Fu_dog

Hi Aki-Dan - Congrats on beginning Flying Phoenix Qigong....I wish you well on your path! If you have the same experience I had when I first started, you definitely feel there is a different (in a very good way) type of energy associated with the FP mediations. 20 min is a good start, however, you will eventually want to work up to the point where you are getting about 45 minutes per day minimum. That's Sifu's recommendation and I have found that to be good advice. I find when you do the FP exercises one after the other, each one feels stronger than the proceeding. On one of his video's Sifu Terry mentions the energy is "cumulative" and I believe that's what he's talking about. As far as having trouble sleeping, I am not sure about the cause, however I am guessing it will be a temporary thing. I had a little issue with sleeping when I first started FP, but only if I practiced at night (which I often do). That said, I can comment on some of the FP meditations with respect to sleep. I found FP Basic Seated #2 (50 30 10) to be good for sleep when done in the night, within an hour or so of going to bed. Also, the first exercise on the Vol 7 Advanced Seated DVD (50 20 10) is really good for sleep, especially when practiced in the evening. This has been confirmed by a number of people. Note the similarity of percentage breath sequences on these two exercises. On the other hand, I found out from experience that the FP Basic Seated Meditation #6 (90 80 50 20) if done at night is like drinking a double expresso! It will definitely keep you awake. When I asked, Sifu Terry validated this (probably with a slight smile as he typed.) So that's a better FP mediation for the morning as a wake-me-up. A good routine is to practice FP twice per day, once in the morning, once at night. Sifu suggests Standing FP in the AM, Seated FP in the PM. That definitely works for me. That said, quite often I only have time for a single session (I try to get an hour of practice in) and I do Standing followed by Seated. Aki-Dan, responding to your post has just motivated me to get going, so I am going to stop typing and start my FP practice on this fine Sunday morning. All the best with your FP practice! Fu dog

Welcome back Sifu Terry.... I know you have a plate full with your legal battles (I hope they are going well), so I really very much appreciate your time to visit this site. Your comments are always insightful. Even when you are explaining things that have been discussed before, you often add a twist that is valuable to insight. So, I also want to go back to an earlier discussion on the *nature* of the energy cultivated by FP qigong. Early in the life of this Flying Phoenix thread, I asked about good and evil energy. On some level I believe we concluded that these exist. That said, it also seemed to me, if I interpreted correctly, that the energy cultivated by FP is a neutral energy. Not good or evil. Flying Phoenix is definitely a powerful healing energy. Assuming I am correct so far, then my question is this: Isn't an energy that is healing in nature inherently good? As always, Sifu, I appreciate your insights / comments. Thanks, Fu dog

I haven't found the Tao of golf. One good shot, 3 bad ones. Thinking (and cursing) too much I suppose.

Aki-Dan - To estimate time when I was beginning my FP practice, I counted my breaths. When doing qigong I take about 3 breaths per minute, so that was easy for me to estimate time that way. A typical timer beeps, and I found that to be too disruptive to the peaceful state of mind created by FP. Counting breaths for me was much better. Over several months of practice, however, I got away from counting breaths as I got a better feel for the passage of time while doing FP. And, as I mentioned in my last post I eventually forgot about breath altogether while doing FP, after the initial percentage breath sequence to start the meditation. As for practicing the FP Seated meditations in a chair, last year I had to do that for a few weeks because of a knee injury that would not let me sit cross legged. I got good results from that also. All the best, Fu dog

