A thoroughly thought provoking wonder
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I had this book handed to me by a friend, and I practiced it for around three months, just by the book alone, during this time I got around the first 50 down. Eventually I found a group of people that taught the art and only a few minor alterations were needed to how i had interpreted the pictures from the book. So i would definitely recommend this book to anybody wanting to find a serious Tai chi form as this is apparently the only Taoist form. But I would suggest that if you have this book or intend buying this book, you find a group that teach the art to help in the understanding.
Also sticky hand, whirling arms and hands, tai chi sword, tai chi dance, and tai chi stick are sections of this art covered briefly so that one can see just how indepth this art actually is
Much of Chee Soo's own thoughts come through this book and allow you to gain a knowledge of how the Tao can be approached in a very simple and childlike way, which after all, is the way.
Chee's closing comment in the book is this
"When strains are no longer felt, strains disappear. When stresses are not experienced, stresses vanish. When aggression is not recognised, it does not exist. When badness is not seen, it ceases to be prevalent. When we no longer think of goodness, it disappears. When we do not think of hate and evil, they both vanish. When we do not recognise 'I', it does not exist. When earth is not seen, then earth ceases to be prevalent. When we no longer compare one with another, then all disappear, and we understand the Tao"
I would say that is the closing remark of someone that knew the way.
Lucky reading...
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A book that continues to teach you over the years
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I have been practising T'ai Chi for over ten years now and this book continues to be a valuable resource. Whether its simply checking a stance or posture against the images in the book or looking to throw light on a more elusive philosophical discussion, Chee Soo's Taoist understanding of T'ai Chi and the principles behind it continue to be relevant and informative. What this book shows is that a T'ai Chi master can offer insights to students at all stages of their training through the same text operating at many levels.
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Tai Chi as written by a master
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This was the very first book I bought regarding Tai Chi and I have found it to be a very valuable book for anybody studying Lee Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan or are new to Tai Chi and are looking for a book to get to them started.
It starts with an excellent introduction to the philosophy behind the art and the history behind the style with clear explanations on the health benefits that can be obtained from practising Tai Chi. The book then goes onto describe the stances in the style, sticky hands and various other partner exercises. It finishes with describing in great detail (with photographs) the complete movements of the Tai Chi Form - this alone is invaluable for students who for whatever reason cannot make classes on a regular basis. This is a book that I never stop learning from and I am on my second copy now as my first copy became completely dog eared and tatty from over use - a sign of a good book.
I have read all of Chee Soo's books now and find Chee Soo to be a very sincere and down to earth writer on matters that he is utmost expert in. I would thoroughly recommend this book for both people who are studying Tai Chi and for those who just simply wish to know what Tai Chi is about.
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The essential guide to the art of T'ai Chi Ch'uan
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The only real way in my experience to judge the authenticity of an art is to try it for yourself. I've been practising Lee Style T'ai Chi for 6 years and have found this to be a book I regularly re-read and keep discovering new things I'd missed on previous readings.
No book could completely cover the entire art but this book manages to have everything a beginner needs to start their journey whilst always offering new insights to the more experienced student.
The book covers the background and philosophy that underpins the art and the entire form is covered in detail with a photo showing the end of each move.
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A mediocre tome, broadly plausable.
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I didn't enjoy this book.
This book makes some astonishing claims, but fails to support these claims with verifiable and checkable underpinning knowelege. Historicaly Tai Chi lineages are seen as a real treasure and add to the authenticity of the art being practiced, however only vague references to a travelling Chinese Master are given, and the transmission of the art is not given much attention at all.
The sequence of moves are difficult to follow and alot of the pictures are a bit fuzzy.
In comparrison to the works of Wong Kiew Kit, who really makes an effort at indepth explanations of what the art is really all about, I'd leave this book well alone.
In defence of the book, I will say that it helped me broaden my thinking on Tai Chi, and I'm sure has helped others learm of Tai Chi and the happinnes it can bring.
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