Master Pixiang Qiu

I received this book for free through the Library Thing Early Reviewer program.
It is the most accessible book about tai chi practice that I've seen, very clearly showing poses, chi routes and other aspects of the practice. I suspect that it was clear to me partly because I studied tai chi and qigong for a number of years, so the concepts and movement styles were familiar. However there was enough new here to keep my interest and lead me to try out a few of the short forms. All in all, very nice, but I suspect it could be confusing for newbies.… (mehr)

I starting reading through the poses and routines slowly, carefully and in great detail, but only while lying in bed before bedtime. After about 30% into the book, I got tired and a little confused, too. Although there are ample photographs of several of the steps in each pose, there is no point of reference in the photos. It would've helped that model posed on a floor that had a 24" (or so) circle painted on it.

For something like Tai Chi or Yoga, I think a DVD with video should be included. Or, a link to a website that provides videos would be very helpful. There are links to additional resources included at the back of the book. To be fair, I'll mention that I didn't investigate them, but they didn't sound promising because they didn't refer to website's from the publisher or authors.

I've read two other books on Tai Chi or Qi Gong. This book was by far way more comprehensive, including more routines and photos.

I received this book for free through the Library Thing Early Reviewer program.… (mehr)

This book works very effectively as an introduction to one form of Tai Chi and as a reference for "fine tuning" specific movements. It is not, however, a substitute for a class in which you can see a demonstration of several movements in sequence, complete with transitioning steps. And, of course, part of the value of Tai Chi is working in harmony with a group of people--a benefit that is not available through the use of a book or tape for independent work. Having said all that, I would unhesitatingly recommend the book to anyone interested in learning more about Tai Chi as an introductory work, or who wish to work independently in addition to a class. The illustrations are as thorough an complete as still photographs can be and the verbal explanations are sufficiently comprehensive to be genuinely useful. The beginner should understand that the form of Tai Chi introduced in the book is one of several types available. Classes available to you locally may differ.… (mehr)