Chinese Fitness A Mind/Body Approach–Qigong for Healthy and Joyful Living

by Liu, Qingshan

• ISBN13: 9781886969377
• ISBN10: 188696937X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-05-20
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center

Summary

The hows and whys of Qigong-- includes two complete sets of exercises.

Author Biography

Qingshan Liu has practiced Qigong and Taijiquan since his childhood. He learned this thousand year old art from several famous masters in China and was acknowledged as a master, even as a youth, after he successfully passed rigorous exams. Liu studied modern Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, acupressure, and Tuina-Anmo therapeutic massage at the Beijing Union Medical College in China.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Chapter 1: Qi and Qigong--An Introduction	1	(14)
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine	1	(2)
What is Qi?	3	(1)
Experiencing Qi	4	(1)
What is Qigong?	4	(1)
Properties of Qi	5	(1)
Where does Qi Exist?	6	(1)
The Meridians (Jing Luo)	6	(1)
Qi Centers (Dan Tian)	7	(1)
Qi, Health, and Sickness	8	(1)
The Two Main Forms of Qi	8	(1)
The Five Physiological Functions of Qi	9	(1)
Qi, Body and Mind	10	(2)
History and School of Qigong	12	(3)
Chapter 2: The Basics of Qigong	15	(4)
The Qigong Principle	15	(2)
Further Basic Elements of Qigong	17	(2)
Chapter 3: The Practice of Qigong	19	(82)
A) DO'S AND DONTS	19	(6)
When to Practice	19	(2)
When not to Practice	21	(1)
Where to Prectice	21	(1)
What to Wear	22	(1)
Eating and Drinking	22	(1)
Duration of Qigong Exercises	23	(1)
How long does the effect of a Qigong exercise last?	23	(2)
B) QIGONG EXERCISE	25	(10)
Standing Exercise	25	(3)
Concluding Exercise	28	(4)
Qigong Harmony in 18 Figures (Taiji Qigong)	32	(3)
Description of the 18 Figures	35	(44)
Figure 1: Awakening the Qi	36	(2)
Figure 2: Opening and Expanding the Chest	38	(2)
Figure 3: Moving a Rainbow	40	(2)
Figure 4: Pusing the Clouds Apart	42	(2)
Figure 5: Rolling the Arms	44	(4)
Figure 6: Rowing on a Calm Lake	48	(4)
Figure 7: Lifting the Sun with a Hand	52	(2)
Figure 8: Turn the Head and Look at the Moon	54	(2)
Figure 9: Turn the Upper Body, Push the Palms of the Hands	56	(2)
Figure 10: Hands of the Clouds in Riding Position	58	(2)
Figure 11: Grab the Bottom of the Sea, Look to the Sky	60	(4)
Figure 12: Move the Waves	64	(2)
Figure 13: The Flying Dove Spreads Its Wings	66	(2)
Figure 14: Push the Fist and Stretch the Arm	68	(2)
Figure 15: Fly Like an Engle (or a Wild Goose)	70	(2)
Figure 16: Revolve Like a Windmill	72	(2)
Figure 17: Play with a Ball Like a Child	74	(2)
Figure 18: Quieting the Qi	76	(3)
The Eight Figures for Every Day	79	(19)
Figure 1: Movement of the Upper Extremities	80	(2)
Figure 2: Movement of the Fist Jab	82	(4)
Figure 3: Expanding the Chest	86	(2)
Figure 4: Swinging the Legs	88	(2)
Figure 5: Bending the Upper Body	90	(2)
Figure 6: Turning the Upper Body	92	(2)
Figure 7: Train the Stomach and Back Muscles	94	(2)
Figure 8: Jumping Exercise	96	(2)
C) SUGGESTIONS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE SYTLE	98	(3)
Chapter 4: Questions About the Practice of Qigong	101	(6)
How do I think about nothing when exercising?	101	(1)
Should I exercise with my eyes open or closed?	102	(1)
How does deep breathing take place?	102	(1)
Why should men and women do some exercises from different sides?	103	(1)
What should I do if my legs tremble or knees hurt during the standing exercise?	103	(1)
Can I by means of expanding the chest area relax tensions there?	104	(1)
What can I do against shoulder blade pains?	104	(1)
What should I do if too much saliva collects during exercise?	105	(1)
Why do I yawn during Qigong? Does it make me tired?	105	(1)
Is it dangerous if I experience strange sensations when exercising?	106	(1)
Can I do exercises one after another from different Qigong schools?	106	(1)
Chapter 5: Advanced Theory	107	(27)
The Healing Tones	107	(1)
Introduction to the Theory of the Five Phases of Transformation (or Elements>	108	(3)
Introduction to the Meridian System	111	(21)
Functions of the Meridians	132	(1)
Yin-Yang	133	(1)
Appendix A--OMNI-MOBIL	134	(2)
Appendix B--Seminars with Master Liu	136	(3)
Appendix C--Qigong Retreat	139	(2)
About the Author	141	(1)
Bibligraphy	142	(1)
Index	143