Hi there everyone,
Just wanted to ask a few questions related to the compatibility of qigong (namely the sitting/standing Eight Pieces as taught by Dr. Yang Jwing Ming) and weight training (specifically, Mark Rippetoe's 'Starting Strength' programme). I've read through the forums and while similar questions have been asked, the answers have been scattered around, so I thought that I would start another thread and try and condense them all into one.
In the pursuit of knowledge and various other interests, I have sadly neglected my physical body to a certain extent (a typical story!). I haven't done any strenuous exercise for quite some time and am starting to feel the ramifications of this neglect (lack of strength/flexibility, low energy levels, limited endurance, etc). So in an attempt to combat this, a friend of mine recommended that I look into Dr. Yang's training system/s. I have, and am quite drawn to his methods and teaching. My interests in qigong and weight training is quite specific; to aid me in getting my physical health to its peak condition so that it can support my meditation practices. The conflict comes when I examine the position I'm in; I have a fairly light frame (70kg 6"1) and the weight training would help in this regard (and in daily life, lifting things and the like), while qigong seems also to be necessary as it is almost entirely absent from Western culture (until recently) and appears to offer much in return.
The Western methods of exercise (in general) tend to emphasise the external/physical body with a focus on increases in weight, strength, speed, size, etc. Eastern methods appear to be quite the opposite, focusing more on the quality of these things rather than the quantity (Dr. Yang mentions also mentions some other differences in his videos). Now as far I understand it, the Eight Pieces is a fairly gentle method of working with the chi so it shouldn't conflict with the weight training programme I plan on doing (which essentially involves the following weighted compound exercises: squat, deadlift, bench press & military press with some additional body weight exercises added if necessary; heavy weights, 1 set of each, 3-5 repetitions). In fact, from the reading I have done, it seems like weight training in this matter could be a form of 'qigong' if done with the attention focused on the breathing, direction of energy to various parts of the body, etc. So for all intents and purposes, it seems that the exercises complement each other well? Am I understanding this correctly? Because I have also read that performing weight training can conflict with the flow of chi if done incorrectly (?).
So to summarise all this: is it advisable to do both qigong (eight piece sitting and standing once a day) and weight training (three times a week) together? If not, why? If so, in what order should they be done (sitting in the morning, weight training in the morning, standing in the afternoon/evening is what I was thinking)? Also, if anyone knows a 'better' (more efficient) physical discipline/programme/set of exercises than the one I have mentioned (Starting Strength) for the purposes mentioned, then I am also open to hearing about them.