Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body

by FRANTZIS, BRUCE

• ISBN13: 9781583941461
• ISBN10: 1583941460
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-12-23
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Summary

Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body is a powerhouse of information that will surprise you. Its clarity and depth have inspired tens of thousands of Westerners to learn chi gung, a 3,000-year-old exercise system from China.

Author Biography

Since 1961, Bruce Frantzis has been following the Taoist path of warrior/healer/priest through the study and teaching of martial arts, Chinese healing therapies (chi gung) and meditation. He spent more than a decade training in China and is believed to be the first Westerner to hold authentic lineages in Taoist energy arts. He is the author of several books on living Taoism.

• He speaks fluent Chinese and spent 11 years in China studying tai chi, chi gung and other Taoist health, martial arts and spiritual practices with some of its greatest masters.
• While in China, Frantzis learned Chinese medical principles and earned an acupuncture degree in Hong Kong. He was a chi gung healing specialist who worked in Chinese medical clinics for over a decade.
• He is believed to be the first Westerner to become a Taoist Lineage Master, empowering him to teach tai chi, ba gua, chi gung and other Taoist energy arts.
• By the time he was 18 years old, Frantzis had earned black belts in karate, judo, ju-jitsu, iaido and aikido. At 18, he left New York for Japan. There studied with Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and was a member of the university karate team that won the All-Japan Championships that year.
• He has trained over 10,000 students in tai chi, ba gua, chi gung, breathing and other Taoist energy arts.
• Some of his students have founded major martial arts schools in America and Europe.

