Al Simon – The Tai Chi and Qigong Blog

I have some exciting news …

Our Kindle book of “Chi Stories” is now on Amazon.com!

And I say “our” book, because this is the book WE wrote together.

50 True Chi Stories (click here) includes inspirational stories from fifty people whose lives have been made better by Tai Chi and Qigong.

The stories in this book were contributed by readers of this blog, plus by our friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These are real, everyday stories from people just like you!

So it really is OUR book. I hope you’ll join me in thanking all the people here who were willing to open themselves up and contribute these stories. They did this so that all of us could learn about the amazingly transformative power of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Just click here to download your copy NOW!

No Kindle? No Problem!

Because it’s on the Kindle platform on Amazon.Com, it makes it easy to purchase, easy to download,
and extremely affordable. Kindle is the world’s best selling E-reader, made exclusively by Amazon.com. This new book is displayable on *all* versions of the Kindle.

But what if you don’t have a Kindle? No problem!

Just click here to get your Kindle.

… OR …

Get your FREE Kindle app. If you have a Mac, Windows PC, iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or Windows Phone 7, we’ve got you covered! Just download any of the free Kindle reading apps (click here) and you’ll be ready to go!

The Story behind the Stories

This book is the result of a project that we put together for the online Chi community.

As part of this community, I regularly get stories from people who have been helped by Tai Chi and Qigong. I had often thought that these stories should really be captured and preserved, and then distributed. That way everyone can see the effects – big and small – that Chi development has had for those of us in the online community.

So in 2011, we funded the Chi Stories project. For the first six months of 2011, we invited the entire online community to contribute their Chi stories. And this was not just our own students and instructors. Through email, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, we invited the entire online community, no matter where they trained, to contribute their stories.

We received quite a few contributions, but eventually narrowed it down to the fifty in this book. While a few of these stories are from my own students and instructors, the vast majority are not. Many of the contributors were unknown to me when we started this project. That’s how far reaching this online community has become.

You’ll find stories about how the Chi arts have helped heal people, physically and emotionally. You’ll find stories about how people got started, or how they stumbled across training when they traveled.

You’ll find stories about things that happened in a class, or happened while practicing alone. You’ll find people who connected with other healing traditions and practices as a result of the training.

And yes, you’ll read about a healing miracle or two.

To see a list of contributors to the book, just click here and scroll down the page.

I hope these stories will inspire you in your pursuit of the Chi energy arts.

Wishing you the best in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development,

I wanted to thank everyone who sent me comments about our last post, on A “Chi River” or a “Chi Goal” Person – Which are YOU? (click here).

A number of you left public comments, but quite a few of you emailed me directly.

Many of the emails were quite emotional.

Quite a few echoed what Jackie, John, Mary, and other “River people” posted publicly in the blog. They talked about being made to feel by other teachers or other “gurus” like there was something wrong with being a River person … that they need to be more goal oriented in order to succeed.

Many said that this was the FIRST TIME EVER they were told it was OK to be a River person!

I also received email from Chi Goal people. They talked about having Chi River teachers who didn’t understand their need for structure. The impression Chi River teachers left them with is that being a River person was what being a Chi student was about. And if you aren’t a River person, you are just not “getting it”.

Let me first say, I truly do understand what both of these groups are talking about. I’m more of a River person myself, so I understand what it’s like when most of the messages and role models you are shown and told to emulate are goal people. And I have to admit with a cringe, that 20 years ago I was one of those asinine River teachers who though that that being a River person was actually part of Chi Development.

Today, that seems so obviously wrong, and I’m really embarrassed to admit that I ever taught that way. But I heard from student after student how their teacher is a Goal person who insists on everyone using Goal methods, or a River person who insists on everyone using River methods.

The longer I teach, the more I realize that each of us is unique. We have unique ways of learning, unique ways of perceiving the world, and unique strengths and weaknesses. And that a good teacher HONORS that uniqueness, and even CAPITALIZES on it in their instruction.

I believe the best way to do that is to teach students how to customize what they are learning. Whether it’s a physical movement, a concept, or a learning approach, you need to teach the student how to make it uniquely his or her own.

It’s obvious to see how important customization is to the physical movements. I was emailing about this with one of our new students who just joined us this week.

She was telling me, “I injured my knee and shoulder through bagua. I really hate it now, I was absolutely healthy, I guess it is my fault, bagua is not for middle aged women.” Well, of course it’s NOT her fault. I told her bagua wasn’t the problem. I told her the problem was she had an inept bagua teacher, who didn’t help her customize the movements to her situation.

She also said that her Tai Chi teacher told her that because of her injuries, she shouldn’t practice Yang style Tai Chi – that Sun style was much better for the knees. I told her that I’d stay away from a teacher who would make such a stupid statement. It’s her teacher that’s the problem here, not Yang style.

As I wrote her, “Forgive my bluntness, but I’ve been there. I had injuries as a student. It wasn’t intentional on the part of my teachers. But when a student complains of injury, it’s a sign that they need to re-examine their teaching skills (or lack of them) – and not shift the blame to a ‘style’ or anywhere else.”

Well, if that’s true of the physical movements, it’s also true of the learning process. Whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal person, there is a place for you in Chi Development. Don’t ever let any teacher, or anyone else, tell you otherwise.

Though he’s not a Chi teacher, I think Harry Browne put this best:

“You are what you are. Your greatest pleasures will be those you experience when you can be yourself completely. Only then will you be free to enjoy every good thing the experience has to offer you …

“Being yourself is actually a skill. It takes time to become thoroughly acquainted with yourself, to throw off a lifetime of pressures, to relax and accept what you see in yourself (no matter how it may conflict with social standards), and to learn to act in ways consistent with your nature.”

- Harry Browne, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World

And if you can’t be yourself in Tai Chi and Qigong, well then, where CAN you be yourself?

All my best for your continued Chi Development,

The New Year is a great time to reflect on your Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development, and to start thinking about your training for the upcoming New Year.

And one of the most important questions you can ask yourself during this reflection is, “Am I a Chi River person, or am I a Chi Goal person?”

This question cuts right to the heart of what it means to be a self-motivated, independent-minded Chi student.

And having this “self-knowledge” can help you proceed with confidence on the path to better health, stress relief, and Chi Development .

Self-Motivated, Independent-Minded

Before we explore what it means to be a a self-motivated, independent-mind Chi student, let me start by saying the obvious: the VAST MAJORITY of Chi students are neither self-motivated nor independent-minded.

Many students require external motivation to keep them interested in Tai Chi and Qigong, and to keep them practicing. For example, many can learn only in a class format, because they require the external discipline. Having to keep up with a weekly class keeps their home practice on track. Without the weekly class, their home practice eventually falls by the wayside.

Others may require a “guru” or “master” on whom they are dependent to set their training goals or their practice schedule. Left on their own, without this guru to follow, their self-practice would quickly fall apart. Or without some sort of persistent direction, they would flit from program to program, or from teacher to teacher, but never really work towards a strong, independent Chi practice.

As we noted, a majority of students fall into this category. But our focus here is on the remaining two categories of students – “Chi River” students and “Chi Goal” students.

Rivers and Goals

The two terms “river person” and “goal person” come from Earl Nightingale.

Earl Nightingale was a well-known motivational speaker many years ago. He was the first person to ever earn a gold record for sales of a spoken word recording, back in 1956. I highly recommend that 1956 recording, “The Strangest Secret”, plus a follow-up he did before he passed away in 1989 called The Strangest Secret for Succeeding in the World Today (click here).

By the way, I receive no compensation for promoting these recordings, but I’m glad to do it. This is one of the most important motivational works ever created. If you are serious about being successful, no matter what field of interest you are pursuing, you should run, not walk, to get those recordings.

Anyway, Earl Nightingale talked about “goal people” and “river people” as two models of success.

Chi Goal People

As a model for success, goal people are those who work best by having a definite goal and a plan on how to reach it. Goal people need to lay out a clear set of measurable goals for what they want to do. Since they can become easily distracted, they need a lot of external structure and discipline to succeed.

Note that this is different from the first category of people we mentioned above – those who require external “motivation”. Goal people are self-motivated, and they don’t need motivation from outside themselves. But they do need external “structures” to help support their self-motivation and accomplish what they set out to do.

For Chi Goal people, these external structures include writing down their objectives for their Chi development, setting up timetables and deadlines for what they want to learn, and working through them methodically. They need to get in the habit of having a regular time or regular schedule to train and practice.

