I was considering getting the Essence Qigong video. I have a question about Qigong though. Do you have to be really flexible and get into pretzel like positions to do this? The only reason I am asking is because I have a lower back injury that has recently healed and I would hate to hurt it again.

This is a very adaptable form. While there are bending forward sections, you do not have to keep the knees straight at all. In fact, with this form if you can not do the form standing you could do it while sitting in a chair. You can also do those sections that you feel physically limited towards by visualizing the movements for those sections as necessary.

As your body gets stronger/healthier you will find that you have the ability to do the form more and more. Others that I have taught this form to have stated, after practicing for a while, that there back is the best that is has been in years. So, practice and don't push yourself beyond what you are physically comfortable with. As you do the form more and more you will find that, as your body improves, you will be able to do more as almost a natural experience rather than a forced one.

Question for Alain,
Does the "Essence QiGong" DVD show the form of QiGong that is used in the Core Transformation workshop?

NO, it shows the form that I teach in the retreat. This form takes about 35 minutes to do, if you do all the steps as stated on the DVD. It takes a number of repetitions to be comfortable with doing it on your own.

Transistor, Oh boy, you ought to see the people I do Qi gong with in this Geriatric Hospital. I got the basics off the net and the rest by "tuning in" I keep telling them, "Move it or loose it!" We see that here, holding the body still till it dies! and I emphasise,
"Gently find where you are when it STARTS to hurt! Now you must exercise at 75% of that!"
Saving for Alains video.
Huggs

Yes, there are free qigong resources. You can download a free video on Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi
at http://www.taichi18.com/order.htm and see the form instructions at http://www.everyday-taichi.com/shibashi-page1.html
or download at www.ezytaichi.com/images/shibashi.pdf which is very easy for beginners.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: anonymous,

Hi, I'm new here so hope I'm doing this right. Can I ask a question about QT or more specifically about qi gong?
I've long been interested in practising qi gong - especially "Standing on the stake" as taught by Lam Kam Chuen in his book "The Way of Energy" and Alain also gives a standing qi gong practice in his book "Quantum Touch Core Transformation" He (Alain) says that standing qigong would not be suitable for people with mental/emotional problems. Well, I don't know how serious such problems have to be to cause problems with this form of qigong exercise. I have for a long time had agoraphobia problems and some (not too bad, usually) ocd like symptoms. No doubt because of represed anxiety, stress and blocked feelings. So, can I practice the standing on stake or not? If not, what would be a better/safer alternative?
How about "Essence qigong" or maybe "cosmic force qigong". CFQ apparently "flushes" out the meridians and presumably this means it is a very safe practice and perhaps after practicing this for a time (how long?) it would be possible to then go on to standing on the stake?
Lam Kam does give some preliminary exercises in his book which have to be practiced for at least 6 months before going onto the more powerful Standing stake exercises. I presume this is to safely prepare the meridians for the more powerful exercises. But how can you be sure when you are ready?
Regardless of the qigong though, I intend to practice the QT!
Thanks for your time

N

I have been doing Qi Gong in a sitting position, while meditating, with powerful results. After I finish meditating I do some 15 minutes Qi Gong in the standing position. It works!

Gilberto

HI Nikki,

Can you practice standing on stake qigong, well yes. This is a tentative yes depending on the severity of the ocd. If you practice a qigong form just note how it makes you feel. If it worsens your symptoms to an unmanageable level stop practicing the form. Do understand that it is not unusual for a qigong form to make things a bit more difficult initially as the channels are cleared but they shifts should only last for about a max of 2 weeks if it is Qi that is working on you.

All forms clear or flush channels/meridians when practiced. That is the purpose of Qigong in general.

I have not read Lam Kam but there is certainly nothing wrong in doing some gentle exercises to prep your system and then doing the more "intense" forms.

QT is great for you regardless.

Enjoy!

Hi Alain

Thanks for your reply. I now feel more encouraged to try out the standing exercise in your Core Transformation book. It's possible that I may, however, try Lam Kam's preliminary exercises for a good period of time first. Can't quite decide yet!. I have heard of some awful stories about people who have had "deviations" due to either incorrect practice or because the person practising has some unresolved problems that first need sorting out. i do know from what I've read that people have been helped by cfq. The originator of cfq seems to think that it is better to encourage "flow" of chi whereas it seems that other styles think it is better to "build up" and "store" chi. There's much to think about. Anyway, thanks for your help

N

Hi Nikki

I personally don't see any harm in any form of exercises with energy. I'm spinal cord injured and have taken part in Core 1 and Core 2 workshops. Cause of my physical disability I couldn't perform the the exercises I had to do it all in my mind and can say that I could feel the energy flowing through me. Only our preconceived views stop us from doing something or ~"being" .

Einar

Yes, i have to say i agree with you

Love Mo x x x

Hi Einar

Glad you had success with your practice. I think energy exercises can be very powerful and as energy is connected with the mind and emotions then they are going to be effected in some way. If all necessary precautions are taken then there shouldn't be a problem

N

Hi Nikki

Any energy work transforms. It depends how much of it one accepts and it shows where a need for a deeper or further transformation is.
Everything evolves

hope you have success

Einar

Hello,
For the "uninitiated", what is an "ocd"?
Also, what is "cfq"?

Thanks,
Spido