Book Review #12

Book #12 Simply Tai chi
Graham Bryant and Lorraine James

This is such a simple book that I got from a package. I believe it comes with DVD, although apparently I misplaced it. The good point is that it is clear, touches all the relevant points, and has good illustrations. The bad point is that the information presented is incomplete.

Half the book is dedicated for warming up and preparation. This is good. Most Tai Chi books just skipped between history and the forms. The activities here definitely helps in relaxation, necessary to do Tai Chi properly. The second half is dedicated to the forms, and here it fails. Not only there are only a pitiful few forms presented, but there is no sense of coherence. As this is personal, but I want to see feet weight distribution diagram to make it complete. There is no feet weight distribution diagram, nor there is some kind of directional marker. With the photograph shot at different angles, this can be confusing.

The book certainly simplifies Tai Chi so that it is accessible for everybody, and it certainly looks like fun. But I have to consider this to be an introduction to Tai Chi, as opposed to full formed Tai Chi.

Book Review #5

Zen and the Art of Well Being
Eric Chaline

This is an old book, published in 2001. I find it interesting that current self-help book deals with medicine. As in, take this medicine for brain, this medicine for stomach, this miracle diet for being thin, and so on. Rarely, that there is a book that emphasize balance. This book, with its Taichi principles does have it. It also has well-being as the core concept. It's certainly a very unique self-help book. It's closer to philosophical look at being healthy, than it is a definite step-by-step method to being well.

And that's why I like it. There is a sense of effortlessness throughout the book, that I enjoy reading. It's the most enjoyable self-help book I've read so far. Not much for resources, though. That I will have to research on my own. Yet, I do not regret purchasing this book. It's worth a read from time to time, as I strive to achieve a balance between work and play. Yin and Yang. Zen.