Ray's Training Journal

[Ray]

Same Day

The day went rather well and I managed to get a lot of things done. I did unfortunately become really easily irritable as evening came and decided to practice some standing and seated meditation before chi kung practice. After chi kung practice I ended up in fetal position 0_0 during chi flow and felt a lot better afterwards. Mostly felt a pain in my lower left back again, my left knee making popping noises, and I felt some stronger chi flow during pushing mountains than before.

[Ray]

12-14-06

Yesterday was pretty tiring since I went out with my mother and we went grocery shopping for three families for Christmas celebration, we came out pushing three carts. ^^ I practiced Carrying the Moon this morning because my lower back was sore again and will probably practice Lifting the Sky in the afternoon and Pushing Mountains at night. Yesterday I practiced Lifting the Sky in the evening, felt a strong sense of tiredness, fell to the ground and it was quite pleasant. Crawled to bed and went to sleep.

This morning I feel pretty mentally clear and energetically fine.

[Ray]

12-15-06

Had chest pains all throughout yesterday, I'm pretty sure it is a form of cleansing because when I was lying down and entering a meditative state of mind the pain rose up again out of nowhere. Anyway, today I am chest pain free and am filled with energy. I realized today that prayer also has an interesting effect on the surroundings. After praying in the room of my friend's house where I was staying the energy of the room feels more pleasant.

Swelling sensations during Pushing Mountains and tingling feet during Three Circle. The length of time I am performing Three circle has increased but I don't bother to time it, I just enjoy.

[Ray]

12-17-06

Last night I practiced Sinew Meta. and managed to pull off the standard mode fine. Unfortunately I suddenly couldn't sleep or calm down for the rest of the night. Although I didn't sleep much I practiced Lifting the Sky this morning along with my usual routine (minus pushing mt.) and I feel great.
I'll practice Sinew Met. tonight again to see if I can practice it regularly. If I can I'll also practice carrying the moon after my long car trip today. ^^

My hands and feet got cold during chi flow which is new to me.

[Ray]

12-19-06

I've actually gotten a little sick which I am happy to say rarely happens to me. I practiced Sinew Met last night in alt mode and I'll practice some more lifting the sky. I have a lot of things to do including driving my mom around and I expect myself to recover quickly.

[Ray]

12-19-06 (miscounted)

These past two days have been really hard on me. I haven't been getting much sleep due to some really strong cleansing and cold symptoms. Due to this I've been a bit of a jerk around my family although I did manage to smile from the heart a few times, the other couple times are something else because of a short fuse I seem to be having. Basically feel a strong soreness in certain parts of my body, and a sort of sore, digging pain in areas where I know there are blockages. Coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and a sense of weakness and of getting cold easily.
I only did Three Circle for a few seconds this morning, last morning I didn't even practice at all since I felt so out of it. I might practice Sinew Met alternate mode tonight provided I can actually get some quality sleep.

[Ray]

12-20-06

Hello everyone,
I seem to be pretty sick although energy wise I am a lot better than yesterday. I keep coughing out yellowish mucus and see to get cold easily. At least the painful soreness has lessened considerably so I am sleeping. I plan to do mostly lifting the sky today. Sinew Met alt mode yesterday had a pretty intense cleansing and I felt some sort of sensation in my lungs.

[Ray]

12-21-06

Woke up this morning with a pounding headache, as if all this fluid in my head couldn't get out. Went downstairs, snapped at my sister whom I felt was being rude to my mother and then decided I needed to practice so I went back to my room and practiced Carrying the Moon. My headache went away and energy wise I feel fine although I still have a runny nose and an occasional cough with lots of phlegm. I consider this all cleansing so hopefully I'll be better soon.

[Ray]

12-21-06

My cough is getting much better. Felt enormous amount of anger and hatred at evening, still easily irritable. Tried to complain to mom but when she disagreed me with my complaining it upset me more. I finally just prayed to God to purge this anger from my heart and after dinner I feel a bit better. Gosh, this has been quite a ride

[Ray]

12-23-06

Last night I practiced Lifting the Sky, Pushing Mt, Carrying the moon, together since the course and experienced a strong cleansing that made me fall to my knees and lie down. I also afterwards practiced a brief few seconds of Three Circle and even a few moments of Cloud Hands.
This morning I did a brief five minutes of Lifting the Sky and I felt so happy and joyful afterwards. My cold is almost gone.

[Ray]

same day

Today I also tried practicing Tai Chi again for the first time since the course, I did various techniques (Cloud Hands, Green Dragon Shoots Pearl, White Horse Spreads Mane) in a spontaneous way just feeling what feels right like in chi flow. It was wonderful!
I felt great afterwards and actually a bit lighter. My legs were sore during the brief 30 minute practice but afterwards they felt light. I'll definitely do this more often. Also weening myself to not surf the web so much when I don't need to. I plan to invest more energy into Tai Chi.

[Ray]

12-24-06

Practiced pushing mountains and some three circle and some spontaneous tai chi techniques this morning. Things have been going so well, it's unbelievable. Stating to pick up the eye exercises again since I slacked off while sick. Most of the symptoms are gone now except for an occasional cough and runny nose.

[Ray]

12-26-06

Had a good morning session, nothing new to report. My cold symptoms are almost gone and even my runny noses are less severe. Hopefully my Tai chi will be improving soon.

[Ray]

12-28-06

Wonderful training experience this morning. Felt calm and centered. Still a bit jittery over my job search, I think I am trying to avoid it and I have to grit my teeth to go looking some more.

My training program has been somewhat revised:

Morning:

Standing Med (Quiet the mind, I find it helps a lot in improving the quality of my practice)

Pushing Mountains
Mild Chi Flow
Three Circle Stance
Spontaneous Tai Chi forms (Lifting Water, Parting Wild Horse, Green Dragon Shoots, Repulse Mon, Cloud Hands)
Walking Med
Stronger Chi Flow
Standing Still / Prayer
Conclusion

Afternoon (rarely happens)
Lifting the Sky or Carrying the Moon
Chi Flow
Standing Med
Conclusion

Evening

Sinew Met.
(when I can handle Standard mode still not there yet)
Three Circle
Chi Flow

[Ray]

12-29-06

Last night had difficulty breathing and it scared me for a moment or so. I was wondering if this was due to incorrect practice but then I reasoned that I always feel great after practice, so most likely it's just something that will pass. This morning I feel fine although I had stomach pains and had to run to the bathroom four times. My session was short today with only Pushing Mts and a little Lifting the Sky.