5 comments about Qigong Meditation: Embryonic Breathing.

1. I am disappointed with newest Jwing-Ming book. There is a lot of scientific and theoretical reflections about all stages of Qigong, unfortunately practical ground is covered only at the beginner level.
   There is almost nothing written about practice of "Kan-Li" (i.e. conceiving the Spiritual Embryo by mixing fire and water Qi at Huang Ting cavity to produce Elixir). Author just sends you to his next book. I am probably not the only one who waited especially for this issue! Regarding practice - you will find detailed description of reversed and normal abdominal breathing plus its variations (Griddle and Marrow breathing). You will not find anything more (practical) in this book. There is also nothing about practicing "internal vision". I would like to cite example of how Jwing-Ming writes about recognizing Yin Center of Upper Dan Tian "To recognize this point through feeling, you must first rid yourself of all emotional disturbances and also the external attractions of your mind. In this case, your mind will be easily search for the location. If you search for it sincerely, it will take only a few days for you to recognize this point" (p.330). That's all, but how can I find this point if I don't know what feelings are associated with it? Recognizing feelings play special role in Tai-Chi or Qigong. Why are they not covered? Summarizing, this work is too much academic for me.
   Citations from old scriptures are major advantage of "Qigong Meditation", however I would like to read more ancient Qigong classics instead of mere repetitions of what was said before in previous interpretations.
   Conclusion: If you look for theoretical background of Qigong practice, you can buy this book - it's probably best in this field written in English, but if you are mainly a practitioner and you look for "Kan-Li" or anything else, and you know other Jwing-Ming books, then you can skip this one.



2. Having entered popular Western consciousness, the subject of Qigong is currently awash with fluffy, vacuous verbiage from pompous self-styled experts whose only real interest is cashing in on a lucrative New-Age trend. This volume, although dense and difficult, reveals much authentic and vital knowledge to those who have had some experience of Qi and are not afraid of patient study and experiment. Dr. Yang is one of a handful of authors in this field who is both qualified and willing to share significant teachings that have heretofore been kept secret or deliberately obscure. His material is presented in a format that, while extremely concise, assiduously avoids being cryptic. If you are a lazy dabbler interested in yet another mealy-mouthed, feel-good text weighted down with pseudo-exotica, promising everything and delivering nothing, avoid this book. But if you have perceived a little of the reality of internal Qi and desire to systematically expand your practice and understanding, you will probably find this volume unusually rewarding.



3. This is volume 1 of a two-part series. I have been studying tai chi at YMAA Boston for the past 3+ years and this video is absolutely fantastic. Master Yang clearly demonstrates take down techniques for about 16 different postures from the tai chi form starting from the crossed hands position. Just as important, you get to see several of his senior students executing the techniques and Master Yang making corrections. If you have an interest in the martial applications of tai chi, this is an excellent. Also don't forget to get volume 2 which reviews the techniques starting from the parallel hands position.



4. I hesitated quite some time buying "Qigong Meditation - Embryonic Breathing". I wondered whether it would be worth reading (and paying money for the privilege to do so). Everything I read _about_ it seemed generic and uninformative, but the book itself is marvellous, as I know now.
   
   I have read other reviews and came to the conclusion this book is not for everyone, some reviewers even cited sentences next to the key sentences and complained about it lacking detail. It does not. Some things are simply hard to convey and describe...
   
   Today, thanks to the publishing of a lot of books suggesting that you apply techniques early on that may have been esoteric, inner circle and hidden knowledge, a lot of people think that they are in the know. In fact, in terms of real written knowledge they may be. Small Circulation / Microcosmic Orbit meditation seems to be easy enough.
   
   The problem is that key techniques need some time to develop and need to be developed properly. Guiding Qi without being able to properly sense its whereabouts, concentration and impact may or may not benefit and may or may not do damage. Fact is, you simply may not know that you put "fire to the devil" when you practise incorrectly as you have no way to measure or determine your progress.
   
