exercise and fitness

This book explores how and why tai chi is effective for decreasing tension and stress, improving the immune system and circulation and developing high performance stamina and flexibility. It tells us how this practice can help us age well, physically and emotionally. It explores the spiritual aspects of tai chi, a subject scantly written about in other books, and how it can help us overcome the deep spiritual malaise so many of us face.

This book does not teach tai chi, as this art must be learned from a teacher. But it does tell you what you should expect to learn at each stage of your practice; what each different style of tai chi is all about and how to choose a tai chi style.

Many practitioners and teachers of tai chi will gain much knowledge that will help them progress in their path. There is information here that is simply not been made available in the West.

People exploring alternatives to aerobics will find that Frantzis makes a great case for using tai chi as a low impact, highly effective self-healing practice.

In my opinion this is a rather plain book about Tai Chi. The author's deep knowledge clearly shows up. The problem I have with this book is that it is tailored to appeal a narrow section of the market: the prospective Tai Chi students. The book explains in great detail all the benefits one can gain from practicing TaiChi. However, it does not tell anything about "how". It is not an instructional book: it's mere Tai Chi propaganda. If you already practice Tai Chi and have just a decent knowledge about the energy in the body, you'll find this book only marginally useful. I am not saying that it's a terribly bad book. What I am trying to say is that from the author of "Opening the energy gates of your body" I expect much, MUCH more than that. I studied the "Gates" probably six times cover to cover, and countless times I consulted it to plan my Chi Gung training. I read "The big book of Tai Chi" once, and I don't think I'll read it again. Any average TaiChi student could write a similar book in 3 months: c'mon, Mr. Franzis, tell us something we don't know!!

I wanted to buy this book as a gift for Christmas, but I declined. So far, it is the only Tai Chi book to say it can boost your sexual performance on the cover. Too bad it does not really tell you how, that's just on the cover to draw you in. There are no real forms, no techniques. It's not a how-to. It's thick and looks nice, but has one big theme: The author is saying how good is his supposed skill. Maybe he can con Westerners into buying this book, but I think most average masters in China can beat the crap out of Bruce Frantzis. I am a novice player in Tai Chi, but even I can see that this book is a thick pile of pulp. If his skill is as good as the quality of this book, I can(and should) beat him up for spoiling the reputation of Tai Chi. There are better books out there, go buy them.