Flying Phoenix Chi Kung

[pitisukha]

Hi Pitisukha,

 

Sifu Garry's comment is most relevant to you and all beginners. If your horse stance is correct in FP meditations such as Bending the Bows, Wind Above the Clouds, and Wind Through the Treetops, you feel the weight or pressure in the inner thighs.

 

I looked closely at your still shots of your positions in "Wind Above the Clouds." Overall, you're doing fine. Your form is pretty good and you're doing the movements correctly. One very minor flaw (that I noticed in a couple of your stills (8mbd.jpg where the palms are in front of the throat facing downward and ky1d.jpg where you are holding the ball left arm over right [just before the last movement of the exercise]) is that your torso is tilting forward slightly. This is quite normal for beginners. You can effect better back posture here throughout all your FP practice by imagining that you are suspended by a string attached to the crown of your head and that your entire spine hangs relaxed and comfortably straight on that thread from above while you practice. Your back will then become more straight and vertical without much effort. By just practicing more of the standing and moving FP Meditations, your hips will loosen up more and you will be able to "slide" them forward slightly and "tuck" the sacrum in more, making the lower back rounder (convex) and the torso more vertical. I would also suggest practicing the FP meditations with a full-length mirror to your side so that you can correct your back alignment if it's not consistently vertical. (While not optimum for Qi cultivation, it's okay to occasinally open your eyes and take peeks into a mirror to check your postures.)

 

You have a natural deep arch in your lower back (lumbar region) that will gradually flatten or fill-out. Just continue to the do the FP meditations and continue to breathe deeply as you go through each of them. After a good stretch of time practicing FP Qigong 9-12 months or less, when you take more video and stills of yourself from the side, you will see that your lower back will have much less of an curve. (*If you look at videos or stills of all high-level masters of Chinese internal arts, you will always see a "fullness" in their lower back (lumbar region) and absence of any noticeable arch in the lumbar, which enables the energy from the ground and the legs to be connected through the waist to the energy of the upper body. This "fullness" comes from years of correct form practice, breathing methods related to Chi cultivation--such as reverse breathing and kidney breathing--and martial exercise or fighting.)

 

Keep up the good practice, Pitisukha!

 

Sifu Terry

 

_{www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html}

 

The lower back arch (it was more pronounced when I was a child) is something I've tryed to correct in my kungfu practice in the past but then I realized I was using the wrong way, forcefully contracting the gluteus muscles to push the sacrum forward. In the last two years I've started trying to relax as much as I can the area of hips, gluteus, lower back and lower belly...

 

When I first reviewed the video I've noticed the forward tilting too. I understand now the use of video or stills is very useful and I'd like to suggest it to anyone practicing on his own.. as you suggest I'll take other photos and videos in the future months for sure!

 

Another thing I've noticed in the last days, particularly when standing in Monk Holds Pearl, is a lot of tension in the calf and shin muscles, this probably prevent the transfert of weight from knees to ankles and feet...

 

Thank you for your help, for your encouraging words, and for making public this wonderfull art!

[ridingtheox]

when you have time lie on a firm surface, letting your back sink into the earth. at first(1) you may need to raise the knees some to let the lumbar region 'flatten' (2) also tuck your chin to remove a little of the cervical curvature which for you extends into the upper thoracic spine. Try lying for 3 minutes to begin, breathing a normal chi breath (dan tien, tongue on roof mouth etc.). slowly lengthen the time.

 

after doing this exercise daily for a week, two weeks? add the following:

move from lying to standing posture with your back against a wall. Your heels should be an inch or so from the wall, bend the knees slightly ... a 'normal' zhan zhuang posture. Flatten your back as if you were lying down. Caution! This will not likely be easy, now your muscles must replace the force of gravity. DO NOT try to flatten so that it causes pain. Remember the 70% rule, only 70% of maximum energy expended. Secondly move your back away from the wall so that your weight moves forward onto the bubbling well point in the feet. Repeat slowly moving back to the wall and then away. DO NOT strain ... breathe into this exercise.

