Qigong : Essence of the Healing Dance

Rating:
Summary: Completely absorbing, with a balanced view of Qigong
Review: Coming from a lineage of kung fu masters from southern China, I was extremely pleased to read Mr. Garripoli's book on Qigong. It is one of those rare, thoughtful, life-enhancing books that shares the true essence of this ancient Chinese healing practice, and is so respectful of its roots. The fact that he gives an opportunity for a variety of voices to be heard from the global community is absolutely indicative of the many forms and styles that exist around the world, and perhaps shows too that Qigong, in all its hundreds of styles, is catching on as its health benefits become more obvious. It is also refreshing to read a Qigong book that isn't sensationalist or exploitive, but more balanced and far-reaching in its content, as well as its intent. I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in the healing arts, and applaud Garripoli for shedding light on this little known martial and healing art. The book also provides some very helpful resources and references at the back, for those wishing to contact a Qigong organization near them.

Rating:
Summary: A Qigong Primer
Review: I have been a self-taught student of Qigong for the past five years and have assembled a modest library on the subject. This book is one of the best I have read on healing Qigong. Garripoli has excised the dogmaticism found in similar books by emphasizing imagination and intent; to trust what you feel and not rely completely on the form of the exercises. He has made this esoteric knowledge comprehensible and palatable for the reading public. When our Western culture ultimately and whole-heartidly embrace Qigong, this book will be recognized as one of it's primers.

Rating:
Summary: Completely absorbing, with a balanced view of Qigong
Review: It's about time that a book like this has been made. Garripoli's understanding of qigong shines forth brightly. All the stories by different qigong practitioners are fascinating. They bring much light to this wonderful art. I've been "playing" qigong for only a few months but the results have been dramatic. I'm in better shape and healthier than when I could ride 50 miles on a bicycle, do 45 one arm pushups, etc. The aches and pains have quickly disappeared, I need less sleep, and my immune system is much stronger. As this book clearly shows, qigong is easy, it can be done by anyone: teenagers to people in their 90's, active or disabled. One of the last parts of the book has a few excellent Shaolin self-healing techniques that are worth the price of the book alone. Get this book, you won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: This is a good book for beginners and for those who know nothing about Chi Gong. My only criticism and why I gave this book three stars is that the illustrations are not comprehensive at all. It was frustrating for me to figure out the moves by reading the text. Granted, it is far better to learn Chi Gong with an instructor but Mr. Garripoli would have done his readers a service by providing more and better illustrations of the moves.

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: This is a good book for beginners and for those who know nothing about Chi Gong. My only criticism and why I gave this book three stars is that the illustrations are not comprehensive at all. It was frustrating for me to figure out the moves by reading the text. Granted, it is far better to learn Chi Gong with an instructor but Mr. Garripoli would have done his readers a service by providing more and better illustrations of the moves.