Healing with Ki-Kou: The Secrets of Ancient Chinese Breathing Techniques

Book Review

• Date: November 25, 2009
• Review by: Emory Oney

The book Healing with Ki-Kou: The Secrets of Ancient Chinese Breathing Techniques is available through Agora Health Books. According to the publisher of Agora Health Books, Ki-Kou is based on a rare manuscript discovered that records a secret system of Chinese healing. The healing system uses the life force called chi (pronounced chee). Those familiar with Eastern forms of exercise and meditation have probably heard of chi. Tai chi, yoga, qi gong, karate, and Zen meditation all use breathing techniques to focus the power of chi through the body.

Again according to the publisher of Agora Health Books, the Western world has extremely poor breathing habits because men are supposed to stand like soldiers and women like beauty queens, which results in breathing while puffing out the chest. This causes shallow breathing and not using the lower part of the lungs, which leads to many illnesses. Ki-Kou teaches the individual to use the whole lung to force chi through the body, freeing healing energy and preventing disease.

Ki-Kou uses body postures, simple movements, and precise breathing patterns to change the flow of chi through and out of the body. Ki-Kou teaches the individual to relax their body and mind completely to reach a balance state. Breathing techniques are added to balance breathing into a calm, deep, and slow rhythm. Each technique is diagrammed and carefully explained in the book.

The following is the table of contents from the book:

Introduction

• How Ki-kou Works
• Three Important Steps Before You Begin
• Chi-shi and Shu-kon: The Ki-kou Pre- and Post-Workout Exercises
• Using Ki-Kou Breathing to Draw Healing Chi Through Your Body

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat liver and digestive-system disorders

• For Chronic Gastritis
• For Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers
• For Internal Organ Shifting
  Hepatitis
• For Loss of Appetite
• For Nausea and Vomiting
• For Constipation
• For Diarrhea and Hemorrhoids

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat respiratory-system disorders

• The Common Cold and Viruses
• For Chronic Bronchitis
• For Asthma

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat heart and circulatory disorders

• High Blood Pressure
• Low Blood Pressure
• Angina
• Heart Attack

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat urinary and sexual disorders

• Kidney Disease
• For Discomfort While Urinating
• Genital Swelling
• During Kidney Dialysis

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat muscular and skeletal disorders

• Stiffness Caused by Stress
• Neck Injuries
• For Back Pain
• Arthritis
• Gout

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat gynecological disorders

• Menstrual Problems
• For Excessive Bleeding
• For Cramps and Bloating
• For Female Infertility
• Menopause

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat metabolic and menopausal disorder

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Anorexia
• Sensitivity to Cold
• Emotional Problems
• Heart Problems
• For Sweating
• For Gas

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat skin and hair disorders

• For Eczema
• For Seborrhea
• For Hair Loss
• Graying Hair

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat eye, ear, nose, and throat disorders

• For Cataracts
• For Eyestrain
• For Tinnitus (Ringing or Whistling in the Ears)
• For Dry Mouth and Throat
• For Difficulty in Swallowing Food
• For Runny Nose

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat nervous-system and mental disorder

• Neuralgia
• Insomnia
• To Prevent Grinding of the Teeth
• Partial Paralysis
• For Dizziness and Fainting
• Epilepsy

Specific breathing techniques to prevent and treat cancer

• Prevention and Treatment
• After Chemotherapy
• After Surgery

For more information see the Agora Health Books web site.