Average customer rating:
- A Seminal Work
- One of the best books out there- now my standard textbook for students.
- Beautifully written and informative
- just don't understand
- A brief comment
|
The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi
Roger Jahnke
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Tai Chi & Qi Gong
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Injuries & Rehabilitation
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Chinese Medicine
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Energy Healing
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Mental & Spiritual Healing
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Alternative & Holistic
| Medicine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Taichi
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Alternative Medicine
| Medical
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Arts & Photography
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Health, Mind & Body
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Medicine
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Religion & Spirituality
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Sports
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques To Release Your Body's Own Medicine *Movement *Massage *Meditation *Breathing
-
The Essential Qigong Training Course: 100 Days to Increase Energy, Physical Health & Spiritual Well-Being
-
Qigong Beginning Practice
-
The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
-
Eight Simple Qigong Exercises For Health - The 8 Pieces of Brocade (YMAA) DVD
Accessories:
-
Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
-
Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
-
RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device
ASIN: 0809295288 |
Book Description
Unlocks the secrets of one of the most powerful of Chinese healing arts
Developed over millennia in China, qigong (literally, life force + mastery, or refinement) is a set of techniques used to increase your vitality, longevity, and sexual potency as well as achieve and maintain optimal health and inner peace. In the groundbreaking The Healing Promise of Qi, Dr. Roger Jahnke, internationally respected doctor of Chinese medicine and author of the bestselling The Healer Within, clearly and simply explains the concepts of qigong in practical terms.
With the help of 125 superbly rendered illustrations, he describes a multitude of simple qigong tools, practices, and techniques for accessing and utilizing the incredible power of qi. Rather than focus on a particular form of qigong, Dr. Jahnke presents concise, easy-to-follow techniques from among the more than 25 traditional and modern forms that he has mastered and taught to thousands of people across the United States and Canada.
Customer Reviews:
A Seminal Work.......2007-07-08
After a number of readings, it is clear that this book is both broad and deep. It is very accessible for those just beginning their investigations into Qi, energy and personal cultivation. AND it is among the most penetrating books for those who seek deeper knowledge of wellbeing, energetics and even the eternal nature. There is fact (health, healing, physiology and quantum), theory (Chinese Medicine, Chinese philosophy, Daoism, Buddhism), inspiration (the most profound medicine is within, the eternal radiant spirit can be revealed), story (tales of a probably fictional mountain monastery and probably real Qi masters the author has met and studied with). There is also a profound vision for the potential of the human species as the cultivation of our deeper nature is more widely pursued.
As both a doctor of Chinese medicine and a long time teacher of Qigong and Tai Chi, the author has experience, authority and very alluring language. The book is easy and fun to read. It could be opened anywhere. One endorsement, from the author of Manifesto For A New Medicine, James Gordon MD says "I look forward to referring to -- and using -- this book for years to come." And Joan Borysenko, author of many books on the Mind/Body revolution calls it "A gem that you will treasure for the rest of your life." Deepak Chopra calls Dr Jahnke, "a wise teacher and healer" and his Qigong "simple yet profound".
Nowhere have we seen (and this is mentioned in a number of the Amazon reviews) such a clear map of the territory of Qigong, Tai Chi and the cultivation of personal power and virtue.
I have also appreciated, very much, Dr Jahnke's first book, The Healer Within The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques To Release Your Body's Own Medicine *Movement *Massage *Meditation *Breathing.
These are seminal works in the emerging new Quantum world of energy, empowerment and self-reliance. Qigong, it appears, is an accessible portal to our maximum potential and a method to access our deepest power -- simply yet profoundly.
One of the best books out there- now my standard textbook for students........2007-06-14
Roger Jahnke would never refer to himself as a master, but i respect, appreciate, and *believe* in his sincerity and commitment to the art enough to refer to him as such. i honestly can't say enough about this book. it's the simplest and clearest book i've ever read on the subject (and i have read more than 2 dozen), yet its content is thorough and comprehensive to the point that i now use this as my standard textbook for my qigong students.
he put into 1 book what it took me years to gather and distill from numerous teachers and books, and he did a better job of integrating it all into a useable (and changeable) framework.
what puts this book over the top for me is his beautiful, almost lyrical, storytelling ability. it really makes the book a pleasurable read, especially in the middle section of the book devoted to the 10 phases of Qi cultivation.
reading this book gave me faith in the power and development of qigong right here in this country. i trully believe that one no longer has to travel to china in order to learn and experience the greatest depths of this internal art. it's here now!
i've never met Master Jahnke, but i certainly hope to someday. and even if i never do get the opportunity to meet him, i will always consider him one of my best teachers.
Beautifully written and informative.......2007-04-22
A beautifully written panorama of the history and contemporary state of qi.
This book is also eminently practical and inspiring.
The author cites past masters of qi and documents meetings with contemporary masters that he has met.
An excellent read and a must for all those who study/practice tai chi and qigong, or those who are thinking of studying the subject.
Recommended!
just don't understand.......2007-02-10
maybe i am missing something, i believe this to be a bloated-book, could have been more concise. bought it based on other reviews.
A brief comment.......2005-12-18
This is a very good, well written, and detailed introduction to qi gong. The different aspects of the art are presented, including relating it to western medical theory. The author writes with very little ego and the art is presented fairly and objectively. Overall a fine intro to the subject and well deserving of the five star ratings people are giving it.
