phore

Look up the 12 chi meridians corresponding to organs. When the chi flows down it will route into the inside and back of leg and wind under the feet( yin side). Then it begins flowing up the front and outside of leg and winds around to join the governor vessel. It's similar for the arms. The yin channels alternate into the yang channels. In practice don't over think it, but knowing the general pathways will help to get a feel.

Hello, I am aware of the practice of zhan zhuang within taichi chuan. In books I have encountered references to wu chi stance, great circle stance (taichi stance, hugging the tree), and on guard stances( cat stance.). I have also seen a description of using the individual positions in the forms as stances (such as white crane spreads wings or single whip). I have read "Chi Kung the Way of Power" by Lam Kam Chuen and it describes a standing stakes routine for Da Cheng Chuan. This seems effective, however I would appreciate some resources or advice on the practice of Zhan Zhuang within tai-chi. Lovelight

Actually Dilberts author Scott Adams book " the Dilbert Future" was what first introduced metaphysics to me when I was 11. He has a chapter which discusses some basic components of quantum theory (Venetian bind pattern experiment, and Schrödinger's cat). It also discusses affirmations and the law of attraction. Is anyone familiar with Dr. Yang Jwing-Mings books concerning taichi chuan. I've read a few of his other books and found them very accurate and detailed. Love light Tony

Thanks guys. I was holding a medium horse stance for over 20minutes without too much difficulty. I began practicing the lower horse stance and then added some additional postures. For the most part I practice remaining relaxed but firm(sung). Thank you Mal I begin by practicing the KAP qigong 1&2. Then the first jury. I open with wuchi then the stances& ding shi. I also use the lifting water and snake creeps through grass as moving qigong. I will then proceed with with KAP qigong 3&4 (orbits). Then I will do my taichi form. Afterwards I will close down. I have been doing gtummo during seated meditation. After about a week of this combination I feel phenomonal. I have noticed significant improvements in my taichi forms. Love light Tony

Thank you dwai I have tried the ding shi the past few days. It seems to have a positive effect. I have been choosing a posture for its basic stance ( bow, weighted on one leg, or balanced on one leg). I will then hold the posture on one side then invert it, from right to left, and hold on the other side. (With exceptions, for example: instead of inverting ward off left, I will switch to ward off right.) This seems effective standing exercises. I have also been holding them low for the purposes of Zhan zhuang training. I am still using the great circle in a low horse stance, as well as wuchi and cross hands. Love light Tony

Thank you for clarifying the point concerning Wong Kiew Kits training methods. In training in wongkks method after wuchi should one hold the taichi stance then horse stance? In lam kam chuens book it recommends beginning with a high circle stance and slowly lower as ones training progresses. "Lower and longer" On the subject of ding shi, is it used to build fajing? I have seen descriptions of the different stances transmitting different types of fajing in the "taichi classics" by Waysun Liao

http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=437 Here is a link to a forum discussing this. Apparently the yang family has students hold static taichi postures. Also in regards to Wong Kiew Kit. He recommends a basic posture called the three circle stance, unless the student wants to pesue a deeper practice. Then he recommends the deeper horse stance and other postures. I have ordered Waysun Liaos book. Lovelight

Thanks all. I have encountered the concept of holding taichi postures before. In "pathnotes of an American ninja master" Glenn Morris recommends static taichi postures held like yoga poses. Lovelight

Could you point me to some of the titles with extensive Zhan Zhuang material. Thank you Lovelight

Thank you. I am familiar with the wuchi stance. I will have to look into these books. I am particularly interested in waysun Liaos book. I have read the taichi classics but have lost my copy. Does he have any additional material pertaining to standing meditation in tai chi chuan. I notice he has some seminars on DVD available through his website.

Even emptiness can be a sticking point. Neither empty nor full, just so. Lovelight

In my experiences relationship issues can benefit from being in the center. As a person becomes centered they will become aware of their own hang ups/ sticking points. The person may recognize that they are expending energy repressing emotions, entertaining overly sexual thoughts or creating excessive fear and anxiety in their relationships with people. As the person becomes aware of his hang ups, through the process of continual awareness one can change them. The important part to remember is that you are originally uncontrived and free. Your problems are created by conditioning (from this life and past lives). When sort out the unnecessary habits that are wasting your energy your entire life will flow naturally. From this perspective it is beneficial to work with chakras and points. Many relationship issues can resolved by freeing up the energies habitually caught up in the lower chakras. However focusing on certain points too much will likely create more hang ups than it will resolve. For a simple direct approach I recommend allowing more unconditional love into ones life. Love yourself as you are. Love yourself enough to make a conscious effort to let go of old habits. Love others as they are. Love them enough to allow them to let go of their old habits. This generally helps relativity to flow more smoothly. I say this at the risk of talking too much Lovelight

