Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183177 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

A comprehensive and authorative reference in one book.
At last a book on Tai Chi Chuan that recognises and stresses IT IS A MARTIAL ART. Firstly, the author is critical of texts and common practise to hide or play down this aspect of Tai Chi. He also deals with practical combat applications and 'push hands' theory and techniques. Secondly, emphasis is particularly given to the fundamental importance of developing internal energy (chi/qi): in fact the author stresses throughout that it is the development of internal energy NOT strength that drives and develops proper Tai Chi Chuan practise. These two critical points really stand out; the author stresses that Tai Chi is just an 'elaborate dance' without them! An impressive text then from Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. Those who have read his other recent publications (i.e. Shaolin Kung Fu & Chi Kung) may find a good deal of overlap but I think this just stresses the inter-relationship and inter-dependence of internal (soft) and external (hard)systems, another point the author stresses throughout. The author's explanation of yin and yang is one of the clearest I have read! In fact the history, development and philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan and other internal systems is explained and is quite illuminating. The author also includes illuminating insights from past grandmasters. I found these plus his explanation of the difficulties in translating Chinese terms very useful and informative. There are numerous b/w illustrations: the ones illustrating stances and hand forms are very good but unless you have practised martial arts before the diagrams illustrating forms (sets) whilst fascinating are difficult to follow and you will need the expert instruction of a teacher. This book deals with the four/five major traditional styles of Tai Chi Chuan though I would have liked to have read references / explanation of other styles that have died out or are still practised today.

Wonderfull
If you are interrested in Tai Chi you should read this book. The author writes in a easily comprehensible and humoristic tone that makes this book a great read. The author also succeeds in doing what most other Tai Chi writers fail in, telling that Tai Chi is actually a Martial art and can be used to defend oneself. Its a great book, written by a great man. If you are interrested in Tai Chi, this is the book for you. It contains informtion for both advanced and beginners.

Interesting book, but by no means COMPLETE.
I think that this is an interesting book, but by no means it is a COMPLETE book about tai chi chuan. It speaks about the five main styles, and include about 20 pages of illustrations of each style. I think it can be useful as a reference book about general information on tai chi chuan, but it is not aimed to teach any style, as the explanation of each one is very short.