Customer Reviews

Secrets to Living Younger Longer: The Self-Healing Path of Qigong, Standing Meditation and Tai Chi (Bodymind Healing Publications)

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Dr. Mayer brings numerous perspectives (Western psychologist, storyteller, student of Greek civilization) to his 30+ years of practice of Qigong to deliver an easy-to-read guide to this Chinese method of healing. His broad learning allows Dr. Mayer to share insights and ideas that help both novice and experienced practitioner obtain a deeper experience of the stances and movements that he clearly describes (with accompanying photos). His academic training shows through the logical and systematic development of ideas and exercises in the book. Overall, it was really easy to read, and also easy to use as a guide to various "sets" of Qigong methods for "bodymind healing". The appendices which give a guide to exercises for self-healing and research are useful for quick reference, as well. A great buy.

As a psychologist, Dr. Mayer brings his awareness of the depth workings of psyche to the healing practice of Qigong for a true integration of mind and body. Rather than just talking about the technicalities of the standing posture, he puts the question to the reader, "What do you stand for?" Mayer shares his personal journey, illuminating his development of this unique perspective of ancient sacred wisdom and the workings of the mind. Section Two of this book has clear step-by-step descriptions of the exercises and excellent photos to guide the reader in learning and doing the practices. Section Three ties Qigong back into modern life with case examples and ways to build Qi (the vital life force) in our everyday life so that we can truly live younger longer!

Barbara Stone, PhD, author of

Invisible Roots: How Healing Past Life Trauma Can Liberate Your Present

The author of this book seemed a little fruity to me at first, which only became reinforced the further into this book I got. His idea of healthy exercise is childishly ridiculous. One example of this is his deer exercise in which you simply mimic a deer by putting extended palms next to your ears to simulate antlers, and then prance about like a ballerina (pgs 137-141). This is supposedly done to help with problems with the kidneys, but he never explains how he figured that one out - as is the case with all the supposed physiological benefits of his exercises. Then his claims of the existence of "fajing" and "Qi balls" (pgs 172-180) only undermine his credibility even more, especially with his pathetic attempt to prove the existence of Qi balls with the obviously staged photos he took of this in action (pgs 176-178).

For a person with a Phd, I would expect him to at least have a clue what Tai Chi or Qigong is all about, but he clearly does not (see my review of Pain Free by Pete Egoscue). I know of many people who have practiced Tai Chi and Qigong and they all brag about how it has made them FEEL younger and FEEL more fit, but the real life 24-step Tai Chi method requires too much room for use in limited spaces (like for practicing at home), so I thought that standing meditation might be an alternative. I should have known from the title that this was New Age nonsense from the start and I recommend that no one waste their time to buy or read this book if they are serious about these kind of exercises.