The new book, Heal Yourself and the World with Tai-chi" by Bob Klein is now available from Amazon. It explains how this ancient system of exercises teaches you to regain power in your life, to regain senses that have been lost in modern times and how each detail of Tai-chi training is designed to solve the problems of everyday life.

What is consciousness and how does it control your body and perceptions? What is it that creates your thoughts and behavior? How much control do you have over what is going on inside of you?

Learn to be immune to intimidation and to be more powerful than your own fear. Feel completely connected to the natural world around you. Increase the power of your attention and creativity. Strengthen your body and immune system. Understand what is going on inside of other people.

You don't need to do Tai-chi to read this book. It uses this healing system to let you see our culture through ancient eyes. But if you do practice Tai-chi, it explain how every aspect of Tai-chi training is designed to produce a specific healing effect in the student and how to escape from prisons of our own making. It is a powerful and life-changing read.

How is Tai Chi related to Qigong? Or is it?

Who knew busting out some Tai Chi is the answer?

Tai-chi is a very comprehensive training system. It includes Qigong (simple movements repeated several times each), slow forms (a series of slow, flowing movements), Wushu forms (more aerobic and acrobatic series of movements), push hands (a two person exercise of pushing the partner off balance - a way of detecting internal behavior patterns that make you ineffective and being able to let go of those patterns), self defense (punching, kicking, grappling, ground fighting, joint locks and pressure points), healing such as massage and other practices. Most people know of only the slow forms.

This book describes the principles behind these practices, the Taoist philosophy that gave rise to Tai-chi, compares that philosophy to that of other cultures around the world, and shows how to use these ideas in your everyday life, whether you actually do Tai-chi or not. It reveals how people who follow this practice experience the world and their place in it and suggests a path for all of us to follow that leads to healing our bodies, spirits and culture.