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The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I | 
 enlarge | Author: Bruce Frantzis
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $18.17
You Save: $9.78 (35%)
New (14) Used (4) from $14.49
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 54202
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised
Pages: 432
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.9 x 1
ISBN: 1583941908
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8
EAN: 9781583941904
Publication Date: August 7, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Originally published in 1998, this book has become a martial arts classic. It provides detailed descriptions of the three main internal martial arts—tai chi (taiji), hsing-i (xingyi) and ba gua (pakua)—and their sub-styles, as well as how they differ from each other and from such external arts as karate, tae kwon do and judo. Each internal martial art is analyzed in terms of its fighting strategies and applications. This revised edition includes 50 pages of additional material including a new chapter on martial arts and spirituality.This was the first book to provide in-depth information to Westerners about nei gung (neijiaquan), the sophisticated Taoist system developed in ancient China for working with chi in the body, mind and spirit. Chi helps build relaxed speed and power without the use of muscular tension or adrenaline surges. This gives many internal martial artists a powerful edge over counterparts trained in external martial arts.
The book provides vivid details about Frantzis’ personal training odyssey in the martial arts, including fascinating profiles of such renowned martial artists as Morehei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido; ba gua master Wang Shu Jin, who emanated chi so powerfully that on cold days his students could warm their hands by standing near him; and Liu Hung Chieh, the legendary master of the internal martial arts and Taoist meditation who also had a complete knowledge of traditional Chinese medical theory.
The new edition demystifies the technique known as fa jin, the storage and sudden discharge of energy without the use of muscular force, one aspect of which is demonstrated on the front cover. The new edition also adds a lengthy chapter on the spiritual development of a martial artist, and describes how the internal martial arts are linked to Taoist meditation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
The best book on the Eastern Taoist Inner science July 25, 2008
Edgar Paternina (Colombia. South America)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As a meditator and Urantia Book reader who has been interested since some time ago in the development of 12 senses as suggested in:
"The average special physical-sense endowment of human beings is twelve, though the special senses of the three-brained mortals are extended slightly beyond those of the one- and two-brained types; they can see and hear considerably more than the Urantia races." The Urantia Book[49:4.3]
It was a real surprise for me to find in this most profound book by Bruce Frantzis that:
"In Eastern thought, humans have two different kinds of senses -external and internal...However, most people are unware of the more subtle capacities of their correspondent internal or psychic sense, those that enable them to access and use chi's most subtle qualities"pag319
In fact before reading this excellent book I already had envisioned these 10 senses, I had called the Cosmic sense, and additionally I had already envisioned the "spiritual essence of the Who I Am", as a sense, the sense of the Being... and that sense that permitted Ancient Taoists envisioned unity in duality, represented in their yin-yang symbol, the dialogic sense, making them the 12 senses described in UB.
Another thing that has liked me the most in this book is the use of synergy instead of entropy in manipulating the inner energy, something that explains why in the West there is a great need of a paradigm schift that include not only the outer senses, but also the inner senses to make a better approach to Eastern Inner science.
I highly recommend this book!!!
Relaxing Into Your Being June 30, 2008
BG
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
A well presented book that outlines a breathing technique that is simple but extremely effective. I purchased this book after having purchased and read Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body. I have practiced TM meditation for 33 years and Tai Chi for 15 years. Bruce offers a new and freshing approach to these valuable techniques for self development.
Awesome! January 20, 2008
John A. Joerg
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Bruce Kumar Frantzis is awesome, both as a teacher, and as a lucid writer. The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi is a well written tome that interlaces Frantzis' personal history with the history of a wide variety of the martial arts, from karate to bagua, and is an excellent introduction into the martial and healing arts. I highly recommend it for the novice as well as the seasoned martial artist. It is definitely a book that inspires and motivates.
This is an Amazing Book!!! January 18, 2008
Mr. Brian Neeson (Northern Ireland)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an amazing book in my opinion and it goes into great detail about every aspect of the 3 main Internal Martial Arts of China.
Everyone with an interest in studying Tai Chi should read this book!
My review is based on an earlier version of the book which I purchased a few years ago.
I have been studying Yang Style Tai Chi for 6 years now in Northern Ireland and more recently, Wu Style Broadsword and I have found that good teachers are few and far between.
I have very been lucky to find 2 good teachers!
I have 5 of Bruce's books now, a video and some DVD's ~ I refer to them on a regular basis for tips, but mainly for inspiration, when the circumstances of life prevent me from practicing as regularly as I would like.
The book that this review is concerning is excellent in that respect ~ it demonstrates the immense possibilities of what one can achieve by training their own body and mind & this process ultimately gives one access to their spirit and to their higher spiritual qualities.
All of Bruce's work is so multi-faceted ~ you will get what you need depending on your level of experience and understanding ~ this is something that you feel after a lot of practice, rather than a mere intellectual understanding ~ next time you read, you will pick up something new and so on and so forth.
Just like regular practice of a form ~ if you are really focusing on what you are doing, you pick up on very subtle qualities each time you practice and that information can be used to improve your form & help you reach higher levels of perfection.
This book has developed in me, an interest in studying Ba Gua Chang, which I hope to get into in a few years time, after I perfect my current Tai Chi and Broadsword forms.
When I read Bruce's books, I feel myself "like a small baby" (in the words of the immortal T.T.Laing)
The amount of knowledge contained in this and his other books is phenomenal!!!
My advice? ... BUY IT ... it will become one of your best friends on your life-long journey of discovering your true potential.
 good for overview December 24, 2007
Bulent Mizrak
1 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is a good book for overview and good for beginners to martial arts. But you will not find any practical hints. On the other hand although I found only one sentence useful in the book, it is worth to buy and read this book for this only sentence.
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