Managing Stress with Qigong

The ancient Chinese practice of Qigong combines physical movement with gentle breathing techniques to promote harmony between body and mind, and is quickly gaining popularity in the West. This step-by-step guide to managing stress through Qigong begins by looking at stress and our response to it from both an Eastern and a Western perspective. The core of the book provides a program with first a series of carefully-designed stress relief exercises, followed by a series of gentler stress prevention exercises, all of which are clearly explained with easy-to-follow instructions for each of the steps, and fully illustrated. The author explains the theory underpinning the Qigong exercises in terms of the principles of Chinese Medicine, including Yin and Yang, The Five Elements and the circulation of energy (Qi) through the meridians. Extensively trialled with Maggie's Cancer Care Centres, and designed specifically to fit around a busy lifestyle, the Qigong program set out in this book will help to reduce stress, decrease anxiety and restore energy. This practical book will help anyone who is prone to stress, regardless of their level of ability or experience of Qigong. It will also be a useful resource for Taijiquan and Qigong instructors, alternative therapists, and other professionals working with clients who are affected by stress.

Table of Contents:
Foreword. Preface. Introduction. Stress. Background to Daoyin. Practice. Basic Movements. Standing Stress Relief. Seated Stress Relief. Standing Stress Prevention. Seated Stress Prevention. Principles of Action. General Principles. Specific Principles. Appendix A: Five Elements. Appendix B: Energy System. Appendix C: Chinese Names. Glossary. Index.

About the Author :
Gordon Faulkner is Principal Instructor at the Chanquanshu School of Daoist Arts. He is a Certified International Judge of Daoyin Yangsheng Gong and President of the Scotland and Wales Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Association. Gordon is a closed-door student of Professor Zhang Guangde, founder of the modern Daoyin Yangsheng system taught at the Beijing Sports University.

Review :
Gordon is very knowledgeable and experienced in qigong practices and provides a nice overview of Taoist philosophy and practices, including a discussion of Chinese medicine. The main part of this book outlines specific exercises, explaining how they affect one's energetic state and help clear stress. There are clear instructions and pictures showing you how to do each of the exercises and there are a variety of exercises to explore - anyone can find exercises here that suit them... For anyone seeking gentle exercises that help reduce stress and tension, this book would be valuable. Gordon has gone to great lengths to get across the essence of Daoyin Qigong methods and why they help people who 'are prone to stress'. [He] backs his findings up by personal experience drawn from his excellent work with people whose lives have been affected by cancer, in which stress plays a major part. I am a firm believer that practicing Qigong can help anyone who is prone to stress. This book is a good addition to anyone's Qigong reference library, especially those who practice Daoyin Yangsheng. It is alsi a good introduction to Qigong for those who want to try this ancient Chinese healing method to manage stress. Faulkner's great strength lies in simplifying a complicated discipline. His book allows readers to try several easy, brief exercises that can reduce stress and boost a sense of well-being. For anyone feeling harried in today's world --- and basically, that seems to be nearly everyone --- this detailed guidebook will be a secret weapon for fighting stress. Another book by the good folks at Singing Dragon, who are becoming quite an important source for excellent material on qigong and Chinese medicine... This book is a presentation of a form of Daoyin created in Beijing by professor Zhang Guangde... The author, a long time student of Professor Zhang, tells that the form of qigong in this book was designed with a very specific purpose in mind, to deal with chronic stress... The practices in this book are just such a way to give our body and energy system what it needs to be able to deal with any level of stress and remain healthy and whole in the process. This book is a good addition to anyone's Qigong reference library, especially those who practice Daoyin Yangsheng. It is also a good introduction to Qigong for those who want to try this ancient Chinese healing method to manage stress.