Even if it’s just ten or fifteen minutes – they have to do it every day. What’s important is the regularity. This helps keep them focused and on track to accomplishing their goals.

When they do lose focus though, it’s easy for Chi Goal people to turn things around. They just need to put the external structures back in place. They merely need to pull out those goals and timetables, and re-commit to using them.

Their success comes through organizing their practice approach, and through a regular schedule. Being consistent is the key.

Chi River People

On the other hand, Chi River people do it differently. They don’t need much in the way of external structure, and they aren’t necessarily methodical. They just mostly “wade” in to the river of Chi and “immerse” themselves in their learning and practice.

Unlike the Chi Goal person, a Chi River person may not have a clearly laid out training schedule or measurable goals. But they are successful because they are so involved in their Chi practice, they can’t imagine NOT pursuing it every day. Their structure is “internal” to how they think and work in Chi Development.

Sometimes people confuse “Chi River people” with the “flitters” we mentioned in the first group above. After all, both types of people have little in the way of external structure. But the flitter moves quickly from one Chi program or teacher to another, and never seems to accomplish much or commit to anything.

So don’t confuse the River person’s lack of structure for a lack of commitment. For Chi River people, their practice and commitment to Chi Development comes naturally. And unlike the flitter who never last more than a few weeks or months without external motivation, the dedication of Chi River people often last years or decades.

Now, you might think that being a “Chi River person” would be easier than being a “Chi Goal person”. And when it comes to actually practicing, it is. But for Chi River people, while they are easily drawn to practice, actual success and accomplishment in Chi Development usually comes a little more haphazardly for them. Chi River people seem to have more ups-and-downs in their accomplishments, rather than the “smoother” journey that persistent Chi Goal people have.

So Which Are You?

Before you can decide whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal Person, the first question to ask yourself is, “Am I an independent-minded, self-motivated Chi student?”

For example, can you practice on your own without the discipline of having to keep up with a class? Or can you determine your own path to Chi Development without the constant attention of a master to keep you on track?

Don’t be surprised, especially if you are a beginner, if the answers to these questions are “No”. But just be honest with yourself. If you need external motivators right now, that’s OK. Most people do. And many of us actually STARTED OUT that way before making the transition to being independent and self-motivated.

However, once you make that transition, you’ll need to ask yourself the second question: “Am I a Chi River person, or a Chi Goal person?”

Now of course, no one is PURELY a Chi River person or PURELY a Chi Goal person. But we all have our tendencies. So a big step forward in your training is for you to decide if you are more of a Chi Goal person or more of a Chi River person.

In our online program, we accommodate both Chi River and Chi Goal people.

For the Chi Goal person, our Getting Started Guide has tips for setting up training schedules, and for working methodically through the course. I can’t count the number of “Chi Goal” people who have thanked me for the Getting Started Guide. They said it made all the difference in succeeding with our course.

The Chi River people, on the other hand, appreciate the open approach we take to training. They can wade into the program, and spend more time on the areas that interest them, without having to keep to a weekly schedule like they would in a regular class.

That’s one of the reasons we chose an online format for our courses – the flexibility it allows for us to work with both types of independent-minded, self-motivated students. We enjoy working with both Chi River people and Chi Goal people.

So as we start the New Year, begin to explore your own path to independent Chi Development. Look and think about how you like to approach training. Are you a Chi River person, who needs no external structures? Or do you work best when you have a plan, like most Chi Goal people?

Once you know which you are, you can then work towards your Chi Development with confidence, knowing you are on the path that is right for YOU!

Happy New Year.

Best wishes,
Al

Can you find your name in our annual Thanksgiving Day list?

It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S. And a few years ago, I started a Thanksgiving tradition here in the blog.

Each Thanksgiving, I list the first names of all the students and instructors who’ve joined us for online Tai Chi and Qigong training in our private ChiFusion courses.

While it’s fun to look through the list to find your name, I actually do this for a very serious purpose. And that’s to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your support throughout the years.

When we opened our web-based programs in 2003, many people said to me, “You can’t teach this stuff online. That will never work!” It was an uphill battle, and those first few people who joined us were brave pioneers. But now, eight years later, learning Chi Development online is an accepted practice – thanks to the commitment and dedication of ALL of the students and instructors listed below.

Maybe you were one of those first brave pioneers who joined us in 2003. Or maybe you just joined us this morning. Or maybe you were somewhere in between.

No matter when you joined us, I greatly appreciate having you in our program.

Also, I hope all of you will join me in thanking your “senior classmates” – those who joined our program before you. Without their support, this program wouldn’t have been here for you to join.

I’m very thankful to all the support you’ve shown us during the last eight years. We literally could not do what we do without your support.

Thank you to each and every one of you! You have my best wishes for health and happiness now, and for the upcoming New Year.

2003: Rosie, Jill, Adam, Karen, Jennifer, Margaret, Yakup, Bhavesh, Karen, Philip, Daniel, Sally, Donald, Sydney W, Florence, Jerry, Peter, Debra Ann, Paul A, Dick, Michael, Joyce and Joan, Jolanta, Brian, John, Ruth, Lynne, Steven, Gary, Donald, Russ, Erika, Ronald, Shafi, Lynn, Norman, Jan, James, Pat, Alvin, Elaine, Janina, Adam, Arun, Diego, William, William, Manuel, Arun, Paul, Adam, Joyce, Adam, Janina, Norman, James, Rosie, Rosie, Stephen, William, Ute, Theresa, Theresa, Lavaughn, Elaine, Daniel, Girija, Donald, John, Richard, Fanny, Michael, Judith, Katherine, Jarius, Eric, Michelle, Sash,

2004: Joan, Clifton, James, Peggy, Sandro, Mark, Tony, Walter, Carolyn, Richard, Don, Lori, Robert, Nigel, Ryan, Martin, Robert, Tom, Michele, Jeffrey, Loriann, Brian R, Lynn, Robert, Lubov, Kim, Tim, Michelle, John, Candice, Ray, J H, Gary, Adebisi, David, Gerry, Rae, Martin, Keith, Virginia, Virginia, Patrick, Malcolm, Ed, L Kelly, Leslie, Karen, Joel, Tom, Sally, David, S V, Derek, Jg, Cesar, Deborah, Clyde, William, Michael, Tony, Geri, Lillian, T C, Arthur, Robert, Peter, James, Lucia R, Daniel, Craig, Timothy, Abhirami, Robert A, A M J, Rodney, William, Tony, Daniel, Christopher, Cheong, Adam, Carlos, Nancy, Ray, Mario F, Evans, Eric, Sherry, Henry, Rev. Mother, Jerry R, Cynthia, Bella, Robert, Sanjib, Andreas, Gloree, Geoffrey, Michael, Ira, Harry,

2005: Brian, Andrea, Marco, Aubrey, Steve, Gordon, Luke, Robert, David, James, Gerald, Joyce, Geoffrey, Peggy, Norman, Cathleen, Rosie, Francesco, Carlos, Virginia, Adam, Jeff, Gloree, James, Julee, Charles, Donald, Donald, Gary, Arun, John, James, Don, James, Jg, Lillian, Sanjib, Andrea, Martin, Robert, Paul, Michelle, Richard, William, Andreas, Rodney, Lynn, Geri, Girija, G S, Walter, Fuhry, Jeffry, Judith, Marco, Daniel, Tony, Daniel, Gordon, Paul, David, Abdul, Jeffry, Susan, Carole, Carole, Daniel, Gregory, Tom, Louise, Justin, Roger, John, Bonnie J, Jan, David, Jeff, Richard, Manuel, Keith, Pat, Anne, Gregory, Paul, Sharon, Alex, P L, Jeffry, Peter, Robert, Robert, Robert, Manole, Florence, Virginia, Selena, Dennis, Colin W, Stacy, Gloree, Denis, Charles J, Raoul, Chad, Maureen, Chris, Giustina, Ellis, Dr. Munis, Sulten, William, Karen, William, Geoffrey B, Gary, Ronald, William, Douglas, Richard, Roy, Peter, Lewis, S M,

