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Tai Chi In 10 Weeks: A Beginner's Guide
This book is designed to guide beginning students through the fundamentals of tai chi in ten weeks. Dr. Aihan Kuhn teaches readers the twenty-four-step Yang-style form. She shares insight on warming up, healing, and avoiding injury. But tai chi is more than just a physical exercise. It is a way of life. Dr. Kuhn shows readers how this art helps us cultivate health, balance, and qi (energy).
Each day millions of people around the world practice tai chi for wellness, focus, and self-defense. This is a lifelong path. For the novice, that idea can be exciting but also daunting. With all the books, videos, and websites on tai chi, where do you begin?
Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is the answer.
Dr. Aihan Kuhn is a master instructor of tai chi and qigong. In this book she shares the lessons she’s learned in a lifetime of studying and teaching. She is warm and encouraging, making readers of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome.
This book
With this book you
“Tai chi is a life journey,” Dr. Kuhn writes. "Part of my success is from my patients and students that understand that prevention requires participation. They practice tai chi and qigong on a regular basis, which is key to their healing. That brings me to the title of this book. Can you really learn tai chi in 10 weeks? You cannot become a master, of course, but you can learn the fundamentals of this art. You can build the foundation for this life-changing journey. Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is your road map."
Each day millions of people around the world practice tai chi for wellness, focus, and self-defense. This is a lifelong path. For the novice, that idea can be exciting but also daunting. With all the books, videos, and websites on tai chi, where do you begin?
Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is the answer.
Dr. Aihan Kuhn is a master instructor of tai chi and qigong. In this book she shares the lessons she’s learned in a lifetime of studying and teaching. She is warm and encouraging, making readers of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome.
This book
With this book you
“Tai chi is a life journey,” Dr. Kuhn writes. "Part of my success is from my patients and students that understand that prevention requires participation. They practice tai chi and qigong on a regular basis, which is key to their healing. That brings me to the title of this book. Can you really learn tai chi in 10 weeks? You cannot become a master, of course, but you can learn the fundamentals of this art. You can build the foundation for this life-changing journey. Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is your road map."
- GenresHealthNonfiction
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2017
90 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Aihan Kuhn
19 books4 followersDr. Aihan Kuhn is a unique doctor of Natural Medicine (Holistic Medicine). She is a speaker, an award-winning author, and a master of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Trained in both Conventional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Kuhn has helped thousands of patients overcome various physical ailments and emotional imbalances. She incorporates Tai Chi & Qi Gong into her healing methodologies, changing the lives of many who had struggled for years with no relief from conventional medicine. Along with her healing, patients also learn self-care techniques and strategies to help them continue their healing journey at home. These techniques also help with self-confidence, relationships, stress management, daily energy level, and better focus.
Dr. Kuhn provides many wellness programs, natural healing workshops, and professional training programs, such as the Tai Chi Instructor Training certification course, Qi Gong Instructor Training certification course, and Wellness Tui Na Therapy certification course. These highly rated programs have produced many quality teachers and therapists.
Dr. Kuhn is President of the Tai Chi & Qi Gong Healing Institute (TaiChiHealing.org), a nonprofit organization promoting natural healing and prevention through an annual natural healing conference, World Tai Chi Day, healing Qi Gong exercises, Daoist study, and special programs.
Dr. Kuhn now lives in Sarasota, Florida. She continues her natural healing education and offers health consultations and Qi Gong therapy helping people to restore their health, inner balance, and vitality. For more information, please visit website draihankuhn.com
Dr. Kuhn provides many wellness programs, natural healing workshops, and professional training programs, such as the Tai Chi Instructor Training certification course, Qi Gong Instructor Training certification course, and Wellness Tui Na Therapy certification course. These highly rated programs have produced many quality teachers and therapists.
Dr. Kuhn is President of the Tai Chi & Qi Gong Healing Institute (TaiChiHealing.org), a nonprofit organization promoting natural healing and prevention through an annual natural healing conference, World Tai Chi Day, healing Qi Gong exercises, Daoist study, and special programs.
