To Shaolin Wahnam Instructors: Shaolin Chikung questions

[Quatro Bajina]

Today is the 6th day of my training with lifting the sky and Chi to Dantian follow with horse stance. (I went to NYC last week to train with you know who )

My questions:
* I train at 5 AM and 11 PM everyday. Is this time table acceptable?

* Why do I feel that stance training is more enjoyable than lifing the sky? This is how I feel each time after I train. (I feel like I want to do it again and again and again...) Does anyone has the same feeling? Is this normal ?

* My chi flow feels stronger after the stance training in standing meditation than after lifting the sky. I am just wondering why this is so.

Thanks in advance for your answer. I realy appreciate it.

[Wen]

Stance trainig gives more powerful chi-flows to me too. From this website i have read that its because of the simple reason that it IS more powerful.
Lifting the sky is better in other ways.

I have been training for about 2 weeks now, just wanted to let you know that i, beginner also, feel the same way as you do about stance training

[Quatro Bajina]

Wen,

The one thing that I really enjoy about stance training is the counting breath to your dantian. I don't know why, but I really enjoy doing this...

Which part of your body flows the most after the stance training ? Mine is below the knees and my arms.

[Antonius]

I train at 5 AM and 11 PM everyday. Is this time table acceptable?

It's better than acceptable. It's good. Those are the two best times to practice.

Why do I feel that stance training is more enjoyable than lifing the sky?

Why do some people prefer sushi to hamburgers? Consider yourself lucky. Many people, especially beginners, hate Zhan Zhuang. If you can continue to enjoy your Zhan Zhuang practice, you are sure to develop internal force.

My chi flow feels stronger after the stance training in standing meditation than after lifting the sky.

Stance training (Zhan Zhuang) is a powerful qigong exercise. Oftentimes, it can get the energy moving more vigorously than dynamic patterns like Lifting the Sky.

Then why not just do Zhan Zuang? Many reasons.

1. Lifting the Sky is more holistic and can protect you against potential deviations.

2. More energy is not necessarily better. Your body needs time to adjust to the new energy levels. If you add too much energy using Zhan Zhuang without also circulating it with Lifting the Sky and chi flow, then you could overload your system.

3. Lifting the Sky develops your energy (and your body) in ways that Zhan Zhuang doesn't.

4. Without Lifting the Sky, your Zhan Zhuang practice would not be as effective in the long run. You might even find that your chi flows would get weaker after Zhan Zhuang if you stopped practicing Lifting the Sky.

>You Know Who

[Quatro Bajina]

Antonius:

Thanks for the reply

If you can continue to enjoy your Zhan Zhuang practice, you are sure to develop internal force.

Something very interesting happen on Tuesday. Remember you told me to relax when executing my Beng Chuan because it's more powerful that way?? Well, this Tuesday I did a "test". I executed a Beng Chuan and strike a piece of solid wood (More like a door of my apartment actually).

Guess what happen ???? I went through it!!! There is a hole in the middle of the door now! Yikes!!! What amazes me is because I don't use muscular tension at all!!! I don't know if I can replicate it again because I just can't simply hit the door again (The manager will yell at me) but at least it gives me something to look forward to.

Thanks so much for making that crucial correction.

[Wen]

Quatro, after my last three circle stance training it started in my feet and then slowly went up to my knee.

[Antonius]

Remember you told me to relax when executing my Beng Chuan because it's more powerful that way?? Well, this Tuesday I did a "test".

Wow. That must be a record. Internal force in 3 days!!!

But seriously, I'm glad you had fun breaking a door, but I don't think it had much to do with internal force. I think it's a bit early to be looking for confirmation like this.

Furthermore, internal force is usually used for one of two things, especially in internal styles like Xingyiquan (as opposed to Shaolinquan which also has some external elements). Generally speaking, the two types of power are:

1. Pushing power
2. Penetrating power.

A good example of pushing power is Taijiquan, where the master can use his/her force to send the opponent flying. The master does this by spreading his force in a longer and smoother manner. The opponent does not usually receive any internal damage.

