Combining chi practice with aerobics or weight training
A while back on the Private Support Forum, just for my students and instructors …
From: CK
Greetings:
I practice ChiFusion Level 1 exercises daily, and am now working on Level 2 exercises (also daily). In addition to these, I do some light aerobics several times a week, and also some moderate weight training 2-3 times per week.
I presently do my ChiFusion routine first thing in the morning, and my weight training and/or aerobic routines either immediately following, or later in the day.
My questions are:
1) Is it advisable to immediately follow my ChiFusion routine with weight training and/or aerobics, or should there be a break in between?
2) Is it better to do weight training and/or aerobics prior to the ChiFusion routine, rather than after?
3) Or does the scheduling of the various routines really matter?
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
CK
From: AlJSimon
Hi CK -
Thanks for your message.
We need to distinguish here between two types of practice.
The first is your main ChiFusion practice session of the day where you are working on learning and developing skills. This is where you are intensely focused on your Chi development.
The second type of practice is doing a simple run-through of your ChiFusion practices. This is something you might do as a “stress break” at work, or as a warm-up or cool-down for other routines, or even just for fun.
This distinction is important when deciding if you need a break in-between chi practices and other exercises.
If we’re talking about your main ChiFusion practice session of the day, where you are focused on serious Chi development, I would say if you do it BEFORE aerobics or weight training, you don’t need a break in between. You could go right from ChiFusion practice into your other training.
However, if you are doing you main ChiFusion practice AFTER aerobics or weight training, I’d recommend a break. Give yourself time to recover (an hour or two) to help regain your focus for the intensive healing and chi-building we do in our ChiFusion practice.
Again, we’re talking about the main ChiFusion practice session.
For the second type of practice, a little light run-through of the ChiFusion practices works as a great warm-up or cool down (or both) for other exercises. So you wouldn’t need a break in that case. As a matter of fact, I recommend a light run-through before and after. I think you’ll see better results from both aerobics and weight training if you do that.
HOWEVER …
This is another area where, if you wanted or if your schedule required it, you could experiment and see what works best for you. But it sounds like you might have already found a pattern that works for you? If so, stick with what you are doing.
Side note: I was recording an interview a while back for a teleseminar. I forget what question I was asked, but I told the interviewer that about 80% of the time on my private support forum, my answer is “Experiment, check your results, and see what works best for you”.
I also told the interviewer that my students are probably SICK of hearing me say that.
BUT that’s the most important distinction between the type of Chi Development we do, versus the “monkey-see, monkey-do” programs that attempt to pass themselves off as Chi Development. Everything you do needs to be customized to your unique body/mind/energy system and lifestyle. There are no exceptions to that if you are serious about true Chi development.
Best wishes,
Al
Let me assure you Al, I will never tire of hearing you say “Experiment, check your results, and see what works best for you”. It is probably the most unique and valuable thing you have contributed to the world. Rarely does anyone pass up the opportunity to proclaim that he/she is the master and must be followed explicitly. I feel as you have said, that we all have our personal inner TaiChi master. Thank you for all you and ChiFusion has done.
peace, love and light
Ed
30 Sep 11 at 1:57 pm
Hey Al:
I really enjoy your newsletters. Thanks for all you do for us…your courses are extraordinary and powerful.
Yours for your success,
Homer Nottingham
Homer Nottingham
1 Oct 11 at 1:29 pm
First time I have responded so I not to up on all you can do for me. Only I’m sure you will keep me infoemed.
Your Friend Ty Touby
Ty Touby
1 Oct 11 at 2:06 pm
Good advice… right in line with some questions I thought of this week. I like to walk for exercise and was wondering if there is any suggestions for breathing or posture which might add to it?
Thought maybe the “feels right” might be different just like with the wiju and horse stance…
Sia
1 Oct 11 at 3:44 pm
Thanks again Al for your informative emails. I shall start a pre and post “a little light run-through of the ChiFusion” to my weight training sessions. I do believe this will be both a great warm up and a cool down.
Ed Greene
1 Oct 11 at 3:49 pm
Good idea for people like me, Looking forward for it.
Eva
1 Oct 11 at 4:29 pm
If you are serious about Chi development. It is safer to do light muscle toning weights so you won’t be stiff like dead meat, and light aerobic so you won’t get tired and deplete of energy.
Vicente Abulucion
1 Oct 11 at 10:23 pm
I have been doing circuit training 6 day a week one hour 9half walking half lifting for 9 months now and doing gi gong tai chi for about 30minutes to an hour after. with walking in pool. I am also in a tai chi club now for 4 months about 4 times a week 2 to 3 hours. times have been no problem for me as some club practices are in the morning befor gym others in the late afternoon.
I am getting great chi flow after the circuit training makes the rest of my day well energised. I am retired so that helps
richard Bullock
2 Oct 11 at 1:17 am
As a personal fitness trainer and a qi gong teacher I like to combine the two. I use imagination and projection when doing my fitness training. I see it all as energy transfer whether I am lifting weights or running 10 k’s. I simply do not seperate qi from fitness.
Marianne
2 Oct 11 at 10:38 am
I have slight case of spinal stenosis, deterioratind and herniated discs, L4/5 and middle back. Have slight arthiritis in left knee only and a lot of nerve problems in left leg. Flexibilty shot, especially left side lower extremes. I’ve tried this first phase and find in difficult to maintain a continuous schedule because of sometimes severe pain afterwords. If I continue to do this even with pain will I be able to lessen the pain and even gain dome measure of repair/comfort.?
F. Martino
4 Oct 11 at 10:04 pm
Hi F. Martino
Spinal stenosis, herniated and deteriorated disk and arhritis are very well treated with acupuncture and Chineses regereative herbs to buil the cartiladge back up and clear inflammation in the joints. ! week may get you out of pain and longer (months) for regrowing the cartiladge if it has degenerated.
Call a State Licensed Acupuncturist in your area.
(I am a State licensed Acupuncturist in California)
Apolonia
Apolonia
5 Oct 11 at 12:17 am
@F.Martino – I’m sorry to hear about your physical problems. Please see this article in our ChiFusion blog about dealing with pain and injury in your practice:
“Little Old Man” Tai Chi – How to Deal With Pain and Injuries in Your Practice
Al Simon
5 Oct 11 at 10:06 am
I want to address this email to: Apolonia
I am in San Jose, California. What part of
California do you practice your Acupuncture?
Please email it to us. Thanks.
romy cruz
20 Oct 11 at 11:34 pm