2006: Phyllida, Clyde, Clint R, Deborah, Steve, David, Jeffry, Steven, Douglas F, Gail, Jerry, Loretta, Parnell, Clyde, Jamie, Paul, Peggy, Stan, Pilar, Rob, Derrick, Derrick, James E, John, John, Celia, Elly, Arin, John, Thomas, Alan, Alan, Natasa, Timothy, Michael, John A, Barbara, Ira, Wendy, William, Doug, Arthur, Mr C J, Kimberly, Robbert, Alex, Rotaunja, Ronald, Myrna, Wolfgang, Scott, Patrick Kar Yiu, Jim, Lesley, Nancy, Barbara, Phyllida, Bennett, Khai Quan, Janyce, Heather, Michelle, Gilberto, Josel, P, Karen, K, Roy, Michael, Lorraine H, Michael, Hans, Annie, Doug, Neil, Miguel, Kevin, D A, Annie, Anna, E Marie, Kevin, Peter, Janusz, John, Kevin, Kenneth, K, Laura, Ronald, William, Anna, Carlos, Robert N,

2007: Jose R, Christos, Mario, Charles H, Christine, Charles, Jeffrey, Robert, Elizabeth, Thomas, Connie, Kenneth, Winston, Katherine, Daniel, Robert, Todorka, Rebecca, Greg, Terrell, Katherine, Paul, Michael, Terry, K, Danny, Anita, William, Hans, John, Harold, Thomas, Anthony, George, William, Jessica, Fabio, Terje, Jan, Glenis, Michael, Kathleen, Robert, Ronald, John, Annie, Marianne, Judith, Robert, Mary, John, Lee, Terrilee, Tahir, Allen E, Kathy, Carolyn, Richard, Mira, Elizabeth, James, Pauline, Shirley, Karen, Kelly, John, Naresh, Janet, P. David, Alexandre, John, Angela, John, Dan-Thomas, Sean, Harvey, Arian, Alex, Donald, James, Matthew, Patrick, Raul, Ann, Rae, Peter, Don, Pat, Raymond, Dag Ole, Patricia L, Judith, Larry, Felix, Gerald L, Judith, Patricia, Betty, Gregory, James, Robert, Carles, Eric, Gordon, James, Gina, Jeff, Michael, Celinda, Mladen, Martin, James, Kendall, Joseph, Gary, Deborah, Bruce, Abdulmanan, Stan, Robert, Arthur, Tania, Belinda, Paula, Ah Kiat, Richard,

2008: Robert, Benoit, Tracy, Stefanie, Tom, Virginia, Nha, Paul, Corazon, Lori, Emma Beatriz, Rick, Calvin, Yiu, Rex, Michael, Mary Ellen, Shannon, Kenneth, Kimberly, Julien, Bonnie, Tim, Jan, Alex, Neil, Carl, Ian, Karen, Tony, Alhassan, Alan, Gerardo, John, Todd, Julee, Eugene L, John, Neil, David, Nelson, Patricia, Wesley, Melvyn, Ben, Charles, Peter, Joseph, Ingrid, Cliff, Lisa, Alex, Brian, Petr, Laurie, Guillermo Ruben, Kelli, Larry, Peggy, Joanne, Michelle, Sal, John, Danny, Barry, Patrick, Pamela, John, Michelle, Chrj, David, Georgina, Steven, Jason, Ronald, Svein-Kre, John, Deb, Derek, Allan, Paul, Ramona, Conny, Deborah, Keith, Maria, Khai Quan, Manuel, Ewan, Kelly A, Ronald, Jeffrey, Manfred, Linda, Steve, Kim, Joseph D, Roy, Janet, Graham, Cyril, Irene, Martin, D A, Janice, Christian, Jacqueline A, Kioomars, Paul, Gayle, Judy, Narelle, Paul, Melinda, Marie, Michele, Barbara, Chris, Carol, Lam, Lisa, Glenn, Annette, Evzen, Lorne, Benoit, Tom, Arthur, Alexander, John, Mwezo, Wallace C, Justin, Steven, Rotaunja, Lesly, Betty, Carlos, Christina, Royce A, Ron, Jack, Simon, Norman, David, Harry S, Atsushi, Brook J, Terrell, Marcie, Paul, G A, Maud-Alexandra, Marian, Margaret, Gregory, L Kelly, Derek, Marit H, Rodrigo, Adolfo, Gilda, Azhar, Marios, Lucia R, Agustin, Warren, Patrice, John, John, Robert, Paula, Hendra, Daniel, Mirja, Chad, Edward, Tatiana, Mike, Rodolfo, Annastasia, Scott, A J, Amy, Pamela, Colin, Derek, Salvatore, Anita, Ling, Preston, Aref, Carole D, Evelyn, Margaret, Gordon, Paul, Pascal, Matthew, Christopher, Mary, Norman, Theresa, Lesley, Timothy, Steven, Maryjane, Michael, David, Erich, Sandra, Elisabeth, Jim, Fred, Sean, Emma Beatriz, Amy, Dag Ole, Mary, Ethan, W. David, W. David, Gregory, Linda, Jeffrey, Rosie, Isabel, Erich, Lucky, Annie, Homer, Annette, Jana, Keith, James, Robert W, Robert W, Frances, L Kelly, John, Peter, Maureen, Tim, Stan, John, Maryjane, Maryjane, Judith, Alex, Marianne, Gloree, Clifford, Patrice, Doug, Adam, Linville, Paul, Todroka, Walden, Maurice, A J, Johanna, Donald, Greg, Alex, Scott, Raymundo, C F M, Eyal And Zora, Tom, Tracey, Nancy, William,

2009: Nancy, Sue/Darlene, Anita, Anita, Gilda, Brian, Hisham, Joan, Thelma, Claudia G, Stephanie, Steve, Kevin, Jolanda, Mary Ann, James, Nataliya, Frank, Roger, Tommi, Clare, Catherine, Winston, Antonio, Bill, Atsushi, Homer, Arun, Christina, Christina, Marion, Michael, Tatyana, Gary, Theodore, Glenn, Van, Ronald, Donald, Isabella, Gary, Roy, Bernice, Robert, Sandro, Martin, Harold, Diane, Theresa, Bennett, V, Shelly, Thad, Umera, Ryan, Frances, Saun, Melody, Roy, Richard, Eugen Mario, Dennis, Ken, David, Dan, Richard, Douglas, James, David, Doyle, Lawrence, Jose M., Angelo, Joseph, Carlos, Mishelle, Ralph, Paul, Michael, Ramona, Branko, Tom, Mark, John, Tom, Alton, Alexander, Colin, Eugene, Robbert, Sarah G, Frank, Janet, Won Chull, Kevin, Kathryn, Clay, Georges, Willard, Stephanie, Diana, Alberto, Donal, Frank, Roger F, Sarah G, Hugh, Van, Debbi, Lenga, Mary, Thomas, Olivia, Walter, Kirsten, Joyce, Yuen Sun, Yuen Sun, Dennis, Catherine, Debbi, Ralph, Walter, Mihaela, Claudia G, Simon L, Gene, Ken, Olivia, James, Lorraine, Barbara, Peter, Jeffery, Jose, Richard, Apolonia, Stephen, Nicholas, Lewis, Richard, Kenneth, Vidojko, Ted, Evelyn, Margaret, Stig Rune, David, George, Orlando, David, Thomas, Susan, Jerry, Marjorie J, Stanley L, Dawn, Thilo, Dixie, Mr Steven, Christine, Helen, Mrs S, Dr Valeria N, John, Lesley, Diane, Wong Sin Hing, Abw, Marianne, Cherry, Marin, Marin, Mary, Ronald, Pietro, Michael, Ernest, Bob, Kari, Kaye, Margrit, Patrick, Gino, Peter, David, Abdullah, Tranchie, Derek, Dennis, William, Christopher, Yoshinobu, Rita, Chris, Thomas, Darbella, Eric, Ron, Darren, Linda M, Louise, Olga, Ellie, James, Alvin, Diane, Joost, Aldona, Maryann, Gene P, Charlotte, Wendy, Judy, Shawn, Allen, Steen, Patricia, A P, Rick, Helen, George, Clair, Irem, John, Karen M, Lorene, Allan, Pawan, Ritamarie, Richard, Marie-Michelle, Laurie, Wendy, Marina, Peter Alan, Scott, Glosnie, Eric, Dennis, Timothy, Ronald, Darren, Roeland, William, Robert S, Jonathan, Linda, Alan, Mike, John, Barry, Harold, James, Julio, Pilar, Ricardo, James, Chris, Sia, Miriam, Roger, Robert, Ron, Linda M, Gerard, K V, Robert, Ilse, James, Thomas, Padraig, Alex, Chris, Patricia, Ronald, Richard, Ron, Richard, Jean, Hans, Jehangir, Gene P, Michelle, Barry, Jonathan, Martin, Mary, Christopher, Gunter, Ruth Anne, Shawn, Patricia, Allen, Joan, Theofania, Darren, Chris, Anne, Mark, Jacqueline, Kevin, Laura, Lisa, Brian, Reinaldo, Allan, Basil, Ayse, Richard, Linda, Larry, Agnes, Laurie, James, Simon, Caroline, Mark, Gary, Dennis, Fidelis, Keith, Justin, Beate Helene, Lauree, Mary, Robert, Susan, Jonathan, William, Yves, Chris, Angelina, Frank, Ann, Linda, Nadia, John, Marianne, Mathias, Ed, Christine, Raymond, Robert, Patti, Bette Ann, Karen L, Chris, Christian, Linda, Ron, Linda M, Danny, James, Suzanne, Hg, Ilse, Leon, Gene P, Lynette, Peter, Amy, Thomas, Gunter, Candice, Allen, Joan, Patricia, Shawn, Theofania, Jacquelyn, Wayne, Hans, John, Jacqueline, Reinaldo, Allan, Richard, Linda, Toni, Laurie, James, Angie, Caroline, Dinah, Janice P, Justin, Soi, Elke, Michael, Grant, David, Ipatia, Jonathan, Robin, Barbara, Ann, Allen, Jennifer, Carla, Caroline, Simo, Harry, David, Linda, Dion, Larry, Cathy, Geoffrey, Karen L, Simon, Indra, Weldon W, Camilla, Øystein, Christian, Linda, Ilse, Susan, Donald, John, Gudni, Mary Carol, Lorenz, Suzanne, Kay, P, Ivars, Warren, Vibeke, Martin, Trevor, Rob, David, Javier, Joan, Sherwood, Alexander, Wayne, David, Stephen, Colt, Reinaldo, Dr Alison, Rejean, Theofania, John, Crispino, Carol, Carmen, Linda, Jacqueline, Brian, Miguel, Davide Alberto, James, Dorothea, Caroline, Janice P, Cryslea, Bruce, Justin, Gary, David, Mary, Vincent, Ben, Nancy, Louise, Stephen, Amit, Nikolai, Stevenson, Mark, Dana, Keith, Emanuela, Richard, Janellen, Dag, John, James, Stephen, Robert, Jude, Jose, Daphne, Clifton, Aisha, Yazid, Roberto, John, Colin, Joyce, Jonathan, Joelle, Tzu Fann, Steve, Heather, Alice, Unni Elisabeth, Edward, Mark, Margo, Elizabeth, Roselie F, Neilo, Magaret, Clyve, Donald, Kevin, Karolien, Kenneth, Bob, Mohinder, Genni, Robert, Joseph, R.E., Chris, Jeanne B, Regina, Brian, Jean, Jami, Ken, Hans, Arthur, Christine, Ilmari, Charles J, Steven L, Tatiana, Mike, Frederick, Suzanne, Kara, Philip, Bj, Paula, Christine, Norma, Lauren, Salvatore, David,

