| "Tai Chi Connections: Advancing Your Tai Chi | | | | to accompany this book, but I have only read the |
| Experience" by Sifu John Loupos is a book for | | | | book) Regardless, for the practitioner of the art |
| serious practitioners that have the basics down | | | | to really benefit from the information presented |
| and are looking to advance their training to | | | | here, he or she will have to actually practice the |
| maximize the benefits obtained by training. If you | | | | movements covered in the chapters and "feel" |
| are a beginner, or looking for a beginning tai chi | | | | what Loupos is describing. |
| resource, this book may be a bit advanced for | | | | Part three of the book contains three more |
| you, and I'd recommend looking at alternate | | | | chapters that are titled other topics and lectures. |
| resources. But if you are an intermediate or | | | | These include optimizing your tai chi practice, |
| advanced practitioner, this book will undoubtedly | | | | other lectures (A chapter with a collection of |
| assist you with taking your training to a higher | | | | useful and interesting tidbits), and thoughts and |
| understanding. | | | | musing on being a teacher. As a martial art |
| The first part of the book consists of four | | | | instructor, I found this last chapter especially |
| chapters that focus on topics such as the | | | | interesting. I always enjoy hearing other's |
| opportunities found in slowness, the benefits of | | | | thoughts on teaching to make myself better at |
| group vs. individual practice, loose ends, and tai chi | | | | teaching so I can provide the best for those I |
| as a path to congruence. This part is more | | | | teach. |
| academic, and will provide you something to think | | | | This really is a great book for those that want to |
| about regarding your practice, or as the author | | | | explore the nuances and technical intricacies of tai |
| states, points to ponder. | | | | chi training. The back of the book claims that |
| Chapters five through eight comprise the second | | | | Loupos takes great joy in encouraging and |
| part of the book. In this section, Loupos covers | | | | motivating Tai Chi students everywhere to |
| arranging your body in a tai chi way. He explains | | | | advance their practice and move forward on a |
| transitions and connections, moving force from | | | | path of personal growth and development. Well, |
| your earth root, the role of momentum in tai chi, | | | | Sifu Loupos can feel very pleased with this book, |
| and the three-treasures guide to proper stepping | | | | because it does just that. It will definitely help |
| in tai chi. I found the photographs and explanations | | | | students of Tai Chi advance their practice and |
| in this section very good, but sometimes I do feel | | | | move forward on a path of personal growth and |
| that video would assist with the concepts Loupos | | | | development. |
| is explaining. (My understanding is there is a DVD | | | | |