Qigong Books

This system of movement has assisted me to release old tensions that I was unable to access or release in any other way. Truely a way to rejuvenation.

This book really does a good job of explaining standing (Zhan Zhuang) and Qigong to the beginner. My sifu had recommended that I do standing practice, and had taught me a qigong set, and I found that reading this book helped me along. Some of the things (such as the Ba Duan Jin qigong set) differ slightly from the way I was taught, but basically the book is right on the money, and does a good job of helping you understand what everything is for. I also like the warm up exercises before standing that he shows, they really do help. The book is very well illustrated also, which is a plus. Highly recommended, especially for anyone into internal martial arts.

This book is arguably the very finest introduction currently available to the practice of QiGong, especially for those who do not have access to a trustworthy living teacher. QiGong's burgeoning popularity has generated a plethora of both violently skeptical and credulously New-Agey essays. Rather than taking either on faith, you can actually experience internal Qi for yourself and make up your own mind as to its value, using this volume as a guide. Lam Kam-Chuen is one of a tiny handful of QiGong teachers who are fully qualified to write a practical instruction manual geared to the average Western person. For those who want to actually experience the truth about Qi for themselves rather than chew an academic cud of pre-digested dogma, this book is worth its weight in gold!

The past few years I've been practicing various types of meditation and decided I wanted to combine meditating with movement, so I turned to the internal martial arts (Qigong, Tai Chi, Xiang Yi, Ba Gua). After speaking to several internal arts teachers from sound linneages, they all recommended starting with Qigong, and to spend at least half a year only mastering several postures before moving on to the other forms of the internal arts. I bought this book because Master Lam's method seemed in tune with this belief, and I was pleasantly shocked at the results of this book:

--The book says to expect changes over a span of weeks; after the first day alone my back felt more loose, stress free and relaxed then it had in years.
--I no longer have the need to drink caffeine in the morning to keep me up throughout the day.
--I've slowly started to be able to detect an actual physical presence of chi throughout my body (this is coming from a fairly rational/logical, non new-agey type of guy).
--My overall mood and energy has improved.
--I have a much more peaceful state of mind.
--My hypertention has been completely erased; I can calm anxiety driven behavior down much more easily, and have learned to control and regulate my breathing.
--It has helped my cardio activities, long distance running & basketball, immensely. I feel I have more endurance, more balance, and more confident in both sports.

I owe a huge thank you to Master Lam for publishing a book that is simply written and easy to understand, while containing a wealth of information about the forms, postures, breathing, visualizations, anecdotes, meridians, and other information about Qigong, and Lam's specialty of Zhang Zhuang in particular. I'm still shocked at how much learning these postures has improved my life and brought me both physical relief as well as inner peace. Highly recommended.

The Way of Energy provides a step-by-step, almost month-to-month introduction to the practice of Qigong.

Many Qigong books are too "Eastern" for Westerners to read, or are too technical/textbook like, spending many pages going over the meridians, cavities, times of day and orientation. This is required knowledge for advanced practicioners, but gets in the way and is intimidating for introductory students.

The Way of Energy starts of with a simple, straightforward standing meditation. After a brief introduction to Qigong, Part One introduces two standing positions, discusses how to start with a few minutes then work your way up to many, a good section on breathing and has an excellent section describing the sensations most people experience when starting Qigong practice (this section is worth the price of the book for most beginners).

Part Two (which the text recommends proceeding to after a few months) introduces the Eight Pieces of the Brocade Qigong exercies (called Ba Duan Jin in this text) and introduces three additional and advanced standing positions. The reader is instructed on how to integrate these two new pieces into their practice. While the Eight Pieces of Brocade positions vary slightly from other texts, their descriptions are excellent and their purpose briefly but clearly explained.

Part Three describes four advanced standing positions and imagery exercises for the practicioner to begin managing their Chi. The last part of the book describes how to integrate these disciplines into everyday life.

