The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong

Douglas admits that no book is a substitute for a live class with a live teacher:

The ability to see an instructor move and to ask for clarification or hear the questions of other students is invaluable. Also, it's easier in person for instructors to explain things in stages while you relax, whereas when using a book, facts must be remembered because the instructor isn't there to remind you.

This book recommends live classes as the optimum way to learn Tai Chi, but in a class setting there is not time for any teacher to explain the wealth of information this book contains. Therefore, this book is a powerful addition to any class or video program.

This book could also be helpful to Tai Chi teachers seeking simple ways to explain complex Chinese concepts. It is not easy to make the complex simple. This book does it.


Fine for most practitioners, but not for the martial artist   October 10, 2000
P. Doyle (Brighton, UK)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

The book is easy to read and does explain concepts well - but there just isn't enough information on the martial aspects

to the author's credit he doesn't set out to cover the martial side in detail.

All in all - if you are interested in the history of Tai Chi Chuan and all of its applications for health and so on then it gets 5 stars

If you are into Tai Chi Chuan for the martial side (and are lucky enough to find a teacher who can teach the martial applications) then this book still makes good background reading. Either way I would recommend it to my fellow students - just be aware of what you are purchasing.

The form guides are pretty useless though - however, I firmly believe that a book guide to the form is only useful for practitioners of that form who can then use it as a reference after seeing the proper movement in class.


Comprehensive, Fun, &Contemporary Approach to Ancient Wisdom   September 20, 2000
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The book explains that Traditional Chinese Medicine (of which T'ai Chi & Qigong are a part)works best when the practitioner "understands" and "believes" in the therapy. Therefore, the in depth analytical explanation of this ancient health science, coupled with the experiential exercises peppered throughout the book, create a powerful program. I noticed that the T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion, Sifu Hong Yijiao, rated this book excellant for this very reason. For a deep understanding of the many facets of T'ai Chi & Qigong's Eastern mind/body philosophy and Western medicine's growing understanding of it, this book is an excellant resource. Teachers as well as expert students will find many ways of looking at T'ai Chi & Qigong that are fresh, modern, and meaningful to everyone in today's stressed out modern world. Especially the chapters on using T'ai Chi & Qigong for specific therapies, corporate wellness, and social health problems, including education and prison rehab. A great resource for anyone interested in T'ai Chi & Qigong, but especially for those newly curious about it, it makes a top rate primer. Also, it is a great desk reference for anyone in the health or education field. Every doctor and nurse should have a copy of it.


Agree With T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion Excellant Rating   June 18, 2000
The T'ai Chi Forms Grand Champion's excellant rating is right on. This book takes the complex and esoteric Chinese concepts that can take decades to absorb and explains them using Western concepts in a format that can be assimilated immediately. This book can take your T'ai Chi experience light years ahead, as it teaches the essence of the meaning of the high science and art of T'ai Chi, without the complicated esoterics.


I think he is missing the point.   March 12, 2000
j.ketley@virgin.net (Southern England)
I have been attending Tai Chi lessons a couple of times a week for the past 14 months. This book just did not work for me. Although it has all the ingredients of what I consider Tai Chi is all about, reducing it to what amounts to a series of bullet points somewhat misses the point. Compare Chungliang Al Huang in 'Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain' with this book (especially the pictures) to see what I mean.