"8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

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"8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

Postby XAssalX » Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:34 am

Hello everybody,
I hope someone who has experience with the 8 Brocades standing set to be able to answer my questions, I'm just starting to run through the time of doubt and I really would appreciate answers.

I have tried this set many times but never sticked to it on a regular basis, like a week and then stop for a month and so on, since 2 months I've been practicing it daily excepy for occasions where it isn't possible for me to practice, some times I skip a day or two in a week on occasions.

My main questions are why am I not feeling anything, no sensations or anything? I used to somehow feel my energy like a force moving around my body or like pins at various parts in my body right now I barely feel anything, is it normal?

another question is, I'm doing 12 reps of each piece, does that mean I will feel the benefits after more time or I won't get benefits due to me missing practice on occasions?

My final question is, what to expect from this set? I'm 20 and a smoker I have a little bit of excess fat on my body Im not overweight just not that fit, will this set make me fit If I keep on the practice?

Im sorry for all the questions Im just confused about it and thought no where is better than this forum.

Thanks all in advance.
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Re: "8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

Postby Dvivid » Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:57 am

Hi

It sounds to me that you're doing everything right, as far as practicing quite frequently. In fact, its my experience you can train qigong only a few days per week, for about an hour, and feel its benefits.

They to qigong is the mind. If you are making the movements perfectly, but you're thinking about something else, then its just calisthenics.

If you're meditating during the movements, leading energy into the abdomen as you inhale, and beyond the hands and feet as you exhale, then its qigong.

Try this: focus on the four gates circulation during your practice. As you inhale, imagine there's a mouth in the center of your abdomen, sucking in energy. As you exhale, imagine the hands and feet are emitting light. If you get distracted, it wont work.

Allow yourself to transition from thinking (which traps and manifests energy in the head) into pure feeling (which allows energy to settle into the centerline and led led more effectively).

Then, report back.
"Avoid Prejudice, Be Objective in Your Judgement, Be Scientific, Be Logical and Make Sense, Do Not Ignore Prior Experience." - Dr. Yang

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Re: "8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

Postby XAssalX » Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:36 am

Thanks a lot for the input I really appreciate it :D
I'm definitely going to try the visualization method you mentioned.

Another question If anyone can answer, how much is a breathing rhythm important with this set?
should I synchronize my breathing in such a way with the movements to get the benefit or just use natural abdominal breathing?

Also should I expect being fit if I keep on the practice?

Thanks again,,
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Re: "8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

Postby joeblast » Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:38 pm

as you make deeper progress with it, it will naturally be more connected to the breath. that's where a good meditative regimen will accelerate these things, for dropping the signal of the physical mechanisms out via superlative muscle memory (=PRACTICE!!!) allows you to begin using the subtle 'breath' of qi beneath ;)
Even in mildly complex systems, any outcome is the wrong thing to target, with the process being where the focus should be.
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Re: "8 pieces of Brocade" couple of questions.

Postby nitsuj » Fri Dec 27, 2013 1:14 am

First off, good job on increasing the frequency of your practice. Progress is made with repetition and persistence. Skipping a couple days a week is not a big deal: practicing a few days a week is a lot better than a few days a month.

In regards to feeling, don't worry about it. Strive for a mental and physical balance between focus and relaxation. Hopefully you feel "good" during and after practice; to me it's like walking a couple laps on the track before I start my run. Unless your either gifted or an intermediate/advanced taiji/qigong practitioner, chances are the energy feeling was more imagination than reality (easy to do when we are "trying" to feel something). Just relax, continue practice, and feel, or don't feel, whatever may be... just keep practicing.

As far as fitness goes, my opinion is that you will not achieve a decent level of fitness with this set. It won't help you shave off 5 minutes from your 5K time; it won't help you get from being able to do 5 chin-ups to doing 10; it won't help you increase your pushup max per minute; etc.

However, it does serve as an excellent warm-up/cool-down for a more intense strength or cardio workout; and this in itself CAN make a big difference in your fitness. A good warm-up (read: movement prep) increases performance and prevents injury. A good cool-down speeds recovery.

Hope this helps.
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