Chi Fitness: A Workout for Body, Mind, and Spirit; Movements and Meditations for Enhancing the Power of Your Life Force Energy

Having been very active in the pursuit of physical fitness for many years, this book is a most welcome breath of fresh air. The movements and practices are eloquently detailed, and the entire concept just seems to flow naturally, without overwhelming even the novice in spiritual development (like me). I read through the entire book once and keep going back to different chapters, learning a little bit more about myself each time. It makes perfect sense, and it's like giving yourself a gift. I honestly can't imagine anyone NOT benefiting from "Chi Fitness".

C'mon everyone...let's get meta*physical*! This is not some abstract metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. This book offers a straightforward approach to fitness with workouts designed for the body, mind and spirit. Most fitness books focus on the physical body, emphasizing eating right and exercise to reduce weight, tone, body build, etc. Chi fitness authors, Benton and Denbaum shows readers how to use their Chi (life force energy) to maintain a healthy body and mind by combining exercise with meditation.The authors provide meditations and exercises, to help clear energy blocks that may restrict us. They help us examine how we give away our energy through anger, stress, personal problems and conflicts. They also give readers a Chakra workout, providing detailed information about the chakras (energy centers in the body), and specific exercises to balance individual chakras that are out of balance. The movement exercises are mostly simple, yet effective. There are a few that the flexibly challenged will find difficult to master (I know I can't bend down holding my ankles with my head nearly touching the floor). But there are only a few so challenging. Illustrations and exercise instructions are thorough and very easy to follow. The authors seamlessly blend meditation and/or visualization with movement creating workouts that practitioners will find themselves fully engaged in. I recommend this for anyone who wants more than just the usual body-based workout, anyone who wants something more interesting than just your average repetitive routine, and for those that want to do more than just burn calories. This will stimulate you body, mind and soul.

I've incorporated Chi Fitness into my life for the last three years. It's really changed my perspective on how important it is to be in tune with your body, and how your body needs to release emotions that affect us from childhood and our current lives. Since I'm so much more in touch with my feelings and my needs, I'm more centered and able to enjoy each day as a special gift. I highly recommend this book and anything else these authors may publish.

As a follower of Eastern philosophies (Buddhism) the concept of increasing life force energy (chi)is a common practice for me. I cannot say enough about this fantastic book and the program found within it. Each of us has the power to increase our emotional, physical and spiritual well-being and the guidelines found here are an excellent place to start. Negative emotions such as anger, worry, jealousy, fear and sadness deplete our chi energy often leaving us feeling tired, stressed-out, depressed, and unfulfilled. By using "chakras," energy centres which correspond to parts of the body, particularly our emotions, we have the ability to improve our quality of life and follow a path to inner peace and tranquility. For those who have found the benefits of meditation, you will find this book to be of particular interest. This is an excellent, well-written book and by following the principles it contains, the reader has the potential to reduce stress and live a more productive, happy, well-balanced life.

CHI FITNESS is a book you can read straight through, or browse here and there. Either way, you'll learn a new way of thinking about fitness -- one that integrates the mind with the body. Simple, clear drawings, beautiful photos and clear text combine to make a book to keep and use for a long, long time.I recommend it highly.