Drawing on ancient documents from China and Tibet, archaeological findings and cultural relics, this illustrated handbook presents authentic Qigong forms from the Warring States period right up the late Qing dynasty of the early twentieth century. Twenty-six sets of pictures relating to Qigong, Daoyin, diet and living habits are included, each set introduced with a brief overview of the origin, development, changes and practice modes of each method. Presented in chronological order, each chapter describes the source from which the exercises are derived, and then provides a description of the ancient form, its health and other benefits, uses, and how to do it, together with drawings of the original illustrations where these exist, or line drawings of the movements described where the original text was not illustrated. The forms are easy to learn, and easy to do, providing also an authentic link to the ancient traditions of health preservation practice in China.The selection focuses on the forms oriented to achieving resilience and general good health, but also includes many simple ancient Qigong forms for particular health problems, ranging from fatigue, indigestion and headache, to more serious conditions such as rheumatism, and even typhoid and cholera. Qigong forms directed towards the more esoteric outcomes of Qigong practice are also included. This valuable resource includes over 700 illustrations, and will be a treasure trove for all practitioners and students of Qigong, as well as anyone interested in the history of the Oriental internal arts.
Preface. Preface to the English Edition. 1. Inscription for the Circulation of Qi on a Jade Pendant. 2. Daoyin Exercises. 3. Five Animal Frolics.4. Six-Character Formula for Treating Diseases in the Internal Organs. 5. Yijinjing. 6. Tianzhu Massage. 7. Laozi Massage. 8. Health Preservation in theFour-Volume Medical Code of Tibetan Medicine. 9. Twenty-Four-Seasonal-Division-Points Seated Exercises for Curing Diseases. 10. Chen Xiyi'sSleeping Exercises. 11. Eight-Section Brocade Standing Exercises. 12. Eight-Section Brocade Seated Exercises. 13. Twelve-Section Brocade Exercises.14. Xiaoyao Zi Daoyin Method. 15. Various Daoyin Exercises of the Immortals. 16. Daoyin Exercises of Ancient Immortals. 17. Nine-Step Exercise forProlonging Life. 18. Face Massage Exercise. 19. Internal Exercise. 20. Eight-Section Brocade Exercise for Physique Building. 21. Qi-Regulating Exerciseto Foster Exterior Vigor. 22. Breath-Gulping Exercises for Removing Diseases. 23. The 18 Standing Forms in Eight Sections of Baduanjin. 24. TheTwelve Supplementary Internal Exercises with Illustrations of Yijinjing. 25. Twelve Massage Methods. 26. Exercises in Sitting Positions for TreatingMaladies.