   So when you practise such techniques without actually being able to properly judge how well you are doing them, this book seems to contain bad advice and little help. In fact it is only tailored to a more advanced, perhaps early-intermediate reader that has mastered the early stages of the practise, how to begin to regulate body/posture, breath, emotion and mind to a certain degree, can keep concentration, and can sense movement and stagnation of Chi. Without this a lot of the stuff written herein seems theoretical or lacking detail.
   
   The realm you enter with the practise of Embryonic Breathing is the one of inner self-awareness, starting out from body awareness. It is a crucial skill, not developed easily, not a simple subject. Anyone interested to developing this before tackling this book should try a book like Bruce Frantzis' "Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body" first. Yang's book only gives you strong hints about it, but is focused on the theory, framework, context and practise of Embryonic Breathing - no surprise there.
   
   If you know the basic skills, this book delivers everything you need to know to go on. On which points/cavities/nodes to concentrate, how to locate those, with which techniques to manipulate them, and what end result to produce, and what this end result means in the overall context of longevity and enlightenment meditation and different Qigong schools.
   
   It is first book (I know about) that discusses something I wondered about in Qigong exercises - is the Lower Dantian at the navel on the Conception Vessel (the Qi reservoir running down from tongue root, frontal chest navel to Huiyin/Perineum), or is it located within the body's center inside the lower abdomen. Qigong literature is very unspecific about this, and depending on context names one or the other as the Lower Dantian.
   
   Yang clarifies that the navel location is the "False Dantian", which can store some but not much Qi, and helps store some in the real one at the center of gravity. He gives full anatomical and self-awareness instructions where to locate which and how they are most likely constructed anatomically in the body (the bio-battery concept of layers of conductors (muscles/tendons) and isolators (fat/fasciae) is introduced here for the lower abdomen). Yang's discussion of bioelectricity and a possible working of the Qi / bioelectricity system in the body is well-written, most-interesting and intriguing.
   
   Yang introduces deeper knowledge about the inner layers and details of the Qi circuit, such as the Yang core in the center of the Sea of Yin (in the center of the Real Lower Dantian) and the Yin Spiritual Center (in the center of the brain / Upper Dantian, where important glands reside). He relates this knowledge back to the Taiji symbol and shows yet another way for it to symbolize an important concept.
   
   First you develop the ability to locate and feel the places mentioned, to concentrate and how to lead Qi, and the breathing techniques. Then you train the technique and practise it to achieve the given goal, for example storing ample Qi for a later step. And then you can advance to the next practise. Nothing is missing here. It's just so that this book does not repeat all preliminary skills necessary, and I for one do not demand that from it. I prefer a book with depth such as this over one with breadth, since those are available in reasonable numbers to satisfy anyone.
   
   Breathing is of course discussed thoroughly, and how its different techniques should be trained and can be applied to achieving certain goals. Breathing becomes a tool and the way for achieving different stages of practise, a context lined out really well during the middle part of the book, with a lot of detail of a complete "religiously" Daoist / Buddhist meditation program for achieving enlightenment.
   
   A lot of books have been written about meditation and breathing, but this practise and its intricate placement within context and theory makes this book a treasure. If you read carefully you may have answered enough about your questions about breathing and Qi to be sure you are practising properly and be able to monitor your progress.
   
   These techniques may be the key tools for experienced meditators to put in the missing pieces into their practise, and for novice meditators to lay a sound foundation for their future practise. (Novices to sitting meditation maybe, but surely not to Qigong...)
   
   It is one of the few books that leaves you with the feeling that there is a roadmap for practise and you don't have to stumble about in your search. It relies on many sources instead of citing a single master.
   
   One especially rare treasure is the section containing translations of selected Chinese texts about the topic. As Dr. Yang points out, one needs a strong understanding of the context of Qigong, of Chinese culture, Taoist philosophy and technical terms to be able to comprehend and translate without loss of meaning such original sources. Else the output could be flowery and incomprehensible poems obscuring the real content (possibly with intent) hidden within.
   
   I can truly recommend this book to everyone interested in deeper energy meditation practise and Nei Gong. You won't regret, I'm sure. The writing can sometimes be redundant, dry and lengthy, but the knowledge is better given in a most detailed way instead of the most entertaining. Depending on your predisposition you may prefer Yang's writing style over others, don't take my or anyone other's word for it.



