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Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body: Chi Gung for Lifelong Health (Tao of Energy Enhancement) | 
 enlarge | Author: Bruce Frantzis
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $13.10
You Save: $8.85 (40%)
New (35) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $6.48
Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 36248
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2 Rev Upd
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 1583941460
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.7148
EAN: 9781583941461
ASIN: 1583941460
Publication Date: December 23, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new item. Over 4 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: R20081114232523H
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Product Description
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body explains the practice of chi gung (qigong), the 3000-year-old self-healing exercise system from China. Originally published in 1993, this book has become a classic that has inspired tens of thousands of Westerners to learn to activate their chi—life-force energy—to improve their health, reduce stress and reverse the effects of aging. This fully revised edition has more than 100 pages of new material, including Longevity Breathing methods; how cross-training in chi gung can enhance other exercises such as yoga, golf and weight training; and nei gung techniques for advanced practitioners.
Chi gung exercises utilize a system of energy channels in the body that are similar to an electrical circuit. Frantzis’ thorough knowledge of energy arts and the Chinese language allow him to peel away the secrecy and metaphors. He presents this 300-page edition in easy to understand terms to suit beginners, with enough meaty detail and depth for the advanced martial artist, healer or meditator.
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body includes a comprehensive guide to chi gung theory and a systematic lesson plan with more than 100 illustrations. These low-impact exercises are suitable for almost any age or fitness level. They provide the foundation for learning any other chi practice, such as tai chi, martial arts, meditation or TAO Yoga. Frantzis explains not only how these inner aerobics are done, but why. Going beyond mere body movement, he teaches from the inside out, linking the biomechanics and anatomy of the physical body with the subtleties of chi. This book provides practical methods to help people become balanced, relaxed and joyful.
Frantzis trained for more than a decade in China, became a Taoist Lineage Master—quite a rare occurrence—and came back to the West to teach. “My hope is that chi gung and tai chi can become mainstream exercises in the West,” says Frantzis. “We have a major health crisis looming; practicing chi gung or tai chi is one of the most effective ways people can reclaim control of their health and well-being.”
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| Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 Ok for reference or collection September 3, 2008
Path To Wisdom (USA)
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
Benjamin H. Jackson (Cambridge, MA, USA)
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 instructive February 25, 2008
NC Student
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
Alexander A. Rodriguez (Gainesville, FL)
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 stuff January 19, 2008
taaj (VA USA)
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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