Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-yun

Throughout history Taoists have promoted the development and restoration of the Three Treasures-- body, breath, and spirit--through the gentle practice of qigong. At the center of the qigong practice are the Eight Brocades, a series of postures that developed during the 3,000-year Taoist quest for longevity and vitality. Now qigong expert Stuart Olson translates into English Master Li Ching-yun's treasured teachings on the Eight Brocades. One of the most famous qigong masters of this century, Master Li Ching-yun is reliably chronicled to have lived more than 250 years, during which he practiced the Eight Brocades on a daily basis. His longevity and personal endorsements attest to and validate the Eight Brocades as the quintessence of Taoist health and qigong practices. With Master Li Ching-yun's original teachings as a guide, Stuart Olson presents an authentic yet accessible approach to this unique practice. Each exercise is accompanied by original text from Master Li, step-by-step instructions for each posture, illustrations of the positions, and insights on theory and practice. Because the Eight Brocades are the foundation of all qigong, this book provides valuable advice for all practitioners, regardless of the style they practice or the depth of their experience.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction Part 1 The Development of Qigong Taoist Longevity Practices and the Three Treasures Taoist Longevity practices Arts of Nourishing Life Abdominal Breathing The Three Treasures Ching Qi Shen Part 2 The Eight Brocades--The Physical Practice The Traditional Method, with Commentaries Author's Introduction to the Eight Brocades The Development of the Eight Brocades Practicing and Finding a Teacher Li Ching-yun Li Ching-yun's Introduction to the Original Text of the Eight Brocades The Methods of the Eight Diagram Active Kung Secrets of the Eight Brocades The First Brocade: The Heavenly Drum The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Second Brocade: Shake the Heavenly Pillar The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Third Brocade: The Red Dragon Stirs the Sea The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Fourth Brocade: Rub the Court of the Kidneys The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Fifth Brocade: The Single Pass Windlass The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Sixth Brocade: The Double Pass Windlass The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Seventh Brocade: Supporting Heaven The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions The Eighth Brocade: Grasping with Hooks The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions Concluding Exercises and Comments Concluding Exercises: The Original Text Li Ching-yun's Commentary Author's Instructions Concluding Comments Appendix to Part 2: Summary of Instructions Part 3 The Lesser Heavenly Circuit--The Spiritual Practice Three Interrelated Techniques Author's Introduction to the Lesser Heavenly Circuit Development of the Lesser Heavenly Circuit The First Regime: Externally Patting the Eight Subtle Meridians and Twelve Cavities The Eight Subtle Meridians The Twelve Cavities--Methods for Self-Massage The Second Regime: Internally Opening the Eight Subtle Qi Cavities The Eight Subtle Qi Cavities The Third Regime: The Lesser Heavenly Circuit Appendix to Part 3: Summary of Instructions Suggested Reading About the Author

About the Author :
Stuart Alve Olson currently teaches Eight Brocade Qigong, Taoist meditation, and I T'ai Chi. He has studied under numerous Taoist masters including Chan Master Hsuan Hua, Feng Shui Master Professor Lin, Dharma Master Cheng Yi, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master T.T. Liang. He is the author of Tai Chi According to the I Ching, Imagination Becomes Reality, and Cultivating the Ch'i. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.