5. I have to admit I wish I had read this book before some of the other books I've read. While this book is heavy on theory and only has a couple of exercises to offer, it is an essential and must read book for anyone pursuing Taoist alchemical practices. The author explains in clear and easy to read language the theory behind Taoist energy work. I felt like a lot of peices that were missing or that I didn't have context with, were supplied by this book. I definitely plan on picking up more of his books.
   
   The actual practices are brief, but the author does an excellent job of explaining how to do the breathing and the practices work.

5 comments about Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical, Taoist, Buddhist, Wushu Energy Cultivation.

1. This book is among the best to be released to the general public about the many different types of Chi Kung training. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about internal cultivation and understanding a very rich part of traditional Chinese culture.



2. This book which has been out for 10 years now dates back from a time when it was almost impossible to get any information about the many varieties of qigong in a single location in the west. Actually, from individuals that I know who have traveled through China on Qigong adventures/retreats since then, this book addresses a serious deficit in most centers of qigong instruction, including China. The reason for owning this book is that it gathers in one text an overview of many seemingly unrelated or even contradictory approaches to qigong. The common thread of these techniques are the focus on working with qi (the body's internal energy) and the principle that these techniques become increasingly effective through being a repeated, practiced and sincerely followed path (gong).
   
   The authors separate this manual into five distinct books, rather than chapters, a device that helps the aspiring qigong student gain a very important fundamental understanding about these practices regarding their apparent variability. Hidden in specifics, they are each a type of internal alchemy, or a mental technology that facilitates the student's navigation on a life path that they find most meaningful. The sojourner on these life paths is a mind-body, no spiritual or philosophic pursuit is totally a mind activity anymore than any sport is a purely physical activity. The methods that assist the integration and strengthening of the mind-body on a path become a part of that path, independent of the traveler's long term goals. For example, many Buddhist meditators that I have met think of the body as merely a hindrance to "real" meditation, an attitude that this text shows, dismisses a fundamental quality of your life (that you have a mind-body) which could be your ally in meditation.
   
   I personally feel that a very important aspect of this text is its eclectic variety. So many people who study qigong think that the method they use is best or that what others are doing is not even qigong. Further, Orientaphiles want their techniques to be the "oldest/original" while Westerners want their techniques to be "newest/best". This text shows that all of these qualitative judgments are off the main track which is actually to explore and experiment with an open mind, testing each technique for its ability to assist you on your path.
   
   The single biggest failing of this book is that it not the best source of information once you are clear on what you want you qigong practice for, this is an encyclopedia not a basic training manual. There is starting to be a large range of qigong instruction available within each of the Books within Qigong Empowerment. There are techniques that bridge several of these disciplines as well as other Books such a Christian qigong or bike racing qigong that remain to be written.
   
   Finally; this book can help the beginning student with the most important first question that they need to be able to address when starting their practice. A fairly new issue in North America is that there have started to be thousands of self declared experts, "Qigong Masters", ready to take your time, money and commitment, many of them are modern day "Snake Oil Salesmen". This text has enough of the generally accepted standard information for even the novice to recognize these charlatans for what they are.
   
   If this is not in your qigong library, add it.



3. 
   Hi folks,
   I bought several books on Amazon, and I always received everything in few days, perfect condition, monitored by e-mail and across the ocean...Yeah, I'm from Rome. I also bought used books, always in good condition or, better, in the exact condition like described.
   E-bay don't do the same, absolutely.



4. This book is excellent! I'm a 10 year Tai Chi Chi Gong (Taiji Chi Kung) or however you want to spell it, practitioner and teacher.
   This book is perfect for ANY level. 300 plus pages of no fluff information. You don't even have to read page after page, learn a few techniques and try them immediately. I like this so much because it kept me interested all the way through. Very seldom do Qigong books have any unique practices. You won't have that problem.
   Some people may be intimidated by how many different styles it covers, but then some people get intimidated by having too many detergent choices or whatever.
   I love it...I recommend it.
   Perfect book to use for reference and daily practice.



