Vitalii

you are welcome. yes, I have perhaps I will publish other my videos later

yes, it is very important. In Zhen Dao Pai we pay a great attention to the cultivation of Inner heart nature. Nowadays, many people want to know different exercises, such as body work and Qi work, but if they do not cultivate inner heart nature, it can lead to a growth of ego but not to spiritual development. Therefore, although Zhen Dao Pai use the principle of dual cultivation of Xing and Ming, Xing cultivations inhere are more important than Ming. At first, a person needs to clear heart and cultivate virtue. In Zhen Dao, for this purpose students follow the instructions, which are described in 太上老君说百病 "Taishan Lao Jun Talks About The One Hundred Diseases" and 老君崇百药 "Taishan Lao Jun Glorifies The One Hundred Medicines". Also, all methods of Qi work contain Xing aspect that allows to transform a usual Qi training into spirit development. This is very important, because some people consider if they cultivate Qi, then spirit development will happen automatically. It is a big mistake.

If you practice sitting meditation, which position do you use?

Some information about Practice during sleeping (睡功)

but it is a real traditional Daiost retreat I hold retreats with a similar schedule, but only for those my students who already have a good practical experience.

Too long meditation is not a target, but sometimes it is necessary for the running of some alchemical processes and awaken some levels of your wisdom. Lets look at daily timetable of the Quanzhen retreat: 全真清規 每日至五更寅時，聞開靜板響，各請洗漱，朝真禮聖。卯時早齋。辰時混坐。巳時靜鐘三通，各各靜坐，如法用功。午時赴齋 未時混坐。申時如前入靜。酉時晚叅。戌時混坐茶湯。亥時如前入靜，用功如法。子時歌詠，教演詩詞，以敵睡魔。丑時放叅，各請隨意。 Pure Regulations of Quanzhen (1) Hour of yin (3–5am): The sound of the plank indicates the non-movement period is over. Everyone washes his face and rinses his mouth. Then one worships the Perfected and Sages. (2) Hour of mao (5–7am): Morning meal. (3) Hour of chen (7–9am): Group meditation (hunzuo 混坐). (4) Hour of si (9–11am): “Non-movement” meditation. Each person meditates quietly (Jing zuo 靜坐) by himself. (5) Hour of wu (11am–1pm): Noon meal. (6) Hour of wei (1–3pm): Group meditation. (7) Hour of shen (3–5pm): Non-movement meditation. (8) Hour of you (5–7pm): Evening gathering. (9) Hour of xu (7–9pm): Group meditation and offering of tea and soup. (10) Hour of hai (9–11pm): Non-movement meditation. (11) Hour of zi (11pm–1am): Chanting. Adepts chant poems meant to enable them to resist the demons of sleep (shuimo 睡魔). Each verse is chanted three times and no more. (12) Hour of chou (1–3am): The gathering is dismissed. One can do whatever one wants. P.S. Of course, this schedule is not for beginners.

First time it was when I practiced with my Teacher on the retreat. We lived in the tent on the wild nature. In one day Teacher said that we would be practice more then usually (about 3-4 hours). it was necessary for better development feeling of inner and external Qi, awaken wisdom, and run some of alchemical processes. We did such a long meditation for several days. I can say that after it my experience and understanding of Daoist teaching has risen sharply. But I need to notice that I practiced with a Teacher and he knew my level very well. Therefore if somebody follow and practice too long it does not mean that they will get good results. It can be just dully sitting or false Da zuo [假坐].

Listening to music during meditation is not a good idea. Without music you can progress faster.

about 12-13 hours in half lotus position.

Practitioners use methods which contain special Qi work (Ming) and spirit work (Xing). They work with True (Zhen) Qi of Heaven and Earth, Post Heaven and Pre Heaven Qi. Correct work with original energy (Qi) helps one to find inner harmony, grow spiritually and understand themselves. Also methods of Inner Alchemy that are taught on the retreat are primarily focused on cleansing and improving of heart nature, cleansing of heart and mind from obscurations, and comprehension of original nature. Thus, it brings a double improvement – of heart nature (Xing) and vitality (Ming). During retreat we are reading, studying and discussing of the ancient Daoist texts, it helps practitioners to keep correct inner state and inner intention during the day and especially before practice. After long term meditation, soft self-massage should be done.

it depends on each specific meditations. We can not talk in a generalized sense about all Daoist and Buddhist meditations

When I hold a retreat for my students who have a good experience in practice, we do 3 sitting meditations during a day + Zhan Zhuan (2 hours) + Dao Yin/Qigong (dynamic exercises). Each sitting meditation takes 3-5 hours. Prolonged meditation is very important for those who really want to progress in ones' practice. Short meditation (up to 30 minutes) can help you to relax your body and mind, but can not awaken your original Qi and your wisdom, and run many of alchemical processes.

