Qigong Meditation: Small Circulation [Paperback]

Yang Jwing-Ming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2006

Sitting Meditation is becoming more and more popular as people realize that finding their inner self brings health, happiness and clear meaning to one's own life. Chinese Qigong has a rich theoretical foundation for meditation training known as Small Circulation where the body's energy is consciously circulated on energetic pathways. This book describes the theory and presents a detailed practice routine for Small Circulation and Internal Elixir Qigong.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

FINALIST for Book of the Year Award: Mind/Body/Spirit, 2006
(Sponsored by Foreword Magazine)

About the Author

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. Voted by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the ten people who have "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Newton Massachusetts

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (April 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594390673
• ISBN-13: 978-1594390678
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Tai Chi & Qi Gong

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointed, May 30, 2006

By 

JB "JB" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Qigong Meditation: Small Circulation (Paperback)

I was dissapointed with this book. I expected much more from a whole book devoted to small circulation. It gives you the impression that Yang never learned small circulation meditation from an actual teacher, but seems to have picked up techniques from ancient writings. Only a very small portion of this book is devoted to the actual practice of small circulation, the rest is translations of others writings and qigong theory which is included in his other books. Overall, I think there's some good info, but I found Qigong Empowerment by Shou Yu Liang to be much better.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent information as always, May 20, 2009

By 

Taylor Ellwood "http://www.imagineyourreality... - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Qigong Meditation: Small Circulation (Paperback)

I just finished reading Small Circulation by Jwing-Ming Yang and I've been implementing the energy practices in it. It hasn't involved changing much that I hadn't already learned from Mantak Chia's work on the Microcosmic orbit. If anything, it's provided more of a concrete explanation of the energetic mechanics involved with internal energy work.

What I find useful about his writing is just how much work he's done to translate documents and explain the processes described in those documents. The illustrations and instructions are straightforward and very helpful in learning how to work with the qi/chi of the body. Overall, I recommend reading this book as it will provide a thorough grounding in energy work techniques.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming and David Silver, November 16, 2006

By 

Patrick H. Dickson "TAIJIQUAN.COM" (Cupertino, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Qigong Meditation: Small Circulation (Paperback)

For those of you who have struggled to obtain correct and lucid information on Qigong Meditation, then this is one of a series of books that will lead you in the right direction. As those who are familiar with Dr. Yang's publications, the book is written in a style that is accessible and accurate. Much of the previous material available in English was short on explanation and long on symbolism and obscure terms that seemed to have no clear interpretation.

Dr. Yang possesses an incredible history, with a background in martial arts combined with an unceasingly inquisitive, curious and intelligent mind. His goal, as I understand it, to make available accurate and true information on various martial arts styles, is commendable, to say the least.

The book presents a wide range of information, with the following sections:

Chapter 1 General Concepts

Chapter 2 Theoretical foundations

Chapter 3 Four Refinements

Chapter 4 Five Regulatings

Chapter 5 Theoretical root of Small Circulation

Chapter 6 Embryonic Breathing

Chapter 7 Important Points in Meditation

Chapter 8 Small Circulation Meditation Practice

Chapter 9 Questions and Possible Human Future

Chapter 10 Conclusion



Chapter 6, Embryonic Breathing, is not a complete study of the subject. As Dr. Yang mentions in the book, the reader would be advised to purchase the book Embryonic Breathing and study it, preferably before beginning this book, or at least the chapter on Embryonic Breathing. It is an excellent book and provides the student with a solid understanding of the role of breathing in Meditation and qigong.

As the capable and talented editor David Silver mentions in the Editor's Note, some of the readers might already be familiar with some of the chapter topics. However, although it might be tempting to skip these chapters, especially if one had already read some of Dr. Yang's previous coverage of the topics, the reader would be well advised to read the book in its entirety. A true scholar, teacher, or any member of any profession, should constantly be trying to improve and correct their understanding of their relative field. Dr. Yang is one of these true scholars and his explanations continue to grow and improve with time. As David mentions, fundamental training is the heart of any system and should never be skipped, regardless of one's skill level.

It's amazing to me that what seems the most complicated at times can actually be simple once it is understood, and what seems on its face value to be simple in nature is at its heart complex. I think of the saying, "find stillness in movement and movement in stillness". Just as in the Yin Yang symbol, each of the two opposites have the seed of each other. Such is the nature of meditation. I used to believe that there couldn't be very much to know in order to practice meditation. Yet, when one looks at the size of this book, coming in at 402 pages, it is obviously a subject of great depth.

Thank the Taiji gods for Dr. Yang and his numerous contributions to the martial arts world. Along with this book, I would recommend to the serious student to purchase Dr. Yang's DVD titled "Understanding Qigong". As I began to watch the DVD, I found that I couldn't turn it off until it was complete. Although I have read numerous books on Qigong, including all of Dr. Yang's publications, as well as practiced Qigong for many years, I found that watching Dr. Yang talk brought a level of understanding that I had never before achieved. I was amazed at how effective he is as a classroom teacher. It is truly an excellent companion to the study of Meditation.

I have not yet met Dr. Yang in person, although I have talked to him on the phone on a couple of occasions. When I do finally meet him, I will probably find myself bowing to him and stating "I am not worthy". And I mean that with the most respect. If you mediate already or are interested in learning about qigong meditation, then this is most likely one of the best books available on the subject.