Kidney Exercise Deer
Leg stimulating exercise (upward on the inside only)

Menstrual Problems: See Female Problems

Crane, Deer, Turtle
Liver Exercise
Twelve Nerve Exercises

Overacidity:

Prostate Problems:

Refreshing Yourself:

Teeth and Gum Problems:

Fatty accumulations and deposits are disturbed from their resting places and eventually broken up. They are then passed into the eliminatory system and out of the body. By such apparently simple means, the superfluous areas of the stomach and abdomen are literally rubbed away.

When you rub in a clockwise direction―which again, is from your right to your left in gradually widening circles―you are encouraging proper and easeful bowel movement. Quite often constipation is a symptom indicating that the large intestine is over-functioning. The large intestine is absorbing too much water from the waste matter as it passes through on its way to the rectum. This causes the waste matter to be compacted to the point where the normal peristaltic activity of the large intestine is not sufficient to expel the waste matter. Constipation results and fecal material that would normally have been passed on through the anus are stored in the body. The clockwise motion augments the peristaltic activity and slows down the water removal process to normal levels.

One young woman I taught this exercise to told me she had suffered from constipation most of her life. She was only 23 years old, but she had been suffering from constipation for 15 years. She had tried drugs, laxatives, and enemas. But nothing she did eliminated the problem. And yet, from the first week she began doing this exercise, she ceased to have problems with bowel movements. She felt, by her own admission, like a new person. She told me later that after three months of doing the exercise, her entire digestive system evened out and she never had the same problems again.

Rubbing in a counterclockwise motion has the opposite effect―that of helping to solidify fecal material as it passes through the intestine (see Figure B). It does this by stimulating the passage of water from the large intestine to the kidneys. An extreme case of chronic diarrhea that was corrected with this simple technique was recently brought to my attention. One of my students told me that ten years ago his mother had been operated on for cancer of the colon. Since that time she had absolutely no control over her bowel movements. She could not even go out for fear she would suddenly find she had to use the bathroom and not have access to one. Her son taught her the Stomach Rubbing technique. She had tried every other remedy by that time and was ready for anything that held some promise of helping her. After a few days of practicing the exercise her stools formed for the first time in ten years. Since then she had been able to normalize her life and the problem ceased to p1ague her.

Rubbing the abdomen in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions will help stomach ulcers. One case demonstrating the exercise’s efficaciousness is that of a ninety-six-year-old Chinese senator. He tackles his duties with more enthusiasm and energy than people one-fourth his age. He is also actively involved in many different activities. Yet he is never sick. His blood pressure, checked every morning by a government­appointed nurse is always normal. When admirers ask him about his secret of youth, he tells them a story about a youthful experience. As a young man he suffered from painful stomach ulcers, tuberculosis, and other diseases. When he served in the army, he sought medical help from doctors wherever he was stationed. Then one day someone told him about a famous, aged healer who lived deep in the mountains. So he made an appointment to see the healer and struggled over the rocky terrain to see him. Having reached his destination, the young man greeted the healer and began a monologue about himself and his problems. But the old man continued to meditate and seemed to ignore the visitor; he did not open his eyes or speak. Finally the healer uttered, “Go home and rub your stomach.” Further questioning drew no replies. Disappointed at the simple remark, the young man struggled home. Back home, disappointment, exhaustion, and anger caused the ulcer to flare up again. Left with no alternative the young man reluctantly rubbed his stomach. Immediately the pain faded away. Encouraged, he began to rub his stomach faithfully. A few months later the ulcer completely disappeared. Gradually the tuberculosis disappeared also. His health improved daily. Seventy years later he still rubs his stomach daily, after every meal and whenever he feels uncomfortable.

In addition to the rubbing motion, the exercise also utilizes the practitioner’s sensory powers. When you do the exercise, use your imaginative powers to feel that energy is coming from your hand and penetrating into the skin and organs underneath. You should also feel that the energy is being retained and that it is heating up your abdominal tissues. As more energy penetrates your body, the area around your navel will begin to burn as if a fire had been started within your tissues.

