Full Description
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.
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
