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The following review appears in the ForeWord CLARION Reviews.
HEALTH
Senior’s Tai Chi Workout:
Improve Balance, Strength, and Flexibility
Master Domingo Colon
Trafford Publishing
74 b/w photographs, 98 pages
Softcover $30.00
978-1-4120-7764-4
Four Stars (out of Five)
Tai
Chi Master Domingo Colon has put his many years of experience as a physical
therapist, adaptive fitness specialist, and Tai Chi instructor to excellent use
in this succinct workbook of Tai Chi exercises for seniors. Although he is
careful to advise potential users to consult with their family doctors first,
Colon is confident that following his directions will take readers on “an
exciting journey to increased health, strength, and peace of mind.” He has made
the journey for seniors that much easier by using a large typeface, including
simply written instructions, and providing more than seventy individual
photographs showing various sitting and standing positions for the recommended
exercises.
With brief asides to the history, principles, and concepts
of Tai Chi and its development, Master Colon explains that the purpose of Tai
Chi is “to effect a profound transformation of your body and mind, not merely
the rote memorization of a sequence of movements, as is so often the case in
other exercise classes.” To achieve this objective, he advises that exercises
be done with a slow, smooth, soft approach. He also stresses the need to be in
harmony with nature and not to strain or overdo any exercise. Colon includes a
detailed section on the use of his book, noting that the workout may be
performed alone or in groups, but is best practiced for several minutes daily instead
of in prolonged sessions. At the core of the book are the Master’s workout
practices, consisting of the Wu Chi sitting meditation, the ten Chi Kung
sitting and standing exercises with memorable names like “Golden rooster stands
on one leg,” and the ten standing postures of the Wu Chi Tai Chi Form, with
some equally intriguing titles like “Shake out the sheet,” and “Wave your hands
like clouds.” All of the exercises have accompanying illustrations.
Also helpful and inspiring confidence in the exercises are
several pages of the author’s background and his concern for his readers by
advising them to contact him by phone, e-mail, or mail. Appendix A is
additionally useful for its discussion on the nature of meditation, the
appropriate preparation, the techniques of progressive relaxation, and the
correct breathing exercises. Appendix B lists the specific benefits to be
derived from each exercise. For example, “The crane kicks out” promises to “improve
your balance, strengthen your legs and hips, increase your flexibility, stimulate
your lower body circulation.” Appendix C lists the breathing patterns for the
Wu Chi Tai Chi postures, and it is followed by a glossary of related terms.
There are even sections for “Other Resources,” an application form for a
“Health Tips Line,” and contact points for enrolling in a free class with the
Master at the Tai Chi School of Westchester in Bronxville, New York.
Written with an obvious attention to the needs of seniors,
Master Colon’s book is an excellent introduction to the philosophy, art and
science of Tai Chi for seniors willing to observe all of his instructions for
attaining improved balance, strength and flexibility.
M. Wayne Cunningham
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