Dr. Kuhn now lives in Sarasota, Florida. She continues her natural healing education and offers health consultations and Qi Gong therapy helping people to restore their health, inner balance, and vitality. For more information, please visit website draihankuhn.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 6, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up due to the numerous color pictures
June 11, 2017
If you find getting to a Tai Chi class difficult or non-existent in your town, this may be just the guidebook for you. Dr. Aihan Kuhn, instructor in tai chi, qigong and tui na and president of Tai Chi & Qi Gong Healing Institute, has authored an easy to read and simple to follow manual that is crisp, clear and coherent; the 224 glossy pages of “Tai Chi in 10 Weeks: Beginner's Guide”. This work is meant “to help students, instructors, and practitioners understand taiji theory and technique, as well as help them to have a better experience with learning and practicing, both in a group and as individuals” (xiii).
“Tai Chi in 10 Weeks” explains, in three chapters, the value of taiji and how it is related to, but differs from, qigong. Dr. Kuhn explains what jing, qi and shen are, and how they work together. She also gives some of the history of taiji and the five styles. The author’s knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, along with her western medical training, noticeably turn up throughout these three chapters.
The bulk of the book brings the learner, by way of simple lessons and clean pictures, through the various levels of warm-up, foundation practice, qigong form, thirteen movement taiji, until finally arriving at the twenty-four step Yang style taijiquan form. The build up to the twenty-four step form is meant to prepare and condition a practitioner to be able to move into the twenty-four step form with some confidence. When the reader arrives at the twenty-four steps, Dr. Kuhn has masterfully broken the learning process down into 10 week packages, with pictures and instructions for each week. As an aid to staying motivated in practice, there is even a taiji 10-week plan checklist at the back of the book. This checklist was a brilliant inclusion in the book, as it shows the student at a gland where they are, how much they have succeeded at and how close they are to their short-term goal of becoming proficient at taiji!
“Tai Chi in 10 Weeks” is encouraging because it shows an easy-to-accomplish way for beginners to actually learn taiji in a doable timeframe and manner. There will still need to be, at some point, expert instruction, as Dr. Kuhn notes; “Eventually, however, you will need a good teacher who can guide you to deeper learning and practicing” (133). Nevertheless, Dr. Kuhn has placed learning grasping taiji within reach of the interested. I highly recommend the book.
Thanks to YMAA for providing, upon my request, the free copy of the book used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
“Tai Chi in 10 Weeks” explains, in three chapters, the value of taiji and how it is related to, but differs from, qigong. Dr. Kuhn explains what jing, qi and shen are, and how they work together. She also gives some of the history of taiji and the five styles. The author’s knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, along with her western medical training, noticeably turn up throughout these three chapters.
The bulk of the book brings the learner, by way of simple lessons and clean pictures, through the various levels of warm-up, foundation practice, qigong form, thirteen movement taiji, until finally arriving at the twenty-four step Yang style taijiquan form. The build up to the twenty-four step form is meant to prepare and condition a practitioner to be able to move into the twenty-four step form with some confidence. When the reader arrives at the twenty-four steps, Dr. Kuhn has masterfully broken the learning process down into 10 week packages, with pictures and instructions for each week. As an aid to staying motivated in practice, there is even a taiji 10-week plan checklist at the back of the book. This checklist was a brilliant inclusion in the book, as it shows the student at a gland where they are, how much they have succeeded at and how close they are to their short-term goal of becoming proficient at taiji!
“Tai Chi in 10 Weeks” is encouraging because it shows an easy-to-accomplish way for beginners to actually learn taiji in a doable timeframe and manner. There will still need to be, at some point, expert instruction, as Dr. Kuhn notes; “Eventually, however, you will need a good teacher who can guide you to deeper learning and practicing” (133). Nevertheless, Dr. Kuhn has placed learning grasping taiji within reach of the interested. I highly recommend the book.
Thanks to YMAA for providing, upon my request, the free copy of the book used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
August 16, 2017
I recently read this book Tai Chi in 10 weeks, by Dr. Aihan Kuhn, from cover to cover. What was most interesting to me, and refreshing to my current understanding of this gentle martial art and healing exercise, was that I found the information contained in it really helped answer all the questions any beginner might have on what is Taiji versus Qigong, the differences, how the practice of each helps the body stretch and strengthen, the principles and the mental requirements a student can aspire to. It is written in an easy-to-understand manner and yet contains many advanced principles.
