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Enhance your purchase
The Yang family taught two separate tai chi systems. One for the public, another just for heirs. When Robert Boyd became a Disciple of fifth generation Yang family heir, Ip Tai Tak, he was allowed to learn the family system -- the snake style. Now he reveals this duality and introduces the snake style openly to the public.
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Bob Boyd claims that he learned the Yang family's insider's tai chi method, called Snake Style. I have no reason to doubt his account. This book is a presentation of that method, which boils down to several physical adjustments, all of which seem like they could be very beneficial. The problem is the explanations are not very clear and there are few drawings and fewer photos to aid the reader in grasping the adjustments. For example, Boyd writes that "Hollowing the chest to raise the back is the steam engine that drives the tai chi train." It's done by "drawing the hip joints upward, the lower abdomen...inward, the ribs and thoracic vertebrae upward and backward, and the sole of the foot upward while the ball and heel press downward (rooting.)" No drawings of incorrect versus correct posture are provided to help the reader understand what's required, which Boyd says is not a fixed posture but "a pumping action." No exercises are offered to help you understand how to do this.
This is a somewhat lazy effort, in my view, lacking in clarity and drawings and photos that would have been most useful. It's worthwhile for the dedicated tai chi practitioner, but frustratingly unclear at times on points Boyd says are essential. It's also a bit overpriced but, as the first book I've seen to emphasize these various adjustments to how one normally performs the tai chi form, worth reading. Although it's clearly geared to the Yang style its principles could be applied to any style of tai chi.
This book is very informative and sheds light on many aspects of tai chi and its uses. It also sheds light on the world of Tai Chi. One thing this book does extremely well is actually showing you diagrams and formulas with research into the way the body connects to an internal structure. There are very few books on Tai Chi that do this a all.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2013
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It seems Mr. Boyd has indeed spent many years in the study of martial arts. He has a good writing style and an ability to clearly explain some very important tai ji concepts. Unfortunately, he has decided to break away from the main family teaching by embracing some newer principles he picked up in less than two years before his teacher passed away. This leaves him without a teacher to help him continue refining his skill, and just his own personal research to carry him into the future. Still, it's a good read and presents some interesting ideas to contemplate.
"Hidden in plain Sight" - This statement as noted in Bob Boyd's book is an accurate portayal of why this secret system was never seen- in opening notations - Master Ip in his own writing states the existance of this style that he taught Bob as his disciple....having studied the public style "tiger style" for over 15 years myself - it was not until allowed to be taught this ancient yang style "snake style" did I finally really begin to understand what an "internal style" truely is - as Bob Boyd notes in this book - all the words in the orginal public instructions are the same - for the first time however the true meaning and application are explained and illustrated which makes ALL the difference!!...well written and carefully detailed - every martial artist will find value in this guide....it is a proud legacy to one of the worlds Great Martial artist....Master IP....who gave Bob Boyd permission to give to the world this "Holy Grail of Tai chi" I trained with Master Ip and can attest to the accuracy of Master Boyd's presentions in these teachings. Enjoy!
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2018
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Do not waste your time with hidden secrets, The book really teaches nothing and is not worth the paper it is printed on. If you want a better tai chi book check out YMAA here on Amazon. I bought this book and feel ripped off
Bob Boyd was invited by Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak to become a Yang family member and to study, not the public tiger style taught most students, but the snake style shared only with family members. This opportunity totally changed his understanding of tai chi chuan. Towards the end of Master Ip's life, he gave Bob Boyd permission to teach Westerners the secret Yang style. You'll read the essentials of what Bob learned in this book.
The most amazing revelation is that truly powerful tai chi is a matter, not of Eastern mysticism, but of biomechanics that stimulate every meridian. It is an essentially physical art. It gets down to things like correct posture, and what your bones and internal organs should be doing.
Bob explains the true meaning of the seemingly esoteric Yang Family 13 Principles in terms of the mechanics of movement. Although this book has photos of tai chi masters in impressive stances, the staple of every tai chi book, it's also rich in anatomical drawings that illustrate the muscles and bones that, when properly deployed, deliver tai chi power and health benefits.
My husband uses the snake style principles as explained by Bob Boyd in all sorts of movement, from walking to kayaking.
The book is also well written and full of personal anecdotes about the legendary Master Ip. Which makes this an entertaining read for even the recreational reader.
I studied tiger style tai chi with Bob Boyd in the past, and recently I went back to class to unlearn it, and study the secret snake style. So you could say I'm a biased reviewer, or you could say I'm writing with some personal experience of the astonishing differences between the tiger and the snake. I highly recommend Bob's book and consider it a new classic in the literature of tai chi chuan.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2013
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Really recommend this book to all Yang Style Practitioners whether you have many or only a few years under your belt. I studied with Yang Sau Chungs disciple Chu King Hung in the 80's, and his students in the 90's. I teach Yang Style in the UK, although I have practiced Wu and Chen Style with disciples.
The portion on the correct use of the spine will be of great benefit, or as I was taught 'bending the bow' {the spine-gather, store and release} to shoot the tiger'. The author obviously knows what he's talking about unlike some who write about tai chi.
