Qigong Fever: Body, Science, and Utopia in China

Qigong Fever traces the rise and development of qigong practices in China during the latter half of the 20th century. The book chronicles how this traditional Chinese healing and meditation practice evolved from a cultural phenomenon into a mass movement with scientific, political, and social dimensions. The narrative follows the initial emergence of qigong in 1949-1964, its resurgence after 1978, and its transformation through the influence of "grandmasters" and state institutions. Palmer examines the intersection of qigong with Chinese politics, science, and technology, documenting how these forces shaped its development and spread. The book explores the cultural elements that were incorporated into modern qigong practice, featuring influential figures like Yan Xin, Zhang Hongbao, and Zhang Xianyu. It details the various schools, methods, and philosophies that emerged during this period of rapid expansion and innovation. Through this historical examination, Palmer presents qigong as a lens for understanding broader themes of modernization, tradition, and social transformation in contemporary China. The movement's evolution reflects tensions between scientific rationality and traditional spirituality in Chinese society.

Readers describe this academic work as a detailed examination of qigong's role in modern Chinese society and politics. Reviews note Palmer's thorough research and ability to remain objective while covering sensitive political topics. Liked: - Documentation of qigong's transition from state-supported practice to banned movement - Analysis of how qigong intersected with Chinese science, politics and culture - Clear explanations of complex historical events - Extensive use of primary sources and interviews Disliked: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging for general readers - Some sections become repetitive - Limited coverage of qigong techniques and practices - High price point of the hardcover edition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Google Books: No ratings One reader on Goodreads noted: "Excellent scholarly work on the sociopolitical dynamics of qigong in post-Mao China. Not a how-to book but rather a sociological analysis."

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🌟 Qigong exercises were secretly practiced by many Communist Party officials during the Cultural Revolution, despite public denouncement of traditional practices. 🌟 At its peak in the 1980s, the "qigong fever" movement attracted an estimated 60-200 million practitioners across China. 🌟 Author David A. Palmer is a professor at Hong Kong University and received the prestigious Francis L.K. Hsu Book Prize for this work in 2009. 🌟 The term "qigong" itself was only coined in 1953 to make traditional breathing practices sound more scientific and acceptable to the Communist regime. 🌟 Some qigong masters claimed supernatural abilities, including the power to heal diseases through emitting "external qi" across long distances via television broadcasts.