Are there any good Qigong books for beginners?

[Sealestr]

There are no classes I can attend that are about Qigong or Tai Chi, so I have to teach myself.

 

It is not the best solution, but is the only one that is available to me. 

[RiverSnake]

I'd recommend Books and DVDs. I learned my primary qigong system i practice to this day from a DVD and partially a book. 

 

Books 

1. Way of Energy 

 

 

DVDs (video)

1. Spring Forest Qigong ( 

) 

2. Gift of the Tao 

3. Flying Phoenix Qigong(

)

4. Yigong (Jenny Lamb's system)

5. Way of Energy (Zhan Zhuang) 

 

At nqa.org you can search qigong instructors in your area: http://nqa.org/find-member/

Edited January 20, 2017 by OldWolf

[Sealestr]

I'd recommend Books and DVDs. I learned my primary qigong system i practice to this day from a DVD and partially a book. 

 

Books 

1. Way of Energy 

2. 

 

DVDs (video)

1. Spring Forest Qigong ( 

) 

2. Gift of the Tao 

3. Flying Phoenix Qigong(

)

4. Yigong (Jenny Lamb's system)

5. Way of Energy (Zhan Zhuang) 

 

At nqa.org you can search qigong instructors in your area: http://nqa.org/find-member/

 

This is very helpful. Thank you!

[Aeran]

The only author I can honestly recommend is Damo Mitchell. Mitchell is the only author on Qigong and Daoist energetic practices I've read (of a good dozen or so) who actually articulates the practices sufficiently and provides a strong enough theoretical background that the books can actually be used as training manuals (although even then, I would recommend watching the youtube videos he provides on his channel as an accompaniment to the qigong forms he gives in his books, since videos will always teach a moving practice better than pictures and words).

 

They really are excellent books and even if you aren't interested in the primary training curriculum he provides, there's so much additional information which can enhance any system of qigong or meditation that I find myself recommending them to pretty much anyone with any interest along those lines. He's something of a prodigy when it comes to taking complicated Daoist philosophical concepts or training methods and translating them across the divide of culture and language in an easy, coherent manner.

 

Every other book I've read either gives instructions which are too ambiguous to be used confidently, or fails to provide enough theoretical and supplementary information to feel confident that proceeding with the training will be both safe and effective.

 

That said, there are a lot of good DVD's out there, and imo DVD's make a far greater teaching tool than books do. My personal favourite is Terry Dunn's Chi Kung for Health - the Flying Phoenix system is both easy to practice and incredibly effective, probably the best system of qigong/energy work I've come across in 5 years research, and there's a large community of practitioners here on daobums which Sifu Terry contributes to on a regular basis.

 

That's not to knock other DVD's - people who's opinion's I respect highly have spoken well of Jenny Lamb, Michael Lomax, Garry Hearfield and others, but if I could go back in time to when I first started experimenting with Qigong, I would give myself the Chi Kung for Health DVD set to train with and the complete works of Damo Mitchell to supplement the Flying Phoenix exercises. God knows it would have made my life a lot easier.

[Astral Monk]

I think it will also help, if exploring a book or video, to choose a system you can follow up with in real life. Eg, if you look at Spring Forest, Chunyi is actively teaching in North America and occassionally beyond, and is actively producing more media, teleseminars, social media, etc; so there is opportunity to connect to the master and the community, even if only periodically.

 

If you got material from a dead guy or someone who secluded from society, your chances of progress are going to be much, much worse.

 

8)

[Rishi Das]

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Promise-Qi-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0809295288

 

Hands down the best book I have read on the subject. Simple, easy to read, straight to the point.

[dawei]

See this thread too:   

 

Dr. yang jwing-ming's best book to start ?

[Brian]

I am a big fan of Michael Lomax's DVD(s).

[silent thunder]

I highly recommend Dr Yang Jwing-Ming's book: The Root of Chinese Qi Gong.  This is a very good overview of the concepts and processes of qi gong and he very plainly explains many concepts that should help you as you start out. 

