The Tai Chi Book: Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice

This book was recommended by a T'ai Chi guy on You Tube, Grant Clyman. He said we should read the T'ai Chi Book. What T'ai Chi book, I thought. I tried Amazon on a hunch, and here it is, The T'ai Chi Book".This is a general overview of T'ai Chi. Some of it is a bit idiosyncratic, like the parts about shoes, but I found some good info in it.

This book was recommended by my sensei and it is well worth the price. It talks about the principles of the art and discusses the inter-relationship of Chinese medicine, martial arts and art forms (i.e. poetry, flower arranging, calligraphy).It also intelligently discusses the various styles and forms of tai chi.The description of chi and it's uses was interesting, but I'm not really sure I buy into the author's philosophy, but this is just a small part of a very comprehensive book.The book is intended for people who are studying the art of tai chi, and should not be purchased as a "how to" book. It does discuss various postures and their effect on joints and energy movement, but it does not attempt to actually teach the forms. In my opinion, this is it's greatest strength.

So glad I purchased this Tai Chi book - there is so much useful information in here and I have read it 2x already and plan to share it with tai chi friends. Well written and very helpful to your tai chi studies. Highly recommend purchasing this book!!

Enjoyable book for the beginner, giving a great overview

The parts that actually deal with tai chi are generally not bad, but they are embedded in a mass of marginally relevant and sometimes downright bizarre digressions on topics ranging from naps to home-crafted shoes. If you're like me, you'll find yourself skimming through long sections with a little voice in the back of your head asking "what is this doing here in the first place, and what were the editors thinking?", while occasionally pausing over the more relevant parts, some of which are genuinely thought-provoking.

All of Chuckrow's books will become classics in this way. I've read many books on the martial arts. The originating principles of Tai Chi are fundamental to the most effective methods of self-defense. I've talked at length with Waysun Liau, one of the top masters of Tai Chi who teaches a few miles from my house, and read his books, and I'd have to say Robert Chuckrow is on that level of essential instruction. A book to be read and reread. This book will increase your awareness on how you should carry yourself, lighten your spirit and improve your health. The energy of expanding rooted strength and relaxed torque is here waiting to be discovered by you.

I teach Yang Style Tai Chi, and often read excerpts from this to my students during their break. I've gone back and reread it several times, and each time I learn something new from it. Chuckrow gets a little wordy at times, but still the book serves as an excellent resource to help understand certain concepts. It's one of my favorite Tai Chi books.

Excellent discussions of Tai Chi principles from a student of Cheng Man Ching, who was perhaps the most important teacher to bring Tai Chi Chuan to America. I recommend this book highly to both beginners and experienced students. Both will benefit.