2010: Ernests, Rachel, Paul, Arlyn, Joan, Jeffrey H, Jolyn R., Marie, Suzanne, Aisha, G. Nick, Vicky, Steven, Michele, Judy, Agung, Chaarani, Suz, Dennis, Martha, Carla, Tom, Diane, Erick, Carol, Richard, Edward, Dorothy, Aghee, Kim, Cynthia, Igors V, Sarah, Paul, Michael, Shari, David, Mette Lyngsoe, Brian, Deborah, Nancy J, Robert, Binh, Richard, Dorothy, Robert, Nancy, Barb, Peter, Karen, Ruth, Andrew, William, Bev, Debby, Trong Hiep, Richard, Michael, Robbin S, Frank, Sandra, Clare, Kathy, Linda, Kerstin, Helen, Sandra, Rosie, Sunada, Igor, Guy, Paul, Michael, Nancy, Suzanne, Tisha, Rick, Alain, Kathy, Shella, Kwok, Gordon, Robert, Joseph, Roderick, Jennifer, Laszlo, Shirley, Jane, Richard, Peter, Eva, Carolyn, Sharon, Dorothy Louise, Nicole Y, Leila, Mark, Ruth E, Steven, Mary, Tina, Bruce, Fontana, Colin, Kevin, Cynthia A, Alia, A W, Yeow Len, Sylvia, Charles, Richard, Cheryl, Bobette, Richard, Emilia, Camille, Shari, Thomas, Nena, Frances, Robert M, Nancy, Jane, Luis, Michael, Wei, Kevin, Elfriede, Sarah V, Hannie, Sindra, William, Patricia, Ysabel, Florence M, Jerzy, Kenneth, Michael, Judyann, Jackie, Debra, Arya, Daniel, Michael, William, Larry, Sheila, Darlene, Steve, David, Andy, Jim, Christine, Yvon, Jean-Paul, Ruchith, Kathryn, Carol, Mamoru, Arthur, Lillian, Valerie, Gary, Laslo, Mario, Mark, John, Marte, Dean, Lori, Michael, Perin, Linda, Steve, Jean, Susan J., Justyn, Arthur, Robert, Malcolm, L, Albert, Donna, Louise, Peter, David, Marguerite, Genci, Bernard, Keimpe, Pamela, Christy M, Matt, Andrew, Jessica, Tim, K Y, Jill, Carel, John, Maureen, Gretchen, Dennis, Anna, Juan A, Walter, Peter, Thomas, W T, Anne Marie, John, Aspy Framroze, Dean, Andrew, Marta, Henry, Frank, Blanca E, Tom, Patrick, Richard, Ron, Ben, Lesley, Diane, Robin, Steve, Stephen, Brock, Suzanne, Brian S A, Renato, Bjarne, Deanna, Edith M, Nancy, Janice J, John, Robert, Paul, Peter, Jeremy, B E, Mary, Kim, Sandra, Kathleen, Debora, Angela, David, Marijke, Shella, Lowell, Nicholas, Marian, Christine, Paul M, Jennifer, Cheney, Suniti, Anthony, Maureen, Lawrence, Bart, Luis, Paula, Pamela, Ron, William, Simon, Michael, Justyn, Craig, Carol, Desiree, Charles, Etienne, Sally, Catheryn, Jannine, Chari, Trygve, Martha, Kathleen, Anthony, William, Mary Beth, Jim, Lucille G, Michael, David, Louise, Viviane, Sharon, Kathleen, Barbara, Dean, Susanne, Karen, Patricia, Jeanette, Marilyn, David, Pauline, Christina, Hitomi, William, Janet, Rachel, Linda, Emma, Maimuna, Roger, Ruth, Linda, Francine, Linda, Waltraud, Linda, Valerie, Mihaiela, Leslie, Craig, Jacqueline, Michele, Cynthia, Stephen, Nikki, Jeffry, Patti, Barbara, Nagako, Stephanie, Martha, Caroline, Marilyn, John, Christopher, Ina, Leanora, Lenice, Lidia, Ann Marie, Joleen, M, Frank, Yaron, Howard, Victoria, Lara, Judith, Christine, Valerie, Betsy, Amanda, Sharon, John, Anne, Katherine, Bibi, Carol, Charles, Edward, Sylvia, Jennifer, Ashley, Elaine, Jason, Gregory, Vasin, Kee Seng, Carmela, Joan, Jeffrey, Gary, Peter, Magda, Marilyn, Prem, Pascale Marie, William, Jo, Ubk Ki Dojo, Alison, Marina, David, Anita, Thomas K, Thomas, Janice, Loriann, Dave, John, Terry, Patricia, Mayer, Rebecca, Robert, Barbara, Rivka, Dana, Eileen, Theodore, Jelani, Karen, José, Frans, Philip, Philippa, John, Blanche, Lara, Aiko S, Mr, Michael, Kathy, Eileen, Iris, Hung, Jason, Donna, Anthony, Eileen, Molly, Sara-Gene, Jim, Caroline, Robert, Thomas, Carolyn, Richard, Carl, G Sridhar, Andrew, Kerry, Kaye, Lisa J, Henry, Christine, Grayson, Astrid, Robyn, Doug, Me, Hans, Paula, Katherine, Matthew, Ann, Paolo, E, Jorge Armando, Rebekah, Christoph, James, Livia, Donald, Cory, Robyn, I, Chris, Susan, Susan, Sean, Ankica, William, Martin, Patricia, Alexander, Marge, Donald, Sarah, Linda, Simon, Ferruccio, Amit, Kit, Sunny, Ann, Tammy, Sally, Fausto, Dave, Dr, Sayuri, Chuck, Barnett, Deborah, Barbara, Kevin, Kevin, Richard, Rolf, William, J Raymond, Preethi, Ron, James, John, Sharon, Esther, Marilee, Huy, Dominik, Marc, Sandi, John, Julia, Roy, Clare, Robert, Sandra, Larry, Jenny, Julio, C, Nick, Cherie, Dolli, Gary, Terry, Shamsulbahriah, Roberta, Henry, Laurie, Thomas, Gregory, Diana, Tom, Rebecca, Larry, Seena, Sandra, Robert, Judy, Lorraine, Leslie, Nicholas, John, Patrick, Gunnar, Karen, Coleen, Stevens, Edna, Abhijit, Abigail, Donald, Abigail, Susanne, Phyllis, Michael, Susan, Kristi, Randolph, Richard, Frederick, Robert, Dwen, Teri, Ava, Randolph, Connie, Jon, Meredith, Jonathan, Neil, Adriana, Nancy, B Carol, P. Sidney, Lester, Christine, Lynnette, John S, Dane, Victor, Christopher, Jim, Carol, Geoffrey, Kelly, Barbara, Ken, Patricia, Wayne, Carolyn, Spencer, Jacquelyn, Howard, Karen, Larry, C, Katie, Katherine, Michael, Christian, Dave, Rhese, Gita, Jaime, Tammi, Wesley, Jeane, Kenny, Marjorie, Valerie, Jack, Nancy, Bruce, Peter, Virginia, Mona, Charleen, Gwendolyn, Pearlena, Bruce, Laura, Jackie, Sondra, Tedario, Devendran, Atossa, Majna, Roger John, James, Michael, Richard, John, Soei Tien, Leif Erik, Jane, Ihor, Sharon, Flemming, Bryna, Louise, Del, Stephen, Lan, Patrick, Eva Marie, Henrik, John, Smm, Tommy, Leeorr, Sharon, Paul, Inger, Laurent, Simon, Dellwyn, Jan, Vibeke, Kathryn, Lutz, Neil, Gav, Paul R, Burkhard Michael, Linne, Benjamin, Peter, Marina, Denya, Marianne, Veselina, Vivi, Arun, Rodney, Rodney, Richard, Carol A, Nan, Dustin, Matthias, Tamara, Alayna, Judith, Anthony, Jacqueline, Kamran, Steven, Annette, Alok, Maria, Joseph, Aranka, Shelley, Juanita, Beatrice, Michael, Pat, Gloria, Marla, Marjorie E, Irene, Lorna, Carl, Brett, Robert, Therese, Christine, Heather, Linda, Rex, Thomas Kenneth, Josh, Drena, Kc, Megan, Stephen, Faj, Larry, Jonathan, Marcela, Ryan, Michael, Kevin, Deborah, Susan, Judith, Tony, Tom, Miriam, Trupti, Marv, Judith, Bob, Kathe, Gabriel, Kenneth, Charles, Bobbie, J’Ette, Randy, Eva, Gurcharan, Michael, Sandra, Charles, Rainer, Brian, Andrew, Douglas, Sherry, Angel, Maryanne, Bruce, Christine, Clara, Phyllis, Keld, Susan, Deborah, Cathleen, Gerald, Brett, Richard, Stanley, Nanette, Oumah, Georges, Alex, Vlado, Michael, Doris, Christopher, Robert, Christopher, David, Chuck, Thomas, Winifred, Alfred, Brett, Robert, Dorothy, Gunnar, Joslyn, Donna, Michael, Cynthia, George, Wallace, Arazak, Wei, Ann, Stephen, Jeffrey, Mrs Virginia F, Thomas, Vui, Stephen, Sandra, Mabry, Marianne, Bergthora, Donald, Pei, Riva, P Blake, L. Joan, Katie, Thomas, Curt, R.P., Richard, Victoria, Larry, James, Raymond, Lucy, Olena, Peter, David, Robert, Susie, Jim, Doreen, Douglas, Preethi, Connie, Lawrence, Erica, Richard, Walter, Jerzy, Helen, Richard, Lincoln, Kimberly, David, Garry, Jeff, Linda, Gillian, Mohammed, Eric, Martin, Ed, Bill, Anita, Ken, Wilson, Noah, Kashif, Jose, Faj, Paola, Mary, Michael, Andrew, Tino, Ellen, Shalini, Sam, Daphne, Sandra, Charles, Belinda, Marina, HJ, Gary, Barry, Suzanne, Erin, Michael, Dian, Sunny, Stephanie, Barbara, Elke, Mary, Carole, Francine, Edward, Sean, Paul, Lynda, Robert, Woodrow,