Table of Contents

Dedication	v
Acknowledgments	xix
Note to the Reader	1	(2)
Foreword: Bruce K. Frantzis: The Path of Warrior/Healer/Priest by Stuart Kenter	3	(16)
Hong Kong: In Search of the Elusive Chi Power	3	(2)
Beijing: Grandmaster Liu Hung Chieh	5	(1)
New York City: The First Training Ground	6	(2)
Tokyo: The Path through Aikido	8	(1)
Taiwan: The Astonishing Wang Shu Jin	8	(3)
India: Meditation as Chi Cultivation	11	(2)
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Poona, Beijing: From Consummate Fighter to Consummate Healer	13	(3)
Denver: The Crisis of Self-Healing	16	(1)
Beijing Again: The Final Lesson with Liu	17	(2)
Introduction to the Revised Edition	19	(236)
The Growing Acceptance of Chi Gung in the West	19	(1)
What the New Edition Contains	20	(3)
Chi and Chi Gung	23	(16)
What Is Chi?	23	(1)
What Is Chi Gung?	23	(1)
China's 3,000-Year-Old System of Self-Healing	24	(5)
Chi Gung Gives Mental Clarity	24	(1)
The Three Spiritual Treasures	25	(1)
Clearing Energy Blocks	25	(1)
A Complete System of Personal Development	26	(1)
Chi Gung Can Be Practiced by People of Any Religion	26	(1)
Chi Gung Is Not a Cult	26	(1)
The Mind Directs the Chi	27	(1)
Relationship of Chi Gung to Tai Chi	27	(1)
Many Benefits to Group Practice of Chi Gung	27	(1)
Chi Gung Teaches the Art of Moderation: The 70% Rule	28	(1)
These Chi Gung Exercises Are Safe for All Ages	28	(1)
The West's Medical Crisis	29	(2)
Health Insurance Does Not Guarantee Good Health	30	(1)
Basic Questions Regarding the Health Crisis	31	(1)
The Chi Gung Solution to China's Medical Crisis	31	(1)
The Benefits of Chi Gung	32	(7)
Loosens the Muscles and Builds Power	32	(1)
Strengthens the Organs	33	(1)
Improves Cardio-pulmonary Function	33	(1)
Strengthens the Nerves	33	(1)
Improves Vascular Function	34	(1)
Chi Gung Can Be Used by the Seriously Ill	34	(1)
Helps Prevent Injury to Joints, Ligaments and Bones	34	(1)
Speeds Recovery Time from Injuries and Operations	35	(1)
Builds Athletic and Martial Arts Power	35	(1)
Eases Stress and Balances Emotions	36	(1)
Benefits Sedentary Workers and Meditators	36	(3)
How Chi Gung Works	39	(8)
The Internal Mechanics: Chi Gung and Body Health	39	(2)
Blood Is Circulated Without Stress on the Heart	39	(1)
The Lymph Pump and Immune System Are Strengthened	39	(1)
Synovial Fluid Is Revitalized, Bringing Flexibility to Joints	40	(1)
Cerebrospinal Pump Becomes Efficient	40	(1)
Muscle Tissue Gains Elasticity	40	(1)
Tendons Are Strengthened	40	(1)
Bone Marrow Is Energized	41	(1)
Body Cells Are Healed	41	(1)
The Process of Awakening Chi	41	(2)
The Body-Awakening Process Is Irregular	41	(1)
Never Force Open Body Parts That Are Blocked	42	(1)
Your Chi Is Growing Even If You Cannot Feel It	42	(1)
Strange Sensations Are Normal	42	(1)
Chi Gung Frees Trapped Emotions	42	(1)
Taoist, Kundalini and Western Psychotherapy	43	(2)
Taoist Therapy Emphasizes Dissolving Emotions into the Flow of Chi	44	(1)
Chi Gung Does Not Replace Psychotherapy or Medical Advice	45	(1)
Cultivate Your Chi Slowly and Safely	45	(2)
Chi Gung Theory	47	(16)
The Gap Between Chi Gung as It Is Taught in China and the West	47	(2)
The Chinese Language Barrier	47	(1)
The Challenge of Transplanting Chinese Cultural Ideas	48	(1)
Traditional Chi Gung and Nei Gung: What's the Difference?	49	(3)
Nei Gung Moves from the Inside Out; Chi Gung Moves from the Outside In	49	(1)
Chi Gung Moves Chi with Separate Body Movements; Nei Gung Moves Chi through Multiple Simultaneous Mind-Body Interactions	50	(1)
In Chi Gung, the Breath Moves the Chi Indirectly; in Nei Gung, the Mind Moves the Chi Directly	51	(1)
Nei Gung and the Energy Bodies	51	(1)
Chi Gung and Nei Gung Each Have Unique Strengths	52	(1)
The Internal Martial Arts: Tai Chi, Hsing-I and Ba Gua	52	(2)
Tai Chi Is Primarily Practiced for Health in China	52	(1)
