Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

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Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

Postby brer_momonga » Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:18 am

First of all, apologies if this topic has been discussed to death here - I couldn't find an existing thread. This is something that pops into my mind from time to time while I train and I wanted to take a litmus test of the board community:

I don't drink like I used to. These days I split a bottle of wine with my wife over a meal about once a week and have a couple of quality beers here and there. Still, something inside tells me that I'm missing some of the benefits of Martial Arts practice by drinking alcohol from time to time. Am I forsaking certain benefits of Qi Gong and martial arts by drinking alcohol?

I haven't seen anything in Dr. Yang's literature recommending complete abstinence, but he mentions the usual about not practicing Tai Chi after drinking alcohol, etc... I'm assuming the Wudang monk has never touched alcohol.

Everyone has their own opinion and concept of moderation - especially when it comes to things like alcohol and drugs. What are your thoughts on this as it pertains to the serious practice of martial arts, chi cultivation, and being physically and mentally balanced?
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Re: Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

Postby John the Monkey mind » Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:52 pm

I have read that Taoist monks enjoy wine from time to time. I think it was in the book "There are no secrets". Not drinking is a Buddhist thing but an odd single glass is balanced behavior or so I think it said. As for half a bottle I am as guilty as you and feel it is way to much really to be good for you. With that and sex I guess I will never make it to immortality although immorality is as ever within reach lol.

Jokes aside I am a relativity moral man but my point is it is hard to live like a sage on a mountain and a drink from time to time and the company of your wife is not to be despised. It all depends on what you try to achieve in life. If immortality is your goal then stop drinking, stop sexual activity and give up the five grains, then find a mountain.
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Re: Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

Postby brer_momonga » Fri Oct 07, 2011 6:51 am

Thanks for your response JMM.

Definitely not planning to be the sage on the mountain at the moment (at least not literally). Good to hear the Taoists enjoy a drink from time to time - Lao Tzu seems to have a good sense of humor. Quite honestly, I guard myself more from junk food than alcohol. I see meals as a combination of entertainment and nourishment and when the nourishment factor is consistently low, we have a problem! As for alcohol, martial arts helps to "punish" me when I drink more than I should! ha ha ha (harder to get the chi to show up for work the next day).

Tai Chi helped me to discover that too much caffeine and alcohol creates unnecessary tension in my body - particularly in my neck and shoulders. Caffeine and alcohol contributed to my tooth grinding because regular Tai Chi practice coupled with the reduction of coffee and alcohol significantly reduced the behavior within a year. I agree with you that the half bottle each week is really too much - it's a nice way to bid adieu to the stressful work week... Rarely do we cork the wine bottle, but I've been known to reserve some beer (when I'm "good") for the next morning's pancakes!
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Re: Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

Postby goose » Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:46 pm

i was in new Zealand a few weeks ago and was talking to a Maori man and he was telling me the mind, body and spirit all generate ripples in life and when you take substances you have to be careful with how much you take because it affects the ripples. it was like moderation is key but more than that. any way it made a lot of scene to me hope it helps you too.
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Re: Caffeine, Alcohol, and Martial Arts

Postby pete5770 » Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:53 pm

Moderation is good, as long as you do it in moderation. :? :?
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