The distinction between the psychological and physiological basis for disease is starting to blur. But what is becoming increasingly clear is that the way a person perceives the world affects his or her physiological processes.

The man who has contributed significantly to making visualization healing techniques accepted in professional medical circles is Dr. Carl Simonton. He has produced a startling body of work which points to a strong psychological basis for the healing processes in the body. Even the powerful malignancy of cancer can in some cases be brought to heel with the use of visualization techniques. Once again, it is a matter of cooperating with the body’s natural wisdom in allowing the body and mind to heal themselves.

The first year I was invited to lecture at the University of Oslo in Norway, one of the subjects I dwelt on was the Stomach Rubbing Exercise. The following year, I was invited back to lecture before an overcrowded audience again. After lecture coordinator Dr. Bjorn Overbye introduced me and before I could speak, an old man in the audience interrupted me. I was anxious about his motives but I granted his request for permission to speak. He told the audience to listen to me because whatever I said would be beneficial. Then he told everybody a story. He said that he attended my first lecture with a distended abdomen full of water because he was suffering from terminal liver cancer. He was in terrible pain. The doctors gave him only a few weeks to live. Every week he had to go to the hospital to have his abdomen pumped to remove the water. Desperate to try anything, he attended the lecture. That night, after learning about the Stomach Rubbing technique, he went home and rubbed his stomach. The pain went away, and water never collected in his stomach again. One week later, he went to see his doctor and astonished him. His doctor exclaimed, “This is a miracle! I can’t believe it! What did you do?” He replied, “I didn’t do anything. I just rubbed my stomach.” Thereafter, he faithfully rubbed his stomach. His liver did not bother him anymore, though it was still cancerous. He was able to discontinue chemotherapy. Furthermore, he had become “healthy” and was even able to go back to work. When I returned to Norway the third year, the man was still around.

The efficaciousness of the exercise is explained by the penetration of energy from the hand into the abdominal tissues. (A full explanation of the nature of energy, its working theory, and proof of its existence are given in the book.) Energy penetration can be augmented by making use of your sensory powers. Feel the energy from your hand penetrate into the skin and organs underneath. You should also feel that the energy is being retained and that it is heating up your abdominal tissues. As more energy penetrates your body, the area around your navel will begin to feel as if a fire has been started within. Achieving this sensation requires a great deal of concentration and patience, and it should be done every time you do the exercise.

INTRODUCTION

PART I: UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES

1. TAOISM
   1. The Tao of Philosophy
   2. The Tao of Revitalization
   3. The Tao of Balanced Diet
   4. The Tao of Forgotten Food Diet
   5. The Tao of Healing Art
   6. The Tao of Sex Wisdom
   7. The Tao of Mastery
   8. The Tao of Success
2. THE ENERGY THEORY
   1. The Nature of Energy
   2. Energy and the Human Body
3. THE CIRCULATION THEORY
4. THE SEVEN GLANDS THEORY
5. THE NERVE THEORY

PART II: LIVING WITH THE WHOLE BODY

1. THE INTERNAL EXERCISES
   1. Five-Element Theory
   2. Five Animal Exercises
   3. Eight Directional Exercises
   4. Twelve Zodiac Exercises
   5. Twelve Nerve Exercises
   6. Deer Exercise For Men
   7. Deer Exercise for Women
   8. Prone Position for the Deer Exercise
   9. Crane Exercise
   10. The Standing Crane
   11. Stomach Rubbing Exercise
   12. Turtle Exercise
   13. Combining the Deer, Crane, and Turtle Exercises
   14. Sitting Position
   15. Standing Position
   16. Walking
   17. Sleeping Position
   18. Head Rubbing Exercise
   19. Eye Exercises
   20. Nose Exercise
   21. Ear Exercise
   22. Mouth Exercises
   23. Face Rubbing Exercise
   24. Thyroid Exercise
   25. Techniques for Relieving Pain
   26. Hand, Arm, and Upper Body Exercises
   27. Lung Exercise
   28. Heart Exercise
   29. Abdominal Strengthening Exercise
   30. Weight Reduction Exercise
   31. Stomach Healing Exercise
   32. Liver Exercise
   33. Kidney Exercise
   34. Lower Back Exercise
   35. Sun Worship Exercise
   36. Lower Body and Sexual Glands Exercise
   37. Toe Wiggling and Body Stretching
   38. Internal Organ Relaxation
   39. Meridian Massage

