MARTIAL ARTS / TAOISM Tan Tien Chi Kung is the art of cultivating and condensing chi in the lower abdomen--the tan tien--the fundamental power storehouse of the body. Known as the Ocean of Chi to the ancient Taoists, this lower abdominal area holds the key to opening the body and the mind for the free and continuous movement of chi. Tan Tien Chi Kung contains specific breathing and movement exercises that develop the power of the chi stored in the body to increase vitality, strengthen organs, and promote self-healing. Mantak Chia explains how these exercises also provide a safe and effective method for receiving earth energy, which allows the practitioner to achieve balance physically, mentally, and spiritually--all of which are essential for the more advanced practices of Iron Shirt Chi Kung and Cosmic Healing. It is our mind that directs and guides our chi, but if the mind and body are out of balance or under stress, the mind cannot perform this function. The tan tien actually contains a large quantity of neurotransmitters, making it a key source of body intelligence. It is for this reason the Taoists also referred to Tan Tien Chi Kung as Second Brain Chi Kung and created exercises that would allow practitioners to gain awareness of the tan tien's function to restore the mind-body balance that is essential for spiritual growth and optimal well-being. A student of several Taoist masters, MANTAK CHIA developed the Universal Tao System in 1979 and has taught tens of thousands of students from all over the world. He tours the United States annually, giving workshops and lectures. He is the director of the Universal Tao Center in northern Thailand and is the author of twenty-five books, including the bestselling The Multi-Orgasmic Man.

AcknowledgmentsPutting Tan Tien Chi Kung into PracticeIntroduction1 • Chi and the Lower Tan Tien Chi Pressure Tan Tien Power The Lower Tan Tien and Second Brain Chi and Transformation2 • Unlimited Potentialities Our Bodies and the Body of the Universe The Chi Kung State and the Sense of Wonder Higher Cultivation Energy Transformation and the Lower Tan Tien3 • Smiling and Laughing Chi Kung Body Sensing The Inner Smile Smiling and Laughing Energy Practices4 • Squatting Chi Kung A Natural Posture Squatting and the Psoas Squatting Practices5 • Breathing, Dancing, and Bone Chi Kung Natural Breathing Abdominal Breathing Skin Breathing Inner and Outer Dancing Bone Marrow Nei Kung6 • Closing the Three Gates Anus-Body Connections7 • Empty Force and Perineum Power Building Pressure in the Lower Tan Tien Perineum Power Exercises Dragon and Tiger Breath Bladder Area Exercise Solar Plexus Area Exercise Bladder Area Exercise Exercise for the Sides of the Lower Tan Tien Exercise for the Sides of the Body Kidneys Exercise Door of Life Exercise Chest Exercise Total Tan Tien Breathing Exercise to Increase Chi Pressure and Vibration Working with a Partner Releasing Tension in the Chest Diaphragm8 • Tan Tien Chi Kung Animal Postures Tan Tien Chi Kung Warm-Up The Eleven Animal Postures Rabbit Crane Bear Swallow Dragon Eagle Monkey Elephant Rhinoceros Horse Bull Ending Exercise for Animal Postures9 • Chi Kung, Health, and Healing The Body’s Wisdom Subtle Wonders Chi Kung as Active Energy Meditation Self-Healing and Wholeness Consciousness and Relaxation Reactivation and Regeneration10 • Chi and the Tao The Lower Tan Tien and Chi Kung Wisdom Mind Chi Kung as Self-Actualization Surrender and the Chi Kung StateAbout the AuthorThe Universal Tao System and Training Center The Universal Tao System The Universal Tao Training CenterIndex