Way of Qigong

Rating:
Summary: Good introduction
Review: A superb book by a superb teacher. Check out his videos, too. The best.

Rating:
Summary: hard to believe
Review: As a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, I often recommend qigong to my patients as a healing therapy. Ken Cohen's "The Way of Qigong" is by far the best introductory work on the subject I have read thus far. In fact, it is in many ways much more than merely an introduction to qigong, since Cohen delves wonderfully into much of the philosophy underlying qigong in a fashion which is more literary and in some ways more comprehensive than even more advanced texts. He is able to articulate the nature of qigong to those unfamiliar with the art. The book provides good background information on many topics, such as research, from which even advanced practitioners would benefit. I highly recommend this book to my patients.

Rating:
Summary: From mysticism to memory
Review: I have studied martial arts of all kinds for over two decades. I spent several years in the orient learning from masters that decended from many of the greatest minds in martial arts. Ken has masterfully compiled the necessary information to get you going. He has covered every base, so whether you are a cynic, or are already a believer in qi, or energy healing/martial arts, he has information to help you become all the more enlightened. Highly recommended for beginner-intermediate studentsof this or similar fields of study.

Rating:
Summary: Take Care When Driving
Review: I haven't read this book but I have heard the cassette tape numerous times on my way up and down to Tel Aviv for work and back home to the Galilee. I rate this work as excellent but mainly as an adjunct to live instruction in Qi Gong. There are many insights in Kenneth Cohen's presentation that have helped me deepen my understanding of Qi accumulation and healing. The cassette presentation is so good that I feel myself releasing muscular and nervous tension while driving and arrive at work relaxed and back home after a long day, fresh and energized. Highly recommended - my thanks to the author -I shall now get around to reading the book.

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Summary: A Profound Work - Leading a health revolution in the world.
Review: Ken Cohen is a world leader! His profound work and meticulous collection of research is enabling health care practitioners worldwide to incorporate these powerful ancient health tools into modern society. This book is an extremely clear work, and a wealth of information. The Chinese terminology is clearly defined, and the layout if very methodical and clear. The western science is powerfully presented in great and precise detail. I encourage all to honor the work of those like Kenneth Cohen, and celebrate the birthday of T'ai Chi Chuan creator, Chang Fan-Feng, by joining in on World T'ai Chi & QiGong Day celebrations worldwide, April 8th, 2000. Bill Douglas, Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi & Qigong

Rating:
Summary: A combination of disciplines
Review: Ken Cohen's book not only does a great job in explaining the energetics and healing effects of qigong, but it is one of the few books to tie qigong and energy to other disciplines such as the PNI (PsychoNeouroImmunology) and native american health practices. In this way, the book itself is a complimentary therapy for qigong to be used by others. It's also nice to read a book where the reader can tell immediately that the author has done his homework since there are source notes and a great bibliography for the new student to qigong to use and explore.

Rating:
Summary: Good Beginner Introduction
Review: Ken Cohen's book wil serve as a great way to introduce chi kung to someone who has little knowledge of it. It may also be interesting reading for those who have had some exposure to a particular form and are looking to explore other types of chi kung. The author does a good job of making potentially complex and mystifying practices intelligible to the average western reader.This book is mix of basic thoery with specific chi kung exercises and routines. Note the word basic in regard to the theory. The routines also are not very complete. But they do serve their purpose: to act as a sampler for beginners. The reader is able to try out parts Five Animal Frolics, Taiji Ruler,and other chi kung sets relating to breathng, sexual chi kung, and more. Some sets are presented completely but only on the basic physical level. They have been done in much greater detail in other books. The Eight Brocade s a good example. All eight parts are given, but the explaination is not as detailed as in Yang jwing ming's book for example. Still, someone curious about the eight brocade, could learn if the set is something they would want to invest more time in from reading this book. Same for the other sets.The discussion on Breathing is very valuable and the author is up to date on much of the new research coming out of East Europe (Buteyko) on hyperventilation. The section on tea got me started on a new hobby and was well done.Everything is well documented with any pages of foot notes.This book is not as in depth or advanced as Qigong Empowerment or The Root of Chinese Chi Kung, but is more readable and about half the price. Definite bargainI definetely recommend this book for beginners and others looking to expand their practice.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good but Lengthy Introduction for the Beginner
Review: This is a good book and the first book I read on Qigong. It was a great introduction and really turned me on to the practice. It is very comprehensive and while sometimes it wanders off into too much extraneous detail, at other times such detail is very useful and enlightening with regard to mind-body connection (such as Chapter 8, "The Energy of the Emotions").

One reviewer noted that instruction for the internal focus (nei dan) during the exercises is missing. However, this is not a bad thing for the beginner, because it is better to learn those aspects directly from a teacher. In my own experience, simply performing the exercises in a relaxed, aware and meditative state with breath and movement integrated is enough to effect the energetic/internal aspects of chi development. This may take time and/or guidance from an instructor.

At any rate, this is a very good book for the beginner and I recommend it as long as you don't mind sometimes wordy dissertations on the subject (it is thoroughly researched and I think Cohen's intent was to create a scholarly look at Qigong as much as a practical how-to). If something simpler and more precise is what you're looking for, I'd recommend Lam Kam Chuen's "The Way of Energy".

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable reading
Review: This is a good introductory book. It shall serve you well in getting framed into the topic of Qi Gong. Dietary principles of Tao are very well explained and the chapters about tea are a true gem. The theory of the elements is clearly presented. It is a good starting point. A few paragraphs lure the reader into the use of body energy in different cultures. This topic is dropped too fast (bibliography is quoted should the reader be interested).
Cleansing Chi Gung is presented very clearly.

However ChiGung standing practices (which are the very foundation of the whole businesss) are presented in a rather bland manner. In my opinion "Opening the Energy Gates of your Body" by B.K. Frantzis is infinitely better in this respect. Buy the "Gates" first.

Rating:
Summary: If you only buy one Qigong book, make it this one
Review: This is a very well written qigong book, packed with information and for a meager price. Ken Cohen's writing style is enjoyable, and there is so much information in this book that I find myself picking it up from time to time to re-read parts of it. Very well done. The only negative I can think of is that it would've been nice to have some meridian/accupoint charts included in the text.