Hsing-I and Ba Gua: Fighting Methods That Promote Long Life	53	(1)
Three Levels of Chi Gung: Body, Chi and Mind	54	(3)
Body Synergy Increases Your Reservoir of Chi	55	(1)
Importance of Preserving Your ``Life Capital''	56	(1)
Your Core Reserve of Energy Is Critical	56	(1)
Chi Gung's Fundamental Principle: Heaven, Earth, and Man	57	(1)
The Components of Standing	57	(3)
The Descending Chi Current: From Heaven to Earth	57	(2)
The Ascending Chi Current: From Earth to Heaven	59	(1)
Humans Must Balance These Currents	59	(1)
Do Not Skip Steps in Chi Gung Training	60	(3)
Cultivate Your Chi Slowly, with Frequent Repetition	61	(2)
Chi Gung and Other Exercises	63	(14)
External Exercise	63	(1)
Internal Exercise	64	(3)
Alignments: Biomechanics	64	(1)
Breath	65	(1)
Energy	66	(1)
Spirituality	66	(1)
Taoist Chi Gung Is Primarily Internal	66	(1)
Chi Gung Leads You into Nei Gung	66	(1)
Chi Gung Improves the Body/Mind Connection	67	(1)
Chi Gung Is a Good Internal Warm-up for Other Exercise Systems	68	(1)
Cross-Training with Chi Gung	68	(3)
Consciously Tensing or Relaxing Muscles and Joints	69	(1)
Tradeoffs for Yin and Yang Personalities	69	(2)
Stress-Reducing and Stress-Producing Exercises	71	(1)
Chi Gung Is Good Cross-Training for Golf and Weight Training	71	(2)
Weight Training	71	(1)
Golf	72	(1)
Hatha Yoga and Chi Gung	73	(2)
Chi Gung Can Improve Hatha Yoga Practice	73	(2)
Taoist Yoga	75	(2)
Breath and Chi	77	(18)
Taoist Breathing/Longevity Breathing: What's the Difference?	77	(1)
Breathing with Your Belly	78	(1)
What Longevity Breathing Accomplishes	79	(2)
Increases Oxygen Levels	79	(1)
Gets Rid of Carbon Dioxide	79	(1)
Helps You Relax	80	(1)
Improves the Functioning of the Internal Organs	80	(1)
Longevity Breathing Practices Are Fundamental to Taoist Meditation	81	(1)
Taoist Breathing and Pranayama Yoga	81	(1)
Learning Longevity Breathing	82	(4)
Breathing Benchmarks	83	(1)
Anatomy of Longevity Breathing	83	(1)
Guidelines for Learning	84	(2)
How Long Will It Take to Learn Longevity Breathing?	86	(1)
Lesson 1: Move Your Belly Forward	86	(1)
Lesson 2: Bring Movement to All Parts of Your Belly	87	(1)
Lesson 3: Move the Sides of Your Belly	88	(1)
Lesson 4: Breathe Into Your Lower Back and Kidneys	89	(1)
Lesson 5: Move Your Belly in All Directions Simultaneously	90	(1)
Lesson 6: Breathe Into Your Upper Back	90	(2)
Important Points to Remember	92	(1)
Breathing and All Chi Gung Movements	93	(2)
Basic Standing and Sitting Alignments	95	(18)
Six Core Exercises	95	(1)
Body Alignments	95	(1)
Lesson 1: Standing Alignments	96	(6)
Placement of the Feet	96	(1)
Placement of the Spine	97	(1)
Placement of the Neck and Head	98	(1)
The Eyes and the Tongue	99	(1)
Placement of the Chest	100	(2)
Give Your Organs an Internal Massage	102	(2)
Raise Your Spine and Spread Your Shoulder Blades	102	(1)
Small Heavenly Orbit: Internal Organs Sink as Spine Rises	103	(1)
Palms Face Backwards as Hands Rest on Sides of Thighs	104	(1)
Lesson 2: Sitting Alignments	104	(5)
Basic Sitting Posture	104	(4)
Lift Your Kwa While You Sit	108	(1)
Exercises to Stretch Your Kwa	109	(1)
Lesson 3: Stand and Settle In	110	(3)
Fundamental Standing Techniques: Sinking, Scanning and Dissolving Your Chi	113	(16)
What Is Sinking Chi?	113	(2)
How the Author Learned to Sung	114	(1)
Two-Person Exercise for Letting Go	115	(1)
Lesson 1: Sink Your Chi	115	(4)
Physical Signs of Sinking Your Chi	117	(2)
Dropping Your Body and Sinking Your Chi Can Be Confused	119	(1)
Important Points to Remember	119	(1)
Next Level of Sinking	120	(1)
Lesson 2: Scan Your Energy Body	120	(2)
Shifting from the Physical to Chi	120	(2)
Helpful Hints for Awakening Your Chi	122	(1)
What Relaxed Chi Feels Like	123	(1)
Lesson 3: The Chi Outer Dissolving Process	123	(6)
Relationship Between Sinking and Dissolving Chi	123	(1)
The Etheric Body and Dissolving	124	(3)
The Human Energy Body Expands and Contracts	127	(1)
