Prix Bushido French Book Award WINNER - 1997 The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets for Health, Longevity, and Enlightenment is the absolutely best book for revealing the what , the why , and the how of qigong. When you know what qigong is, this will help you make the right decision; "is qigong going to be a good choice for me?" When you know why qigong is so effective, this will help you set realistic goals for your use of qigong in your health or martial arts training. When you know how qigong should be practiced, this will absolutely help you to attain your health or martial arts goals in an efficient and timely manner. Qigong training can improve your health, cure illness, and help you overcome the stress of daily living. Qigong is the study of Qi, or vital energy, that circulates in the human body, and it has been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years. Qigong is a unique and comprehensive approach to health and longevity, and can be trained by anyone. Get the most from your practice by understanding the principles and foundation of this ancient science.Dr. Yang teaches sitting and standing meditation, demonstrates massage techniques, and explores the Qi pathways in your body. He explains correct breathing methods, shares secrets for quieting the mind, and discusses how to increase your body's Qi supply. In addition, he also explains important concepts such as the Three Treasures and regulating the body, breath, and mind. Whatever style you practice, you'll find the keys to successful training in the Root of Chinese Qigong. Improve your health with Qi (vital energy) training. - Relieve stress with simple breathing techniques. - Learn the secrets that will advance your practice. - Discover the foundations of Chinese medicine. - Eliminate tension with soothing relaxation exercises. - Includes more than sixty detailed photos and illustrations. Strongly recommended for everyone who wants to study qigong, tai chi, or marital arts. "For those who are interested in learning the basic concepts and practical applications of Qigong as a means of cultivating health and longevity, The Root of Chinese Qigong provides an excellent and comprehensive overview ." -- Daniel Reid, author of The Complete Guide to Chinese Health and Healing from his forward "...we are in Dr. Yang's debt for this definitive guide to better health and well-being." -- Irwing W Rosenberg, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Nutrition, Director of The Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California. Part One General Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1. Prelude In their seven thousand years of history, the Chinese people have experienced all possible human suffering and pain. Chinese culture is like a very old man who has seen and experienced all of the pain of human life. Yet through his experience, he has also accumulated a great store of knowledge. Chinese culture, as reflected in its literature and painting, ranks among the greatest achievements of the human spirit. It reflects humankind's joy and grief, pleasure and suffering, peace and strife, vitality, sickness, and death. Within this complex cultural and historical background, the Chinese people have long sought ways of living healthy and happy lives. However, as they looked for ways to better themselves and seek spiritual fulfillment, they have also tended to believe that everything that happens is due to destiny, and that it is prearranged by heaven. Despite this fatalistic belief, they have still looked for ways to resist the apparent inevitability of sickness and death. The Chinese have devoted a large part of their intellectual effort to self-study and self-cultivation in the hope of understanding the meaning of their lives. This inward-feeling and looking, this spiritual searching, has become one of the major roots of Chinese religion and medical science. Qi, the energy within the human body, was studied very carefully. As people perceived the link between the Qi in the human body and the Qi in nature, they began to hope that this Qi was the means whereby man could escape from the trap of sickness and death. Over the years, many different sectors of Chinese society have studied and researched Qi. Of all the researchers, the scholars and the doctors have had the longest history, and they have brought the understanding of Qi to a very deep level. It was they who learned the methods of maintaining health and curing sickness. Chinese medical science has developed out of the Qi research of the physicians. When Indian Buddhism was imported into China, it prof