In summary, an excellent introductory step-by-step guide. For more technical works, I would recommend the Qigong Meditation series by Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming (Embryonic Breathing, Small Circulation and the forthcoming book on Grand Circulation).

The book presents some interesting thoughts and ideas. It has plenty of exercises and a few of them actually work (especially those for enhancing energy) BUT there are quite some anomalies in the book too.
First of all at the beginning of the book the dear doctor raves about how he has cured or helped curing a deaf person, persons with cancer and even a blind kid. How strange though that the doctor wears glasses ... what? he can cure blind people, but he can't even improve his own eyesight?? His "medicine" doesn't work for him?
Secondly, the doctor explains a few techniques in the book, one of which pertains to chanting various chinese number combinations and mantras in chinese. Depending on which part of the body you're healing there's a different number combination or mantra because each of these produce a different level of vibration when pronounced or chanted and thus help healing a particular part of the body. BUT suddenly there are two exercises where you have to chant "God's Blessings" and "God's Light"...well, so far for the theory about chinese words that produce different levels of vibrations. Why does he use english words now?...I have no idea. Why does he starts relying on God all of a sudden when he has been explaining throughout the whole book it's all about energy and energy movement?...I have no clue either. Do the english words induce a certain level of vibration...I doubt it, but let's say they do, then why can't he do the other exercises in english too. Why do we (=readers) need to learn number combination in chinese?
Albeit small thoughts, these thoughts make me a little sceptical towards believing the book's content, even although some of the exercises seem to work.
Maybe it's all in the head after all!

A friend gave me this book in Mid April, he said when he saw it at the bookstore, it just jumped out at him and he had to buy it for me. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus 4 years ago, I recently began exploring alternative medicine, but I was getting frustrated with all the difficult and costly methods I found. I have always believed that my body could heal itself, I just didn't know how to help it. "Power Healing" is the answer I have been waiting for. I know nothing about Chinese Philosophy or any of the other Ancient healing arts, although I have heard of Reiki. This methods in this book work, regardless of any prior knowledge or belief.

I'd had the book for about 2 weeks, when a few days ago, I began having pain so severe that I was bedridden for 2 days. I decided to pick the book up and begin reading. I will admit that I was more than a little bit skeptical at first, but I made a conscious decision to suspend all disbelief and give the techniques a try. To my complete astonishment . . .It Worked! After doing the very 1st techinque for about 15 minutes, I was out of bed, pain free and full of energy, I even went out to join friends at a gathering. Knowing that I had been under the weather, they were all amazed to see me, and I couldn't stop talking about this amazing book.

I highly reccomend "Power Healing" to everyone. Try it, you've got nothing to lose, but your illness. I have only read the first few chapters, but I plan to continue the techniques until I am off all medications, and completly healed.

Thanks Dr Sha. ..

I like Dr. John Gray, had been studying different forms of healing for years. In fact, Dr. Gray and I studied together with Swami Kaleshwar, a famous mantra healing Master in India, several years ago. I"ve worked as an medical technician at Deepak Chopra's Ayurveda clinic in Lancaster, Mass., studied Thai Yoga massage, herbs, jyotish astrology and am a Reiki Master. I became a Holy Spirit healer with Dr. Fuller in Florida who is famous for dental healing where mercury/almalgam fillings actually turn to gold in your mouth before your eyes. I have also been a meditation teacher for over 20 years. I have studied complex systems, seen many miracle healings and witnessed miracles of healing in my own work. I am not easily impressed. At first Dr. Sha system just seemed a little to simple to be real. But the more I thought about it the more sense it made. Dr. Sha has synthesized all the elements that I knew worked in healing - prayer, sound therapy, physical postures, positive thinking, gratitude, etc. But the real "proof of the pudding" is in the eating. When I tried some of the mantras and exercises it was amazing. These deceptively simple procedures possess tremendous power. The first exercise to build energy in the Dan Tian really lit a fire in me. Later when I did a chi gung stance using the golden ball, the heat started in my body and a burning smell filled my nostrils. I found out later that this was a sign that the heavy metals were being burned up in the body. That night I went to sleep with the Book which he had energized at his workshop. I followed the instructions he gave and as I lay there with it the most powerful energy went through my body. It was very blissful but very intense. I feel something profound is happening in my system and am grateful to Dr. Sha and his teachers for this gift and hope in the future I may be able to study more deeply with him and help bring this healing to the world.

