Simple Qigong Exercises for Health: Jwing-Ming: 9781594392696: Amazon.com: Books
4.3 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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This revised edition of our best-selling beginner qigong book includes a new and modern easy-to-follow layout. Every qigong movement is presented with large photographs and clear instructions, followed by an analysis of how the movements aid in improving health. Two qigong routines are included. The Sitting Set can be performed on the floor. The Standing Set can be performed in a small space and emphasizes a full body qigong exercises.
Editorial Reviews
Review
One of the most sought-after instructors of Qigong (The Omega Institute)
Author of the Year (11th World Congress on Qigong and the American Qigong Assoc.)
One of the 10 people who has made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years (Inside Kung Fu Magazine)
Review
• "One of the most sought-after instructors of Qigong"—The Omega Institute
• Author of the year—11th World Congress on Qigong and the American Qigong Association.See all Editorial Reviews
Product details
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: Ymaa; 2nd ed. edition (October 16, 2013)
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Biography
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California.
Showing 1-10 of 60 reviews
Micah P.
4.0 out of 5 starsEnhanced edition only works on...January 31, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition with Audio/VideoVerified Purchase
The book is very comprehensive however,
I already had the Kindle version of this book then saw the enhanced edition. The enhanced edition does not work with Kindle App for Android, PC, or Kindle Cloud Reader. You must have the following for the enhanced edition to work
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16 people found this helpful
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Laura De Giorgio
4.0 out of 5 starsCross-reference with other worksMarch 9, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
While I can attest to the effectiveness of the Eight Pieces of Brocade, when done properly, I was expecting this books to have more information specific to the exercises themselves.
This is a small book of 112 pages, and only 20% of this book is dedicated to the actual Eight Pieces of Brocade, half of that to sitting exercises, and half to standing exercises, that's about 10 pages for each, and since illustrations take about half a page, you'll get the bare minimum of guidance for the exercise.
As Dr. Yang says, he wrote the book to be used together with the videos. Although you can get the gist of the exercises from the illustrations and the right-up and you may be able to perform them to some point even using this book, and you may get the benefit from the purely physical movement, there is no specific guidance for coordinating breathing with the movements, nor the visualizations that help you to get the most of the exercises, nor a key instruction regarding a simple thing you must do get the energy circulating.
Also, for some reason when talking to Middle Dan Tian, Dr. Yang keeps saying several times that it is in the solar plexus region, and sometimes that it is at the heart center. And the kidney point, the Door of Life, which is called Ming Men, he has renamed here Jing Men. Acupuncture charts depict Jing Men as a point on the side of the ribcage.
The first chapter of this book, which is about 30% of the book deals with the history of Qigong, second part of the book, again about 30% deals with the theory of Qigong, and the last 20% of the book is the glossary.
While Dr. Yang emphasizes that he believes that the theory of Qigong is more important than the actual form of the exercise, and while I respect all the hard work he invested in translating the works and sharing the information with the west, he also added that he found it difficult to translate some Chinese concepts into English and at times his choice of English words doesn't help to make the meaning any clearer. At times the writing style seems somewhat erratic, as if Dr. Yang was just jotting down his thoughts on paper, and feel that further editing might have helped to organize and present the information in a way that would be easier to comprehend.
I have read books by Mantak Chia, Bruce Frantzis, Eva Wong, Thomas Cleary, Robert Peng and others, and have found these writers to present the information in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Again, I do greatly appreciate Dr. Yang's life-work, but have found this book to have, perhaps a lot of information that may be interesting, but not necessarily helpful for the Eight Pieces of Brocade, and I have found some information which would've been more helpful for the Eight Pieces of Brocade missing.
12 people found this helpful
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jasy
5.0 out of 5 starsvery effective but subtleMay 19, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Tried all these things in the past: gym, indoor bike, zumba, elliptical, running, powerblock, etc. These may be effective for some, but I was not able to get to do them consistently, just not right for me.
Started to do this exercise daily at first (December of 2013) then cut back down again to just doing it early on the days I go to work. And I just do the minimum 6 set. The exercises are gentle and does not really take that much effort to start.
The effect: more energetic at work (RN 12 hours day shift). And that is also why I make sure I start those days with the exercises at the least. The only compromise I had to do, wake up 30 minutes earlier (5am). But after doing the exercise, it does not matter anyway.
I noted to be a little stronger, although it was subtle. While pressure washing the deck last year, I had to stop frequently (maybe more than 20x) because my arms were tired from squeezing the trigger, and it took the whole day to finish it. And I was so tired I slept for almost 18 hours the next day to recover.