Principles Behind the Dissolving Process	127	(1)
Be Gentle with Yourself	127	(2)
Opening the Energy Gates of the Body	129	(24)
What Are the Energy Gates?	129	(1)
Important Major and Minor Gates of the Body	130	(14)
Head and Neck	130	(3)
Shoulders	133	(1)
Arms	134	(2)
Torso	136	(4)
Pelvis	140	(1)
Legs	141	(2)
Below the Feet and Above the Head	143	(1)
Opening the Gates: A Lesson Plan	144	(2)
Guidelines for Practicing Standing Chi Gung	146	(3)
Coordinating Your Breath with Chi Gung Movements	149	(4)
Breath and Emotions	150	(1)
Dealing with Negative Emotions	150	(3)
Cloud Hands: Rooting the Lower Body	153	(14)
Cloud Hands Is the Most Complete Chi Gung Movement	153	(1)
Transition from Standing and Dissolving to Cloud Hands	154	(1)
Gently Open Your Eyes	154	(1)
Lesson 1: Root the Lower Body	155	(1)
Lesson 2: Point Your Tailbone Down and Slowly Shift Weight	156	(1)
Important Points to Remember	157	(2)
Mechanics of the Joints	159	(4)
Negative Effects of Joint Problems on the Whole Body	159	(1)
Proper Alignment of the Knee Joint	160	(1)
The Knee Is a Weight-Transference Joint, Not a Weight-Bearing Joint	160	(1)
Two-Person Exercise to Test the Alignment of the Knee Joint	161	(1)
Importance of Opening the Back of the Knee Joint	161	(1)
Two-Person Exercise to Align the Knee and Ankle Joints	161	(2)
Lesson 3: Opening and Closing the Kwa	163	(4)
What Is the Kwa?	163	(4)
Cloud Hands: Spiraling the Upper Body	167	(14)
The Spine Connects the Arms and the Legs	167	(1)
Lesson 1: Connecting the Arms to the Spine	168	(2)
Two-Person Feedback Exercise	169	(1)
Lesson 2: Move Elbow Joints to Activate the Spinal Pump	170	(1)
Lesson 3: Open the Hip Joint to Turn the Spine	171	(3)
Lesson 4: Sink One Side to Raise the Other	174	(1)
Lesson 5: ``Spinning Silk'' with the Arms and Legs	175	(6)
The First Swing	181	(8)
The Swings Energize Vital Organs and Joints	181	(1)
The Three Tantiens and Jiaos of Chinese Medicine	181	(1)
Lesson 1: Leg and Hip Movement Is the Same as Cloud Hands	182	(1)
Central Energy Channel	183	(1)
Lesson 2: Arm Movements	184	(5)
Two-Person Exercise to Release Shoulder and Elbow Tension	187	(2)
The Second Swing	189	(12)
The Second Swing Strengthens the Liver and Spleen and Dissolves Stress	189	(1)
The Challenge: Shift Weight and Turn at the Kwa	189	(1)
Lesson One: Hip and Leg Movements	190	(4)
Important Points to Remember	194	(1)
Lesson Two: Lift and Lower the Foot	194	(4)
Lesson Three: The Arm Movements for the Second Swing	198	(3)
The Third Swing	201	(14)
The Third Swing Invigorates Chi in the Upper Body	201	(1)
Lesson One: Leg and Kwa Movements	201	(5)
Guidelines for Learning the Leg Swings	202	(4)
Lesson Two: Preparatory Arm Exercises	206	(2)
Lesson Three: The Five-Part Movement of the Third Swing	208	(4)
Guidelines for the Third Swing	212	(3)
The Taoist Spine Stretch	215	(18)
A Supple Spine Is the Backbone of Good Health	215	(1)
The Posterior and Anterior Sides of the Spine	216	(1)
Spine Warm-ups	217	(2)
Lesson 1: The Taoist Spine Stretch--First Half	219	(3)
Lesson 2: The Taoist Spine Stretch--Second Half	222	(2)
Guidelines for Practicing the Taoist Spine Stretch	224	(1)
Doing the Taoist Spine Stretch While Sitting	225	(1)
Sitting Spine Stretch Warm-ups	225	(1)
The Sitting Spine Stretch	226	(1)
The Next Level of the Spine Stretch	226	(7)
Advanced Warm-up 1: Feel Your Spine More Precisely	228	(1)
Advanced Warm-up 2: Kwa Bend--The Next Level	229	(1)
How to Apply Sinking and Dissolving During the Spine Stretch	229	(4)
Nei Gung: The Heart of Taoist Energy Practices	233	(22)
Going to the Next Level of Chi Gung	233	(1)
Intellectual and Embodied Knowledge	233	(1)
The Next Level of Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body	234	(2)
Standing Postures	234	(2)
Spiraling Energy Body Chi Gung	236	(1)
The 16 Components of the Nei Gung System	236	(4)