The next best thing to hearing Dr. Sha speak is reading his book, Power Healing. Filled with exercises and techniques to help one take charge of their own health, this book is easy to understand and very inspiring. I recommend it for anyone interested in alternative methods of healing to use in conjunction with more traditional Western medicine.

As a resident of Fairfield, IA - a community of meditators and people very familiar with alternative healing techniques - I was quite excited when hearing about Dr. Sha's book of ancient healing techniques which he had studied and mastered and was willing to share with the world. Two weeks before his arrival I came down with a flu bug and was still working with a depressed immune system, feeling slugish and tired and still some mucus in the lungs and a little cough. So I told one of his local coordinators I would not be able to attend and I was very disappointed because I had already purchased his book and was very enthusiastic about meeting him. She immediately put me in contact with Dr. Sha by phone. He asked me to close my eyes, hold my hands in a specific way and envision a golden ball. Immediately all symptoms were relieved. I attended the course. You can't get better than that. Since then I have been practicing the techniques, passing them on to others and having one marvelous experience after another. I would highly recommend this book and Dr. Sha's courses to everyone.

Sherie Baron, NLP/Hypnotherapist/Reiki Master/EFT Therapist

This is a superbly written book. This is one of the best "how-to's" I've ever read, and I write those kinds of books myself.

This is by far the best book that I have read on any life transforming physical exercise including other books on this subject, as well as books on yoga and tai chi. The author writes simply and masterfully. He promises an easy to learn, easy to do "exercise", and delivers. This book has none of the New Age psycho-babble that mucks up so many other books on the subject.

When Qi Gong developed in China for more than 20 years, Chinese people finally find Falun Gong is the most effective. So there are more than 100 million Chinese people practice Falun Gong before the government's persecution.

But western society seems still enjoy the low level Qi Gongs.

Why not directly start from high level Falun Gong? It is not difficult. When you try, you will know.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Learn from the best".

Many of us want very much to do spiritual and physical exercises but never seem to find the time. This practice can be learned quickly from this most excellent book and takes only six minutes. I've been using the book for three months and have felt an increase in energy level, both physical and spiritual, already.

The author has written a clear & practical book, with compact and understandable information about Qi Gong in general plus some nice information about what it has done for him personally.
It has good instructions and a lot of black and white photos which are easy to follow.
I found the excercise sequence very simple to do. It is relaxing and indeed takes less then 10 minutes to perform.
I think this book is a great start for beginners. Anyone can do these excercises.
If you're interested in other, longer and more intensive Qi Gong forms, I'd like to recommend the book 'The Swimming Dragon: A Chinese Way to Fitness, Beautiful Skin, Weightloss and High Energy' by T.K. Shih.

This set is the best compilation of beginner exercises and meditations I have seen yet. He combines instruction with information to help you learn as you practice. Definitely worth the buy.

I bought this thinking that it was a workout DVD set. I was initially disappointed that it wasn't, but as I watched the DVDs, listened to the CDs, and read the enclosed booklet, I was pleasantly surprised. This was actually so much more. The instruction is more detailed than you will ever get on an exercise DVD. It answers a lot of the questions that have been turning over in my mind. I didn't know it ahead of time, but it was just what I needed.

Ken Cohen is clear in his descriptions - knowledgable of the material - useful in the information and exercises he describes and practices and models in the CD's, DVD's and book. The practice of qigong can be learned well through this material. He is down to earth in his explanations and demontrations, making understanding very accessible.