2011: Alexa, Kjell-Erik, Mirja, Brenna, Alan, Robert, Kelly, Pat, Margaret, Tom, Lorie, Tanase, Walter, Benjamin, Viswanathan, Roberta, James, Jane, Karen, Birgit, Tony, C S, Kevin, Leeba, Audre, Åse, Sue, Kirsten, Rosemary, Paul, Jerry, Pene, Eva, Miodrag, John, Sue, Michael, Loretta, Laura, Linda, Dianne, Peter, Leslee, Beryl, Susan, Stuart, William, Marilyn, Patricia, Ferdinando, Ibrahim, Marty, Anon, Janet, John, Doug, Dave, Dennis, Ayodele, Anthony, Gary, Alfred, Barbara, Heather, Henry, Jacquelin, Jean Claude, Lee, John, Lisette, William, Allen, Robert, Wesley, Lorraine, Lea, Eric, Deborah, Cruzita, Phyllis, Mary, Hubert, James, Susan, Charles, Ron, Philip, Enzo, Norman, Bonnie, Nader, Marsha, Marjorie, James, Melvin, Paul, Dirk, Carol, Mitzie, Michelle, Santos, Jill, Betty, Pamela, Maria, Mark, Helen, Henry, Alastair, Thomas, Pauline, Barbara, Ernestina, Douglas, Larry, Wim, Astrid, Natalie, Paul, Jiri, Jye Jong, Gwendoline, Wilhelmina, Anne, Charalampos, Grete, Paco, Judy, Alan, Ewa, Katrina, Nancy, Barbara, G David, Olga, Paul, Lester, Kathryn, Genevieve, Jeffery, Doris, David, Jeremy, Troy, Kaye, Dawn, Ann, Dale, Maria Elena, Nestor, Malcolm, Michael, Felix, Cynthia, Marijan, John, Paul, Dawn, Helen, John, Kit, Craig, Michael, Alec, Jacqueline, Cathy, Hans, Darill, Richard, Patricia, Trudy, John, P, Cor, Michelle, Brucilla, Michel, Gilbert, Rich, Medical, Marilyn, Judy, Winston, Billy, Yvonne, Sameen, John, Michael, Darlene, Dailey, Michael, Linda, Lori, Sheila, John, Adriana, Richard, Ivan, Robert, Brad, Robert, Diane, Shelly, Richard, Nicole, Steven, Mary, Margret, Daniela, Ronald, Clair, Linda, Sol-Britt, Aysegul, Torsten, Sandra, Lynley, Melissa, Khaled, Frederico, Jocelyn, Nouf, Bondolin, Thomas, Paul, John, Glen, Sandra, Mark, Jostein, Sharon, Marcia, Connie, Chun, William, Andrew, Randall, Donald, Danny, Nathalie, Elena, Norine, Roslyn, Anne, Elizabeth, Greg, Sandra, Sandra, Timothy, Carolyn, Lisa, Timothy, Loriann, Tim, Deana, E S, Douglas, Paul, Sandra, Robert, Sisko, Pier-Olivier, Leatrice, Fred, Bob, Anne, David, Stephen, Errol, Earl, Ross, Robert, Suzanne, Håkon, Carolyn, Judith, Teresa, Lynn, Craig, James, Arthur, Barry, Carla, Ann, Roger, Janet, Jane, Romy, Gwendolyn, William, Patsy, Timothy, Edit, Sherry, Anne, Christine, Andrej, Jacob, Aylin, Ina, Keiko, Derek, Valentina, David, Veronika, Vivienne, Alicia, Jair, Dane, J, Cecil, David, Kenneth, Nelson, Beth, Margaret, Paul, Donna, Robyn, Chris, Johnny, Helena, Deborah, Olga, Nancy, Edwina, Joyce, Janet, Joy, Bob, Joan, Max, Jenny, Donald, Janet, Elaine, Alison, Clay, Subhas, Charles, Gena, Sharron, Francoise, Beverly, Sharon, Richard, Eduardo, Kenneth, Peter, Opal, Liz, Carol, Elyn, Robert, Carl, Kai, Kathy, Robert, Thomas, Francois, Malcolm, Kathy, Al, Rex, Kjetil, Colleen, Walter, Larry, Nyleve, Tariq, Bryan, Fanny, Deirdre, W A, Kam, Norman, Valentine, Alan, Steven, David, Diane, Burton, Mike, Stanley, Tara, Ruth, Robert, Desiree, Marc, Kimberly, Michael, James, Roy, Cheryl, David, Thomas, Stephen, Lawrence, Paul, Kathleen, Julie, Emma, Linda, Sylvia, Carolyn, Richard, Donna, Mark, Dieter, Christopher, Shirley, Albert, Ron, Aileen, Virachai, Clair, Windu, Shari, Christina, Deborah, Isobel, Anthony, Michael, Francois, Marc-André, Douglas, Nuno, Mark, Kathleen, Maria, Michael, Leandro, Neil, Stanley, Marie, John, Leora, Howard, William, Jane, Antímio, Li San, Eduardo, Alistair, Janet, Suzanne, Viv, Philip, Kenneth, Alphonsus, David, Arlynna, Julie, Kevin, Katherine, Vicente, Willaim, Mr, Arlette, Ehsan, Quek, Philip, Charles, Elizabeth, Hiromi, Brenda, Shawn, Robert, Ivor, Ian, Gordon, Eric, Barry, Walter, Bronia, John, Margaret, Lex, Lisa, Ed, Phil, Mary Ann, Myra, Basheer, Mark, Richard, J. Archie, V, Thomas, Thomas, Patricia, Janis, Geetanjali, Gerald, George, Markus, Suryya, Susan, Julie, Katherine, Wilfrido, Angie, Rami, Richard, Gregory, Clovis, Dick, Sandy, Brigitte, Jay, Josephine, Daniel, Kath, Iris, A, Martin, Dorothy, Julie, Michael, Pamela, Paulette, Nada, Cartley, Kevin, Trevor, Norma, David, Rea, Carole, Vasilios, Fauver, Barbara, Ronald, Chen, Keith, Michael, Satvinder, Fernando, Tyler, Antonio, Dean, Roger, Harish, Laura, Karen, Khaled, Caecilia, Pauline, Craig, Gulamabbas, Robin, Calvin, Cynthia, Jacquelyn, John, Darren, Lisa, Dawn, Stanley, Stephen, Karin, Ivette, Mujgan, Olin, Frederic, Luis, George, Glenn, John, Valorie, Barbara, Wan, Charles, Diana, Dave, Carol, Craig, Jane, Ruth, Anne, Esther, Cecile, Greg, Jose, Adrianne, Derly, George, Juha, Bernard, Angie, Gregg, Barnard, Malinda, Bd, David, Richard, Marian, Jose, Ben, Ann, Laura, Walter, Donald, Richard, Ana, Cao, Kristina, Barbara, Ryan, Judy, Jana, Stephen, Iain, Renaud, Vivian, K K, Kenneth, Isabella, Patrick, Barbara, Ana Elisa, Robert, Belinda, Joakim, Kimberly, Jerry, Carina, Stephen, Heather, Scott, Robert, Char, Jaspal, Albert, Naitmass, Wayne, Ana, Dianne, Emil, Laila, Danilo, Julie, Diane, Jimmy, Jeremy, Steffen, Edward, Lily, Joann, Charles, Fred, Claudio, Barbara, Wm, William, Zeno, Sandy, Frank, Peter, Milton, Silvia, Bozena, Malcolm, Bruce, Arnold, Dennis, Sarah, Per, Barbara, Robert, Jarle, Heather, Marcelo, Gail, Marilena, H J, Richard, Charles, Nancy, Jennifer, Bas, Elsemarieke, John, John, Larry, George, Lisa, Tony, Pauline, Joseph, Temmy, A Mark, Gilberte, Edward, James, David, Terri, Allen, Jonathan, Julia, Jamila, Sultan, Alexander, Mary Kay, Gordon, Jolie, Joy, Francis, Janice, Rachelle, Christopher, Kuan, Lewis, S, Patti, Janet, Edward, Joane, Micaela, Ben, W. Terry, Helen, Gwen, Diane, Joellen, Montserrat, Frederick, Valerie, Brian, Eileen, Alex, Claire, Ivan, Judy, Kathleen, Steve, Jane, Vikas, Ali, Franklin, Marvin, Debra, Dee, Paul, Maria, Mario, Judith, Richard, Elaine, Richard, Peter, Roger, Dolores, Roy, Margaret, Lawrence, M Elizabeth, Mary, Marilyn, Jaime, Orlando, Santiago, Rodica, Vladimir, Jean Claude, Merryla, Gary, Amy, Debbie, Inkeri, Francisco, Emily, Jane, Wayne, Marcia, Debra, Nancy, Sharon, Helen, Therese, Keith, Ray, Oscar, Eric, Neil, Rita, Fabio, Kathleen, Bruce, Zoltán, Ronnie, Angharad, Robert, Wayne, Brian, Joe, Maria, Scott, Anne, Howard, Kerry, Michael, Stephen, Kim, Martin, John, Barbara, Raja, Barbara, Jacqueline, Christian, Emil, Henry, Coralie, Barbara, Maria, Lee, Yaelah, Michael, Donna, Marilyn, Jeff, Ray, Vanessa, Stephen, Richard, Mary, Ana, Anthony, and Norm.

