What is 'Tai Chi'?

every so often a game changer comes along, this is a 'guide for the confused', for the art of taijiquan; Peter Gilligan, a taoist that 'has' taijiquan as well, clears up the air about many subjects, from cultural confusion, what's the right way to write TCC in English, to what is peng ;-} and way beyond.anyway, I'm making this a required reading at my studio, and invite ya'll to invest the 15 bucks and enjoy

Great book! I shared I it with my tai chi instructors who loved it. It helps to greatly deepen your understanding.

This reviewer has seven years of concentrated practice in Korean and Japanese Martial Arts, but that didn't really help me understand this book. It was simply over my head. While I was able to understand much of the 45 centuries of history of the art form, it was a real challenge to grasp the Chinese Culture that this book attempts to explain. "A Chinese hearing `Tai Chi' spoken understands something very different from what the Westerner speaking meant, which does not help mutual understanding at all and has lead to more or less amusing misunderstandings." "The Chinese art of Taijquan is hidden behind the two English words `Tai Chi.'"The art belongs to a Chinese tradition which started four and a half thousand years ago when the incumbent emperor ordered the people to engage in `daily dances and exercise to improve the health and strength of the nation.'" "The contemporary generic Chinese term for this tradition is Qi Gong, which includes a vast number of different exercises and exercise systems deriving historically from medical, Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian and Martial sources." A second century Chinese doctor, Hua Tuo reportedly said, "There is no medicine which may not be replaced by the appropriate exercise. There also is no medicine to substitute for the benefits of regular and healthful exercise." This system of self-cultivation has "developed from the application of Qi Gong to the practice of Wu Shu, usually translated as `martial art.' So `Tai Chi' is Qi Gong practiced as Wu Shu for the purpose of self cultivation." Everyone understand that? The reader quickly begins to understand why this reviewer is under water. The author points out that there are thousands of different systems of Wu Shu practiced in China. A third of the way through the illustrated 213-page book is a subchapter "The Need For A Teacher." This isn't an advertisement to scare up more students for Tai Chi instructors, but a basic statement of fact. While the book is packed with helpful illustrations, photographs and diagrams, those new to Tai Chi need to have somebody to make certain they are doing the exercises and forms correctly. Otherwise, techniques of the discipline may be learned incorrectly. Chapter 5 is entitled "Learning How to Learn." That chapter has subchapters such as "Don't Try Too Hard," "Should Is A Condition--Not a Command," "Wei Wu-Wei," and "Song." "Song Is The Expression Of Taiji In The Body." Song is a wonderful Chinese character with fascinating meanings, but western students have a tough time grasping the concept of that single Chinese picture character. The culture gap is more like a cultural Grand Canyon. Chapter 8 is entitled "Practice to Perfection" and includes subchapters such as "The Syllabus of Taijiquan" and "The Taijquan Teacher's Job." "Testing and Warnings" are also mentioned. Since the "testing involves being pushed or struck in the guts" to avoid injury partners need to be sensitive, skilled and have perfect control. Pregnant women should avoid testing. "Knowing the technique can apparently be useful during birth. But if you do not know it already, it is not a very good idea to try and learn it while you actually are pregnant." Duh, hopefully no pregnant woman would check her brain at the beginning of her Tai Chi workout or testing and allow herself to be punched in the gut, but I guess the author had to cover himself just in case or maybe he knew people who had done exactly what he was warning about? If the layman reader of this review isn't already confused by the amount of material and concepts discussed in this volume, the author concludes his work with "This entire book is only the preface to such advanced practice and development." This reviewer feels that while this book is helpful, for most people who wish to learn to practice Tai Chi, the first step should be to find a good instructor. Hopefully they will be able to teach the concepts in this book in such a manner that westerners can master them.

Different reviewers are going to have very different views of this book. Right up front, I will tell you I have never gone to a Tai Chi class. I have been looking for a system of physical conditioning and training that is suitable for an older person who is not in the best shape -me. I have heard and seen much about Tai Chi in a very general sense, so when I saw this book I thought the title "What is Tai Chi?" sounded promising for someone like me, just beginning to explore it.The book is really aimed at the teacher of Tai Chi, and secondarily at the serious long term student who is working through the essential principles. Certainly it was a thoroughly interesting book, covering the meaning of the concepts of Tai Chi and Chi Gong, martial applications, learning how to learn, proper foundations, the Six Secrets, and importance of practice.I live in a rural area and had been searching for a system I can learn in a solitary manner. But the author is pretty clear that you really do need a teacher, especially as a novice-- that a teacher is vital to get your body in the initial correct positions so that you build the right foundations from the very beginning. This beginning is known as the Rectification of the body, which is necessary for proper chi flow and future development.For a teacher, or for a serious student in a teacher-student relationship, this book deserves five stars for the thorough examination of Tai Chi, both learning and teaching it. It is a good read for the rest of us, and is honest about its approach. However it should have either had a different title, or a more specific subtitle, to let purchasers know it is for the more advanced. Without an appropriate subtitle, such as "Philosophical Foundations for the Instructor and Student," "What is Tai Chi?" seems to imply this book is for someone who doesn't know anything about Tai Chi.If you are serious about Tai Chi, and are dedicated to that path, this book looks like the right book for you. If you are just trying to get started in Tai Chi, especially as a new student with no teacher available, there may be other choices that are better. I am still looking. I have seen lots of books with photos of poses and I have watched several video tapes from the local library and tried a few things, like the Chi Gong "five elements" poses. But in fact, what I get from this book is that if you don't have access to a good teacher, maybe you had better pass on Tai Chi as a solitary path.

As with Chi Kung, this book is not a quick fix.It's been 2 years since I first started reading it, and as with good food, it is taking much longer to digest than it does to consume.In other words, I am still reading it, although at the moment this is proving rather difficult as a friend has not so recently borrowed itAnyone looking for shortcuts, or a quick and easy introduction to the world of `Tai Chi' I would recommend to look elsewhere. But anyone searching for a good relevant insight into that world should find it ultimately rewarding, and full of useful information.A good slow read.I now feel sufficiently `rectified' to buy another copy and take on the final chapter, which should take me at least a couple of years, and that's if I don't try too hard!And if I ever finish it, I may then attempt a full review.In the meantime I can thoroughly recommend this book for its alternative insight into the world of `Tai Chi', and into the self-healing art known as Chi Kung. I also suspect that those with more of an affinity to the phrase `healing art' will benefit more than those predisposed to the `martial' aspects of it all.

I got this as I have been thinking of taking up classes in Tai Chi. I find it an excellently and clearly written work giving the reader a broad understanding of the philosophical and historical background to the subject and the author obviously speaks from a place of knowledge and experience. There are illustrations but it is not a picture book rather it is a serious work which will be of value to anyone interested in learning - take that as an encouragement to read it.Full marks, recommended highly.

I'm greatly enjoying reading this book. I was a student of Peter Gilligan's for a few years, until I moved to another part of the country, and this book brings me straight back to not only doing Tai Chi and Chi Kung at the school, but the great times we had chatting, whilst drinking an inordinate amout of tea in the lounge area of the school. When I have finished the book, I will post a much more detailed review, but for now, from what I have read so far, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in not only gaining knowledge about Tai Chi Chuan, but in understanding some of the basic concepts behind all Chinese Internal Arts.

I met Peter thirty years ago and he was a superb practitioner. Haven't seen him since but his book is as sharp and interesting as his instruciton was then. A unique voice amongst so many books on the topic backup up by huge experience and lively intelligence

love it