Product Review

Mawangdui Daoyin Shu presents a series of qigong forms based on those shown on the famous silk paintings excavated from the Mawangdui tombs of Changsha, Hunan Province. Discovered in the 1970s alongside a wealth of classical texts, they are among the oldest and best preserved silk works in China, and provide a fascinating insight into the early history of qigong.

Dating from the Han Dynasty, these easy-to-learn movements work with the flow of vital energy through the meridians and encourage connection between the external movements of the body and the internal activity of the mind. Through rising and squatting, extending and withdrawing the limbs, bending and stretching, the movements help maintain health and cultivate the spirit. The book provides step-by-step, fully-illustrated instruction on the Mawangdui Daoyin Shu, and includes a brief account of the origins of the movements, with additional learning tips for each movement, and information about the health benefits. An accompanying DVD features a video demonstrating the form and additional information on its history and origins, and a CD provides options for verbal instructions to lead the practitioner through the exercises, or music to accompany them.

This accessible and beautiful form will be of interest to experienced practitioners and beginners alike, and especially to those interested in the authentic connection with forms practised in ancient China.