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Zhan Zhuang is a Chinese Qigong exercise that is externally simple, but internally complex. When practiced with diligence and patience, Zhan Zhuang is believed to be able to energize mind and body, strengthen overall stamina and vitality, and connect internal energy in amazing, healthful ways. Whether you are a martial artist or fitness enthusiast, or just someone seeking a new energizing workout, much can be gained by practicing Zhan Zhuang.
Be sure to check out our Yi Jin Jing page as well!
Inside Zhan Zhuang
For the first time in print, the mysterious transformation process of Standing Meditation is revealed. Filled with tips and tricks to help get more out of training than most practitioners ever thought possible, this book contains a number of concepts and techniques presented for the first time in English. Drawing upon his 7th generation lineage in Chinese Medicine and using straightforward and simple language, Mr. Cohen fills in the missing pieces of the puzzle formerly absent in Zhan Zhuang literature. These include such elements as special masterpoints to relax and release large sections of the body, methods which rapidly create whole-body linkage for any posture; techniques for working with light in the higher energy centers, mechanisms to correct many crucial health problems and special training to develop truly effective martial power. A fast track for beginners. Highly recommended for seasoned practitioners. Take your Zhan Zhuang and Tai Chi to the next level.
Zhan Zhuang: The Art of Nourishing Life
Zhan Zhuang, The Art of Nourishing Life is the exploration of an ancestral discipline: Zhan Zhuang, the practice of physical and meditative postures. Through this practice, a continual process of adjustment, learning, and purification takes place; it is a process by which the mind and body mutually integrate, triggering the unification of the self and its surroundings.
It is through this form, which in ancient China was named symbiosis—a process by which the mind and body merge together with the Tao—that an infinite field of possibilities opens to us, both in the treatment and prevention of diseases, and at the level of development of latent potential within us.
In Zhan Zhuang, The Art of Nourishing Life, Dr. Yu Yongnian not only unveils the heritage of martial and purifying arts—previously available only in an unintelligible language—but also translates them into an accessible form that reveals the laws governing the body and the mind.
The Way of Energy: Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength with Chi Kung Exercise
A gentle, yet profoundly beneficial form of exercise, which requires very little movement, this form of Chi Kung unlocks deep reserves of energy builds internal stamina, strengthens immunity, relieves chronic illness, and promotes the natural regeneration of the nervous system.
Using step-by-step instructions and more than 100 drawings and full-color photographs, The Way of Energy tells how to:
-perform the entire sequence of rejuvenating positions
-combat stress by practicing Chi Kung while standing, sitting, working, playing, and even sleeping
-prevent and treat a wide range of common ailments
Standing Qigong for Health and Martial Arts – Zhan Zhuang
Standing qigong is a simple, effective form of exercise suitable for all ages that can increase health, balance and vitality.
This complete and accessible guide introduces standing qigong for health and martial arts. Beginning with an introduction describing his own discovery of the practice and an exploration of the health benefits, the author provides detailed instruction on the basic health postures and the process for diaphragmatic breathing. The second part of the book focuses on the martial postures and provides guidance on the subtle variations of the movements that help to cultivate and strengthen healing and internal power. Practice sequences are also included to help readers get started immediately, including, in the third part of the book, the Xing Yi Five Element linking form.
Easy-to-follow, and covering all the basics, this guide to standing qigong is perfect for anyone who is looking for ways to improve their health, or with an interest in the internal or martial arts, especially practitioners of Taiji, Qigong, XinYi, Bagua,YiQuan and yoga.
INSIDE ZHAN ZHUANG – Standing Meditation for Beginners and Seniors (DVD)
Related Qigong Exercises
The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
Qigong is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease, and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer, immune system disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating, comprehensive volume, renowned qigong master and China scholar Kenneth S. Cohen explains how you too can integrate qigong into your life–and harness the healing power that will help your mind and body achieve the harmony of true health.
Still As a Mountain, Powerful As Thunder: Simple Taoist Exercises for Healing, Vitality, and Peace of Mind
Demonstrates simple physical exercises, describes the philosophy behind I Chuan, and suggests exercises to alleviate physical ailments.
The Warriors of Stillness Trilogy: Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts
This boxed set includes all three volumes in The Warriors of Stillness Trilogy which follow the author’s experiences and investigations into the internal martial arts. The first book discusses techniques on movement, issuing the “jing,” and the theory and practices of taijiquan. The second book pulls from the practices that are used in Yiquan such as the ability to defeat power and speed, traditional meditation techniques, and the skills that are used to counter and control force. The last book describes good posture and breathing habits, instruction on developing the “jin,” how to control body movements and actions, and the peak transcendent experience of awareness. Each volume includes illustrations that complement the text and offer a visual guide through the various stages in martial arts.