Product Description
Master Liao takes you on a step-by-step journey allowing you to reconnect with your feeling of life energy. Once you can feel your Chi, you can learn to flow your life energy and strengthen it, using it to help yourself and others through healing, feng shui, spiritual readings, and more. Through the ancient wisdom of the Tao, explained in simple terms, Master Liao offers specific instructions in breathing techniques and moving meditation. Armed with the truth about Chi, you can regain your lost connection to your life energy and restore your True Self.
Customer Reviews:
A bargain at ten times its price.......2007-07-02
The transformative effect this book initiated in my Tai Chi/ Qigong practice of thirteen years has been invaluable. Master Liao's emphasis on chi awareness and cultivation stands in sharp contrast to that of many teachers who focus on a sequence of memory - stretching postures, i.e., placing quantity above quality. That being said, I would foreworn readers that at least several weeks to months of consistent practice may be necessary for most individuals to begin to realize the benefits of Master Liao's teaching.
Nice overview but maybe too abstract.......2007-05-27
To start with I cannot claim authority in Chi perception. I have had little experience of feeling my own chi energy through Taiji and Qigong practice over the past 4 years. So I am pretty much a novice. I have also practiced karate in the past and kenjutsu for a while but I stuck with taiji.
Being a novice could imply that I am generally impatient, but I do strive to put in hours of practice to feel my chi. However I do like PRACTICE instead of WORDS.
So, when it comes to books, I like those that cut through the generic comments and get to the point. I found that the book "Chi: how to feel your life energy" was a bit obfuscated with generic descriptions regarding how good it will be when I feel again my life energy. I found that the book would even get artistic at times describing the feeling of the chi. Comments like "Like a crystal of extremely pure diamonds, very dense and clear, when you reach high intensity of mind, it will be capable of reflecting light at full strength." (p. 88) are nice but kind of useless... I think. I would rate that the most important part of the book makes up for 50% of its volume. The practical exercises are effective but still very few and only appear at the very end of the book. I would expect this book to be filled with more exercises, but then I am warned in the book (p. 97) that I can "order a video or DVD " to help me learn these forms and others from [..] etc.
This latter part is also something I sensed about this book: it feels like a commercial teaser. You get the basics and you have to start buying more and more to learn more (if you, like me, live very far away from taichitaocenter's location). I do not like books that function as teasers. They seem to come again and again to the same point and never to the core theme.
I would expect a book like this to be probably slightly bigger in volume, cut some of the generic descriptions (we get the point alright?) and show more practice photos and descriptions to be taken on by the readers that want to try things out. Then maybe a DVD could come in handy and welcome if the reader cannot get the rhythm or other details for the exercises.
Maybe other people (like the other reviewers) feel differently... so make your own opinion ;-)
Kind regards
Ilias
Great book........2007-05-14
Easy read. I like the lay out of the book. It is very well organized and concise. It gets to the important stuff fast.
I'll recommend this book to anyone interseted in improving your life and inner strength!!!.......2007-01-16
I have been involved in several Martial Arts (=that always include the harmony of your inner spirit/Chi/QI/"Your Trueself" for over 30 years...
This book is easily read and yet comprehensive to understand for anyone (also readers without MA experience). Interesting, clarifying in a simple way, written by a master and if you use the recomended applications - they
will change your road in life forever.
Mats Fondelius, from USA/Sweden
For Taichi players, meditators, chi healers, Tao seekers, et al ...........2005-11-09
This book is probably the only one I've found that answers the real questions: "What is chi? Where did it come from? and, what can you do with it?" While the last section of the book illustrates some basic taichi exercises that anyone can do at home, the content would be valuable to those studying acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, or chi healing as well -- not just taichi students. Warning: This book looks and sounds deceptively simple, but inside are some pretty intense statements about the Tao, the nature of life and mind and the soul which aren't the usual stuff. It will definitely challenge you to expand your views on taichi and Taoism. Since I like that type of challenge, I give this five stars.
Customer Reviews:
Signal to Noise vs. Worshiping the "White Book".......2006-11-17
Frequently called the "White Book" in Taijiquan communities around the world, this book would be a great central source of "notes" for deeper consideration by anyone who already familiar and grounded in Taoism, TCM, Taijiquan, and Chinese classical ideology back into the Chinese "Naturalist" period predating formal Taoism. It has typos, misarrangement of symbology/concept ordering, poorly chosen Chinese to English translation, some bad conceptual translation, and lastly it should be remembered that Master Hwa was not a "master" but a scholarly student of the arts. He was well-traveled, well-connected, a long time practitioner, and a gracious gentleman and a scholar, but he was not part of a lineage, formal or otherwise, and not recognize by serious practitioners as having that high a skill level.
There is a reason why most all "masters" and "grandmasters" and long term reknowned teachers do not reference this text to their students - and I've given you some of those reasons. Until you already understand the basics of the many principles contained in this book, you will be in no position to comprehend its signal to noise ratio.
Awesome Reference Material.......2006-07-04
I brought this book by accident when I first started practicing Tai Chi (Wu Dang Style) around seven years ago. I knew nothing of the philosophy behind Tai Chi or Taoism, And although at first I thought this book was a bit airy and seemed badly translated I now find it invaluable as a reference tool whilst practicing Tai Chi and Qi Qong.
I am now studying Wu style as opposed to Wu Dang style (practical Tai Chi) and have introduced Qi Qong into my training and this book has proved the perfect link for all my studies, I regularly pick it up and read a random chapter before going to bed and there is always something new to learn even if I have read the same chapter several times.
