The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing

by Kenneth S. Cohen

Qigong, which literally means "working with the energy of life," is an integrated mind-body healing method that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for thousands of years. The Chinese have long treasured qigong for its effectiveness both in healing and in preventing disease, and more recently they have used it in conjunction with modern medicine to cure cancer, immune system disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Now in this fascinating, comprehensive volume, renowned qigong master and China scholar Kennneth S, Cohen brings the ancient healing power of qigong to Western readers.



The essence of qigong can be understood by comparing the body to a battery: stress and bad health habits act to dissipate the battery's charge, its "qi," while self-care and self-awareness help to maintain and improve qi. Qigong is a gentle yet rigorous program for working with our life energy through breathing and relaxation exercises, massage, visualization, meditation, and other natural methods. Using qigong, each one of us can learn to improve health and enhance vitality by cleansing, gathering, releasing, and circulating qi so that it reaches all the body's cells. It's rather like acupuncture without needles--it's pleasurable to do, it costs nothing, and it's wonderfully life-enhancing.



This accessible, beautifully written book provides a step-by-step program detailing how we can all integrate qigong into our busy lives. Ken Cohen explores every aspect of this Chinese healing art and science. The benefits of qigong are obvious in those who practice it correctly--these exuberant individuals sleep more soundly, their skin glows with vitality, they feel increased strength and heightened sexuality, and their minds and bodies achieve the harmony of true health. These benefits have been analyzed and calibrated by contemporary medical researchers who confirm resoundingly that qigong really does work. As a result, leading medical schools around the country are now incorporating qigong into "complementary medicine" programs that combine the wisdom of alternative medical modalities with the technological expertise of modern medicine. Now with The Way of Qigong, the power and clarity of qigong is finally available to all of us. This is truly a volume that will enlighten, instruct, enliven, and delight

all who use it.

Genres: Health, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Martial Arts, Taoism, Philosophy

448 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 1999

About the author

Ken Cohen is a Qigong Grandmaster, health educator, and practitioner of North American indigenous medicine.

Ken's teachers have included some of the most highly respected Masters and Grandmasters in the world, including William C.C. Chen (Yang Style Taiji Quan), B.P. Chan (Chen Style Taiji Quan, Bagua Zhang, Xing Yi Quan, Qigong), Madame Gao Fu (Chen Style Taiji Quan and Hunyuan Primordial Qigong), Share K. Lew (Taoist External Qi Healing), Sunyata (Vedanta in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi), Swami Venkatesananda (Sivananda Yoga), and others. Ken was certified from the William C.C. Chen School of T’ai Chi Ch’uan (1974), and was a student of Daoism.

​Ken was an apprentice to acupuncturist and Taoist Abbot, Dr. Huang Gengshi. In the late 1980s he was ordained as an interfaith minister with an advanced degree in pastoral counseling (Master of Spiritual Therapy M.S.Th.). He also holds an honorary M.A. in Psychology and other academic honors.

For most of his life, Ken has lived at the edge of the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. In addition to Qigong, Ken has lifelong training in indigenous (Native American/ First Nations) healing and cultural ways and both teaches and practices these traditions.

In 2003, Ken won the leading international award in energy medicine, the Alyce and Elmer Green Award for Innovation and Lifetime Achievement.

Ken lives in Colorado with his wife, traditional Mexican Curandera (healer), Grace Alvarez Sesma.

Reviews

[The Elves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth S. Cohen’s The Way of Qigong is a really great book on Qigong. Some say that the drawings are not adequate to understanding the moves they illustrate; however, we find that if you combine them with the descriptions, it is really quite clear. And this book has everything. Qigong movements and exercises, data about Qigong, research studies about Qigong, nearly everything you would want to know about the subject, even chapters on diet and tea drinking. Not that you won’t want to keep learning, but this is a great place to start, thorough, comprehensive and fascinating.

The Silver Elves authors of Faerie Unfolding: The Cosmic Expression of the Divine

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pick this book up often because there is a wealth of information. I have read the book front to back several times, but I pick it up every couple months and just open to where it goes. I always pick up something new even though I read it before. This time I spent time in chapter 12 Active QiGong, Chapter 14 The energy of emotions and Chapter 19 Have a Cup of Tea. The Organ-emotion link was very interesting and the breathing exercises are great. The history and legend of tea and recommended prep for tea.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new discovery to me in a used book store. All that I knew before that was a vague reference to "healing energies" made in a martial arts book. Now there is another paradigm for me to asess vital information about my health. The balance of heat and moisture seemed to make a good barometer for changes in wellbeing, good or bad. I feel like I can finally do something about my own body's chemical composition that will improve my condition. These meditations, like the rest of the Taoist traditions, are beautiful to vizualize and a wonderful way to relax.

[Shaz Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top two recommended reads for people interested in qigong.

[Patrick Bello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qigong, in the brief time I have practiced its gentle movements and standing meditations, has provided me with various unexpected benefits and a greater sense of calm. That being said, it’s also somewhat difficult to find a non-teacher resource if one wanted to go deeper into the philosophy and workings of qigong. And wow lemme tell ya, he goes deeeeep. I have yet to practice everything in the book, because I have a job that I must go to sometimes, so I cannot vouch for the efficacy of everything in here. The vastness of the material included, however, makes this a must for those interested in working with qi.

