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Hello everyone, First, I want to say thank you. I have been reading through many forums trying to deepen my understanding and have benefited greatly from the conversations many of you have had within the different topics of the forum. Even though I have benefitted greatly I still have a lot to learn which is why I am now writing this post in order to ask for advice. As a background, I am a 26-year-old male from Ontario, Canada. My lifestyle hasn't always been the healthiest, but of late it has become healthier, though since getting a puppy it does make it difficult for me to leave the home outside of work for prolonged periods of time. At least that is the case for now. This makes it hard for me to pursue the idea of finding a master/teacher to study under. I am not even sure if there is a master from a good lineage near me and honestly I am not exactly sure how to go about finding that out. That being said I don't wish to just be waiting around. I want to start building a foundation now so that, karma willing, when I do find a teacher I will be in a place where they can begin to teach me. Thanks to Earl Grey I was pointed in the direction of Flying Phoenix, which seems like a perfect fit at least for now of a complete chi kung practice to follow in order to start building a foundation. I do have a couple of concerns though. Does it matter that I currently can't feel qi (chi)? Will practicing the methods from percentage breathing to forms allow me, over time, to start to feel qi and cultivate it to the basic level of mastery for Flying Phoenix? My next concern is about flexibility. Honestly, other than my spine, the rest of my body is quite inflexible. What should I do to increase my flexibility? I know that some of the poses in the FP (Flying Phoenix) meditations insist on them being done in half-lotus, however currently as I said my body is quite inflexible. What kind of recommendations would you give in order to increase one's flexibility? Are there certain poses that you have found which really help to release the body? I have a few books on increasing one's flexibility I have been starting to follow. I just wanted to know if any of you had insights gained through experience that you would be willing to share. Thirdly, foundation building is an important aspect of martial arts. So much so that I am told that the internal arts usually aren't given to the students for years until they have built the proper foundations within their bodies for their bodies to be able to endure those arts. My third question is what kind of exercises, forms, weight training should I do in order to get my body into a healthier and more optimal state? Are there certain exercises/forms/poses that I should be practicing? Finally, I have a question about the mind. Only building a foundation within my body will create an imbalance between my body and mind. I also wish to strengthen my mind. As such, I plan on reading 'Secret of the Golden Flower', the first five books by Carlos Castaneda and 'Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines' by W.Y. Evans-Wentz. I am wondering if there are any other resources that you would recommend I read as well. I understand that everyone leads busy lives and perhaps doesn't have much time to sit down and respond to each of my questions, or any of my questions for that matter. However, I would be grateful for any wisdom and insight which you would be willing to impart. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope to hear back from you soon.

Hello! I've been involved in quite intense practice of spirituality aiming towards nondual realization for the last couple of years (meditation, trying to maintain "witness consciousness" as much as possible etc). On this path, I also stumbled on repressed emotions, energetic blockages, bodily contractions etc, and am currently experiencing quite intense and "restless" energy my body most of the time. For these reasons, I've also gotten involved in both different kinds of psychological work, as well as energy work. The energy work part of this path is primarily why I'm here. I've done different kinds of energy work (e.g. tai chi, reiki, different forms of qi gong) in the past, and in general not had much benefit or even effect from most of them. Quite recently I did some kundalini yoga (mostly Sat Kriya daily), and at least this seemed to have a bit more effect than most of the others. One of the possible effects was that I seemed to develop a back pain. Eventually I felt that that probably wasn't the ideal practice for me, perhaps too forceful or otherwise not the best fit currently. I stumbled upon a criticism of kundalini yoga from a qi gong perspective, where it was claimed that K.Y. focuses too much on raising the energy, whereas including also downwards movement would be beneficial to many, as is the case with most qi gong, e.g. with the "microcosmic orbit". This felt intuitively like it might be useful for me, so I started to look into qi gong again a bit more. After random connections, I ended up finding a thread here that recommended Flying Phoenix qi gong, and then got the first DVDs. So, long story short, I've now started practicing the Flying Phoenix qi gong from the first DVD as a kind of supplemental / adjunct part of my general nonduality path. The DVD leaves some things unclear (e.g. what kind of short daily practice routine would be recommended for 10-20 min per day), so first thing I want to do is to start reading the apparently massive thread (which I saw mentioned at TaichiMania website) at: http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/12639-flying-phoenix-chi-kung/?hl= flying phoenix chi kung Probably in the beginning I won't be posting very much, as I assume that most of my questions have probably already been asked and answered in that thread...

