"The book I wish I had read when I started studying the internal arts in 1987." -- Ken Gullette
Even in 2018, books that explained Tai Chi were filled with vague metaphors, pompous expounding, inaccurate stories based on legends, and mystical mumbo-jumbo that gave the internal arts of Chinese kung-fu an aura of fantasy and magical powers. Ken decided to write the book that he needed to read when he began studying the internal arts nearly 40 years ago in 1987. A lot of fights against older bullies growing up, and the ability to solve a fight with one punch, gave Ken a unique view of the reality of the shrouded nonsense being given in the average internal arts book. "Internal Body Mechanics" is the book that will get anyone started off well in the internal arts - regardless if you are interested in the arts for fitness, for health, for "moving meditation," or for the reason the arts were created -- for powerful self-defense performed with relaxed, whole-body power. You will use this as a reference book for years to come.
SOLD ON THIS WEBSITE ONLY TO CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S.
OUTSIDE U.S. PLEASE BUY FROM AMAZON or ORDER FROM A BOOKSTORE USING THIS ISBN NUMBER: ISBN-13: 978-0-692-11266-3
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"This is one of the most practical books on Tai Chi on the market right now and you need to get it."
-- Graham Barlow, Tai Chi and BJJ teacher and author of the Tai Chi Notebook blog.
Ken Gullette spent more than 30 years and thousands of dollars seeking out good instruction in Tai Chi, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. He wanted to write the book that he needed when he started in the internal arts back in 1987. The result is "Internal Body Mechanics for Tai Chi, Bagua an Xingyi."
Regardless of your style or your teacher, you will learn something from this book that will boost your insight and understanding of the body mechanics that differentiate "internal" martial arts from "external" arts. It will help raise the quality of your gongfu.
The book includes 178 pages of plain English, explaining the six most important body mechanics that you need, and the easy-to-understand writing is illustrated by more than 250 images and photos thathelp Ken explain the concepts and principles.
Ken has studied with some of the world's top internal masters. He is a tournament champion and has thousands of students worldwide who have studied through his DVDs and his online school at www.internalfightingarts.com.
Ken writes and teaches in a straightfoward way, ithout the mystical mumbo jumbo that, in his opinion, misdirects people and causes them to misinterpret the internal arts, especially Tai Chi, with too many focused on "cultivating chi" rather than good body mechanics and martial applications.
The true "intent" of the internal arts is self-defense. This book builds on each of the six crucial body mechanics that are required to achieve high-quality internal structure and movement. From here, all other skill is developed.
"These skills are physical, not metaphysical," Ken says. "I wish I had this book when I began studying Tai Chi, Xingyi and Bagua back in the 80s. It would have saved me a lot of time and money. And that is my goal for the reader."
The six body mechanics include:
** Establishing and maintaining the ground path at all times.
** Establishing and maintaining peng jin at all times.
** Whole-body movement (surprisingly few internal artists do this)
** Silk-Reeling, spiraling movement through the body that gives more power to movement and techniques.
** Dantien rotation.
** Opening and closing the kua.
Without these body mechanics, your internal arts are empty. If one of them is missing, your art is incomplete. If any of these sound unfamiliar to you, then you need this book!
There is no other book on the market in English with this information.
Along the way, Ken tears down some of the myths that give the internal arts a bad and "soft" reputation. From the explosive nature of Xingyi to the relaxed power of Bagua and Tai Chi, there is nothing "soft" about the internal arts of Chinese gongfu. And it all starts here.
Cost of the book is ONLY $24.99.
FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the United States! Money-back guarantee if not satisfied. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of international shipping, buyers outside of the U.S. must BUY through Amazon or your local bookstore by using the ISBN number (ISBN-13: 978-0-692-11266-3).
EACH BOOK BOUGHT FROM THIS WEBSITE WILL BE AUTOGRAPHED BY KEN GULLETTE
Learn Internal Body Mechanics
By learning these concepts and methods of movement and body method, you can improve your structure and the ability to deliver penetrating force over a short distance.
Taught With 250 Photos
Along with straight-forward, plain English explanations designed to break down complex movement and mechanics in an easy-to-understand way.
Destroy Your Internal Myths
Many people have taken up Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua looking for magic. Ken tears down the myths that give internal arts a bad reputation. In reality, they are real-world self-defense arts.
This Book Deserves a Prominent Place in Your Martial Arts Library
"Five Stars" - A Verified Purchaser on Amazon wrote this review:
When we talk about the subject of "internal martial arts", it's common to hear generic words like "use your energy". But, how to do it correctly?
This book is like an oasis in the desert. You will learn that the most "mysterious, esoteric, fantastic" concepts are based on the correct use of your body structure. Or, to use a more technical word, your own biomechanics.
If you intend to be a serious practitioner and get the good results, this book, with absolute certainty, will save you years of training and will preserve your body from practices that, if repeated in the wrong way, may even cause physical injuries.
Even though I studied with masters who are members of the Chen family, I had not learned everything that this book teaches in a didactic, easy and objective way.
Buy Paperback of Ken's Book for Only $24.99 - U.S. Orders OnlyWhat Martial Artists Say About Ken's Books and DVDs
"I greatly appreciate your practical, no-nonsense approach to the Internal Arts." - T. Settle - Dunbar, West Virginia
"My name is Geoff and I'm writing to tell you that I've learned more in ten minutes with your lessons than I have in ten years of studying tai chi. I honestly can't tell you how grateful I am. I have to tell you your ground path lessons (included in the book) have put it all - ALL - into perspective for me." - G. Visgilio - Westerly, Rhode Island
"I have always valued your materials but now, having acquired more experience, I see how generous you have been in imparting knowledge and equally by not withholding knowledge. Very rare indeed!" - D. O'Regan - Falls Church, Virginia
"Thank you, Ken. After stumbling upon your books in Amazon I was so validated seeing how you wrote exactly what we were just learning after so many years of practice. The real art is rarely taught or practiced. I look forward to digging in deep. That you for being dedicated and generous." - D. Devito - Syracuse, New York
Frequently Asked Question 1 - Is this book for beginners or for more experienced students and teachers?
Frequently Asked Question 2 - Can you really learn this from a book?
Frequently Asked Question 3 - Why buy a book when there are so many videos available? Doesn't Ken's website stream videos on all this?
Frequently Asked Question 4 - Why does this website only sell the book to U.S. customers?
Three Ways to Buy "Internal Body Mechanics"
Buyers in the United States can buy from this website (click button below). If you are outside the U.S., find the book on Amazon, or take the ISBN (9780692112663) to any bookstore to order.
Buy Paperback Edition for $24.99 - U.S. Orders Only