Chi gung, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, martial arts, meditation (eastern)

[James B.]

There are chi kung testimonials etc on this website too which may be of interest

My acupuncture doc (who is also a regular MD) said chi king is awesome. Thanks for the link. :ninja:

 

[seedling]

Thanks for the link 221177. I clicked on the link that was on that page and read some student's questions and their master's answers about their chi kung practice. These really encouraged me as I am now working on (tapping for EFT style) another memory - much deeper and more painful (surprise!) - and I've been feeling discouraged.

I will try to relax into it, let it come in its time, and all will be well. Now for some more stretching, tapping and good food :)

Thanks.

 

[doglover]

Reply to the OP.

Maybe I did qi gong improperly (followed a master practitioner on a videotape, don't know if I can post the source for getting the tape or not so I won't). Or maybe I stopped too soon. I had an adverse reaction to it. It triggered a deluge of uncomfortable positive energy and panic type feelings and paranoia. So maybe it was helping me process trauma. Only at the time I wasn't trying to do that so it caught me off guard.

I'm currently doing martial arts. There is no sparring but it's helping on a mental level, to know I'm learning how to take an assailant down without thinking about it. It's going past my mind to muscle memory. I also find it helpful because we have to get really close physically to practice techniques, so it helps me learn how my body responds to safe persons. I see the people I practice with regularly and know they are out for my best interests, so when they move closer it is easier to observe how I react to someone in my personal space.

(Please note my trauma is due to sudden death of an important other, not any sexual trauma as far as I know - though it could be there and just blocked. I don't know if the personal space stuff would be experienced the same for someone whose trauma is of a sexual or violating violent nature.)

Meditation is helpful for me too... when I can let go of the busyness energy to sit still for it. Most of the time I stay busy to avoid the possibility of recalling body memories or frozen emotions.

I did Tai Chi for a few months and noted it had a very very grounding effect, quite counter to the uncomfortable reaction I had with qi gong. Maybe combining Tai Chi and qi gong would provide both processing and grounding???

 

[wcdean]

I visit an acupuncturist once a week and it definitely helps me. Relieves some of my muscle tension, calms me to a degree, and I usually sleep pretty darn well that night and maybe the next night.

Like meds, acupunture is said to have a "building" effect in that the effects are supposed to last longer and longer as you continue to visit the acupuncturist. I have only been using it for a couple of months (once I reached my wits end finally) and I would recommend it to anyone.

I am looking into Tai-Chi for its meditation aspects, but also participate in other forms of martial arts as a means of conditioning and working out.

 

[seedling]

My acupuncturist was recently away for a week and I went for 12 days without an appt. I did really well for a week - even weathered some negative situations with the negative stuff coming on and then passing in a reasonable time without residual junk for hours.

I've been going for 3 months now. At first it lasted well for 2 - 3 days. I was glad to see that I can go longer now. My whole emotional base and physical energy are changing for the better, it's a trip.

It's helping me process some deeper stuff now and I really need the treatments to keep me sleeping reasonably well and keep the anxiety down.

 

[jka37]

Yoga was amazing for the first three weeks...then it started triggering flashbacks, and after another three weeks of trying to make it work, I quit. It brought me deeply into my trauma, but without the help of a therapist. Now I have to find other ways to excercise, and I'm really sad about it.

 

[seedling]

Sorry about the yoga triggers jka37. That's a tough thing without anyone to help you through it.

Good luck on finding some other way to help your body that is gentle and kind to your trauma.

 

[jka37]

Thanks...it's really just so hard right now, I don't know what to do. I miss yoga. I miss being able to kiss my boyfriend without pulling back in fear, and I miss feeling normal.

 

[Friday]

Reopened

 

[Darktiger1986]

I have studied some White Crane Qi Gong and it does make me feel much better. While on that path, I learned about Wing Chun and I have been studying the first form, Siu Lim Tau. I feel completely different, like it has changed me. I studied many methods of self-defense when I was younger, starting with total destruction of a human being and later learning appropriate levels of force in order to not hurt people or go to jail.

I would not necessarily recommend Wing Chun to anyone without knowing them personally. For me, it is a path towards self-improvement and knowing the self. I do not want to ever use it against anyone, and , hopefully, I will not ever need to. I just want to improve myself, surpass my limitations, and work on some simple things, like the perfect straight punch and a proper stance. The Siu Lim Tau is a moving meditation that teaches all the basic moves of Wing Chun. It has also helped me with breathing, which has helped in some moments of near panic attacks.

My plan is to study a "hard" style (Wing Chun) and a "soft" style (Qi Gong) in order to maintain balance. I also really enjoy punching things, so I have been trying to do 500 "good" straight punches per day. It is not as easy as it sounds!

Lately, my motto has been: "SLT + CBT = New Me!" (Siu Lim Tau + Cognitive Behavior Therapy = New Me!) :) Oh, and my avatar is a Wing Chun symbol, a white crane defending itself against a snake.

Wing Chun itself is an internal Martial System

That's awesome, Venator. There's a really good Hung Gar place back home where I'm from but it's on the other side of the city so it takes a while to get to by subway. I think that in a few months when I get a different job back home, I will be closer and I plan to go check it out. Much respect to Hung Gar! Also, you wrote that you do Yang style. Is that Dr. Yang of YMAA?

Siu Lim Tau really worked my legs over for the first few months but I'm getting stronger. Lately, I am lagging on my 500 punches but I will get past this rough patch soon. My hands are getting soft! Thanks for the inspiration. You too, Martin. Thanks.

Who is your Wing Chun Sifu?

 

[Powder]

Reply to the OP.

Maybe I did qi gong improperly (followed a master practitioner on a videotape, don't know if I can post the source for getting the tape or not so I won't). Or maybe I stopped too soon. I had an adverse reaction to it. It triggered a deluge of uncomfortable positive energy and panic type feelings and paranoia. So maybe it was helping me process trauma. Only at the time I wasn't trying to do that so it caught me off guard.

I'm currently doing martial arts. There is no sparring but it's helping on a mental level, to know I'm learning how to take an assailant down without thinking about it. It's going past my mind to muscle memory. I also find it helpful because we have to get really close physically to practice techniques, so it helps me learn how my body responds to safe persons. I see the people I practice with regularly and know they are out for my best interests, so when they move closer it is easier to observe how I react to someone in my personal space.

(Please note my trauma is due to sudden death of an important other, not any sexual trauma as far as I know - though it could be there and just blocked. I don't know if the personal space stuff would be experienced the same for someone whose trauma is of a sexual or violating violent nature.)

Meditation is helpful for me too... when I can let go of the busyness energy to sit still for it. Most of the time I stay busy to avoid the possibility of recalling body memories or frozen emotions.

I did Tai Chi for a few months and noted it had a very very grounding effect, quite counter to the uncomfortable reaction I had with qi gong. Maybe combining Tai Chi and qi gong would provide both processing and grounding???

I'd like to hear more about the contrast. I assumed similarity, wrongly, I guess.

 

[Darktiger1986]

By the way, Tai Chi done right should make you sweat. They are movements and poses done slowly as the weight transfers from one leg to the other. Usually after an hour long class my legs quiver and I have sweat beading up on my face. Interestingly enough, the movement "Parting the wild horse's mane" is highly effective - used it sparring against a friend one time, flipped him over good haha.

When I do our southern style class, "Hung Gar", I end up drenched in sweat, my heart is racing at 160 bpm and my entire body is aching the next day. Also good, just not for long term stress management.

How long have you been practicing Hung Ga for?