Hello, I am pretty much new to chi kung. Some months ago i purchased the first 3 Dvd volumes of Chi kung for Health (Flying Phoenix). I had started practicing this March for a week, but then as summer came around, I for some reason stopped (time constraints mostly). However, now I feel ready to start again and have discovered that there is apparently a thread just on this topic here! But how do I access it? Thanks, looking forward to practice! Rob

The book has been well edited and polished, and has been republished on Amazon. The Magus of Seattle Note: This is a new title, the original version is still available under the original title: A Lineage of Dragons The Magus of Seattle - The hidden Taoist Immortal who was Bruce Lee's uncle and kung fu teacher, and a life journey from the mundane to the supra normal. A true story of Masters and Students of the Mystical Life Force Martial Arts and beyond This is about the powerful qigong master and Taoist immortal who was Bruce Lee’s uncle, mentor, and main kung fu teacher. A true account of the hidden Taoist spiritual practices, it describes the nei kung he used to become one of the most powerful, and the amazing things experienced by the author. This book describes the Taoist spiritual path of the warrior wizard, a rare and powerful physical, emotional, and spiritual cultivation system. It describes some of the other amazing students of this master, some of who are reincarnations of dragons from the spirit realm. Contents 1 - The Andes Mountains 2 - The Art of Flying 3 - The Bruce Lee connection 4 - “We are Dragons” 5 - Early Adulthood 6 - Sai Baba 7 - Meeting the Master 8 - Practicing the Path of Power 9 - Enlightenment Experience 10 - My teaching 11 - The Star Wars Connection 12 - The Path of the Warrior Wizard 13 - The Taoist Path of the Immortal 14 - Chi Kung vs. Nei Kung 15 - Masters of the Way

I'm blessed to have 2 dedicated & knowledgable karate teachers. one (SJ) primarily teaches us fighting. the other (SM) teaches us katas, tai chi & chi Kung (mostly katas, tho) as a traditional Goju-ryu stylist, he's asked us to get deep in "Sanchin breathing kata"(SBK). its a walking hard chi Kung form. SBK uses sanchin stance/slow movement/posture/abdominal breathing/opening the microcosmic orbit. i ask SM a lot of questions, study sanchin info online & study Taoist meditation books/sites/vids (mantak chia/dr yang). SM also instructs us in sitting and standing eight pieces of brocade chi Kung. i believe this is is to build our chi to move in daily life, during SBK & god forbid, if we have to defend ourselves. i'm wondering if any one on here has any experience w/Sanchin & it's benefits.

I will intdoduce my shelf to all of you again after being absence long time from the martial arts and nei kung forums... I was taught the system of five animals and hard chi kung in the period 1992-2000 by Antonios Iatrakis in Heraklion Crete and I reached a teacher level (In 1997 I was given a black belt and the first Dan). This system is genealogy of Shu Pui Cheung, based in Philadelphia's China Town. The kung fu of this kind includes movements in combination with breath, such as the tiger associated with the bones, the crane associated with the nervous system, the leopard associated with power and speed, the snake associated with controlling the chi-prana (animal power) and finally the dragon, who combines all four previous animals into one and symbolizes spirit-perfection. On the journey of my internal search until 2008 I was taught, I received influences and guidance from several teachers, some of which are: Kostas Vrettos (wu taiji form and sword) Panayiotis Kontaxakis (chi kung of the sun, chi kung of the spine, iron shirt and opening the microcosmic track.) Master Don Ankut (Korean based in New York, from whom I taught iron shirt chi kung twenty-four animals and tai chi chi kung, dan tien chi kung) Wang ting jun (Xing Shen Zhuan) In the last ten years, I have practiced beside master Kenneth Bone (the only personal student of BO MA, a high-grade Buddhist monk and teacher at Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai), from whom I fully taught the following: 1. Chen taiji chuan 3 frames (new, old, small). The main feature of chen tai chi is the switching of slow and fast spiral movement as well as the explosions at the end of the movements, of course, if we choose it. Some of the benefits of the proper tai chi execution to health are the following: Due to the very slow and constant speed of movement (we can only choose slow motion, if our goal is health) the body muscles are stimulated at the cellular level while the heart pushes the blood even to the smaller capillaries. This makes tai chi an excellent cardiovascular exercise. At the same time, the muscular and neuronal control capacity is gradually increased at a more sophisticated level. During the exercise of tai chi, the soles of the feet as well as a part of our intent, our mind are rooted in the soil with consistency in addition to the external stability to gain emotional balance. In addition, during the execution of the form, alignments of some parts of the body are made, while others are symmetrically arranged in relation to specific axes and points. This makes the contribution of tai chi to the prevention and treatment of orthopedic problems decisive. Because of the spiral movements combined with the intent, chi is driven to the joints and from there to the bone marrow where the blood is produced. This helps to strengthen the bones, to clean the bone marrow and thus to better oxygenate and revitalize the body. It is, therefore, an excellent anti-aging exercise. The constant intention of pulling from the earth and the top of the head from the sky dilates, strengthens the spine and exalts the spirit. Finally, all our moves should be guided by our intention, with the consequence of pushing the chi to the various parts of the body.This is meditation in movement, which strengthens our macrocosmic orbit. White crane (white crane from the lineage of master wee kee jin perfrected in my opinion by the great buddhist monk BO MA). The feature of this system is the combination of breathing exercises, tendon nei kung and bone- chi vibrations. Wild goose if the execution is done by the secret method, it is one of the most effective energy practices that combines stretching exercises and light vibrations to open energy meridians as well as detoxify the body. It includes two forms for opening the microcosmic and macroscopic track, respectively. Each "move" of this form can be used individually as a separate exercise, aiming at specific benefits. Swimming Dragon.. Form with the main aim of exercising the kidneys and opening the third eye. Mara qigong This form deals entirely with the spine and with the opening of all acupuncture points left and right. It looks very much like yoga on the move with the palms of the hands united. Mo pai the proper one not the ritual and demonic one LOST KUNG FU SUSTEM iam also train a system of a series of 12 spiraling forms very old and very very rare !!!! when I asked my sifu to tell me the name of this system, told me that he did not knew the name and that his teacher never mentioned from where come from. I believe that these forms are arcetypes for pakua, taichi xing yi system

