Customer Reviews

Tendon Nei Kung: Building Strength, Power, and Flexibility in the Joints

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

 

 

In Tendon Nei Kung, Mantak Chia explains how tendon training is an important aspect of one's essential health and well-being in many ways. Not only can we attain greater strength and power by learning some simple yet powerful postures and exercises, but we can also minimize the risk of contracting arthritis later in life, and reduce the effects of arthritis if and when it does develop. Additionally, tendon training can greatly boost one's sense of having more energy, and it also will help improve the vitality of one's inner organs.

Mantak Chia describes eight basic postures, that when done regularly, can move poisoning acids out of one's body while encouraging the healthy flow of Qi. Tendon Nei Kung is a complete stand-alone book which contains full descriptions of each recommended technique and posture without requiring the reader to read additional books. The photographs and step-by-step instructions make this book a real treasure, and something you'll likely wish to keep it on hand so you will stay inspired to keep improving your tendon strength.

Mantak Chia makes the point that best results come from following these recommended practices while focusing on enjoying the movements and the process, rather than fixating on results. Tendon strengthening takes time, and patience is necessary. Tendon training is not to be confused with weight training, in other words!

I especially love the Mung Bean exercises included toward the end of Tendon Nei Kung, as they provide readers with a powerful means to strengthen and repair damaged or weak tendons in ways that truly encourage tendons to grow. With direct, practical tips, Mantak Chia shares powerful, time-tested methods which have been taught by generations of Taoist Qi Gong masters, with elegant simplicity and modest compassion befitting modern day Taoist Qi Gong master, Mantak Chia.

Highly recommended!

Having studied martial arts for more than 20 years, this is the best material I've seen on the subject of tendon strength, also referred to as "internal power." Most martial arts teachers only allude to "internal power." This is another "keeper" by Mantak Chia.

I have several DVDS and books by Master Chia. The exercises are so easy to do when he explains them. I've only been practicing a short time but it feels like miracles are happening in my body and mind.

Master Chia's book Iron Shirt Chi Kung is probably one you should work with before
learning the Tendon Chi Gung. "Awaken Healing Energy" is another fine book.

If you do these exercises regularly, the entire world will open up within you.

Mantak Chia has always been very generous in sharing his learning to a wider audience, and this book is of no exception. It contains the essential training method of Chinese internal martial art (nei jia quan)for punching, grappling and feet (body) mobility (no high-kick-training). Its method is biased towards tai-chi with additional focus on building flexible (full body) tendon strength to maintain balance in pulling and pushing situations (in comparison, Wing Chun of Bruce Lee type will have additional focus on scapula opening to facilitate inch-punch). Needless to say, additional combat practice will be needed for a complete martial art training program. For the purpose of building good health, the beauty of this system is that it can build full-body strength and flexibility, plus the fact that it will be beneficial to people who are physically weak (because its method is not strenuous yet have powerful benefits). One additional benefit is that it can help repair damaged tissues caused by previous sport-related, posture-related or age-related injuries.

My review will be incomplete if one common weakness of this practice is not mentioned. It is that this practice (and tai-chi related practice in general) is weak on training more-or-less perfect alignment. The best way is to supplement this training with some yoga training (or yogasana, to be precise).

Hitting (self-hitting or with the help of a partner) is part-and-parcel of every martial art practice (especially those with full contact, like boxing). And hitting-the-meridian (by hand or with aid) is also a common curing practice of Chinese medicine. Mantak Chia's good contribution here is his recommendation of using mung beans to fill up a cotton sock, excellent for body-building and health-related training. Needless to say, serious martial art practitioners need to use something more power, as every boxer knows!

Book mostly consists of the author gloating about the school at which he teaches. Not nearly as informative as I was hoping. This book did not help with my aching hands and arms so I bought Icy Hot soon after. (also did very little, and went for the drugs there after. Took it easy for a while and let my body do it's thing and heal.)

I am a Master of Xing Yi (Master Ken Cohen called me a very high level Hsing-I master)This book and the Iron Shirt book contains information that the supposed author does not understand. It should be checked out only with a master of internial arts as it would be harmfull to practice it as it stands in 'his' book.
One of Mantak's top students was a teacher of mine a man who had also lived with Father John Lee I studied some Low Cup & Tai Chi Ruler from him. So I know that Mantaks's other books and teachings are for the most part helpful and safe to practice on your own. Be warned, Be smart, Be careful.

I bought most of this author's books.
Most appears to be translations, plus a few useless pages.
And don't know whether the author "created" anything to
make the book thick.

In the old days, the old teachers say, in general, that
good honest kung fu instruction comes in simple form, less than a page.
Anything more is SELLING.

There are okay tai chi manuals and Xing Yi manuals
more than one page. But it has to do with
theory and principles.