Author: George Ellis
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 184
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0143030108
Description
Filled with photos that demonstrate different breathing and sitting positions, The Breath of Life explores over 20 Hatha Yoga postures, 20 Qi Gong techniques, and 12 Pranayama exercise programs.
Rooted in ancient cultures of 1200 BC, Pranayama and Qi Gong employ what Indian Yogic and Chinese tradition have known for centuries-that the control of one’s breathing and the harmonizing of breath and spirit contribute to a long and healthy life. This book helps you in practising Yogic techniques.
Holistic Health from the Eastern Paths of spiritual enlightenment
For 2000 years ancient Indian and Chinese breathing techniques have ensured the good health of generations. The foundation of Yoga practice, Pranayama employs Yoga’s greatest principles-physical exercises, cleansing techniques, relaxation methods, and spiritual liberation. Once regarded as a strictly spiritual discipline-the secrets of which were divulged only maintenance.
Qi Gong, so valuable to Chinese medicine, is the early practice of regulating the depth and speed of breathing to alleviate the symptoms of ill health, and is currently recognized for its therapeutic benefits by thousands of students in the West.
Now you can maximize your body’s potential with a unique exercise program geared specifically towards your health needs. And with a special section that recommends breathing techniques to alleviate a variety of health problems from asthma to insomnia, even those with specific maladies can reap the benefits of these ancient breathing methods.
REVIEW
A great deal of our physical and mental troubles are due to the fact that we don’t breathe correctly. Life and breath are synonymous. Life is breath and the absence of its is death.
-Indra Devi, international Yoga expert
Contents
Introduction
CHAPTER ONE
The History of Pranayama and Qi Gong
CHAPTER TWO
A Comparison of Pranayama and Qi Gong
CHAPTER THREE
The Preliminaries
CHAPTER FOUR
Pranayama
CHAPTER FIVE
Pranayama Techniques
CHAPTER SIX
Pranayama Exercise Programs
CHAPTER SEVEN
Yoga Asanas: Hatha Yoga Positions
CHAPTER EIGHT
Qi Gong
CHAPTER NINE
Wai Dan Qi Gong
CHAPTER TEN
Qi Gong in a Hurry
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Breathing and Sexuality
CHAPTER TWELVE
Health Conditions
Notes
Index