T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense
by Cheng Man-Ch'ing, Robert W. Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Cheng Man-Ch'ing, Robert W. SmithEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-12-15
ISBN: 0804835934
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Book Reviews of T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense
Book Review: Classic work
Summary: 5 Stars
This might have been the first work in English on tai chi, and Smith was Cheng Man Ching's first western or American student. It's still one of the best introductory tai chi books out there. The photos of Cheng's form are worth the price of the book by themselves, his form being impeccable as usual and a high benchmark we should all strive to attain.
One caution, which is that the photos of Cheng are from two other previous books and some are reversed from what they are in the actual form; for example, single whip is shown on the left side when it is actually done on the right side. You can tell they're from different books since some photos show Cheng in a white jacket, and others show him in a dark jacket.
Smith includes the best brief, several-page summary of tai chi history and its origins I've seen, giving you essential details and facts without getting into an overly meticulous recounting of its origins, the lineage, and other controversial issues, which are still unresolved, anyway. But if you become more of an advanced student you'll want to learn all about that later. For an introductory text this is enough information for now.
A nice chapter on the martial arts applications is also included, something neglected too often in present day tai chi texts. Also, some good information and instruction on pushing hands techniques. By the way, pushing hands was a skill added to tai chi much later, it being originally a dim mak or point striking art, which most practitioners aren't aware of.
One minor quip. The pictures for the photo sequences of Cheng's form are a little small and sometimes a bit dark by present reproduction standards, but one has to remember these plates are now almost 40 years old. However, they're still good enough so you can see the postures and techniques okay. Overall still a fine book and at this point a true classic and landmark in the history of martial arts books about the more obscure Chinese arts. Smith's books on hsing i and ba gua were also important early efforts and excellent books also, and if you are interested in further information on the two other Wu Dang internal arts those are working getting too.
Summary of T'ai Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense
The Chinese secret for youthfulness, health and long life lies at least partly in T'ai Chi, the ballet-like calisthenics they've practiced for centuries. This rhythmical art stresses slow breathing, balanced and relaxed postures and absolute calmness of mind. The practice itself need take no more than ten minutes a day. This book is a complete step-by-step manual for the beginner that will enable anyone to master the sequence of thirty-seven postures that make up the T'ai Chi solo exercise.
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