Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life

Rating:
Summary: Relieves Stress
Review: I work for a Stock brokers in the city of London and can finish the day extremely stress out. Graham Horwood's book gave me an incite into relieving stress, through both exercise (Tai Chi) and healthy eating. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Clear Explanation
Review: Tai Chi has been important to me for decades, and I respect my teacher (not Mr. Horwood). Nevertheless, my practice has attained only a modest level of sophistication, and the benefits I have derived have been modest. In searching the literature for help, I have found no shortage of impenetrable and flowery metaphor. I've found very little that is really practically helpful. This book is short, but it is very tightly written. It gives enough history to understand the many different guises under which Tai Chi appears. It explains clearly just WHY my practice is of limited value. It gives extremely accessible and functional approaches to improvement. Along the way, it imposes a body of knowledge of related symbols that is quite extensive. This "symbolic logic" has to be more than just memorized. A person has to "soak it in" so that it becomes a sort of second nature. If I can make an analogy to the production of a fine violin, the "symbology" is a "finish" that must not be "on the wood" but actually a "part of" the wood itself. Having prepared properly, the forms can then be used harmoniously. This seems to me a very excellent and expeditious approach. In only a couple of years of dedicated (extensive) practice, important gains can reasonably be expected. I have found nothing else like this---nothing nearly practical. It is a gift, but it isn't a free gift. Lots of study and lots of practice are needed, too. As Mr. Horwood says, if it were easy, it would hardly be worthwhile. Thanks so much.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This book is extremely spiritual and interesting. The book has actually changed my life. Before reading this book I was remarkably unhealthy and often had health complaints. Since reading this book I have completely changed by dietary and exercise patterns, with a surprisingly positive result. It took some time and a lot of dedication and perseverance but the result was astounding. Graham Horwood is a genius and I feel I owe him a great deal, as he not only changed my outlook on life but also improved my health and vitality, which after all is the most important aspect of living a good life. An absolute must buy!