Ray's Training Journal

[Ray]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I was thinking of posting a training journal on the forum to note my progress, and record my experiences. I think it will be especially useful to see the change after I have taken Sifu's courses in Las Vegas. ^_^

11-20-06
As of right now I learned Lifting the Sky from Sifu's books and I have been practicing it for about two years now. Some common sensations I feel is heightened energy, chi at the fingertips, and sometimes bad energy streaming out of the mouth along with a powerful cleansing experience.
My basic training routine is as follows:

Morning:
Some basic Yogic stretches
Shaolin Eye Exercises
Lifting the Sky
Three Levels to the Ground
Dancing Crane
Reaching for Toes
Chi Flow
Standing Meditation
Walking Meditation
Prayer


Evening:

Eye Exercise
Lifting the Sky
Three Levels to the Ground
Chi Flow
Standing Meditation
Walking Meditation

So far I have been pretty good with keeping to it. Lots of benefits. I find that because my Lifting the Sky practice is low level, adding Three Levels to the Ground is pretty nice. I usually try to train outside unless its foggy or rainy.
I would love to add Stance Training and Tai Chi.

Yours truly,

Ray

[barrys]

Ray,

Hey, another Tai Chi Chuan brother. Looking forward to seeing you on a Tai Chi Chuan course in the future.

With metta,

Barry

[Ray]

Dear Barry,
I would love to see that happen too. So far though I need to get a job after graduation and save up money to attend Sifu Wong's Chi Kung Intensive Course. After that I will probably try to train with either Sifu Anthony or Sifu Emiko or maybe both ^^.
Actually, my ultimate aspiration is to become a great Chinese doctor. I'm really interested in Sifu Anthony's school although I am worried about hurricanes down in Florida. T_T.
So far I like Tai Chi Quan more than Shaolin Kungfu, but I think the reason why is that I feel more chi practicing Tai Chi. However, being the young and overly ambitious person that I am I will probably try to learn both. ^^
I am sure we will meet in the future and it will be a pleasure to see each other face to face.

My warmest regards to you and your family,

Ray

[Ray]

11-21-06

Strong sensations down at the bottoms of the feet while practicing Lifting the Sky. I generally feel a much greater increase in self-confidence and courage when this happens. I felt laugher in my heart while praying.

^_^

[Ray]

11-22-06

Pleasant cleansing sensations during Lifting the sky, tingling in hands and feet, tired for a few moments than lots of energy.

^_^

[Ray]

11-23-06

Getting the feeling that there is a faint energy field around the body. Blockage in lower left buttocks has not gone away but lessened considerably. Notice energy to hands and feet, quite pleasant.

[Ray]

11-24-06

Chi sensations in hands and feet during standing meditation.

[Ray]

11-25-06

Throbbing sensation at top of head. Strange swelling feelings on left side of head. Blockage at left buttock has not gone away ^^

[Ray]

11-26-06

Still swelling sensations in head. Lots of energy this morning.

[Ray]

11-27-06

Pain in the chest and lower back. I think symptoms are weak kidney energy. Self-confidence still a little shaky but better than before

[Ray]

same day
Lifting the Sky has helped a lot. Still I tend to feel some what out of it during early mornings and during evenings. Skin is unusually dry and itchy too. I think this has to do with weak kidney energy again. Here I am, aspiring to be a great scholar-warrior and a little skin problem is getting the best of me ^^
I figure I'll just meditate more in the morning and then practice my chi kung. I hope to clear this hurdle quickly.

[Ray]

11-28-06

My alarm woke me up at 5:30 to practice, I turned it off and ended up falling back asleep ^^' . Eye exercises have taught me how to be aware of what I am seeing and to use my eyes actively. That pain in my lower left side has not gone away. My skin still itches but not as bad as last night.

[Ray]

11-29-06

Overslept today ^^. Was very tired and ended up only practicing Lifting the Sky this morning. This exhaustion only really ended after I had breakfast, where I found myself suddenly bursting with energy. I have also found myself to have greater mental clarity today, able to stay in the moment far better than my normal average.

Good times,

[Ray]

11-30-06
Woke up this morning feeling really tired. Had skipped last night's session of Lifting the Sky. This morning's practice made me feel a bit better but it was only after eating breakfast that I felt filled with energy again. Still feeling lingering swelling sensations on the left side of my head, sharp pain at my left abdomen, and pain in my lower left buttock. Felt some tingling sensations at the bottoms of my feet.
I've only been doing Lifting the Sky and Three Levels to the Ground these past few days. Finals week is really throwing me off balance. ^^

[Ray]

12-1-06

Woke up this morning with a bit of a cold, tired, and totally unclear mind. Went outside to practice Lifting the Sky, felt my heart beating faster and my sense of coldness leaving me. After my practice of Three Levels to the Ground, Dancing Crane, Chi Flow, and Standing and Seated meditation I took a short nap and felt the "coldness" leaving my body. I still have a bit of a runny nose, but overall much better.