Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10117 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-12-05
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Synopsis
A detailed but simple demonstration of the vigorous movements that make up the Shaolin form of Qi Gong. Helps to improve health and vitality.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, Easy to Follow, Easy to Do, Very Inspiring
I'd never done Qi Gong before but have recently heard of the health and mental benefits so was determined to give this a go. Its basically a series of movements synchronised with breathing. The DVD starts with an outdoor scene showing Shifu doing Qi Gong while a voice-over covers the history and benefits of the art. The next section is a full demonstration of Qi Gong followed by a section on zen meditation and massage to do afterwards. Then it moves on to the 8 sections where Shifu gives commentary while he does the movements. The commentary gives continuous instructions on breathing telling you when to inhale and exhale as synchronisation of breathing is an essential part of the art. Shifu also gives additional tips now and then such as "push elbows back as far as possible". The first time I played the 8 sections which you follow for your workout I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a big learning curve whereby I would be stood with dvd remote in hand having to constantly pause play to see exactly what Shifu was doing. Thankfully this turned out not to be the case. I was able to follow and do everything Shifu was demonstrating without pausing once. Obviously I was not able to stretch as far as Shifu and my technique left something to be desired but the main thing was I was able to do all the movements in the workout straight away without pausing. Afterwards I felt it had done me good. I cannot recommend this DVD enough. Very easy to follow and very inspiring. There are also a few extras which are advertising other DVDs but which in themselves are also enjoyable and inspiring.

If You Buy Any Qi Gong DVD Then Buy This one
Shifu Yan Lei is a 34th generation disciple from the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province China but he has been teaching in the West for a number of years now so he has a very good understanding of what us Westerners need in terms of teaching. He gives very clear and detailed instuctions (in English) as to how to do this powerful "Eight Pieces of Brocade" Qi Gong form. These gentle movements help the Qi ( chi) to flow, stimulate your immune system, and release any energy blockages. The wonderful thing about this form is you can always fit it into your daily routine - if you are pushed for time then you can practice just one or two movements from the eight. I regularly practice this form at the end of my yoga session and I find it incredibly grounded and energised.

Sober, good "follow me" course
I really like the no-nonsense approach of this DVD. The shifu shows the exercises and tells you how to synchronize breathing and movement. It's the 'follow me' approach to qi gong and martial arts. Try to follow the shifu's moves as closely as you can and you'll discover the rest for yourself.

It's excellent for people like me who are looking for a dynamic stretching exercise that calms the mind as well.

Some parts of the warm-up routine should be labelled: 'these stretches are done by an advanced martial artist, don't try this at home'. This is why I only give four stars. All in all the routine is short, so it would have been easy to add a beginner's routine or tips on how to substitute some stretches.