 

I also got good mileage from Damo Mitchell's books: The Dragon Dao Yin Excercises and Daoist Nei Gong

[nyerstudent]

Some really great resources are listed on this thread. I'd also recommend Dr Yang Jwing-Ming's book Qigong for Health & Martial Arts: Exercises and Meditation as a good survey of qigong exercises.

[JustARandomPanda]

I have been reading Master Zhongxian Wu's Qigong Empowerment.

 

If you can afford DVDs then you can't go wrong with one of the many recommended by other TBs in this thread. I have the first level of Spring Forest Qigong and it's a really good system. But any of the ones listed have plenty of material beginners can practice. There's always a risk with beginning energy practices but it seems most people have good experiences with learning and practicing Qigong from DVDs. If they truly had a history of causing problems then doubtless lawsuits and even just bad word of mouth would squeeze DVD instruction to the fringes. Certainly I've not had anything bad happen doing the Level 1 Spring Forest practice.

 

Well...I've also done Kunlun Nei Gong and it helped when doing it (improved health, more balanced mind and emotions...etc) but as with anything in life... your mileage may vary.

 

I guess I would say anything that enhances your perception of that which you call "myself" (and Qigong can potentially aid in that) is something I think more people would benefit from making time for.

[Vajra Fist]

The advice above is excellent. However a worthwhile point is not to mix practices straight off the bat. Pick one qigong system that strikes a chord with you, and practice it for a year. That way you'll have enough experience of the energy that you'll know, if you pick up another qigong down the road, whether there is any energetic conflict.

[lifeforce]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xing-Nei-Gong-Maintenance-Development/dp/0865681740

[Gerard]

There are no classes I can attend that are about Qigong or Tai Chi, so I have to teach myself.

 

It is not the best solution, but is the only one that is available to me.

 

There are no solutions. Put a lot of effort on finding a real and good live teacher. You'll learn nothing but only hurt yourself with very serious and costly consequences if you base your learning on:

 

1. Books

2. DVDs

3. Videos

4. Internet

 

If you have a strong foundation from the learning provided by a teacher then you can find certain aspects

from the above as supplementary work.

 

Also Qigong is a minor practice compared to Internal Martial Arts or Buddhist Vipassana retreat (minimum

of three weeks, less than that is not enough).

 

Good luck!

[KuroShiro]

I am a big fan of Michael Lomax's DVD(s).

 

His system is geared towards healing right?

Is it possible to learn it well through the DVD(s) or are classes necessary?

 

His book "A Light Warrior's Guide To High Level Energy Healing: Medical Qigong & A Shaman's Healing Vision" seems to be out of print, I don't know if it teaches the system or if it's only about theory.

[KuroShiro]

I'd recommend Books and DVDs. I learned my primary qigong system i practice to this day from a DVD and partially a book. 

 

Can you tell us which system?

[RiverSnake]

Can you tell us which system?

 

 

Up until very recently my primary neigong system was Stillness-Movement. 

Edited January 25, 2017 by OldWolf

[Brian]

His system is geared towards healing right?

Is it possible to learn it well through the DVD(s) or are classes necessary?

 

His book "A Light Warrior's Guide To High Level Energy Healing: Medical Qigong & A Shaman's Healing Vision" seems to be out of print, I don't know if it teaches the system or if it's only about theory.

I am not a spokesperson for Ya Mu or Stillness-Movement so my comments shouldn't be taken as such -- and I hope Ya Mu or a senior student will chime in to correct me here -- but here's my two cents...

 

Yes, Stillness-Movement is geared towards healing but it is really about raising one's energetic vibrations, burning through accumulated filters, aligning one's self to the Tao, and discovering (I prefer the coined word "unforgetting") one's purpose. Healing is a fortunate side-effect. That said, there are two aspects to healing: one might be thought of as "self-healing" and the other as "becoming a healer." The former starts naturally as a result of Stillness-Movement (energetic/spiritual healing which also manifests psychologically and physically) and the latter is linked to one's purpose or destiny. This also begin to manifest naturally, BTW.