5. For anyone interested in both medical and martial arts qigong styles, this book has plenty to offer. Inside it covers much of the 5 element system, yin and yang, and the energy meridians which are related to acupuncture and acupressure. Build your knowledge on the bodies energy system while learning how to build more energy within the body and store it in the lower dan tein for a more healthier life. Beside covering Medical, Daoist, and Buddhist Qigong, in section 5 is the start of Wushu Qigong that describes how you can build up internal energy for martial arts and general health. I give this book a high rating because I have been practicing 5 Element Medical Qigong for some years and recommend this information to both the student, and the practitioner.

5 comments about Born A Healer: I was born a healer. You were born a healer, too!.

1. Excellent book. It was recommended to me by someone who practices Qichong. Mr. Lee starts out by telling his very moving personal story. This book has introduced me to a practice that will be lifelong.



2. I borrowed this book and couldnt bare to return it! A must have in my library. A natural progression is to move onto DVDs and CDs. Very healing and so genuine.



3. This is one of those books where you can tell you are getting information from someone who really knows their stuff. Check the springforestqigong website for other good info.Born A Healer: I was born a healer. You were born a healer, too!



4. I purchased this book after reading Happy for No Reason, which profiled Chunyi Lin. He has an incredible life story to share, and the stories of his students are very inspirational. This book isn't meant as an instructional manual for Qigong, rather a modern day look at the healing potential of this practice. I've since ordered his introductory DVD to begin practicing this art myself.



5. I love this book. It inspired me to contact Chunyi Lin and now I have an instructor who is helping me. I'm 81 years old and feeling better all the time.

2 comments about Instant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity.

1. Well written and interesting. Good for anyone wanting to gain health and longevity. Shifu Yan Lei tells of his own training in temple and now shares with you the reader his years of experience. The exercises can be performed by any adult regardless of what shape you are in. If you like the book I would suggest getting his video "Shaolin Warrior Qigong workout 1". The two together will make it much easier to understand what's going on and watching Shifu on his videos is really an inspiration. Great book Shifu it was worth waiting for.



2. one of the finest books on Qigong (and I have them all, plus 3 decades of practice)
   inspiring pictures, easy to follow - profound, honest, modern AND clear: a gem!

5 comments about Women's Qigong for Health and Longevity: A Practical Guide for Women Forty and Older.

1. I stumbled upon Women's Qigong for Health and Longevity while looking in a magazine while at a hotel in Ashland, Oregon. There was an article on a local author. I tried to find the book at a couple of bookstores while in Ashland with no luck. I decided to try Amazon as soon as I returned home. No wonder I couldn't find it -- it hadn't been released yet. So I pre-ordered it that day. As soon as I received it and read it, I ordered three more copies to give to my friends! It's a fabulous book! (I studied tai chi and qigong for eight years, but had fallen out of practice.) Now, I am starting to practice again, thanks to finding this book. The information in the book is invaluable to women of any age. It's never too early to start protecting your health and learning to "work your qi" is the best way to start. The book has different routines for different age levels so it can be used for decades! Deborah Davis explains qi and the five element system in a way that is easily understood even without a tai chi/qigong background. I am truly grateful that I have found this book and you will be, too. Buy a couple (get free shipping) and share with friends -- you'll be glad you did!!!



2. I used to be intimidated by the thought of learning qi gong (chi gong) - I thought you had to find a master and then work really hard before you could be any good at it. Well, true, in order to be a master, one probably does have to train for a long time, but there are a number of great resources available for learning simple, beginning forms of qi gong to improve your health and energy level. This is one of them. The instructions and pictures make each exercise fairly easy to learn but I'm a person who prefers to be shown how to do something. So I got the author's DVD "The Spirit of Qi Gong" as a companion to the book and am very pleased with both. Many of the exercises in the book are included on the DVD and once you get used to the way they are done, you can pick up the ones that are not on the DVD from the book.
   I am pleased that the book focuses on women from 40 and older because I would like to learn how to move into a healthy old age rather than being riddled with chronic diseases, having to take a lot of medications and gradually becoming more and more decrepit.
   If you decide to explore qi gong, be aware that there are a number of different forms, that it's part of the huge body of Chinese knowledge which includes Tai Chi, acupuncture, martial arts and herbal medicine( and no doubt other subjects). Look for books and DVDs which give clear, concise directions and explanations and pictures. Take a class if that's available and be patient with yourself. At the beginner's level, the exercises are simple and easy to learn, graceful and rewarding.



