Iron Shirt Chi Kung I: Once a Martial Art, Now the Practice That Strengthens the Internal Organs, Roots Oneself Solidly, and Unifies Physical, Menta

by Mantak Chia

The Iron Shirt practice is divided into three Iron Shirt I, II, and III. Iron Shirt Chi Kung is the martial aspect of the Universal Tao system. It develops internal power and structure and a well-conditioned body through simple techniques that build and store Chi. The body becomes open and relaxed. The joints are strengthened, the muscles, tendons and ligaments become soft and strong, and the bones and bone marrow become strong and healthy. Iron Shirt Chi Kung helps us to become rooted to the earth, thereby keeping our body centered and balanced. In the long run, Iron Shirt offers a way of perfecting our inner selves, allowing us to reach higher spiritual levels. The grounding practice provides a firm rooting for the ascension of the spirit. In the days before gunpowder, Iron Shirt Chi Kung was one of the principle martial arts, which built powerful bodies able to withstand hand to hand combat. Even then, however; martial use was only one aspect of Iron Shirt and today, its other aspects remain vitally significant for anyone seeking better health, a sane mind and spiritual growth. “Iron Shirt” refers to the fact that its unique system of breathing exercises which permanently pack concentrated air into the fascia (connective tissues), surrounding the vital organs, make them close to impervious to injuries from accidents or blows. We also learn how to root ourselves in the Earth’s ower and thus how to direct the Earth’s gravitational and healing power through our bone structure. Iron Shirt’s strengthening of the organs is of special interest to athletes and performers, for it teaches them how to increase the performance of the organs during sports, speech, singing, dancing and playing music. For the Taoist masters, all this in turn lays the groundwork for higher spiritual work. Every step of the way is made clear in the numerous line illustrations by Juan Li.

Genres: Health, Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Taoism

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1989

About the author

Mantak Chia is a Taoist Master. He is best known for teaching his Taoist practices under the names of Healing Tao, Tao Yoga, Universal Healing Tao System and Chi Kung. Throughout decades of teaching, he has run numerous workshops, written a series of books, and published a number of training videos. For this reason, some people call him an author, a teacher or a healer. He views himself primarily as a teacher, "who helps his students empower themselves through cultivation of their chi energy." (-wiki)

Reviews

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough (long) explanations of the breathing and postural exercises. I liked the diagrams of the energy meridians as well as the examination of the fascia, both near the end.

physical copy from my library

[C Settles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations of this book when I bought it but was ultimately disappointed. Not sure why that is the case but in the reading I began to sense a particular bias and ulterior intent in the authors presentation of the material which I cannot explain, except to say that I felt I was on a different path. Perhaps, I was/am not ready for this material.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF page 40. Complicated breathing.

[Michael II · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one thing I really enjoyed about this book is it is very simple to read and clear instructions on how to perform the techniques. This is not something easy to do and will take endless amounts of time to practice to get the benefits from them.

[Derek Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not finished this book. Qi gong takes a lot of practice. I am not very skilled at qi gong, but this book has given me a lot of good ideas and good exercises to practice.

[Gökhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is the leader of this taoist personal improvement topics in my opinion. And also, This Iron Shirt book is about an exhalation techniques for being good our mental, physical condition.