Customer Rating:  
Summary: Solid basic, but comprehensive overview of Tai Chi
Comment: To be honest, I was hoping for a lot more from this book. I thought-- wow, Chuckrow is a PhD in experimental physics,
perfect!
I was hoping for a book written by a smart man of Western science to provide some insight into this most esoteric of Eastern "mythological" topics. I was hoping for a breakdown of at least basic biomechanics, some Western-style research into physiology, so that those concepts would be used to elaborate on this author's insights into the learning process of understanding and mastering Tai Chi.
Not to be.
This book covers a surprising amount of material in a short amount of time. Training tips-- basic concepts, methods, do's and don't's. Philosophy. Some history. Finding a teacher. Using Tai Chi in life. Anecdotes. Ahh, those anecdotes. Some just killed me.
As a practicioner of Tai Chi, I understand the need to utilize personal experience to help define one's own comprehension of Tai Chi, not to mention to communicate that comprehension. But Chuckrow will take it further-- use stories that he's heard second-hand to try and convince us that we can use Tai Chi to heal others, or that a certain method will reverse various medical problems. I'm sorry-- Professor Chuckrow-- since when did a second-hand story become validation? You, a man of science of all people! I know there isn't enough research out there to accomplish all we'd like to understand, but second-hand stories?
Yes, use your first-hand experience, your own epiphanies! Say: "This is what helped me understand..." If you have to use a second-hand story, admit that it does not prove, but use it as a point of interest and let it be...
Finally, on the few occasions that Chuckrow did apply some modern physiology concepts to his discussion-- it was clear that he had done no outside research, had made no real effort to understand the human body from a late-20th century perspective. For me, this really ruined his credibility for the rest of this book.
Aiyaah. Still, this book succinctly addressed basic concepts all over the map. Alignment, breathing, weight-shifting, mental focus, resting, training, training tips, teaching methods, learning methods, finding a teacher. A lot of good solid advice on how to train, why to train, ideas/insights into different methods to both diversify training and how to focus on areas that commonly need extra attention. Chaper 11-- on push hands-- is especially good, with some detailed descriptions not only of concepts, but an analysis by Professor Chuckrow, using Newtonian physics-- of the "Tai Chi uprooting process". This last was very nice, although the numbers in his example certainly did not add up what most of us know Tai Chi can accomplish.
All in all, this book lives up to its title. But don't be mislead, as I was, by the author's credentials. There is very little physics-- very little science-- in his approach to Tai Chi.
Customer Rating:
Summary: good tai ji book
Comment: This book covers many aspects of tai ji, explains them clearly, and is probably the best tai ji concept and practice book I have read so far.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Tai Chi Book: Clear directions
Comment: I teach a philosophy of Mind and Body course and my students will use this as the text for the Tai Chi class they must take as a co-requisite for my philosophy course. The author, a Ph.D. in physics, offers clear examples of what Tai Chi looks like but wisely refraines from trying to teach a full course in Tai Chi. He offers a sustained discussion of the philosophy behind Tai Chi, what it is and what it is not. It is not exciting reading but purposeful and organized. It will prove helpful for my students and anyone wishing an introduction to Tai Chi.
Customer Rating:
Summary: THE tai chi book!
Comment: This is THE book. It's absolutely fantastic. I have read many books on Tai Chi, and own quite a few, but this is the one I am always coming back to, again and again. When practicing Tai Chi, when reading other books on the subject, and sometimes even in the shower after a day's practice, Robert Chuckrow's words come back into my mind, broadening and deepening my understanding of this great art. Many books claim to present Tai Chi Chuan in a manner "accessible to Westerners", but only this one truly delivers. Dr. Chuckrow's presentation is sober, encompassing, and respectful of the philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. He is open-minded and fair, despite the fact that some of his experience are beyond his ability to explain. A Doctor of Physics and a Tai Chi instructor, Robert Chuckrow truly finds new ways to elucidate stances, double-weighting, and alignment, and never in all the book does he cease to be a person one can relate to, just another Tai Chi player sharing his (vast) experiences for the reader's benefit. The chapter on being a student is the jewel of the book. It really gives the reader pointers and references for actual, everyday relating to a teacher. It helps the reader understand his/her own practice from a broader, more realistic perspective. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who already practices Tai Chi and to all who are wondering if Tai Chi is for them. It is a rare pleasure to find, among the many books on this subject, one which is so well-balanced, down-to-earth, and complete.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Answers to the questions you always wanted to ask...
Comment: Detailed descriptions of concepts and terms and explanations of difficult concepts are what set this book apart from other T'ai Chi books. The author has researched thoroughly and writes well and clearly. Covers among other subjects, breathing, stances, eating, alignment, ch'i, warm ups, stretching, how to be a good student as well as push hands and the CMC form. This is not an all inclusive list. I would place this near the top of the list of internal martial arts books. This could easily function as a textbook for a college course on T'ai Chi. I don't agree with everything in it, but I could always be wrong. :) Buy it, you won't be sorry.
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