Yi Jin Jing: Tendon-Muscle Strengthening Qigong Exercises

I really like the setup of this Book/DVD training routine. I have been in pain for two decades, not so much now. While deployed overseas, I had my knee injured, I had my foot injured. I come home and I injure my back, then my neck. I tried to get back into shape, I tried returning to the workout routines that I grew up doing, that the Military taught me. I tried, and because of the pain, it was not possible. In a desperate last attempt to try anything, Several months ago I discovered Chi Kung aka. QiGong, I didn't believe that it would work, but I bought a book. About month later I bought a QiGong DVD on Ba Duan Jin "Eight Pieces of Brocade", and it helped. I no longer have to wear braces on my knees, my back may still be stiff, but it does not hurt all the time, my neck is better, I can now turn my head to the left without pain, I no longer dread what needs to be done. I purchased Yi Jin Jing, put in the DVD as soon as I got home, checked out the set up of the instruction, I started in on the book, and I must say that I am impressed with how well it is lined up, easy to follow, the book not only shows how to do the routines, but explains the common mistakes, and you can actually follow along with the DVD, reading the book as they demonstrate, then in a different section of the DVD you can get up and follow along. Being able to engage every style of learning method, seeing, hearing, and doing. I seldom give 5 stars to anything, so when I say that I love it, I mean, I recommend this to the people that I know, and who trust me. If you are looking for a low impact, high result workout, that is adaptable to your specific needs.... I would encourage you to give this a try. The layout of the book is easy to follow, the matching DVD flows with the book, and then goes on to allow you to be able to get up and follow along and do the routines too. I am so glad to have discovered these exercise routines, and I am very happy with the way the book, and DVD allow a person to learn and adopt to the needs of the users. I now look forward to doing the 20-30 minute routines, not because I enjoy working out, but because I get such good results from doing these Chi Kung "QiGong" routines.

This book is an easy-to-use, step-by-step instruction book for learning the qigong exercise sequence called Yi Jin Jing. However, the DVD accompanying the manuals I have been sent does not work on U.S. equipment. I have returned this item THREE times, requesting a replacement, and each time have received the book with a DVD that does NOT work. Getting a bit frustrated as the book is good. I borrowed the DVD from a friend who purchased the book much earlier than I did, and it works . It iis also very good. I hope someone will eventually read my messages and check the stock to determine why the DVDs don't work. I am loathe to give up.

The book gives detailed directions for every move in this form, even to where your gaze should be, etc. It comes with a video which you need to view online. The video runs through the entire form and also details each move.

I am currently enrolled in a Qigong class that uses this set of movements. The book and the video are invaluable for my practice time at home. It allows me to recall each move exactly and to perfect my practice.This is a "must have" book for anyone practicing this set of Qigong. Its both clearly written and illustrated, and of course, the bonus is the DVD insert .

Solved

I recently purchased this and very much enjoyed the book, but can't get the DVD to play in English, only in Chinese. As the DVD starts there is a page that appears to be for language selection, but it lasts only a millisecond and the DVD begins without any time for me to try to figure out how to watch in the English version. If anyone can provide me with some help as to how to watch the DVD in the English language (step-by-step and dumb it down, please), I would be grateful. Thank you.

Yi Jin Jing was everything I was looking for. The CD shows the complete form along with a breakdown instruction for each part. The book also gives clear details of typical mistakes and how to correct them. An excellent resource!

Not impressed, very basicI liked that DVD came with it, but the content and movements were not satisfactory.

Ich bin 69 Jahre alt und für mich haben sich diese Chinesischen Übungen als besser erwiesen als Krankengymnastik oder Fahrradergometer. Deshalb betreibe ich das überhaupt. Diese Büchlein erklären das sehr gut und dazu findet man im Internet auch noch die dazu gehörigen Filme. Ob jemanden diese Übungen etwas bringen muss am Ende jeder selbst ausprobieren. Für mich bringen sie etwas.