3. 
   "I encountered Deborah Davis, and her masterfully produced and engaging DVD `The Spirit of Qi Gong,' early in my recovery from a serious, unexpected health event. Both her counsel and the Chinese exercises have had a profoundly positive effect on my physical and mental health. My now daily practice of Qi Gong--besides consistently significantly reducing my blood pressure!--continues to improve my outlook on life and my ability to deal with life's stresses."
   
   --B. Darves



4. As a personal trainer, senior fitness specialist, mind body specialist, tai chi and yoga teacher I am always looking for wonderful things to add to my classes.
   
   "Women's Qigong for Health and Longevity" by Deborah Davis is an excellent choice. The information is easy to understand and relates well to our modern lifestyle. The exercises are explained well and easy to follow. The six healing sounds and accompanying movements are a beneficial addition to any fitness routine or program.
   
   The specialized chapters: Breast Health, Menopause, Depression, Heart Health etc. help each person set up a program specific to their own needs. This is an added bonus.
   
   Deborah's Dvd "The Spirit of Qi Gong" which contains the six healing sounds and their accompaning exercises is a valuable addition to your wellness library, again it is easy to understand and follow and makes you feel wonderful while doing it as well as when you are finished.
   
   I highly recommend both the book and the dvd to beginners, or those like me who have been practicing for years.
   
   Dixie Howell



5. I love this book! I take a bi-weekly Qigong class and also have several Qigong videos. However, both of these are taught by men. This book is especially written by a woman for women. It is extremely informative and the pictures are especially helpful and useful. I found it so helpful for me, I bought a copy for my sister.

5 comments about Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and QiGong (Book & DVD).

1. It is a good book. easy to understand. the dvd w/ it helps to understand information provided. One thing I did not like, in an earlier edition of the book they had "pocket cards" at the front that you could tear out and carry w/ you and this 1 doesn't.



2. This is my teacher. I wanted the book he wrote as well as his latest DVD (available at Amazon). Wonderful--there is lots of great info here as well as instruction in Tai Chi and Qigong movement.



3. Misleading-----thought that we were getting a dvd for instruction as well as the book. The book is to difficult to follow but the author will be more than glad to sell you another dvd for instruction. I wish that I had not wasted the money!



4. It is amusing reading some of the reviews of this book. In spite of what some of the previous reviewers stated, this is a very good book to learn the basics of Tai Chi and QiGong. As for the author creating his own system, so what? If he has studied these arts under previous masters for many years, he is free to create his own method of doing Tai Chi or QiGong. Most of the so called masters did the very same thing. They learned from someone else and than created their own Tai Chi or QiGong system. This is an excellent text for beginners in Tai Chi who are also taking it from an instructor. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art Myths, Season of the Warrior, Never Trust a Politician, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques).



5. I have been a TaiChi practitioner for more than 10 years.
   TaiChi is also one kind of Qigong (ch'i kung).
   My life experience about TaiChi: it is life, healthy, and powerful, if a learner is on the right track.
   
   I think this book is as good as lots original Qigong books in Chinese.
   
   
   Sam Song
   Author,
   Learning Chinese The Easy Way with great fun and joy!

5 comments about The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi.

1. A great book. Simple to follow but with great benefits. I would recommend this to anyone, even if they don't have health problems.



