Safety note:The practice of internal energy arts such tai chi and qi gong may carry risks. The instructions and advice that follow are not in any way intended as a substitute for medical advice from an appropriately qualified physician or healthcare provider. Consult a professional before undertaking any movement, health or exercise system to reduce the chance of injury or harm. If you experience too much discomfort or pain, stop exercising immediately and consult your healthcare provider. The creators and publishers of this book disclaim any liabilities for loss in connection with following any practices, exercises or advice offered herein.
First published 2017 by
Aeon Books Ltd
118 Finchley Road
London NW3 5HT
Copyright 2017 by Paul Cavel
The right of Paul Cavel to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with 77 and 78 of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A C.I.P. for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 9781904658986
Editing and project management: Heather Cavel
Cover and interior artwork: Sophie Manham
Cover design: Sarah Lim-Murray
Edited, designed, and produced by Communication Crafts
Printed in Great Britain
www.aeonbooks.co.uk
I dedicate this book to my primary teacher, Bruce Frantzis, without whom I could never have understood the depths and complexity of nei gong.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Cavelis the founder and principal of The Tai Chi Space, a London-based school established to teach Water method arts. Since 1987 Paul has studied Taoism, the I Ching, Five Element nei gong, medical qi gong, Yang and Wu style tai chi, Pre- and Post-birth bagua, yoga, tui na energy healing and Taoist meditation. Paul is a certified soft tissue and injury therapist (ITEC Level 4), editor of the Inner Questjournal and he holds a mechanical engineering certificate from London City and Guilds. He began teaching internal energy arts in 1995 with the encouragement of his primary teacher, after healing himself from a serious motorcycle accident.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sophie Manhamis an artist who lives and works in London.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to acknowledge the people who made this book possible:
My primary teacher, Bruce Frantzis, for opening my eyes to the world of nei gong, giving me the tools to initiate my personal healing journey, and for allowing me to join his bagua classes in California in the early 1990s, which changed my direction in life.
My wife, Heather Cavel, for editing, project managing and educating me in how to communicate through the written word. Without her relentless encouragement (badgering even!), this text would never have come to fruition.
Sophie Manham, the artist of the cover and interior illustrations, who put in a monumental effort to help me begin creating a visual lexicon for our internal arts peers.
Michael Mettner, who not only wrote the foreword, but whose friendship and guidance has been a continuous source of inspiration.
My good friend and fellow tai chi teacher, Jackie Smith, for his perspective and humour, and for making training a pure joy.