DanC

Im also ordering Yin Yoga tommorow, the idea of holding postures for 5 minutes just sounds amazing, when I did Kempo as a teenager we often did stretches for upto ten minutes, this has an amazing effect on the bodys chi flow.

Well the Zink material looks way over complicated for me, the Yin Yoga books may be the best for me to start with, could yin yoga be incorporated with other taoist meditations and practices.

I have been noticing that after my morning seated emptiness meditation I feel my mood isnt as good as it was before I meditated, generally I feel really relaxed but I find that I am a little agro with people sometimes. This bothers me as the entire point of my meditation is to be relaxed and more tranquil after my meditation, anyone else experience this, I also do a self massage after my meditation. Im thinking I may try a different meditation eg MCO, brain cleansing or inner colours or maybe a moving form of Chi Kung instead and monitor how I feel afterwards. Daniel

I know it doesnt really matter as long as it works, but is Yin Yoga really a Taoist practice, Im a sucker for anything that is traditional. Daniel

Yin Yoga looks good, but does anyone know of any other books that outline a Taoist Yoga or Qigong Stretching routine, I have Master Ni's Tao Yin book but it wasn't entirely focused on stretching. Im looking for a stretching book from a traditional Taoist perspective, so far Im unable to find anything.

Maybe 5 minutes of stretching after meditating would do the job, just to open up the channels and to get the Chi flowing into the limbs, follow that up with a full body massage to disperse any stagnent chi and spread chi through the entire body.

Ill add a 5 minute relax period after meditating so I can come back to reality, I must admit I really did feel as though I had some Chi coursing through my body straight afterwards and I just felt a little charged up and angry, it makes sense to take a while to come back to your senses once you have finished such a tranquil and cleansing practice.

I cannot remember who recommended this video but I cannot find it anywhere, Michael Frosts website choosinglife.com seems to be down at the moment, anyone got an email address as I am in Australia. Also can anybody give me a breakdown of whats on the tape, Qigong, Meditation, Massage etc etc.... If I cannot get it I might also get the Cohen Video, as I am currently reading his book. Daniel

I have been massaging the K1 point since reading about it in a Furey email, I have noticed that it relaxes the body and calms the mind, I have also noticed that my sexual energy is very high now. I have also read that it brings excess fire down from the upper body and head and strengthens the Kidney Jing. Anybody have any more info on the benefits of massaging this point. Daniel

is it a very complex form or is it simply, does the book cover anything else like meditation etc etc..

I like it, very similar to what Master CK Chu told me in an email, meditate and read the Tao Te Ching. Thats all its take to become a Taoist. Daniel

I have been reading various books on Chi Kung and have came accross the Swinging arms chi kung exercise. For the last couple of mornings I did 300 repititions and could not believe how powerful this simple movement is, my mind was relaxed and I could feel Chi flowing through my entire body and I felt calm, energized and relaxed for the entire day. Here is a link describing how to perform this movment, give it a go you will be suprized at how effective it is. This article is written by Kenneth Cohen. http://www.universal-tao.com/article/feeling.html Daniel

For the last year and half I have consistently taken Cordyceps, Its a chinese Yin & Yang tonic that strengthens the immune system and internal organs. In particluar it is used to strengthen the kidneys and lungs, its also very good for healthy sexual function. What I have noticed so far is that I rarely get sick and my sex drive has improved, I have also noticed I sleep better and have more energy and my mind is clearer. I highly recommend cordyceps, the only thing is they are fairly expensive for the good quality.

Leo, What are the health benefits of the Apple Cider with honey, do you have any links for various tonic made from Apple Cider. Daniel

Ive read good things about Saw Palmetto, its supposed to increase libido and is also good for muscle growth and hair loss. Anyone use it and what sort of effects did it have on your health. Daniel

I received this book the other day and must say that I am very impressed with the detail contained within this book, it outlines 49 Dao Yin postures as well as self massage techniques. It also has lots of different meditation postures (Mudras) for different energy transformations and spiritual confirmations, I have never seen any of these Mudras before and there is 18 of them. The book is written in a way which guides you and recommends you do what is comfortable for you, although he gives different groups of postures you can choose which group suits you and do them or you can do them all in order. I am also reading Master Ni's book "The Power of Natural Healing" which contains various lectures he has done regarding Mediation, Spiritual growth and Chi Kung, he is an advocate of emptiness mediation and offers some very good insights into his Taoist practices, very different to Mantak Chia. Daniel

Interesting viewpoint Allan, Ive never looked at it that way. I think because Im single and truthfully a bit of a sex addict I couldn't imagine having less sexual desires, maybe one day I will be in control of my sexual desires, but I really like having a these strong desires, so until the time comes along Im going to make the most out of this. Daniel

Allan, I don't think I ever want to let go of sexual desire, to me a man without sexual desire is not a man anymore. I really enjoy Meditation and Chi Kung but I find doing these practices actually helps your sexual performance and desire, just a question, why would anyone want to have no sexual desires, personally I cannot think of anything worse? Daniel

If I dont eat breakfast I feel sluggish the whole day, eat something even if its just a fruit/veggie juice that will raise your energy levels and keep you focused throughout the day. In terms of improving your physique just do the basics, Hindu Pushups, Hindu Squats and Crunches, work upto some decent numbers everyday in these exercise and you will be shedding fat and gainig muscle.

You're right it does lack a little detail, I guess I just like simple things becasue its easier to comprehend, one thing is he doesn't state what the benefit of each posture is. At the moment Ive re-discovered Da Liu's books and just finished "Toaist Health Exercises" and ordered his Tai Chi and Meditation book as well, what I like about Da Liu is he doesn't try to dictate how one should live there life in regards to Morals and Ethics. This is the one thing about Mater Ni that Im not ready for at this stage, in his book he says stuff like we must let go of sexual desires and not have too much sex if we want to obtain spiritual fullfillment, personally I just cannot follow that way of life. I do these practices to cultivate Chi as well as mental clarity and physical strength, I look at these practices as a way to empower me and enable to live a happy and health life. Daniel

For more info on Cod Liver oil go to nyctaoist.com, its in one of the blogs. Daniel

I used to take Long Jack & Tribulis stack, great for energy and sexual performance but I found my blood pressure was raised and often had headaches and pressure in my head. I take cordyceps for immune system and gladular health as well as Cod Liver Oil which also increases testosterone. Daniel

I Personally think seated meditation is much better, I have been reading some of Master Hua Ching Ni's work and he is a big believer is seated emptiness mediation, in his book he states that 20 minutes of pure emptiness meditation done properly is better then 2 hours of exercise for your energy. For me nothing has worked better then emptiness meditation for clearing my mind and clutivating Chi. Daniel

Techniques I use are: Cold Showers Stretching Shaking the body ( as if shaking water of the body) really good for relaxing the muscle and improving blood flow. Meditation Daniel