Product Description

"Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body" explains the practice of chi gung (qigong), the 3000-year-old self-healing exercise system from China. Originally published in 1993," "this book has become a classic that has inspired tens of thousands of Westerners to learn to activate their chi--life-force energy--to improve their health, reduce stress and reverse the effects of aging. This fully revised edition has more than 100 pages of new material, including Longevity Breathing methods; how cross-training in chi gung can enhance other exercises such as yoga, golf and weight training; and nei gung techniques for advanced practitioners. Chi gung exercises utilize a system of energy channels in the body that are similar to an electrical circuit. Frantzis' thorough knowledge of energy arts and the Chinese language allow him to peel away the secrecy and metaphors. He presents this 300-page edition in easy to understand terms to suit beginners, with enough meaty detail and depth for the advanced martial artist, healer or meditator. "Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body" includes a comprehensive guide to chi gung theory and a systematic lesson plan with more than 100 illustrations. These low-impact exercises are suitable for almost any age or fitness level. They provide the foundation for learning any other chi practice, such as tai chi, martial arts, meditation or TAO Yoga. Frantzis explains not only how these inner aerobics are done, but why. Going beyond mere body movement, he teaches from the inside out, linking the biomechanics and anatomy of the physical body with the subtleties of chi. This book provides practical methods to help people become balanced, relaxed and joyful. Frantzis trained for more than a decade in China, became a Taoist Lineage Master--quite a rare occurrence--and came back to the West to teach. "My hope is that chi gung and tai chi can become mainstream exercises in the West," says Frantzis. "We have a major health crisis looming; practicing chi gung or tai chi is one of the most effective ways people can reclaim control of their health and well-being."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11780 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

This is the real thing, at last
This is very sound teaching from a very experienced master of real, root- deep Taoist Chi Gung. It is a step by step manual, and if you have done any Chi Gung already, it puts everything in context both historically and in terms of explaining the why and how of each exercise. It is rather not about martial arts, but about inner strengthening, balance and mind/body/spirit harmonisation which is the basis of all true martial arts training, but also the key to good health and longevity generally.

For the beginner, it provides the best possible start, (and there are contact details at the back for you to find a teacher, which you should do asap).

Even if you just do the breathing exercises, the result is pretty life changing, as they restore energy levels and dissipate fatigue in a matter of weeks.

If you follow this book in depth and read the Tao Te Ching at the same time, it all starts to come together, the one gives insights to the other.

Essential reading for all Tai Chi and Chi Gung practitioners.
Provides detailed and clear instructions for the complete energy gates Chi Gung system and makes it available to the new or average practitioner. Could be used by someone without access to a teacher but invaluable for those with access to a good teacher. The starting point of material in this book is what some teachers would have you believe is only available to the gifted few.

Good guide to Chi Gung
An amazing book featuring the authors accounts of his extensive training under many of the finest Taoist masters in China. As far as I have got in the book (fairly early ) the excercises are fairly easy though I expect them to get harder later on. I enjoy using the standing meditationa and am looking forward to combining this with hemi sync to enhance the experience.