This is teaching for the masses. It is clear, no frills, direct to the point. Each exercise has a common pitfalls description, correction hints, high points and short ancient saying. There is a short introduction to the exercises that includes a brief historical segment. But even there, everything is direct. The goal of the book/DVD is to get people going in the most clear way. The book has key photos of the exercises, although it is with the DVD that most benefit can be obtained for the practice. Being able to pause the DVD, place bookmarks to sections and such makes it even better (depending on your media reader). One thing that is not so easy to gauge is how to apply force in these tendon exercises. There are pointers to that in the book, but one has to use practice and some introspection. The exercises are easy to learn, and so, the practice can start early. Be sure to turn the DVD off when the moves are learned. The real practice comes at your own pace and breathing, not be following.I would have given 5 stars, but the DVD, although excellent, lacks on the English translation and mixing in such a way that the English commentary is too detailed. This makes the presenter speak fast and sometimes he is still describing something that is passed, while the video has already started something else. Which he will have to catch up to. Combined with a music that is a bit too much in the foreground gives a not-so-relaxed feeling after a while. The Chinese version is not like that. I hope that the Chinese Health QiGong Association will correct this in their upcoming 2014 series of DVDs. Also, there is no comprehensive index to each exercise. I keep a text file with some time offsets so I don't need to search for sections. Despite these technical drawbacks, I still value the actual contents at 4 stars.This being said, the DVD is excellent since the sound is not needed anyways, apart maybe the first time around. I turn the sound down to learn and refresh/review the moves. The exercises are very well described using many camera angles. In the DVD also there are common mistakes and correction sections.Although the exercises are simple and takes approx. 10-15 minutes to do (depending on pace), there is a good feeling that comes out of them. There are nothing fancy like Taichi and subtle hips movement/core energy, but still, in their simplicity they must act on some tendon combinations to give a good feeling. A good set to know, that can be done is a short time in between any other routines or at any time. The booklet has useful hints to better the exercises.

Todos los números de la serie son muy claros, didácticos y buenos. Yo los recomendaría para practicantes experimentados de qigong que no conozcan las series o las conozcan de forma incompleta. Un persona que nunca haya practicado no debería aprender solo con ninguno de estos medios . Este arte necesita maestro

This set is based on an original Yi Jin Jing set that dates back to a description of the exercises in the Bibliographic Treatise: History of the Han Dynasty almost 2000 years ago. A Brocade painting named Illustration of Qi Conduction was unearthed in the 1970s - containing over 40 illustrations of exercises.This newer version of the set put together by the Chinese Health QiGong Association has absorbed the best from the set while applying modern scientific principles.There are 12 movements in all, focusing on tendon stretching and bone flexing, combining softness with strength. The set relies heavily on the Chinese traditional medicine theory of the 5 elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.There is a focus on Spine Turning and flexing - stimulating the nerve cords, and exercising the internal organs as well as the limbs.There are some nice exotic hand postures such as Lotus leaf palm;, willow leaf palm, Dragon's claw and Tiger's paw.The routine itself is a smooth blend of gradual warming up and stilling the mind movements, to some very unusual twists and turns that really stretch the upper body and neck. There is also plenty of lower limb stretching in this routine as well. All done in an upright position. Applying common sense to some of the deeper stretches, this routine is achievable for all ages. In fact I teach it seated in care homes and some abled-bodied elderly groups, as well as younger groups - who all comment on how much they enjoy the routine.I was looking for a routine that had some good deep stretching in it but was achieved in a very smooth and flowing manner. This routine really offers that. I think its unique enough to be added into any existing Qi Gong program or just as a single routine of daily practice.Having played with the routine a while now I would add a few words about over-enthusiasm. Stick to the recommended number of repetitions in the beginning. If you have any form of a lower back problem - don't be tempted to do more in the beginning. I overdid 'three plates falling to the floor' on top of 3 straight days of long hours at the Computer, along with a heavy weights workout and - surprise surprise - pulled my lower back, which lasted 5 days. Some will never learn! The lower back is a sensitive place. It responds extremely well to moderate exercise and can give you back great flexibility. Do nothing and it ceases up - overdo it and it ceases up. Responds best to moderation and a gradual increase in a stretching and strengthening workout.If you like this check out my reviews on Xing Yi Nei Gong which is another Tendon-Muscle Strengthening Qigong Routine. Also the companion to Yi Jin Jing - Wu Xing Xi the 5 animal qi-gong exercises.Also most importantly, this book comes with a very useful DVD that is in English.Creator of the  Beginner Tai Chi (DVD)Beginner Tai Chi (DVD)

A very good instructional book a shame that the dvd was not Included.