Product: The Essence of Taiji Qigong (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Finally - the qigong program I've been searching for!
For quite a while I had been trying to develop (or find) a comprehensive routine that incorporated stretching, warm-ups and qigong exercise to develop and improve my qi energy for taiji practice, health and vitality. YMAA's "The Essence of Taiji Qigong" DVD is exactly what I had in mind.This comprehensive qigong program - designed for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced practitioners - is a complete system for building and developing qi energy within one's body as an internal foundation for taijiquan. The program is also designed to train practitioners to properly use breath, body and mind (yi) to cultivate strong qi for strength, vitality, relaxation and concentration - with the ultimate goal of leading the practitioner into the domain of spiritual cultivation (the "no extremity" state or "wuji").The DVD program is designed to be used in conjunction with the YMAA companion book of the same name. The DVD demonstrates proper execution of the stretching, warm-up movements and qigong sets - while the book focuses on the theory governing the movements. That said, the DVD contains enough theory, explanation and commentary that it can stand alone as a complete qigong program.Along with stretching and warm-ups, the program introduces and demonstrates Wai Dan Standing Still Meditation, Stationary Taiji Qigong (Primary, Coiling, and Rocking Sets), and Walking Taiji Qigong. The individual movements - most of which are very easy to perform - are demonstrated by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming with both front and side views and shouldn't pose difficulty for beginners. The more complex movements are extracted from the traditional Yang style taijiquan form and will be familiar to taiji practitioners.Personally I'm very grateful to Dr. Yang and his staff at YMAA for producing a DVD program of such physical, mental and spiritual benefit. I highly recommend this 5 star qigong program to anyone interested in improving health, strength, vitality - and their taiji - through the practice of qigong.