Teach Yourself Chi Kung

Robert Parry has been active in the study of Eastern systems of exercise and philosophy for over thirty years. A practitioner of oriental medicine, he is also the author of two books on Tai Chi.

Introduction 01 the art of breathing a little piece of history / the philosophy of health / learning chi kung / digging the well / putting the chi into chi kung / chi movement and measurement / chi and health / chi in action / how chi works / the polarity of chi - yin and yang 02 getting started the emotional body / how chi can become stuck / time and place / warming up / posture and breathing / summary 03 the big breath preparation / directions / suggestions for breathing / what you can expect to feel / mental focus - the big breath and the wood element / vital substances / advanced practise 04 three burners preparation / directions / suggestions for breathing / directions for reversing the sequence to the left / what you can expect to feel / mental focus - three burners and the fire element / advanced practise 05 drawing the bow preparation / directions / suggestions for breathing / directions for reversing the sequence to the left / what you can expect to feel / mental focus - drawing the bow and the metal element / advanced practise 06 ripples in the stream preparation / directions (and breathing) / directions for reversing the sequence to the left / what you can expect to feel / mental focus - ripples in the stream and the water element / advanced practise 07 squeezing the ball preparation / directions and breathing / what you can expect to feel / mental focus - squeezing the ball and the earth element / advanced practise 08 embracing the tree standing like a tree / preparation / directions / how long? / what you can expect to feel / mental focus and advanced practise 09 chi kung and health the production of chi / chi from food / chi from air / the internal engine / the protective chi: the body's defensive shield / nourishing chi: the energy pathways / the chinese clock / the grand tour 10 chi kung and meditation cycles of energy / getting to grips with those feelings / cultivating detachment / meditation: the building of chi / getting started 11 chi kung and philosophy the tao in taoism / the art of spontaneity / doesn't make sense! / Lao Tsu - the old teacher / exercise for the circulation of energy / going further with the chi / suggestions for daily practise / the routine / going forward