Qigong Program design & more advanced exercises

[Mike B]

OK this really is the last question of my rethinking my daily practice set of threads - I've spammed the forum far too much, hassled too many instructors and earned too little money

I think I have the basic idea that when doing the 'basic' (in our terms) exercises eg Pushing Mountains its best to stick to one (with the occasional relief from some others). So far so good (done that once a day for six months).

How does it work though with respect to adding other levels of exercise - eg DT breathing, Sinew Met, LtSky at a higher level (eg energy flow/cleansing/visualisations etc), Butterfly Dancing in front of flowers et al?

Is it best to pluck for one of those and just focus on it - or is it best to have say a mix of say DT breathing and Sinew Met (and gradually increase the frequency and repetitions over time)?

Just by way of context am aiming at a morning session of Pushing Mountains (with occasional other 18L/Hands for variety) and an evening session of something a bit spicier. In practice due to timetabling issues the evening sessions might only amount to three a week.

OK thanks (once again) guys.

rgds

Mike

[Kaijet]

Chi Gong practice

Hello Mike,

in my opinion it is better to focus on one exercise to get best benefit. For example do Pushing M. every day for say three month once a day morning time and on the second session evening you can make a mixture of execises you like.
After three month take an other for three month and so on. This is only an example who I get my best benefit but you are free how you like to mix all up and I know this is the hartest to understand. And thats for me how to train your shen (mind).

[Mike B]

Kai Sihing

Many thanks for your reply - it is much appreciated to be able to get advice from those whose understanding is far greater than my own.

The problem with making up/changing/developing ones program (if you don't have a regular instructor course) is that for a beginner one doesn't really know enough to do it well. I read Sifu's book (CK4H&Vitality) which has a lot of programs in the back. However I was reminded of retaurant menus - I always find it easier to decide if the menu choice is A or B [fortunately my wife does the ordering in restaurants and she likes lots of choices].

But an interesting point about changing perhaps every 3 mts. Looking back I can see that by focusing on one exercise for 6mts my program got a little stale (and you start to do it on 'autopilot').

rgds

Mike

[Darryl]

you are free how you like to mix all up

Last year, I decided that since both Sigung Ho and Sifu talked so highly of Lifting The Sky, I would only practice Lifting The Sky in my evening sessions. This worked very well for the first few days, then after relaxing, I would have a strong feeling to practice something else, say Carrying The Moon. The next night, it may be Pushing Mountains, or Drawing Knives. Or I may start with Lifting The Sky but after two or three repetitions, I would have a strong impulse to practice another pattern. Initially, I would return to my breathing and start with the pattern later but after a couple of nights of this I found that instead of even going into a Chi Kung pattern, I would sink into a (low) Horse Stance.

I then decided to let go of my training preconception and instead, I started practicing whatever pattern my body asked for. I emailed Sifu about it, explained my reasons for having selected Lifting The Sky and the events that I was experiencing. His reply was simple - carry on with what you are doing.

So now, if nothing comes forwards I do Lifting The Sky. If I don't feel like doing a pattern yet, I just breathe. If I start with one pattern and move into another, then that's what I do. I still have rough training schedules but I also have a far freer 'flow' before I flow. Form to formlessness? No idea .

[Mike B]

Darryl

Well I am pleased I posted just to read your interesting experience and story

Of course at a basic level one needs more discipline to overcome the tendency to 'monkey minding' your choice of exercise (and ending up 'wide but shallow').

I think I shall combine what my respected Sihings say and so where I am now I will have a more formal/rigid morning program of focusing on one 18 L/H exercise (LtSky still does my neck in if I do it too much, so one other) and then have a relaxed evening 'do what I feel like'. Seems balanced at a crude level - I'll post all my deviations that occur as a result in - ooh say 10 days

Merci mes amis (/grands freres)

Mike