[Marina Quattrocchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent comprehensive book explaining the history and philosophy of qigong in great detail. Essential resource for anyone who is serious about studying this ancient Chinese art. First published in 1997, this book contains timeless wisdom that is just as relevant and practical today. Especially liked the qigong meditations.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most informative and comprehensive book on Qigong that I have read.

Physical copy in my library.

[Katja Vartiainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. I started qi gong about 2 months ago, following an oldish Chinese
( maybe) woman on Youtube, and It has been the best thing for my painful shoulder-arm pain. So, I wanted to know more, and found through a German blogger's page this book. This book has history, exercises, meditations, diet, and even sex advice. The instructions are clear with some pictures, and the best part of it all is the attitude of the writer. He is emphasizing that qi gong is to make your life better, more in harmony and wholesome, and not stress yourself with rigidity. For diagnosing anybody,though, I suggest to go an study the whole thing more, and for healing take a course in Reiki.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. It contains some real gems of information about qigong, most of which reinforced things I was already aware of. When first published in 1996, I imagine that Cohen's work would have been quite out-there, but still a really useful resource. Even today, many of the studies referenced are at least relevant, though it's a shame there's not more research done. Overall, a great read, one which doesn't make this fantastic practice too esoteric.

[Joanne McKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many many books written on qigong, yinyang, and Chinese medicine. This is a good introduction .

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've actually been reading this book a little at a time over the last two years and finally finished it. My first introduction to qigong was a YouTube video routine, and I noticed benefits pretty quickly. I started doing qigong every day a few years back, and incorporating more information from different sources. Eventually I started reading this book. I wish I had started with this in the first place! It is full of so much good information and the knowledge that the author provides has added a lot to my practice. I still do some of the flows I learned from my first qigong video that were not covered in this book, but bringing the skills and techniques learned here to those moves improves upon them. I have highlights all over this thing and I'm sure I'll continue to come back to it for reminders or going deeper into particular techniques.

[Sue Dounim · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are quite a few good reviews on this book, almost all of which I agree with. Ken Cohen was (when writing this book) and is still (in 2021) a true master of qi gong and allied arts. Even after 20+ years this book is still valuable.
Similar to Steven Chang's The Great Tao, he shows how Qi Gong is more than just exercises or meditation but truly "energy work" as the term is often translated. This includes not only what you do for your own esoteric development but what you eat and drink and even how you approach sexual health.
I will just add a couple of minor details. (1) Notes: even though Cohen is a authentic expert in the field, he still provides abundant footnotes and references throughout the text; there are more than 40 pages of them. (2) Bibliography. For the English speaking student of Qi Gong the 11 page bibliography alone is worth the price of admission and will provide you with a lifetime of reading. Yes, there are books and articles newer than those listed, but those listed are excellent and/or classic.
With my academic background, this provided me with a lot of assurance that this wasn't just a quick new age production based half on folk wisdom and half on wishful thinking.

[Ajti · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information in this book, and I appreciate that it empowers the individual in their own health care. However there were not infrequent overtones of Christianity that had me feeling vaguely uncomfortable and though he did often cite studies the author too often fell to anecdotal evidence for my liking. He also really goes out of his way to make sure you know that Zenmaster Alan Watts was his good friend. I don’t know if there’s a better book on this subject or not but I hope so because I can’t unreservedly recommend this one.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the several books which I have read regarding Qigong, this is clearly the most comprehensive and most easily understood. Included is an extensive bibliography, audio-visual training suggestions, extensive notes on each chapter and a glossary of common Qigong terms. Perhaps the only weakness in this book that most Qigong Books share is that the practice material and illustrations that don't provide and optimal learning method compared to video and private instruction

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more could you ask for from a Qigong book? Prior to reading, I had extensive knowledge on chinese medicine and energy healing, but almost no knowledge on qigong itself. I had done 1 taichi class and that was the extent of my knowledge. This book is extremely informative and a great supplement to any student of chinese medicine or anyone simply looking to lead a healthier life. Its has everything you need practice qigong.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're just getting into QiGong, this is the book for you; an easy read, but very insightful in it's guidance. Recovering from the first wave of COVID back in 2020, I was a long-hauler that desperately needed something to get my body back on track. I was 'fully recovered' but not myself anymore...learning about the different organs and how they're related to emotions, set me on a path of healing that no doctor was able to do. Buy the book!

[SusanO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am eternally grateful to Ken Cohen for his knowledge and willingness to share in this awe inspiring book. Thank you for helping me along my path to wellness and understanding Qi. I will never be finished with this book. I refer to it almost daily in some way or another. It has brought me closer to reality and the idea of living peacefully on our planet with all of its inhabitants. 🕉️

[Akintoba · Rating 3 out of 5]

T.M.I for beginners. E.g. there's a whole chapter on making tea. There are some instructions on doing Qigong. But let's be honest with ourselves, who's taking instructions from a book when you could watch a video - right? Jokes aside, there's no benefit to reading this book for beginners when there are more digestible ways to begin learning Qigong.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would have been interesting, if it hadn't been so dull. I would recommend reading an article on qigong, rather than trying to make it through this whole book, which is 80% exercise manual and 20% info.