 

With your curvature you may expect several months .. perhaps longer for this new posture to take on a 'natural' tai chi/q gong feel. Be Patient. Be Persistent.

 

I hope this helps...

Edited August 18, 2013 by ridingtheox

[pitisukha]

Thank you, I'll try this too!

I was born wood ox so patience and peristence are usually not a problem

[Fu_doggy]

I want to second what Lloyd said about not wanting to disconnect from doing Flying Phoenix. That describes it so well. I had that feeling and attitude from the first week that I learned the first few meditations and it is has never gone away. It is one of the main motivators making me think about wanting to retire this coming January when I am eligible for full Social Security benefits. I think of how much extra time I would have to do more chi kung. Most guys dream of retiring to play golf, now we have guys thinking of retiring just to get in more chi kung time. How the world is changing!

Not wanting to disconnect from the experience is similar to what I am going thru with a new girlfriend. I just don't want to have to leave her on weekends to go back home, the disconnect from an experience that is so compelling and charming. That is Flying Phoenix Chi Kung. And I compare this to some of the other chi kung methods that I had tried for awhile before Flying Phoenix. Some were just outright torturous holding some uncomfortable positions in static postures for so long. That caused some breakups, LOL!

Steve - very creative comparing the disconnection from FP to disconnecting from a good woman. LOL!!! Agree both are quite alluring. ;-)

[alleswasderfallist]

Thank you, I'll try this too!

I was born wood ox so patience and peristence are usually not a problem

 

I'm a dragon, so, at worst, I'm opposite :/

There seems to be a lot of truth to the Chinese zodiac, I'm finding.

[tao stillness]

Hi Lloyd,

The creativity springs from the heart. My life has come down to Chi Kung and women as the mainstays. All the rest are distractions. Pleasant distractions, but nonetheless...

[ridingtheox]

I'm a dragon, so, at worst, I'm opposite :/

There seems to be a lot of truth to the Chinese zodiac, I'm finding.

interesting I am a metal dragon ('40) no description of dragons or metals . describe me , my wife agrees. My son is a dog, not a good fit to any astrology. My daughter is an ox and it fits her. a big fan of astrology I am not. One fit out of four seems pretty poor odds

[Healing Artist]

John, do you have any paintings up that were done before you started FPCK? I'm amazed at your sense of color harmony. I'm very curious about your evolution as an artist. Just followed your FB page - I'm a big fan already.

Yes "alles", I do have paintings there from before FP. But I had been doing yoga meditation since 1976, so all of my work has been influenced and inspired by the transcendent realm of consciousness. FP (and BFP) has given me added energy and inspiration to put out a lot more paintings with new insights to creative techniques. Thank you for your friendship and support.

[alleswasderfallist]

interesting I am a metal dragon ('40) no description of dragons or metals . describe me , my wife agrees. My son is a dog, not a good fit to any astrology. My daughter is an ox and it fits her. a big fan of astrology I am not. One fit out of four seems pretty poor odds

 

My understanding is that the Chinese Zodiac, as it is known in the West, is a gross oversimplification of a 60 year Taoist cosmological cycle. I don't know enough about the elements to tell you what significance metal and dragon might have together.

 

Someone's year of birth won't necessarily be the clearest indicator of their personality anyhow. To me it seems more like a life path, a different sort of vibration than that of the months (which I believe overlaps Western astrology). Not to mention a day of birth (which, if I'm not mistaken, could have a lot to say about your subconscious? as it's analogous to a Western moon sign). So, a lot of factors influence this.

 

I'm not very knowledgeable about Chinese Astrology to tell you the truth, I just enjoy entertaining the idea. I bought a book called 'The New Astrology', where Chinese Years and Western months are combined, for a fairly unambiguous reading with plenty of seemingly falsifiable claims. I picked the book up for fun, read my reading (Taurus Dragon), and was pretty stunned. I've been showing this book to all my friends, all of whom were also amazed to read a description of their character similar to what a wise old friend might provide if asked candidly. I give much credence to the laws of probability that would dictate that if exact statements are made (such as: so and so will leave home at an early age, be afraid of crowds, be exceedingly manipulative, have problems putting ideas into words, have many adventures around the world at the expense of others, etc), then all of these statements are very unlikely to be true together if they are truly random.

