The Real Thing
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As a Taiji practitioner also interested in Ba Gua and Hsing I; I purchased this book out of an interest in comparing nei gung methods with the style I practise (Wu Style Hao Family Taiji Quan). I have to say, this is an absolute gem of a book. Contains very clear explanations of Yi, Chi and power development that are common to all the arts, but initially baffling to many students. It's only when you read a book like this that you start to realise just how much bull is written about the internal arts. A treasure, should be on the bookshelves of every sincere student.
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excellent base for internal arts
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This was my first book on internal martial arts after reading the reviews about it.I was not dissapointed!The material here is totally authentic passed down through generations and is easy to understand.This is the correct way to study internal arts such as Xingyiquan,by building a firm foundation for a period of time before even learning any actual techniques.The exercises have become part of my daily routine for over a year now and the benefits are well worth it.Anybody with an interest in the internal arts would be well advised to buy this book.Invaluble!
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good book, but...
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Although the neigong exercises in this book are well worth practising, the rest of the book is slightly off track. They mention acupuncture points by name, but can't print a chart of where the points are, they spend half the book talking about Wang Ji Wu's lineage and life story, which is interesting but has little relevance to the title "health maintenance and strength development" So, if you want the 16 exercises, go buy the book, but if you're a serious chen-stylist or if you know how to adhere to the principles in your training, you might not need this book.
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Not a book about fighting
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This book does not teach fighting techniques, forms or the martial training side of martial arts. Instead, it shows you how to lay a solid foundation to build real internal power, so that when you study martial training, the ability that you develop will be effective,strong, powerful fighting technique. The book does this with crystal clear, comprehensive instructions and equally clear, comprehensive pictures. The wisdom in this book is as close to pure and uncorrupted as possible for a western text on Xing Yi Quan. The introduction of the writers lineage is both interesting and helps to authenticate the execise advice later in the book. There is not wasted word. It is a gem of book. If a martial artist practices only the work in this book from posture, standing exercise and the sixteen exercises, they will need no other book to develop real power for their chosen soft style.
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An invaluable contribution to the World
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This book contains a fantastic set of exercises for developing flexiblity, tranquility and chi. If you have stiff joints, tendons, ligaments or muscles you will be totally impressed with these exercises. Looking at the pictures and reading the material gives no picture at all to the 'actual' experience of the set. From the very first exercise, which is one of my favorites, you just 'know' this set is going to 'sort' you out. As a Tai Chi practitioner of many years I have not seen a superior set of exercises. I tried 'yoga' to increase flexiblity and stiffness. Although yoga gave some relief, I was still very 'tight' in the morning. A problem, very tight left hamstring still did not improve with yoga. Yoga also gave me occasional minor injuries with some exercises. After 1 week of doing this set twice a day I noticed immediate improvement. Now after 3 weeks, I am far less tight in the mornings and my hamstring is 50% better, and getting better every week.
One other thing that I was totally impressed by is the opening of the shoulder joints with the first 4 exercises. Why so many? Once you do the set you'll understand why. I found almost instant tranquility from soothing my shoulder joints. All major joints are worked in this set.
For a total strength workout, including abdominals, give exercise 17 a go! My Tai Chi feels smooth and silky. I've been searching for 18 months for some answers. This book has brought great joy to my life as a Martial Artist. I can't imagine my flexibility after a year! My enthusiam for Chi Kung has totally awakened, even though this set is described as Nei Kung. I imagine the difference is Nei Kung includes Internal strength training as well.
The Creator of these exercises is a credit to the wonders of this set, living with perfect health until 100 years.
Finally, this set is all a person would need to do to maintain health and vitality. Although, once you've seen the wonders, adding Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Paqua or other activities to your life is inevitable.
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