Inside Zhan Zhuang: First Edition

by Mark Cohen

For the first time in print, the mysterious transformation process of Standing Meditation is revealed. Filled with tips and tricks to help get more out of training than most practitioners ever thought possible, this book contains a number of concepts and techniques presented for the first time in English.Drawing upon his 7th generation lineage in Chinese Medicine and using straightforward and simple language, Mr. Cohen fills in the missing pieces of the puzzle formerly absent in Zhan Zhuang literature. These include such elements as special masterpoints to relax and release large sections of the body, methods which rapidly create whole-body linkage for any posture; techniques for working with light in the higher energy centers, mechanisms to correct many crucial health problems and special training to develop truly effective martial power. A fast track for beginners. Highly recommended for seasoned practitioners.Take your Zhan Zhuang and Tai Chi to the next level.

Genres: Taoism

358 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Akbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been around a year since i finished this book. Since then i kept coming back to reference. A lot of things that previously went over my head began to make sense as my training progressed, and this book has been a good company.

I got to say, that the materials in this book are covered nowhere else. This book provided answers to almost anything, e.g. how does feet positioning and center of gravity matters; is training posture sequence better than only training 1-2 basic ones; what energetic benefit a certain posture gives; and even higher level problems that i'd never think of before, such as martial Fa Jin development, and even touching on more spiritual, Nei Gong matters. Reading it over and over, my grasp on this subject became almost intuitive (surely only a companion for a longlife training!).

I gave this book 4 stars in a previous review, cutting 1 off because of disorganized writing and the fact that there are no helpful diagrams (the author itself encourages the reader to Google or open an anatomy book to locate a certain muscle or meridian point). That said, the value of information provided almost counterbalance the bugs, so i decided to give it 5 stars now.

Surely this book is not for beginners, but rather a series of notes dedicated to lifelong, curious learners. All in all, not only this book provided me with valuable knowledge, it also motivates me to keep training. I'm really looking forward to read the sequel Deeper Inside Zhan Zhuang.

[Fabian Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite long at over 300 pages but there are only a few pages on the actual ZZ positions, maybe 2 dozen pages, and those are in black and white, which is disappointing given the price of the book. Also each posture is demonstrated by himself and a woman, and they both do them differently, so it only serves to confuse. It looks like he is doing them properly and she isn't quite, although her versions aren't any less strenuous so I am not sure what the point is. Perhaps to show possible variations? I think it was a mistake doing this. What is the point of showing two variations of the same posture from the front but no side view of the postures so you have no idea of depth and distance of the arms from the torso or shoulders? Unhelpful. Also the actual paragraph or two of description for each posture isn't overly helpful and tends to focus more on what effect it has on internal energy and what it's like to keep doing it rather than practical tips on performing it correctly. Over 300 pages and there is almost no information on performing the movements properly. You have to question the author's priorities.

The 4 health positions look the same as in Lam Kam Chuen's Chi Kung - The Way of Energy, which are part of his Yiquan system. But I think Lam Kam Chuen's way of doing them looks better and he shows side views of them, so I am almost completely ignoring the postures in this book.

The author gives no introduction to the history of ZZ, nor does he say much about his lineage. I would rather he cut out a lot of the waffle and included a proper history. He mentions the Han brothers, Han Xing Qiao and Han Xing Yuan, but doesn't say if he actually studied with them or through a student of theirs.

I have a book The Tao of Yiquan by JanDiepersloot, who was a student of Han Xingyuen, and that book has actually photographs taken of the master in the 8 ZZ positions and they are not quite the same as Cohen's 8 martial arts ZZ positions. So I am rather disappointed that Cohen didn't tell us a little more about where his techniques came from and why the difference from what the Han brothers were doing, if he has changed them or what.

So it is ok as a reference but I'm not sure I fully trust that Cohen's postures are really correct and the best ones to be practising. Otherwise it is quite informative albeit rather verbose and written in slightly too conversational a style for me which I find mildly annoying. I think either of the books I mentioned are far more practical and useful. Yiquan by C.S. Tang is another excellent source.

[Dan Charnas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource, well-organized and highly-detailed, especially with regard to anatomy and effects of Zhan Zhuang on the body. Helpful to have some background in t'ai chi but not critical. Will keep this book close as an ongoing reference tool.