 

With all that said, astrology is a new interest for me, and I don't feel like my knowledge is very authoritative. Though I will say that with the few astrology books I've read and the observations I've made over the last few months, things on earth do appear to reflect the macrocosm, if one takes a look.

[Bubbles]

Hello John aka Healing Artist,,

 

You mentioned earlier that you have diabetes.

Would you mind telling us how your practice of FP has helped you with this condition?

 

Thanks a lot

[Healing Artist]

Hello John aka Healing Artist,,

 

You mentioned earlier that you have diabetes.

Would you mind telling us how your practice of FP has helped you with this condition?

 

Thanks a lot

Hello bubbles, The FP practice has made a very powerful impact on my life as a diabetic. My pain has decreased, and my energy has increased exponentially on many levels. The meditative state and energy cultivation has reached into my daily life and activities as a healing and empowering enhancement to say the least. My insulin intake has decreased as well. My outlook and performance with my work has been greatly uplifted and supported by the practice and inner experience of the mind body emotional and spiritual realization of expanded conscious awareness. I feel vibrant and youthful. Especially with a birthday approaching on the 31st (Aug). I bound up the 6 flights of stairs to my apartment several times a day with ease and swiftness. I wrangle heavy luggage and long hours driving (limo service, and in dress clothes too), each day with enjoyment and comfort. My mental clarity is sharp, clear and expansive, in my many conversations with passengers and quick decision making on the road. It is simple and sublime, complex in it's effects and experiential knowledge of application in every life. A profound feeling of gratitude and grace arises and grows out of learning, performing and living with the FP, (BFP and BDG) meditations, as well as being privileged to share this here with those who also practice this truly amazing and celestial art. I am honored to be welcomed here by Sifu Terry Dunn and by the other members of this exceptional forum. Thank you for your fiendship and support.

Sincerely

John Nesbit

[Bubbles]

Thank you for your fiendship and support.

 

Thanks to you, John, for joining this thread and for your inspiring posts!

 

Be well,

[Kasuku]

just for discussion to compare different energies and how they react:

 

normally due to my practice i have a dense and buzzing field around me. Today i did the the Doo wai FP med cause i absorbed some sick qi by accident - though the meditation completely got rid of the sick qi i also notice how the FP energy makes mine more 'softer' and 'fluffy' - like my field reduced in density as the FP energy made its way through it....

 

I am interested in the eight sections of energy - FP practitioners : how do you feel this meditation reacts to your FP energy?

[Healing Artist]

just for discussion to compare different energies and how they react:

 

normally due to my practice i have a dense and buzzing field around me. Today i did the the Doo wai FP med cause i absorbed some sick qi by accident - though the meditation completely got rid of the sick qi i also notice how the FP energy makes mine more 'softer' and 'fluffy' - like my field reduced in density as the FP energy made its way through it....

 

I am interested in the eight sections of energy - FP practitioners : how do you feel this meditation reacts to your FP energy?

Hello Jascha, I too recently learned the GM Doo Wai meditation that you mentioned previously and above. It does do just what you described, and in me as well. As Sifu Terry has also described in previous posts about the Bak Fu Pai and (Eight Sections of Energy Combined), they both work very complimentary and powerfully with the FP meditations and energy. I feel it as I described above. I have always been an athlete my entire life and this practice rejuvenates and energizes all endeavors for good and higher purposes. Learning new skills and reconnecting with older ones as well. My throwing arm (baseball and football), is back after being painfully restricted for several years. My abilities as a downhill skier and instructor were observed as being almost unheard of for a man in his 50's (as well as long distance rollerblading). My favorite exercise of all (hiking mountains), has become a joy of living with vast endurance and inspiration. But the inner peace through it all is the most meaningful experience to relate with others. This comes from health and healing, which the FP meditations give to anyone who learns and practices them.