Aki-Dan - I am happy to answer. Starting with eyes open is fine. It won't take you very long to do the meditations comfortably with eyes closed. Take your time. Learn one at a time. When you are completely comfortable, and can do it eyes closed then you can begin learning a second one. For me, actually, I started by purchasing Vol. 2. I had done lots of standing qigong over the years and was really interested in a seated qigong. I learned one at a time. I was not in a hurry. I learned about meditation per week, so the six Seated took me about six weeks. That said, you may learn faster. Just go with what feels right for you. Question: When I first started did I think of the movements or calm my mind? Answer: When I first started and always, after the initial breathing sequence I try to allow my mind to go to a state of calm. As clear and calm as possible will still doing the movements. Now, for me in the beginning this was much easier because I started with the seated FP in Vol. 2. Seated for me was very comfortable and calming. After I finished Vol 2 began Vol 1, I found while doing the standing FP my mind could only get so calm because after several minutes my legs will begin to scream they are tired. It has been my experience with each passing month of practice, my mind became calmer, calmer while doing Flying Phoenix. Now, after 16 months of practicing FP, my state of mind becomes almost wu-ji, meaning completely "empty". The link to consciousness is only the movements themselves. The state of mind is a little hard to describe, but it is indescribably wonderful. So where does my mind go? To nearly a "no mind" state, with consciousness linking only to the FP movements. Question: Is there any combination I might suggest for a newby? Answer: Yes. Do Standing FP followed by Seated FP. I still do that now. The Standing are more energizing, the Seated more calming. That works really well for me. A little more advice: Sifu Terry recommends once a week or so, do *all* the meditations in Vol 1. Another day (or session) do *all* the mediations in Vol 2. This is a powerful thing to do. I still do this also. Sifu has said, and I can completely agree from my own experience, that the "basic" FP meditations really are not so basic. OK, you didn't ask but I will share a little more about the path I have taken. I must admit I learned the FP Volumes a bit out of order. Here is my sequence of learning: Vol 2 - Six Seated Vol 1 - Five Standing Vol 3 - Two Standing Vol 7 - Five Advanced Seated Vol 4 - FP Celestial Healing Meditation I have just finished Vol 4. I found the FPCHM to be something *really* special. I have become absolutely hooked on it. I do FPCHM every night, and I find myself very much looking forward to it every day. I won't describe what happens on this post....one day you will get to experience it for yourself. After FPCHM, I do some seated FP. All this said, I still consider myself a beginner. The Flying Phoenix system continues to reveal things to me, continues to refine itself as I practice. Sifu Garry had said this would happen. I have found FP to be very good for health. I have not gotten sick in a long time now. In a few weeks I will begin Vol 5 - Five 90 Second Power Meditations. This is the last available FP Volume. Hope this helps. Any other questions, please feel free to ask. All the best with your practice. Fu dog

+1 with WTM. After the initial breathing sequence, you may forget about breath altogether.

Ralis - Vol 1 *is* wonderful. That said, as you progress you'll find that only scratches the surface of this qigong. You are in for a treat as you continue. Fu dog

Audiohealing - There is some really excellent advice from the posters on this thread. All have posted good info...I enjoyed reading it. Regarding Flying Phoenix specifically, I will give you my experience. When I first started practicing Flying Phoenix, for some reason it just didn't feel right for me. I actually started and stopped three times during the first year I tried doing it. I was instead practicing some of Wong Kiew Kit's qigong and tai chi in the AM and then Spring Forest Qigong in the PM. I just felt sort of strange after the breathing sequences. It's hard to describe. But I never felt anger or frustration, etc. I just felt that there was *something* to be found/experienced in the Flying Phoenix system that I was missing. And I wanted to find it. So, after that year of on again/off again practice of FP, I made a little change. It was this: When doing the percentage breathing, I really focused on my lower dan tien, especially feeling it fill with qi with each inhale cycle. That was a turning point for me. Also, after that I focused on the six basic seated FP exercises for about 4 months before adding the basic standing. That was my experience, so I am hoping that may be of help to you. That said, given what you have described, I might suggest (and this is only my personal advice) that as you begin your routine that you spend the first 20 or 30 minutes doing seated deep abdominal breathing (i.e., to the lower dan tien). After that, then begin your Flying Phoenix meditations. If you try this abdominal breathing, while doing it clear the mind of thought, only focus on your breath (qi) moving into the dan tien. When a thought or feeling arises, gently clear it. Your only focus is on the qi following the breath into the dan tien. That, to my mind is the most basic of qigong practices, and sometimes it's good to start with the most basic thing. I wish you all the best along your path, and am anxious to see how it goes with your continued practice. Good luck! Fu dog

Aki-Dan - I agree with Lief and will also add a little more from my own experience. You completely disassociate your breathing from the movements, such that after the breathing sequence to start each exercise, you can effectively forget about your breathing if you wish and simply concentrate on the movements. If you have taken tai chi, which coordinates breathing and movement, you'll find this to be quite a departure. So, it may take a little getting used to, however, the effects are quite strong. And, I believe you'll find they become stronger with each successive FPCK exercise. After practicing regularly for a month or two, I found the sensation of qi on my hands and arms to be quite extraordinary. Hopefully you will soon enjoy similar experiences with practice (if you haven't already). I wish you well with your journey with your Flying Phoenix practice!

