Book: Tai Chi Ball Qigong by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming & David W. Grantham

Award Winner

Tai Chi Ball training used to be common practice in both external and internal martial arts. Unfortunately, due to its secrecy, fewer and fewer people have learned it. Today the art of Tai Chi Ball Qigong is almost forgotten. Fortunately, this book (and the companion DVDs) allows interested students to practice this effective training and incorporate it into their general exercise routine, or martial arts regimen.

For martial artists, Tai Chi Ball Qigong training can strengthen the torso, condition the muscles, and increase physical power by using the mind to lead the qi. It can be a major training tool to enhance pushing hands ability.

For general exercise, Tai Chi Ball Qigong training helps those who might overly focus on ‘core body exercises’ to strengthen their hips, knees, and ankles. You will learn to move the vertebrae of the spine, increase energy through various breathing techniques, and learn to move many joints properly at different angles.

Need a handmade wooden Tai Chi Ball? For a beginner, we highly recommend a wooden ball, 10-12 inches in diameter with the weight of 4-8 pounds. Several options available. We recommend: Atomic Athletic.

AUTHOR(S)

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California.

David W. Grantham has been training in martial arts for twenty-one years. He currently holds Certificates as Coach Instructor and Chin Na Instructor and teaches at the Hunterdon Wellness Center in Clinton, New Jersey. He offers privates, classes and seminars on Tai Chi Ball and Chin Na. David Grantham resides in Hunterdon County, New Jersey with his wife,and two children.

REVIEWS

Definitely Worth the Purchase Price!, D_Bennett (Barnes and Noble reviewer) March, 2011

As with all of Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming's works, this book presents thoroughly researched and well documented information.



If you are like me, you will probably want to get right to the exercises (which don't come until much later in the book). However, don't skip the introductory chapters. They themselves are worth the purchase price of the book. If you have any of Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming's other materials on Taiji or Qigong you will not find anything new in these introductory chapters, but the summaries are so recherché that you will benefit from having read them… Living in a rural area, I do not have the benefit of access to instructors that teach Tai Chi Ball classes. For serious Tai Chi and/or Qigong practitioners, this book can be like manna from heaven.

…If you have any interest at all in learning about tai chi ball qigong, this is a must have reference. Even if you don't want to practice with a tai chi ball, this text will help you better understand qigong and the various trainings used for health and martial art practice. I commend both Dr. Yang and Grantham for creating an excellent reference for all of us to learn from.

… I'm thrilled that these exercises are available to the public in such a well-documented format. They are now a part of my daily exercise plan. Performed as directed, they are great conditioning for your physical body whether you believe in qi or not!

Thank you to Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and David Grantham for authoring the first comprehensive guide to Taiji Ball Qigong practice. Whether you are new to the practice, or a long-time practitioner, the 300+ pages of this book contain everything you need. In fact, this book is now the textbook at our NYC Taiji Ball Qigong classes and is also suggested reading for our seminars…