The Way of Qigong

Zusatztext "A long-awaited masterpiece . . . This breakthrough book is destined to become the classic reference on body energy and healing." --Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. Author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind "A TREASURE . . . Those eager to explore the methods of self-healing will learn how in The Way of Qigong. By peering through this modern window into ancient practices, the readers will discover how to gather the breath, move with grace and power, and cultivate the mind." --Harriet Beinfeld Coauthor of Between Heaven and Earth "THIS DEFINITIVE VOLUME . . . IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RECENTLY ISSUED BOOK ON THE CHINESE HEALING ART, QIGONG." --Booklist Informationen zum Autor Kenneth Bear Hawk Cohen , is an internationally renowned health educator dedicated to the community of All Relations. He has trained with elder healers from all over the world and followed the path of indigenous wisdom for more than 30 years. Author of The Way of Qigong : The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing and more than 200 journal articles on spirituality and complementary medicine, he lives with his family in the Colorado Rockies. Klappentext Qigong is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease, and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer, immune system disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating, comprehensive volume, renowned qigong master and China scholar Kenneth S. Cohen explains how you too can integrate qigong into your life--and harness the healing power that will help your mind and body achieve the harmony of true health. Zusammenfassung Qigong is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease! and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer! immune system disorders! and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating! comprehensive volume! renowned qigong master and China scholar Kenneth S. Cohen explains how you too can integrate qigong into your life--and harness the healing power that will help your mind and body achieve the harmony of true health. ...

Auteur

Kenneth “Bear Hawk” Cohen, is an internationally renowned health educator dedicated to the community of All Relations. He has trained with elder healers from all over the world and followed the path of indigenous wisdom for more than 30 years. Author of The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing and more than 200 journal articles on spirituality and complementary medicine, he lives with his family in the Colorado Rockies.

Texte du rabat

Qigong is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease, and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer, immune system disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating, comprehensive volume, renowned qigong master and China scholar Kenneth S. Cohen explains how you too can integrate qigong into your life--and harness the healing power that will help your mind and body achieve the harmony of true health.

Échantillon de lecture
QI is the Chinese word for "life energy." According to Chinese medi* JLcine, qi is the animating power thatflowsthrough all living things. A living being isfilledwith it. A dead person has no more qi—the warmth, the life energy is gone. A healthy individual has more than one who is ill. However, health is more than an abundance of qi. Health implies that the qi in our bodies is clear, rather than polluted and turbid, and flowing smoothly, like a stream, not blocked or stagnant.

 
It is also the life energy one senses in nature. The earth itself is moving, transforming, breathing, and alive with qi. Modern scientists speak the same language as ancient poets when they call the Earth Gαiα, a living being. When we appreciate the beauty of animals,fish,birds,flowers,trees,moun tains, the deep ocean, and floating clouds, we are sensing their qi and feeling an intuitive unity with them. Human beings are part of nature and share qi with the rest of the earth.

 
Gong means "work" or "benefits acquired through perseverance and practice." Thus, qigong means working with the life energy, learning how to control theflowand distribution of qi to improve the health and harmony of mind and body.

Qigong is a wholistic system of self healing exercise and meditation, an ancient, evolving practice that includes healing posture, movement, self massage, breathing techniques, and meditation. Through these various methods, qi is accumulated and stored in the body, like filling a reservoir. Impure or polluted qi—the essence of disease—can also be cleansed and re* fined into pure, healing qi. The goal of some qigong practices is to discharge and eliminate the impure qi in a manner analogous to breathing. Breathing is a process of absorbing a pure source of energy, oxygen, and eliminating the impure, carbon dioxide. Like proper breathing, qigong practice can make this exchange more efficient.

Qigong is called a "practice" or "training" because, unlike medication, it is not "prescribed" for a limited period of time, but, rather, practiced daily. This is easy to do because qigong is as enjoyable as any sport, yet does not re* quire a great expenditure of time or money. Students generally practice an average of twenty to forty minutes each day. There is no need for special equipment or a large workout space.

Anyone can practice qigong. There are techniques suitable for every age and physical condition. Qigong includes standing, seated, and supine meth ods. W ith only slight adjustments in technique, it is possible to practice most standing exercises from a seated or lying down position. This makes qigong an ideal exercise for the disabled.