<\/p>\n Most people think of Chinese astrology as only being concerned with what animal you are, as found on many Chinese restaurant menus. Of course, as with most of the traditional Chinese arts, there is a lot more to it than this to this ancient art than this. <\/span><\/p>\n As in Western astrology, the month, day and hour have significance. This book also tells us how to find our power animals and how to learn from their wisdom. It’s one thing to say that you are a Tiger, it’s another to actually draw on the power of the Tiger in your everyday life. <\/span><\/p>\n As a master of the Yijing, the author also tells us how these animal signs relate to the core hexagrams of this ancient book of divination and gudiance. <\/span><\/p>\n I liked that not only was information and advice given for each animal\u2014such as personality, health, relationships, career, finance, color and food\u2014but there was also a special meditation for each one, including visualization and hand mudra.<\/span><\/p>\n The connection with a specific hexagram from the Yijing was also welcome. This is the first time I have seen this and it brings much deeper and richer meaning to understanding your animal sign and how it affects your life. <\/span><\/p>\n I am glad that, despite the many challenges of living in this modern age, we are also gifted with such rich material as this at our fingertips!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n (Reprinted from The Empty Vessel<\/em><\/span>, Winter 2011)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n by Gordon Faulkner<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Singing Dragon, 2011;\u00a0Softcover, 256 pages, $24.95<\/span><\/p>\n This book is a presentation of a form of Daoyin created in Beijing by professor Zhang Guangde. The author gives a nice concise definition of Daoyin as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n Daoyin is classified as part of both traditional medical knowledge and practices pertaining to Yangsheng, nourishing the vital principle or nourishing life. Throughout history there have been many types of Qigong, the name and emphasis varying according to the individual purpose. However, its oldest and most diverse type is Daoyin. Dao, to guide, refers to the fact that physical movements are guided by the focus of the mind which, in turn, stimulates the internal flow of Qi within the body. Yin, to pull, means that with the aid of physical movements, Qi can be pulled throughout the body to the appropriate area.<\/span><\/p>\n Daoyin is extremely old, probably the original form of what we today know as qigong. Drawings of people doing various Daoyin practices have been found from as early as the Han dynasty (220 BCE-221 CE) though the practice is probably much older than that.<\/span><\/p>\n What Professor Zhang has done is develop “a comprehensive system that follows the usual Daoyin actions of gentle exercise with breath control, the stimulation of key acupoints in the body, self massage and mental development but has now been updated by combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical theory.”<\/span><\/p>\n The author, a long time student of Professor Zhang, tells that the form of qigong in this book was designed with a very specific purpose in mind, to deal with chronic stress.<\/span><\/p>\n As we all know, there are different kinds of stress, some of it acute and short in duration and some of it chronic, or long lasting. This kind of stress can be insidious and very damaging to our health system, physically as well as mentally\/emotionally.<\/span><\/p>\n While it is often possible to avoid, acute stress, since most of us don’t have to worry about being attacked by tigers or don’t have a job as a international spy, chronic stress, while often low key, can have major effects on our sense of well being. And sometimes we cannot avoid this type of stress\u2014whether we are caring for a sick loved one, are sick ourselves, are in a difficult relationship or job situation\u2014what we\u00a0can<\/em> do is learn ways to deal with the stress in healthy and creative ways. This can make a huge difference in our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n The practices in this book are just such a way to give our body and energy system what it needs to be able to deal with any level of stress and remain healthy and whole in the process. I liked that there are sections using seated postures as well as standing. In this way the material can be used for folks in any type of physical condition.<\/span><\/p>\n (Reprinted from\u00a0The Empty Vessel<\/em>, Winter 2011)<\/span><\/p>\n by Christina J. Barea<\/strong><\/p>\n Human Kinetics, 2011;\u00a0Softcover, 143 pages, 18.95<\/span><\/p>\n Instruction is given on postural alignment, breath and another aspect that is often left out, intention. There follow chapters on Structuring a Qigong Routine, Qigong for Internal Organ Strength (which includes five routines, one for each of the five major organ systems), Qigong for Optimal Health (the author’s version of the Badua Jin or Eight Brocades), Qigong for Stress Relief and Qigong for Relaxation.<\/span><\/p>\n This book is very well done, with many clear photos to guide the reader\/practitioner through the various exercises. Qigong, of course, is more than just physical exercises and this book does a good job of giving the proper background and theory to guide the reader to be able to practice at a very deep level. The author has clearly studied on a very deep level herself and it comes through in her writing and presentation of this ancient and wondrous practice. Qigong Illustrated would make a very good gift for anyone interested in beginning a qigong practice who needs some guidance in an easy-to-follow presentation.<\/span><\/p>\n (Reprinted from The Empty Vessel, Winter 2011)<\/span><\/p>\n Master Waysun Liao.