The Nei Gung Continuum of Knowledge	240	(2)
Learning Real Nei Gung	240	(1)
Directly and Indirectly Experiencing Chi	241	(1)
The Complexity of Nei Gung	242	(1)
Nei Gung 1: Breathing Methods from the Simple to the Complex	242	(6)
Lengthening the Breath--Three Stages	243	(1)
Connecting the Diaphragm, Belly and Internal Organs	243	(1)
Breathing into Your Lower Tantien	244	(1)
Reverse Breathing	245	(1)
Spinal Breathing	245	(1)
Circular Breathing	245	(2)
Nei Gung and Circularity	247	(1)
Nei Gung 2: Moving Energy	248	(1)
Nei Gung 3: Alignments	248	(1)
Nei Gung 4: Dissolving	249	(1)
Nei Gung 5: Main and Secondary Acupuncture Channels	249	(1)
Nei Gung 6: Bending and Stretching	250	(1)
Nei Gung 7: Opening and Closing	250	(1)
Nei Gung 8: The Etheric Body or Aura	251	(1)
Nei Gung 9: Spiraling	251	(1)
Nei Gung 10: Absorbing and Projecting	251	(1)
Nei Gung 11: The Spine	252	(1)
Nei Gung 12--15: The Left, Right and Central Channels and Three Tantiens	252	(1)
Nei Gung 16: Integration	253	(1)
Chi Gung Is the Foundation for Shen Gung	253	(2)
Afterword	255	(2)
An Abundance of Chi Is Your Birthright	255	(1)
You Must Practice to Reap the Benefits	255	(2)
APPENDIX A: Guidelines for Practice	257	(6)
Practice Until Your Joints Feel Well-Lubricated	257	(1)
If You Feel Pain, Use Slower and Smaller Movements	257	(1)
Special Warning, Do Not Overstrain Knee Joints	258	(1)
Movement Artists: If You Feel Fatigue, Change to the Next Swing	259	(1)
Martial Artists: Do Not Visualize Fighting Applications	259	(1)
Best Time to Practice	259	(1)
How Often Should I Practice?	260	(1)
Use Chi Gung to Manage Stress	261	(1)
Toxin Release Will Be Followed by Energy Flow	262	(1)
Special Note for Women	262	(1)
Special Note for Men	262	(1)
APPENDIX B: Searching for a Qualified Teacher	263	(3)
Finding a Chi Gung Teacher	263	(1)
What to Look for in a Good Teacher	264	(1)
Finding a Nei Gung Teacher	264	(2)
APPENDIX C: Importance of Correct Chi Gung Practice	266	(10)
Every Body Is Different	266	(1)
Chi Travels through the Nerves	266	(1)
Safety Comparison of Pranayama and Chi Gung	267	(1)
Pranayama Is Based on Breathing and Packing	268	(1)
Benefit-to-Risk Relationship in Chi Gung	268	(1)
Learning Chi Gung in China	268	(1)
Taoists Stress the Spiritual Framework of Chi Gung	269	(1)
Comparing Chi Gung Systems	269	(5)
Improper Chi Gung Practice Can Cause Problems	270	(1)
Too Much Chi Is Painful	270	(1)
Sexual Chi Gung Can Be Dangerous	271	(1)
The Downside of Packing Chi	272	(1)
Vibrating Chi Can Have Unpleasant Side Effects	273	(1)
Discharging Energy	274	(1)
The Dangers of Forcing and Fast Results	275	(1)
Most Chi Gung Is Safe	275	(1)
APPENDIX D: Techniques to Alleviate Tension and Discomfort While Sitting in a Chair	276	(3)
Sitting and Pain	278	(1)
APPENDIX E: Origin of Material in This Book	279	(2)
Liu Hung Chieh's Education as a Taoist Master	280	(1)
APPENDIX F: About the Romanization of Chinese Words in This Book	281	(2)
APPENDIX G: The Living Taoism Collection and B. K. Frantzis Energy Arts Teachings	283	(8)
The B. K. Frantzis Energy Arts® System	283	(3)
Core Chi Gung Practices	284	(1)
Longevity Breathing Program	284	(1)
Dragon and Tiger Chi Gung	284	(1)
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Chi Gung	285	(1)
Marriage of Heaven and Earth Chi Gung	285	(1)
Bend the Bow Chi Gung	285	(1)
Spiraling Energy Body Chi Gung	285	(1)
Gods Playing in the Clouds Chi Gung	285	(1)
Tai Chi and Ba Gua as Health Arts	285	(1)
Healing Others	286	(1)
Chi Gung Tui Na	286	(1)
Chi Gung Therapy	286	(1)
Internal Martial Arts	287	(1)
Tai Chi Chuan	287	(1)
Ba Gua Chang	287	(1)
Hsing-I Chuan	287	(1)
Meditation	288	(1)
Taoist Meditation	288	(1)
Tai Chi as Meditation	288	(1)
Living Taoism™ Collection	288	(1)
Books	289	(1)
CDs and DVDs	289	(1)
Training Opportunities	289	(1)
Instructor Certification	289	(1)
Contact Information	290	(1)
Index	291

