Immersing the reader in Daoist philosophy and its impact on life, this new edition of Vital Breath of the Dao by Master Zhongxian Wu is a fully illustrated guide to qigong, a way of physical and spiritual cultivation, and a way of life. The book includes the historical background, practical application, underlying principles and techniques of Daoist cultivation practices to bolster health and intensify spiritual connection to universal energy. Lineage holder Master Zhongxian Wu uses storytelling and a wealth of practical examples to introduce powerful qigong and internal alchemy methods and offers previously unseen personal stories to deepen his explanation of Daoist philosophy. The first edition of The Vital Breath of the Dao , providing as it did a much richer and more rounded view of the Daoist way than anything hitherto published, was the inspiration for the launch of Singing Dragon. This new edition, refined and expanded, speaks even more clearly of the way in which the Daoist arts of cosmology, language, nature, philosophy, poetry, calligraphy, the way of tea, and shamanic Qigong practice are the ingredients in a way of life accessible to all of us seeking a deeper reality. From both an intellectual and a practical point of view, this book can change your life - it certainly changed mine. These practices improve health, temper the mind and the emotions, and deepen one's spiritual life. -- Jessica Kingsley, Founder of Singing Dragon and long-term student This new edition of Vital Breath of the Dao , the best-selling book by Master Zhongxian Wu offers a deep dive into advanced Qigong methods and Daoist philosophy for practitioners of all levels and for those interested in Daoism and traditional Chinese shamanism Master Zhongxian Wu, a lifelong Daoist practitioner, is the lineage holder of four different schools of Qigong and martial arts. Since 1988, Master Wu has instructed thousands of students, both Eastern and Western, in his unique and professionally designed courses and training programs. He has authored 12 books (five in Chinese) on Chinese wisdom traditions. Along with his wife, Dr. Karin Taylor Wu, he founded Blue Willow World Healing Center and QinJian Akademin to preserve and promote the classical Chinese arts throughout Europe, North America and China. Chungliang Al Huang is the founder of Living Tao Foundation, an international cultural-arts network for lifelong learning, and the director of the Lan Ting Institute, a cross-cultural study and conference center at the sacred and historic Wu Yi Mountain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the People's Republic of China, and at Gold Beach on the Oregon Coast in the USA. He has written many classic books including Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essense of Tai Ji; Essential Tai Ji; and The Chinese Book of Animal Powers, all of which are now brought back into print by Singing Dragon.