I highly recommend this as a tool to prop up your Tai Chi philosophy whilst learning from a good teacher though it is not in any way a book to learn from (why you would want to learn from a book anyway?).
I recently borrowed all the books I could on Tai Chi and Qi Qong from my local well stocked library and although there were some other very good books I still find this to have such a good range of detailed info that I keep this as my sole Tai Chi book, though I am looking for Master Ma long form book.
Don't get this as your first book on Tai Chi.......2006-03-09
Master Jou had a large and fanatical following, so I am well aware that I'll get flamed for offering any criticism of his work. Oh well.
What is good about this book:
-it is a great over-view of the major styles of Tai Chi.
-it offers a wonderful description of the lineages of the various styles of Tai Chi.
-the discussions of the principles behind Tai chi are good.
On the other hand:
-It is way too mystical. There are good scientific reasons for the advantages and effects of Tai Chi, there is no need to ignore them for arcane energies.
-The descriptions of the different forms of Tai Chi are only thumbnail sketches, not very detailed.
-Master Jou had a remarkable ego and could be extremely overbearing. His direct students acquired this trait (first hand knowledge but this also comes through in his writing).
-Master Jou is dogmatic. One walks away with the perception that there is no need for any other teacher or martial art, nor that Master Jou should be questioned. Maybe this is a product of the culture he grew up in, but it doesn't fly with me.
-not enough attention to the weapons forms.
-not enough attention to applications of the forms.
Maybe two stars is a bit too harsh, but this is a work for students who have a good solid understanding of at least one style of Tai Chi, and are mature enough to consider the points critically without accepting Master Jou's word as gospel.
I'm still reading it........2006-02-06
I purchased this book a couple of years ago when I was training in Portland, Oregon (Incidentally John S. Atherton recommended it to me). Since that time I've continued my study of taiji and moved two Taiwan. I train here with an excellent teacher who's really open about the purpose of our training, what he can and cannot do himself and so on.
I explain my background so that you'll have some perspective when I say that this book is still one of the most comprehensive sources of taiji info that I have around. It's really inspiring because of the author's personal story and really useful because of the information it provides.
That said expect to be overwhelmed because there is a lot to absorb. I read it and put it down, train and go back. Each time it's got something to offer.
An Earnest Personal Account.......2005-07-14
I felt this book was worth a read. Another reviewer mentioned there is too much personal interpretation. I agree and disagree. This personal flavor is both helpful and distracting. It is interesting to see how the author's thinking changes over time in his different forwards. Some of his statements and thoughts contradict each other but that seems natural when studying taijiquan - sometimes you think the "way" is this way, other times that way. Also, sometimes his opinions seem too dogmatic - "only taijiquan has X or Y", e.g., torso methods, whereas "external arts" do not have it, e.g., hand methods only - in my experience taijiquan is certainly unique but I wouldn't go this far. External arts have more value than he seems to have thought in my opinion. He also does not seem to try to separate fact from myth - going into a long account of Zhang San Feng's supposed 200+ year long life without seeming too skeptical about the legend or critical in his evaluation.
The highlights of the book are the drawings, the author's earnest account of learning from different styles, advice for students to follow the same path rather than learn from just one teacher, and his hope that others will continue to restore the (declining according to him) state of taijiquan.
Overall worth reading.
Book Description
This book gives you all the information you need to undertake a safe, health-improving exercise regimen. These ancient Chinese exercises are fun and low impact and help to alleviate the pains of arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many other "senior" diseases. The book presents an overview of the practice of t'ai chi-from the principles of the movements to the history of the art itself. It discusses various positions and helps you understand what you can hope to accomplish. Plus, methods outlined in this guide can be performed standing or seated with no previous experience necessary, and taking into consideration limited range of movement. All exercises are presented in an easy-to-learn style, with true stories illustrating the benefits that other mature adults have gained from these practices. Whether you are just beginning t'ai chi or simply looking for a supplemental text to use out of class, this your guide.
Customer Reviews:
A must have for seniors.......2007-10-08
I enjoyed reading this book and have already benefited from the exercises.
I recommed it to all seniors.
For all ages.......2005-06-30
The title says it all...this book shows you in simple terms and easy to follow instructions the path to flexibility..strength and inner peace. I hope to see more books and maybe videos by Sifu Phil. Truly a great teacher.
Book Description
Written specifically for the Western practitioner, Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate blends modern science and philosophy with the traditional wisdoms—drawn from classic t'ai chi literature—that underlie Chinese martial arts. Author Rick Barrett authoritatively describes a wide range of movements, practices, and positions in the context of such topics as being in the zone, effortless power and force versus power, the whole-body energetic connection, instant meditation, and energetic coherence. Step-by-step exercises help make this sometimes daunting discipline simple and accessible.
Customer Reviews:
This is THE tai chi book.......2007-07-30
Let me mention that I am a student of Rick's.
This book is great! It's clear. It's useful! When people ask me what this whole tai chi thing is about it can be hard to explain to people. Feed them the same old "chi flow, meditation, opening joints etc...." and they will walk away having the assumptions they had about the art reasserted. And they will not be any more inclined to study it.
Let's face it, a great deal of the taiji practitioners in america are those who would not really be doing anything physical except taiji
. If someone is going to choose to spend their time playing taiji instead of something else, they need to know why it is worth it. However beneficial relaxation and health are, they are not usually high on people's lists of priority. Tell people they can become stronger instantly? Tell them they can better ways to respond to anything? Tell them that many of the patterns they have been using their entire lives are inefficient and that there is a better way? That is how to interest people (me included) and that is the promise of this book.
