Product Description Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body introduces the key concepts of chi gung in a manner both accessible and understandable to Westerners. With fascinating insights gained from years of training in Asia as a warrior, healer, and priest, Bruce Frantzis demystifies the concept of "chi," the bodys vital energy life force, and shows why this 3000-year-old system of self-healing works. The book provides a set of enjoyable, low impact exercises that readers can learn on their own, including standing chi gung, a core exercise that effectively boosts performance for martial artists, athletes, business people, and others. Body alignments and Taoist breathing, fundamentals that are the foundation of all Taoist energy practices, are also taught, with special alignments that benefit those who must sit for long periods of time. The book also reveals how chi gung can enhance other forms of exercise, from yoga and Pilates to golf and basketball.
Ok for reference or collectionSeptember 3, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Go to Google books, and google will show a few pages. The author gives honor to his teacher with a picture included. That doesn't prove that it is real, but worth a read.
Another picture shows the basic standing posture, which is taught in other books. Postures seem correct. Can you achieve the same level as the master, the old man? Takes at least 4 years to see results, and 10 years to complete. How many of you have the patience?
Thanks to the internet, and other distractions, I didn't have the patience. No I don't have an IPOD, if I have that, I wouldn't be doing my Tai chi everyday.
Great for a beginner.July 21, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The information in this book is great for a beginner because it focuses so much on the very basic breathing exercises, and proper alignment. I have spent a month just practicing those things without even reading about the dynamic physical exercises.
This hopefully will prevent the common problem of people trying to skip important steps when learning from a book.
Very instructiveFebruary 25, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book was eye opening for me. I learned that exercise is more than sweat and pain. The whole Chi movement is well explained and made understandable for a beginner.
Potentially life changing - must read!February 3, 2008 7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I've been interested in Chi-Gung and Taoist things for a number of years. Took a few classes, etc, but nothing has been as detailed and to the point as this material from Mr Frantzis.
Honestly, most chi-gung books and many classes out there just teach you some physical movements or "standing like a tree".. stand in different poses and hold it without a whole lot of additional instruction as to what goes with it. Mr Frantzis sheds some (in my opinion) much needed light as to what you are really supposed to be doing, the "internal details" of what you are supposed to be doing with your body and with your mind in a clear and straightforward way. Just the first third or so of the book up until the part where he talks about standing is easily worth the price of admission.
I say "potentially life changing" because for a period of maybe a few months I began to do the standing practices (not any of the swings) every morning and every night. After a few days with it, I found that my mind was a lot calmer and I was feeling physically stronger and more vibrant. After a week or two, I felt like I was floating on air.. Ease of movement made me feel like a dancer floating on the clouds, and the sense of wellbeing just continued to increase. It was quite amazing. I was involved in martial arts at the time, and my teacher commented how much better I was getting.. it had nothing to do with the martial arts training though, but just with the standing and dissolving practice. It made my meditation that I was trying to do every day just a whole lot easier.
I let myself get distracted, and stopped doing 1 1/2 - 2 hours a day like I used to. However, you don't have to be that hard-core (though the author said he did 6 hours a day for a time.. if that is whaco or dedication I don't know). I think once a day for 30 minutes or so would produce great results as well, the same as mine eventually just somewhat slower. But there is plenty of material here to get you motivated to put time and effort into the practice. That is another great thing about this book. Not only is the Author obviously very, very knowledgeable, but his story and his presentation is very straightforward and actually kind of inspirational. A must have book for anyone interested in alternative health, chi-practices, or Taoism in general.
good stuffJanuary 19, 2008 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was looking for something that spoke in plain language and answered my questions for me. This was it. A lot of other books were just too complicated or advanced. This helped me to correct my posture, understand what was going on and feel like I was on more solid ground with my practice.
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