{"id":7963,"date":"2012-05-12T10:50:41","date_gmt":"2012-05-12T14:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=7963"},"modified":"2012-05-12T16:29:24","modified_gmt":"2012-05-12T20:29:24","slug":"book-review-answers-to-common-tai-chi-and-qigong-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=7963","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – Answers to Common Tai Chi and Qigong Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Book Review]<\/p>\n

Book Review: Answers to Common Tai Chi and Qigong Questions by William Ting<\/span><\/h1>\n

Review by Salvatore Casano<\/span><\/h2>\n

Softcover, 222pp.<\/p>\n

ISBN: 978-1-4653-1007-1 . Xlibris Corp. USA. 2011\u00a0 $19.99<\/p>\n

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I recently had the honor and privilege of participating in a qigong workshop with Master William Ting.\u00a0 At that workshop, many questions were raised about various aspects of tai chi and qigong training.\u00a0 Master Ting did a beautiful job in answering all the questions in a lucid, concise manner.\u00a0 In conversing with him privately he told me that he would soon be completing a book on tai chi and qigong.\u00a0 This is the book he was referring to.<\/p>\n

This book consists of answers to 65 questions involving different aspects of tai chi and qigong arts and training.\u00a0 It is not an instruction manual on any particular tai chi or qigong form.\u00a0\u00a0 I believe both instructors and students of these arts can appreciate the wealth of 40 plus years experience of his\u00a0 training in Bagua, Tai Chi ,\u00a0 and Qigong as a closed door student of Grandmaster , Lu Ji-Tang.\u00a0 The questions addressed in the book came from practitioners of these arts writing to his website, questions from students in his classes and from the many programs he has taught over the years.\u00a0 One may consider this book to be an ideal primer for Tai Chi and Qigong students.<\/p>\n

One of the highlights of the book was his answer to Question 4 \u201c What are the 24 Musts<\/strong> of<\/em> good posture?\u201d<\/em><\/strong> As with any athletic endeavor including Tai Chi and Qigong , the author states that \u201c Without proper posture, there is no way to attain an internal balance and\u00a0 connection between the parts of the body; proper posture allows the physical frame to move around its central axis, uniting mind and body.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> The author offers 24 postural alignments, 5 vital body connections and discusses the three major bows that need to be formed by the body for proper connections.\u00a0 There is enough information in the answer to suffice all levels of qigong and tai chi practice to improve on body alignments.<\/p>\n

As an integral part of tai chi training one must practice push hands. It is through push hands that the martial applications of tai chi can best be explored. Question 35 asks \u201c What are your suggestions for improving Push Hands skills?\u201d<\/em><\/strong> In his answer Master Ting reminds students that push hands requires a solid foundation in Tai Chi principles and the importance of sinking, expanding and turning which are fundamental in all qigong practice.\u00a0 Yielding is one of the key differences between tai chi and other martial arts.\u00a0 The serious student must attain calmness of mind, relaxation of the body, balance, unity of movement, awareness, and learn how to neutralize, control and release in that order when applying and practicing push hands.<\/p>\n

In answering Question 63 , a beautiful definition of tai chi is given, i.e. \u201c Tai Chi is a practice of<\/em><\/strong> integrating the essentials of life, mind , body and energy, into unity and wholeness.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> This neatly sums up the essences of tai chi training. Throughout the book there is often reference to the Classics of tai chi and qigong literature upon which these art forms are based.\u00a0 The last question, number 65\u00a0 asks \u201c What is the ultimate secret of Tai Chi and Qigong<\/em><\/strong> \u201c<\/em><\/strong> The response given was \u201c \u2026to me, it is that there is no secret\u2026..The secret of Tai Chi and Qigong potentially lies within every person who takes up practice.\u00a0 It all depends on how well one understands the basic principles, how well they assimilate them into their practice, how often and how long they practice, and how well they execute the movements, both internally and externally. \u201c <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Through the questions and answers one can see a thread of principles and practices that make up and integrate these two art forms.\u00a0 When reading the questions and answers, perhaps new questions will emerge that you wish to explore with your teacher and\/or do your own research.\u00a0 I encourage you to go to Master Ting\u2019s website www.silvertigertaichi.com<\/a> and see what he has to offer in terms of workshops and materials.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

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Salvatore Casano<\/p><\/div>\n

Salvatore Casano <\/em><\/strong>R.N., PhD \u2013 a registered nurse with a PhD in Holistic Health, and is an ATCQZ certified Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. His Tai Chi and Qigong journey began over 20 years ago while working as a chemistry instructor, when he felt the need for a more holistic approach to health care. Par<\/em>ticipating in many programs and projects relating to health, Dr. Casano educates the community on living a healthier lifestyle to avoid obesity and diabetes, and as a way to reduce stress. Over the years, he has learned from many masters including Bill Philips, Marc Issacs, Richard Chu, as well as two ATCQA advisors, Dr. Roger Jahnke, and Bill Douglas. Dr. Casano, along with his wife Veronica, often sojourn together on his healing path, as they use their skills in helping others connect the mind, body, and spirit. They have four adult children, seven grandchildren, and a cat, \u201cTiger.\u201d<\/em><\/address>\n

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