Lifting the sky while sitting down?

[JimmyB]

Hello everyone,

A few days ago I injured my left foot, causing a crack in the bone. At the moment I can't support on it at all and therefore I wonder if it would be ok to practise Lifting the sky (or any other appropriate excercise) sitting down on a chair? Any other suggestions or tips for dealing with the situation would also be greatly appreciated.

With best regards
Jimmy

[Anton S.]

Sifu Kai once advised to lay down and practice Lifting the Sky.
Sitting may not be appropriate for high level practice.

Best wishes with your foot!!!

[Joan]

Dear JimmyB,

It may also be useful to sit while doing Lifting the Sky, then stand upright and use the backs of two chairs on either side of you for support to have a chi flow. This way you do not have to put weight on your foot.

The standing upright will ensure that the chi can flow down to your foot to enable it to heal.

You may sit again to finish off.

This worked really well for a lady in my class in her late sixties, who came in with a cast. We used a table and chairs around her so that she could be upright in chi flow. She healed very quickly.

I hope this helps,

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Andrew]

Sifu has previously mentioned:
- for the best results, perform the exercise as taught to the best of your ability i.e. standing
- if you are unable to stand, perform the exercise in a seated position
- if you are unable to sit (bed-ridden, for example), perform the exercise lying down

Joan's suggestion is excellent. It is a perfect compromise for your current situation.


By the way, you can choose to perform Lifting the Sky lying down and at a low level to help you sleep. Again, a recommendation from Sifu.

[JimmyB]

Dear Antons, Joan and Andrew,

Thank you all for your advice!

As it happens, an X-ray done here in Sweden (the first one was done abroad) the morning after my first post showed nothing wrong with my foot at all and the inflammation had receded enough so that I could begin supporting on both feet that same day. Now it is almost gone entirely. Yay!

I will also try low-level Lifting the sky for sleeping. Am I correct in thinking that low-level in this case means performing the form without a chi kung state of mind or meditation to end the exercise?

Thank you all again!
With best regards
Jimmy

[Andrew]

As it happens, an X-ray done here in Sweden (the first one was done abroad) the morning after my first post showed nothing wrong with my foot at all and the inflammation had receded enough so that I could begin supporting on both feet that same day. Now it is almost gone entirely. Yay!

Yay indeed

I will also try low-level Lifting the sky for sleeping. Am I correct in thinking that low-level in this case means performing the form without a chi kung state of mind or meditation to end the exercise?

It's very simple.
- Go to bed
- Lie on your back with your legs straight out. Try to keep your body straight too
- Relax
- Smile from the Heart
- Close your eyes (if they are not already closed)
- Perform the form of Lifting the Sky as well as you can (considering walls etc.) but keep it symmetric
- Don't worry about your breathing
- After a few repetitions just rest your arms in a comfortable position
- Sleep

[JimmyB]

Dear Andrew,

I will keep trying that. I do feel relaxed after doing the technique but I still don't go to sleep that easily. I think I need to relax even more, especially my mind, it's going kind of "Am I asleep? No... how about now? No... I think I'm sleeping soon... No"

Thank you!

With best regards
Jimmy

[Joan]

Dear JimmyB,

What has worked well with my students here is:

1) Following the Lifting the sky kindly given by Andrew above.
2) Just gently surrendering to the sleep. Just allow it to wash over you. Don't worry, Don't intellectualise and Enjoy your Sleep.

Congratulations with the foot

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Martin Do]

Dear Jimmy,

Fortunately for me I don't have problem falling asleep. I normally sleep like a baby within ten minutes of lying down. However, on very very rare occations when I am very wide awake for whatever reason at bed time, I do the following which just melts me into a deep sleep quite quickly:

a) Get into a comfortable position.
b) Recite continuosly "Namo Omi Tou Phat" or "Namo Amitabha".

This method helps me to sleep and helps me in many other ways. I also believe it helps being around me.....although not necessarily to go to sleep .

If you are not following Buddhist teaching, you may replace the recitation with thoughts of gratitude for the little things you have that many others around the world don't. Thank god, lord or whichever devine being you believe in for these gifts until you are tired or bored enough to just fall asleep naturally.

So my advice is sincerely follow Joan Siguma's wonderful advice above. As an alternative you can try my advice above from time to time .

Best wishes

Martin