Synopses & Reviews
The first English translation of Master Li Ching-yun's teachings on the Eight Brocades, the central practice of qigong.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Explains the physical and spiritual benefits of the Eight Brocades and offers step-by-step instructions for this powerful sequence of postures.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; 85 illustrations highlight the postures and philosophies.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Author's commentary provides insight and depth to the original translation. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Throughout history Taoists have promoted the development and restoration of the Three Treasures-- body, breath, and spirit--through the gentle practice of qigong. At the center of the qigong practice are the Eight Brocades, a series of postures that developed during the 3,000-year Taoist quest for longevity and vitality. Now qigong expert Stuart Olson translates into English Master Li Ching-yun's treasured teachings on the Eight Brocades. One of the most famous qigong masters of this century, Master Li Ching-yun is reliably chronicled to have lived more than 250 years, during which he practiced the Eight Brocades on a daily basis. His longevity and personal endorsements attest to and validate the Eight Brocades as the quintessence of Taoist health and qigong practices.and#160; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;With Master Li Ching-yun's original teachings as a guide, Stuart Olson presents an authentic yet accessible approach to this unique practice. Each exercise is accompanied by original text from Master Li, step-by-step instructions for each posture, illustrations of the positions, and insights on theory and practice. Because the Eight Brocades are the foundation of all qigong, this book provides valuable advice for all practitioners, regardless of the style they practice or the depth of their experience.
Synopsis
Master Li Ching-yun is reliably chronicled to have lived more than 250 years, during which he practiced the Eight Brocades on a daily basis. His longevity and personal endorsements attest to the Eight Brocades as the quintessence of qigong practice.
About the Author
Stuart Alve Olson currently teaches Eight Brocade Qigong, Taoist meditation, and I T'ai Chi. He has studied under numerous Taoist masters including Chan Master Hsuan Hua, Feng Shui Master Professor Lin, Dharma Master Cheng Yi, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master T.T. Liang. He is the author of andlt;Iandgt;Tai Chi According to the I Chingandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Imagination Becomes Realityandlt;/Iandgt;, and andlt;Iandgt;Cultivating the Ch'iandlt;/Iandgt;. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.andnbsp;
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Acknowledgmentsandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Introduction andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 1andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The Development of Qigong andlt;BRandgt;Taoist Longevity Practices and the Three Treasures andlt;BRandgt;Taoist Longevity practices andlt;BRandgt;Arts of Nourishing Life andlt;BRandgt;Abdominal Breathing andlt;BRandgt;The Three Treasures andlt;BRandgt;Ching andlt;BRandgt;Qi andlt;BRandgt;Shen andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 2 andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The Eight Brocades--The Physical Practice andlt;BRandgt;The Traditional Method, with Commentaries andlt;BRandgt;Author's Introduction to the Eight Brocades andlt;BRandgt;The Development of the Eight Brocades andlt;BRandgt;Practicing and Finding a Teacher andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Introduction to the Original Text of the Eight Brocades andlt;BRandgt;The Methods of the Eight Diagram Active Kung andlt;BRandgt;Secrets of the Eight Brocades andlt;BRandgt;The First Brocade: The Heavenly Drum andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Second Brocade: Shake the Heavenly Pillar andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Third Brocade: The Red Dragon Stirs the Sea andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Fourth Brocade: Rub the Court of the Kidneys andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Fifth Brocade: The Single Pass Windlass andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Sixth Brocade: The Double Pass Windlass andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Seventh Brocade: Supporting Heaven andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;The Eighth Brocade: Grasping with Hooks andlt;BRandgt;The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;Concluding Exercises and Comments andlt;BRandgt;Concluding Exercises: The Original Text andlt;BRandgt;Li Ching-yun's Commentary andlt;BRandgt;Author's Instructions andlt;BRandgt;Concluding Comments andlt;BRandgt;Appendix to Part 2: Summary of Instructions andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 3 andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The Lesser Heavenly Circuit--The Spiritual Practice andlt;BRandgt;Three Interrelated Techniques andlt;BRandgt;Author's Introduction to the Lesser Heavenly Circuit andlt;BRandgt;Development of the Lesser Heavenly Circuit andlt;BRandgt;The First Regime: Externally Patting the Eight Subtle Meridians and andlt;BRandgt;Twelve Cavities andlt;BRandgt;The Eight Subtle Meridians andlt;BRandgt;The Twelve Cavities--Methods for Self-Massage andlt;BRandgt;The Second Regime: Internally Opening the Eight Subtle Qi Cavities andlt;BRandgt;The Eight Subtle Qi Cavities andlt;BRandgt;The Third Regime: The Lesser Heavenly Circuit andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Appendix to Part 3: Summary of Instructions andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Suggested Reading andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;About the Authorandlt;/Bandgt;