Books : The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong
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In association with Amazon.com
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by: Bill Douglas
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.7148
EAN: 9780028629094
ISBN: 0028629094
Label: Alpha
Manufacturer: Alpha
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: January 20, 1999
Publisher: Alpha
Sales Rank: 858048
Studio: Alpha
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
You're no idiot, of course. You know that T'ai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that is known to lower stress, reduce the risk of heart conditions, and alleviate chronic health problems. But when it comes to signing up for a T'ai Chi or QiGong class, you get such cold feet you decide to head for your couch and eat Chinese takeout. Don't wear out your cushions yet! The complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi & QiGong gives you step-by-step ways to incorporate a T'ai Chi program into your life at home and at work.
Amazon.com Review:
T'ai Chi is a 2,000-year-old Chinese martial art that is becoming an increasingly popular exercise trend in the U.S. Its appeal is in its calming, destressing, and energy-boosting qualities. It also improves balance, coordination, 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'll learn in a class. --Joan Price
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi
This book and DVD are good for very beginners interesed in learning about the health aspects of Taijiquan and Qigong only, not the martial (self defense) styles which this author does not explore. If you are interested in depth and breadth for both health and martial, look for books (30+) written by and videos (35+) produced by Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming.
Rating: - Ok, but not totally clear
Let's face it, you'll never learn the true form of Tai Ji from a book. The only way to learn it, and Qi Gong, is from a qualified teacher, in person. I tried to learn from this book but could never get the forms right. The book itself is highly readable and easy to follow, but sometimes you can get lost. Taking a class totally improved my Tai Ji. Then afterwards I re-read this book, and it was much easier to follow the right way.
Rating:  - Useless
If you want to learn the form of this style, look else ware. Instructions on the form are very poor. One photo for a posture is not enough to understand how to communicate the movements of the form. The rest of the information given in the book is rather superficial.
This book serves no purpose at any level...
Rating: - Lots of info in plain English, low on instruction
This book is a nice overview of traditional Tai Chi, western Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and traditional Eastern medicine. Layed out in the popular "For Dummies" style, the writer covers a ton of ground. Very informative. He even discusses what to wear and how to find a good instructor. What isn't covered (in any great detail any way) is how to do tai chi. There is an exhaustive section of Qi Gong excercises, but the section on a modern Tai Chi form is rushed. Each movement is only accompanied by one poorly ... Read More
Rating: - Not worth the time
I read this hoping for an insight, I got very little from it.
There are better books with more information at a basic level in less pages.
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