Baguakid

I still do not understand the business of spirituality. Ok son, give me some money and I will bless you. Heck, I find it difficult to charge people to learn Qigong or Martial arts. In fact, I have yet to charge anyone anything. But this is me at my level and I'm not slighting anyone. So, what? He needs money for his temple?

So far I think Trunk has given the best advice here. In addition to his post I would add to look into diet. By far for me the best diet model I have found is that outlined by Dr. Robert Young (The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health). http://www.phmiracleliving.com/

Agreed... I will say this, anyone who has the tenacity and spirit to remain in Bagua has me giving them a pat on the back. Like we are both saying, it isn't easy. You have a cool lineage... Best regards and good training.

Sure, first the video: First of all, Circle walking isn't walking a circle at all it's an 8 sided octagon. Bai step should move straight ahead, kou should follow the next side of the octagon.. IMO Of course, there are many schools of Bagua but in the strictest definitions that's how it should be IMO.. Anyway, that's how I was taught. Oh, and I agree with you about the brick thing.. but not the Tai chi thing Let me add about Bai... Bai should not turn inward towards the center of the circle.. Everyone I see on youtube turns their inner foot in towards the center of the circle.

Agreed.. one of my bagua teacher's students, who before coming to him was an accomplished Chen Taiji practioner, nearly passed out on his first lesson of Bagua. Bagua performed correctly is Very demanding. Regarding footwork. I have only seen one guy on youtube who performs Bai and Kou correctly. Only one. Bagua is Very difficult to perform correctly.

Perfect!! David is my kung fu brother and the guy I was going to recommend to you. I've known David since 1984 and in fact he told me a guy asked him about bagua last time I talked to him on the phone.. (late last week or so IIRC). You can't go wrong with David. He has Tons of knowledge but he's real kung fu. You will learn you azz off with him.

Yeah, the Chinese drink beer, smoke cigarettes, and drink what's called BaiJiu (white alcohol). It's fun to watch Taiji practitioners or martial artists take a break in the park and have a cigarette between training sessions. Every time I go back to China I bring my Bagua Shifu a bottle of Tequila (Don Julio) which he very much enjoys. Personally, I don't drink or smoke.

Congratulations.. best wishes and success in your future training.

I would say my biggest two are: Not having the money to travel to and pay for tuition Not being able to personally study with authentic teachers I've been searching out quality qigong (I consider Qigong to be a major part of Taoist life) for nearly 20 years. Perhaps it's been my luck of the draw but the number of quality teachers I have found can be counted on one hand and that's not using all my fingers. After finding a teacher with the goods the problems are usually the following. 1. They charge so much that they're reserved for only the rich. 2. They talk in circles and think as masters they should be as difficult as possible and speak in esoteric language so the student couldn't possibly understand (oh, I clicked my heals together twice and pulled my right ear while the moon was full... you didn't get that???) As time passes I become more and more sad and weary trying to find a good teacher.

ahh, I see.. I forgot there was a second book.... However, in reference to your original post. Cai Songfang's Wuji standing is a source other than Yiquan.

I don't think so. Warriors of Stillness by Jan Diepersloot is about Cai Songfang and Wuji Qigong. My documentation shows that Cai's Wuji lineage comes from Yang Family Taiji and not from Master Wang and Dachengchuan. What may be confusing about this is that Fong Ha and Jan, his student, are Yiquan practitioners.

I agree with PH balancing.. I, however, have had good results with Dr. Robert Young's approach: Robert Young, Acid/Alkaline The pH Miracle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4s6cTQtK_E http://www.amazon.com/pH-Miracle-Balance-R...h/dp/044669049X He recommends staying away from Sweet PH balancing foods such as oranges.

Push hands on a physical level vs energy level is dependent on the practitioner in my experience. Over 98 percent of the people I have been in contact with view push hands as a physical and alignment practice. Only 2 masters I have met are at an energy level with push hands. They are Tony Ho (He Nanjie) a Wu style taiji master and Cai Songfang, a Wuji Qigong master. It depends on what people are searching for as to what they develop in their practice. Most martial artists discount the energy development of Taiji. I've listened to this twice through the noise at work and I like her objectiveness and clarity in discussion. She appears no nonsense approach and I like the theory she speaks about. Sounds great Ya Mu, thanks for posting.