Without a doubt, Mr. Cohen has contributed, and continues to contribute, to the expositon of Eastern philosophy within Western culture. The walls are slowly crumbling and giving way to the world of self-development and personal evolution. There are two things I would have liked to have experienced from this program. The first would be a less affective tone from the narration. In its place, I would have preferred a more vibrant, inspiring, less-coddling tone. There is too much breathiness in the narration that distracts from the presentation of the basics and has the potential of turning away readers with a more energetic vibration in their hearts. Perhaps a discussion of the more aerobic forms of Qi Gong, such as Nei Gong or Nei Jia, would have been appropriate, but the tone would have contradicted the energizing power behind these forms. Let us not forget that first, and foremost, Qi Gong was a martial art practiced by the warrior classes. It eventually evolved as a spiritual monastic practice, but the monks themselves were warriors by default. Under the despotic rule of unenlightened emperors and warlords, China's priests had a need to develop a martial defense system. As a Qi Gong and Tai Chi instructor, I find that it is a constant struggle to explain to students that Qi Gong and Tai Chi are not practices that are limited to senior citizens. Once I demonstrate Nei Gong, and/or Tai Chi fighting form, students do begin to understand what these ancient practices have to offer. The troubling thing is that most people walk about with a misguided representation of Qi Gong before they are illuminated otherwise. The second experience I would have enjoyed would have been a more global discussion of Qi Gong history and its evolution. Mr. Cohen presents his style without mentioning that there are thousands of different forms of Qi Gong in existence today. To his credit, Mr. Cohen does recognize this fact elsewhere, but not within the scope of this program. That's fine, not a problem, but the consumer can easily walk away thinking that there is only one style of Qi Gong...Cohen Qi Gong. The reader should also note that some of the exercises are incomplete and only offer an introductory sampling of the tip of the iceberg that is Qi Gong. It is understandable that there is a general, economical need to appeal to a wide audience, but the narration and title should explicitly state that all chapters are simply introductory. Nevertheless, there is much merit and reward to be garnished from Mr. Cohen's work. Practice his way and the reader will definitely see an improvement in health, strength and vitality over time. Although not a seminal opus, this product is the culmination of a highly important, and sorely needed, educational service. I encourage all teachers, readers, students and practitioners to allow this introductory work to be a guide towards a deeper practice.

This course is well organized and easy to follow. The 100 day progression is nice, and the material is organized such a way as to allow you to progress at your own pace. There are some nice guided meditations on the CDs, and the video is very easy to understand. Note that this is not like an exercise DVD. You're not going to do your Qigong along with the DVD except for to learn the moves. I would recommend learning a few techniques at a time from the DVDs, and then practicing elsewhere at your own pace and for as long as is comfortable. There is so much information out there on Qigong. This course is a great way to start!

Bruce Frantzis' books on chi gung top of my list for useful, immediately applicable explanation and technique. And, for an overall introduction to the possibilities offered by chi gung, this newest book is the best of the best. It's the most user-friendly of his books yet. He provides an excellent context so you understand what he means by chi, and how delving into the world of chi can improve your life and enable you to take responsibility for your health. Then he gives clear directions for 5 energy exercises that will give you immediate results. So you get both from this book: first the words, the explanation about why you would want to develop your chi, and then practices that actually give your body the experience he's been talking about.

I've been doing Frantzis's Energy Gates exercises for a few years now, and was excited that his Chi Revolution book teaches three exercises from the Dragon and Tiger set, which are new to me. The exercises are simple but powerful, and I was surprised that doing even the very first step revealed structural imbalances that I hadn't noticed--while simultaneously providing an avenue to correct them! Doing the exercises for just a couple weeks has already improved my ability to feel the energy in my other practices. I got so excited about this that I ordered Frantzis' new Dragon and Tiger Teaching Manual so I can learn the rest of the exercises. That's the greatest thing to me, that everything you learn from The Chi Revolution is remarkably useful as it is, and, if you get excited by your progress, you can go more deeply into any of the practices through Frantzis's other books and training programs.