When looking over Taoist literature in history there are two periods of time when focusing on different points in the body are dominant. In the Song Dynasty groups of Tao practitioners began focusing on points to build energy and astral projection. This died out until the 20th century. In the writings of 20th century Tao practitioners there is a very large amount of literature concerning concentration on points. It is the recent wave of Tao philosophy that has trickled into the west. Many experienced Chinese practicioners in the last century have advised against focusing on a specific point . This can build excess energy in the point and cause chi sickness. Off balance points can either be excessively full or deficient. In Tao literature you can find many references to "the center". In modern literature you find many authors equating this with the lower dantien. If you read the literature of complete reality Tao, chan, and the alchemical classics you find a very different concept of center. Liu iming a master of the northern complete reality school even lists excessive focus on points among his abbarant practices that miss the mark. When you read he literature of these schools, the center is about finding the harmonoious flow of energy and awareness within your life. It is a very subtle concept. In the writings of chuang tzu and chan masters it is necessary to let go of hang ups and remove the sticking points of your awareness to enter this centered state. From this perspective focusing on the any dantien excessively might be considered counterproductive. Love light

Hello. I have been looking into schools of traditional Chinese medicine. I would like a program that is accepted by the acaom, and offers completely online training. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Well I suppose that at this point it's idle curiosity. I would like to go to a school but it would have to be in the future as I do not have enough money to pay tuition. I was researching schools and I have noticed that I am in the middle of a large area with no tcm schools. Thus I asked about online training. I have taken some basic courses in a university where almost everything was offered as either a physical or online course. I took some of both and found the online courses to be just as effective as the physical courses. Later I went to massage therapy school and got my liscense. I have noticed that massage CEU courses can be taken online as well. This seems to be a trend in education. Though I tend to agree that moving qigong, bodywork, and acupuncture could need some hands on training.

I noticed that Everglades university offers a bachelors degree in alternative health sciences. This is completely online and includes some acupuncture classes. I don't think it's accepted by acaom though. Regarding the Alberta College. Would I be able to take their online classes then transfer to a different school to complete the clinical training. I know this is possible with regular universities.

Sorry, I should be more specific. In the taichi forms ones feet will end up in different directions based on the particular move. However for the purpose of wuchi or horse stance In the Wong Kiew kit indicated that they should be held with feet parallel. I believe that this is even practiced in yang style taichi. In Terrence Dunns video "Tai chi for health" he teaches the yang forms. In the warmup exercises such as horse and wuchi stances, circling and snake creeps through grass he indicates that the feet should be parallel.

I will add some things I haven't seen brought up. Nei gong. In "Tai chi classics" it details a standing meditation for developing internal power in the martial arts. It involves breathing into the individual bones of the body. I have lost the book so I can not post the entire method. On the subject of knee injury In Wong Kiew Kits book "the complete book of tai chi chuan" he attributes knee injury as a western phenomenon. He claims that in china knee injury is extremely rare. He claims that the fundamental difference is that in traditional practice the feet are always parallel. In many western traditions the the foot placement is at 45 degree angles outwards. This is an addition from western medical science. I verified this in my practices and placing the feet parallel seems to align the knee and leg bones. It feels much better. Lovelight

Hey I'm looking for some translations of the Vedas and upanishads. I am not interested in commentaries, just the texts. I like Thomas clearys translations of Taoist and Buddhist literature. I also like jaidev Singhs translations of Kashmir siviah literature. Any recommendations? Lovelight Tony

Thankyou.

Oh yea amazon is the only place I shop these days. Thanks for the link Lovelight Tony

I'm not particularly adverse to commentary. I have enjoyed Ksemejaras commentary on the siva sutras. I also liked liu I-Mings commentary on understanding reality. I prefer the texts in book form. I would like some sort of compendium with many of the texts in one volume. I would like to know some quality translators before buying a book. Thanks for your reply Love-light Tony

Hey I found this. http://www.momenthotsprings.com/ It is a large meditation meeting. It Is being held October 20, 2012 In Hot Springs AR. (2 weeks) Looks like some good speakers. They expect a large turnout. Hope to see some Taobums. Love and Light Tony

that which has no substance, enters into that which has no space. -tao te ching

http://lovebliss.eu/Meditation.htm I found this link. It has some nice pranayama. Love and light