Description
Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms Book
Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms explores the ancient pratice of tai chi that is clinically proven to be an effective tool in improving health, fitness and relaxation. This book contains the Six Easy Steps to learning tai chi, along with detailed instructions for the world”s most popular 24 Forms. It provides an easy step-by-step guide to an enjoyable form of exercise that will improve your general well being. This book is for beginners as well as for those who are already learning tai chi.
Dr Lam and Nancy Kaye demonstrate what Tai Chi is, what it can do for you, how to prepare for it and how to put it into practice. Easy-to-follow instructions and photographs take you through the background and structure of the Six Easy Steps up to 24 Forms and beyond to show you that tai chi is not just a martial art, but also a health benefit.
Beginners can learn tai chi by using this book alone or together with the instructional DVD/ video Tai Chi for Beginners. The book is also useful in conjunction with the instructional DVD/ video 24 Forms. Advanced students and tai chi teachers will find this book useful as a teaching aid and reference.
Below is an review by Cyndy Fel, educationist and teacher.
Book Review for “Tai Chi for beginners and the 24 Forms” by Dr Paul Lam and Nancy Kay
Written by Cynthia Fels, M.Ed.
Learning Specialist/Educational Consultant
Senior Trainer and Tai Chi for Health Instructor
Dr. Paul Lam, highly respected tai chi master and world-renowned tai chi teacher, and one of his students, master trainer, Nancy Kay, have created a master of a how to tai chi book!
“Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms” has beautifully colored illustrations of Dr. Lam, his students and instructors, playing tai chi in beautiful locations around the world, including the Big Sur Coast of Central California. Dr. Lam is also the model for the book”s many teaching illustrations: the 24 Forms, Warm Up Exercises, Cool Down Exercises, QiGong Exercises, the Foundation Movements and the Tai Chi Beginner”s Set. All moves are clearly illustrated and accompanied by simple and easy to follow, written directions as well.
The book also acts as a great reference and resource guide for the beginner, as well as for teachers and advanced practioners. Basic tai chi terms, historical tai chi information, the different tai chi styles, different tai chi forms, practice tips, health aspects of tai chi and studies on the health benefits of tai chi, as well as essential tai chi principles are among some of the topics so clearly defined and shared.
As if this wasn”t enough to make a good read, the book”s structure is designed, as Lam and Kay state, to:
“Help the reader build a solid foundation right from the start, as well as giving him or her a taste of higher level tai chi. And perhaps more important, we”ve done our best to make tai chi fun to learn.”
The book builds lessons in a step-by-step progressive fashion, and just like building a good solid house, each layer or lesson is built solidly upon the previous lesson. Beginners first learn how to lay a good foundation for their tai chi through learning the “Six Easy Steps.” Learners can then progress to learning “the Tai Chi for Beginner”s Set” which is built on the previous moves and knowledge. From there the learner, if they chose, may learn more in depth tai chi skills. And finally, when they are ready, the 24 Forms. Again, all lessons and each step of the process are written in easy to follow, simple directions and accompanied with clear illustrations.
This book would be a great complement when used by a learner in conjunction with classes, and/or the instructional DVD “Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms.” However a person living in isolation and with no instructor available could easily learn from this book as well.
Whether writing about essential tai chi principles, the historical aspects of tai chi, or sharing their “Six Easy Steps” of learning tai chi, Dr. Paul Lam and Nancy Kay bring this ancient practice into our daily lives. This is a tai chi how to book that really shines!
