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TCosta
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Book Opinions

Post by TCosta » Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:20 pm

I was wondering if anyone had advice or opinions on the following books:

Chi Running, by Danny and Katherine Dreyer: http://www.amazon.com/ChiRunning-Danny- ... 414&sr=8-1
Chi Running "combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable". I ask about this book because Taijiquan is a complete maintenance system, however even Professor Zheng writes that swimming will help one store up qi. Perhaps other forms of exercise are not completely harmful?

Tai Chi Chin-Na, by Yang Jwing-Ming: http://www.amazon.com/Taiji-Chin-Na-Tai ... 464&sr=1-1

Body Mechanics of T'ai Chi Chuan, by Master William C.C. Chen: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096440 ... YZV7Q84UNK

I have not read through the Yang Family Secret Transmissions, as of yet. It is on my list, of course.. I was mainly intrigued by the first book mentioned. Thank you.

-Trevor

Tomita
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Post by Tomita » Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:45 pm

Hi Trevor,

I can recomend Yang's book on qin na. I have an older edition of that one...

Yang, despite what reservations some purists might have vis à vis his taijiquan (White crane influence), his qin na control is top of the bill. I sometimes go train with one whom he taught, and it is always very interesting, though painful too :wink: I like it, because the taijiquan apllications using qinna is a different angle of approach than mine... We have qin na too, but not as prevalent as Yang's.

Chi running seems interesting. I'll maybe look into it.

Kind regards,

Tomita
'Taijiquan is mainly a solo affair, but companionship along the way is to be treasured'

-J. Dunbarr, quoted by John Loupos-

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Tashi James
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chin na

Post by Tashi James » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:42 am

It is probably worth noting that chin na is a component of the majority of martial styles, Chinese in origin or otherwise. Thus it is not of itself a particular style.

I found Yang's books to be quiet interesting, although in terms of taijiquan the approach to any given application will differ. As was mentioned earlier, however there are only so many ways a joint will lock etc, therefore on the basis of the physicality of body mechanics the book mentioned is definitely worth a read. Especially if one can assume a generic approach as to how it may be applied to YMT.
"There is nothing that does not become easier through familiarity" (Santideva).

"We become what we do repeatedly. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit" (Aristotle).

Psi Man
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Chi Running

Post by Psi Man » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:41 pm

There was recently a small post about Chi Running on Scott Philips' blog, 'Weakness With a Twist.'

http://northstarmartialarts.com/blog1/2 ... your-legs/

His blog is pretty interesting CIMA/neijia reading.

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