Comments on: How To Live 100 Years: Re-Learning to Breathe

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:22:08 +0000

Through years of research of medical and scientific articles and journals, I have found a common thread. Western medicine and psychology are just now beginning to realize the benefits of traditional eastern philosophy. The western health psychology term for techniques such as Qigong are Relaxation Training. Various forms have been researched and have been found to be more effective than medications in reducing stress and tension headaches.

As for the perfection comment, Daisy and Michael are spot on I feel. Bruce Lee said it best when he spoke of form and water. People can spend years and even a lifetime trying to be like someone else, to perfect a “form.” But, martial arts or anything else for that matter that requires practice, is like drinking water. When I want a drink of water, I reach down and drink the water with no thought of being like someone else. Practice naturally with the right postures, it will bring uniqueness to your form.

Just my thoughts!

By: chencenter

chencenter — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:00:36 +0000

Neija- again, qigong is both the easiest and hardest thing you can do. It takes the right mindframe and although, not for everyone…it certainly can benefit everyone. The best book on method is Qigong Empowerment. But another book that helped to get my mind on what’s truly important was by Suzuki- Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. It will add wonders to your training for a mere $12.

Daisy- Always blessing us with some sound advice. I’ll eventually have an entire post on the quest for “perfection.” Many martial artists out there are still striving for perfect “likeness” (of someone else) and not building and refining like the masters of old. goes back to my last sentences… Time, patience, willpower and correct intention. Intention Intention Intention!

By: Daisy

Daisy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:09:28 +0000

At the risk of sounding like a Nike Commercial… Just Do It. Don’t be a perfectionist about it – just keep hammering away at it. I think Michael would agree… Persistence is far more important than perfection. I always tell my son: When you make a mistake, you have received the gift of learning. Take it. Be grateful. Don’t beat yourself up about it – learn from it. Personally, I find perfection to be the partner of arrogance. No one is perfect. And in the case of TaiChi you are never finished – which means, of course, you never get to claim perfection. You can master certain skills, but you are never finished learning the art.

I am prattling. My only advice, the advice I gave my mother when she started is don’t quit. Be kind to yourself. Keep trying. Do your best. Some days your best will be better than other days. That’s okay too.

Oh and Neijia, you can read my blog by clicking on my name here in my response… Thanks for your interest.

By: neijia

neijia — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:49:39 +0000

Michael, Daisy – any more specific advice would be great. Would love to see that blog post, Daisy.

Cheers,
“neijia”

By: Daisy

Daisy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:22:58 +0000

QiGong and TaiChi have pretty much saved my life. I can’t get into the nitty gritty of it here – someday I really should, but at my own blog. I will tell you that I have a very stressful job (but not for much longer!!). At one point I was popping Xanax like it was candy, on top of medication for clinical depression. Today – I take nothing. That is all TaiChi/QiGong. I work through anxiety and panic attacks with breathing alone. It is incredibly difficult and has taken me a loooong time to learn how to do – but the journey has proven worthwhile.

Incidentally, I had a real light-bulb moment regarding relaxing and my on-going quest for stillness – my most recent blog entry is a poem that reflects that very thing… serendipitous timing, Michael – this post and my poem…

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:56:06 +0000

i just realized i can’t breathe right.
haha,
you’ll have to teach me how to breathe.
i understand the logistics of it though:)
which is a start, for me anyways haha