2. I have only recently begun reading about, and practicing, chi gong. I like the practice of chi gong (Qigong) because it is much easier than learning tai chi and just as beneficial.
   I have a couple of DVDs which show one how to do basic exercises of chi gong and a couple of books. I am practicing almost daily and noticing little changes in myself, mainly being more aware of my breathing. These DVDS and books ones are a bit simple and did not answer some of the questions that came up for me. So I bought Jahnke's book based on reading a bit of it and all the reviews. After reading the first few pages, I turned to Chapter 15 which contains guidelines for practice. Gone were the "rules" like, repeat certain exercises 9 times or, practice at a certain time of day. These could be important for an intermediate or advanced practitioner but not for a beginner. In the beginning, it is enough to do the best you can with each exercise, try to get the breathing right and keep practicing. And there is no such thing as "no pain, no gain." In fact, he stresses NOT to do anything that is at all painful, even mildly so. He also stresses the great variability and styles of chi gong and that you're not committing a crime by doing an exercise "wrong" or differently than someone else does.
   Now that I'm clearer on the basics, I'm reading the rest of the book and am quite happy with the level of detail - it doesn't seem "bloated" as one reviewer put it. I think that if it's not already, this book is destined to be a classic English language introduction to chi, chi gong and tai chi.



3. I have been working with various books, DVDs and classes for some exercises, so I purchased this book to learn a bit more about the practice and the science.
   
   He is able to explain clearly and directly how to practice, and just as importantly, he spends time discussing how this ancient practice helps you and relates science to the practice and benefits, which I found fascinating.
   
   
   If you interested in the practice and want good written instruction, and have any interest in the history/science at all, this book should be on your book shelf and readily at hand.
   
   Well done.



4. This was a very informative introduction to Chinese medicine written by
   an American who became a Chinese doctor. The only criticism would be the
   description of exercises to maximize "chi". A video/DVD is a much
   better tool. I highly recommend this for those interested in a
   different but highly successful approach to health care.



5. great info on your own self. you can learn to heal yourself with your own self. easy gentle excerises that can have a great effect if one is consistant with the practice. Also read THE HEALER WITHIN by same author.

5 comments about The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment.

1. I got a copy just in time for my Qigong classes. It is easy to understand, the language is very clear, the information is valuable. Most of the books witten by Chinese authors and translated to English ou Spanish or Portuguese look like they are hiding details and valuable information. That is not the case with this book. I am very satisfied with it and now I want to buy other books from the same author. If you starting a new life with Qigong, this is the right book.



2. I found this book to be a great read. Interesting background on Qigong, it's history, an explanation of the "why" of Qigong, and just a general overview of Qigong. It does not explain specifically any Qigong exercises, just gives you a broad picture so would be helpful in starting ones journey into Qigong. A great starting off point but look to other books for actual exercises and practices.



3. This book was my very first introduction to Qi Gong several years ago. The material herein was made clear even to a complete novice such as myself. The plethora of information presented is clearly defined, and explained in the context of both wai dan (external) and nei dan (internal) cultivation.
   
   Whether you are a complete beginner or someone already familiar with the material, this book will enhance your wealth of Qi Gong knowlege greatly.



4. Good introduction to Qigong with history, general terms and basic concepts, but not enough detail on how you really get started and practice exercises.



5. This intro tome to the art is a product of the golden age of Chi Kung (see Qigong Fever: Body, Science, and Utopia in China). It's the result of a buying spree by the author on a visit home to Taiwan, during which he snatched up every Chi Kung document he could find -- and in those days, before the Falun Gong crackdown, that was probably a *lot*.
   
   Yang's determination to cross-reference and characterize every single method he has read about is creditable, but as he freely admits, he certainly has not practiced every single thing he is describing. What you are getting here is a digest of written material. The initial attitude is great, speaking of tradition with the highest respect but also granting the need to test it and acknowledge it wrong if necessary, and insisting the reader not take the book as infallible.
   
   I learned from the pool of info -- terminological clarifications, subtle distinctions in breathing and work with the emotional mind, things of that kind. But I didn't learn as much as I had expected. The material is repetitive. It's mostly pretty basic stuff, but since it's presented neither simply enough nor coherently enough to practice from, I would not recommend it for a beginner. Conversely, if you are experienced in Chi Kung this will mostly be stuff you already know.
   
