Qigong

"Hoo" is the sound you make to clean your spleen, according to qigong instructor Ken Cohen. "Hooey" is the sound I make when confronted with such nonsense. Still, my skepticism aside, the ancient Chinese practice of "qigong"--which offers traditional exercises for healing the body, mind and spirit--has a devoted contemporary following, and Cohen (author of The Way of Qigong, Ballantine, 1997) appears to know what he's talking about (even if some of what he's saying sounds like utter bunk). Good production qualities and clear instruction accentuate this "how-to," in which Cohen takes viewers through four stages: whole body breathing, purifying the qi (also known as our friend "chi"), gathering and circulating qi, and dispensing stagnation. The movements are simple, the self-massage techniques clearly presented (though a little confusing: a man places his left hand over his navel followed by his right hand, while a woman does just the opposite; this is presented as holy writ without explanation--sensible or otherwise). Still, my Feet Planted On Ground critical stance notwithstanding, those who want to check out qiqong will find a quality presentation here. Recommended, grudgingly. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)