Here’s a question I get all the time:
What should I practice to get rid of my ______?
I see several varieties of this question, like:
…my back pain
…my anxiety
…my migraines
…my digestive problems
…my insomnia
I discuss this question again in today’s Walk & Talk. I say again because I’ve written a few blog posts related to this topic here and here.
But it’s a subject worth revisiting because the answer to this question is so important for you to see results with your qigong practice.
Spoiler Alert: The answer has nothing to do with whether you’re practicing the right qigong exercises!
You can watch the video here:
Let’s keep talking! Leave a comment or a question below. I appreciate getting feedback from you! From the heart, Sifu Anthony
I pondered this, when I first started Qi Gong with you but inherently I knew the answer was that it’s a systemic approach. When I teach yoga, I have to explain to my private student, that I can’t just give them bandaid fixes for a “symptom” that is an imbalance for the greater whole.
Beautiful location. Love CA!
Bandaids are what people expect. In fact, most Americans don’t understand the difference between a bandaid approach and a holistic approach.
Not a rant. Clarifying. I think intuitively I felt these were the answers and I have always questioned my instincts, and my instincts never fail me. In yoga, students would always say “How can I get my heels down in downdog?” And I would tell them, if they just show up on their mat every day, that downdog is an eventuality that comes with a systemic practice. Though I have not logged in consistently here (shame) I am doing my favorite poses every day, 2x a day, and 3 if I can. AND outside if I can which is a game changer!
You won’t get lost, St. Pepper knows the way…
Most people have only a limited understanding of mastery. In short, they want the results of mastery in 3 days or less.
Great video Sifu! I am wondering if the advice would be different if there was not so much a symptom as an injury. For example, I twisted my knee a bit last week. I decided to gently keep on with my daily practice, using the 5 Phases, 8 Pieces of Brocade and some Shibashi. I steered away from sword forms and Tai Chi 24, as those would put a bit of a different strain on the knee. But other than upping the amount of practice, is there a benefit for specific forms when there is some exterior impact? A twisted ankle, , stubbed toe, bruised arm etc?
Thanks so much for all you do.
J.T.
Sorry you twisted your knee. Must be tough for you to put down your sword for a week!
For a twisted knee the answer is the same. In fact, you’re already following my advice. You intuitively felt that it would be a good idea to skip certain practices. Keep following that path.
As long as you are not straining the knee, then an increased dosage should help, as well as a frequency. Sneak in a 2-Minute Drill here and there. Or do 3x the 5-Phase routine.
Here’s the thing with an injury like this: it’s not just in the knee. The issue involves inflammation, your central nervous system, your hormones, as well as your “sinews”, which is a Chinese concept that includes tendon, ligament, and fascia.
If there’s an issue in your Spleen Meridian, for example, then putting all of your attention on the knee may not help. We need to address the whole picture, not just the locus of pain.
I believe this is why many injuries never fully heal — the underlying issues were not addressed. Maybe one issue was resolved, but other issues remain and thus the healing process cannot fully complete itself.
Does that explain it? If I go on much more it will be an entire blog post!
Anthony, I think you are doing something pretty fantastic now with your nomadic journey, your walk&talks and your minimalist lifestyle. It feels very intimate, authentic and unique. I love it. Keep it up man. Best of luck to you. 🙂
Thank you!
“My brain needs more Thyroid, and my adrenals are very low”
These are my doctor ‘s words. But I’m practicing Qigong, and have been delving deeper into it since I started some 7-8 years ago. I healed my chronic pain practicing. But since March this year I’m feeling quite weak, generally and some pains came back…. though I melt the pains with the exercises and the 5 phase ( which I introduced into any type of Qigong I practice)…
Am I going through a serious adjustment of energetic balance? I’m Not on a plateau , but I’m very puzzled by this unexpected turn…..now I have to take the medication my doctor prescribed ( he works with bio identical hormones) and I watch my diet. I do everything right as in , it feels good. and of course I practice everyday plus I teach 9 hours a week…..could you please give me an idea…? Many thanks, 🙏
I think it’s natural for problems to creep in as we age. We’ll all die one day after all, even though we practice qigong.
