The Art of Breathing: Six Simple Lessons to Improve Performance, Health Well-Being

This acclaimed classic by opera star, voice teacher and chi kung expert Nancy Zi reveals how to use the endless powers of breathing to reach your full potential of body, mind and spirit. In six easy-to-learn lessons of 24 progressive exercises, Zi teaches you how chi yi, her system of abdominal deep breathing, can help you to: reduce stress, gain more energy, sleep better, look more youthful, ease pain & promote healing, be more successful and dynamic, excel at athletics, theatre, singing, yoga, meditation, and more. The Expanded 3rd Edition adds 80 new pages: 50 personalized questions and detailed, insightful answers, 12 new targeted exercises, and a thought-evoking Epilogue.

Nancy Zi, author of The Art of Breathing, is an internationally known opera singer, voice teacher, and chi kung expert. American born, Zi was raised in China. She received her music degree and advanced vocal training in the United States. Much of Zi's successful 30-year career was spent in the Far East. As a well-known classical soprano soloist, she performed extensively in concerts and operas, radio and television programs. A much-sought-after voice teacher, Zi taught at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and in her private studio.

To sustain her energy during these demanding years as a performer, teacher, wife and mother, she became a fervent practitioner of chi kung. With this centuries-old Eastern discipline, which combines breath with physical movements and meditation to increase vitality, she incorporated Western techniques aimed at reaching pinnacles of achievement. An avid researcher, Zi compared, extracted and compiled breathing techniques to weave together the best from the East and the West. She named her proficient method of teaching breathing chi yi -- literally, the art of breathing.

Nancy Zi is a splendid advertisement for her own program. In her book and video, she exudes the poise, youthful vitality and inner focus that result from using the techniques she shares. In a modern-day world that's struggling for ever higher accomplishment and inner peace, Nancy's program for physical health and mental tranquility can be a powerful and effective tool.