The Chi Revolution teaches, in straightforward text and clear illustrations, a very good introductory workout which will demonstrate the possibilities of energy practices to someone with no previous experience. Other chapters introduce chi work in context of Eastern and Western medicine and culture. Very valuable.

The easy to understand writing style makes this an effortless read, which lets you get down to absorbing the information better than any other book I've read in this field. It's also a great motivator for your practice and the health giving exercises presented here really work.

If you're embarking on anything chi related to improve your health, or just curious about the subject, this is an essential read and should be your first stop. Highly recommended.

This little book has quite a lot in it. Frantzis manages to make it both a beginner's book about Taoist Chi practices and a book relevant to those who are more advanced and are curious about the heart and soul of Taoist Chi and spiritual practices.

I really found it very useful to my own Chi Gung practice. The things he emphasizes over and over again, like getting go, training to feel inside your body, relaxing at physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels really revamped my ideas of how to do Chi Gung. It is also an entertaining read, as the author has an entertaining writing style and puts in personal stories here and there about his own very interesting life.

The practices towards the end of the book are taken from some of the other things that he teaches (Dragon & Tiger Chi Gung comes to mind most prominently) and to my inexperienced eye it seemed like a very good starting point for beginner practitioners. The moves are simple, and portrayed in a candid and straightforward manner.

Bang for the buck, this is a must have in any Chi Gung practitioners library. Destined to become a classic of books on the subject IMHO.

Another accessible, very practical book by Bruce Frantzis. Read the first section of this book if you are looking for information on the benefits of chi gung and you want to understand what it will do for your health and well being. Not only is chi gung a great way to feel better and have more energy, but people are using it to prevent and heal all kinds of chronic degenerative conditions, improve their mental function, and balance their emotions.
Read the second section of the book if you are interested in understanding the breadth and depth of what Taoist practices can offer you. In this very readable book, you will begin to understand what Taoism is all about, rather than some poetic or cryptic philosophy that is not very understandable.
In the last part of the book, you are given an amazing gift. This section teaches you five very easy to learn, yet very potent exercises. These exercises are quite effective. Don't be surprised if you feel benefits right away. The price of the book is miniscule compared to the benefits you can begin to feel from doing these exercises. The information in the first two sections of the book will inspire you to do the exercises taught very clearly here.

I have bought several books, tapes and DVDs on Qigong. This book seems to have combined a lot of the movements from the other media. Unlike the other media I own which cover only a few movements (18 the most), this book covers 36 movements, which for me great. I am always skeptical in learning movements coming from a book since I find it difficult to follow the written instructions without seeing the actual video demo, but I was suprised this book is easy to follow. I do have previous know how on some of the movements, so maybe that helped. And the exercises are grouped in 6 sections, making it easy for me to remember them. A great Qigong book!

This is a wonderful book easy to use and incorporate its exercises and principles. The diagrams of exercises are easy to follow. The book contains extremely useful information about qigong and other aspects of
Chinese medicine.It is well-written and highly recommended!

I just started practicing Lian Gong in 18 Forms about a month ago to finally get rid of all the tension, back pain, tightness, and inflexibility that western exercise such as weight lifting, aerobics, and rowing machines has caused me! I am completely amazed that in only one month I can feel it all fading away! I purchased every video available on Liangong, including the $100.00 set from the actual inventor himself! The videos are all great, the books are all good, except for one MAJOR flaw!! None of them offer breathing instructions!! The most any book or video will tell you is that you breath in when expanding and stretching, and out when relaxing. Except in certain cases, there are exceptions, which they never explain. Well, this book tells it all! If you purchase any of the videos, you MUST, I repeat MUST buy this book! Not only is it well written, but it gives you all the secrets! Buy it NOW!

