The ancient art of qigong aims to cultivate one's life force from body to energy to consciousness and harmonise body and mind through movement, attention, breath and meditation. Beyond calming, invigorating and healing benefi ts, the ultimate goal of the practice lies in the refi nement and expansion of one's awareness, culminating in the return to one's Original Nature. This practical book gives a compact overview of all the essential aspects of qigong.

The key to good health and well-being resides within heart and mind. By using heart and mind to direct energy - qi - we can learn to balance our body and our life.

Wudang Five Elements Qigong details not only the movements of the qigong itself but also the muscular anatomy of each movement, as well as the connection of each movement to the elements and internal organs taught in traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong is a traditional Chinese health practice that combines meditation, breathing, relaxation, and stretching techniques. Through coordination of breath and movement, relaxation and stretches are done in a standing position to help strengthen the body while promoting overall health. The 5 Elements Qigong creates a balance of the 5 major organ systems of the body as classified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including the heart, kidneys, lungs, and digestive systems. Each of the key postures also helps body alignment in both the skeletal and muscular system.

Correlating the traditional therapies of Qigong with the most recent outcomes of scientific research, this is the authoritative introduction to the knowledge system and content of Qigong study. Substantially revised and updated reflecting changes made to the new Chinese edition, the text now has an accompanying DVD showing the forms in action, new information about key concepts and practice, and coverage of the applications of Qigong for a range of medical conditions. The only official textbook used in colleges of traditional Chinese medicine in China, this is an essential reference for medical and health practitioners working in complementary and alternative therapies.