Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for Cultivating Yin Energy [Paperback]

Mantak Chia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2005

An introduction to the ancient Taoist exercise system of Tao Yin

• Includes 45 fully illustrated exercises that promote flexibility, strength, and balance in one’s physical, mental, and spiritual energy

• Addresses the health needs of the musculoskeletal system and the unique physical stresses of a modern urban lifestyle

In the Western world, exercise focuses mainly on physical fitness and developing muscular strength. In the East, exercise systems balance fitness practices for the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is strongly emphasized in the Taoist system of Tao Yin, one of the oldest and most diverse forms of exercise in China. Tao Yin focuses on creating balance between internal and external energies and revitalizing the body, mind, and spirit with a combination of strength, flexibility, and internal energy exercises. Its ultimate goal is for the practitioner to become pure, responsive, and full of energy, like a child.

In Energy Balance through the Tao, Master Mantak Chia introduces 45 fully illustrated Tao Yin exercises to Western readers. He explains the history behind the practice and its connections to other complementary Chinese exercise forms, such as tai chi. In this book Chia focuses on the lying and sitting positions of Tao Yin, which improve health and structural alignment and, once mastered, strengthen movements and postures in standing positions. The benefits of these remarkably simple exercises include harmonizing chi, developing strength and flexibility through tendon stretching, relaxing the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, releasing toxins through the breath, and training the "second brain" in the lower abdomen to coordinate and direct these processes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A superb supplement to exercise and health regimens, offering ideal exercises for warm up and cool down during workouts."
(The Midwest Book Review, Nov 2005 )

"This book is recommended for those who are comitted to the integration of their full beings. No half beings need apply."
(Jennifer Hoskins, New Dawn, Sept-Oct 2006 )

From the Back Cover

EXERCISE / MARTIAL ARTS

In the Western world, exercise focuses mainly on physical fitness and developing muscular strength. In the East, exercise systems balance the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is strongly emphasized in the Taoist system of Tao Yin, one of the oldest and most diverse forms of exercise in China. Tao Yin focuses on creating balance between internal and external energies and revitalizing the body, mind, and spirit with a combination of strength, flexibility, and internal energy exercises. Its ultimate goal is for the practitioner to become pure, responsive, and full of energy, like a child.

In Energy Balance through the Tao Master Mantak Chia introduces 45 fully illustrated Tao Yin exercises to Western readers. He explains the history behind the practice and its connections to other complementary Chinese exercise forms, such as tai chi. In this book Chia focuses on the lying and sitting positions of Tao Yin, which improve health and structural alignment and, once mastered, strengthen movements and postures in standing positions. The benefits of these remarkably simple exercises include harmonizing chi, developing strength and flexibility through tendon stretching, relaxing the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, releasing toxins through the breath, and training the "second brain" in the lower abdomen to coordinate and direct these processes.

MANTAK CHIA, a student of several Taoist masters, founded the Universal Healing Tao System in 1979. He has taught and certified tens of thousands of students and instructors from all over the world and tours the United States annually, giving workshops and lectures. He is the director of the Tao Garden Integrative Medicine Health Spa and Resort and the Universal Healing Tao training center in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, and the author of twenty-five books, including the bestselling The Multi-Orgasmic Man.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (September 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159477059X
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770593
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cultivation of Our Yin Energy is Something That We All Need!, March 3, 2006

By 

Dr. Richard G. Petty (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for Cultivating Yin Energy (Paperback)

Many of the BIG problems in Health, Psychology and Relationships can be said to originate in an excess of Yang energy. Not just the excesses of aggression, winning, and dominating, but the whole frenetic race toward ever more energy draining and attenton demanding multi-tasking. Our society is becoming progressively more hypomanic and it sometimes seems that it is only a matter of time before everyone will start to show symptoms of attention deficit disorder! Some of the illnesses that are becoming more prevalent, including some of the disorders of immune function, digestion and thermoregulation, can also be thought of as consequences of a rampant and unbalanced Yang force.

It is desperately important for us to try and balance those excesses in our own lives, and it is a tough call with so many demands on us. The exercises in this book are all designed to balance the Yin and Yang energies of our bodies. Cultivating Yin energy is particularly important for men and these exercises really fit the bill. What I have always liked about Mantak Chia's work, is that he tries to provide explanations for the exercises, rather than just providing a catalog of techniques. And some of the exercises can have potent effects.

Some of the exercises require some strength and flexibility, so I recommend that people should have a discussion with their health care provider before starting this kind of new program.

This is a reprint of the book Tao Yin: Excercises for Revitalization, Health & Longevity, which was published in Thailand in 1999. There are only some minor differences between the two.

If you don't have the earlier book, you will find a lot of valuable material here.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb supplement to exercise and health regimens, offering ideal exercises for warm up and cool down during workouts, November 10, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for Cultivating Yin Energy (Paperback)

Former student of several Taoist masters, founder of the Universal Healing Tao System, and director of the Tao Garden Integrative Medicine Health Spa and Resort Mantak Chia presents Energy Balance Through The Tao: Exercises For Cultivating Yin Energy, an exercise book that incorporates both the Western principles of physical fitness and the Eastern principles of balancing body, mind, and spirit. The goal of Tao Yin is to revitalize body, mind, and spirit by balancing internal and external energies, and help the practitioner become more pure and full of energy. Energy Balance Through The Tao offers 45 Tao Yin exercises to Western readers, each fully illustrated with black-and-white photographs. The exercises promote flexibility, and once mastered, foster improved strength in movements and standing postures. A superb supplement to exercise and health regimens, offering ideal exercises for warm up and cool down during workouts.

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars very basic!, December 30, 2009

By 

azita (santa monica, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for Cultivating Yin Energy (Paperback)

this book is probably o.k for some one who know absolutely nothing about yoga and energy. half of the book is redundant.there are better books out there... the 2 prior reviews fooled me. wish i could return it.