 

The DVDs and book (more on that in a moment) focus on the physical components of the system for practical reasons (a DVD of someone sitting in stillness for an hour would be rather boring and not very helpful) but contain all that is needed to practice this system.

 

A workshop offers an opportunity to learn the mechanics of the system in a densely packed format and also an opportunity to receive a direct energetic transmission which essentially"jump-starts" the student's progression, perhaps by as much as several years. That doesn't mean the system is inaccessible without attending a workshop or that certain secrets are withheld if one doesn't attend a workshop, mind you.

 

The workshop also offers the opportunity to (in fact, an optional third day is specifically dedicated to this) gain hands-on in-person instruction on becoming a healer.

 

The book is available in e-book format and is a curious thing. Part autobiography, part short-story, part instruction on the system, part healer's handbook, part transmission, it is a work written on many levels (including energetic levels) and I learn different things each time I read it. The primary focus is aimed at the healer rather than the casual practitioner but it is fairly short & easy to read, and is relatively inexpensive, so I recommend it to anyone who starts practicing Stillness-Movement.

 

 

Hope this helps!

[KuroShiro]

I am not a spokesperson for Ya Mu or Stillness-Movement so my comments shouldn't be taken as such -- and I hope Ya Mu or a senior student will chime in to correct me here -- but here's my two cents...

 

Yes, Stillness-Movement is geared towards healing but it is really about raising one's energetic vibrations, burning through accumulated filters, aligning one's self to the Tao, and discovering (I prefer the coined word "unforgetting") one's purpose. Healing is a fortunate side-effect. That said, there are two aspects to healing: one might be thought of as "self-healing" and the other as "becoming a healer." The former starts naturally as a result of Stillness-Movement (energetic/spiritual healing which also manifests psychologically and physically) and the latter is linked to one's purpose or destiny. This also begin to manifest naturally, BTW.

 

The DVDs and book (more on that in a moment) focus on the physical components of the system for practical reasons (a DVD of someone sitting in stillness for an hour would be rather boring and not very helpful) but contain all that is needed to practice this system.

 

A workshop offers an opportunity to learn the mechanics of the system in a densely packed format and also an opportunity to receive a direct energetic transmission which essentially"jump-starts" the student's progression, perhaps by as much as several years. That doesn't mean the system is inaccessible without attending a workshop or that certain secrets are withheld if one doesn't attend a workshop, mind you.

 

The workshop also offers the opportunity to (in fact, an optional third day is specifically dedicated to this) gain hands-on in-person instruction on becoming a healer.

 

The book is available in e-book format and is a curious thing. Part autobiography, part short-story, part instruction on the system, part healer's handbook, part transmission, it is a work written on many levels (including energetic levels) and I learn different things each time I read it. The primary focus is aimed at the healer rather than the casual practitioner but it is fairly short & easy to read, and is relatively inexpensive, so I recommend it to anyone who starts practicing Stillness-Movement.

 

 

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you very much for your detailed reply.

 

Do you know the history of the system? or can you direct me to a post here about Stillness-Movement's history and its practices?

[Brian]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply.

 

Do you know the history of the system? or can you direct me to a post here about Stillness-Movement's history and its practices?

One of Michael Lomax's teachers was Wang Jue Min. Master Wang's teachers included Hu Yao Zhen, Zhou Qian Quan, Chen Yin Ming , Jing Wei Qiao and Liu Jui Zhen.

 

Here's a sorta-official history:

Hu Yao Zhen – Wang Jue min – Michael Lomax

 

Hu Yao Zhen (1879-1973) native of Yuci in Shanxi Province. Hu mastered the three unique Taoist skills: martial arts, medicine and qigong (energy cultivation). Hu, a famous Chinese medical practitioner, became known as the father of modern qigong in China.

