Is this the right book for me?

This is the perfect introduction for beginners who want to learn the essential principles behind Tai Chi without overcomplicated instructions or confusing detail. You will learn the basic ideas and get into the Tai Chi way of thinking before picking up the 'form' and exercises through a series of simple illustrations designed for all abilities, leaving you with the perfect antidote to the stresses of 21st-century life.

Find Peace with Tai Chi includes:

Chapter 1: Background

What does 'tai chi' mean?

The tai chi form

Origins of tai chi

How long does it take to learn?

What are the benefits?

The nature of ch'i

Atmospheric ch'i

Chapter 2: Gently does it

How fast? How slow?

Breathing made visible

Practice

Getting started

Chapter 3: Tips and suggestions

Dos and don'ts

Posture

Basic stances

Getting about

Chapter 4: The form - part one

Step-by-step instructions

Chapter 5: The form - part two

Step-by-step instructions

Chapter 6: In depth
Additional notes on the movement

Test your knowledge

Chapter 7: Tai chi and health

Circulation

Breathing

Lymph

Nerves, sensations and thoughts

Food and how to deal with it

Bones

Muscles

Glands

Urinary and reproductive systems

Sex

Staying healthy

Chapter 8: Tai chi - the learning experience

Questions in class

Letters and correspondence

Chapter 9: Body, mind and spirit

Finding a teacher

Between heaven and earth

Ch'i kung

The five elements: pathways between body and mind

Taoism

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Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:

Not got much time?

One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights

Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.

Test yourself

Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge

Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.

Five things to remember

Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this

Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.