Chang

I have ordered Ms Wei's book which looks interesting. It only had a limited distribution and so was difficult to find. Her martial art forms on the video certailny look impressive. Can't find any reviews for her work on Taobums so I may well review the book when I have read it. Keep well Ed. Chang

Thank you Ed. Very ineresting.

Many of you will have seen this type of thing before. Much used in job applications etc. After completing the questionnaire, you will obtain: Your type formula according to Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers typology along with the strengths of the preferences The description of your personality type The list of occupations and educational institutions where you can get relevant degree or training, most suitable for your personality type - Jung Career Indicator It can also be a useful indicator as to how you may progress in any regimen you may put in place. Jung Typology Test

Very cheap and easy to produce yourself on an ongoing basis. Below you will find the Wiki description but any search engine will bring up countless hits. Kombucha Kefir

I practised Zhan Zhuang for many years following instruction by my first Tai Chi and Qigong teacher. It was a five element standing practice and I did about forty five minutes per day. Unfortunately there is a lot of poor information out there especially as regards posture. It is important that the body is properly stacked from the soles of the feet up to ensure that the joints are not strained. For instance a correct riding horse stance will help raise energy through the kidney meridian up into the microcosmic orbit. I have read instructions however where the student is told that they can expect pain in the knee joint as though a red hot nail is being driven through it. This is rubbish. Whilst the muscles of the leg may be stressed by long standing in a deep posture the knee joints should not. Whilst much can be learned from books and video's nothing can compare to postural correction by a teacher who knows what they are doing.

It is thought that Bagua Chuan was developed from circle walking meditation and qigong exercises practiced by Taoist Monks. I have doubts as to whether its spiritual benefits are greater than those experienced by practitioners of other Taoist Arts. Whilst I am sure that Bruce Frantzis workshops would be of great interest I would seriously recommend a local class where you would be able to hone your skills with fellow enthusiasts.

The Monastery of Jade Mountain by- Peter Goullart is a wonderful book giving a real insight to the world of Chinese monastic life in the pre-communist era. My first Tai Chi teacher gave me a copy in the early 1990's and I later read Goullarts other books concerning his time spent in China and Tibet. Whilst you will learn little of Taoist practises from the book it gives a charming glimpse of a world now gone. One scene remaining in my mind concerns a Taoist exorcism the grimness of which is matched only by its fascination. This is a book that can be highly recommended.

Yang-Sheng is a free e-zine that has been up and running for the past year. There are many articles that tao bums may find of interest. Yang-Sheng

Hi Solala, I am familiar with your work on the Yang-Sheng e-zine. Best wishes, Chang

Hi Everybody, I am a twenty year practitioner of Tai Chi and Qigong. Have decided to do some serious energy work following Mantak Chia's Healing Tao system. I have joined the Tao Bums for company,information and help along the way. A bit of humour will not go amiss either. Keep well, Chang