Craniosacral Chi Kung

Description

By Mantak Chia & Joyce Thom
Trade paperback book
ISBN 9781620554234

Exploring the connections between Western craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung, Taoist master Mantak Chia and craniosacral instructor Joyce Thom detail movement exercises, breathwork practices, self-massage techniques, and focused meditations from Taoist and other wisdom traditions to release and harmonize the flow of energy in the body and optimize our potential for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The authors link the craniosacral rhythm — the gentle flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the head (cranium) to the tailbone (sacrum)–and the flow of chi throughout the body, circulated by the pumps of the three tan tiens. They explain how these subtle energetic flows indicate the harmony or disharmony of the whole person and are greatly affected by physical traumas, chronic tensions, and unresolved emotions. For example, the psoas muscle, known in Taoism as the muscle of the soul, connects the spine to the legs and this is the first muscle to contract when anger or fear triggers our fight-or-flight response. Often a storehouse of subconscious stressors, this muscle’s sensitivity is connected to many common ailments such as back pain.

Providing step-by-step illustrated exercise instructions, the authors explain how to identify and unwind energetic blockages and emotional and physiological knots. They explore emotional intelligence exercises for tuning our hearts so we can listen to our bodies’ messages and learn to relieve related emotional burdens. They also reveal how to activate the cranial, respiratory/cardiac, and sacral pumps of the three tan tiens to optimize the body’s energetic flow and explain how, when our energy is flowing freely, we can enter the Cosmic Flow — a state of calm well-being and extraordinary creativity where we find ourselves truly at one with the universe.

Praise for Craniosacral Chi Kung

“This wonderful book is a jewel for anyone interested in the interweaving of Chi Kung and Craniosacral Work, two of the oldest healing traditions. you will learn how to bring these ancient healing practices into daily life in simple, practical ways. A superb resource for self-care and self-growth!”

-Hugh Milne, author of The Heart of Listening and founcer of Visionary Craniosacral Work