Immortality in Daoism = enlightenment in Buddhism. Inner Alchemy methods allow to penetrate into the depths of essential Being. Through study and comprehension of inner world in a state of peace and quietness, we penetrate into the mysteries of Being. Methods of Inner Alchemy will help to return to the roots, to touch original (“divine”) nature and direct own knowledge to understanding and connection with the truth (with Dao). Therefore, it becomes possible to understand the world deeper, and to result in a more adequate interaction with the outside world. A Master who attained perfection by practicing techniques of Inner Alchemy is called the “Immortal \ Inhabitant of heaven \ Saint” (仙 – «Xian”).

In "Shiwulun" Wang Chongyang said about inner state during sitting meditation: 但有絲毫動靜思念，即不名靜坐。能如此者，雖身處於塵世，名已列於仙位 "As long as there is the slightest thought of motion and stillness, this is not what I call sitting in a motionless calm and silence (Jinzou). Those who can sitting in a motionless calm and silence, although their physical bodies resides in the world of dust / material world /, but their names are already in the ranks of the Immortals."

Yes, I have a fighting skills.

you are welcome )) Could you clarify your question?

Let’s remember the history of the Yang style. Having arrived in Beijing, Yang Luchan earned the nickname “Yang the Invincible” when fighting different opponents. Later, he began to teach Taiji Quan to the members of the royal family and nobles, and to those who had a genuine interest in the art, he transferred the knowledge entirely. Of course, the full amount of transferred knowledge was not easy to learn, and included many complexes and methods of training. However, after the fall of the imperial dynasty, Yang families were forced to earn their living by teaching Taiji Quan to everyone. In order to make it possible, it was necessary to make the style more accessible and easy. Moreover, the Yang families had no desire to disclose all the secrets of marital arts to anyone who wanted it. For these reasons, the style taught to a wide public had to be simplified. It is also known that the sons of Yang Luchan – Yang Jianhou and Yang Banhou – although had a full knowledge of the family style, yet taught only some of its sections. Thus, Yang Banhou taught mainly the Large and Small frame, and Yang Jianhou taught the Large frame and the Old frame. The son of Yang Jianhou, Yang Chengfu, taught mainly the Large frame to all students, and the complex Long Fist (Changquan) was given only to the elected disciples. In such a way, we can see that different representatives of the Yang family taught their students in different ways, and did not disclose all of their secrets not only to a wide audience, but sometimes even to their close disciples. So, what do we have today? The majority of practitioners of Taiji Quan Yang style do only one form, where movements are slow and soft. They usually say that, to use Taiji Quan in a real fight, one needs to practice them for at least 5-10 years. Frankly speaking, even if you practice a slow form for 20 years, you still will not be ready to defend yourself. It is a well-known fact that Yang Luchan and his son Yang Banhou trained a special battalion of the Imperial Army called Shenjiying, and their preparation for a real fight needed to be quick and effective, and could not last for years. Now, it makes one wonder: does Taiji Quan Yang style really have only one, slow form? The answer to this question is simple: the form is, of course, not the only one. There are several forms, and they are performed in a different manner and with different accents. Therefore, a complete traditional practice of Taiji Quan Yang style includes not only the slow form, but a number of other forms and methods, where one can work on strength, speed, agility, quick execution of movements with a focus on the release of the power issuing (Fajin); there is also training of fast and precision buffets, etc.

When you standing 90° legs, your inner work will be different and focus of your practice will shift to the physical body. Zhan Zhuang in martial arts and Zhan Zhuang for neidan have different inner work. When a person practices Zhan Zhuang in martial arts, his goal is to make a structured and holistic body. In Zhan Zhuang for neidan, ones goal is to connect own mind and spirit with the spirit of Nature, feel and understand the Unity of internal and external.

Like that:

I kept my palms at the level of my lower dantian about 6 month, then at the level of my middle dantian about 6 month and then at the level of my upper dantian about 5-6 month. At the moment I use this or that position depending on my needs and feelings.

The first time it was hard, I felt discomfort in my arms and legs and for me it was very hard to maintain correct inner work. But after some time I really started feeling Qi of Heaven and Earth very well and I felt that the circulation of Qi in my body had improved, my yin and yang Qi became balanced. I started felling that my energetic system and my body became more stronger and my martial art practice got better. I could collect Qi in dantian faster and started felling the original Qi in the sitting meditation. And ultimately I could fuse yin and yang.

Yes, I can feel this difference very well, Qi in a space is completely different in different times and therefore the internal processes occur in different ways. From 5-7 is the perfect time for Zhan Zhuang practice. When I just started practicing it was only beautiful words for me, but then I really felt it myself and understood why this time is the best.

When new students come to my trainings, even the first time they stand 30-40 minutes, and when they come to retreat, they stand for 2 hours after 2 days.

yes, if you are practicing without a teacher or you do not have enough experience.