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Hello you bums, I wanted to give some perspective on a discussion about chi gong+weight lifting and found myself having to make a post upon inscription in order to do so... So Here it is... As a mean of introduction: "I have been in and out of regular practice and study of various internal arts because I would gather as much informations and practice in a state of want and need really striving, trying to apply everything I found at the same time (which was mentally exhausting and far from relaxing) and being harsh on myself, probably because I wouldn't cope with the "almighty perfect unreachable master-worthless piece of sh** student" relationship (like it was a question of motivation or being worth anything) But lately I have been blessed to connect a lot of dots in many aspects of my perspective on life and the way I approach it, which got my practice to make a lot more sense right away." First of all, I am my own master, in the sense that during practice I have control over my thoughts and "things" don't just happened to me like in a victim state. So if a form or a move (and it's said results) seems unreachable, and you have a thought like "It will take me years to be able to..." or "I don't have the patience for this..." simply just "think" another thought that at least sets you on a more positive outlook towards the practice (And since you are you're own master, you'll know which one it should be). Then see as the tension in your body just release as you discard those unproductive thoughts giving you more space and setting you back on the ease of the practice. Also in the process of having a regular practice also discard the thought that "you need a great master" or "today I can't because I'm tired and other obstructing thoughts" by saying/thinking something like "it is accessible to me just like those masters are human being" or "I'm practising now, period" and once again feel those tension go in the sense of like a muscle contracted that you intentionally release you let go of the bad thought and it's associated tension inside. And you'll just see yourself being able to resume or start practice very easily. Once you're set you'll be able to be back in the letting go of the practice (because you've also said/thought "I am letting go" ^^) So it is your choice Either Apply or Deny it Second of all, It is really not "that deep" or "that far away" from you but many masters and teacher will tend to try and keep you in the dark or in that "master above disciple below" relationship, because they may live of your fees or enjoy the treatment and respect they get out of it or really don't believe in your infinite potential or also some may see you as unworthy or from the wrong nationality or are bad judges of people and on and on... Look around the people around you in the room following the class and be honest with yourself, do they look like empowered people in charge of their life radiating a quiet but steady energy or do they seem like jumpy insecure low self esteem awkward anxious people and you'll get a feel of what fruits bears that master. Some will say "yes but some people need that type of relationship, the master as a higher purpose..." it simply is not true but will be hard to admit or to come to terms with it if you've invested a lot of money and time with one master/teacher (the ego works like that) so simply discard this stagnating pride since YOU are you're own master, yes even above ego And third of all, the 70% rule I've heard "Bruce Frantzis" say. Don't go full extension, full contraction, full range in any motion keep some cards under your sleeve or some slack and see how your muscles & tendons find the inspiration to go where that "full extension would have found you" on your second repetition only with still some cards under your sleeve meaning you are still going 70%. By the way master "Bruce Frantzis" a great teacher with lot's of experience and knowledge also guilty of self explanatory great pride (you'll be pressed to see him crack a smile that's not a private joke) Yet let's not throw the baby with the bath water if you find yourself learning with him because he does have a lot to give. Plus he seems more and more joyfull in his late years. That's it, hope it will benefit somebody Have a nice day Bums

Hi guys, first post and I could really use some help if possible? I'm very concerned. I'm a regular guy who has always suffered some form of anxiety and for the last 15 years have been on anti anxiety meds. I was put on anafranil (chlomipromine) and diazepam when I finished university and had a bad break up. Im a happily married man with a lovely wife and 2 kids and live in London, UK. over the last 2 years I have slowly been coming off my anti anxiety meds and am now nearly off them. I was looking for new ways to find calm and a peaceful mind so I thought that yoga/ meditation may be the best way of taking the next step. A mystic called Sadhguru visited London and I attended the 2 day course where he taught us the 'shambhavi mahamudra'. one of the steps or asanas was 'the fluttering of the breath and holding a mild focus on the forehead. We were asked to practise this twice a day for the first 40days and once a day after. For the record and I must make this clear, there is nothing working with what he is teaching, it's just me that is the problem, not the yoga or the asanas or steps. On top of that there are also classes that one can attend to make sure the practises are being done correctly. I was very sceptical (as a newbie) and thought that 'I don't know want to go in too deep' as I am totally newbie and have never done any form of yoga, meditation or even mindfulness before. I just wanted to find some inner peace- that's all. I have practised the 'shambhavi mahamudra' about 20-25 times since April. I started meditating again a few weeks back (I have been doing it on and off) and completed the meditation 7 days on the trot . I did feel very peaceful and focussed to be fair, but then I suddenly started to experience a lot of head pressure on the top of my head and in the forehead also for a couple of weeks. The pain was persistent and never subsided. This has only just passed but I am now left feeling very spaced out, delicate, vulnerable, in the moment also, hearing sounds I never used to notice. I don't feel able to Concentrate on tasks and my memory is also pretty poor all of a sudden. I have ceased all forms of meditation and yoga and am now petrified of going any further and am so sort of stuck in the middle not knowing what to do. I spoke with the yoga teachers at 'isha yoga' and they thought my symptoms were unusual and asked me to attend the next 'satsang' so I can learn the techniques properly but to be completely honest I don't want to go any deeper and just want things to return to Normal like they were before I started doing meditation and yoga. Is this possible? Its very scary. I have searched the internet and have tried walks in nature, running on the treadmill, eating heavy food, socialising and walking on grass barefoot, burning sage, keeping busy etc I have been reassured that things will return to Normal but I can't seem to see that. I don't feel like myself at all. any help will be really appreciated. I am just a regular person who has a family and a business to run and am feeling very disconnected, Lonely and have lost all concentration, and confidence. i don't want to keep turning to alcohol and diazepam. blessings and thanks so much in advance.