Sifu Terry - This is a tangential question, however, one I want to ask. Please give your opinion on practicing FP with jewelry. Do you recommend removing all? Some? When I practice, I always remove all from hands/wrists, but often leave on a gold necklace. Your thoughts? Thanks, Lloyd

Sykkel - Interesting answer, especially regarding meditation. I am trying to decide how much to emphasize meditation vs. qigong. Do you find meditation balancing? energizing? both? I am interested in hearing about the benefits you are experiencing. Also, how many minutes per day are you doing?

Sifu Terry - Thanks for your excellent response. It's very exciting to learn you are planning not only to add to your Chi Kung for Health DVD series, but also to do some seminars in selected cities. VERY COOL! Actually, after I asked the question it occurred to me than any of us can double the benefits of the FP practice simply by doubling the hours we practice. Input = Output. Regarding coming out to LA to work with you privately, that would work for me. My brother in law lives in Orange County, so on my next visit out to SoCal, I would love to come out to do just that. That would be really a highlight and of course I would give you as much heads up time as possible. In the meantime, I wish you all the best as you work your way through the legal battles you are in the midst of. Hopefully you prevail sooner rather than later. Best wishes always, Lloyd

Sifu Terry - Ralis asked a good question and you provided an excellent answer. Net-net, the material on the Flying Phoenix DVD's represent only a portion of the FP system. There are additional meditations, herbal recipes, etc. So, I have some questions on behalf of all of us who are "distance learners": After we have finished learning all of the FP meditations on your DVD series, and after we are practicing them for a sufficient period of time to gain proficiency with them, what do you recommend as a next step in our learning process? Or, do you recommend a next step? And if yes, how would we proceed? Are you planning on adding any additional advanced FP meditations to your DVD series? Thanks, Lloyd

Sifu Garry - Awesome vids!!! As you make more over time, please keep sharing. Thanks, Fu Dog

The girls start to look better after I have a few Guinness drafts, so it definitely helps my jing.

Rene - To your question: I believe you will find Sifu Terry's response to a similar question I asked very useful. Here is my question: And here is Sifu Terry's response: During my Flying Phoenix meditations, I have been going with the "no focus at all" and find this is giving me the best results. Hope this helps. Lloyd

Rene - I can weigh in on your question as to whether it would be better to do FP first in the morning before pushups, pull ups, etc. I will draw from my experience. About 15 years ago, I took a legitimate kung fu (Wah Lum Northern Praying Mantis Style). The Master, Chan Poi, taught both tai chi and kung fu. Master Chan would always have us do tai chi first, and then the kung fu. That seemed to work very well. Master Chan did not want to see tight muscles during tai chi, as he wanted the movements to be smooth and fluid. So, if I can extrapolate from that experience, you should do Flying Phoenix first, for the same reason. If you do the FP meditations first then your movements will be more fluid, smooth and flowing. Doing the harder yang exercises (push ups, pull ups, etc.) after FP would seem to make more sense. Hope this helps. Lloyd

Sifu Garry - You will very much be missed. You started your contributions very early in this thread. I hope you drop in from time to time, as your comments and perspectives are always appreciated. In the meantime, I will continue remember your advice: "Persistence!". Best wishes always, Lloyd

Sifu Terry - Glad you could drop in to post on the forum. Hope you soon get your legal issues resolved to your satisfaction. Gung hay fat choy in this Year of the Rabbit! Lloyd

Sifu Garry - I appreciate your taking the time to make the very viable point about Sifu Terry's program of Flying Phoenix qigong. Your comment about Sifu - Student relationships make sense and are on point. Sifu Terry teaches Flying Phoenix as a progressive, powerful system of esoteric qigong. I am only scratching the surface of the system, and it's been life changing. Your comment in an earlier post about there being things hidden within the system...well, I have recently discovered one of them after 14 months of practice. I have to think more of those "hidden" things you mentioned will be revealed to me over time. I had the good fortune to have a conversation with Sifu Terry just as I was beginning to practice his FP system, and his passion and enthusiasm for the system, as well as his overall knowledge of qigong is very impressive. I was sold from that moment on, and consider myself one of his long distance students. He has always answered every question I have asked and I feel it is an honor and a privilege to have this relationship with Sifu Terry. Distance learning is a good thing, eh. ;-) So, thank you for your comments and contributions to the board Sifu Garry. Lloyd

Ronko - Usually if practicing any good qigong (such as Flying Phoenix) causes discomfort, it is because the energy is cleansing something (i.e., an energy, an illness or an injury). So, it's usually a very good sign that your qigong is working for you. I would advise you to work on through the discomfort as it will eventually subside and then go away. And then whatever was being cleansed will be out of your body. This is a good thing. Also, if you are feeling stiff, I recommend you do a full stretching routine before you begin your Flying Phoenix practice. Stretching releases tension from the muscles and also serves to open energy channels. I myself stretch at night before beginning the practice of Flying Phoenix meditations to release the stress of the day. The full stretching for me makes a significant difference in the effectiveness of the FP. I feel the energy of each exercise more if I have stretched ahead of time. I haven't seen GMDW's video, but perhaps I will buy it over the weekend. All the best with your practice. Lloyd

Sifu Garry - Thanks for your good wishes as we begin the Year of the Rabbit. Likewise, Happy Chinese New Year to you.... I wish you every success! Lloyd

Shen - You ask an interesting question. I am not qualified to answer as I am not understanding of the requirements to enter the astral plane, and for me that has not been an objective of my Flying Phoenix meditation practice. That said, I can give you a couple points that may partially answer your question. I can testify to the tremendous energy generated by the Flying Phoenix system. The energy is powerful, but at the same time quite gentle in nature. First, when I first started practicing, my body could not take more than about 5 minutes of practice as it simply wasn't used to the energy created by the FP meditations. It took me about 60 days before I could comfortably experience the FP energy generated by 60 minutes or more at a practice session. So, the energy is quite tangible. Second, before I started the practice of FP, I was in the dermatologist office 3 to 4 times a year getting one or more keratosis (small benign skin growth) removed from my skin. Since I started FP practice 14 months ago, I have only had to go to the dermatologist once to have a keratosis removed, and that was after a one month period that I was not able to practice FP much due to my work schedule. So, for all practical purposes, the Flying Phoenix energy, which is a rather profound healing energy, has cured me of the keratosis issue I was having. Third, the energy created by Flying Phoenix has had a profound effect on my appearance. I am 56 years old, and my face shows my age. However, during those periods when I can practice Flying Phoenix for at least one hour a day for 5 or more consecutive days, the lines on my face disappear! For me this is especially true when I practice long routines of seated meditations. My skin becomes smooth and I have an appearance of looking 10 years younger. Other people have posted this exact same experience. This phenomenon quite amazing to people who know me, and they have commented on this. So, I have not attempted to answer your question directly, however, I can give testament to the powerful healing energetics generated by the practice of the Flying Phoenix system. Hope this helps. Lloyd

Dale - Thanks for the really nice report of your initial experiences with FP Qigong. Also your story of communicating with Puxian was awesome. Amazing really. I will be interested to hear your experiences as you progress into the practice. I have found that I "learn" the practice through experience. I am going on month 14, though it sounds like you will progress faster than I have. My pace of learning has been slower. Right now I am learning my last FP exercise, the long standing Celestial Healing form. I have already learned all the others including the Advanced Seated...those are really my favorites. I know you will like them when you get to them. As for my experiences, I have not had any direct visions while doing FP, however, the energy clearly seems to communicate to me on a higher level. Some of the things I experience while practicing: - surge of upward moving energy. - hair on arms feeling like it's standing on end. - feeling of very warm pockets of energy (very tangible, almost like warm air) in the are of my arms / chest / face. Even on cooler days I feel this. - my mind has slowly migrated to nearly a wu chi state while doing FP. The FP energy seems to manifest itself without any coaxing on my part. This is very cool, actually. - a cumulative effect of energy; i.e., it builds with each consecutive FP exercise. - a feeling now that there really are no "basic" exercises in the system. After 14 months I feel a tremendous amount of energy from every single FP exercise. - a very "thick" feel to the qi as I do the hand movements...this thick feeling of qi in turn slows my movements, lets me know my movement speed limit - the slower the movement the better. Or I could say the slower the more energy is generated. Sometimes my hands move so slowly that I think to an observer my movements would be barely discernible. I feel amazing energy in micro-movement as I go through the complete forms. This is especially true with the Advanced Seated meditations. I have not yet set aside an hour (or two) and allowed myself to move as slowly as the Flying Phoenix allows me to move. One day I will do this. Sifu refers to me as a beginner, and I agree completely with his assessment (he is uncanny accurate with his long distance assessments, BTW). So, if I am just scratching the surface, I can only look forward to a tremendous degree to my next year of practice. Please keep the board posted as to your progress. Thanks, Lloyd

Hi chakra - From my own experience I will agree with wtm. There are really no warm ups required to do any of the Flying Phoenix qigong exercises. That said, I usually do some warm up, though often it's nothing more than 3 to 5 minutes of abdominal breathing, or perhaps some stretching. Hope this helps.