Reduce stress, release pain, and create bodily harmony with this introduction to qigong and tai chi. Includes practical information, insights, and widely practiced sequences and forms that lead to improved health.
Begins with basic postures and, as you progress, gradually introduces the form - a rhythmic series of movements. Step-by-step colour photography and clear instructions guide you through each exercise and sequence.
Many styles of Tai Chi are available today, but most of them only emphasize one aspect of its original purpose. The focus tends to be on either the martial arts or the health perspective, while the spiritual aspect has been lost. This book presents Tai Chi as a powerful tool for cultivating the spirit, as well as the mind and body. This book intends to introduce Tai Chi as it was originally envisioned and practiced thousands of years ago by the Masters of Tao as a tool for self-cultivation of the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Readers will also be able to learn from the clear and concise photos and illustrations in the book to become proficient in the 18-Step Short Form and 28-Step Intermediate Form of Harmony Tai Chi.
The traditional medicines of Middle Asia are rich and varied - from the Ayurveda and Siddha medicines of India, to the Unani and Sufi healing practices of the Middle East. Dr. Marc S. Micozzi unfolds the compelling idea that vital energy, expressed as "prana" in the Indian practice of Ayurveda, is the unifying concept that underpins and connects all of these traditions. Describing the origins, health strategies, diagnostic approaches, and modern-day uses of each tradition, he also draws parallels to, and finds correlations with, mainstream Western concepts - and demonstrates how all these therapies fit within the context of their own cultures and ours. This groundbreaking book will be of interest to practitioners of all Middle Eastern and Asian medical traditions, complementary and alternative health practitioners, and anyone with an interest in Middle Eastern and Asian approaches to health and well-being.
In Bagua and Tai Chi, noted teacher Bruce Frantzis demonstrates through these two important practices what is required to develop and embody high levels of chi flow. Inside the slow-motion movements of tai chi is a sophisticated mind/body/spirit practice. Derived from the I Ching (Book of Changes), bagua is unique in its circular movements, spiraling energy, and unpredictable changes of direction. Frantzis begins with an overview of both bagua and tai chi and their origins in Chinese culture, followed by comprehensive advice on how to incorporate these practices into daily Western life. Written in an easy, conversational style, the book provides an explanation of an art that is practiced by millions in China to release stress and maintain a vigorous level of health. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the 2.3 million Americans who currently practice tai chi report improved sleep, conditioning, and overall wellness. Bagua and Tai Chi offers a gentle healing and strengthening system that will appeal to a wide audience, including martial artists, meditators, dancers and athletes, personal trainers, and anyone looking to reduce stress and increase calmness and clarity through an effective, low-impact body practice.
This book, first published in 1974, explains the connections between T’ai Chi Ch’uan and I Ching and shows that they are the keys by which the theoretical philosophy of Taoism can be converted to a practical way of knowledge. This careful and helpful guide is designed for all those who want to know and follow a Chinese way to health of body and depth of mind.
Learn the simple techniques that have transformed the lives of millions of practitioners worldwide. Body & Brain Yoga is a mind-body training system originating in Korea. Through consistent study of Body & Brain Yoga’s principles of energy (chi, ki), practitioners cultivate greater personal power while developing genuine connection of body and mind. There are currently over 600 Body & Brain Yoga centers around the world, with active participants in eight countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Belgium, Poland, and Russia. Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to the meridian stretching, breathing exercises, energy work, and meditation techniques of Body & Brain Yoga. It also provides an introduction to the essential energy principles that underlie the practice. Whether you are completely new to Body & Brain Yoga or an advanced practitioner, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi helps you: > Develop a fit and flexible body > Boost your energy and vitality > Quiet your mind and improve concentration > Cultivate a feeling of well-being
Chi is the Eastern term for the life force energy that makes us alive --and guides us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Incorporating exercise and meditation, Chi Fitness is a revolutionary technique by which you can channel this life force energy and put yourself on a path toward spiritual growth, while maintaining a healthy body. Following in the footsteps of such writers as Caroline Myss and Gary Zukav, who discuss energy and personal empowerment, Sue Benton and Drew Denbaum have expanded these principles of self-development to include movements and meditations designed to help you activate the chi within you. Benton and Denbaum explain how the delicate balance of personal energy can be disrupted by personal problems, family conflicts, and work stress. Every time we allow anger or sadness to take hold of our consciousness, we give away our chi, the source of our strength. Chi Fitness will teach you the Basic Power Practices you can use to feel and manage your chi and to bring it under conscious control. You will learn about your energy centers, or chakras, which correspond to specific parts of your body and particular areas of your emotional life. Becoming aware of your chakras will help you pinpoint particular problems and focus your energy in order to achieve a more balanced life. Chi Fitness is the perfect workout for people who want to cultivate a healthy mind, body, and spirit. The exercises are designed to help you clear the energy blocks that are restricting your internal power. The Power Practices included in the book will help you explore old patterns of behavior that may be holding you back and allow you to take positive steps to reclaim your chi. Chi Fitness is a workout everyone will enjoy. People of all ages and levels of physical fitness can do the simple yet powerful exercises, which produce immediate results. This low-impact, easy-to-follow program will help you feel calmer, happier, stronger. By unblocking your energy, you will regain your personal power and achieve a sense of peace that will enable you to live your life to its fullest.
A comprehensive introduction to using Tai Chi for stress relief. Uses restorative poses from yoga, and purifying movements and meditations from qigong, followed by the tai chi stances, drills, and a short Sunset Tai Cgi form that can be practiced sitting or standing. This mind/body program teaches you to calm down and recuperate from the stress of the day, preventing stress-related illness. Learn to use the energy of the setting sun to release impurities and tension.
Master the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan with this informative guide. One of the most popular Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan is also one of the most effective stress relievers available. In China it is also used extensively for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects for health and fitness are now widely recognized in the West. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the practical application and potential benefits of Tai Chi Chuan. Packed with step-by-step illustrations for practice at home, this tai chi guide covers everything you would want to know about this ancient art, including its benefits for mental, spiritual and emotional development. This tai chi book is both an ideal introductory guide and an invaluable reminder for those who have already taken classes. Topics in The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan include: Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial ArtThe Concept of Yin-Yang and Tai Chi ChuanThe Historical Development of the Various StylesAdvice from the Great MastersTechniques and Skills of Pushing HandsSpecific Techniques for Combat SituationsTaoism and Spiritual Development in Tai Chi ChuanAnd many more