Beginning T'ai Chi

For what it claims to be, this book is, as it says, a good beginning for someone completely new to Taiji Quan. It demonstrates the Beijing 24 movement form. This was in fact, my very first book on the subject, and gave me a basic understanding of Taiji Quan form and movement, before I was able to find an instructor.

Overall, the material is easy to follow, the illustrations are clearly drawn, the directional arrows are a big help in determining proper transition between the forms.

If Taiji Quan is new to you and have no access to a teacher, you will find this book a good starting resource.

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Complete Tai Chi Chuan

I must disagree with the book’s title, in terms of the content being a complete overview of Taiji Quan. Weapon forms are mentioned only in passing, and only historical aspects of the Taiji Classics are mentioned (which I still found to be valuable.) Furthermore, the form which Docherty demonstrates is non-standard (which in itself is unimportant, as long as you benefit from it.)

All that aside, I honestly enjoyed this book. In fact, I would have still bought it if it only contained the history and theory sections of Taiji Quan. Docherty's view of the art is realistic, sobering, and down-to-earth, in contrast to the new-age hippie trends which tend to blow the holistic/spiritual elements of martial arts out of proportion, leading to poor ineffective training.

If you are looking to solidify your knowledge of Taiji Quan, Docherty has much to offer in ways of history, training methods, and perspective. A solid informative read.

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Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong

I purchased this book a few years back, and as a professional idiot, found it to be highly inadequate. I had higher expectations from a Complete Idiot's Guide.

One of the more absurd claims in the book, is that the information within will make you a Qi Gong master. In truth, the Qi Gong info presented is very rudimentary, and only covers the bare basics. In other words, it provides you many little bits of half-useful info.

The Taiji Quan section is also very disappointing. It is a non-standard form (which in itself is somewhat moot, as long as you benefit from practice,) presented in photo stills with no visual indication of transition between postures, no directional arrows which are normally a big help. The movements for the hand form, the 12 movement sword form, and the fan form are hard to follow.

There is absolutely no discussion of the 13 postures or the Taiji classics, which makes this book worthless to anyone looking for solid, well rounded information on Taiji Quan, something a book claiming to be an Idiot’s Guide should probably include. If you have access to the internet, you already have access to all of the information presented in this book. If you are already somewhat familiar with Taiji Quan, you have no need of this book at all.

As a better source of information for beginners, I would recommend:

-Cheng M'an Ching's "Master Cheng's New Method of Taichi Ch'uan Self-Cultivation"
-Yang Jwing Ming's "Tai Chi Theory and Martial Power"
-Lawrence Galante's "Tai Chi, the Supreme Ultimate."

For Qi Gong:
-Dr. Yang Jwing Ming’s “Roots of Chinese Qi Gong”
-Dr. Yang Jwing Ming’s “Qigong, The Secret of Youth”
-Mantak Chia’s “Awaken Healing Energy Through Tao”

These 3 have simple, easy to follow diagrams, weight distribution charts, foot placement charts, and breathing instructions, as well as some info on the classics, which will give you far more use and information than this book.

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