it" because the differences will become obvious as you learn the exercises.

Douglas admits that no book is a substitute for a live class with a live teacher:

The ability to see an instructor move and to ask for clarification or hear the questions of other students is invaluable. Also, it's easier in person for instructors to explain things in stages while you relax, whereas when using a book, facts must be remembered because the instructor isn't there to remind you.
Still, this book is a useful introduction to the principles of T'ai Chi and QiGong, and an interesting supplement to what you will learn in a class. --Joan Price

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)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
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
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
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, 18 May 1999
By A Customer
>"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

Published on 10 Oct 2000 by P. Doyle

5.0 out of 5 stars Agree With T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion Excellant Rating
The T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion's excellant rating is right on. This book takes the complex and esoteric Chinese concepts that can take decades to absorb and explains them... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2000

2.0 out of 5 stars I think he is missing the point.
I have been attending Tai Chi lessons a couple of times a week for the past 14 months. This book just did not work for me. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2000 by j.ketley@virgin.net

3.0 out of 5 stars Good over all background, poor description of form.
This book gives a good, understandable introduction to the mysteries of Tai Chi Chuan. I had many questions about Chi, Chi Kung and the Taoist background of Tai Chi. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!....And don't let the title fool you!
As both a student and teacher of the Martial Arts, I understand how difficult and baffling some of these concepts can be. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - unworthy title
No one is an idiot buying this book. I rate it a 5. Well structured, Good illustrations, good writing. Picked up many good tips. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is all you ever needed to know to change your life
I have been studying and teaching martial arts now for 21 years. I am a hugh collector of martial arts literary works. This book is written by a true visionary. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent "Western-oriented" explanation of Tai Chi
Even though my wife and I have been students of Bill Douglas and his Kwang Ping Yang style of Tai Chi for 3 years, the first third of his book was still a revelation. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an outstanding book for anyone considering T'ai Chi.
Over the past few weeks my wife and myself had began T'ai Chi in our home in the evenings. We tried acouple different videos but we were having a hard time grasping it. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 1999

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