Whenever I've quoted from this book (or told people to read it) it's always challenged people's assumptions.
This book outlines an approach that is essential to westerners. We live in a fast paced society. Pretending that we have the patience to sit around doing a form for 15 years before we learn the inner workings is not realistic. We need to have an intellectual model for what we are working towards, even if we are far from it. That doesn't replace the hard work that is needed to get there, but it allows you to stay interested/engaged enough to carry it out.
very interesting.......2007-06-08
A personal take on why some people find it so hard to reach higher levels of skill in the art.
I wish that the author has not used the word 'energy' to designate phenomena such as chi, jin and others. However, the point that he makes is very valid.
....!.......2007-04-06
If there were a modern day council of the remaining living martial arts masters, to decide which writings from antiquity up to the present time should be canonized into a martial artist's bible: This would be one of the first among the few works included from this century. That being said, Just read it, it may accelerate the progress of your practice exponentially.
It's Still About Faith.......2006-11-15
First and foremost, I want to applaud Sifu Barrett for his effort. We need more books like this one, where experienced internal martial artists do their best to convey what worked for them, what insights helped them attain higher levels of skill. Sometimes, that's all we can do, and the effort sure is appreciated.
Overall I liked Sifu Barrett's insights and approach, and there are some exercises in them that I was unfamiliar with that I will try and hope to gain more insight from. However, from a thesis-critique standpoint, there are serious flaws in Sifu Barrett's arguments.
The good: Sifu Barrett I think tries his honest best to convey his understanding of internal martial arts and associated phenomena. He deals with the principles of structure, softness, qi/energy and tries to give us a paradigm about how to think about it. Barrett does a very nice job of taking real world scientific examples as parallels and using them as analogies for how to better understand the more esoteric concepts associated with Tai Chi. He also references a number of interesting but relatively unknown scientific theories to support his own perception of qi energy etc.. He gives specific exercises, clearly described, with adequate supporting photos, to help cultivate awareness, qi, and softness. Particularly for beginners, this is a superb way to "get a grip" on some of the concepts. A nice way for Western minds to have a starting point when tackling these "mystical" Eastern concepts.
The bad: Sifu Barrett's book begins with the hypothesis that since the scientific method cannot completely explain some of the phenomena associated with Tai Chi, that therefore something else must be going on. He proposes terms such as "energy coherence" and "tensegrity" and effectively explains their foundations to describe these phenomena. So far, so good. Problem is, the linchpin of his hypothesis are examples wherein an untrained partner is able to dramatically improve his/her ability to withstand force by pointing his finger, or reverse scenarios. According to Barrett, these acts cannot be explained by Newtonian physics, and therefore he proposes the utilization of his terms to try and convince us that what is happening is about an energy field and/or conduction of energy along soft tissues rather than nerves. My concern is that I *can* explain his initial examples using a combination of muscle kinesiology and Newtonian physics. There is no mysticism in his initial examples. Most experienced Tai Chi practioners with scientific or engineering backgrounds likely can explain it, as well. It has to do with transmission of force more efficiently through the truncal axis with certain alignments and muscle tensions, and thence into the ground. Moreover, in the examples where Barrett pushes superhard and cannot budge his inexperienced protege-- well, we all know that the *pusher* has much to say about how such force interacts with the "pushee"-- whether it uproots or drives more solidly into the ground. An experienced practitioner like Barrett no doubt has the ability to do either.
Thus, with his leading examples of "energy coherence" reduced in my mind to Newtonian physics and physiology, despite his claims otherwise, the rest of his contentions lacked credibility in my mind. Some of the higher-order stuff that he talked about later in the book (augmenting one's own aura and/or presence, or detecting disturbances in ambient qi) that I cannot explain nor validate at this point, then become, in my mind, once again, about faith. I cannot completely accept his explanation of energy coherence because his initial examples are flawed.
If Barrett had kept this book to one of analogies, as a way of saying-- this is how I think about it, this is what I do, this is how I perceive this-- it would be a much stronger book in my mind. Like I said, he gives some superlative associations with real world scientific parallels. In fact, Barrett may have realized this, because the second half of the book is all about parallels, and he really makes no esoteric claims. But he shouldn't have in the first half, either, because I am still left with the question of-- does Barrett really have "it", or not?
I do believe that his connective tissue theories in the latter part of the book may have some validity to them, and I like his "tensegrity" model a lot (think suspension bridge)-- but they are beyond real scientific validation. Even Barrett's narrative seems to shy away somewhat from alleging that such phenomena are really really real. In some cases he talks about his own inconsistent success in these realms.
I will have to check his scientific references-- but in the meantime, Barrett definitely presents some juicy paradigms to chew on. I have not yet tried his exercises for improving "presence" and such for an extended period of time, however, so who knows? I remain suspicious, however, that such phenomena can appear experientially validated because of the power of suggestion.
Unlike other reviewers, I did not find myself saying "Wow"-- it was more like "Hmm, I don't think so, I can explain (and do) that" in the first part of the book, and "That's an interesting way of looking at it, I'll try it, but I'm still bummed by your claims in the first part of the book" in the second part of the book.
Worth reading. But think of this more as philosophy and friendly suggestions rather than a thesis.
