T'ai Chi For Dummies

by Therese Iknoian

Overview

For nearly 5,000 years, people have practiced T’ai Chi as a way to prolong life, build strength and stamina, improve concentration, and achieve psychological balance. Hundreds of millions of satisfied customers can’t be wrong.

Whether you already dabble in T’ai Chi and would like to get a deeper understanding of the basics, or you’re only thinking about trying it and want to find out more before you take the plunge, T’ai Chi For Dummies is for you. In plain English, Therese Iknoian and Manny Fuentes demystify T’ai Chi principles and practices for Westerners. They unravel exotic sounding terms and concepts and break down movements in ways that more traditional instructors and authors either can’t or won’t. And with the help of crystal-clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions, they get you on track with a T’ai Chi fitness program guaranteed to help you:

• Increase balance and flexibility
• Combat fatigue and reduce stress
• Tone muscles
• Unlock your power centers and boost energy
• Improve focus and concentration
• Breathe “mindfully” and meditate
• Enhance your sense of inner peace and well-being

Discover just how easy it can be to make T’ai Chi and its sister discipline Qigong part of your everyday life. With this friendly reference as your guide you’ll quickly master the basic movements and forms, as well as:

• T’ai Chi’s Yang 24-Movement Form
• Qigong and Push Hands techniques
• Techniques that help speed recovery from specific injuries
• T’ai Chi movements for aerobic exercise

Exercise is good for the body and soul. Now let Therese Iknoian and Manny Fuentes show you how to energize, find inner peace, and tone your muscles with the gentle art of T’ai Chi.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764553516
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	08/30/2001
Series:	For Dummies Books
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	121,697
Product dimensions:	9.12(w) x 7.38(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Geraldine Woods is the author of more than 40 books, including the popular English Grammar For Dummies. She has taught high school and middle school English for over 25 years.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Stepping Up to T’ai Chi 9

Chapter 1: Matching T’ai Chi’s Mind-Body Benefits to Your Needs 11

Chapter 2: Evaluating T’ai Chi’s Health Benefits with a Western Mind 19

Chapter 3: Building the Mind-Body Foundation 31

Chapter 4: Sowing Your T’ai Chi Seeds Mindfully 39

Part II: Preparing to T’ai One On 43

Chapter 5: Saying Hello to the Founding Families 45

Chapter 6: Scaling the Peaks of T’ai Chi Practice 51

Chapter 7: Internalizing the Principles 63

Part III: Knocking on T’ai Chi’s Door 73

Chapter 8: Building the Basics 75

Chapter 9: Opening the Door, Yang-Style 109

Chapter 10: Keeping the Flow, Yang-Style 129

Chapter 11: Closing the Door, Yang-Style 143

Chapter 12: Trying Out Manny’s Short Form 163

Part IV: Energizing Softly with Qigong 183

Chapter 13: Recognizing the T’ai Chi Qigong Bond 185

Chapter 14: Meditating and Moving the Qigong Way 197

Part V: Making the Most of Your Practice 215

Chapter 15: Practicing What I Preach 217

Chapter 16: Living a T’ai Chi Lifestyle Every Day 231

Chapter 17: Trying Mini-Forms 241

Chapter 18: Taking a Moment for Qigong 251

Chapter 19: Combining Qigong and T’ai Chi 259

Part VI: The Part of Tens 265

Chapter 20: Ten Benefits of Practicing T’ai Chi 267

Chapter 21: Ten Times and Places to Add a Little T’ai Chi to Your Life 273

Chapter 22: Ten (Plus One) Ways to Supplement Your T’ai Chi Practice 277

Chapter 23: Ten Things to Tell Yourself about Your Practice 285

Chapter 24: Ten Wise Taoist Lessons 291

Chapter 25: Ten Quotes to Live By 297

Appendix 301

Index 305