Synopses & Reviews
We live in a fast-paced, busy world, and many of us are stressed out and anxious as a result. If you suffer from anxiety but have found little relief from modern western treatments, or if you are looking for complimentary treatment, the ancient practice of qigongwhich can be understood as the cultivation of internal energymay offer you relief. Qigong is rooted in Chinese philosophy and medicine, and it utilizes breathing, movement, and awareness exercises to promote healing and aid in meditation. In The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety, world-renowned and respected qigong master Kam Chuen Lam presents the first workbook for overcoming anxiety problems utilizing traditional Chinese energy-focusing exercises. By following these simple and accessible step-by-step exercises, readers will learn to transform feelings of anxiety into resilience and inner strength. The workbook also contains helpful illustrations to help you carry out these exercises.
In the book, Lam will help you think about anxiety, and yourself, in a different wayas a whole. Youll also learn to stop resisting moments of anxiety and other strong emotions, but rather to embrace them within the larger flow of your bodys energy field. By doing this, you will ultimately strengthen and cultivate the natural energy you possess. Author Kam Chuen Lam has been a traditional Chinese healer for over forty years, and is an internationally respected authority on the Chinese health systems of Chi Kung and Tai Chi. To find out more, visit www.lamkamchuen.org.
Review
"Suzanne Friedman’s teaching style and her books reveal a generous and firm willingness to make her enthusiasm for qigong accessible to others."
—Dr. Antoine Delaly, acupuncturist, medical hypnotist, and qigong practitioner in Lausanne, Switzerland
Review
"Friedman’s in-depth studies and prolonged practice of Taoist meditation has enabled her to understand aspects of qigong practice that are not usually uncovered by Western academics and practitioners. Given such a perspective, her book is the first of its kind—lucid, original, and practical."
—Grandmaster B.F. YeYoung, Taoist Inner Alchemist and former University Professor of Chinese Philosophy and Arts in China
Review
"Lao Zi, ancestor of Taoism, once said ‘the only reason that we suffer hurt is that we have bodies; if we had no bodies, how could we suffer?’ How to achieve ‘no body’? Begin with the qi practice now! This book will show you how."
—Dr. Xu Hongtao, doctor in the qigong department at Xiyuan Hospital in Beijing, China
Review
Master Kam Chuen Lams workbook is a valuable resource for anyone dealing with anxiety, worry, or stress. The ancient healing exercises he shares from decades of experience are presented in a format that is easy to understand, learn, and practice. Having worked with some of these exercises I can personally say they cultivate more peace, calm, and body awareness. This is a book I will be recommending to many of my clients for years to come!”
Tahir Bhatti, MD, wellness physician, director of Integrative Holistic Services, and associate clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, San Diego
Stand, be still, and master anxiety. Master Kam Chuen Lams highly-engaging The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety is a gift for anyone struggling with fear.”
Gary Lopes Cunha, LMFT, LPCC, outpatient psychiatry clinician for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California
Review
In a world where everyone experiences stress and worry, what a gift it is to read
The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety. Master Kam Chuen Lam introduces readers to the ancient tradition of qigong in a friendly and accessible way. He teaches simple yet potent methods for relaxing both physical and emotional tension. His instructions are revolutionary in that he encourages us not to reject feelings of anxiety. Instead, by practicing these qigong exercises we become aware of our greater energy field and learn how to regulate our nervous system even when tension arises. This book is for anyone who wants to tap into their inner strength and live a calmer, healthier life.”
Amy Conway, MPH, senior managerial consultant for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California
Review
Having worked for over thirty years in a busy and demanding dental practice, I am no stranger to stress at work. I can, without hesitation, attribute my current well-being largely to my daily practice and enjoyment of qigong. Being calm as a practitioner, I am able to bring harmony to the way I run my practice and patients enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. I strongly believe that Master Kam Chuen Lams unique lineage, wisdom, and extensive knowledge [make this book] a must-have for all busy and stressed professionals who also want to remain truly healthy whilst having to endure daily challenges at work and home.”
Thye Yeoh, qigong student and dental practitioner in the UK
Review
Do not let the simplicity of the exercises in this book fool you. ... I work as the compliance director of a major financial firm in Londona highly stressful joband I can vouch from my own experience for the profundity of these exercises and the enormous wisdom of Master Kam Chuen Lams teaching.”
