Tai Chi Dynamics: Principles of Natural Movement, Health & Self-Development (Marial Science)

Eric Hoffer Award WINNER - 2009IP'S Highlighted Title Award FINALIST - 2009ForeWord's Book of the Year Award FINALIST - 2008USA Best Book Award FINALIST - 2008Tai Chi Dynamics is intended for intermediate and advanced tai chi students.The author Robert Chuckrow, PhD, is a tai chi practitioner of more than forty years and holds a Ph.D. in experimental physics. He applies logic and basic scientific principlesAnatomyPhysiologyPhysics In order to create a deeper understand of Muscular actionBreathingAlignment in tai chi movement and push-handsHe clarifies, in depth, many perplexing concepts such as “correct force” by utilizing detailed explanations, illustrations, and photographs.Sayings from the tai chi classics are quoted throughout, and exercises are provided to give readers a chance to confirm their understanding.Over a dozen self-defense applications of the basic Taiji movements are illustratedThe effectiveness and completeness of Taiji as a martial art today is candidly analyzed. A chapter on Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man-ch'ing) sheds light on Zheng and his students.One chapter deals extensively with aspects of self development from a personal perspective, discusses how doing Taiji correctly is a precursor to spiritual growth, and compares religion, science, and spiritual teachings. A detailed chapter on health, self-massage, and healing discusses fasting (including the author's own experience with a twenty-eight-day fast), differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, and provides exercises and methods of self-massage for head, legs, feet, and back. There is even a section on how to make your own footwear suitable for practicing Taiji. The book includes personal anecdotes and stories and has over one hundred photographs and illustrations drawn by the author.