| "Managing Depression with Qigong" by Frances | | | | reported in chapter 7 to be interesting. It helps |
| Gaik is a very well researched book on the | | | | reinforce that qigong practice can have many |
| "what" and "why" of qigong, rather than on the | | | | positive benefits. |
| "how." Gaik describes what qigong is and offers | | | | In the Appendix, there are descriptions and |
| many studies and examples of why qigong can be | | | | pictures of how to perform certain Spring Forest |
| used to treat depression successfully. It also | | | | Qigong as taught by Chunyi Lin. These are taken |
| appears that Gaik looked for studies to reinforce | | | | from Lin's manual and tapes, so getting those |
| the belief of qigong, and if you want "proof" that | | | | resources would most likely provide much deeper |
| qigong works, this book sets out to prove it. | | | | instruction. The amount presented here is not as |
| The book is fairly short, but definitely well | | | | much as many other sources. |
| researched. There are ten pages of sources listed | | | | Overall, this is an interesting study of why qigong |
| in the back. Some of the book gets a bit technical | | | | is beneficial. If you need some reinforcement of |
| with the "why" qigong works. There are various | | | | why you should practice, this book can give it to |
| charts showing things such as the change of blood | | | | you. If you are looking for instruction on how to |
| serotonin, changes in plasma endorphins, and EEG | | | | actually perform qigong exercises, there are much |
| topographies to name a few. | | | | better resources out there. I am giving it four |
| The chapter that is an action plan seems a bit | | | | studies because of the research done, and it ads |
| more like suggestions to incorporate qigong into | | | | to the qigong information available. (Ten pages of |
| your routine, but I don't know if it is detailed | | | | references for further study if you so wish) I do |
| enough to really be a complete action plan. | | | | want people to know that if you are looking for a |
| I do agree with Gaik that we need to take | | | | guide to help you perform qigong, rather than an |
| personal responsibility for our own health, and I | | | | academic study on qigong illustrating or reinforcing |
| believe qigong can be incorporated into one's | | | | the belief that it works, this book won't be for |
| lifestyle as a way to prevent certain disease and | | | | you. If you want an academic study of why to |
| ailments. I also found the clinical research study | | | | practice, get this book. |