I know someone, a American and doctor of Chinese Medicine, who practices Qigong, forced and natural, who told me he has three craps a day, 2 before lunch. When ever I get around him I can feel his Qi. Comments? Anyone else have 3 full BMs a day?

Kinda.. Sorta... I practice Wuji Qigong which is the core of Taiji (IMO). The practice I learned from Cai SongFang and his student pays attention to energy and structural alignments between heaven and earth. I have only met one other Master, a Taiji Master, who taught this and that was Tony Ho (He Nanjie) of the Wu Style Lineage. So, yes, in Wuji qigong standing practice we definately pay attention to this. Chongmai, 3 points on the same line, and all the other taiji principles we need to pay attention to is important in Wuji practice. I think this is a problem with those who have hardened their minds that taiji should be martial only and not energetic. At the same time, there is the other side who believe taiji is only for relaxing and is a stress reliever.

If asked about lineage he should proudly and clearly state his lineage. I have absolutely no problem with anyone asking me my lineage or who my teacher is. Trained with some masters from Beijing or in Beijing doesn't cut it.. Think about it this way, eventually you might want to teach and someone will ask you, what's your lineage... what can you say then? I'm glad you were able to get out of this contract. I thought the monthly fee was very high. Heck, Gong Zhongxiang in Monterey Park charges around that much and he's got tons of experience.

Some say it's very important, in fact Critical, to practice qigong outside. Others say either is fine. I live in Florida now where there are bugs, thunderstorms, rain, and every other natural annoyance. Before, when I lived in California, practicing outside was easy. Cool breezes, no bugs, nice. So, if it is indeed critical, how would one overcome the natural annoyances of non-California locations? Opinions?

Personally, I disagree with this approach. To me it seems the OP has/had weakened kidney/shen issues, drained. The only way to permanently fix the problem is from the kidneys up, again in my limited, personal, non-medical qigong experience. I've had similar issues and have tried many different methods for resolving it. Acupuncture, herbs, qigong, neigong, diet, and even bagua and the most effective so far has been a combination of bagua (tonifies stomach/spleen, courses liver/gallbladder), Standing Zhan Zhuang (strengthens kidneys, opens channels), diet (more vegetarian (see acid/alkaline)), and some other neigong practices. It's been a lot of work. First trying to figure it out. Second, to find the right exercise set for me and that's balanced. But, I'm starting to get results now.

Interesting... one question I would be interested in knowing is how long the healing will last. I've had healings also which lasted 2 or 3 days max. Then I was back where I was before.

I'm interested in any future workshops.. My wife received her visa approval yesterday so Yay!! I'll be going to China either this month or next to pick her up. After bringing her and son back I should able to make one of your following workshops. Exciting!

innerspace_cadet, can you post lineage and teacher's name? I know someone in the Denver area, how far are you from there? He teaches Fu style and is an exceptional martial artist. I've known him since the early 80s. Can you get out of this contract? Is there a grace period?

Unfortunately I have a 12 hour day away from home (travel to work 1+ hour and the same home).. For Bagua practice it doesn't matter. Usually I move enough to keep the bugs away from me but for standing or sitting meditation, especially sitting. Outside on the ground is nearly impossible (oh, I forgot about ants).. Winter will be coming soon which brings cooler weather and no mosquitoes but it gets dark early in winter. I do have a screened in porch but some have told me even sitting on concrete (not directly) still does not have the same benefit of sitting directly on the ground. I love the California coast and nearly everything else but the cost of living. Man, when can we have Air Houses... that float in the air... lol

Cool stuff... As soon as I can get situated I'm going to attend one of Ya Mu's classes. I particularly like the spiritual side which he speaks. I had a Chinese Qigong teacher in California who taught a sitting qigong/meditation which involved a lotus flower, turning it 3 times and raising it to the three levels. At the time I received little benefit from the exercise but could have been my body state at that time.

I also find this discussion interesting. I have not heard before of sending evil qi to the light. But most of my High level Taiji or Qigong players recognize they need to take away evil qi in their students/patients. I've learned a couple of standing exercises which do that but do it into the earth. The purpose is removing Evil Qi and/or Han (Damp) Qi from the body. One guy in Shanghai, that's all he did and you could see the damp, evil qi coming out through his feet. Here he is: He uses downward pressure to eliminate bad and bring in good.

I think it's doubtful that Jenny will answer Vortex's question (in the detail he would like) as I believe she is of the school which asks students to use their Wu (悟性) when studying her system.