Master Simon,

I was wondering if you can help me understand what this means. I am quoting this from a book called “Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.”

The quote is “Be imperturbable and the true chi will come to you”.

What exactly does this quote mean? I hope that you know what it means, and I trust your 30 years of experience with tai chi and qigong.

Danny

Hi Danny -

When you are looking at translations of Chinese texts, one thing to take special care with is “technical terminology”.

By that I mean, words that have specific meanings in Chinese, but when translated into English appear to use “everyday” meanings.

When I was working on my own translation of portions of the Chinese Tai Chi classics, this idea of “technical terms” comes up rather frequently. A lot of the nonsense you read from English speakers about the Tai Chi classics and other writings results from mistaking “technical terms” for ordinary English.

“True” (as in “true chi”) in this quote falls into this “technical terms” category. It does NOT mean the opposite of “false” as it would in English.

I’m not as familiar with the “Yellow Emperor’s Classic” as I am with the Tai Chi classics. But I believe in the quote you mentioned, “true chi” is a translation of the term “Zhen Qi” in the original.

“Zhen Qi” is often translated as “true chi” in other works. Other translators render it as “genuine chi”, “real chi”, “righteous chi”, “original chi”, “vital chi” or even “upright chi”.

The technical term “Zhen Qi” usually refers to one or more of the various types of chi. Often, it refers to the various “ying chi” (the chi that circulates inside the body through our energy pathways). Sometimes it refers to the combination of “ying chi” with “wei qi” (chi that protects our body from the outside). It may also refer to the conversion of jing (internal essence) to chi energy.

I realize these Chinese terms can be confusing, and we usually stay away from them as much as possible in your ChiFusion course. However, if you are interested in the theory behind these terms, we do have a report in the Bonus Material with your course, entitled “The Four Treasures of Tai Chi”. It explains the theory behind chi cultivation in great detail.

In the course itself, we do cover both “ying qi” and “wei qi”, with specific exercises to help their development. Though we avoid the Chinese technical term “ying chi”, you’ll find that the section in Level 2 on “Energy Pathways” (our “plain English” term for it) is all about ying qi. And wei qi (that’s a term we do actually use) is in the Tai Chi Energetics section in Level 3. Just look for those sections in your course to learn more about these types of “true chi” and how we develop them.

That’s the meaning behind “true chi”. As far as the rest of the quote, “imperturbable” in these ancient writings usually means something like “extreme calm and composure.” The idea, common to Chinese Medicine and Qigong, is that health begins by developing a deep level of calm.

So I would suggest a better translation of

  ”Be imperturbable and the true chi will come to you”

would be

  ”By calming the mind, body and breath, one can cultivate the maximum accumulation and free flow of chi.”

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

Recently, on the private support forum for students and instructors in our program, we’ve been discussing how to adapt Tai Chi and Qigong for people with multiple sclerosis or other forms of limited mobility.

This discussion gets to the heart of what I think is the CENTRAL ISSUE of true Chi Development. And that is, *everything* you learn must be adapted to your unique strengths or weaknesses. It doesn’t matter whether you are the healthiest person in the world, or whether you are dealing with a serious health challenge. To get the most out of your practice, you need to customize it to your unique body/mind/energy system.

