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Title: The Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-I by Bruce Kumar Frantzis ISBN: 1-55643-253-4 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: February, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.78 (36 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Answers Questions, MUCH More than a How-To...
Comment: Bruce Kumar Frantzis is one of the few westerners who has studies martial arts for over 10 years in Asia, and then returned to teach and discuss the arts he learned candidly. This book offers a wealth of information on Chinese lineage Internal Martial Arts. The focus is upon the combat usefulness and qualities of the three traditional internal styles, namely Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Chuan), Hsing Yi(Xingyi), and Pa Kua (Bagwa). In this volume, Frantzis does not simply describe "what Tai Chi is", he explains the principles and characteristics of each art, and goes into intricate detail concerning points specific to each of the major internal martial arts and how they can be applied. I should add here that this book will probably best serve as an aid to students of internal (or other) martial arts who are interested in theory and combat effectiveness, and have a working knowledge of how the physical techniques of the martial arts discussed are executed. There are NO instructional sequences of pictures to describe techniques in this book. If you are not familiar with the internal arts discussed, you would be best off watching a few classes, a video or two, or picking up a decent instructional manual first to get a feeling for how movement is made physically. For those already familiar, you should have no problem at all.
In one section Frantzis Describes the similarities and differences between the three main internal arts, something I have seen no other book do. This book has no sacred cows, and that I appreciate! Another feature I found attractive was the inclusion of "mini-chapters", or sidebars which included Frantzis's personal experiences, for instance, on pages 16-19 at the end of chapter 1, where he discusses travelling to Taiwan in 1968 to learn under the amazing Pa Kua master Wang Shu Jin (there are pictures of Wang). There are little sections like this throughout the book discussing certain masters of Tai Chi, Hsing Yi, Chi, Pa Kua, and others. Frantzis's style of writing is warm and personal. It is an enjoyable read, and not a chore. He is one of a few authors whose experiences remind me of Robert W. Smith and Mark Salzman, two other deserving writers on martial arts whose works I enjoy.
Rating: 4
Summary: I learned a lot from this book...
Comment: Many other reviewers have stated their disappointment with the lack of "step by step" instructions and "how-to" diagrams. However, I really found it fascinating! My whole goal in reading this book was to learn more about some of the principles and theories underlying the internal martial arts. I certainly gained a number of insights into how the various philosophies of taiji, xingyi, and bagua influence the ways that practitioners of these arts handle incoming forces. I could see a real improvement in my taiji and bagua training by keeping these viewpoints in mind as I practiced, and have since re-read many parts of this book and continue to learn from it. This book does not give specific examples of techniques, takedowns, pressure points, or diagrams of applications, and you will be disappointed if this is what you expect. However, if you wish to read a good overview of the general principles of these arts, and are interested in hearing about some of the masters of the internal styles, I would definitely recommend this book!
Rating: 2
Summary: overview
Comment: A good read if you're looking for an overview. The author gives some good stories of his stay in the orient but "combat secrets" please.Unless you're looking for something to read on a slow day, there are better books.
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Title: Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body (The Tao of Energy Enhancement) by Bruce Kumar Frantzis, Husky Grafx ISBN: 1556431643 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: September, 1993 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Great Stillness: The Water Method of Taoist Meditation Series, Vol. 2 by Bruce Kumar Frantzis ISBN: 1556434081 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: 09 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: Ba Gua: Hidden Knowledge in the Taoist Internal Martial Art by Hsing-Han Liu, John Bracy, Li Zhong-Quan, Liu Men-Gen, Liu Xing-Han ISBN: 1556432763 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: February, 1999 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Relaxing into Your Being: The Water Method of Taoist Meditation Series, Vol. 1 by Bruce Kumar Frantzis ISBN: 1556434073 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: 09 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang: The Methods of Lu Shue-Tien As Taught by Park Bok Nam. by Bok Nam Park, Dan Miller, Park BOK Nam ISBN: 0865681724 Publisher: High View Pubns Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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