Reduce stress, release pain, and create bodily harmony with this introduction to qigong and tai chi. Includes practical information, insights, and widely practiced sequences and forms that lead to improved health.

"Mimi Kuo-Deemer takes the reader on a journey through the five elements and seasons of qigong, explaining their connection to health, lifestyle, and state of mind. . . . It is a pleasure to read such a balanced approach. I highly recommendQigong and the Tai Chi Axis!"— Kenneth S. Cohen, author of The Way of Qigong

Reduce stress, release pain, and create bodily harmony with this introduction to qigong and the yin/yang balance of tai chi, the ancient Chinese arts of movement meditation. This accessible book features information about these practices as well as insights into their benefits, providing tools for replenishing inner resources and managing energy levels. It also offers advice on making healthier choices in everyday life that will support the body's natural capacity for energy, balance, and well-being.

CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
INTRODUCTION: QIGONG AND THE GREAT SOURCE OF WHOLENESS
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE FIVE ELEMENTS/PHASES (WUXIN), YIN AND YANG AND THE TAI CHI AXIS
GUIDELINES FOR PRACTICE
PART 1   WOOD ELEMENT: NOURISHING OUR ROOTS
CHAPTER 1 Rising Yang and the Energy of Spring
CHAPTER 2   Finding Stability and Root
CHAPTER 3   The Resourcefulness of Trees: Flexible and Strong
CHAPTER 4   Wood's Organs: The Liver and Gall Bladder
The Liver
The Gall Bladder
Qigong Practices for the Liver and Gall Bladder
CHAPTER 5   Wood's Spirit and Emotion
PART 2   FIRE ELEMENT: NOURISHING THE HEART
CHAPTER 6 Maximum Yang: Fire and the Heat of Summer
CHAPTER 7  The Supreme Sovereign
Qigong Practices for the Heart
CHAPTER 8   A Calm and Tranquil Heart
Four Qigong Practices to Balance Heart Qi
CHAPTER 9  The Heart's Three Helpers
The Small Intestine
The Pericardium, or Heart Protector
The Triple Heater (Sanjio)
Practices for the Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Heater
CHAPTER 10  Joy and Shen: The Emotion and Spirit of Fire
Practices for Shen and Fire's Emotion of Joy
PART 3   EARTH ELEMENT: NOURISHING THE MIND
CHAPTER 11  Late Summer and the Earth Element: Abundant, Stable and Balancing All Life
CHAPTER 12  The Power of Yi (Intention): Where Mind Goes, Qi Flows
Practices for Helping Yi (Intention) Direct the Qi
CHAPTER 13  Transitioning with Ease
Earth Element Practices for Governing Smooth Transitions
CHAPTER 14  Digesting and Transforming: The Stomach and the Spleen
The Spleen
The Stomach
Qigong Practices for the Stomach and Spleen
CHAPTER 15  Empathy and Trust: Earth's Emotion and Spirit
Practices for Nourishing Earth's Emotion and Spirit
PART 4   METAL ELEMENT: NOURISHING THE SPIRIT
CHAPTER 16  Ascending Yin: Autumn and the Metal Element
CHAPTER 17  Cultivating Quality, Value and Preciousness
Metal Practices to Refine Qi Flow and Polish the Organs
CHAPTER 18 Metal's Dignity: Courage and Strength
Practices to Nourish Healthy Strength, Dignity and Courage
CHAPTER 19   Metal's Organs: The Lungs and Large Intestine
The Lungs
Large Intestine
Practices to Nourish the Lungs and Large Intestine
CHAPTER 20   Grief and Appreciation: The Emotion and Spirit of Metal
Qigong Practices for Supporting Healthy Grief and Appreciation of Life
PART 5   WATER ELEMENT: NOURISHING OUR DEEPEST WISDOM
CHAPTER 21  Maximum Yin: Water and Winter's Time to Rest
CHAPTER 22  Water's Soft Strength
Practices to Nourish Water's Soft Strength
CHAPTER 23  Water's Deep Listening and Stillness
Practices for Water's Stillness and Deep Listening
CHAPTER 24  Water's Organs: The Kidneys and Urinary Bladder
The Kidneys
Urinary Bladder
Practices to Nourish the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder
CHAPTER 25  Fear, Will and Wisdom: The Emotion and Spirit of Water
Practices to Nourish Will, Wisdom and a Balanced Attitude Toward Fear
CONCLUSION: TAI CHIS AXIS AND THE DAO
The Three Lessons
ADDITIONAL PRACTICE GUIDE
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
About the Author