Qigong: Essence of the Healing Dance

Not only does the author cover the how and why of Qigong, but also offers a way to incorporate it into your everyday life. Very inspirational; it would be hard to justify missing a workout after reading any part of this book.

first, my criticism. the book description was obviously not written by Garri Garripoli, as it pretty much misrepresents the essence of the book. this is not a text book. you will not learn how to "understand qi and use it to heal." that's why i say that it's for practitioners, not for people who are looking to learn moves. the movements he offers at the back of the book are NOT very detailed. his explanation is alright, but he just doesn't offer enough pictures to give the reader a clear enough vision of how the moves should look. (to his credit, there's a strong element of chaos in wuji qigong which means that free play of interpretation is welcome. but this isn't easy for the newcommer.) i've been practicing wuji qigong for a while now, and i bought the book solely for the purpose of deepening my understanding of the technical aspects of the moves and their function. this book did NOT deliver. so, why do i give it 5 stars, you might ask. simple. because once i began reading this book, i couldn't put it down. it's brilliantly written. the author is incredably insightful, reverent, and even poetic in his understanding of "living" qigong. he doesn't simply practice the art; he lives it. and that comes through in his writing. his personal stories, insights, and perspectives have deepened my practice and improved my teaching, and to me that's a much greater gift than the technical knowledge i was initially seeking. this is not a technical book, and, to be honest, that's partly what makes it so great. it doesn't teach you what to do so much as it illustrates how one can truly live this dance that is qigong. i would recommend this book to any practitioner of the art, especially those who have a tendency to forget that it is, in fact, AN ART! surrender to the dance, not the technique, and more and more you will hear the music. THAT'S the real secret! and that's why i love this book.

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.

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.

Many of us ask ourselves questions such as "How can I make my life slow down?" or "Is there any way I can improve my health through relaxation exercises?"Author, television producer and Qigong teacher Garri Garripoli not only started asking himself these questions at an early age, but he stuck with it. In fact, he has dedicated a good part of his life to creating a kind of Odyssey of discovery, which he shares in his new book, "Qigong: the essence of the dance." Garripoli brings the reader in direct contact with several of the world's leading authorities on Qigong, providing a section of interviews with these living treasures. He also provides simple imagery that helps us get started in manipulating the energy force that the Chinese call "qi". He asks us to "suck in your belly as far as you can when you exhale," or to "imagine your hand passing through a field of energy." We learn about applying it to enhance our own energy and health, and how to have the same positive effects on those around us.Garripoli's voyage continues. Next, we will stay tuned for the PBS documentary he created about his recent two-year trip to China.