On the other hand, we can use qigong to address those problems. Think of it this way. These problems are offering you an opportunity to go deeper with your qigong. What you’ve been doing has gotten you this far. It has served you well. But now, for whatever reason, you need to ask more of qigong.
Go ahead and ask. Qigong won’t mind. It has plenty of energy for you.
Thanks, I needed to hear this advice today! Grappling with Gastroenterology issues, trying to figure which exercises to do. Really like the concepts of dosage, quality and choice! That simplifies everything.
Love the walk and talks.
Simple is good!
Are you practicing the 5-Phase Routine yet, Marge?
Just curious. How do you keep the camera steady while walking, talking and with a dog fastened to your waist? Liking the walking and talking, btw.
Ha! Ancient Chinese secret!
Just kidding. The camera is on a selfie stick and has image stabilization. And the leash is attached to my belt, not my wrist.
I like this format of Walk and Talk, and the latest email with the links to previous blogs.
I think that’s why I feel a resonance with qigong: what it’s taken Western medicine a few decades to rediscover (ie, whole body systems and treating the person, as in Functional Medicine) the Chinese have known for 5000 years.
I like the idea of knowing intuitively which Qigong practices to do – choosing favourites (I like Lifting The Sky). Also, occasionally doing ones I don’t like as much – so, that would be balancing on the one foot. Maybe because I need that more…
Yes, it’s also good to practice your least favorite exercises simply because you probably need them! But if you listen to your intuition, you’ll actually find that it tells you to practice these techniques.
That was great, thank you Sifu! The part about dosage and quality really makes so much sense and confirms for me that qigong is something you live and feel rather than ‘do’ a couple of times a day. I have learned more about qigong and energy since joining your Q101 class in January than I have for a long time – it just keeps getting better.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom in such an enjoyable way – and I love the Walk and Talk sessions too!
I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and taking strong medication to stop the deterioration but my aim is to heal it without medication. Before I took medication, I tried for 20 years to heal myself but to no avail. Now the damage is done and I have limited range of motion especially with arms and shoulder and hand and wrist and the list goes on. What would you suggest? qigong and what kind? or tai chi?
thanks
Chantal
Hi Chantal. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles. It must be so frustrating.
Obviously, I recommend trying my method, which I call Flowing Zen Qigong. This is my synthesis of the many different qigong methods I learned over the decades. I can tell you that many people have come to me having tried “everything” else, and still found deep healing with Flowing Zen Qigong.
I suggest that you start with my “Quiet Mind Healthy Body” course: https://academy.flowingzen.com/quiet-mind-healthy-body-qigong
Hi Anthony, I am 70 years old and have a body and attitude of a much younger person because I have been doing Qigong going on 13 years now. I am a LMT, a 1st Dan in Shotokan Martial Arts and teach a Qigong class for free in a HOA in which I live. I have a WUJI and YOQI certification. When I contracted Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 14 years ago, after my chemo I had a hard time recovering, my Sensei who was a 4th Dan, empathized with my suffering and he introduced me to Qigong, needless to say, it was the very best thing that ever happened in my life (besides my wife and children).
Once again I was given wise information and was introduced to your website 6 months ago by a friend of mine who is also a Sifu of Qigong. I really love your simplistic and logical approach to the theory and practicality of Qigong, when I am not able to advise my Qigong students on some of their questions, I advise them to visit your site. Thank you for sharing and caring Anthony. I would love to do one of your immersion here in CA and get an associate certification, too expensive for me to go to your regular place of training up in the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica.
Wishing you comfort in flowing chi.
Keith Vincent.
Thanks for the kind words, Keith. And thanks for sharing your successes! Amazing!
More live workshops coming soon…but not yet. Until then, I hope my digital presence will suffice. 🙂