Qigong Meditation: Embryonic Breathing (Qigong Foundation)

It is an extremely interesting book. with 3 main Chapters/Sections that you could read separately and then try to put it all together. Defintion; History and Technique. I have read it, put it down, think, mediate, analyze and sometimes start all over again. I recommend it for some one that is as interested as I am in learning the true roots to all martial arts and Chinese medical and health philosophy. Wish I had had such a book about 30 years ago. I still strongly recommend that you work, train and learn from a Sensei.It is not a book for a person that is looking for simple answers.This is not the only book and DVD by Sensei Yang Jwing-Ming that I own. It is said: "The Sensei will arrive when the student is ready". This doesn't mean I'm ready yet, but definitely anxious to learn more.I have found MY Sensei!

This was an interesting read. I wanted to explore concepts on Qi development to enhance my martial arts experience. I was not disappointed. I think this book is good for the YIN/recovery side of practice. There were a lot of things about breathing I had not considered. Indispensable and required reading. Now for the cons. It would've been a much easier read if it was formatted differently. He could have saved the Classics until the end. Give the Cliff notes first, then the details. Also, too much repetition. The information could have been conveyed with much fewer repetitions. And teasers for future titles was a bit disconcerting. Embryonic, Small Cyclic and Grand Cyclic meditation could have been put in one book and the accompanying classic references in another book like a concordance. That being said, I would recommend this book. Especially to anyone new to meditation and martial arts of any and all varieties. This is much needed knowledge that I will be combing through for years to come. If I were to ever teach martial arts, I would start with this training.

Having entered popular Western consciousness, the subject of Qigong is currently awash with fluffy, vacuous verbiage from pompous self-styled experts whose only real interest is cashing in on a lucrative New-Age trend. This volume, although dense and difficult, reveals much authentic and vital knowledge to those who have had some experience of Qi and are not afraid of patient study and experiment. Dr. Yang is one of a handful of authors in this field who is both qualified and willing to share significant teachings that have heretofore been kept secret or deliberately obscure. His material is presented in a format that, while extremely concise, assiduously avoids being cryptic. If you are a lazy dabbler interested in yet another mealy-mouthed, feel-good text weighted down with pseudo-exotica, promising everything and delivering nothing, avoid this book. But if you have perceived a little of the reality of internal Qi and desire to systematically expand your practice and understanding, you will probably find this volume unusually rewarding.

I am disappointed with newest Jwing-Ming book. There is a lot of scientific and theoretical reflections about all stages of Qigong, unfortunately practical ground is covered only at the beginner level.There is almost nothing written about practice of "Kan-Li" (i.e. conceiving the Spiritual Embryo by mixing fire and water Qi at Huang Ting cavity to produce Elixir). Author just sends you to his next book. I am probably not the only one who waited especially for this issue! Regarding practice - you will find detailed description of reversed and normal abdominal breathing plus its variations (Griddle and Marrow breathing). You will not find anything more (practical) in this book. There is also nothing about practicing "internal vision". I would like to cite example of how Jwing-Ming writes about recognizing Yin Center of Upper Dan Tian "To recognize this point through feeling, you must first rid yourself of all emotional disturbances and also the external attractions of your mind. In this case, your mind will be easily search for the location. If you search for it sincerely, it will take only a few days for you to recognize this point" (p.330). That's all, but how can I find this point if I don't know what feelings are associated with it? Recognizing feelings play special role in Tai-Chi or Qigong. Why are they not covered? Summarizing, this work is too much academic for me.Citations from old scriptures are major advantage of "Qigong Meditation", however I would like to read more ancient Qigong classics instead of mere repetitions of what was said before in previous interpretations.Conclusion: If you look for theoretical background of Qigong practice, you can buy this book - it's probably best in this field written in English, but if you are mainly a practitioner and you look for "Kan-Li" or anything else, and you know other Jwing-Ming books, then you can skip this one.

Thorough read on its history. To be honest, over 80% of the book is on the history of the qigong practice. This is to lay a knowledge foundation for the reader to understand the reason behind the exercises. (still kind of lengthy and some of the passages are translated from ancient texts) I bought the Qigong Secret to Eternal Youth after this book.

A very good piece of work and much research went into this complex subject. Made more so in that the English language cannot directly translate the concepts both scientific and traditional developed over thousands of years in China. One would have to read the book several times while practicing the concepts expounded in order to integrate Qi in ones own life.

I have tried to read a few books on the subject matter of Qui, and most seem like they bridge westernized concepts into the study of Qui. This is the most intricate study of the subject I have seen. And, the title expresses the whole subject in one concept - the title is why I bought the book. Needless to say, it is a wonderful read for those enhancing their spiritual study, or simply body conscious individuals. I will be buying more of his books.

This book on Meditation Embryonic Breathing is by far the best book so far on meditation and teaches you everything about Embryonic Breathing and everything on meditation and about the human body and this book is very important and very highly recommended to anyone and who is serious into Qigong and wants to know about meditation and breathing and relaxation which is very important and it also teaches you about the insight of External Elixir (Wai Dan) this book is highly recommended to read first before you read the book on Qigong Meditation Small Circulation in Depth, but i would rate this book more then 5 stars

I wasn't sure whether this book would be too complicated for me, given my limited knowledge in Chinese medicine and Qigong, however the book is just brilliant. It is a well of knowledge, nothing is omitted, and all the concepts are well explained. Having said that, I wouldn't say it is the most practical book, it is meant to give you a very broad and thorough theoretical knowledge of Qigong and good insight into TCM/Chinese philosophy etc. Anyone interested in Qigong practice and Chinese way of maintaining good health and longevity should definitely give it a go. Some prior knowledge would be beneficial.

I have purchased this for a friend and think they will love it. The content seems detailed and diverse and well explained giving a thorough explanation of techniques and practices.

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