Great for the begginer and the experienced practicioner.......2006-07-31
I have been studying Martial arts for 5 years and energy work has always been a part of this. This book has helped to reinforce some of the concepts already taught by my instuctors and it also helped clarify some of these ideas. In my opinon the greatest strength of this book is the clear simple language used.Mr Barrett's exercises where so simple to do and explain to others that I used them in my own class to help teach our younger students.I also really enjoyed the fact that Mr Barrett has found a way through to science to help support what energy practitioners have known for decades that Chi is real and can be used.Through this book I think he dispells some of the myth surrounding CHi and the meridians. BUY THIS BOOK.
Book Description
The ancient Chinese art demonstrated in words and pictures -- showing the rhythmic coordination, balance, and harmony developed by dedicated practitioners of this mental-physical exercise.
B & W photographs throughout
Customer Reviews:
Watch out!.......2006-06-20
This book is definetly a valuable tool. Take a look at what you're doing and if it looks anything like the stuff in this book you need to stop. Form like this has no structure and can damage joints. You may acually hurt yourself more than help. There is a correct way to do Tai Chi and this isn't it.
Required text for all my classes........2001-05-23
Ideal text for the beginner. Easy to read. Extensive pictoral presentations in the book with dialog instructions and again at the end of the text to demonstrate the flow of the exercise from beginning to end. Students can check their positions before a 90 degree move and then after the move. If you want to get a feel for Tai Chi, this is a good, quick starter book.
The poor body structure in this book is dangerous.......2000-06-13
When I first started learning Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), this was one of the few books available. As such, it has some historical interest and some sentimental value for me.
However, as a Taijiquan teacher, I am strongly opposed to this book as a learning text. Quite simply, the body structure demonstrated in the postures in this book is potentially damaging to your body, especially your knees.
There are numerous examples, but an extreme example is the photo of Squatting Single Whip. Compare this photo to any photo of Cheng Man-ching, the author's teacher, available in numerous books performing the same movement. You will see that the author has misaligned his knee and collapsed his ankle, as well as arching his back, into an unnatural and potentially dangerous position.
If you are interested in the style of Taiji shown in this book, you are much better off with one of the books by this author's teacher, such as _Master Cheng's New Method of T'ai Chi Self-Cultivation_.
You too can be a grand master in 30 minutes.......1999-10-29
Those who are looking for moving meditation, and seek only to relax and quiet the mind for a few minutes a day may find this book just the ticket, as the form is extremely easy to master and requires nothing more than memorizing the choreography.
On the other hand, as a book on Tai Chi, this is a very disapointing book. Given the shallow, spiritless, postures displayed it's no wonder Kauz is not really sure if Tai Chi is a martial art or not in his introduction.
You need only look at the cover of this book and compare it to The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan by Wong Kiew Kit (good general overview and historical reference) to understand the vastly different levels of understanding. While the styles are different (Yang vs. Chen or Wu) Wong's model on the cover is alive, vibrant, filled with intention and awareness while on the cover of Kauz's book he demonstrates an empty, limp wristed (literally) shadow of a posture from an art form Kauz did not know at the publishing of this book.
Students of Tai Chi are better off with books from Wong Kiew Kit or Jwing-Ming Yang (most books are very subject specific) and others who are able to share the full scope of Tai Chi with their readers.
Good teaching text........1999-07-24
Traditional form. The figures in this text match my style of Tia Chi and are helpful for students to check stances and hand positions, before & after movements. If you want simple explanations but very little Chinese history or culture, this text will do very well.
Customer Reviews:
more than meets the eye ..........2006-04-25
After reading the other reviews, I wanted to add that I can understand and appreciate the comments, both pro and con, based on reading the book alone.
I have a relevant experience and perspective that I would like to share. Several years ago (in the late 90s) when I lived in California, I had the opportunity to attend a half-day seminar presented by the author. I had been practicing and teaching Taiji and Qigong since '93 when I learned that Al Chung-Liang Huang would be in Los Angeles. In the 70s, I had practiced Shotokan Karate while living in Ohio, so I had been studying and practicing both 'hard' and 'soft' martial arts for quite some time.
What Mr. Huang brought to the party, as evidenced in the book Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain, was as one reviewer put it, the essence of Taiji. He represented the inner warrior as artisan and philosopher, a sensing, intuitive thinker, expressing his or her spiritual essence through energy movements, rooting and balance. The hidden paradox of Taiji, especially difficult for many action-oriented Westerners to internalize, is that the highest form of Taiji is no form, and the whole seminar embraced this concept. Bruce Lee also described his style of fighting as 'no form'.
I remember Mr. Huang as a totally genuine, highly intelligent and compassionate man, effortlessly blending Eastern and Western cultures, due to his accomplished background in dance, music, philosophy and calligraphy. His smile beamed throughout the day and he seemed to possess more than enough high-spirited energy for each individual in the seminar, and there must have been more than 50 of us in attendance.
We did some basic postures, movements and breathing together, as most of the seminar attendees had some background in taiji or yoga, and then he put on some music and turned us loose for a completely free form period where everyone moved spontaneously and intuitively, based on the energy within, around and between us. For a person trained and 'stuck' in only the Taijichuan or other martial art forms, this is a different concept and is actually an elevation from the rigidity of simply going through the motions.
I have continued to teach internal martial arts in Hawaii, and the principles, the essence, gained from reading this book and spending a few hours with the author many years ago are still with me. I always leave some time in my classes for free flowing expression, and encourage students to allow this for themselves when they are practicing at home. I have found that many students (I teach adult night classes) stop coming when they find that Taiji is all about learning a form with no deviation, no individual expression. Many of them get intimidated when they don't remember what comes next and so they freeze up or panic. This is in direct opposition to the relaxation effect intended when practicing Taiji and Qigong.