I think that Sifu Terry Dunn would be the best source of info on Eight Sections Of Energy practices as he knows many more than the one I practice from Vol 5. But that one (#5) is very effective and powerful.

And again, thank you very much "bubbles" for your kind words.

Best

John

Edited August 23, 2013 by Healing Artist

[pitisukha]

 

 

is there any DVD of this??

[zen-bear]

 

 

is there any DVD of this??

Hello Pitsukha,

 

There is a forthcoming DVD on the "Preparatory Form" for the 8 Sections of Energy Combined system that is a powerful health-enhancer with strong martial flavor. It is yogically strenuous: Within a flowing sequence of approx. 45 movments, it goes down into and out of the "dragon drop" seated position twice (and slowly with coordinated upper body movements--without hands touching ground) and also has advanced kung-fu codified throughout. If all goes smoothly, I hope to have this title released with other advanced FP volumes in the first quarter of 2014.

 

The above clip is the very ending of the First SEction of 8 Sections of Energy Combined BDG (Bot Dim Gum). The First Section of BDG is so complex with varied types of techniques and so long that it would take a 2 or 3 -hour long DVD to instruct it. I fact, just the first 4 opening techniques, which are done in repetitions of 18, could easily fill an hour-long video. Hmmm. Thanks for your inquiry for it has gotten me to think about perhaps two new programs teaching the very basics of 8 Sections.

 

Sifu Terry Dunn

 

_{www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html}

[Fu_doggy]

John (Healing Artist) -

 

I appreciate your discussion of your experience with Flying Phoenix, including the benefits you've realized.....good stuff!

 

Can you please share your FP practice schedule with the board? How much time, how many days per week, a little about your routine, etc. Thanks...

 

Lloyd

[Fu_doggy]

Sifu Terry - we are all looking forward to your new releases in early 2014... that will make for a happy new year!

[pitisukha]

Hello Pitsukha,

 

There is a forthcoming DVD on the "Preparatory Form" for the 8 Sections of Energy Combined system that is a powerful health-enhancer with strong martial flavor. It is yogically strenuous: Within a flowing sequence of approx. 45 movments, it goes down into and out of the "dragon drop" seated position twice (and slowly with coordinated upper body movements--without hands touching ground) and also has advanced kung-fu codified throughout. If all goes smoothly, I hope to have this title released with other advanced FP volumes in the first quarter of 2014.

 

The above clip is the very ending of the First SEction of 8 Sections of Energy Combined BDG (Bot Dim Gum). The First Section of BDG is so complex with varied types of techniques and so long that it would take a 2 or 3 -hour long DVD to instruct it. I fact, just the first 4 opening techniques, which are done in repetitions of 18, could easily fill an hour-long video. Hmmm. Thanks for your inquiry for it has gotten me to think about perhaps two new programs teaching the very basics of 8 Sections.

 

Sifu Terry Dunn

 

_{www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html}

Thank you for your great work!

 

I can't stop watching that video...I like it!

[Healing Artist]

John (Healing Artist) -

 

I appreciate your discussion of your experience with Flying Phoenix, including the benefits you've realized.....good stuff!

 

Can you please share your FP practice schedule with the board? How much time, how many days per week, a little about your routine, etc. Thanks...

 

Lloyd

Hello Loyd, my FP practice schedule revolves around my ever flexible and changing work schedule. As a diabetic I still have to eat frequently, so that can hinder practicing at a moments notice continually. I usually get in 2 hours of doing different combinations of The Long Form Vol 4, some Flash meditations from vol 5, the BFP (Taoist Meditations) from vol 6. and two different meditations per day from vol 7 Monk Serves Wine. I practice daily (7 days per week). I'll also do Monk Holds Pearl in bed if I wake up at night and have any issues falling back to sleep.

Best

John

[Fu_doggy]

John - thanks for sharing your schedule.... 2 hours per day is really excellent.

