The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"... an outstanding discussion of subtle energies as Qi. His explanations are interesting and his style easy reading." -- IJHC/WHR Newsletter, January 2003

Product Description

Unlocks the secrets of one of the most powerful of Chinese healing arts

Developed over millennia in China, qigong (literally, life force + mastery, or refinement) is a set of techniques used to increase your vitality, longevity, and sexual potency as well as achieve and maintain optimal health and inner peace. In the groundbreaking The Healing Promise of Qi, Dr. Roger Jahnke, internationally respected doctor of Chinese medicine and author of the bestselling The Healer Within, clearly and simply explains the concepts of qigong in practical terms.

With the help of 125 superbly rendered illustrations, he describes a multitude of simple qigong tools, practices, and techniques for accessing and utilizing the incredible power of qi. Rather than focus on a particular form of qigong, Dr. Jahnke presents concise, easy-to-follow techniques from among the more than 25 traditional and modern forms that he has mastered and taught to thousands of people across the United States and Canada.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809295288
• ISBN-13: 978-0809295289
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,843 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Work, June 30, 2002

By	Jasch Hamilton (Moss Landing, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Roger Jahnke has taken the ancient practice of Qigong - a healing meditation practice that combines gentle movement with focus, posture and breath - and has truly made it accessible to beginners. And we're not just talking about theory here: I was able to immediately begin practicing on my own with his clear instructions and accompanying illustrations. On the theory side he weaves a remarkable story using current scientific insights to support ancient Chinese concepts in a way that leaves you inspired and confident that this is indeed the real thing. The key to any meditative healing practice is actually doing the practice and this book is as motivating as I've ever read in getting me to get up and go for it. It has the feel of a companion that I'll be able to turn to for years to come, without it ever getting stale or out-of-date. The three promises of Qigong - it's free and accessible to everyone, you'll benefit if you practice, and it's easy to do - are clearly derived from the author's years of personal experience, practice and deep desire to share this wisdom with a wide audience. Many thanks from a new student.

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Insights for anybody at any level, May 20, 2005

By	An Architect - See all my reviews

I don't write many reviews, but this book seemed to deserve one. I've practiced Qigong and Tai Chi for over a decade, but recently have committed to taking my practice to a higher level. I have read a number of books written by Chinese masters, past and present and was seeking another when I ran across this one while searching amazon.com. At first I thought to myself "but he isn't Chinese". However, the overwhelmingly positive reviews drew my interest and I ordered the book.

What I found was the most simple and direct explanation of qi theory and practice that I have ever encountered. Despite the simplicity, I found that none of the subject depth had been lost. There are many things about qi practice that I do not believe anyone ever told me, but I figured them out or felt them for myself while puzzling over a multitude of myserious poems and mechanically oriented instructions. I was surprised and gratified to find so much connection between this book and my own experiences. Jahnke also brought me many fresh new insights as well as a strategy for practice and growth. Too often a teacher only teaches the forms and perhaps some of the history, but rarely says much about how mind directs qi.

I can therefore recommend this book for anyone practicing Tai Chi or Qigong. As for readers who are new to qi practice, I can't think of a better introduction.

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure to be a standard work, June 3, 2005

By	WG "avid reader" (Kulmbach, Germany) - See all my reviews

I can't add much to the other reviews here. The book has earned all of its stars. The only caveat I have is with the superficial description of the Microcosmic Orbit Meditation (I call it that because I like the monogram :-)

Jahnke is the real deal and his writing style is excellent. No redundancy, no copy/paste blah blah blah as seen in most Qigong books. This one is truly unique. Many Qigong books attempt to sound poetic, but they have no soul. Jahnke is all soul and this makes him sound poetic. You can open this book to any page and just enjoy the writer's enthusiasm for Qigong.

I especially enjoyed his frank, pragmatic discussion of sexual Qigong. It's an important subject and most authours are either too embarrassed or too unknowledgable to discuss it in detail. Dr. Jahnke takes the mystery out of the subject and gives us some practical, practiceable tips for building up our Qi reserves (for men AND women!). This direct discussion is missing from, for example, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's book, "The Secret of Youth", which *should* essentially be a frank discussion of Daoist sexual practices but which turns a blushing cheek on the subject in a way that this book does not. In a couple short pages, Jahnke casts a whole new light on the Yang book. I love both books, but this one is more accessible and easier to put into practice.

Well, for a really good introduction to Qigong, I have to recommend this book and Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's "The Root of Chinese Qigong". They really complement one another nicely.

Keep an open mind about Qigong. Don't believe ANYONE who says he/she has *the* best method. Don't be afraid to experiment :-)