Looking for feedback; learning online or with books

[moraldilemma]

Hey guys. I've been trying to get into qigong for the past seven years but there is no teacher near me. Also, I plan on moving around a lot in the next ten years. Is there a good source for learning by yourself?

 

I did take taijiquan classes for a year or so. So I know the basics of posture and relaxing into movements. I've also done lots of meditation and some progressive relaxation and things like that. And a bit of reiki and yoga. So not a total beginner.

I've picked up The Complete System of Self-Healing: Internal Exercises by Stephen Chang and The Way of Qigong by Ken Cohen. They're both pretty comprehensive as far as I can tell. I also got a copy of Nourishing the Essence of Life translated by Eva Wong, which is too advanced for me.

Here are some things online:
https://www.qigonginstitute.org/docs/EightExtraordinaryMeridians-Qigong.pdf A guide to "give you an overview to what you can do to enable you to practice Qigong yourself" by James MacRitchie

http://web.archive.org/web/19990117030127/dolphin.upenn.edu/~yxqa1/intro/9step.html
A "simple, yet very powerful free energy practice." However my BS sensors go off whenever someone says their method is "the highest technology of all technologies."

http://forums.vsociety.net/index.php/topic,20707.0.html "first in a series concerning how this qigong variant can gradually lead to superb health, physically, mentally, and spiritually." Though I'm somewhat weary that the author didn't supply a background or credentials.

http://longwhitecloudqigong.com/online-courses/qigong-foundation-practices/This one's nice because the guy really believes qigong should be freely available for everyone. The movements seem like they were derived from martial arts.

 

I'm leaning toward the Eight Extraordinary Meridians right now. Until I figure it out I'll stick with Zazen and Zhan Zhuang. If anybody wants to weigh in, please feel free. This place seems pretty serious about qigong so I look forward to your responses!

[Marblehead]

Hello moraldilemma, and welcome.

 

Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go.

 

Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum terms and rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started.

 

For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day.

 

Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you,

 

Marblehead and the TDB team

 

 

Hi moraldilemma,

 

I've had those before.  Didn't always make the best choice.  And yes, you will find many members here willing to talk with you regarding your practice.

 

You are welcome to jump right in ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forms to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started.

 

May you enjoy your time here.

 

Marblehead

[RiverSnake]

Welcome to TDB. Here's a very powerful but simple exercise from Spring Forest Qigong. Qigong needn't be complicated, just practice daily. Practice, Practice Practice. Practice is the key. 

 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2017 by OldSaint

[thelerner]

Simple is good, especially if you don't have a live teacher.

 

The first forms I learned was from Michael Winn's Fundamental II video.  Simple movements that I still do today.  I also like Pan Gu qi gong.   Simple, but powerful. 

 

[moraldilemma]

Thanks everyone.

Found the Eight Extraordinary Meridians audio guide too. http://globalqiproject.com/eight-extraordinary-meridians-training-program/

 

I've been doing Reiki Hatsurei-ho, or at least my own version of it. After learning reiki five years ago, I'm still kind of on the fence about it. It appears to be a system that totally focuses on the positive. It just doesn't seem right for some reason. 

 

I told my shrink about it. Reiki feels good, and it definitely works. I don't know. I have this deep need for balance. If everyone did reiki then the world would be a lot more positive. My therapist of course replied that there will always be darkness and life will always find balance.

 

Then if course there are reiki teachers. Most of the call themselves masters, having taken three or four weekend seminars. And most charge what I consider exorbitant amounts to share it. The man who originated reiki in its modern form allegedly discovered it by accident. When he taught it, he charged almost nothing because he believed it was a gift to mankind.

 

Thus my emphasis on finding a system that is free. 

This guy gets it. We need to let the world know about Chi!