Charles Beck, qigong student and director of compliance, London, UK
Review
Anxiety is part of the broken brain syndrome that millions of Americans suffer from. Conventional medicine can mask the symptoms, but it doesn't tackle the root cause. That's what the total mind-body system of qigong does. In this groundbreaking workbook, Master Kam Chuen Lam shows us how to use our own life-force energy to lift our minds and bodies to a new level of wellness. Open this book to any page and you'll find it's one of the most practical, helpful, and friendly guidebooks to your own well-being you can imagine.”
Mark Hyman, MD, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Blood Sugar Solution
Review
True health is more than exercise and good nutrition. It includes peace of mind. Those who possess it glow and seem to have access to a wellspring of pure energy. If you've ever wondered how to become such a person, qigong Master Kam Chuen Lam can guide you there.”
Susan Piver, founder of the Open Heart Project
Review
Qigong combines two approaches to treating anxiety that are known to work: exercise and mindfulness. This highly accessible and readable workbook should help many more people enjoy the benefits of qigong.”
Elizabeth Murray, general practitioner and professor of emergency health and primary care at the University of London, UK
Review
This book comes at the right time. More than ever, employees and managers are struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing speed and constantly rising demands of business life. The ensuing stress and burnout is literally killing people. Western approaches to dealing with the resulting issues have reached their limits. Master Kam Chuen Lams workbook is addressing the root causeanxietyin a new way. It is based on age-old Chinese wisdom and Lams own life's work devoted to the study of human energy. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to be successful in the long run.”
Thomas Apfel, corporate account manager at IBM
Synopsis
Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) is an ancient Chinese practice consisting of physical movements, meditation, creative visualization, and breathing exercises to help revitalize the body and heal the spirit. Similar to tai chi, qigong cultivates vital life-force energy in the body for better health, heightened energy, and longevity. Its powerful benefits have been known in China for thousands of years.
This unique book presents over 100 easy, five-minute qigong exercises designed to target specific health issues, from strengthening an aching back and reducing stress to improving sexual function and boosting energy. You can use this book to quickly find the best qigong exercises to target your particular physical and mental health needs. Heal Yourself with Qigong allows you to customize routines, making it ideal for both experienced practitioners and those new to qigong.
Choose and combine from these four sections:
- Instant energy boosters
- Exercises for restoring physical vitality
- Emotion-balancing techniques
- Practices for calming the spirit
Synopsis
In Heal Yourself with Qigong, acupuncturist and qigong expert Suzanne Friedman presents traditional Chinese energy techniques that renew energy and vitality, soothe the spirit, and calm the mind.
Synopsis
Anxiety is an age-old problem. It exists in all cultures, and each has its own methods for treating it. For readers who suffer from anxiety but have found little relief from modern western treatments, the ancient practice of qigongwhich can be understood as the cultivation of internal energymay offer relief. In The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety, world-renowned and respected qigong master Kam Chuen Lam presents his first workbook for overcoming anxiety problems utilizing traditional Chinese energy-focusing exercises. By following these step-by-step exercises, readers will learn to transform feelings of anxiety into resilience and inner strength. The workbook also contains helpful illustrations.
