Books : Tai Chi & Aikido: Learn the way of spiritual harmony with two ancient martial arts that develop mental focus, strength, suppleness and stamina: a fully ... in over 600 step-by-step colour photographs
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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.7148
EAN num: 9780754817482
ISBN number: 0754817482
Label: Lorenz Books
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 256
Printing Date: November 25, 2007
Publishing house: Lorenz Books
Sale Popularity Level: 903589
Studio: Lorenz Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Clearly illustrated with more than 700 photographs, the step-by-step guides to the basic postures, movements, techniques and applications of Tai Chi and Aikido are demonstrated by expert practitioners. This book will prove a useful reference tool time and time again, as the key to enjoyment and progression is the practice of the basic skills described in these pages. With advice on choosing schools and useful contacts, this book allows the reader to fully discover both disciplines and choose the methods that are right for their lifestyle and needs.
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Rated by buyers -
This title might be worth a look for those who know absolutely nothing about Tai Chi or Aikido. For anyone who already knows something about either or both, you will lose nothing by passing this one up.
As the title suggests, this book is divided into two nearly equal halves, delving into Tai Chi and Aikido seperately, each treated with reverence by an authoritative expert.
Not knowing a lick about Tai Chi, I found the very first half enlightening as far as the wealth of background information. Practicing Tai Chi is dealt with in a holistic manner, teaching a way of living, much more so than teaching a martial way. Everything is touched upon: spirituality, diet, sex, entertainment, meditation, followed by a basic form, which is laid out in painstaking photographic and descriptive detail.
As expected in dealing with the martial arts, the Tai Chi section is heavily invested in large, clear photographs on good paper. Arrows are marked in the photographs denoting movement. Even so, I found it nigh impossible to duplicate the form as outlined. I'm sure this is a capable introduction to Tai Chi, but I found it lacking. I plan to investigate more through other titles.
In reading the Aikido section, I found myself in familiar territory. A brief (and I emphasize brief) introduction is given to the history of Aikido, followed by a great deal of theory, and copious amounts of photographs and individual technique demonstrations.
DO NOT TRY THESE TECHNIQUES WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR.
As explained in the book (but not emphasized enough in my opinion), Aikido techniques can break, rupture and otherwise destroy joints and bones if done incorrectly or with excessive force. The Aikido half wraps up with a few demonstrated techniques for self-defense against 'standard' attacks. I saw nothing new or imaginitive in the author's responses to these.
For a good introduction to Aikido I would refer you to Principles of Aikido by Mitsugi Saotome. Don't waste your time with this book.
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