[Yan Ling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book hoping to dive deep into the science behind qigong—the measurable, tangible aspects of it. I wanted to learn about things like tracking qi in the body, changes in the electric field, blood oxygen levels, and why certain areas feel more potent or warmer during practice. I was also curious about biophotons, EEG readings of practitioners, and other scientific insights that traditional Chinese qigong books usually skip over.

At first, the book touched on some of these topics, which got me excited. But about halfway through, it shifted gears and started focusing more on *how* to practice qigong rather than the *why* behind it. That’s when I lost interest and stopped reading (probably my bad for not checking the table of contents before buying it!).

As someone from an Asian background, I was particularly interested in seeing how Western perspectives—where there’s often a stronger emphasis on scientific curiosity—approach qigong research. Since I already have a general understanding of qigong, I was hoping for more analysis and data rather than just instructions.

That said, if you're new to qigong and looking for a solid introduction—covering what it is, why it's practiced, and how to get started—this book is a great place to begin.

[Kelly Miess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been practicing Qigong seriously for about six months now, and this book was pivotal for me in learning and developing a balanced routine. I also recommend the author's audiobooks and DVDs for learning; they were a great supplement to the sparsely (but adequately) illustrated book. I first used the book as a reference guide for developing a routine, reading and re-reading several sections. Finally I decided I needed to read the whole book, cover to cover. I'm so glad I did. One can certainly use the book as I did, cherry-picking the sections on certain practices. But reading the whole book gives one the big picture. And what a enormous picture it is! I hope to continue to practice and learn for the rest of my life. One caveat: the book is older, first published in 1997. Still, I researched extensively before diving into this book and it is still considered one of the best books on Qigong. I agree!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1997 book offers comprehensive, written instructions to learn and practice the ancient self-healing art of qigong (pronounced: Chee Gung; meaning: Energy Work). Sixty-five helpful illustrations by Bonnie J. Curnock are scattered throughout the text. Due to the Author's engaging writing style, reading this book front to back is recommended. None-the-less, it is organized, with help from its table of contents and index, as a convenient reference volume.

Qigong is a holistic system of active self-healing exercise, meditation, and combinations that are an ancient and evolving practice which includes healing postures, movements, self-massage, breathing techniques, and meditation.

There is not one style or school of qigong, but rather many thousands, all based on common principles of balance, relaxation, healthy breathing, and good posture.

With regard to endorphins, qigong is as good as chocolate. Late in the 20th century, Chinese researchers documented the existence of a Qigong Electroencephalogram, a unique brain wave pattern that can be seen in the majority of healthy qigong practitioners tested and most prevalent in long-term practitioners.

Qigong can help us reverse old age and return us to youthfulness.

Qigong is more than exercise. It is a healing discipline for the body, mind, and spirit. In simple terms, the practice of qigong harmonizes the yin and the yang.

You could not ask for a better book about qigong.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1997 introduction to qigong is a blend of the history, philosophy, science, and practical applications of one of the oldest self-help systems in the world. I found it the perfect complement to the qigong lessons I've been taking. I wanted something that would give me a broad and foundational understanding of qigong, and this book fulfilled that requirement quite well for me. I have a better understanding now of why my teacher guides us to do certain things and it has helped me commit to continuing the practice going forward. Well-written, it's based on the author's own lifetime of qigong practice, healing, and teaching.

[Mattheus Guttenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice for promoting health, longevity, and physical ability. The Way of Qigong gives a thorough overview of the subject, which discusses the nature of qi and Chinese medicine, the qigong routines, the history of Taoism, the scientific literature on qigong, diet, meditation, sexual activity and more. Anyone interested in learning about the Chinese paradigm of health and vitality would be advised to read this.

[Jamesjohn Jamesjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The definitive reference for this ancient path/principle/discipline. It's dated, so has limitations for contemporary readers, but is a must-read for anyone interested in Eastern philosophy, thought, and practices.

....Was too exhaustive for me at this time, but I will circle back when I can.

[Mrs Reddy Katzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Ken's audiobooks especially on meditation.... However when you read something in a book written as fact that's simply not true especially in historical terms so it can easily be disproved it makes you mistrust everything else that's said !
So i just couldn't get on with the rest of it.
Also its pretty Dull*

[Alex Delogu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marvelous adventure through the varied facets of Qi Gong practice. It includes some practices, but really, just get a teacher. The book functions best as a theoretical journey that goes well with an already developed practice.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable account of the history of QiQong practice and the potential health benefits. Although there are some Qi Qong exercises described, the bulk of the book is more informative than instructional.

[MaryAnn Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is dense with lots of information, but I was looking for something to build background knowledge on the subject of Qi Gong. This book gave me more than I could digest, so after returning it to the library, I picked a book up for reference.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not know how many forms of qigong there were, or that a qigong diet and sexual qigong existed, until I read this book. Qigong in its inner and outer forms apparently has many benefits, and it's gentle enough for anyone.