Penetrating power differs from pushing power. It also differs from more external types of power, which can be compared to a battering ram (plows through the opponent), a hammer (breaks the surface), or an axe (chops). Penetrating power, on the other hand, goes deep into the body and reverberates inside, producing a concussive effect.

This kind of penetrating power is very dangerous and, when done by a master, can cause internal organs and tissues to rupture. A person hit by this type of strike will not be thrown back, but will simply drop where he stands.

The methods for confirming this type of force differ from typical breaking. Breaking the bottom of two bricks is one way (Ronan did this in Malaysia). I've also heard of, but never tried, other methods, like:

1. Striking live animals (animal cruelty?!?).
2. Breaking a board floating in a bucket of water.
3. Bursting a piece of tofu placed at the bottom of a bucket of water (with very little splash).
4. Bursting the inside of a watermelon without damaging the rind.
5. Striking a hanging bag with full power without causing it to swing. (It can shake or bounce, but not swing away.)

Needless to say, it takes a long time to develop this kind of power. Personally, I don't think it's wise to rush after confirmation with any of these methods, especially without guidance. There is plenty of confirmation to be found in consistent practice.

Also, striking objects too early in your development can be harmful. If you start hitting objects before you are ready, the force you have developed can bounce back into your arm and cause damage over time. If you are going to hit anything using internal force, it is wise to do it under the guidance of a master.

[Quatro Bajina]

Antonius:

Thanks for the reply

There is plenty of confirmation to be found in consistent practice.

Based on my memory, you told me the followings:
* Fell better/energized
* You want to go another "round"

Are there others that I forgot?

In addition, when I did the standing meditation or after the chikung training, I found myself burping once or twice. Is this means that the toxin in my body is out?? Is this another confirmation that I am train correctly?

Also, striking objects too early in your development can be harmful. If you start hitting objects before you are ready, the force you have developed can bounce back into your arm and cause damage over time.

Thanks for the warning. I will keep that in mind. As you suggested, I have stopped hitting the bags and lifting weights as well.

I did what you told me: after the stance training, go train my Hsing-I. I do this and I feel better than usual.

[Antonius]

Quatro,

I have some more information for you, courtesy of recent emails with Sifu.

Sifu says that what you used to break the door was likely internal force. He thinks that you had already developed internal force from your Xingyiquan practice, but for various reasons, probably because you did not relax enough, your force was locked in your muscles. I was able to give you the key to releasing that force.

Similarly, many students in Sifu's qigong courses already had lots of chi, but because they were tensed, their chi flow was blocked. This explains why students at these courses can have vigorous chi flows on their very first day of training. It also explains why you could channel internal force only 3 days after your lesson with me. I, like Sifu in his qigong courses, just helped to bring out your potential.

Sifu pointed out that this is the difference between education and instruction. To educate means to bring out whereas to instruct means to put in.

This is also a reflection of the Buddha's teaching. After dedicating 50 years of his worldly life to teach humans, gods and other beings how to attain Enlightenment, the Buddha said he had taught nothing new. This was because Enlightenment was already innate in every being, but due to ignorance beings are unaware of their own innate Enlightenment.

Here's a quote from Sifu: "Xingyiquan is a great art, but like other styles of kungfu it has been so watered down. Quatro has a good Xingyiquan teacher, and we hope he will train hard to revive the greatness of his art."

Sifu asked me to let you know that we will give you whatever help we can in this regard. He also wanted me to congratulate you for your remarkable achievement.

And there you have it.

[Quatro Bajina]

Antonius:

Thanks for posting this reply and please say thank you to Sifu Wong as well. I will surely visit him in Malaysia after I settle down. I am still in the job hunting business. Once I get a job, visiting Sifu Wong will be the first thing on my agenda.

Here's a quote from Sifu: "Xingyiquan is a great art, but like other styles of kungfu it has been so watered down. Quatro has a good Xingyiquan teacher, and we hope he will train hard to revive the greatness of his art."

That's my primary goal. I want to show the world that kungfu of any styles can be used for fighting and internal force is not a joke.