Rating: 
Summary: The Defining Book About Tai Chi
Review: This book explores how and why tai chi is effective for decreasing tension and stress, improving the immune system and circulation and developing high performance stamina and flexibility. It tells us how this practice can help us age well, physically and emotionally. It explores the spiritual aspects of tai chi, a subject scantly written about in other books, and how it can help us overcome the deep spiritual malaise so many of us face. This book does not teach tai chi, as this art must be learned from a teacher. But it does tell you what you should expect to learn at each stage of your practice; what each different style of tai chi is all about and how to choose a tai chi style. Many practitioners and teachers of tai chi will gain much knowledge that will help them progress in their path. There is information here that is simply not been made available in the West. People exploring alternatives to aerobics will find that Frantzis makes a great case for using tai chi as a low impact, highly effective self-healing practice.
Rating:
Summary: The Defining Book About Tai Chi
Review: This book explores how and why tai chi is effective for decreasing tension and stress, improving the immune system and circulation and developing high performance stamina and flexibility. It tells us how this practice can help us age well, physically and emotionally. It explores the spiritual aspects of tai chi, a subject scantly written about in other books, and how it can help us overcome the deep spiritual malaise so many of us face. This book does not teach tai chi, as this art must be learned from a teacher. But it does tell you what you should expect to learn at each stage of your practice; what each different style of tai chi is all about and how to choose a tai chi style. Many practitioners and teachers of tai chi will gain much knowledge that will help them progress in their path. There is information here that is simply not been made available in the West. People exploring alternatives to aerobics will find that Frantzis makes a great case for using tai chi as a low impact, highly effective self-healing practice.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book is the most complete and clear book of Tai Chi and Taoist principles that I have encountered in my 13 years of studying energy arts. Mr. Frantzis has a deep and encyclopedic knowledge which he presents clearly and practically. He is a master in his field and his book has deepened my practice significantly.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book is the most complete and clear book of Tai Chi and Taoist principles that I have encountered in my 13 years of studying energy arts. Mr. Frantzis has a deep and encyclopedic knowledge which he presents clearly and practically. He is a master in his field and his book has deepened my practice significantly.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent background reference book
Review: To begin with, I must state my biases - I have taken a number of seminars and retreat weeks from Bruce Frantzis, and he is an incredible teacher. He is one of the few Westerners recognized as a martial arts and meditation master in China, and this book is a product of that knowledge and experience.
That said, the book has both perceived pluses and minuses, depending on where you are coming from. Unlike most other Tai Chi books, this is not a detailed How To book. For example, those interested in learning the form will not find it in this book. As the author correctly points out, Tai Chi, like any movement art, is best learned from a competent teacher. I do not consider this a minus, but some may. Form instruction aside, what is of interest is what IS covered.
The book is encyclopedic in its breadth: among the topics covered are the basics of Chinese medicine as the basis of Tai Chi's health benefits, how Tai Chi can improve health, reduce stress, promote longevity, and help specific groups of people including the young, sedentary workers, physical laborers, athletes, the overweight, and people with disabilities. He covers Tai Chi as a martial art, as spiritual practice, different styles of Tai Chi and how to choose between them, specific learning expectations for beginning, intermediate and advanced students, and choosing a teacher. Esoteric concepts such as chi, dissolving energy, and opening and closing joints are discussed in some detail. And those are just some of the topics covered. The beginning student, or someone who is just curious about Tai Chi, may well be overwhelmed by the number and variety of concepts that are introduced and discussed, especially if they try to read it from cover to cover. Instead, it is best read a section or a chapter at a time. Even the advanced practitioner will likely find new concepts and ideas that he or she has not encountered before. Much of this information is either scattered through various texts, or just plain not available anywhere else. As such, it can serve as an invaluable reference, and is a bargain at the price. As with any encyclopedia, enough information is imparted to give a taste, but detailed How To information is not provided. This is no doubt deliberate. Here again, let me emphasize, practice requires the assistance of a competent teacher, as incorrect practice could potentially lead to injury. Tai Chi is, after all, a physical, a mental, and for some, a spiritual exercise, and there is only so much that can be gotten from the intellectual exercise of reading a book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent background reference book
Review: To begin with, I must state my biases - I have taken a number of seminars and retreat weeks from Bruce Frantzis, and he is an incredible teacher. He is one of the few Westerners recognized as a martial arts and meditation master in China, and this book is a product of that knowledge and experience.
That said, the book has both perceived pluses and minuses, depending on where you are coming from. Unlike most other Tai Chi books, this is not a detailed How To book. For example, those interested in learning the form will not find it in this book. As the author correctly points out, Tai Chi, like any movement art, is best learned from a competent teacher. I do not consider this a minus, but some may. Form instruction aside, what is of interest is what IS covered.
The book is encyclopedic in its breadth: among the topics covered are the basics of Chinese medicine as the basis of Tai Chi's health benefits, how Tai Chi can improve health, reduce stress, promote longevity, and help specific groups of people including the young, sedentary workers, physical laborers, athletes, the overweight, and people with disabilities. He covers Tai Chi as a martial art, as spiritual practice, different styles of Tai Chi and how to choose between them, specific learning expectations for beginning, intermediate and advanced students, and choosing a teacher. Esoteric concepts such as chi, dissolving energy, and opening and closing joints are discussed in some detail. And those are just some of the topics covered. The beginning student, or someone who is just curious about Tai Chi, may well be overwhelmed by the number and variety of concepts that are introduced and discussed, especially if they try to read it from cover to cover. Instead, it is best read a section or a chapter at a time. Even the advanced practitioner will likely find new concepts and ideas that he or she has not encountered before. Much of this information is either scattered through various texts, or just plain not available anywhere else. As such, it can serve as an invaluable reference, and is a bargain at the price. As with any encyclopedia, enough information is imparted to give a taste, but detailed How To information is not provided. This is no doubt deliberate. Here again, let me emphasize, practice requires the assistance of a competent teacher, as incorrect practice could potentially lead to injury. Tai Chi is, after all, a physical, a mental, and for some, a spiritual exercise, and there is only so much that can be gotten from the intellectual exercise of reading a book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Guide For Learning Tai Chi: Beginners to Advanced
Review: With this book, Bruce Frantzis skillfully guides you into and through the world of studying Tai Chi. Whether you are merely curious about Tai Chi or wishing to know what you should be learning at its highest levels of sophistication, Frantzis provides clear answers to your questions. You're in good hands. Frantzis is an eminently qualified guide. He has spent over 35 years studying Tai Chi and is the first Westerner to be recognized as a Master of Tai Chi in China.
Frantzis knows that you can not learn Tai Chi from a book. So he doesn't try to teach you tai chi movements or techniques.
Instead, he teaches you how to intelligently go about learning tai chi from the teachers you will find.
First, he gives you a grounding in the art, answering in clear and demystifying language the questions that many westerners ask about tai chi, including: the philosophy and history underlying tai chi;
why and how it promotes good health;
how it reduces stress and promotes longevity;
how it is learned and practiced for self-defense;
how it relates to spirituality. Frantzis then tells you how to get the most from your study of Tai Chi at each stage of your development; beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
He describes the various styles of tai chi and how to choose or change your style at the various stages of your learning.
He explains how to choose and best learn from a teacher (or teachers) as you progress.
And he describes what your teachers should be teaching you at each stage so that you can know how to ask good questions. He helps you know how to get the most from your teacher and whether you need to augment your studies through seminars with other teachers. You'll gain valuable advice from this book whether you are just getting started or have been studying for 20 years and are trying to decide how to take your next step toward mastery of Tai Chi. This book can be a valuable reference for you through years of study.
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