Chinese Healing Exercises: The Tradition of Daoyin (A Latitude 20 Book)

• Publisher:   University of Hawaii Press
• Number Of Pages:   268
• Publication Date:   2008-11-30
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0824832698
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780824832698

Daoyin, the traditional Chinese practice of guiding the qi and stretching the body is the forerunner of Qigong, the modern form of exercise that has swept through China and is making increasing inroads in the West. Like other Asian body practices, Daoyin focuses on the body as the main vehicle of attainment; sees health and spiritual transformation as one continuum leading to perfection or self-realization; and works intensely and consciously with the breath and with the conscious guiding of internal energies.

This book explores the different forms of Daoyin in historical sequence, beginning with the early medical manuscripts of the Han dynasty, then moving into its religious adaptation in Highest Clarity Daoism. After examining the medieval Daoyin Scripture and ways of integrating the practice into Tang Daoist immortality, the work outlines late imperial forms and describes the transformation of the practice in the modern world.

Presenting a rich crop of specific exercises together with historical context and comparative insights, Chinese Healing Exercises is valuable for both specialists and general readers. It provides historical depth and opens concrete details of an important but as yet little-known health practice.

A worth while read, Livia shows a strong understanding of the history of Dao yin, or Qigong like practices. She admits the importance of help of insights from contemporary Qi gong practitioners, which a rare show of humility from an academic.. The book is useful in terms it gives an impression of the type of Chi cultivation practices by various different Taoist sects. The book rightly brings in to question some of the authenticity's of contemporary Qigong Masters in America. However the book in quite deficient in it explanations of the various Dao yin practices. Written descriptions are vague and do not describe the exercises sufficiently to be meaningful. I do not have the expectations of being able to learn dao yin from the book, but I would like to know general favour, or style of what these ancient exercise looked like. It is possible for archaeologist to do reconstructions to give the public an impression, so why not historians as well ? I feel here the big problem is that most academic works is the lack of practical experience of the subject they are translating and commentating on. Livia has done a lot Indian yoga, but she is a relatively new comer to Qi gong. While this gives her more of an insight into to Taoist esoteric practices than most academics it is not the same as Dao yin. It should be remember that the academics are in the position, of people who are on the outside the temple making comments on, what life might be like inside the temple ? Yet they can be relied upon on giving a more un-bias account of the history and nature of esoteric practice. Where as people teaching a brand of contemporary practice have a vested interest in claiming the biggest and best. Livia book does arm the reader to some extent with the ability make a more informed choice.

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