So by teaching these martial arts from the perspective of inner cultivation and opening energy channels that may have been blocked for many years, I have found that adults tend to get more out of it. As a martial art, every serious Taiji and Push Hands practitioner knows innately the power of this discipline --- we don't have to advertise it or take a position of prowess or superiority. We can still express it through a Yin more than Yang perspective and the point is always well taken by others, because we have captured the esence of embracing the tiger and returning to the mountain. Thank you for reading this, I hope it helps someone.
Stuart
www.innergycentre.com
Honolulu, HI
I couldn't finish it........2006-02-17
I've practiced taijiquan for eight years now and have been readying Taoist books for longer than that and this book is one that I couldn't finish.
I enjoy discourses on the Tao, I enjoy philosophizing and I really value practical words on applying the taiji principles to life. I could not find any of this in this book.
I also didn't find anything for those interested in the physical side of taijiquan. So I can recommend this book only for those with a lot of time on their hands and nothing else to read.
Keeping up to the caption - "Essence of Taiji".......2004-01-07
If you think there is anything to the reviews that rate this book less than 4 stars - then think again - the caption of the book says "Essence of Taiji" and not "Forms of Taiji Chuan" nor even "Essence of Taiji Chuan". This book does NOT give details of forms, motifs etc, but it gives you tremendous insight into the principles of Taiji. In fact it is one of the very few books available that teach you Taiji instead of Taiji Chuan or Taiji Qigong. Most of us use our Taiji form practice as a drug, i.e., we just do the practice everyday and forget all about it. But this book will teach you how to imbibe the subtle yet profound principles behind Taiji into your life. In short, this book teaches you a secret! So pick it up quietly before you miss the Chance! I have read many many books on Taiji, believe me, this is one book that doesn't cover the health or psychological or philosophical aspects of Taiji, instead it dwelves into the EXISTENTIAL, SPIRITUAL and INSPIRATIONAL aspects of this great art.
Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain.......2002-01-03
This book breaks away from the formal movements that we see so many people associating with Tai Ji. It actually explains the philosophy behind the movements and what each movement represents. It is not necessary to do the movements in any particular sequence and the reader is given the freedom to express themselves in an individual way. The ancient Tao text translations are excellent and awe inspiring. Al Huang himself is charismatic and has a wonderful, dramatic, and inspiring presence. I highly recomend this book.
Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essence of Taiji.......2001-09-03
Ok, for those of you truly seeking Taiji wisdom of substance and quality, don't purchase this book! It is not worth your time. The actual principles of Chen Style or Wudang (Classical Yang) style are not covered within the pages of this book. While the writer may have personally received some legitimate teaching as a youngster in China, what he now offers is a trivialized, New Ager, Westernized, watered down version of a very lethal and potent Martial Arts system. If you are genuinely looking for practical, intelligent and competent information on Taiji Quan, you should check out the works of present day Masters like Waysun Liao(Essence of Taiji), Wong Kiew Kit(Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan), Yang Jwing-Ming(Classical Yang Style Taiji), or Master Jou, Tsung Hwa (Dao of Taijiquan: Way of Rejuvenation). Otherwise, you should allow your Sifu to recommend to you what books to read. The book you are looking for is not (Emrace Tiger, Return to Mountain).
Average customer rating:
- Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming Developing Root
- The Chi of Tai Chi.
- A comprehensive book on the subject of Chinese health
|
The Essence of Tai Chi Chi Kung: Health and Martial Arts (Ymaa Publication Center Book Series, B014)
Jwing-Ming Yang
Manufacturer: Ymaa Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Tai Chi & Qi Gong
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Taichi
| Martial Arts
| Individual Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Qigong, The Secret of Youth: Da Mo's Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Classics
-
The Essence of Taiji Qigong, Second Edition: The Internal Foundation of Taijiquan (Martial Arts-Qigong)
-
Qigong for Health & Martial Arts, Second Edition: Exercises and Meditation (Qigong, Health and Healing)
-
The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment
-
Essence of Taiji Qigong (Tai Chi Chi Kung) YMAA
Accessories:
-
Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
ASIN: 0940871106 |
Book Description
Chi theory and practice for health and a deeper understanding of Tai Chi.
Customer Reviews:
Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming Developing Root .......2007-03-02
Root:
1. Being rooted means to be stable and in firm contact with the ground
2. You must be centered (focusing the mind on the center), settled, and relaxed. "Since your body isn't struggling to stand up, your Yi (mind) won't be pushing upward, and your body, mind, and chi will be able to sink."
3. Yi leads the chi. Chi can not be pushed or forced, it must be lead by the Yi. To lead the chi to the feet, the mind must first focus on the center. "Only when your Yi can communicate with the ground will your Chi be able to grow beyond your feet and enter the ground to build root." The bubbling well cavity is the gate which enables your chi tto communicate with the ground.
4. A stable center will make your chi develop evenly and uniformly. "In order to keep your body centered, you must first center your Yi, and then match your body to it." Your mental and physical center is the key which enables you to lead your chi beyond your body.
5. Balance your Yi. "If your Yi is balanced, it can help you to make accurate judgements, and therefore to correct the path of Chi flow.
6. Moving chi to your palms: Image you are pushing and object forward while keeping your muscles relaxed.
What is Chi?
