Beginning Qigong: Chinese Secrets for Health and Longevity

Today's busy pace has led to a quest for ways to relieve stress. The best method available is Qiging--an ancient Chinese system of breathing techniques and exercises that strengthen the mind, body and spirit as they balance and augment Qi, or "life force."

This small, thorough volume presents different forms of Qigong in detail through fully illustrated exercises. Included are an explanation of the principles of Qigong, warming-up exercises, breathing exercises and a guide to self-massage of the inner organs. The authors have also provided a table that describes the various exercises, listing their physical benefits and classifying them according to level of difficulty, so that readers can tailor their own personal routines.

Steven Kuei, born near Guandong in 1912, began studying the internal martial arts and Qigong in Hong Kong in 1926, partly to cure tuberculosis. A licensed herbalist and acupuncturist, he taught Tai-chi, Hsing-i, and Pa-kua, in addition to Qigong.

Stephen Comee, born near Boston in 1950, has studied Oriental healing methods, meditation techniques, and martial arts since 1965. He began his study of Qigong and Chinese internal martial arts with Steven Kuei in 1975. He now resides in Tokyo, where he teaches Tai-chi, and is both a licensed acupuncturist and an accomplished Noh actor.