Excerpts

Attaining Your True Nature
Taoists cherish practices that raise the human being from the "Inferior Man" to the "Superior Man" of the I Ching…To do so, the energy of one's body and emotions needs to be strong and balanced. If you are ill, chi gung will provide you with a means to become healthy; if your mind is disordered, chi gung can give you a way to attain balanced discipline and perseverance. If you are healthy, chi gung can raise your energy level, release suppressed talents, and prepare the body/mind/spirit to succeed in Taoist meditation. All people are born "inferior"—it is only through great effort and genuine humility that a person transcends. All sane people wish to be healthy and strong; all those interested in spirituality wish to attain their true nature. In Taoism, chi gung is the first basic method for achieving these very human goals. (Note to the Reader of the New Edition)

Chi Gung Works with the Fluids of the Body
In chi gung, blood is circulated without stress on the heart. Unlike aerobics, chi gung does not dramatically increase the heart rate during exercise. The object of chi gung is not to make the heart pump more strongly, but to increase the elasticity of the vascular system. As the vessels expand and contract with more vigor, the heart does not need to pump as strongly, thereby providing it with more rest.

The lymph fluids are moved primarily by tiny muscular expansions and contractions. The chi gung techniques taught here employ some of their strongest motions where the largest lymph nodes are located; that is, the armpits, the backs of the knees, and the inguinal region. Chi gung’s relatively fine muscular expansions and contractions move lymph efficiently through the entire system. These actions, as well as the overall increase in chi that chi gung brings, strengthen the body's immune response.

Synovial fluid is found in joints. Chi gung lubricates them, allows joint flexibility, and when functioning normally helps prevent arthritis and rheumatism. From the point of view of Chinese medicine, when “wind/damp” or physical obstructions (coagulated blood, calcium deposits, and so on) get struck in the joints, the results are not only specific joint problems but a decrease in the flow of chi through the entire body as well. Chi gung works with the synovial fluid by compressing and expanding it, preventing and reversing all sorts of joint problems. (Chapter 2: How Chi Gung Works)

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Excerpted from Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body: Chi Gung for Lifelong Health by Bruce Frantzis
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.