PART III: ADVANCED LIVING

1. TAOIST MEDITATIVE, CONTEMPLATIVE, AND BREATHING EXERCISES
   1. Meridian Meditation
   2. Meditative and Contemplative Exercises
   3. Breathing Exercises
2. IMMORTAL BREATHING: SMALL AND LARGE HEAVENLY CYCLES
   1. Small Heavenly Cycle
   2. Large Heavenly Cycle

PART IV: BEGINNING ANEW; FINDING PROBLEMS, SOLVING PROBLEMS

1. TAOIST HEALING PRESCRIPTIONS
2. CONCLUSION

INDEX

IV. THE COMPLETE SYSTEM OF SELF-HEALING TESTIMONIALS

The following reviewers’ and readers’ testimonials reflect a cross-section of the results they’ve obtained:

Tim K.:
I purchased a copy of the Internal Exercises book, and began practicing about 6-7 months ago. After practicing the eye exercises (and other exercises) for 3 months, I went to the eye doctor to have my eyes checked. I had been wearing reading glasses as prescribed by the doctor since 5 years due to an astigmatism in one of my eyes. The doctor discovered I no longer have an astigmatism and declared I now have 20/20 vision, and no longer need glasses. I no longer need glasses from practicing the Eye Exercises which is fantastic! Thank you Dr. Chang and your Taoist ancestors!

Mrs. Gudrun B.:
As I read through your book, I began practising the exercise one by one. My back problem which has caused me pain since I was 15 years old (I am now 38) has almost disappeared after 5-6 weeks of training. No form of exercise has helped my back like this and believe me, I have exercised. My whole body looks and feels different. In fact I feel great and I have never trained according to any program that makes me feel so good. I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for writing this book.

Lois C.:
I’ve gotten results from the exercises: lumps around the breast gone with the DEER, not as cold in left hip, earache improved, etc. etc.

Brad M.
Thanks for the great book. I was coming down with a bad cold, and I practiced your methods, and in 2 days I was fine! Normally colds take about 1-3 weeks for me, and I have gotten pneumonia more than once, but this time it was only 3-4 days!!

Peter S.:
I am finding value and benefits from The Complete System of Self-Healing. Thank you sincerely.

Salvatore O.:
Firstly, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing with everyone your tremendous knowledge of Taoism through your wonderful books. For me they have been important tools in dealing with bouts of depression (together with my kind therapist) and the physical effects the stress of living can have. I am a 29 year old who in the past has felt 89 wanting only to sleep. I have been working at the internal exercises for a year now and they seem to work better as time goes by. The benefits are real. I feel the change.

Adelia M.:
[My sister] has used [the Crane Exercise] steadily and is happy with the results . . . and is not now overweight.

Mrs. John A.:
I have found the stomach rubbing very helpful and would like to pass the word around to many overweight people I know. Being overweight, as I am, is a horrendous problem and the stomach rubbing is the first thing I have come across that gets to the cause of the problem.

Shirley R.:
My doing one of the exercises in your Internal Exercise book helped me to get pregnant in 2 months after 2 years of unsuccessfully trying. I am so grateful to you for that.

Lorene T.:
Over the years I have tried so many remedies and still suffered. Your book was the answer to years of prayers.

Thomas G.:
I have purchased The Complete System of Self-Healing some time ago and began really to practice in earnest one and one half months ago. I’m already gratified by the immediate sensations the exercises provide.

