What is 'Tai Chi'?

By: Peter Gilligan

Write A Review

Paperback | 1 January 2010

At a Glance

Paperback
224 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.5

Paperback

$61.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $15.44 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

This book grew out of a question one of the author''s students asked. The answer proved to be longer than either teacher or student could have anticipated.

As he looks at the complex art of ''Tai Chi'', the author answers questions such as why, unlike in other martial arts, ''Tai Chi'' has no gradings; how hard you should try; and how to make the most of your teacher. A wide range of material is covered, including fundamental points about the mechanics of movement and the ''energetic'' aspects of practice, as well as the relationship between body, mind and spirit that emerges. The author also provides answers to questions that even experienced practitioners may not have thought to ask, such as what are the levels of self-defense in ''Tai Chi''? How do I refine and develop my ''Tai Chi''? What is the difference between method and technique? How do I put principles into practice?

This insightful book covers all aspects of ''Tai Chi'', answering questions that are beyond the scope of many classes. It will be of interest to anyone beginning ''Tai Chi'' or Qi Gong, as well as to more experienced practitioners at all levels, practitioners of other martial arts, and friends and relatives of "Tai Chi" players who wonder what all the fuss and enthusiasm is about.

Industry Reviews

A stellar offering for anyone interested in this rapidly growing art... In the end, this 209-page volume (plus some references and a brief index) is literary egg burped up whole and white and shining and pure. In avuncular fashion, the author sews together the threads of what may be China's greatest cultural treasure. What is 'Tai Chi'? will have the voyeur itching to take up the practice, while at the same time deepening the long-term student's understanding. If you like tai chi, you will want to read and ponder this book.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Family & Health Fitness & Diet Exercise & Workout Books Medicine Complementary Medicine Sports & Recreation Combat Sports & Self-Defence Oriental Martial Arts

Acknowledgements	p. 9
A note on Romanisation	p. 11
What to expect from this book	p. 13
Preliminaries and Preconceptions
A Punnet of Problems	p. 23
The problems of gradings
The problem of cultural communication
The problem of language
The need for contextual study
The systems approach
The basic Chinese world view
Conclusion
What's in a Word?	p. 39
Taijiquan as self cultivation
Cultivation
Qi
Yin-Yang
Qi Gong
Schools of Qi Gong: Internal and external
The use of sensitivity
The use of intention (will/imagination)
The three systems in Qi Gong
Types of Qi Gong
Jing Gong
Jing-Dong Gong
Dong Gong
Use of Xin (sensitivity) and Yi (will) in Qi Gong
Summary
Laying the Martial Ghost	p. 59
Taijiquan as self-defence
Self-defence and martial art
Wu and martial are not the same
Martial art and Wu Shu
Wu Shu, Gong Fu and self cultivation
Taijiquan as Wu Shu
Three levels of testing in Taijiquan
The role of 'sparring' in Taijiquan
A Taijiquan approach to Wu Shu
A personal encounter
Conclusion
Initial Foundation
Returning to Nature: Restoring Spring	p. 83
The meaning of Natural in Taijiquan
The Rectification of the body
The need for a teacher
The Rectified body
The Rectified body: No blocking or wasting
Natural alignment
Structure and posture
The application of Yin-Yang to the body
Conclusion
Learning How to Learn	p. 104
Don't try too hard
Should is a condition - not a command
Wei Wu-Wei
Song
'Song' is the expression of Taiji in the body
Testing
Methods of testing
Testing 'Song'
Making the most of your teacher
Summary
Basic standing posture
Three Circle Theory
Methods and Techniques	p. 130
Taiji and Taijiquan are not the same
Daoyin
What are methods and techniques?
People are individuals, unique and different
Daoyin is Qi Gong
Daoyin and Gong Fu: Internal and external
Daoyin in Taijiquan
An exercise to learn Daoyin
The three systems of Daoyin Qi Gong
Conclusion
The Art of Taijiquan
The Six Secrets	p. 153
The Six Secrets
Nei Gong
The Six Secrets as Nei Gong
Discussion of the Six Secrets
Three Circle Theory
Yin-Yang Form
'Spiral', or Qi, Form
Centre-Turn Form
Spiral in the leg
Yin-Yang Head and Hands
Conclusion
Practise to Perfection	p. 193
The syllabus of Taijiquan
The Taijiquan teacher's job
Practising Taijiquan
Syllabus, technique and method
Internal breathing: Nei Gong
Nei Gong Daoyin exercise
Testing and warnings
Traditional Nei Gong
Conclusion
Appendix: Forms, Techniques and Practices	p. 207
References	p. 210
Bibliography	p. 211
Index	p. 214
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

What is 'Tai Chi'?

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Complementary Medicine

Back On My Feet

From doctor to patient, a moving and inspirational memoir of traumatic injury, faith and hope, for readers of Turia Pitt and Emma Carey

Clinical Naturopathic Medicine

2nd edition

Petty's Musculoskeletal Examination and Assessment

6th Edition - A Handbook for Therapists

Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy

9th Edition (Revised)

The Modern Herbal Dispensatory

A Medicine-Making Guide

The Foundations of Chinese Medicine

3rd Edition - A Comprehensive Text

Between Heaven and Earth

A Guide to Chinese Medicine

The Web That Has No Weaver

Understanding Chinese Medicine

Bush Food

Aboriginal Food & Herbal Medicine

Noongar Bush Medicine

Medicinal Plants of the South-West of Western Australia

The Doctor's Kitchen

Supercharge Your Health with 100 Delicious Everyday Recipes

Materia Medica of Western Herbs

The Handmade Apothecary

Healing herbal recipes

Green Pharmacy

The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine

The Doctor's Kitchen

Eat to Beat Illness : 80 simple, tasty recipes to boost your health

Herbal Antivirals: 2nd Edition

Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections

Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve

Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage

A Practical Guide

Master Recipes from the Herbal Apothecary

375 Tinctures, Salves, Teas, Capsules, Oils and Washes for Whole-Body Health and Wellness

Clinical Naturopathy

3rd Edition - An evidence-based guide to practice

With the End in Mind

Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial

The Unvaccinated Child

A Treatment Guide for Parents and Caregivers

The Muscular System Manual

5th Edition - The Skeletal Muscles of the Human Body

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine New Edition

560 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments

This product is categorised by