 

Hu graduated from Shanxi Chuanzhi Medical School, During his life Hu learned from many masters of martial arts (internal styles of Taiji, Bagua and Xingyi), Buddhist and Taoist meditation, and Chinese medicine, he received secret transmissions of Buddhist and Taoist meditation, and on the basis of his experience in medicine and internal martial arts methods created "Hu Yaozhen's Still and Moving Qigong"; in 1942 in Taiyuan set up Martial Arts Academy of Shanxi Province and became its president. Wrote several books: "Qigong and Health Preserving", "Qigong", "Hua Tuo's Five Animals Play".

 

Wang Juemin began his study of qigong under the Buddhist Abbot of Emei mountain, continuing to find and study with several respected teachers of medicine, qigong, and meditation including Hu Yao Zhen. Hu Yao Zhen tramsmitted to Wang Juemin his "jing dong gong" or stillness movement qigong. In the later part of his life Wang Juemin was the principal of the Baoding qigong healing Hospital in Beijing. The Hospital only offered medical qigong for treatment, with Master Wang specialising in stroke patient recovery. Master Wang Juemin is recognized as a National Treasure by the Chinese government.

 

Qigong teacher Michael Lomax, Dipl. OBT (NCCAOM) has 30 years of direct clinical experience with Chinese Medical therapeutics and is internationally recognized for his work in medical qigong and oriental bodywork therapy.

 

Michael completed a 12 year apprenticeship with a Master of Chinese Daoist healing. After completing his Daoist apprenticeship, Michael studied medical qigong in China at the Baoding Medical Qigong Healing Hospital with Master Wang Juemin. Michael has been endorsed by Master Wang to teach qigong and medical qigong in the USA. Michael owns and operates the Institute of Chinese Energy Healing in Missouri , where he specializes in the elimination of chronic pain syndrome.

NOTE: The above quote is old so the "30 years" is understated and Michael no longer runs the clinic but continues to teach.

 

 

 

If you use the forum's Advanced Search feature <link>, you can find all sorts of threads and posts on the topic. I recommend the Advanced Search rather than just the little search field at the top of the page (the little gear icon to its right is the same link as I just provided) because it gives you more flexibility -- such as being able to filter by Author or to return the search results as a list of threads or individual posts. These are some keywords you might try to start with:

"Wang Juemin"

"Wang Jue Min"

"Hu Yaozhen"

"Hu Yao Zhen"

"Stillness-Movement"

 

I'll toss out a few specific posts to get you started:

http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/31973-what-high-level-energetic-practices-do-you-recommend/page-4#entry483613

http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/15225-stillness-movement-neigong-and-michael-lomaxs-light-warriors-guide-book/#entry203852

http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/31838-how-to-go-where-to-go-how-to-begin/?view=findpost&p=481116

[dwai]

There are no classes I can attend that are about Qigong or Tai Chi, so I have to teach myself.

 

It is not the best solution, but is the only one that is available to me.

Id strongly recommend this book - https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Your-Life-Energy-Well-Being/dp/1590309960/ref=la_B001K8IR56_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485632880&sr=1-4

 

There are mother forms in this book that are used for temple style tai chi advanced practices such as Dao Gong. But themselves these forms are excellent qigong forms too...easy to learn and will yield results very rapidly.

Edited January 28, 2017 by dwai

[Fa Xin]

I spent many years reading books, studying texts and practicing taijiquan and trying to understand the intricacies of qi and qigong, to no avail.

 

Then one day I happened upon a nice little qigong set and teacher, who simply said "practice this".

 

It blew anything I learned or thought I knew out of the water.

 

Point of this text is understanding how it works, and actually doing it well are so different.

 

Also you find the best things in the least likely of places, times and people. Don't judge a book by its cover!

 

The simple things are often times the best.