Ba Duan Jin: Eight-Section Qigong Exercises
Qigong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine that involves coordinating breathing patterns with physical postures to maintain health and well-being. Ba Duan Jin: Eight-Section Qigong Exercises is an accessible, fully-illustrated guide to this particular qigong exercise, which has been shown to improve the respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems.
The Ba Duan Jin exercise dates back to the Song Dynasty, and is broken down into eight sections, each of which focuses on a different physical area. The routine enhances limb strength and flexibility of the joints, and also fortifies the nerves. It can help in the treatment of illnesses such as osteoporosis and is also beneficial for mental health. Each routine is described step-by-step, and is illustrated with photographs and key points. The authors also point out common mistakes and offer advice on how to correct these.
Complemented by an appendix of acupuncture points and accompanied by access to online video material, this book will be of interest to Qigong and Tai Chi practitioners at all levels, students of martial arts and anyone interested in Chinese culture.
The Complete Book of Yiquan
With detailed photographs and clear instruction for practice, this is the first book comprehensively to cover the history, development and training methods of this rarely taught esoteric internal martial art. The deceptively simple postures and movements of Yiquan are highly effective for achieving results for both health and combat, making it very appealing to martial artists, and Master Tang here reveals the secrets of a martial art still surrounded in mystery. He also provides a history of the origins and lineage of the Yiquan tradition, as well as detailed information on the stances and movements, weapons, and programs, grading and teaching.
This complete guide to Yiquan will be essential for anyone interested in Yiquan or oriental martial and internal arts more generally.
The Eight Pieces of Brocade – Ba Duan Jin Qigong
This is a fresh take on one of the most popular Chinese Qigong routines—The Eight Pieces of Brocade. The Eight Pieces of Brocade or Ba Duan Jin in Chinese, has been popular for centuries. Its popularity spawning many variants, with typical explanations of the routine concentrating on its physical aspects.
Those physical aspects are important, but they are only part of the story. The real message of the routine lies in its engagement of the body’s bio-energy system. The body’s bio-energy or qi and its cultivation via the acupuncture points and meridians are literally “where it’s at” for internal qigong practitioners.
The body’s energetic transport system plays a vital role in all true Chinese internal arts, yet this topic is rarely addressed in contemporary literature. The hands and the body posture form specific energetic connections at important acupuncture points. Awareness of this single aspect can dramatically impact the results achieved by qigong practice.
This text opens the door to a better understanding of the art of qigong. (Second Edition)
Wu Qin Xi: Five-Animal Qigong Exercises
Qigong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine that involves coordinating breathing patterns with physical postures to maintain health and well-being. Wu Qin Xi: Five-Animal Qigong Exercises is an accessible, fully-illustrated guide to a particular qigong exercise that imitates the movements of animals and birds.
The book explores the development of the five-animal exercises from the work of Hua Tua, a leading physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty whose inspiration came from the observation of tigers, deer, bears, monkeys and birds. He came to the conclusion that wild creatures regularly performed certain exercises which can be replicated in order to build up the constitution and improve life skills. Each routine is described step-by-step, and is illustrated with photographs and key points. The authors also point out common mistakes and offer advice on how to correct these.
Complemented by an appendix of acupuncture points and accompanied by online content, this book will be of interest to Qigong and Tai Chi practitioners at all levels, students of martial arts and anyone interested in Chinese culture.
Liu Zi Jue: Six Sounds Approach to Qigong Breathing Exercises (Chinese Health Qigong)
Qigong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine that involves coordinating breathing patterns with physical postures to maintain health and well-being. Liu Zi Jue: Six Sounds Approach to Qigong Breathing Exercises is an accessible, fully-illustrated guide to this particular qigong exercise, which focuses on breath control.
Liu Zi Jue regulates and controls the rise and fall of Qi (vital energy) through the inhalation and exhalation of six sounds. The exercises feature slow, gentle movements that are safe and easy to learn and are suitable for people of all ages and in all conditions of health. The routine strengthens the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys, thus helping to balance the energy and functions of the internal organs, and has also been shown to have a calming effect and to alleviate stress. Each routine is described step-by-step, and is illustrated with photographs and key points. The authors also point out common mistakes and offer advice on how to correct these.
Complemented by an appendix of acupuncture points and accompanied by a DVD, this book will be of interest to Qigong and Tai Chi practitioners at all levels, students of martial arts and anyone interested in Chinese culture.
