Simple Fitness Exercises: Traditional Chinese Movements For Health & Rejuvenation (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"I'm too tired...I don't have enough time...I can't make it to the gym...My knees are bad..." If you've picked up this book, you've probably thought these things about conventional workouts. The good news is that Simple Fitness Exercises is different.

This is a book of gentle, effective exercises designed to improve circulation, correct poor posture, and build muscle tone. The movements are based on traditional martial arts practices that not only offer physical benefits, but also strengthen the mind-body connection.

These exercises are ideal for people just starting an exercise program, as well as those recovering from or suffering from a chronic illness. Anyone can perform these exercises and experience health benefits!

From the Back Cover

Here is a set of exercises that is easier to learn than Tai Chi and Qigong, and is just as effective for improving your health as aerobics and Yoga. What's more, you don't need a teacher, great physical strength, or much flexibility- just five minutes a day and a focused mind.

All of the exercise combinations emphasize the importance of circulating chi, the life-force linked to the breath that plays a vital role in Tai Chi and in East Asian martial arts. A series of photographs illustrates each set of exercises, which consist of dynamic sitting and standing poses that require slow transitional movements from one posture to another.

Whether you're nine or ninety, these simple exercises are the perfect workout for your body and your mind!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567184952
• ISBN-13: 978-1567184952
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,066,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on traditional Chinese exercises, September 5, 2000

By A Customer

Using this book you can learn some traditional Chinese fitness exercises, including Eight-Section Brocade and Tai Chi. Effectiveness for keeping fit, ease in learning, and economy of exercising time are the criteria for the exercises to be chosen in this book. It should be noted here that there is more to these exercises than first meets the eye. Some people might think that these exercises are too simple and do not offer enough challenge. Actually, they require a tremendous amount of self-discipline. You could say that the method for dragon fighting is more advanced than the method for bull fighting; actually bull fighting is a lot easier and useful than dragon fighting. Think about how many dragons you will meet in your lifetime, and how much effort you would have to make for mastering the skill of dragon fighting. The exercises offered here are simple and are easy to master. Hence, they are more suitable to the average person who is primarily interested in maintaining good health. The general features of traditional Chinese fitness exercises are very different from some modern exercises such as aerobics or weight lifting. A concentration of the mind is always emphasized to reach a harmonic state between the spiritual mind and the physical body. The balance of Yin and Yang, the unity of man and environment, the integration of gesture with mind and chi, and the oneness of spirit with strength and momentum are just a few of these features.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and effective!, September 19, 2000

By A Customer

Excellent exercises for health maintainance anyone can use on a daily basis. A simple and an advanced version of the 8 Silk Brocade exercises. The advance version uses dynamic tension and more difficult exercises. Includes breathing exercises, sitting and standing exercises, simple stretches and some basic Tai Chi movements. Most important, these exercises are fun to do and can be adjusted to your personal fitness level. No equipment required.