Reduce stress, release pain and create whole body harmony with this practical introduction to Qigong and the yin/yang balance of Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese arts of ''movement meditation''. From reducing stress and improving posture to balance and general mobility, the many physical and mental benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi are widely celebrated. In this accessible book, Mimi Kuo-Deemer offers practices, insights and wisdom on these arts, and shows us how to support our natural capacity for energy, balance and wellbeing. Qigong''s approach is based on the Chinese Five Elements or Phases of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each natural element relates to an organ and meridian system in the body, and Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis will explore each of these elements as they relate to our physical, mental and emotional health. It also will include popular and widely practiced sequences and forms such as the 8 Brocades, Five Animal Frolics, Tai Chi Qigong 18 Forms and Five Element Qigong practices and explore how these lead to wholeness, nourishment and health.Part I: Wood Element: Nourishing our Roots Part 2: Fire Element: Nourishing the Heart Part 3: Earth Element: Nourishing the Mind Part 4: Metal Element: Nourishing the SpiritPart 5: Water Element: Nourishing our Deepest Wisdom

''Exquisite... for anyone interested in building a sustainable life that is imbued with vibrant healthy, mental and emotional clarity, and the most basic human need of all: happiness'' - Donna Farhi, author of Yoga Mind, Body, Spirit

''A treasure chest for the heart and mind, a potent tonic for body and breath, and a vibrant life essence for the spirit'' - Simon Low, Principal of the Yoga Academy

''A beautiful and timely gift'' - Sifu Matthew Cohen, Sacred Energy Arts Founder

''Profound and powerful'' - Noman Blair, author of Brightening Our Inner Skies

For centuries, Chinese sages, rulers and spiritual seekers have embraced a simple yet powerful principle to enable them to live in harmony with the Source of nature and all life; the art of ''self-cultivation'' or, xiu yang. Xiu yang works with the idea that we can steadily nurture our capacity to being fully human and fully awake. Like a field that is patiently cultivated to optimally grow the nourishing and healthy crops, we can undertake practices aimed at smoothing out the roughness and irregularities in our bodies, minds and spirits in order to produce a deep, lasting spiritual happiness. Xiu yang promotes the idea that inner balance leads to outer radiance: in order to be in harmony with the world, we must first be in harmony with ourselves. By tending to the field of our own bodies, hearts, minds and relationships, we can start making positive changes within our lives and in the lives of others. In this nurturing lifestyle guide, Mimi Kuo-Deemer champions the contemporary value of adopting this ancient approach. Through a combination of practices from meditation and mindfulness to yoga and qigong, Xiu Yang offers a fresh approach to finding balance and bringing peace into your life, home and community. Part I: The Art of Xiu Yang Part II: Xiu Yang for a Healthy and Harmonious Body Part III: Xiu Yang for a Balanced Mental and Emotional Life Part IV: Xiu Yang for a Happier Place in the World

Reduce stress, release pain and create whole body harmony with this practical introduction to Qigong and the yin/yang balance of Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese arts of ''movement meditation''. From reducing stress and improving posture to balance and general mobility, the many physical and mental benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi are widely celebrated. In this accessible book, Mimi Kuo-Deemer offers practices, insights and wisdom on these arts, and shows us how to support our natural capacity for energy, balance and wellbeing. Qigong''s approach is based on the Chinese Five Elements or Phases of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each natural element relates to an organ and meridian system in the body, and Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis will explore each of these elements as they relate to our physical, mental and emotional health. It also will include popular and widely practiced sequences and forms such as the 8 Brocades, Five Animal Frolics, Tai Chi Qigong 18 Forms and Five Element Qigong practices and explore how these lead to wholeness, nourishment and health.Part I: Wood Element: Nourishing our Roots Part 2: Fire Element: Nourishing the Heart Part 3: Earth Element: Nourishing the Mind Part 4: Metal Element: Nourishing the SpiritPart 5: Water Element: Nourishing our Deepest Wisdom

''Exquisite... for anyone interested in building a sustainable life that is imbued with vibrant healthy, mental and emotional clarity, and the most basic human need of all: happiness'' - Donna Farhi, author of Yoga Mind, Body, Spirit

''A treasure chest for the heart and mind, a potent tonic for body and breath, and a vibrant life essence for the spirit'' - Simon Low, Principal of the Yoga Academy

''A beautiful and timely gift'' - Sifu Matthew Cohen, Sacred Energy Arts Founder

''Profound and powerful'' - Noman Blair, author of Brightening Our Inner Skies

For centuries, Chinese sages, rulers and spiritual seekers have embraced a simple yet powerful principle to enable them to live in harmony with the Source of nature and all life; the art of ''self-cultivation'' or, xiu yang. Xiu yang works with the idea that we can steadily nurture our capacity to being fully human and fully awake. Like a field that is patiently cultivated to optimally grow the nourishing and healthy crops, we can undertake practices aimed at smoothing out the roughness and irregularities in our bodies, minds and spirits in order to produce a deep, lasting spiritual happiness. Xiu yang promotes the idea that inner balance leads to outer radiance: in order to be in harmony with the world, we must first be in harmony with ourselves. By tending to the field of our own bodies, hearts, minds and relationships, we can start making positive changes within our lives and in the lives of others. In this nurturing lifestyle guide, Mimi Kuo-Deemer champions the contemporary value of adopting this ancient approach. Through a combination of practices from meditation and mindfulness to yoga and qigong, Xiu Yang offers a fresh approach to finding balance and bringing peace into your life, home and community. Part I: The Art of Xiu Yang Part II: Xiu Yang for a Healthy and Harmonious Body Part III: Xiu Yang for a Balanced Mental and Emotional Life Part IV: Xiu Yang for a Happier Place in the World