Do you want to understand teh basic principles of tai chi?
Do yo uwant step-by-step instructions for the movements?
Do you want to improve your basic health and fitness?

Tai Chi explores the background and philospophy of the practice, introducting the 'short yang form,' ideal for all ages and fitness levels. Step-by-step guides to the movements will help you to reap many of the physical and mental benefits of this ancient Chinese system of exercise.

robert Parry is a practitioner of oriental medicne who has been active in the study of Eastern systems of exercise and philsophy for over 30 years.

Contents

1 Background
What does 'tai chi' mean?
The tai chi form
Origins of tai chi
How long does it take to learn?
What are the benefits?
The nature of chi
Atmospheric chi
2 Gently does it
How fast? How slow?
Breathing made visible
Practice
Getting started
3 Tips and suggestions
Dos and don'ts
Posture
Basic stances
Getting about
Summary
4 The form-part one
Step-by-step instructions
5 The form-part two
Step-by-step instructions
6 In depth
Additional notes on the movements
7 Tai chi and health
Circulation
Breathing
Lymph
Nerves, sensations and thought
Food and how to deal with it
Bones
Muscles
Glands
Urinary and reproductive systems
Sex
Saying healthy-the big picture
8 Tai chi-the learning experience
Questions in class
Letters and correspondence
Passing it on!
9 Body, mind and spirit
Finding a teacher
Between heaven and earth
Chi kung
The five elements
Taoism
Composite illustration of the sequence
Taking it further
Glossary
Index

In spite its simplicity it is still a valuable book. I found good advice for foot positioning and weight distribution. There is advice to keep your life balanced and practice taiji in every day life. No martial use, no tui shou