Hi guys, Im new to this forum so dont know what to expect. A little backstory on me: have been searching for truths in life for a long time, have a nagging urge to delve into spiritual and philisophical circles like this. Have read about Christianity, Hinduism, several yoga practices, Taoism, and various practices within it. I feel that chi kung could give me the most immediate help in opening the doors to further searching. But I cannot sense my chi. I have only begun practicing, and I understand that it may take time and definitly will take practice. I am regularly practicing, but I have heard stories of people who have not felt their chi for several years. Some may say that it will come to each at their own time, but I believe that this is an excuse for unawarness of effective methods. So my request is for anyone to give me insight on how to fasttrack my awareness of chi, may it be through books, opinions, or experience. Thanks so much!

99.99% of the time the best translation of प्राणायाम is "don't waste your breath..." There are (of course) other possibilities...

I have read in the book "China's Super Psychics" that most of the children who excelled at perceiving auras and different types of energy, were those who practiced chi kung from a young age. While it is too late for me to do it from a young age, there is no harm in starting now and seeing how far I get. However, the book did not say what specific type of chi kung these children practiced. If someone wanted to develop psychic abilities - specifically, the ability to perceive auras and qi energy - what is the best form of qigong for doing so? I am not at all adept at qigong, but I know its power. I recall my first ever qigong class - a woman instructor, dim but clear lighting, etc. And during that qigong session was the first time I ever saw a human aura - hers. It was golden/yellow in color, like a halo around her whole body, a subtle light with no apparent source. I abruptly stopped taking the class after that experience because I thought that it was too much for me, that I wasn't ready for that level of spiritual advancement (perceiving energy), and perhaps was even frightened by it, because I wasn't expecting it. I essentially denied myself that progress, for reasons unknown. I would like to repeat that experience, and perceive energy again. I think I am ready to begin again now. I do not remember the specific type of qigong that I was practicing on that day, unfortunately. I would like to see if other forms of qigong produce the same effect. I have bought some qigong DVDs, one that seems excellent (the type is Flying Phoenix Chi Kung), and another that seems generic and ineffective ("Qigong for Stress Relief" is the title). I would prefer to learn Flying Phoenix from an in-person instructor, but it seems a rare art, because I cannot find anyone who knows it in my area. But I don't even know if that's the best type for perceiving qi. Does anyone know what form of qigong is best for perceiving auras/qi with one's physical sight?

Hi, i practice kung fu. And i am searching, for a more internal discipline to compliment. Im currently looking between Taoist Chi kung, Buddhist Chi kung or yoga. I know some differences between taoist, and buddhist breathing. Taoist contracts abdomen on inhale and expands on exhale. Buddhist expands abdomen on inhale, and contracts on exhale. But i dont know how this affect Chi circulation, ying/yang principles. Microcosmic/Macrocosmic orbit circulation. I feel taoist breathing more yang than ying because it energizes me more than relaxes me (which i feel on buddhist breathing). I mention yoga, because prior to feeling the circulations, im all over muscular tension, and i feel that before i need to work this energy blockages, this shield that is created by emotional tensions. Example: shoulder, hip openers. What i dont like about yoga, is that i dont perceive (maybe is just my ignorance), a fundamental principle that is comprehensive from a rational point of view, i feel it more god based, religious. Is there some analogy between chi circulation orbits, and prana circulation? Other possibility is doing zazen/kinhin, but i feel that im not ready mentally. Chi kung works proggresively. body, mind, spiritual centers. For Example Lohan Chi Kung: Sap Bak Lohan (energy circulation, body). Siu Lohan (mind circulation, energy from body to mind) Dai Lohan (mind to spirit, meditation) I feel yoga works more on body, and spiritual centers. and zen on mind, spiritual centers. I feel zen is not the answer yet, because i have a troublesome personality/physical-emotions manifestations to resolv first. Japanese are more propense to zen, because they have born/rised/act, in the zen way of life, or this prior western cultural invasion. I find zen, simple as perfection, but i dont feel im ready. Is there a chi kung, that centers on body tension blockages like yoga?

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Hey i'm Xandre im new here just introducing myself. I am a student of Wing Chun, Krav maga and tai chi. I am currentely in the search for a perfect (or what i perceive to be perfect) internal martial art as well as a good master in the these arts Mo Pai, Ba Gua, Tai Chi, Chi Kung