If you want to learn the basics of taiji in just 10 weeks, this will be very helpful. Most of us who have learned tai chi the traditional way, by following an instructor who rarely gives verbal instruction, knows that the study of Taiji is lifelong. But 10 weeks is the minimum amount of time you will want to try it, to help you decide whether or not this exercise regime, for the body, mind and spirit, is for you. Within just a few short weeks the study of both Taiji and Qigong resonated with me and it may also with you. I wish this book had been available to me when I first started.
There are many pictures in the book, in color, which help the beginner to learn the basics of Taiji. What is most exciting is that Dr. Kuhn has online videos that are excellent and really compliment her written words. A beginner needs both to get the hang of it. Along with her You Tube videos this book is an necessary part of the learning process. Reading this book and watching the videos together is essential. If you are currently learning tai chi from a trained and certified professional purchasing this book will most certainly enhance your experience and practice. I have it in my library and I refer to it often. You will want it too!
If you want to learn the basics of taiji in just 10 weeks, this will be very helpful. Most of us who have learned tai chi the traditional way, by following an instructor who rarely gives verbal instruction, knows that the study of Taiji is lifelong. But 10 weeks is the minimum amount of time you will want to try it, to help you decide whether or not this exercise regime, for the body, mind and spirit, is for you. Within just a few short weeks the study of both Taiji and Qigong resonated with me and it may also with you. I wish this book had been available to me when I first started.
There are many pictures in the book, in color, which help the beginner to learn the basics of Taiji. What is most exciting is that Dr. Kuhn has online videos that are excellent and really compliment her written words. A beginner needs both to get the hang of it. Along with her You Tube videos this book is an necessary part of the learning process. Reading this book and watching the videos together is essential. If you are currently learning tai chi from a trained and certified professional purchasing this book will most certainly enhance your experience and practice. I have it in my library and I refer to it often. You will want it too!
May 15, 2022
Public library copy.
A very good book for learning the Yang 24 form. I did find that some of the stretching exercises are not easy to do if you have knee/hip issues or balance issues & are a senior. I suppose if I spent more time, I could modify them somewhat to fit my circumstances. The Foundation Practice is a series of movements integral to most of the Yang 24 Form & can be practiced every day.
I found the form itself is easier to do if a video is available.
A very good book for learning the Yang 24 form. I did find that some of the stretching exercises are not easy to do if you have knee/hip issues or balance issues & are a senior. I suppose if I spent more time, I could modify them somewhat to fit my circumstances. The Foundation Practice is a series of movements integral to most of the Yang 24 Form & can be practiced every day.
I found the form itself is easier to do if a video is available.
December 30, 2021
One of the more sensible books my ex husband gave me. It is for beginners, with illustrations on form and a guide to teach you how to learn all the forms in said 10 week. I love this book but I also have had training in Tai Chi and Tai Kwon Do so its an easy book. But a good book for beginners and a supplement to any formal classes you may take.
May 15, 2025
This was an interesting introduction to Tai Chi, but since it's a moving exercise it seems a little easier just to try a class or a video online to learn how to move as the static photos aren't as easy to learn the movements. Lots of photos, lots of background information for beginners but I'm not sure you can learn all the basics just from a book.
April 24, 2025
There was a lot of good information in this book. I want to learn how to do Tai Chi, but I found that I learn better by watching a video or someone in person. If you can learn through pictures and words, you may enjoy this book more than I did.
April 14, 2020
Great book. So many deeper meanings.
September 22, 2020
Alternative - science medicine blend. How you feel impacts how healthy you are. Good book discussion of tai chi, but need videos to learn it.
June 28, 2024
Tai Chi simplified for people from other traditions. Dr. Kuhn uses etymology to explain the principles of Chinese medicine and makes it easy to digest.
June 14, 2018
This is a great introduction into Tai Chi. I knew nothing when I began, but after reading, I feel I have a grasp of what I am suppose to learn. I would love to find a local teacher to learn more, but Kuhn offers great instruction through pictures and descriptions of the Tai Chi form. Even more importantly she goes into great detail about why Taiji and qigong are so beneficial for the mind and body. I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about a way to pursue natural living and stress reducers.
July 6, 2017
This is an excellent book for a beginner like me. The step-by-step is a critical point in learning tai chi. I really like the planning guide at the end of the book. With this guide you can write in what step you are at and then use the plan for further evaluation. I also liked the psychological aspects of the book. And I absolutely love the color photos.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews