The following five books are highly recommended and will help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you’d like to be.
Whether your goal is to strengthen your muscles or relax your mind, focusing on self-education is imperative.
What Is Qigong Exactly?
Qigong is a holistic system that focuses on your posture, movement, and breathing, as well as key meditation practices.
The ultimate goal is to improve your health, performance (specifically in regards to martial arts), and/or enhance your spirituality.
With origins that date back thousands of years, there is so much to learn and discover in terms of the history of qigong, how and why it’s practiced. By reading some of the top books on this subject matter, you too can begin to benefit physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The more you understand about this holistic system, the greater control you’ll have over each practice and the associated benefits. As you begin to better understand what this system is and how it’s used, you can then implement what you’ve learned into your daily life and routine, benefiting you for years to come.
Here are five books to help guide your journey.
1. Dr. and Master Sha — Miracle Soul Healer: Exploring a Mystery
By William Gladstone
This book is an engaging read, focusing on Dr. and Master Sha.
Written by William Gladstone, who studied medical anthropology at Harvard, this book takes you on a journey, highlighting Dr. Sha and his healing abilities.
After spending weeks with Dr. Sha, observing and speaking with his students, William then wrote this enlightening book.
Documenting the incredible journey this master healer has taken, this beloved book explores the ways in which science, faith, and healing can change your life for the better.
Learn more about this 328-page book here.
2. Instant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity
By Shifu Yan Lei
For centuries, qigong practices for longevity were passed down from one generation to the next.
This comprehensive guide covers a range of topics, offering easy-to-follow instructions in relation to the ancient art.
Instant Health is broken down into three parts, including:
- Part One: The Art and Science of Shaolin Temple Longevity
- Part Two: The Fundamentals of Shaolin Qigong
- Part Three: The Qigong Workout for Longevity
The guide includes images and diagrams, covering everything from stances and stretches to the importance of self-massage.
Although this book focuses on ancient practices, it has been updated to match a busier Western lifestyle.
Learn more about this 232-page book here.
3. The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
By Kenneth S. Cohen
Often described as a masterpiece, The Way of Qigong is a comprehensive guide to qigong: its history, purpose, and application.
Offering you a reference on how your body energy works and how you can self-heal, this book is written by a world-renowned qigong Grandmaster and teacher.
After learning about what qigong is, you will then discover how to improve posture, healthy breathing, the art of relaxation, self-massage, and so much more.
If you’re interested in learning more about this mind-body healing system, this book is a must-read.
Learn more about this 448-page book here.
4. The Roots of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment
By Yang Jwing-Ming
This classic book won the Prix Bushido French Book Award in 1997. It is one of the best books to teach you the what, why, and how of qigong.
Each of these is critical for your journey, as you need to understand what qigong is to tell whether it’s right for you, why you should practice this system to achieve your goals, and how to practice.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to study tai chi, qigong, or martial arts, The Roots of Chinese Qigong features:
- How to improve your health using qi training
- How you can relieve stress using key breathing techniques
- The core foundations of ancient Chinese medicine
- How to perform beneficial exercises
- Sixty illustrations and images
Learn more about this 336-page book here.
5. Qigong for Beginners: Eight Easy Movements for Vibrant Health
By Stanley D. Wilson, Ph.D.
If you are just learning about qigong for the first time or are inexperienced, this is an excellent starter guide.
Whether you would like to promote self-healing or simply improve your physical abilities, this exercise program involves eight easy movements that can be immediately incorporated into your daily routine.
Specifically written for beginners, this book is also beautifully illustrated, helping you to better understand each movement and the benefits of performing them.
All you need is six minutes a day to get started with this book that aims to help you become more centered.
Learn more about this 176-page book here.
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