In the practice of all forms of Qigong, including the
various styles of Taiji, there are a few guidelines that
will give the most rapid growth and learning while helping
you to stay in the comfort zone.
These practices are all very mild, however, many
people are very at risk for injury, perhaps of the knees.
The foot work in some forms of Taiji has caused some
problems in a very small percentage of people. Always start
carefully and allow your progress to be “slow but sure”.
Some of the complex and vigorous forms of Qigong are
contraindicated in people who are weak from illness or in
the wisdom years. Be very hesitant to go to a Qigong or
Taiji class and go to the front of the room. Linger in the
back and follow these guidelines no matter what is happening
in the class and you always improve, slowly but surely. In
your personal practice time continue to progress
carefully.
Do:
- relax deeply and allow the mind to be free of
concerns and considerations. In China this state of mind
is sometimes called “cheerful disinterest”, “neutral” and
“emptiness”.
- practice daily if possible. The results you seek
are the result of perseverance. Chinese tradition says
“perseverance furthers”. Carefully and correctly
implemented Qigong and Taiji are safe to practice even
several times a day. The practices are gentle and based
on enhancing natural biological and energetic mechanisms
of self restoration. If you are unwell enough to be off
of work or school you have time to carefully do lots of
Qigong or Taiji practice.
- in Qigong feel free to make up your own routine
and change the practices to suit your needs, likes and
limitations. One of the most powerful forms of Qigong is
called Spontaneous Qigong and is completely
intuitive.
- in Taiji it is generally less acceptable to modify
the form. However, people with severe diseases should
feel free to modify the practices to honor their comfort
zone and potentiate self healing.
- always approach each practice from the richness of
deep intention and belief in self healing. In the Health
World libraries you will find research that clearly
demonstrates the healing benefits of Qigong and Taiji.
Keep it foremost in your mind that both Taiji and Qigong
are profoundly healing practices. Rest in knowing that
you have tapped a powerful pool of healing resources.
- allow the mind to rest in quiet indifference.
Worry and anxiety turn off the naturally occurring, self
healing resources. It is when the mind is free of concern
that the profound, internal, self healing resources are
spontaneously activated.
- notice that as you mature in these practices that
the breath spontaneously regulates so that both the
inhalation and exhalation are slow and somewhat full; not
urgent, not exaggerated, just restful, intentful,
conscious and notably calm.
Don’t:
- do too much. Taiji and Qigong are intended to
assist you in self healing and to help you become more
enduring and vital. Take it very, very easy. Ease helps
to activate the Qi. Extra effort and trying hard go
against the natural benefits in all varieties of Qigong.
Going too far, too fast may cause discomfort and may
result in you saying, “This is too much.” Then, the
profound benefit is lost. Achieve your goal of healing by
allowing yourself to be free from the stress and rush
that cause the organs, tissues and glands to become
deficient. Expand your practice slowly and personal
improvement is guaranteed.
- be fooled by the fact that Qigong seems like
nothing much. The vigilant application of these simple
practices has demonstrated, over thousands of years of
careful refinement, the ability to mobilize the naturally
occurring healing forces within you. An ancient Chinese
proverb says, “that which appears great on the outside is
weak on the inside, that which appears to be
inconsequential on the outside is great and powerful on
the inside”. Qigong is not an ever complexifying chain of
details and new innovations, it is an ever simplifying
and deepening practice that is refined toward
perfection.
- expect too much, too soon. Know that on occasion
extraordinary results occur right away. Bring Qigong into
your life delicately. Too much of such a good thing and
you may say, “I don’t have time for this”. Then the
remarkable possibility for self restoration will be lost.
Most often dramatic results come over time with vigilant
practice.
1st Warning- Learning Qigong from a book, a video or
even a great teacher is always frustrating particularly
because of your longing to perfect the practice, now.
Please, go very slowly and intentfully, follow the
directions the best you can. Give yourself permission to
invent some things too. Remember it is not so important to
do the practice just like the instructor suggests. More
important is to do the practice just like it works best for
you. The only way to be wrong about your implementation of
these practices is to NOT do them or to not follow the rule
of “go slow and easy”. Therefore, the most important rule in
Qigong is-DO IT!
2nd Warning- Qigong and Taiji are hazardous to your
health problems and they have the potential to alter the
definition of health care. They help resolve many illnesses
for no cost. They have no side effects. These practices may
limit your doctor visits. They are dangerous to the
conventional medical system and could have a radical impact
on your personal life, your community, your society and the
national debt.