Tai Chi—The Perfect Exercise

July 1, 2013
Trained by heirs to the lineage that developed tai chi and a certified master, Rosenfeld offers an overview of the ideological basis and purpose of the mind-body art. He establishes how this practice concretizes Tao philosophy while integrating central aspects of Chinese martial arts and the balance-based healing of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rosenfeld also intersperses conjecture on the power of tai chi to counteract stresses he attributes to consumerism, greed, and fast-paced living. From repositioning one's center of gravity to enhancing one's connection to the earth via "rooting", these straightforward exercises emphasize basic tenants of tai chi and their practical results. The succinct how-to passages dedicated to specific exercises weave in questions designed to help the practitioner focus on intricate adaptations of both the physical and mental state, while those already acquainted with tai chi will appreciate explorations into the art's storied past. Outlining how the practice engenders creative solutions to daily problemsâwhich involve neither force nor yieldingâRosenfeld builds a case for tai chi's applications beyond physical well-being. Deftly moving between the ideas behind the craft and its observable benefitsâsuch as fine-tuned sensualityâthe book serves as robust introduction for those curious about the practice.