Dr. Richard A.:
I feel it is a book of miracles, as I had spent a considerable amount of money on three medical doctors and two hospitals for a shoulder injury where they could not control the pain from nerves pulled away from my shoulder blades. Within a week on Dr. Chang’s exercises I had been relieved of the pain and [am able to] use my right arm normally again. I will recommend the books to my clients in my counseling ministry.

Flash G.:
First I wou1d like to thank you for making this “Way” ―Taoism― available to the public. I used the nose exercise to put an end to a four-year long sneezing and sinus problem just after 3 weeks of this exercise.

Donna B.:
I purchased The Complete System of Self-Healing a year or two ago, and have recent1y started doing the internal exercises. I feel the exercises have helped me feel better and handle stress at work much better.

Marcia B.:
I’ve been doing most the suggested exercises for 3 months and this stuff works! I’d like to share this info with other people. I thank the ancient Taoists and the honorable Dr. Chang.

Rebbeca K.:
I have The Complete System of Self-Healing and am completely captivated by some of the methods―what’s more they work!

Marianne D.:
I have recently read The Complete System of Self-Healing. I have been doing the General Health Maintenance Schedule each evening along with the Twelve Nerve exercises. My energy is greatly increased and my back pain is almost gone.

Yvonne L.:
Please convey my wildly enthusiastic compliments to Dr. Chang for his fascinating, helpful and beautifully written book.

Norma H.:
I have read Dr. Stephen T. Chang’s book The Complete System of Self-Healing with interest, and have used some of the techniques described in his book, with success and great appreciation.

Lorene D.:
I purchased The Complete System of Self-Healing a short time ago and already the exercises I am using give me a feeling of well-being and hope for a long, healthy future. Thank you!

Charline J.:
Thank you so very much. I can’t begin to tell you what this book has done!

Kathleen M. B.:
My specialty is Gerontology and I feel that many of the exercises would be most applicable to the elderly.

Betty J.:
I have read and studied your book The Complete System of Self-Healing for over a year now. All my friends have noticed a difference in my actions and looks. Even a friend, whom I hadn’t seen in over a year remarked that I looked younger than the last time she saw me. She informed me retirement agreed with me, but I informed her it was the Tao of Revitalization that did it.

Wanda H.:
I have benefited so much from your book The Complete System of Self-Healing and I have told others about it. . . . I’m enclosing the names of some of my friends.

Anne S.:
First, let me say how lucky I am to be in possession of your book The Complete System of Self-Healing. I only regret I didn’t have it 50 years ago. I’m 71 years old and have many ailments. But your exercises have helped me, even in this late stage, a great deal. . . . Just wish every senior would have this book to help them.

Montano M.:
I appreciate the excellent qualities of Stephen T. Chang’s publication The Complete System of Self-Healing and look forward to collecting any of his available work.

Dr. Michael Schiefeling, M.D.:
A fantastic book!! In the future I will offer Your programme to all my patients.

Fortune magazine:
Dissolve stress, tension, depression, fatigue and safeguard good health easily, safely, and effectively with Dr. Chang’s stress management technique, preferred by top executives.

Los Angeles Herald:
The superfluous areas of the stomach and abdomen are literally rubbed away.

Shirley R.:
With Dr. Chang's Internal Exercises, I was finally able to conceive a child. His herbs have helped me with a variety of conditions over the last 30 years.

John S.:
Thanks for this great website/information/knowledge.

The Complete System of Self-Healing is very remarkable in the profoundly peaceful experience available through my body now. Quite remarkable.... I also used the tummy rubbing exercise for my cat. Though I did not touch her, I noted 4 energetic blocks that caused her to cry out. I persisted a few moments. She had bowel movements shortly thereafter.

Alan H.:
Have suffered severally for years with sinus pressure headaches, especially in cold weather, which we have several months of in this area and have used your Nose exercise pushing the three pressure points on the nose which has helped relieve my sinus misery alot of which I thank you for.

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