Hello. I am new to Shaolin kung-fu, qigong and Tai Chi. I have a back problem, including a tilted pelvis, which I am getting treatment for, and therefore do not attend any classes regularly, especially since everything is very spread out in the rural area I live in. I know one good teacher of Tai Chi, and one teacher of wuzuquan, though I have not attended any classes of the latter yet. That is sort of what I am preparing for, focusing mostly on qigong, and on reading and collecting information. Also I do a lot of yoga.
My questions: I have been practicing a chi kung technique called the Golden Bridge, which involves assuming Ma Bu and extending the arms straight out in One-Finger Zen, for at least ten minutes. This is to develop jing. I thought this would be the best preparation for kung-fu classes. One is to do this for at least ten minutes, and according to this book by Wong Kiew Kit, if one is doing it right, it is supposed to be difficult to do it even for a minute. I did not find it difficult to do it for fifteen minutes even to begin with. Is there anything I am not understanding about Ma Bu?
Also, do practitioners often record themselves practicing, so they can watch their forms from an outsider's perspective and criticize themselves? If so, do they most often use a webcam? A cell phone camera? A camcorder? I like to practice outside, so a webcam is probably not practical.
Thank you.