From: MSWarrior

Hi all

Any discussions, hints or advice on this site about practising from a chair.I have MS and cannot stand on my legs. I’ve practised qigung for two years, and it Can quite easily be done. But do you Al? or anyone else have any specific advice on how to approach this Challenge within the ChiFusion system?

May The Chi be with you All

From: AlJSimon

Hi Warrior -

Thanks for your message.

You have a lot of company here. We have a number of people with limited ability to stand for one reason or another. They do most or all of our exercises in a seated position. Or if they can stand for brief periods, they mix standing and sitting repetitions. And we have a number of people who have no mobility in the legs at all. They do most of our exercises sitting and just perform the arm movements.

Yes, there are some movements you won’t be able to do, but most of our practices can be adapted for limited mobility situations.

Here are some general suggestions about doing this, not just for your situation, but for everyone with limited mobility.

1. If you can practice in a chair without arms (e.g., a dining room chair or an office chair), most of the movements are easier to do.

If you are wheelchair-bound, depending on your chair, it might not be possible. Or if you have severe balance problems which make it likely that you’ll fall out of the chair, by all means, use a chair with arms.

If you can use a chair without arms (a stable chair that doesn’t tip), give it a shot. But if that’s not possible, don’t worry about. Use whatever chair or (if you are bed-ridden) your bed or whatever you can use. Just make sure you are stable.

2. If you have no leg mobility at all, just focus on the movements from the waist up.

As one example, think of Hold the Sky. You can interlace your fingers in your lap, and flip them over and push them to the sky. Still seated, you can bend to the left, then bend to the right, then separate your hands and lower them.

Another example, Constant Bear. If you can’t move your legs or feet, practice the swinging from the waist on up. Depending on your particular situation, you might even get some silk reeling by pushing down with your hips or butt into the chair to get a little of the rebound energy. Again if that’s not possible, don’t worry. Just practice from the waist up.

3. If you have some mobility in the legs, but just can’t stand, try to incorporate as much leg and foot movement as possible while seated. Use them to approximate the standing version.

In Hold the Sky, for example, when you push to the sky, lift your heels as well, pushing onto the bubbling well. Then lower your heels before bending. Even if you don’t have weight on your feet, the foot movement alone with have some benefits.

In Constant Bear silk reeling, you can push down with your foot before doing the shift and turn. You might not get the same rebound feeling as in standing, but if you push with your foot at the same time you engage your hips or butt, it might help you make the swing from the waist.

4. Whatever movement you can do, combine the movement with ACTIVE IMAGINATION.

Combine an imagination of doing the *entire* movement with whatever parts of the actual movement you can do. Imagine standing while you are doing the movement, even though you are sitting. Imagine any parts of the movement you can’t do, and combine it with the parts you can do.

For example, Hold the Sky – if you have no movement in your legs, imagine standing and lifting your heels as you lift your arms over head. Visualize (if you are visualizer), talk to yourself (if you are more verbal), or imagine the feeling (if you are more kinesthetic) of lifting your heels. Then pause with your arms overhead and imagine lowering your heels.

Use your imagination to “fill in” the parts you can’t do.

I can’t emphasize this enough. The use of mental intention and active imaging will give you almost as many benefits as actually doing the movements.

There was a well documented experiment conducted by Dr. Alan Richardson, an Australian psychologist that split a group of basketball players, who were tested on their ability to score baskets and were equally weighted by those tests, into 3 groups:

Group 1: Was instructed to come to the gym everyday for a month to practice shooting
Group 2: Was instructed to engage in no practice at all
Group 3: Was instructed to engage in visualizing themselves shooting and making baskets

In other words, Group 3 simply imagined, using their minds, that they were practicing and making baskets, yet they never step foot in the gym for the entire month of the experiment.

The results after 1 month?

Group 1 (those who practiced everyday in the gym) showed a 24% improvement.
Group 2 (those who did no practice at all) showed no improvement.
Group 3 (those who only ‘saw’ themselves practice) improved almost as much as Group 1 who did it for real – 23%!

So you can see the power of imagination, even in something as simple as shooting baskets.

5. Doing a little part of a Qigong movement is better than doing nothing.

It’s better to do a “little something” than “a lot of nothing”. In each movement in the course, find what you can do, no matter how small it is, … and do it!

6. Make your DETERMINATION bigger than your limitation, and you’ll find a WAY.

For example, one woman in our course has stroke paralysis. She is wheelchair bound and completely paralyzed on one side. However, she enlists the help of her husband. She performs the movements sitting and moves one arm herself, and she has her husband move her paralyzed arm. Right from the first time she emailed me, her attitude was “I want to do this, and I *WILL* do it.”

Your success is more about your motivation, determination, and attitude – rather than any limitations you might have. Grow your determination to do what you can, and your limitation won’t hold you back nearly as much as you might think.

These have been some general suggestions. As far as specific movements, we really encourage you to come up with your own adaptations. First of all, that helps you grow your determination. But on a more practical level, since each person and situation is different, you can make the adjustments you need to your situation. And making the movements fit you – the unique you – is what we are all about. So that’s true not only for limited mobility students, it’s true for ALL students.

But if you have trouble coming up with an adaptation of a particular movement, come back to the forum and let us know. Of course, we may not be able to adapt every movement in the ChiFusion program for your situation, but I believe most of them can. We’ll help you as best we can.

Best wishes,
Al

From: Jackie

Thanks Al,
I really appreciate the your take on adapting the patterns for all conditions. Most of my students have special needs and it is interesting and fun to work on adaptions – everyone in the class gets involved in working on adaptations. I love the insight students bring to each other and me in class.
Jackie

From: AlJSimon

Thanks, Jackie.

In some sense, every single one of us has “special needs”. We all have strengths and weaknesses that we need to take into account and make adaptations for. Admittedly, some of us have extra challenges. But every single one of us have to discover the changes and adaptations that will make Qigong and Tai Chi fit us, rather than trying to force ourselves to fit Qigong and Tai Chi.

I think most ChiFusion students will agree – much of the learning comes about from making these adaptation. Anyone can mindlessly parrot movements. But to take the time to take each movement and make it your own, that’s where the real learning, and the real benefits, come from.

From: MSWarrior

Thank you Al,

I really appreciate you extensive and elaborate answer. As I said in the original question, I’ve practices Qigung for a couple of years. I have learned to adapt to my special needs the best I could. The experience I’ve gained is very much along the line you explained in your precise and to-the-point answer.

This only confirms that I have come to the right place. I’ve just begun on the level 1 on the ChiFusion system. I take all your advice very seriously and I must say that I’m very impressed. I did not realise an online course could be so easy to follow, and so detailed. I’m very happy to have found this course. Please forgive me if I get a little praisy. I really just want to say: Thank you!

In my previous training I’ve been so eager to do my absolute best, to battle my Illness. I took me a few years to find a practice that feels right for me. And for a while I could definitely feel some remarkable benefits. I did not, however, improve in the long run, and I think this was partly due to a “wrong” approach to my training.

I think the 70% (40 for me) advice is a very important one. And I can only advise other MS patients like me, to take the advise very seriously. When we begin to improve a little we get eager (or impatient) and we move forward too fast, and simply work to hard. It’s hard not to sometimes, and only human, as i did feel like I was fighting for my life. But I’ve learned from experience that I can overdo it.

Thank you Al and ChiFusion for you work. I’m proud to be part of this class, and look forward to following the potential benefits of the ChiFusion system. I realize that this is not THE cure, but at least for me this is the right approach. And in my experience. If it feels right, it IS right, and the results will come accordingly.

I couldn’t agree more on your section you wrote on imagining the movements I cannot do. I follows in line with all the best literature I’ve read on how to battle autoimmune illness like. MS. I’m thrilled with this fact, and feel safe and well guided. After all even a “MSwarrior” like me, don’t have to rush into battle with my head under my arm

It appears I’ve found my new Qigung master , a big surprise for me. I did not think I would find him in cyberspace …

Thank you again, also you Jackie for sharing your thoughts and experience.

All the best,

MSwarrior

From: eguana

great post from all sides here.
MSwarrior you are an inspiration with your attitude, best wishes and keep up the great work!
Jackie, thanks for your input about working with special needs and how the Master can still learn from the student. It is so true.
And Al, as always, you are spot on in your analysis. I particularly loved the comment that we are all special needs people in one aspect or another.
Peace, love and light

In addition to being a ChiFusion Tai Chi student, Richard P. Alleger is also a woodcarver. Richard, who lives in Pennsylvania, recently sent me a beautiful, hand-carved plaque with the Chinese characters for “Tai Chi Chuan”. And the wood for the characters comes from boards broken at a dojo!