One of the strengths of Lian Gong Shr Ba Fa is that it is the sort of exercise system that actually can be learned from the printed page if you are reasonably well coordinated and are good at learning from books. Even without a teacher, you can get major benefits from practice on your own.

This book is a clear, well done presentation of the exercises. Anyone interested in learning the system would get a good start from this book. I would only recommend Wen Mei Yu's version over this one because a) WMY's book explicitly announces that it is a Lian Gong with its title on the cover, and B) the layouts, photographs and book design are somewhat more effective and pleasing to my eye, and c) the accompnaying instructional text is a bit clearer and more helpful to the beginner.

But if you want to get started, and you see this book on the stands, don't hesitate to get it and get started.

This book is a wonderful introduction to not only the Qi Gong excersize but also Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It will give you an easy to understand overview of TCM concepts so you can understand how practicing the excersizes described in the book can improve and maintain your health for years to come.

The descriptions of the movements and multiple photos for the different movements make it easy to learn and practice. Of course the best way is to join a group of people who are practicing (http://www.taichihealing.com) and practice the movements along with the group. In any case, this book is an excellent resource for people who are interested in improving and maintaining their well being and good health.

Be well!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A marvellous book for both beginners and advanced practitioners of the art of Qigong!
At the very heart of Grandmaster Qingshan Liu`s book is a practical introduction to the famous series of "Qigong Harmony in 18 Figures" and "The Eight Figures for every Day".
Exact and detailed descriptions of the movements and breathing allow you to easily perform the exercises on your own.
In addition, the rhythm of the movements and breathing are
illustrated on a timeline, which is especially helpful.

The presentation of the text is clearly arranged and organized and the language easy to understand.
A series of photos accompany and illustrate each of the Qigong movements which are being demonstrated by Qigong Grandmaster Qingshan Liu himself.

In the first and last part of his book Qingshan Liu talks in a vivid way about the theoretical background and the basis of Qigong as well as the philosophy of "Qi".
He also answers frequently asked questions concerning both practicing Qigong and the emotional and physical reactions Qigong provokes.

The book suits both beginners` and advanced Qigong-practitioners` purposes extraordinarily well!

It is clear structured. We lern how to understand the differences between the west medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I tried many teachers, but a teacher like this book, makes me understand what I have lerned before, this is the first time I have found the right teacher. I am very happy reading this book. I have tried also the Video in English und German, it is a great help. I do the exersices every day. I can easily do the 18Figures, because Master Liu is just standing in front of me, I can feel the Qi from him. I feel much better while and after the exercise. Thank you so much Mr. Qingshan Liu!

It is clear structured. We lern how to understand the differences between the west medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I tried many teachers, but a teacher like this book, makes me understand what I have lerned before, this is the first time I have found the right teacher. I am very happy reading this book. Thank you so much Mr. Qingshan Liu! I will lern your school

There are some outstanding features to this book which are worth a comment:

First, chi theory is presented in English that is comprehensible to the ordinary American. Nothing too technical, no mumbo jumbo. Very solid explanations.

Second, the two qigong routines that are presented, the "18 Figures" and "Eight Figures for Every Day" are well illustrated and contain clear and not overly-wordy instructions. There's just nothing like trying to learn a move while holding the book in one hand and reading through a sea of verbiage while simultaneously trying to imitate fuzzy or poorly-posed photos. You won't find that here!

Third, the book is not too long. It's what you need to know for the beginning or intermediate levels and that's all. Also, there is nothing religious, nothing spiritual, and nothing new age to be found anywhere. The instruction is drawn from medicine and the martial arts.

Fourth, the movements themselves in both routines are more physical than one often finds in other qigong sets. This is truly a fitness workout, although most people in average condition should not have any difficulty with the moves. Anyway, if something doesn't work for you, you can always adapt it to your situation. The qigong police won't come for you.

The only improvement I would suggest to the publishers, should YMAA decide to reprint this book, is that it should come with a DVD in a little plastic pouch glued to the inside back cover. There used to be a video, but I can't seem to find that anywhere. A do-along DVD workout would make this easy program even easier to learn.

