The Essence of Chi-Gung A Handbook of Basic Forms for Daily Practice

by REID, DANIEL P.

• ISBN13: 9781590309629
• ISBN10: 1590309626
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-10
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

The beneficial health effects of daily chi-gung practice have long been known in China, but in the West, chi-gung is becoming increasingly used for general well-being and to complement conventional medical treatment. The Essence of Chi-Gungis an easy-to-use workbook that teaches the fundamentals of chi-gung practice and provides a safe, basic daily regimen that can be adapted for people of all ages and physical abilities. The view in Chinese medicine is that good health is maintained by circulating and increasing chi, the vital life energy that we are all born with. In chi-gung practice, slow, rhythmic breathing is synchronized with body movements, in a way which is beneficial to both the nervous and immune systems and to overall health. This manual includes over fifty step-by-step illustrations of the warm-up exercises and movement forms.

Author Biography

Daniel P. Reid is a leading Western authority on traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist healing practices and has studied and practiced Chinese medicine for over twenty years. He is the author of The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing; A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung; The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity; The Tao of Detox; A Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs; and The Shambhala Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Moving Forms	p. 1
Warm-Up Set: Stretching and Loosening the Body	p. 8
Main Practice Set: Synchronizing Breath and Body Movement	p. 40
Cool-Down Set: Collecting and Condensing Energy in the Cauldron	p. 52
Additional Forms	p. 62
Still Forms	p. 93
Index of Exercises	p. 111
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