Chi Kung for Health and Vitality: A Practical Approach to the Art of Energy

I had purchased this book based on an Amazon.com user's recommendation. I'm quite glad I did.Most books on chi (by whatever name) tend to make one of two errors. One error, found most commonly in new-age or modern "magick" books, is a failure to distinguish between imagination and real chi flow. The reader is told to imagine golden or white light entering one's body and filling it with divine goodness, or to imagine the chakras glowing or moving in some way. Some even claim that imagination is how we see with the ajna chakra ("third eye"). If you've ever had real experiences with chi or chakras, you'll know that this is nonsense.The second error, found most commonly in martial arts and yoga practices, is the assumption that particular physical motions alone will generate chi flow and strengthen one's health. While physical motions can help, from the perspective of chi flow the whole reason it works is that one's mind is engaged in the process of telling one's body to move along those pathways. The biochemical processes that result in building muscle tissue, strengthening bones, and reinforcing the heart work only because there is a strong flow of communication going on between the areas that are worked and the central nervous system. If that communication flow is strong enough, you won't get sore after exercising. Soreness, like inflamation, is actually an indication of retardation in the healing process due to weak communication pathways in the body. (Anyone who is interested in learning more about the science behind this should read  The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life  along with the theory behind chiropractic care, readily found via Google.)Sifu Wong manages to avoid both of these errors quite well. Right from the beginning, he emphasizes the importance of the mind in chi kung training. He describes, rather well in my opinion, how to use one's mind during each of the exercises. He sometimes refers to imagining chi moving in various ways, but he places more importance on the gentleness of the thought which, in my opinion, is a reasonably good way of avoiding the error of imagination replacing real experience. He also explains the long-term effects of these exercises in a way that I can tell comes from a seasoned master teacher.He also lays out an excellent overview of chi kung styles. He explains the differences between various practices that call themselves "chi kung" (or "qigong"), which really helped me to organize my thinking about this multifaceted family of disciplines. That may or may not matter to someone who is just trying to get health benefits from chi exercises, but for cerebral types like me it's really a wonderful resource.I have just one complaint about this book. Although the pictures convey the gist of the movements, they aren't really detailed enough. I had to search for some videos of Sifu Wong's style on YouTube in order to figure out the rhythm of his movements and how quickly they should be done. I had to play with some of the movements quite a bit in order to figure out how they were supposed to work, and I don't think I could have done that if I hadn't already developed sensitivity to the feeling of chi flow. More pictures, or perhaps an accompanying CD-ROM or short DVD with demonstrations, would have helped immensely.However, I still consider this to be one of the best books on chi I have read. Anyone interested in getting a reasonably good overview of chi kung and having an excellent regime for enhancing health should start with this book, in my opinion. Even with the pictures being a bit difficult to follow at times, what a novice can get out of it is definitely worth it.Just be sure to follow his advice!

This book offers the dedicated Chi Kung student an elevator to success if they will persist. It's not difficult but is time consuming in the beginning butas you start to experience the wonderful benefits from daily practice and cultivation of what things mean as your body begins to react positively, youare hooked. I know because I feel so much better and enjoy each day more than I ever had in the past. Read, read, read and do what Master Kit Wong explains to do and you will be a believer after a short time and real believer after 3 months. I only wish I could participate in one of his seminars in the US. Have Fun

I have read and reread and then underlined the important parts for me. I have learned a lot from this book as well as from others since I have not had the opportunity to find a master to learn from yet.If there were more pictures (drawings) to really define the precise sequences it would be very helpful but the whole idea is to learn from a master in person. I have both of his books and used one to support the other and help me understand and follow certain exercises.Still the important thing is to practice... everyday. It has worked for me.

This is an excellent book about qi gong. The author is like a living encyclopedia of qi gong, tai chi, Shaolin kung fu, Taoist and Zen meditation and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Master Wong Kiew Kit is a very good author and really knows what he is talking about. I have three of his publications and they are all excellent. He doesn't cloud his books with "junk" relating to the subject matter. A very good purchase. If you enjoy his writing style and happen to be a Buddhist, his publication "Sukhavati Western Paradise Going to Heaven as Taught by the Buddha" is one of my favorite books.

The author presents a few chi Kung exercises, breathing techniques, background information and some basic principles. Good for a beginner. However, if you really want to learn this art study and practice any book by Mantak Chia. He's the true master in this field and his books contain a wealth of information.

Excellent book on Chi Kung. Goes into history and practical application. Maybe the best book on Chi Kung.

This is the best qigong book i have ever read. This is life changing. This is the real deal.

excellent very helpful

Simply brilliant.

Excellent

SIr/Madam,Most important to purchasing through Amazon is Trust. This equates to delivery of order on timeband given in estimated delivery time, product is as described, no hidden charges or disappointments in promised service and overall cordial and pleasent business relationship. I have always had the aforementioned experiences through ordering on line trhough Amazon, many thanks.Tom

This book gives very clear information on Chi Kung exercises. It would have got 5 stars except for the fact that it only shows some of the exercises in a particular sequence I was researching. You need to read all of the authors books to research the whole sequence. Overall it is a very useful book for a Tai Chi Chuan teacher, like me, to reinforce existing knowledge and open new avenues of research.