<\/span><\/p>\n Shambhala Publications, Inc. 2009<\/span><\/p>\n There are some Daoist concepts in the book, however, the book does not go deeply into the nature of Daoism nor does it relate to Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts such as meridians,\u00a0acupuncture or acupressure points.\u00a0The author stresses the importance of learning to strengthen and protect your qi. \u201c It is critical to know how dangerously easy it is for us to overcome our credit limit and fall in deep debt where chi is concerned.\u00a0Our mind and our life energy are always vulnerable and at risk, primarily because we are seduced by temptations and habits of convenience that pull us too far into the negative and artificial world.\u201d(p.26). These words are very appropriate for the times we live in today. It is by strengthening and protecting your chi that once can attain balance and harmony. According to Liao,\u00a0\u201cremember that Chi is spelled C-H-I: Center, Harmony and Infinity. (p.26).\u00a0Nurturing your life energy (chi) is accomplished with proper posture, breathing,\u00a0mind intent, and moving meditation (taiji)\u00a0as well as qigong .\u00a0The book does not delve into meditation exercises or techniques other than a standing qigong meditation.\u00a0If one is interested in this area , other resource material is advised.\u00a0In learning any internal energy art, oral transmission by a qualified teacher is best, but may be difficult to find.\u00a0This book is not about taiji forms or various styles of taiji. If one is looking for that type of instruction, this book may not be for you.\u00a0However, the strength of the book lies in the inherent concepts that are the basis of all internal energy modalities.\u00a0Master Liao does have a website where one can purchase several books and taiji learning dvd\u2019s and other\u00a0educational materials.\u00a0You may wish to explore his website at www.taichitaocenter.com.\u00a0In conclusion, I found the text clearly written, well suited for internal energy practitioners and very convenient to bring along in your travels due to its small paperback size.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviewed by\u00a0Sal Casano, Ph.D, R.N\u00a0( Certified Taiji\/Qigong Instructor)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/ys44.jpg\" "\\"ys44\\"")
<\/a>by Master Zhongxian Wu<\/span><\/em> Singing Dragon, 2010;\u00a0\u00a0 Harcover, 187 pages, $18.95<\/span><\/p>\nManaging Stress with Qigong<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Another book by the good folks at Singing Dragon, who are becoming quite an important source for excellent material on qigong and Chinese medicine. (The fact that they published my book,\u00a0Cha Dao<\/em>, last year does not unduly influence me. I would support them even if they didn’t bring out my own work.)<\/span><\/p>\nQigong Illustrated<\/em><\/h2>\n
<\/a>An excellent introduction to the ancient art of qigong, written by an ordained Daoist priest, with a master’s degree in medical qigong. She is also a Westerner, which I think helps her do a good job of presenting this material to Western readers. There was a short yet very concise history of qigong practices at the end of the book, dating from the Shang dynasty, which I found very interesting. That and the introductory material were very well put together and very accessible.\u00a0The use of many photos helps the reader to learn the practices taught here.<\/span><\/p>\nChi – Discovering Your Life Energy<\/em><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Waysun Liao studied with a Taoist master and brings the wisdom he accumulated into this book. The focus of the book is to help the reader improve his or her awareness of qi and qi flow. The book is geared for students\u00a0of all levels of qigong and taiji training.\u00a0However, the principles set forth and the exercises provided in the book are suitable for all energy work modalities. The author discusses three ways of restoring your awareness and feeling of qi flow. They are practicing motionless meditation( static qiqong), moving meditation( taiji) and having your qi \u201ccharged up\u201d by a master teacher. The author emphasizes the importance of\u00a0a good teacher when learning\u00a0energy techniques. To quote from the book, \u201cchi starts with cultivating chi awareness, moves on to developing chi flow, and final culmination in the practice of chi application\u201d(p.72). \u201cTao Gong\u201d meditation teaches the practitioner to \u201cpush\u201d that feeling and make it flow around your entire body.\u00a0Master Liao describes with clear directions and photos of himself performing seven single movement meditations which are practiced individually and can flow from one to another.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>[<\/span>Salvatore Casano R.N., PhD<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 a registered nurse with a PhD in Holistic Health, and is an ATCQZ certified Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. His Tai Chi and Qigong journey began over 20 years ago while working as a chemistry instructor, when he felt the need for a more holistic approach to health care. Participating in many programs and projects relating to health, Dr. Casano educates the community on living a healthier lifestyle to avoid obesity and diabetes, and as a way to reduce stress. Over the years, he has learned from many masters including Bill Philips, Marc Issacs, Richard Chu, as well as two ATCQA advisors, Dr. Roger Jahnke, and Bill Douglas. Dr. Casano, along with his wife Veronica, often sojourn together on his healing path, as they use their skills in helping others connect the mind, body, and spirit. They have four adult children, seven grandchildren, and a cat, \u201cTiger\u201d.]<\/span><\/p>\n
![<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDo you like this? Please share it:<\/div>Tweet<\/a>](\"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/ys48.jpg\"){kind=link}