This year, it took only about 4.5 hours, and 3-4 rests. And I was not as tired. And I am 1 year older.
Like other reviewers suggest, better to complement it with the video.
5 people found this helpful
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mukjong
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book is an excellent historical and practical guide to the Eight Pieces Brocade form both sitting and standing.December 4, 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have been a martial artist since I was a young boy learning jujitsu at the local YMCA. I have studied CoungNu, TaeKwonDo, Akido, Military Hand to Hand Combat, Taiji, Wing Chun Gungfu and Chi Gung. Initially my practice was always on external martial arts, however as I aged I discovered the more internal arts. This book is an excellent historical and practical guide to the Eight Pieces Brocade form both sitting and standing. I found the details to be insightful aiding my practice and enhancing the successes I had achieved over the last 5 years. This is considered a beginners introduction, however there are many valuable pieces of wisdom to be found amidst the pages.
Highly recommend for anyone who wants to live a better life. I plan to give copies of this book to many friends and relatives.
9 people found this helpful
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Virgal L. Bressner
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a great book! I have some experience with kung fuJanuary 30, 2018
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This is a great book! I have some experience with kung fu, Moo Duk Kwan, and Modern Army Combatives but I have never tried qigong. This book laid the information out in an easy to understand and follow format. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in developing their mind, body, spirit connection.
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CFGuvera
4.0 out of 5 starsVery much like the book except for this has demonstrationsMay 30, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition with Audio/VideoVerified Purchase
Very much like the book except for this has demonstrations. I found that very helpful. This is a great way to lean 8 pieces brocade if you can't find a local teacher. You might also like the video streaming version of the standing and sitting routines. You won't need it, with this book. But, you might like it anyway.
3 people found this helpful
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RoseBud
5.0 out of 5 starsOutstanding...what more can you add?November 14, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition with Audio/VideoVerified Purchase
Outstanding! Dr. Yang sure knows how to make it simple and easy to follow. Dr. Yang discusses with lots of photos sitting and standing exercises for the Eight Pieces of Brocade. Anyone can follow this. I also appreciated the discussions about the history of the Eight Pieces of Brocade as well as the Qigong training theory. I like a little background on subjects. I find that it helps define the exercise.
2 people found this helpful
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faterauf
4.0 out of 5 starsA great teacherMarch 31, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition with Audio/VideoVerified Purchase
Saw him on You tube and loved the way he explained things and how much in depth he went. I don't like checklists, I need explanations of why and where and then how.
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Tara Flores
4.0 out of 5 starsQigong can keep you moving.January 3, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Practical and useful. It is helpful for all the ones who might think Chinese Martial Arts are only for combat. These easy to practice movements could improve anybody's health and add mobility to those who are becoming stiff. Since I started practicing Qigong I feel better, my stance and the way I walk are back to what used to be normal a few years ago. I recommend The Eight Pieces of Brocade to all the ones who would wish to experience youthful vitality.
One person found this helpful
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Two Bears
4.0 out of 5 starsGood for beginners, but there are better ones,October 25, 1998
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On page 23; Dr Yang cautions the readers about the health risks of the Nei Dan (Mental) aspect of Chi Kung. While it is true that you CAN hurt yourself. In my opinion the Nei Dan aspect of Chi Kung is nowhere as dangerous as some of the breathing exercizes. On page 27 Dr. Yang cautions readers to perform the hand forms exactly as shown. The Hand forms are the least important aspect there is to Chi Kung. The mental (Nei Dan) and the breathing exercizes are far important. Now you should perform the hand forms as accurately as possible so that you will derive the most benefit from them. But if your joints, muscles, and tendons will not allow to perform the form exactly. do not worry about it. Perform the hand forms as accurately as you can. and give your body time to adjust. When performing the Chi Kung exercizes, perform them with a relaxed and cheerful attitude; or don't do them. The exercize "Draw the bow" On the Cover Dr Yang demonstrates the arm holding the bow where the wrist is straight pointing two fingers in the direction the arrow would go. There is a very easy way to improve this exercize and cause chi (qi) to gather in the arm. You should bend the wrist back as nearly 90 degrees as comfortably possible and only extend the index finger. This will stimulate the liver meridian. Try the exercize both ways and decide for yourself which way is more effective. Dr. Yang spends quite some cames talking about the meridians (He uses the term channels". however; I wish Dr. Yang had included a drawing to show where the meridians occur. May your chi (qi) flow wild and free.
36 people found this helpful
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