1. Chi is the energy or natural force which fills the universe. Three types exist: Heavan Chi, Earth Chi, and Human Chi. Earth Chi absorbs Heavan Chi. When chi or energy field loses it balance, it strives to rebalance itself. Heavan Chi affects Human Chi, flowing from the crown of the head through the energy meridians. When chi is flowing into the Dan Tien, the second mind activates.
2. Concentrate on Chi and achieve softness. (Lao Tzyy) "The men of old breathed clear down to their heels." Breathing is used to increase chi circulation.
3. Muscle/Tendon Changing classic taught the priests how to gain health and change their physical bodies from weak to strong: clean the bone marrow, strengthen blood and immune, and energize the brain.
4. The masters discovered specific body movements could increase chi flow to specific organs of the body: Tai Chi Chuan form, five animal postures, and Tai chi chi kung forms. Other Kungfu styles emerged: Wai Dan, Iron Shirt, Golden Bell Cover, Wai Kung, and Ying Kung.
5. Chi in your body is divided into two categories: Managing Chi and Guardian chi. The managing chi is hte energy which has been sent to the organs so that they can function. The guardian chi is the energy which has been sent to the surface of the body to form a shield to protect you from the negative outside influences such as cold.
6. Yin is the root and source of life which animates the Yang body and manifest power or strength externally.
7. Chi circulation and chi storage: a. there are twelve channels that circulate chi through out the body b. there are eight vessels or regions that make up the energy reserviors. When the eight reserviors are full the chi circulation is strong. Every channel has a certain chi flow strength and changes throughout the day. Chi sources are: natural energy (sun, moon, earth), food and air, thinking, and exercise.
8. When your chi is full, your Shen (spirit) will be enlivened. Chi flows to the brain and energizes the shen and soul. The Energizing and the raise Shen will lead the chi through the body. Shen is the control tower for your chi.
9. The earth chi is negative (Yin) energy from your kidneys, and the Heavan Chi is positive (Yang) energy which comes from the food you eat and the air you breath. Once you connect the two chis, you know what real chi is and this is what is meant to attain the tao.
10. Learn how to increase chi in the two main vessels - Yin conception vessel and Yang Governing vessel.
11. Learn how to raise chi to the surface of the skin and condense the chi to the bone marrow. Condensing produces jing, the secret to effortless power and distance power.
12. Wu Chi - chi in your body and the chi in nature unite and all human desires disppear.
The Chi of Tai Chi........2001-01-06
This book provides what so many books touch on, but never really go in-depth into. It provides a detailed viewpoint of the medical side of the martial arts from an Eastern viewpoint.
It talks about where Chi is generated, the medical benefits of stimulating Chi, uses, practice and so much more! The entire book is filled with page after page of knowledge. I have used this book to fill the holes in other books I've collected. I would highly recommend this book. It is very informative!
A comprehensive book on the subject of Chinese health.......1998-05-29
This book explains what tai-chi hopes to accomplish and a complete description of Chi-kung's origins. It is not for those who are only lightly interested in Tai chi... this book covers a lot of ground. It gives the english and chinese terms for those who wish to learn everything they can about this ancient art. It is deticated to explaining it's health benifits, origins and chi-kung's influence on the body and mind (along with man's place with heaven and earth). Even to those who never plan on taking tai chi, the book covers a bit of oriental philosophy, kung-fu and how to focus chi-power for better living. This book is worth every cent, and more!
Book Description
This extensively illustrated primer is the first English edition of Sun's classic 1919 book which explores both the theory and practice of the style, with emphasis on movements and postures. Tim Cartmell's translation provides both a standard by which practitioners can judge themselves and valuable information relevant to all versions of taijiquan. Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into English.
Customer Reviews:
If only one.......2007-03-05
If I were to own only one taiji book, it would be this one. The translation is none too good. They don't even use the original pictures in all the right places. They seem to add quite a bit to, expansively translate you might say, the original text. Still, I prefer this to all my other taiji books. Stuck on a desert island that is serviced by USPS? Combine this book with Ralston's "Cheng Hsin" and you'll probably get to the root of taiji all by your lonesome.
Excellent book .......2005-01-19
From this English speakers perspective, Tim Cartmell's translation of a classic text by Sun Lutang is superb.
I began my Taiji training a year ago in the Yang style as it appears to be the most popular style available in Australia. However, I saw a video of competition Sun style taiji and was hooked.
This book has helped to feed my hunger for knowledge about the unique style developed by Sun Lutang.
Based upon this book (and Tim's input in Dan Millars translation of Sun Lutang's Xing Yi Quan book) I would not hesitate to recommend any book which has Tim as a participating author/translator.
Excellent.......2004-03-17
Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into english. While the Sun style is one of the five orthodox styles of Taijiquan it isn't well known outside the Community but is gaining more acclaim due to the efforts of Dr. Paul Lam. The First 61 pages (not including the Introduction) gives the reader a breif biography of Grandmaster Sun illustrating and explaining some of his genius. Then page 62 to 193 gives a photo of a movement from the Sun empty-hand form followed by a short explanation paragraph. Finally page 197 to 220 gives a brief explanation of Push Hands. This book introduces the reader to the Sun style.
A Study of Taijiquan.......2003-11-21
I don't know who wrote the editorial review, but they didn't do any research. This isn't the first English edition. Smiling Tiger Martial Arts published an English translation of Sun Lutang's "Taijiquan Xue" in 2000.
