How to Use this Book

    In the pages that follow, I have synthesized my studies and experience with the wide world of Chinese Medicine to bring you a simple, practical plan to help you look and feel younger. With their Eastern concepts (Qi, yin and yang, and more) and exotic names for various positions (“Opening Qi Door,” “Swan Stretches Her Wings”), the tried-and-true ancient techniques can sometimes seem hard for us Westerners to grasp. In this book, I demystify and clarify the essence of Qigong, providing you with useful tips to help you get the most out of your home practice..

   My studies of Qigong began nearly thirty years ago in San Francisco. I have been fortunate to learn from wonderful teachers, all of them men. As a woman practitioner, I have taken the best of what Qigong masters offered and modified some of what I learned to suit my needs. When I began teaching Qigong myself, I developed these variations for the special needs and different energies of the women I taught. My approach in this book has been to take the best of the ancient tradition and synthesize it for the modern, western woman. Each set in this book is based on centuries-old movements and the majority are presented exactly as I was taught them. Most of the exercises retain their traditional names, but I have given certain exercises new names to evoke the qualities I felt they nurture. Most importantly, I have carefully fine-tuned a sequence that fosters the vital energy of women. In short, I have brought my own personality and intuition to designing the workout and I hope you will do the same as you make this Qigong practice your own.

     The book is divided into three parts.

    True beauty comes from within and is manifested in that glow that accompanies a healthy body, mind and spirit. For some women looking younger is important, but for others it doesn’t much matter. Our common desire is to look and feel good. As Elizabeth Arden said, “I'm not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You're as old as you feel.” Indeed, it’s not necessarily that we want to be young, just that we want to feel young.

    As you practice Qigong, you will be learning to “work your Qi” to achieve this goal. Be aware that a Qi workout requires concentration. So don’t worry about what you look like as you exercise. People who know me as someone with a gentle expression who is often smiling tell me that I look “so serious!” when I practice Qigong. I reply, “Yes, taking care of one’s self is serious business.” The energy you cultivate during your practice will soon carry over into your everyday life and others are sure to notice the change in your appearance. More importantly, you will feel the difference.

    No matter what your health and fitness goals, Qigong can help you achieve them in a balanced, gentle way. The exercises and techniques presented in this book may be new for you, but they take very little time, are low-impact and easy to learn. What’s more, you can do them in the privacy of your own home. It is my hope that when you embrace my simple workout plan, you will begin to experience the joys of looking and feeling your personal best, becoming, with every minute you practice Qigong, truly ageless.