There are numerous books out there about Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine. Some focus on foundational concepts and lessons, while others provide thorough ‘how-to’ guides for various practices. When chosen wisely, the right TCM book recommendations can greatly enhance your growth as a Qi Gong practitioner.
In response to popular demand, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of Lee Holden’s top book recommendations on the subject of Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong. Many of these are referenced in Lee’s classes, workshops, and online courses.
Below, we’ve listed each of Lee’s top book recommendations, along with a brief description. This should help you gather a quick overview of each book so you can choose reading material that best aligns with your interests and intentions. We’ve also included an Amazon link for each book as that is the easiest way to gather more information. However, if you wish to purchase any of these books, we encourage you to buy them through whichever website or bookstore you prefer.
May these books provide you with many hours of enjoyable reading.
Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine
Between Heaven and Earth provides a high-level overview of Chinese Medicine and healing. It touches on a wide range of topics including the Five Elements, herbs, self-care, and general Chinese Medicine theory and philosophy.
This book is unique in that it appeals to both beginners as well as experts. Lee highly recommends Between Heaven and Earth to practitioners of all levels seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the foundational principles of Chinese Medicine. It is written by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold.
The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity: A Modern Practical Guide to the Ancient Way
The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity is written by Daniel Reid. As the title suggests, this book provides practical guidance for cultivating Jing energy and a deep connection with one’s self and within relationships. It also addresses a wide variety of additional tools for health and vitality, including diet and nutrition. It is a bit more scholarly and esoteric, so intermediate and advanced practitioners may find it to be more helpful than those who are just getting started with Qi Gong.
The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
The Way of Qi Gong is written by Kenneth S. Cohen. Similar to Between Heaven and Earth, this book provides a strong foundation for understanding Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong and is a wonderful resource for beginners and experts alike.
The Way of Qi Gong also provides strong scientific backing supporting the benefits of Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong in particular.
The Five Element Orchard: QiGong Practices for Harvesting Energy from Trees
The Five Element Orchard is a wonderful book written by John Platt, who also happens to be a student and friend of Lee’s. We recently published a blog article about his life and work.
The Five Element Orchard explores humans’ relationship with trees. It also provides actionable guidance to help students use Qi Gong to cultivate energy from trees and nature. The lessons in this book complement many of Lee’s workshops and online courses, especially the Five Elements.
Taoist Ways to Transform Stress into Vitality: The Inner Smile * Six Healing Sounds
Written by Mantak Chia and Juan Li, this book dives into the power of the Healing Sounds and the Inner Smile. If you’re familiar with Lee’s teachings, you know that these are important practices in many of his classes.
Lee recommends this book to anyone who wants to cultivate a deeper understanding of how stress is transformed into vitality using the Healing Sounds practices.
Awaken Healing Energy Through The Tao: The Taoist Secret of Circulating Internal Power
Awakening Healing Energy Through The Tao is another book by Lee’s friend and teacher, Mantak Chia. In it, he discusses how our own energy system relates to the earth, nature, and the universe. He also discusses acupuncture and provides detailed diagrams for the lessons he shares.
The Complete Book of Chinese Health & Healing: Guarding the Three Treasures
This is another book by Daniel Reid. This time, he explores the Three Treasures, which is a foundational practice of Qi Gong. Many of the topics included in this book reflect lessons that Lee teaches. Lee recommends this book to anyone who wants to dive deeper into the Three Treasures.
The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine
The Web That Has No Weaver is a world-renown classic that beautifully explains the principles of Chinese Medicine. It is both comprehensive and easily accessible for practitioners of all levels. Topics in this book include Chinese Medicine Theory, practices, and real-world applications for the wisdom it shares. It is written by Ted Kaptchuk.
Conscious Nature: The Art and Neuroscience of Meditating In Nature
Conscious Nature is another book by one of Lee’s students, Josh Lane. It explores humans’ relationship with nature, and how we can use meditation to experience greater wellbeing through immersion in nature. It draws on neuroscience research to reveal fascinating insights that can be applied to everyday life.
The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment
Last but not least, we have The Roots of Chinese Qigong. Lee recommends this book to anyone who wants a detailed and descriptive overview of Qi Gong and its benefits.
Written by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, The Roots of Chinese Qigong cites numerous, credible scientific sources to support its assertions about the benefits of Qi Gong. Many readers will find this book to be more esoteric than most of the others on this list. However, those who want to fully understand Qi Gong from both a western and eastern perspective will greatly appreciate the knowledge they’ll gain from The Roots of Chinese Qigong.