   Despite the initial "I'm not the final authority" attitude, there are endless exhortations with the words 'must' and 'should' about correct practice scattered everywhere; I don't always agree with them, nor with the order of work Yang lays out which he seems to regard as unshakably correct. Some warnings are useful, but the exhaustive list given here verges on the pedantic.
   
   Yang is good on interactions of Yi/intent with Xin/emotion, the various distinctions between forms of Jing and Qi, the relation of Shen to Ling -- things like that. Some of the definitions are overly rigid for my taste. Like so many writers of this period, Yang loves Western physics and medical physiology, but knows nothing of psychology (let alone things like art). "The gallbladder is responsible for decision-making" is more his mode. There's much speculation about the human magnetic field without evidence (as he admits) which he hopes could point to a 'physics of chi', but serious mental topics such as chi deviation and emotional regulation are considered entirely from the traditional "train your ape and this too shall pass" point of view. I found him a trifle Buddhist here for my taste, as he often considers emotion an infallible source of evil.
   
   Very properly, Yang wishes to point up the history of Chi Kung. His retailing isn't bad although scholars of Taoism might object to the ideas that exiting the wheel of dharma was the goal of all Chinese religious Chi Kung, that Taoism was an entirely scholarly phenomenon prior to the arrival of Buddhism, or that Taoists all believe in reincarnation. The information is again a little rigid and one-dimensional for a volume of scholarly research, but not straightforward practice material either. A visual summary of the 12 meridians and 8 vessels rounds out the presentation.
   
   Cultivators looking for additional perspective on their practice will find stuff here, but this isn't a good beginner's book. It's a product of its time. I still intend to check out the work Yang has done on the orbit and tendon/marrow traditions, and respect him as a researcher, but this work was a little less enlightening and all-embracing than I'd hoped a really big, juicy Chi Kung Encyclopedia might be.

5 comments about Heal Yourself With Qigong: Gentle Practices to Increase Energy, Restore Health, and Relax the Mind.

1. After three years of antibiotics, trying to rid myself of lyme disease, I had had enough of western medicine. Even in the western med world, there was a big bruhaha between the lyme specialists (who saw most everything as lyme and were sure that there had to be the right antibiotic brew out there somewhere) and the med skeptics (who thought if 30 days meds was good enough for the insurance companies, it was good enough for them). Problem was, I wasn't getting any better. So, on a referral from a friend, I visited this sassy, left coast, NY jewish, former lawyer, acupuncturist who started to pay attention to what I was saying. She treated me with needles and herbs, then Qi Gong. I don't which part did it, but the symptoms went away. Is the disease gone? I don't know. But I feel healthy. I am not beating up my body with antibiotics and I love Qi Gong! Now, she has writtten a book. The book is just as great as she is. She is clear. She is concise. She speaks Qi Gong from a western cultural perspective. So, it makes sense. Thanks, Suzanne, for everything!



2. A perfect home guide for your qigong meditation practice. Easy to read, clear descriptions of exercises, and useful illustrations are why this book is so valuable.
   
   I am studying acupuncture, and I am a massage therapist. This book is great for my personal qigong practice, and also incredibly helpful for showing clients and patients exercises to help with pain management and stress reduction.



3. This book has shown me how to relax and become one with my body. Everyone must read this book!



4. Ms. Friedman has the gift of being able to present sophisticated information in a non-pretentious and user friendly format. Judging by her introduction, she has learned to transform her lifestyle and free up her energy and this book provides the wisdom and practicality for the rest of us to join in. I know that as I get more familiarized with the exercises, I'll be sure to share the wealth with my psychotherapy clients



5. This book is amazing for finding just what you need to address whatever issue you may be having. It is easy to use and written with a personal touch. The illustrations are helpful and easy to follow and the exercises work! I do the stress-reliever technique often at home and I also do it with my high school students and they love it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their health and happiness into their own hands!

5 comments about The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing.

