Flowing Zen

Never before in history have students been able to learn so many techniques. It’s a nice “problem” to have. I joke that my school is like a Zen Supermarket. Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming when you first walk in, but isn’t it wonderful to have so many choices?

Let’s imagine that you’ve been practicing Tai Chi or Qigong consistently for about 2 years. Where do you stand in the curriculum? If there were belts, what belt would you be?

You’ve probably heard it before: If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. This truism also applies to arts like Tai Chi, Qigong, Kung Fu, and Meditation. If you aren’t measuring your progress, then you aren’t managing your arts (or yourself!).

Every week, I receive emails and phone calls from people asking me to recommend a teacher in their area. I’m passionate about helping people, and I wish that there was a qualified teacher in every town. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Daily practice is the key to success with Flowing Zen. But it’s not easy to keep your practice regular. No matter how disciplined you are, you’ll still run into obstacles. The 2-Minute Drill s a great way to overcome these obstacles.

One of the secrets to my success, and the success of my students, is that we focus on quality rather than quantity. The primary practice routine that beginners learn is only 15 minutes long. What’s interesting is that students who practice this 15-minute routine get better results than those who practice 30, or even 60 minutes!

If you’ve learned directly from me or my Sifu, then you’ve learned the Qigong technique called Lifting The Sky. And if you’ve learned it from us, then you also know how awesome it is. It is quite possibly the best Qigong exercise ever.

The Ten Shaolin Laws are non-religious, and transcend cultural and linguistic differences. These simple laws promote values that are worthy and desirable in any culture. Laws, in the Shaolin tradition, are not meant to be restrictive; they are meant to help followers achieve set aims and objectives. In this case, the laws to help us to attain the best possible results in practicing Flowing Zen.

These guidelines are meant to enhance your practice, not enslave you. Gradually add them to your practice. If you can’t follow all of the guidelines, don’t worry. That’s why they’re called guidelines, not commandments.

One of the best things we learn in Flowing Zen is how to generate an energy flow in our body. Once we have the skill, our body will sway gently, like a willow tree swaying in a breeze. This once-secret technique, Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow, is one of the big secrets of Flowing Zen. Without