Richard gave me his permission to share the nice letter he sent me along with the plaque:

Richard P. Alleger
rpcarver@msn.com
July 1,2011

Al Simon, ChiFusion:

I am enclosing this Tai Chi Chuan plaque that I made in appreciation for the ChiFusion course.

I got started with ChiFusion at the end of 2010 and am taking my time working through the program in part because of a family health crisis. I have completed the Eight Brocades and have seen immediate health benefits.

After doing Opening the Spine, I walk more erect and feel I regained my height. After doing the horse stance postures, I notice that I can sink lower in Yang Style Snake Creeps Down posture. I appreciate the direction to turn out the toes rather than keeping the feet parallel while doing horse stances. Weakness in my left knee had prevented me from lowering my stance without experiencing sharp pain. With this change, I have been able to achieve a low stance without discomfort.

I was happy to find ChiFusion because I have a life style that makes it hard to regularly attend a class. My job selling chemicals to Industrial and Food product companies requires me to travel through the Northeast and all of Canada. Weekends are a time to catch up on things around the house and spend time with the family.

I was in a group that started training every other Sunday with a Chinese teacher, then they agreed to start meeting every other Tuesday night, making it impossible for me to attend regularly. So I have been practicing on my own with a DVD the Chinese teacher made. The DVD is better than nothing, as long as I improve my copying of his movements and postures, but I wasn’t getting any help correcting mistakes.

ChiFusion gives me input both reading material and video on basic things to begin correcting mistakes. I like the feeling of learning again and setting a pace to work through the material. I believe daily practice is vitally important to overall improvement. I try to practice first thing in the morning.

My interest in Tai Chi led me into watching and collecting Chinese Martial Arts movies from Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest Studios. I have a small collection, only 530 movies. I got the idea to make these plaques after watching the movies and seeing similarly made signs in temple scenes. I have included a photo of me when I sold some plaques at a Chinese Martial arts competition in Baltimore awhile back. The Chinese characters on the plaque are cut out from boards broken in a Taekwondo dojo where I took some Chen Tai Chi lessons.

Thanks for creating a system for learning Qigong and Tai Chi in an independent setting

Sincerely,
Richard P. Alleger

If you are interested in getting one of Richard’s plaques, you can reach him by email at rpcarver@msn.com.

A while back, Arpita, who was a new student at the time, wrote me the following message:

“Hello – I am brand new [to the course] … just starting week 2. I notice I have a tendency to tense some muscles and close the anal sphincter when i pull in my hips into a more forward position. … i read that this prevents energy leaks… comments?”

And Ed, one of our more experienced students, also asked:

“Interesting about sphincter tightening as I was going to initiate a question about this very subject, but the focus on tightening the anal and urinary sphincters was on “Condensing Qigong” where the focus is on packing increasing amounts of chi into the vessels. This was a large part of another system that I was involved with and was wondering where this fits with the ChiFusion system if at all. Peace and love and light.”

I generally don’t recommend “condensing chi” or related “packing chi” practices. (By the way, condensing usually refers to doing this in the chi vessels, packing usually refers to doing this with the chi meridians, but some instructors use these terms interchangeably.)

If we are talking about health, stress relief, and Chi development for the average person, especially those facing health challenges, these practices have many drawbacks. Yes, they work just fine for (as a guess) about 10% or 15% of the students, but for the rest, the drawbacks are just too great.

The primary drawback is that it is way too easy to “over-condense” or “over-pack”, and not really know you’ve done it. I’ve seen deviations happen from over-condensing.

One dramatic example happened at a workshop I was at a long, long time ago. A chi condensing practice lead to a nearly psychotic episode. This woman literally fell on the floor in the middle of the practice and screamed a single scream at the top of her lungs for a good 90 seconds. It was surreal – I’ve never heard a single scream that lasted that long.

Admittedly that’s a rare case. But what I’ve seen happen more often than not is that over-condensing can lead to a “chi high”. I know that sounds weird, but the “high” makes you think you are doing something good for yourself, and can almost become addictive. So you continue to condense more and more over the weeks and months.

But eventually, the vessels become like a shopping bag that you’ve stuffed too full. You keep stuffing and eventually the seams split and everything spills out. Then it becomes harder to put it back together. In the long run, you are worse off health-wise than when you started.

My personal opinion (soapbox time here) is that chi condensing seems to work against your body and energy system, not with it. It seems to require you to use your mind to override your body and energy system limitations. It really is “anal”, not only in the practice of tightening your anal sphincter, but in using your mind to micro-manage what your body and mind naturally want to do. For me, it encourages you NOT to listen to your body and energy system, and to ride rough-shod over your limitations.

I’m much more of the mind-set that you should work within your limitations, especially at the start, and to work with relaxation rather than tension.

Ironically, you can accomplish many of the same goals as condensing through learning to circulate chi from the vessels to the Wei Chi field, like we do in Level 3. You can train your body and energy system to pull in more chi when you need it instead of forcing the vessels to hold more “just in case” you need it.

And the side benefit is that you also learn to release chi when you don’t need it, avoiding the strain on the vessels. You can does this much better by getting your vessels integrated to the Wei Chi field. (For more about this, check the Complete Chi Health video and report in the Bonus material for the course.)

After I posted the above message, Ed wrote me back and let me know a little more about his experience:

“Thanks, Al. That was very helpful. I followed that system for awhile but never really made it ‘my own’. It could be that the working against nature is part of what kept me from really adopting the system (without knowing it consciously). I believe wholeheartedly in trusting one’s instincts and that is part of my enthusiasm for the ChiFusion system.”

From my inbox this week:

I have started your Tai Chi course at the ripe age of 74.

I have spent my life doing conventional exercise which requires specific number of repetitions. I am unsure as I progress how I should repeat each movement I learn?

Would appreciate guidance in this respect.

Dave

This is a good question.

In general, we tend to focus on “amount of time spent” rather than “number of repetitions” in our Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development.

To start with, we generally recommend for beginners about 10 minutes at each practice session. We recommend 10 minutes for a couple of reasons:

1. Most everyone can find at least 10 minutes in their schedule to practice.
2. As long as your practice is focused and directed, you can accomplish quite a lot in 10 minutes.
3. The details in our exercises make them a bit more intense than regular exercise or even regular Tai Chi or Qigong. So 10 minutes makes sure you stay within your limits as you are getting started.

Speaking of limits, we recommend exercising within 70% of your limits in the course. So 10 minutes is usually within the 70% for most people. Of course, if you have health problems, 10 minutes might be too much. So you may have to practice a shorter amount of time at the start.

And you can of course practice longer than 10 minutes each day, if that’s within your 70%. If you do have more time though, I recommend breaking your practice time up into 10 minute intervals dispersed throughout the day. That will prevent you from overdoing it until you’ve figured out your limits.

Here is how to break up the exercises within each 10 minute practice session.

At the end of each lesson in the course is a recommendation for what to practice. Usually, it will be a list of exercises that you’ve learned up to that point in the level of the course you are working on.

I would suggest you split the time roughly evenly among the exercises listed there.

For example, if five exercises are listed at the end of the lesson, and you are going for a 10 minute practice session, break up your practice time to about two minutes per exercise.

Now, as you get further in the course, you may want to change this a bit. Instead of an even split of time amount the exercises, you might want to break up the time so that some exercises get more of the time.

For example, in Level 1, once you learn “Draw a Bow to Shoot the Hawk” in Lesson 5, you’ll probably want to spend more time on it instead of say “Raise Heels”. After all Raise Heels is a much simpler exercise, and by the time you get to Lesson 5, you’ll have a lot of practice with it already.

So you’ll want to spend more time on the newer or more difficult exercises. Just divide up the time the way that works out best for you.

In our program, I think there’s only a few exceptions to this “amount of time”, where we do specify number of repetitions. These are spelled out in the course.

One example is Opening the Spine in level 1. We generally recommend no more than three repetitions of this exercise when you are first learning it. So rather than a full two minutes, just do the three repetitions for it. But for the rest of the exercises, go ahead and split them up into roughly even amounts of time.

And of course, all of this should be modified based the 70% rule.

For example, if there are five movements, but two minutes would put you over your 70% for any one of the movements, then practice that movement for less time, and adjust the rest accordingly.