About the Author
Suzanne B. Friedman, L.Ac., DMQ (China), is an acupuncturist, herbalist, and doctor of medical qigong therapy. Friedman is the first non-Chinese person to be inducted into her teacher's lineage as a Daoist qigong master. She is chair of the Medical Qigong Science Department at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, CA. Friedman is clinic director of Breath of the Dao, a Chinese medicine clinic in San Francisco, CA. Her articles on qigong and Daoism have appeared in numerous journals and magazines nationwide.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Power of Ancient Techniques in a Modern World
Chapter 1. Qigong Demystified
Chapter 2. Getting Started: The Simple Basics
Chapter 3. Essential Practice Components: Posture, Breath, and Intention
Chapter 4. Instant Energy Boosters
Exercise 1. Cleanse the Qi: To Calm Your Mind and Get Your Energy Moving
Exercise 2. Stretch and Support the Sky: To Energize Your Whole Body and Relax Muscle Tension
Exercise 3. Gathering the Qi: To Fill Up Your Energetic Gas Tanks
Exercise 4. Qigong Facial Massage: To Rejuvenate Your Face and Alleviate Tension
Exercise 5. Acupoint Tapping: To Invigorate and Improve Energy Flow
Exercise 6. Healing Sound for Digestion: To Balance Hunger and Strengthen Your Stomach
Exercise 7. Healing Sound to Blow Off Steam: To Cool Down Your Body
Exercise 8. Lung and Breathing Revitalizer: To Increase the Fuel for Your Body’s Cells
Exercise 9. Strengthen Knee Qi: A Boost for Your Knees, Legs, and Feet
Exercise 10. Strengthen Back Qi: To Release Back Tension
Exercise 11. Strengthen Wrist Qi: To Avoid Repetitive Stress Injury
Exercise 12. Neck Qi Flow, Variation I: To Increase Range of Motion
Exercise 13. Neck Qi Flow, Variation II: To Loosen the Neck and Upper Back
Exercise 14. Shoulder Qi Flow: To Relax the Shoulders and Open the Chest
Exercise 15. Eye Qi Flow: To Relax the Eyes and Strengthen Vision
Exercise 16. Wash Your Face: To Rejuvenate and Revitalize Your Skin
Exercise 17. Qi Scattering: To Bounce Off Old Energy
Exercise 18. Ear Massage: To Invigorate and Balance Your Whole Body
Exercise 19. Gathering Qi in Your Bio-Battery: To Center Your Thoughts
Exercise 20. Stretching the Spine: To Energize Your Back and Brain
Chapter 5. Restoring Physical Vitality
Exercise 1. Ascend and Descend Earth Qi: To Improve Digestion
Exercise 2. Heart Qi Massage: To Strengthen Your Heart Function
Exercise 3. Liver Qi Massage: To Detoxify Your Body and Your Moods
Exercise 4. Stomach Qi Massage: To Aid and Improve Digestion
Exercise 5. Lung Qi Massage: To Improve Your Respiration and Immunity
Exercise 6. Low-Back and Kidney Massage: To Relax the Muscles of Your Back
Exercise 7. Standing Tree Meditation: To Increase Strength and Combat Fatigue
Exercise 8. Healing Sound: For High Blood Pressure
Exercise 9. Kneading Your Nose: To Open Your Sinuses
Exercise 10. Ten Dragons Run Through the Forest: For Headaches
Exercise 11. Winding the Belt Channel: For Back Pain or Period Pain
Exercise 12. Acupoint Stimulation: For Headaches
Exercise 13. Acupoint Stimulation: For Nausea
Exercise 14. Acupoint Stimulation: For Anxiety
Exercise 15. Acupoint Stimulation: For Digestion
Exercise 16. Qigong Belly Rub: For the Bowels
Exercise 17. Healing Sound: For Heartburn
Exercise 18. Qigong Lung Detox
Exercise 19. Foot Rub: For Insomnia
Exercise 20. Tongue Curl Breathing: For Weight Loss
Chapter 6. Balancing Your Emotions
Exercise 1. Open Heaven and Close Earth: To Release Emotional Stress
Exercise 2. Flying Crane Spreads Its Wings: For Stress Reduction
Exercise 3. Healing Sound: To Purge Anger and Stress
Exercise 4. Healing Sound: To Purge Anxiety
Exercise 5. Healing Sound: To Purge Grief and Sadness
Exercise 6. Beating the Drum: For Focus and Concentration
Exercise 7. Five-Element Visualization: For the Liver and Stress
Exercise 8. Five-Element Visualization: For the Heart and Anxiety
Exercise 9. Waterfall Visualization: To Purge Stress
Exercise 10. Rolling the Qi Ball: For Mental Focus and Centering
Chapter 7. Calming Your Spirit
Exercise 1. Sprouting Tree Roots: To Ground Mind and Body
Exercise 2. Relaxation Visualization
Exercise 3. Gathering Earth Energy
Exercise 4. Gathering Heaven (Environmental) Energy
Exercise 5. Spontaneous Qigong Bliss
Exercise 6. Buddhist Greeting Pose for Tranquility
Exercise 7. Energy-Bubble Visualization
Exercise 8. Inhaling the Calm
Exercise 9. Fire in the Belly
Exercise 10. Third Eye Connection Meditation
Exercise 11. Gratitude Meditation
Exercise 12. Manifestation Meditation
Recommended Reading
References