Compact Tai CHI: Combined Forms for Pratice in Limited Space

by Jesse Tsao

Tai Chi is an effective and inexpensive wellness program for dealing with the stress of modern living. However, many don't have enough space to practice the traditional Tai Chi "forms." Tsao coils the traditional linear form into acircular format, taking only onequarter the area required to practice conventional Tai Chi. Each posture is illustrated to demonstrate the movement in detail. Tsao presents four independent sequences to meet the needs...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578631262
• ISBN13: 9781578631261
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Reference and Good for Quick Limited Space Practice

I have learned and practiced the Yang family 103 traditional form, and the simplified 24 form. This book has been a tremendous reference guide! Each posture has succinct movement descriptions, a plethora of detailed photos, key points (which help correct and prevent common mistakes), and most importantly the self-defense (or martial art) applications of each posture are described. Sometimes I think it is forgotten that taijiquan (tai chi) was created as a martial art with very effective techniques and principles. This book, unlike some others, includes those martial aspects which are important for understanding form intent. While I don't worry about long, short, competition, or style differences of forms myself; I think all tai chi forms and styles have tremendous value if practiced with patience, sincerity, and with the foundational principles of tai chi in mind. The forms and individual postures in this book can introduce you to those principles and to expose you to various styles. I have found just the first sequence form of this book to be an easy-to-learn, excellent, and quick form to practice first thing in the morning to get the joints limber, warm-up the muscles, and focus the mind. Because the form is coiled into a "compact" space, it also makes a great form in between desks at work. By the way, Master Jesse Tsao the author and creator of Compact Tai Chi has a two disc DVD set that is a companion video guide to the book for those that might be interested.

Easy to learn in a small space

I just want to start out by saying I'm a total beginner to Tai Chi. I can't tell you if the forms are technically correct. That said, I found this book very helpful. There are four different sequences (which can be strung together into one long sequence). I really liked that they are ordered in increasing difficulty, both in terms of learning the sequence and the physical challenge they present. I have had surgery on my ankles twice, and am learning Tai Chi in an effort to strengthen my legs and work on my balance. I can't always do the more difficult moves I have seen in other books (and videos), but I could do all of the moves in the first two sequences. (I've looked ahead, and the next two sequences look a lot harder, so maybe I'll just practice the first two for a while until I have more strength.) Also, I've found that it's typically hard to learn Tai Chi forms from a book alone, but this book pulls it off well. There are a number of pictures presented for each movement with arrows that clearly show the path the arms and legs took. So far, there's only been one move that I couldn't figure out, but that's what youtube is for. Best of all, I've been able to practice it in my apartment. I can see and feel my legs get muscle back. I haven't noticed a difference in my balance yet, but it's gratifying to feel stronger than I've felt since before my surgeries. It may not be a complete fitness solution (I'd add a cardio routine and upper body exercises), but it definitely has benefits. One last caveat (in case you're an absolute beginner like me): Tai Chi is HARD. It takes effort to learn. You're not going to pick up this book and 20 minutes later have had a good work out. It takes time, practice, and patience. If you're like me, you'll look at the book, move into a stance, look at the book again, move your arms, check the book, try it again, etc... But, at the end of two weeks, if you're discouraged that you only learned five or six moves, find a mirror and take a look at your legs. They were gaining muscle that whole time! It's definitely worth the effort.

A brief comment

This book presents an unusual but practical approach to the tai chi form, turning it into a circular stepping pattern instead of the traditional pattern in order to save space, so you can do it at home or in a limited space. Although I know the traditional long Yang form, I have no problems with this and find it an excellent approach and of value. However, what the author has done is basically create four short forms. If you are a student of a more conservative, traditional teacher, you probably know that they don't think much of the short forms, regarding them as of limited health and medical value. In fact, the great master who invented the original Yang short form after WWII at the behest of the Communist Party, said it was worthless and didn't practice it himself. However, this depends to a great deal on whether you subscribe to the traditional Chinese medical theories as well. But if you are a serious student of tai chi, you should seek out a teacher and learn the original long form of your style just for your own education, whichever of the many tai chi styles you practice. They are really not that difficult to learn, because many of the main moves and sequences repeat themselves several times, such as grasping the sparrow's tail, the signature and most important sequence in the Yang form. By the way, there is actually a 300-move long Yang form which is the original, not the 108-move form. Having learned it, I would say it's more like the 108-move form with more complex transitional movements between the major moves, but if you can find a teacher that offers that, I would definitely learn it. Otherwise, the more commonly available 108-move form would be fine. If you just don't have time to do the long form because of your busy daily schedule, I would recommend you do the short form each day, and then try to find enough time on the weekend to do the long form. As for myself, as I said, I have no problem with the author's using shorter and more compact forms myself and have often found it difficult to practice my long form in my house, and often end up only working on a few moves or small section of the form, which is all I had room for. Surely a longer sequence like this that could be done in a smaller space would be better than that. Of course, you could simply modify your own form into a circular format and do that. :-) Anyway, the forms in this book also cover the five major styles of of tai chi and I found that interesting and useful as well. So overall, a fine book with a creative approach with a lot of practical utility and that offers a lot of breadth in that it covers the five important styles.

Possibly the best way to learn

I learned Tai Chi from video/dvd and got this book strictly as a review. This book is a valid aid to learn Tai Chi because instructors on dvds face the viewer which makes everything backwards thus quite difficult to learn. By reading you can learn at your own pace. There are almost as many illustrations as words so if you are at all interested in learning the ancient art of "moving meditation," I recommend this book. Tai Chi is absolutely breathtaking to watch and practicing makes one feel balanced and at peace. Tsao's book will teach you how to do it in your home where space is limited. Then when you learn a few sequences, and feel ready, you can find a peaceful, private place outdoors to practice and expand the movements if you wish. Once you begin to practice Tai Chi, it is likely you'll desire to continue as you will feel the benefits of your mind and body coming together as one! It is an marvelous state of being that is indescrible. Give Tai Chi and this book a try! Also recommended, yoga. Soar!

An exceptional approach to Tai Chi and self-healing.

Enthusiasts of Tai Chi will find this an exceptional self-healing approach which provides a program for using the five major styles of Tai Chi. Each posture is demonstrated in detail and positioning is indicated by clock-dial directions - often the most difficult to impart in book form. Highly recommended.