 

Looking at your routine, several things stand out. First, the amount of time per day and the fact that you practice daily. Second, your emphasis on the Long Form, supplemented by other FP meditations. Third, doing MHP if you are awake at night and have trouble falling asleep....I haven't tried that one. ;-) I can see why you've had great results!

 

I appreciate your contributions to this thread. Your routine and practice is a model for everyone to follow.

 

Lloyd

[Fu_doggy]

John has me considering a question: How many minutes of Flying Phoenix to hit the tipping point energetically?

 

What I mean by this is, How many minutes of FP gets you into a really strong energetic state?

 

IIRC Sifu Terry once said doing three of the advanced MSW series would yield really good results. Several of the advanced MSW meditations take me around 45 minutes to complete. So three of them can take a good two hours or more to complete.

 

So to answer my original question: *While any amount of time doing FP yields positive benefits*, for me personally at about the 45 minute mark FP practice, the FP energy hits a tipping point where the energy feels like it jumps up a level in power and also the benefits seem to take a jump as well.

 

I'm curious if anyone else has noticed a tipping point, and if yes when does it kick in?

 

Lloyd

[Healing Artist]

John has me considering a question: How many minutes of Flying Phoenix to hit the tipping point energetically?

 

What I mean by this is, How many minutes of FP gets you into a really strong energetic state?

 

IIRC Sifu Terry once said doing three of the advanced MSW series would yield really good results. Several of the advanced MSW meditations take me around 45 minutes to complete. So three of them can take a good two hours or more to complete.

 

So to answer my original question: *While any amount of time doing FP yields positive benefits*, for me personally at about the 45 minute mark FP practice, the FP energy hits a tipping point where the energy feels like it jumps up a level in power and also the benefits seem to take a jump as well.

 

I'm curious if anyone else has noticed a tipping point, and if yes when does it kick in?

 

Lloyd

Hi Loyd, great points and thoughts to ponder. I have found that meditation is not limited to time and space. If one is limiting effects to length of time, then how much is enough ? It is finding a balance for each one. I truly don't need to to do 2 hours to feel the energy. How does one standardize a "really strong energetic state" ? I just love to experiment and feel what doing the different combinations, along with varying amounts of time spent in each one. Sifu Terry has said in the past that it will vary according to each one's life experiences, states of consciousness and health conditions when starting to practice. 45 min is a long session for each meditation of MSW. Can you experience full benefits from doing shorter meditations for perhaps, 15 min each ? I believe so. I have given this a lot of consideration and practice to find that I am experiencing what I need to by doing what my inner guidance tells me with the FP (BFP, BDG). You can take any great lengths of time to do a meditation, even all day if so inspired. And if so, that is what you do. Do you have to feel obligated to do that all the time? I would definitely think not. Transcendental Meditation told it's people to meditate for 20 min twice day. Is that a universal truth ? No. One can do longer or shorter meditations after establishing a baseline of experience. FP is not a trap, it is liberating from suffering and limitations itself. I do what I can, when time allows. It all flows towards healing and support for the life I am living. If I stopped for some reason tomorrow and never did them again, all will be well. But I am enjoying doing what I know, when I am free to do it. It feels good and it does get better with time and realization, (and yes practice). But I would not put limits on spirit/spiritual energy. A Course In Miracles says that there is no order of difficulty in "miracles". Consider this (point) when you are looking for, a "tipping point". This is my understanding and approach to a continuum that I know to be Qigong/Yoga. I hope that this addresses your original question Loyd.

All The Best

John

[pitisukha]

Forgive me for the deviation in argument but one question keep coming to mind..

Can FP energy work attract any non-physical being?

Any with this experience?

[zen-bear]

Business news for all Flying Phoenix Chi Kung practitioners and enthusiasts:

The retail price of Volume One "5 Basic Standing Meditations" and of Volume Two "6 Basic Seated Meditations" of the Chi Kung For Health DVD series will be increased to by $5.00 to $29.95 effective September 1--after exactly 10 years at the current bargain price. These titles can still be purchased at the current price of $24.95 from now through August 31.

 

Thank you to all for your support over the years.

 

Sifu Terry Dunn

 

www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html