Customer Reviews

Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body: Chi Gung for Lifelong Health (Tao of Energy Enhancement Series)

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this book, Frantzis Kumar describes techniques which are essential for all energy work as well as a precondition for practicing internal martial arts; that is, he gives detailed instructions on opening the channels that control the flow of chi ("the energy gates"). By following the instructions step-by-step the practitioner learns to generate an uninterrupted flow of chi through the major meridians and dan-tiens. Any dedicated practitioner of aikido, tai-chi, chi-kung, capoeira and other martial arts knows that this is not an easy thing to do - learning to manipulate chi takes years of practice and one has to be lucky to have instructors who are willing to impart this knowledge. Internal energy techniques used to be (and still are) rather secret in China and it is rare to encounter a Chinese master who is willing to teach these to non-Chinese disciples. That's why we're lucky to have this book written by a Westerner for a Western audience.

Kumar starts from the beginning, with techniques designed to dissolve energy "knots". He then describes all the major points on the meridians where stale energy is wont to accumulate and introduces a simple Cloud Hands practice, which is an optimal way to open the shoulder blades and the pelvic girdle (stretch them darn psoas muscles!). He ends with teaching a simple spinal stretch method (which reminds me of Feldenkreis).

The book is filled with helpful hints and admonitions. It is also well written, unlike many other similar manuals which tend to suffer from mistranslations and bad grammer. Written text of course is no substitute for a live teacher, whose help is crucial so that we learn to correct the warped micro-postures and subconscious mis-alignements that tend to plague our steps into the wonderful world of energy work. As a supplement, however, i think Kumar's book is very useful and i recommend it highly.

I bought this book reluctantly as it sounded, well, a bit new-agey and filled with BS. When everyone's talking Quigong and Taijiquan, etc. what's one more book about our Chi, energy bodies, etc.?

In this case, this is a book that is no-BS, gets down to business, and gets the job done.

Forget new-agey claptrap and people who sound like they've seen too much Dragonball Z. The author's history is presented, a quick guide to Chi and other energy issues, then straight into the exercises. There's no bragging (though the part on the author that was written by someone else gets a tad grandiose), no pointless buzzwords, just instructions on a useful series of exercises for health and well-being.

To add to this delightful book, it has advice any good master would give his students - warnings of what not to do and reminders that self-development is something that takes months to get off the ground. The author fully believes (and perhaps demonstrates) the mystical powers of Quigong, but he admits that one can harm themselves if they're not careful and warns that there's no substitute for hard work.

I'm not even through all of the exercises completely, and I've noticed significant improvements in my health and well-being. As a person with a sceptical nature, I'm convicned this book is 100% worth it.

I practice Aikido and over the years I heard an awful lot of meaningless bla-bla about KI. In my opinion the author is able to formalize concepts and convey his knowledge to the reader. Moreover, I began practicing the core exercises that he precisely explains in the book. As far as I can tell, all what he says in this book is true, and I feel the benefits. This apply not only to my back (that was injured a couple of years ago), but also to my Aikido training. I have the clear feeling of currents of energy flowing through my body. I am still a beginner in this field, but I know where I want to go, now.
This book (first printed in 1993 and still ranking 15000 on Amazon) is worth its weight in gold. It's a shame that the author did't follow through his promise of publishing similar books about "Dragon and Tiger", "Joining of Heaven and Hearth", "Bend the Bow and shoot the Arrow", "Spiraling Energy Body" and Gods playing in the Clouds". Instead he has been writing a bunch of mediocre books about clueless mumbo-jumbo Chi Gung ... stuff.
As for the new, expanded 2006 edition, it's certainly worth the few more dollars it costs. Disolving process is better explained and the procedure is more clearly detailed. All the steps of the three swings and the spinal stretch are explained more clearly and with greater details. I am glad I bought this last edition to update the old one.

Most people will not have the discipline and patience to work through this workbook on qigong, but for those who do, this is absolutely the finest presentation around. Even more advanced practioners will want to refer to this fundamental book again and again.

This book works through the physical alignments and beginning standing-dissolving practice as foundation for all advanced work in healing, martial, and meditative qigong/neigong.

The old edition was excellent, but the new revised edition is even better, adding a step-by-step chapter on Taoist breathing which is a very welcome addition, and one which is a stand-alone practice in its own right.

I strongly recommend this book for all who want comprehensive health, vitality, and want to take their health into their own hands. This is a WORKBOOK for the general public, but also has much, practical theory which is marvelously articulated. I have practiced the six exercises in this book for several months, and I feel like I'm getting physically younger every day (I'm 38 years old). These practices enhance bodily comfort, health, and physical performance in every way. The reader must put forth a sustained, regular effort, but this moderate effort is rewarded many times over. My health is now in MY hands, and I see that I don't have to grow stiff and weak as I age!!! If everyone used the material in this book, there would by a lot of unemployed doctors. I'm grateful to the author, B.K. Frantzis.

i have been practising for about 4 months, the first part of the book which consists of learning to feel(kinesthetically) energy(chi) moving thru my body. if u practise about 15 min a day for a few months u will definetly become more sensitve to your body. i have had a lot of stress in my life and as a result i used to get mouth ulcers all the time(like 3 or 4 at once) these would last 2-3 weeks before the would disapear and this is using every conventional medicine under the sun. with my nei gung practise they disappear overnight or even the same day. + i can get rid of headaches real quick. i have also noticed parts of my body opening up and then close up again. i now believe as bkf says that eventually my whole body will open up and stay open and that i will b able to feel different organs in my body and the state they r in, and direct energy to them if need b and hence solve problems b4 they become more problematic. this is so simple to practise)(read the instuctions carefully) no guru is needed if u do this. incredibly simple, amazingly effective!!!!

This book gets right to the core of chi kung. None of the readers time is wasted with useless movements or practices. I have 20 years of martial arts experience and this is the best book i have read on chi kung and chi developement. If you want to feel your chi, this is the place to start!

I learned more about qi from this book than from a decade of taijiquan lessons. It is the best introduction to energetics and body structure available, and is a must read for all taijiquan (tai chi chuan) and qigong (chi kung) students.

There are a number of "gems" in this book ... principles that most people miss in their study of taijiquan and qigong. These principles apply not only to the exercises given in the book, but to all styles of taiji or qigong.

This is the book, combined with Wong Kiew Kit's _The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan_ will give you the best introduction to Taijiquan available.

An excellent book explaining chi gung and how it works - great for both beginners and veterans of the art. I have read many other books on chi gung and always recommend this one because of it's clarity and authenticity. It's hard to find a book on chi gung that really explains what it is about, instead of just presenting moves that are hard to do without a teacher. A rare gem.

Kumar has done an excellent job putting enough information into this book in an understandable way to make the book useful to those just looking into the internal arts as well as for those who have been long-time practitioners. Not that a book could ever replace actual lessons from a master in Qigong, but Kumar has some very valid observations and ideas that can help even those who have been doing Qigong for a while.

I find the illustrations to be very good; they seem to capture the essence of the movements when many other books, particularly some full of photos, for some reason just can't convey. Kumar's history is interesting and inspirational as one would expect of someone who has mastered the many arts he has studied.