I am pleased to recommend this book. It lives up to the high standards I have come to expect from YMAA.

This is a book giving you much fun to read and make it very easy to learn and understand Qigong and the essens of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. You will get health, wellbeing and joyfull living. Go for it! (I am 31 Years old).

I found this book to be profound for me personally and professionally. The words are wise and beneficial to me. This is a must read for anyone doing any type of hands on healing.
Michelle

This book, A Light Warrior's Guide to High Level Energy Healing, is the presence of a high level teacher reaching through to you where ever and whenever you are.

For me, Michael Lomax says clearly everything that I've intuitively known about Energy and Light but not put into words. To have the confirmation in a book in the hand is a great gift, indeed.

As a faithful tai chi and qigong practitioner, I was interested in Michael's Stillness/Movement Qigong in Chapter 3. So I decided to try the method for the hundred days suggested to give it an honest go. Within two days I made this qigong meditation part of my daily practice. If you've ever achieved that deep pure beautiful space, the high level connection with all--Bliss!--but then never quite achieved that state so well again, this is the method and the book that will get you there.

I especially like what Michael says about energetic cord attachments. If you work with people in any sort of therapeutic way or if you are energetically connected to everyone you know, this information can save you from burnout.

The methods of Qigong given in the book A Light Warrior's Guide To High Level Energy Healing have produced unexpected benefits. His instructions are clear and very effective in producing results. Reading the book and going to one of his workshops is highly recommended. Michael LOMAX's spoken words and actions also confirms his will to help anyone and his dedication to Qigong and his readers.

This book is amazing! It helped me to put a lot into perspective. Now I better understand things that have been puzzling me for years. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese Qigong. Michael Lomax really knows what he is talking about. He relates it in ways that are easy to understand and follow.

Michael's book is very unique among Qigong books available today. His style is beyond any I have experienced before. The practices and techniques in the book have added a whole new dimension to my practice and healing abilities. His teaching is infused with an essence that is very strong and real. I highly recommend this book to not only beginners, but qigong practitioners who are ready to take things to the next level. And if you ever have the chance to study with him in a workshop, do it! He is amazing in person!

Reading Patrick Dougherty's Qigong in Psychotherapy feels like having a very centered, peaceful conversation with the author. Leaving aside the esoteric jargon, Dougherty offers insightful comments that can help psychotherapists of different pursuasions incorporate Taoist mindfulness into their practices. He does a nice job of giving case examples in which he illustrates the use of focused breathing with clients in a way that helps them (and the therapist) invigorate their sense of compassion for self and others. This small volume is well worth reading and sharing with others.
Stuart B. Bonnington, Ed.D., LMFT

This was an easy read. Easy suggestions to put into practice. It is helpful to clients as well as therapists. The "magic" is in its simplicity. What could be better than that?

This book can help many people... It's a great way to enhance anyones well-being and mental health. I think everyone working with people with depression, bi-polar, etc can greatly become a better professional by using qigong in their practice. Anyone who reads this book will benefit from this information!

Thoughtful and insightful not just for people in the field but for everyone interested in improving life - it should be subtitled "Heal Your Heart - Help Your Life" - An easy read - I enjoyed the wonderful real life stories - it really makes you think about your family and the people you meet and what a few chosen words can mean - I would highly recommend this book! If you have not experienced Qigong yet that should be your next step!

I'm reading Qigong in Psychotherapy for the second time and I suspect I'll read it more times. I think this book is brilliant! Though the title might suggest it's just for psychotherapists (or their clients)I think it's a wonderful book for everyone who's interested in being happy and healthy. It weaves wonderful stories about the author and his clients with clear explanations about things like stress and breath and qigong, and practical tools to make good living more available. I find the subtitle accurate: "you can do so much by doing so little". This book is the kind I love to read from a little every night before I go to sleep - inspiring and soothing at the same time.