T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom

by Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt

Unlike most t'ai chi books, which focus strictly on how to do the t'ai chi forms, T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom presents a personal, practical view of this intriguing martial art. Lehrhaupt shares illuminating stories from her own life and the lives of her students that show how t'ai chi can be a vehicle for profound self-discovery and spiritual growth.

In learning to master each body posture, t'ai chi students often confront self-doubt, frustration, and the desire to compete and compare themselves to others—problems that also arise in daily life. Lehrhaupt shows how these and other obstacles provide valuable opportunities to deepen awareness and recognize the striking continuities between practice and everyday life.

Each section of the book includes practical exercises designed to enhance students' understanding of t'ai chi movements, and a helpful appendix answers many frequently asked questions about t'ai chi training such as how to find a teacher and how to balance practice with family life. Full of useful insights and guidance, T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom will be a valuable companion for all students of this increasingly popular martial art.

Genres: Martial Arts

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2001

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Going to have to read this again. Filled with great insights, lots of practical exercises, and plenty of personal moments, shared so that other teachers can learn from her experiences.

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt, Ph.D. is an ordained Zen priest. She has taught t'ai chi and chi kung for over thirty years. She, along with her husband, is the cofounder of a center in Dordogne, France, where they conduct retreats in Zen meditation and meditative arts. Her book T’ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom is a series of thirty-two essays. In the essays she touches on a variety of topics including expectations, mindfulness, stillness, lightness and practice. The essays are grouped into seven sections each named for a posture from the Yang Style T’ai Chi forms of Master Cheng Man-ch’ing. Like the postures in the form, each essay has its own distinct characteristics and subtleties but the ultimate function becomes more apparent when seen as a whole. Her writing is sprinkled with tales from the historical lore of the Masters as well as stories from her own experiences as a teacher. I was impressed by Lehrhaupt’s sensitivity, insights and instincts as a teacher. She gave many instances in which she seemed to learn as much, if not more, from her students as they learned from her. I have been playing Yang style short form and sword form for about ten years.

[Anthony Tenaglier · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The best time to practice is when you practice."

I have been incorporating tai chi into my life for about a year now. Throughout my journey thus far, I value the practice of tai chi more than I do yoga. I have recently picked yoga back up, but the practices have their own unique benefits. I enjoy the flow more in tai chi and this book does a good job at describing in words and amusing stories, about how the form should feel and the practice should be practiced.

Frustrated that I haven't achieved the full form yet, this book awakened the reasons why one pursues the practice of tai chi.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom is exactly what I needed when I needed it-- at the very beginning of my T'ai Chi journey. Learning as an awkward beginner I am mesmerized by its gentle power and soft strength. This book is helping me learn how to integrate a daily practice of my own (yes, still very awkward!) in such a way that it honors me where I am.

I don't have to be perfect to benefit-- I just have to continue to show up. I feel energized and calmed in equal measure, and this book validates both experiences for me.

[Ricardo Chévere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very down-to-earth, simple, beautiful and inspiring way of presenting the principles of Tai Chi to the reader. Filled with many anecdotes, rich in life-lessons, easily transferable to one's own life. A great book that I read more than once.

[Natasja Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veelzijdig boek over hoe je chi kung en tai chi beoefent waarin niet de techniek maar de benadering en state-of-mind beschreven wordt. Een must-read voor docenten maar zeker ook interessant voor beoefenaars die meer achtergrondinformatie zoeken.

[H]

deeply meditative and open-minded. a lot on the philosophy of the soft-style martial arts told by a modern-day new yorker and zen priest: a valuable perspective today