1. This is an authoritative book on QiGong written by one of the world's foremost teachers and practitioners of QiGong. This book is a very easy read and Ken's knowledge, wit and humor shine through in every page. It is a "must read" for anyone contemplating practicing Qi Gong. I bought the book five years ago and still refer to it regularly even thought I practice QiGong daily.
   Ronald A. Primas,MD,FACP



2. I have been a TaiChi practitioner for more than 10 years.
   TaiChi is also one kind of Qigong (ch'i kung).
   My life experience about TaiChi: it is life, healthy, and powerful, if a learner is on the right track.
   
   I think this book is as good as many original Qigong books in Chinese.
   
   
   Sam Song
   Author,
   Learning Chinese The Easy Way with great fun and joy!



3. The Way of QiGong is an extremely well-written and comprehensive history of qigong. Cohen, a China scholar and practitioner extraordinaire, characterizes qigong as "a wholistic system to self-healing exercise and meditation, an ancient, evolving practice that includes healing postures, movement, self-massage, breathing techniques and meditation."
   
   He explains the importance and meaning of qi and then discusses its many aspects--the stance, relaxation and breathing.
   Cohen goes on to explain that qigong meditation includes two types of practices-entering tranquility and healing visualization. He compares these to other meditaiton practices and how the practice nourishes and heals the body and mind.
   
   There are helpful illustrations of movements, a chapter on self-healing massage and a suggested year-long practice schedule, among many other details of this classic and healthful practice.
   
   The Way of Qigong is as interesting as it is comprehensive, as fascinating as it is practical, and as complex as it is perfectly simple.



4. One cannot start out with a better in-depth look at Qigong that is both interesting, useful, practical and still does not bog one down with too much extraneous information. Yes, Mr. Cohen seems to get carried away with some elements that seem unimportant (such as which teas to drink), but the book is a very encompassing look at Qigong and some taichi. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in improving their health; whether at the level of being quite ill to improving their already good health.



5. As a first book with a broad general description of the rationale behind qigong (and relevant chinese philosophical and medical concepts) this is a well organized and very readable initiation.
   
   Some Strengths:
   1. The breadth of the author's personal study here and in China. He has not only been a scholar of QiGong, but also of the language, culture and religion, especially Daoism -- the ancient chinese root of these practices. This broader context enriches his ability to read more widely in the original sources/commentaries, to ground what he teaches in its social context for China as well as the US, and to be discriminative about implied meanings and claims.
   2. The breadth of his studies in other indigenous health traditions, whether specifically mentioned here or not, I suspect adds to his comparative abilities to recognize and ocmmunicate some of the "universal" concepts particularly well for beginners.
   3. Very extensive footnoting and referencing which helps provide more sources for those interested to verify his assertions and/or expand their own studies. These provide a solid resource for returning even after the "beginning stage" seemed to have past -- then again at some level one may be a beginner for a very long time when attempting to understand and use a tradition that has evolved across millenia!!!
   4. Appropriate and useful information about learning to "interpret" scientific studies about qigong and the claims of masters.
   5. Introduction to some of the most common techniques for health purposes (Eight Brocades, Five Animal Frolics, etc) with readily accessible references to study them more deeply.
   6. Includes a representative variety of breathing, meditation and active techniques -- many of which are adaptable to persons with limited physical endurance or mobility.
   6. A schematic of a potential learning/workout program that can then be individualized according to one's own needs/interests.
   
   Persons wishing to learn a single technique in great detail (such as microcosmic breathing, the Eight Brocades, or the full movements associated with a particular school or animal) may find this work by itself to be too broad and not deep enough for their specific focus. Likewise, the person who is time pressured and just wants a simple place to start a few exercises may feel lost in all the choices and details. However, I enjoyed finding his carefully detailed and researched map of the world of QiGong. Thus am grateful for the opportunity to experience through his eyes a well-guided skyview, before attempting to diving in on my own solo missions. After the first read; I have eagerly returned to select my own places to start within his array of choices, I have felt better equipped with knowledge about why I would be doing a particular practice, and I have felt his book enhanced my enjoyment of seeing where these trails lead me.
   
   A nice companion for those unavoidable hurried times, however, are the very succinct books by Suzanne Friedmann.