Library's review
Qigong (chi kung), the Chinese study of life energy, is an ancient fitness and healing practice. This book presents two complete sets of simple, invigorating qigong exercises that improve the flow of qi (chi) in your body, tone and stretch the major muscle groups, increase your energy, and help you
Unlike many Western exercises that center on mindless repetition and aggressive movements, qigong is an effective fitness alternative that involves the mind as much as the body. You will learn to gently focus your attention on qi, breathing, posture, and simple, revitalizing movements. This book also explains the basic concepts of qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Today thousands of people throughout China practice qigong every day to stay fit, and more and more Westerners are discovering the value of this timeless practice.
Enjoy improved health and increased energy.
Relieve mental and physical stress.
Discover this refreshing alternative to Western exercise.
Includes more than 250 photographs to help you practice.
International Qigong instructor Qingshan Liu was educated in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine at Beijing Union Medical College in China. He has practiced qigong since childhoood, and is president of the Qigong Academy of Munich. He lives in Munich, Germany.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Qi and Qigong-An introduction
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medicine
What is Qi?
Experiencing qi
What is qigong?
Properties of qi
Where does qi exist?
The meridians (jing luo)
Qi centers (dan tien)
Qi, helath, and sickness
The two main forms of qi
The five physiological functions of qi
Qi, body, and mind
History and schools of qigong
Chapter 2 The basics of qigong
The qigong principle
Further basic elements of qigong
Chapter 3 The practice of qigong
A Do;s and donts
When to practice
Wen not to practice
Where to practice
What to wear
Eating and drinking
Durationof qigong exercises
How long does the effect of a qigong exercise last?
B Qigong exercise
Standing exercise
Concluding exercise
Qigong harmony in 18 figurs (tai qigong)
C Description of the 18 figures
Figure 1 Awakening the qi
Figure 2 Opening and expanding the chest
Figure 3 Moving a rainbow
Figure 4 Pushing the clouds apart
Figure 5 Rolling the arms
Figure 6 Rowing on a calm lake
Figure 7 Lifting the sun with a hand
Figure 8 Turn the head andlook at themoon
Figure 9 Turn the upper body, push the palms of the hands
Figure 10 Hands of the clouds in riding position
Figure 11 Grab the bottom of the sea, look to the sky
Figure 12 Move the waves
Figure 13 The flying dove spreads its wings
Figure 14 Push the fist and stretch the arm
Figure 15 Fly like an eagle (or a wild goose)
Figure 16 Revolve like a windmill
Figure 17 Play with a ball like a child
Figure 18 Quieting the qi
D The eight figures for every day
Figure 1 Movement of the upper extremities
Figure 2 Movement of the fist jab
Figure 3 Expanding the chest
Figure 4 swinging the legs
Figure 5 Bending the upper body
Figure 6 Turning the upper body
Figure 7 Train the stomach and back muscles
Figure 8 Jumping exercise
Chapter 4 Questions about the practice of qigong
How do I think about nothing when exercising?
Should I exercise with my eyes oopen or closed?
How does deep brathing take place?
Why should men and women do some exercises from different sides?
What should I do if my legs tremble or knees hurt during the standing exercise?
Can I by means of expanding the chest area relax tensions there?
What can I do against shoulder blade pains?
What shuld I do if too much saliva collects during exercise?
Why do I yawn durning qigong? Does it make me tired?
Is it dangerous if I experience strange sensations when exercising?
Can I do exercises one after another from different qigong schools?
Chapter 5 Advanced theory
The healing tones
Introduction to the theory of the five phases of transformation (or elements)
Introduction to the meridian system
Functions of the meridians
Yin-yang
Appendix A ONMI-MOBIL
Appendix B Seminars with Master Liu
Appendix C Qigong retreat
About the author
Bibliography
Index
Show More
relax.Unlike many Western exercises that center on mindless repetition and aggressive movements, qigong is an effective fitness alternative that involves the mind as much as the body. You will learn to gently focus your attention on qi, breathing, posture, and simple, revitalizing movements. This book also explains the basic concepts of qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Today thousands of people throughout China practice qigong every day to stay fit, and more and more Westerners are discovering the value of this timeless practice.
Enjoy improved health and increased energy.
Relieve mental and physical stress.
Discover this refreshing alternative to Western exercise.
Includes more than 250 photographs to help you practice.
International Qigong instructor Qingshan Liu was educated in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine at Beijing Union Medical College in China. He has practiced qigong since childhoood, and is president of the Qigong Academy of Munich. He lives in Munich, Germany.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Qi and Qigong-An introduction
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medicine
What is Qi?
Experiencing qi
What is qigong?
Properties of qi
Where does qi exist?
The meridians (jing luo)
Qi centers (dan tien)
Qi, helath, and sickness
The two main forms of qi
The five physiological functions of qi
Qi, body, and mind
History and schools of qigong
Chapter 2 The basics of qigong
The qigong principle
Further basic elements of qigong
Chapter 3 The practice of qigong
A Do;s and donts
When to practice
Wen not to practice
Where to practice
What to wear
Eating and drinking
Durationof qigong exercises
How long does the effect of a qigong exercise last?
B Qigong exercise
Standing exercise
Concluding exercise
Qigong harmony in 18 figurs (tai qigong)
C Description of the 18 figures
Figure 1 Awakening the qi
Figure 2 Opening and expanding the chest
Figure 3 Moving a rainbow
Figure 4 Pushing the clouds apart
Figure 5 Rolling the arms
Figure 6 Rowing on a calm lake
Figure 7 Lifting the sun with a hand
Figure 8 Turn the head andlook at themoon
Figure 9 Turn the upper body, push the palms of the hands
Figure 10 Hands of the clouds in riding position
Figure 11 Grab the bottom of the sea, look to the sky
Figure 12 Move the waves
Figure 13 The flying dove spreads its wings
Figure 14 Push the fist and stretch the arm
Figure 15 Fly like an eagle (or a wild goose)
Figure 16 Revolve like a windmill
Figure 17 Play with a ball like a child
Figure 18 Quieting the qi
D The eight figures for every day
Figure 1 Movement of the upper extremities
Figure 2 Movement of the fist jab
Figure 3 Expanding the chest
Figure 4 swinging the legs
Figure 5 Bending the upper body
Figure 6 Turning the upper body
Figure 7 Train the stomach and back muscles
Figure 8 Jumping exercise
Chapter 4 Questions about the practice of qigong
How do I think about nothing when exercising?
Should I exercise with my eyes oopen or closed?
How does deep brathing take place?
Why should men and women do some exercises from different sides?
What should I do if my legs tremble or knees hurt during the standing exercise?
Can I by means of expanding the chest area relax tensions there?
What can I do against shoulder blade pains?
What shuld I do if too much saliva collects during exercise?
Why do I yawn durning qigong? Does it make me tired?
Is it dangerous if I experience strange sensations when exercising?
Can I do exercises one after another from different qigong schools?
Chapter 5 Advanced theory
The healing tones
Introduction to the theory of the five phases of transformation (or elements)
Introduction to the meridian system
Functions of the meridians
Yin-yang
Appendix A ONMI-MOBIL
Appendix B Seminars with Master Liu
Appendix C Qigong retreat
About the author
Bibliography
Index
Show Less
ISBN
188696937X / 9781886969377
Publication
YMAA Publication Center Jamaica Plain, Masschusetts