Qigong Massage (DVD)

...due to their training in qigong / taiji.

I have now joined a tajiquan course which is quite good, but I find the explanations (I like to know the why of the how, if you know what I mean...) lacking. I therefore decided to investigate theory and method and happened upon the YMAA and Dr Yang Jwing Ming's collection of most helpful, most detailed, most interesting books and DVDs.

The Qigong Massage DVD is the first I bought, ...
...
Most Taiji / Qigong DVD fall into two categories: either they are an airy-fairy new-agey load of ... not much, or they are absolutely impossible to follow as they are presented by people who can only demonstrate - not teach. This DVD is in a class of its own.

Dr Yang taught engineering (his PhD, which gives him the title of Dr - he is not a physician - was in mechanical engineering) and he seems to have acquired excellent skills ... more

I have recently returned to old interests, taijiquan and qigong, mainly for health reasons.

Having lived in China a number of years ago, I was witness there to incredible demonstrations of physical prowess, strength and agility by people of a euphemistic 'certain age', and had been told at the time that this was due to their training in qigong / taiji.

I have now joined a tajiquan course which is quite good, but I find the explanations (I like to know the why of the how, if you know what I mean...) lacking. I therefore decided to investigate theory and method and happened upon the YMAA and Dr Yang Jwing Ming's collection of most helpful, most detailed, most interesting books and DVDs.

The Qigong Massage DVD is the first I bought, after some internal deliberation, as I thought almost £20 for a DVD was a lot of money. I must say that, having watched the DVD a couple of times and used some of the self-massage techniques, I do not regret the expense and think of it more as an investment.

Three hours and forty minutes of instructions on massage techniques, acupuncture (acupressure) points, theory of 'qi', demonstrations... Seventy minutes are dedicated to self massage and I can confirm that the techniques do help alleviate aches, pains and tension! Dr Yang is humble enough to have left the voice-over to someone whose mother tongue is English (many Taiji /Qigong DVDs are difficult to understand due to the delivery of the speaker.) Yet, Dr Yang demonstrates all the techniques himself.

A useful glossry of chinese terms is also included, which is extremely useful for those who want to learn more.

Most Taiji / Qigong DVD fall into two categories: either they are an airy-fairy new-agey load of ... not much, or they are absolutely impossible to follow as they are presented by people who can only demonstrate - not teach. This DVD is in a class of its own.

Dr Yang taught engineering (his PhD, which gives him the title of Dr - he is not a physician - was in mechanical engineering) and he seems to have acquired excellent skills for transmitting knowledge in a manner which is adapted to western minds and expectations. His scienttific background also means that he seeks to understand and explain the traditional chinese theories of health and qi through rational means. He does not wallow in superstitious nonsense, and this is a welcome relief from those who seek to mystify us through the use of half-baked pseudo eastern words and notions...

Of course, the chinese approach to health has always been different to that of western medicine; one must remember that these techniques were developed to 'maintain' health (i.e. preventative) rather than 'treat symptoms' as western doctors do. So, if you practice these techniques and you begin to feel better (sometimes just moving a little more than usual can do a wealth of good! you don't need to 'believe' in qi!) do not stop any medical treatment your doctor may have prescribed. The exercises and massage techniques will support and help the body to become more relaxed, focused and positive, and therefore help the treatment!!!

I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough; taiji and qigong are very gentle yet extremely effective and powerful exercises; the effects might not be sudden or dramatic but cumulative; so unlike sleeping pills that may put you to sleep as soon as you swallow them - but risk making you addicted to them - taiji / qigong may take a while longer, but it will treat the root cause, not just the symptom...

I will certainly refer to this DVD over and over again, and I know I will learn something new every time!

Definitely worth the price! 

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