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The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi & QiGong
T'ai Chi -- a martial art used for health, meditation, and self-defense -- and QiGong -- a large variety of physical and mental training methods based on Chinese philosophy -- are widely recognized to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. T'ai Chi has demonstrated its health benefits by being linked with everything from slowing the aging process and increasing balance and flexibility to lowering stress levels and enhancing the body's natural healing powers.
In this fourth edition of "The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to T'ai Chi & QiGong," the authors have streamlined the book, giving it a clearer how-to focus. Nearly 150 video clips complement the 300 helpful illustrations in the book by demonstrating a complete T'ai Chi exercise -- all exclusively available to readers on the authors' website.
In this fourth edition of "The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to T'ai Chi & QiGong," the authors have streamlined the book, giving it a clearer how-to focus. Nearly 150 video clips complement the 300 helpful illustrations in the book by demonstrating a complete T'ai Chi exercise -- all exclusively available to readers on the authors' website.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 1999
103 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 12, 2020
The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi & QiGong is a useful reference guide that I've been using in conjunction with online courses to dip my toes into the practice of both.
The first part of the book is the history of the martial and meditative arts as well as best practices. The second part is the movements.
I liked that links to demonstrative videos are sprinkled throughout the text, somewhere over a hundred of them! It really helped the materials to come alive for me.
The way the author writes might be a little far out for readers who are looking for more scientific approaches to the practices. He touches on scientific studies that demonstrate health benefits, but doesn't go too deeply into the science behind them. Readers who are looking for something like that may want to find a different book.
I've begun to incorporate both t'ai chi and qigong into my daily routine. It is a nice, restive break from the stressful day-to-day grind. As I move my body through the practices, my mind follows.
It is difficult to describe, but easy to experience if you attempt some of the movements yourself.
Highly recommended for readers at all levels of fitness. Namaste!
The first part of the book is the history of the martial and meditative arts as well as best practices. The second part is the movements.
I liked that links to demonstrative videos are sprinkled throughout the text, somewhere over a hundred of them! It really helped the materials to come alive for me.
The way the author writes might be a little far out for readers who are looking for more scientific approaches to the practices. He touches on scientific studies that demonstrate health benefits, but doesn't go too deeply into the science behind them. Readers who are looking for something like that may want to find a different book.
I've begun to incorporate both t'ai chi and qigong into my daily routine. It is a nice, restive break from the stressful day-to-day grind. As I move my body through the practices, my mind follows.
It is difficult to describe, but easy to experience if you attempt some of the movements yourself.
Highly recommended for readers at all levels of fitness. Namaste!
October 14, 2025
A bit unbalanced for a beginners' guide- a good third of the book comes across as the authors trying to convince you to try tai chi and qigong, which, if you are reading this, you are already motivated to do. It's extremely redundant. Because of this focus, you don't get basic questions answered until over a hundred pages in (ex: what are the different styles?) and some basic questions (ex: what makes these styles different, other than their creators?) aren't answered at all. Ironically, this book may be better for instructors who are interested in the variety of ways they can motivate students to keep coming to class or influence workplaces to pay them to teach.
December 16, 2017
For me this book was not easy to comprehend. It's very comprehensive, but overlong and I'm sure most beginners would welcome a less cluttered format with easier instructions, and of course a reliable index! The first thing I looked up, 'stance' which is a vital part of Tai Chi, is not included so had to search online. If a book is really for 'complete idiots' then it needs to be shorter, less cluttered, and simpler.
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March 7, 2022As a companion to a park district t’ai chi class, the most realistic advice here is that you’ll be taking classes for a long time, and books and videos are only supplements. This is a good overview to the philosophy and benefits of those classes and encouragement to keep at it.
April 13, 2014
I respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said you already had to be an expert to benefit from this book. To me, nothing could be further from the truth. This book does go into great detail, but it starts from the bare basics - if you had never even heard of tai chi before, you would have no problems here.
I, too, thought it might be hard to learn from a book, but the in-depth descriptions and unique diagrams make it understandable. But the biggest bonus is the associated web page video content, where you can see video of the authors performing the moves.
This book doesn't just teach you "move here, do this" - there is also a lot of information on the benefits of tai chi, exactly why it is so beneficial to so many - which I found fascinating, deepened my understanding, and increased my motivation.
Highly recommended, for any level of practitioner.
I, too, thought it might be hard to learn from a book, but the in-depth descriptions and unique diagrams make it understandable. But the biggest bonus is the associated web page video content, where you can see video of the authors performing the moves.
This book doesn't just teach you "move here, do this" - there is also a lot of information on the benefits of tai chi, exactly why it is so beneficial to so many - which I found fascinating, deepened my understanding, and increased my motivation.
Highly recommended, for any level of practitioner.
December 19, 2019
A top off that really takes you for an idiot
The author spends too much time on "feel good" talk"and talking about himself. Then gets down to business late in the book with pictures of him doing some fondue movements. He keeps referring you to the videos on the web support page and really has drawings at.the end of.the book on the forms. It is not.even an instructional book, you're better off with a dvd. Best advice is to get an instructor, which I did, and supplement with a dvd recommended by the instructor.
Wish I could get my money back
The author spends too much time on "feel good" talk"and talking about himself. Then gets down to business late in the book with pictures of him doing some fondue movements. He keeps referring you to the videos on the web support page and really has drawings at.the end of.the book on the forms. It is not.even an instructional book, you're better off with a dvd. Best advice is to get an instructor, which I did, and supplement with a dvd recommended by the instructor.
Wish I could get my money back
December 30, 2008
An interesting introduction to t'ai chi and Qigong, although of limited value if you aren't actively taking a class/lessons. The author assumes the reader has professional instruction and attempts to add to the professional lessons, rather than teaching the movements himself. If nothing else, I learned the concept of "dan tien" from the book, and find that being conscious of my "core" as I walk/stand has improved my posture.
July 26, 2016
A good beginners guide to tai chi and qigong, giving you breadth on the subject and more importantly tells you the difference between the two. Gives key principles for practise, practical excercises you can start with and supported by many online videos.
My only critique is that the book is parked with too much stuff that it can be a bit of an overload. Otherwise, it is a generally accessible beginner's guide and serves its purpose well.
My only critique is that the book is parked with too much stuff that it can be a bit of an overload. Otherwise, it is a generally accessible beginner's guide and serves its purpose well.
June 30, 2014
This book is a great comprehensive book on Tai Chi with web videos as a supplemental resource.
September 3, 2014
great book for beginners. especially without access to an instructor
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April 13, 2015An informative read on the health benefits, but an obscure form of tai chi.
April 3, 2009
A good broad point of view.
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April 9, 2010i'm intriqued, but it aint gonna happen out of a book
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews