ChiDragon

No problem.... All the answers are there to be found. The mitochondria are the production centers for ATP. They do their hardest work inside the brain. As a matter of fact, the brain consumes 20% of the body's oxygen and 50% of the sugars we get from our diet. The brain is unable to store ATP and the mitochondria are unable to share ATP from other mitochondria that exist in other organs. In other words, if the mitochondria in your brain stop producing ATP, the ATP produced by the mitochondria in your heart cannot help out. Ref: ATP in the brain

You might have a breathing problem. First you have to establish a baseline in your breathing. It can be done by taken a breath as deep as you can but do not force yourself to go farther down then you can. Now, every time when you breathe stop at the baseline for few days, weeks, or months. The goal is try to breath slowly to pass the baseline in a time frame. Eventually, your breath may seem to be reached down to the abdomen. Then you were considered to be successfully doing your abdominal breathing or the two main meridians had been connected or cleared the meridian channels which know as the Macro-orbit(internal alchemy).

Not really! The only reason I did that was to balance the sizes to for the eyes. Otherwise, they would look like this in size 2: 緣份 (yuanfen): Serendipity; Kismet; happenstance; it was meant to be; predestined

The character 氣(chi) alone does not mean pressure. It has to compound with another character 壓(ya) to mean pressure. 氣壓(chi ya): pressure Ki is the energy that powers intention Ki is the Japanese pronunciation for 氣(chi) in Chinese. Actually Ki = Chi.....

The oxygenated blood flows in the arteries not in the veins. FYI The blood in the veins is full of carbon dioxide, CO2, returning the heart to send to the lungs to be released by exhalation. Yes, you start to feel more energetic is because the more oxygen which helps to generate more ATP in the cells.

Chi is a very peculiar character in the Chinese language. We have to be very careful how to interpret it. In a phrase, we must interpret it within context from inside out rather than outside in. Actually, it would be meaningless without context.

Chi is a very peculiar character in the Chinese language. We have to be very careful how to interpret it. In a phrase, we must interpret it within context from inside out rather than outside in. In Chi Kung, Chi is 'air' or 'breathing'. In TCM, Chi is the essential substance of the body or the universe or the functional activities of the internal organs. In biochemistry, ATP is Chi which is energy. If we go from outside in by assuming that Chi is 'energy', then we have lost the whole battle.....

緣份 (yuanfen): Serendipity; Kismet; happenstance; it was meant to be; predestined

The ZZ position in the top middle picture is the most common and fundamental position. Putting the hands in the front gives more stabilization for the body to maintain balance. It seems like holding a tree. It was commonly known as "embracing an urn" to the Chinese. You can try to bend your knees while having the hands held back; and see if you are off balance very easily. Now, put your hands in front as shown in the picture. Do you feel more stable with the hands in the front position....???

I am trying to avoid using the the word "accurate" or "inaccurate" by using the words "basic fundamental". That will leave room for expansion. I will not say that I am all accurate, I will only say that is to my understanding and leave room for the reader to evaluate what was given. I always try to look at matters objectively as simple as possible for clarity. I can always add on other stuffs. Indeed, I do grant you that some instructors do use alternate method on top of the most basic fundamentals but it may not be in all cases. PS.... Please feel free to discuss the basic fundamentals. Please keep in mind that Tai Ji Chuan is Tai Ji Chuan, It doesn't belong to anybody. The different styles may be vary but the basic concept is still the same.

This is only my understanding. It doesn't apply to any particular style, but based for answering your question sake. In general, before I going into any style, I must get the fundamental straight to avoid confusing myself with other stuffs. Here are the fundamentals: 1. Zhan Zhuang is basically a horse stance standing with the knees bend at a comfortable angle for building up muscle tone(harden the muscles). 2. Chi Kung is always involves in breathing. However, lots of people don't think so and that is where the confusion begins and contradicting in the Chi Kung practice. In addition, it causes lots of miscommunication among themselves. Zhan Zhuang is almost a requirement for all martial arts except Tai Chi Chuan. I have started practicing TCC since 1975. I was never told to do Zhan Zhuang to begin with at any time. Indeed, there was no doubt that Chi Kung is in part of TCC practice. If I use a little common sense, then I probably could come up with some good reasoning within the definitions above. There are many movements in TCC with the knee bend standing on one leg alternately with the other leg. Standing on one leg with bending of the knee that fits the description of Zhan Zhuang. In addition, the slow body movements also was guiding the breathing during practice which is considered to be Chi Kung. If one could follow these thoughts, then everything will fall into place. Leaning too many styles and listening to too many teachers will just be more confusing. It is not the more the merrier concept here.

This thread is still active and open for discussion on Tai Ji Chuan with no restriction to block anybody out.

I am trying to avoid using the the word "accurate" or "inaccurate" by using the words "basic fundamental". That will leave room for expansion. I will not say that I am all accurate, I will only say that is to my understanding and leave room for the reader to evaluate what was given. I always try to look at matters objectively as simple as possible for clarity. I can always add on other stuffs. Indeed, I do grant you that some instructors do use alternate method on top of the most basic fundamentals but it may not be in all cases.

This is only my understanding. It doesn't apply to any particular style, but based for answering your question sake. In general, before I going into any style, I must get the fundamental straight to avoid confusing myself with other stuffs. Here are the fundamentals: 1. Zhan Zhuang is basically a horse stance standing with the knees bend at a comfortable angle for building up muscle tone(harden the muscles). 2. Chi Kung is always involves in breathing. However, lots of people don't think so and that is where the confusion begins and contradicting in the Chi Kung practice. In addition, it causes lots of miscommunication among themselves. Zhan Zhuang is almost a requirement for all martial arts except Tai Chi Chuan. I have started practicing TCC since 1975. I was never told to do Zhan Zhuang to begin with at any time. Indeed, there was no doubt that Chi Kung is in part of TCC practice. If I use a little common sense, then I probably could come up with some good reasoning within the definitions above. There are many movements in TCC with the knee bend standing on one leg alternately with the other leg. Standing on one leg with bending of the knee that fits the description of Zhuang Zhan. In addition, the slow body movements also was guiding the breathing during practice which is considered to be Chi Kung. If one could follow these thoughts, then everything will fall into place. Leaning too many styles and listening to too many teachers will just be more confusing. It is not the more the merrier concept here.

Daniel Reid has written a book with the title: A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung ISBN 1-57062-337-6 ISBN 1-57062-543-3(pbk). IMO It is the best book has ever been written by a westerner.

Where is the pit.....???

I think this is the best time and place to clear up the definition of 氣(Chi). "一口氣" in the phrase, linguistically, The worse translation would be "a mouthful of energy". The best translation is "a mouthful of breath". Thus it implicates that Chi in Chi Kung(氣功) is breathing. Chi Kung is the method of breathing. With more emphasis on the method, it would be the "ultimate method of breathing". 內練一口氣: The best translation for this phrase would be: Neigong is to practice in breathing. PS... For those who wish to continue to believe that Chi or Qi as energy is fine. Eventually, that is what it was at the end but not before you breathe.

A wise man relies on his mentality. No physical experience required......

I think there was something missing and not complete in the thought of "Practice a mouthful of breath". Based on your understanding, what is behind the "internal practice" besides a mouthful of breath....???

Boy...!!! Isn't this confusing.....

"內練一口氣 (Internally practice a mouthful of breath/qi.)" I am glad that the original concept reveals itself that 氣(qi) is breath. May I add: 1. Externally practice was for the tendons, bones and skin. 2. Internal practice, besides a mouthful of breath, it was mainly for the internal organs. Otherwise, they wouldn't call it 'internal' for nothing. There is still a little more needs to be addressed for emphasizing the "internal practice". Perhaps some other time.

I would, definitely, take the advice from this wise man.....

Yes, I would like to hear that too. It is not the difference of qigong and neigong, but helps. However, it would be more helpful if we can hear the difference between Waigong(外功) and Neigong(內功).

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Have you noticed that the Koreans talk with a deep voice. It is because they talk from the dan tien. BTW The Koreans have a scream day. They have a custom to yell the ass off all day long from the morning and on, once a year, in the streets.