Customer Reviews:
Some good stuff - a lot of wasted space.......2007-10-04
I have 2 substantive problems w/ this book
- in spite of the title, it doesn't actually "demystify" anything
If you've had any training w/ a good Taiji teacher,
there's nothing new conceptually
and little new in training exercises that you should not have
already been exposed to.
- it has a LOT of repetition
Like any book that is, for the most part, a compilation
of magazine articles, it has a LOT of repetitive material.
A good editor could have whittled this down to half the number of pages
and still made all the good points at least twice.
Having said that, there is much to be said
that is good for this book
- an emphasis on posture and whole body motion
Contrary to what the author says, this is not new -
every Taiji instructor I've worked with has made
these same points. Nonetheless, the explanations
and exercises to help improve this are worthwhile.
- an emphasis on standing exercises
Again, contrary to what the author says, this is not new either -
every Taiji instructor I've worked with has made the same claims.
NOT every Taiji book has though.
Nor have either my instructors or the books I've read
had as many interesting variations on standing exercises
as you'll find here.
This was, for me, the best part of the book.
Overall, the book was "ok" - it could have been much better,
but it did have enough useful material to have been worth reading once.
Most informative book on Chen Taiji I ever read.......2007-05-30
I was studying Chen Taiji for a few years with different teachers and most of the time just along with Chen Zhengley's DVDs and the mirror. Recently I met a new teacher Quchen Guo. His approach was totally different from others'. First hour of our practice we spend doing Zhang Zhuang (the standing practice). During the form practice we spend most of the time working on right alignment/structure. I feel like my form started to get filled. In this book I find everything I need to know to be prepared for the class. Using the plain text author describes things that many books can not do using the colorful pictures. I recommend this book to everyone who after hard work and spending a valuable time (sometimes in wrong direction) doesn't want to remain for years on the same skill level.
Helpful new book for Chen Stylists........2007-03-13
I got my copy of Demystifying Taijiquan today, and I have to say I'm quite pleased with it. Granted, this is in part because TuKy Lam's essays reinforce, very clearly and concisely, and with a minimum of jargon, points my own teacher emphasizes in class. This is also to be expected, as Lam's teacher and one of my teacher's long term instructors, studied with Chen Zhaokwei at roughly the same time. So some overlap is expected.
Regardless of that happy circumstance, Lam offers a lot of good practical advice that would benefit students of the lineages (Village, Beijing) within the larger big frame tradition. Topics include dantian rotation, breathing, and the cultivation internal strength through proper structural alignment. And while Tu-Ky Lam certainly doesn't shy away from controversy, his essays are also characterized by a spirit of ongoing inquiry and generosity. One gets the sense that he views himself (and addresses others) as a fellow student, as opposed to taking on the dismissive tone of someone who has invested a few more years in his or her practice and won't let you forget it.
Such an attitude is more important that people realize. It reflects and encourages an open mindedness - which helps keep one's practice alive and lively during long plateaus where the benefits of long term training aren't immediately evident. In all the time I've studied martial arts, (Chen & Yang style Taijiquan, Aikido and Tang Soo Do before that) I've observed that students who are thus subtly encouraged to retain an open point of view, almost invariably learned faster than those who were taught by rote, as though each maxim uttered by their teacher was an absolute from which no further exploration was possible, and no variations allowed.
My one complaint about the book has to do with the photographs. They are perfectly serviceable, however I do wish that he used the photos that accompanied some of these essays when they first appeared in Tai Chi Magazine. Those images were larger, better composed and clearer than the ones in this first edition of the text. (I have no idea if there was an issue getting permission to use the images published in the magazine or not.) I hope they appear in subsequent editions (assuming the present one sells well).
Regardless I'd have no hesitation recommending this for a beginner or intermediate student of the style - and especially any student studying anywhere where his or her instructors don't offer much more in the way of advice or clear explanations of the principles of internal movement. I'll be picking up a few extra copies for classmates who, I think, could benefit from the author's reinforcement of points our teacher makes in his classes.
Master Lam is a fantastic instructor!.......2007-03-01
Having had the opportunity to study with Tu-Ky Lam in the past, I am happy to attest to his skills both as a practicioner and as an instructor.
It is rare to come across someone who has not only gained a high-level of GungFu, but has also learned to communicate those skills to others. Many of us have been anxiously anticipating this book, and I am certain that it will become a classic within the ocean of TaiJi literature.
Books:
- The Last Good Season: Brooklyn, the Dodgers, and Their Final Pennant Race Together
- The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement
- The New Clay: Techniques and Approaches to Jewelry Making
- The Old Man and the Tee : How I Took Ten Strokes off My Game and Learned to Love Golf All Over Again
- The Plane Truth for Golfers
- The Power of One (Young Reader's Edition)
- The Power to Win: Achieving Peak Performance with Hypnosis and NLP
- The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge: 420 Sea-Tested Rules of Thumb for Almost Every Boating Situation
- The Revival Slim and Beautiful Diet: For Total Body Wellness
- The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Enough is Enough!: Stop Enduring and Start Living Your Extraordinary Life
- Women As They Age
- The Portable Henry Rollins
- The Education of a Christian Woman: A Sixteenth-Century Manual
- The Toyota Way
- Where Is Baby's Belly Button
- Travelers' Tales Brazil
- Cost Accounting: Processing, Evaluating, and Using Cost Data
- The New Nonprofit Almanac and Desk Reference: The Essential Facts and Figures for Managers, Research
- To Your Scattered Bodies Go
