The Essence of Tai Chi Chi Kung : Health and Martial Arts (YMAA Publication Center Book Series, B014) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Chi theory and practice for health and a deeper understanding of Tai Chi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center (1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940871106
• ISBN-13: 978-0940871106
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #316,818 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive book on the subject of Chinese health, May 28, 1998

By A Customer

This book explains what tai-chi hopes to accomplish and a complete description of Chi-kung's origins. It is not for those who are only lightly interested in Tai chi... this book covers a lot of ground. It gives the english and chinese terms for those who wish to learn everything they can about this ancient art. It is deticated to explaining it's health benifits, origins and chi-kung's influence on the body and mind (along with man's place with heaven and earth). Even to those who never plan on taking tai chi, the book covers a bit of oriental philosophy, kung-fu and how to focus chi-power for better living. This book is worth every cent, and more!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Chi of Tai Chi., January 5, 2001

By	D. Hunter - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides what so many books touch on, but never really go in-depth into. It provides a detailed viewpoint of the medical side of the martial arts from an Eastern viewpoint.

It talks about where Chi is generated, the medical benefits of stimulating Chi, uses, practice and so much more! The entire book is filled with page after page of knowledge. I have used this book to fill the holes in other books I've collected. I would highly recommend this book. It is very informative!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming Developing Root , March 2, 2007

By	Golden Lion "Reader" (North Ogden, Ut United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Root:

1. Being rooted means to be stable and in firm contact with the ground

2. You must be centered (focusing the mind on the center), settled, and relaxed. "Since your body isn't struggling to stand up, your Yi (mind) won't be pushing upward, and your body, mind, and chi will be able to sink."

3. Yi leads the chi. Chi can not be pushed or forced, it must be lead by the Yi. To lead the chi to the feet, the mind must first focus on the center. "Only when your Yi can communicate with the ground will your Chi be able to grow beyond your feet and enter the ground to build root." The bubbling well cavity is the gate which enables your chi tto communicate with the ground.

4. A stable center will make your chi develop evenly and uniformly. "In order to keep your body centered, you must first center your Yi, and then match your body to it." Your mental and physical center is the key which enables you to lead your chi beyond your body.

5. Balance your Yi. "If your Yi is balanced, it can help you to make accurate judgements, and therefore to correct the path of Chi flow.

6. Moving chi to your palms: Image you are pushing and object forward while keeping your muscles relaxed.

What is Chi?
1. Chi is the energy or natural force which fills the universe. Three types exist: Heavan Chi, Earth Chi, and Human Chi. Earth Chi absorbs Heavan Chi. When chi or energy field loses it balance, it strives to rebalance itself. Heavan Chi affects Human Chi, flowing from the crown of the head through the energy meridians. When chi is flowing into the Dan Tien, the second mind activates.

2. Concentrate on Chi and achieve softness. (Lao Tzyy) "The men of old breathed clear down to their heels." Breathing is used to increase chi circulation.

3. Muscle/Tendon Changing classic taught the priests how to gain health and change their physical bodies from weak to strong: clean the bone marrow, strengthen blood and immune, and energize the brain.

4. The masters discovered specific body movements could increase chi flow to specific organs of the body: Tai Chi Chuan form, five animal postures, and Tai chi chi kung forms. Other Kungfu styles emerged: Wai Dan, Iron Shirt, Golden Bell Cover, Wai Kung, and Ying Kung.

5. Chi in your body is divided into two categories: Managing Chi and Guardian chi. The managing chi is hte energy which has been sent to the organs so that they can function. The guardian chi is the energy which has been sent to the surface of the body to form a shield to protect you from the negative outside influences such as cold.

6. Yin is the root and source of life which animates the Yang body and manifest power or strength externally.

7. Chi circulation and chi storage: a. there are twelve channels that circulate chi through out the body b. there are eight vessels or regions that make up the energy reserviors. When the eight reserviors are full the chi circulation is strong. Every channel has a certain chi flow strength and changes throughout the day. Chi sources are: natural energy (sun, moon, earth), food and air, thinking, and exercise.

8. When your chi is full, your Shen (spirit) will be enlivened. Chi flows to the brain and energizes the shen and soul. The Energizing and the raise Shen will lead the chi through the body. Shen is the control tower for your chi.

9. The earth chi is negative (Yin) energy from your kidneys, and the Heavan Chi is positive (Yang) energy which comes from the food you eat and the air you breath. Once you connect the two chis, you know what real chi is and this is what is meant to attain the tao.

10. Learn how to increase chi in the two main vessels - Yin conception vessel and Yang Governing vessel.

11. Learn how to raise chi to the surface of the skin and condense the chi to the bone marrow. Condensing produces jing, the secret to effortless power and distance power.

12. Wu Chi - chi in your body and the chi in nature unite and all human desires disppear.