The complete illustrated guide to tai chi: A practical approach to the ancient Chinese movement for health and well-being

Tai Chi is the ancient Chinese art of gentle movement. The movements guide the student into absorbing nature's rhythms and flows. When practiced regularly and with discipline, it promotes relaxation and mobilizes the body's own self-healing powers. The most renowned of the soft martial arts, Tai Chi builds a gentle strength and grace while increasing blood flow and lung function. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tai Chi contains specially commissioned step-by-step photographs of the famous Tai Chi sequence of movements -- the 48 Form Set -- and offers a complete program that will open the door to Tai Chi for beginners and deepen the experience of current practitioners. It explains: -- the history and origins of Tai Chi -- the basic principles -- body mechanics, meridians, chakras and chi -- the use of Tai Chi in preventing and curing illness -- how to begin a complete program of exercise for health and fitness -- the use of Tai Chi during pregnancy, for children and the elderly.