Comments on: Why I Practice Qigong (and Tai Chi) at Dawn

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 17:16:10 +0000

Insomnia is a tough one for many people. It takes time.

You’re doing great. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been practicing daily for a year. That’s amazing. Keep up the good work, and I think you’ll eventually see results with your insomnia.

Yes, you can try getting up to do a short qigong routine. Try something that feels soft and relaxing, something that might help you switch to the parasympathetic mode and get back to sleep. See how it works!

By: Minh-Nhat Tran

Minh-Nhat Tran — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:19:55 +0000

Hello Sifu,
On most nights, I go to bed between 8 and 9 pm, after a 15 min. Qigong (this evening practice is new and additional to the morning practice.) Sometimes I get to sleep right away, sometimes it takes longer. I go through periods when I wake up at different times. Lately it has been between 12 am and 1 am (insomnia). I lay in bed, awake, hoping to go back to sleep; if not, I rest or meditate or pray (in bed) until it’s time to get up – 4 am. Then I practice Qigong around 4:30 am (for 30 min. to 1 hour.) It’s still dark here in the winter. I can look at my insomnia as a blessing because it gives me extra time for meditation and prayers!!!
I have been doing my early morning practice every day (yes, every day) for over a year. I have seen improvements in many areas (energy, strength, flexibility, much less anxiety, some vision improvement, knee pain is almost gone) but insomnia is still up and down. Is there any benefit in getting up and do a short Qigong practice in the middle of the night (when I am awake at 1 am)? Will this middle-of-the-night practice mess up my circadian rhythmn further?

By: Ningma Jashi

Ningma Jashi — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 01:04:50 +0000

Hmmm. I intend to attempt your challenge once settled back into work. (I’ve been on the sick for 12 days.) The difficulty for me is working 6 pm to 2 am. Normally I don’t have too much difficulty getting to sleep by 3 am but 3 hours ish sleep is rather a tall order… When a mere sprog there was a period when I managed quite well with 4 hours sleep – until I started secondary school. Practising Qigong seems to be reducing the amount of sleep I need so if I stick at it, maybe practising at dawn would be realistic… Where there’s a will… 🙂

By: David

David — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 02:43:52 +0000

Hmmm. . Actually before I came across this article I was seriously considering waking up earlier in the morning for just such a practice ( As I practice alittle Chi Kung before going to work in the morning ). I am thinking that regular Chi Kung practice combined with the “Fix Your Eye Sight Chi Kung (or Chi Kung’s Ending facial massage in the morning light)” would be benefitial over all, at least for what I aim to achieve. I am going to start the 30 day challenge, I will let you know at the end of 30 days.

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:02:03 +0000

In reply to Matt. Great work, Matt! 4:44am is quite early! That's a lot of discipline!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 09:26:43 +0000

In reply to Matt.

I’m still in the first week but I’m meeting the challenge!

The first days were amazing – the extra boost of energy was great, it really is a great time to practice.

I then had a couple of days when I struggled like mad because I was so tired having gone to bed late (and had alcohol on one evening), but I did get up. I just went back to bed afterwards.

Today, I got up just before dawn, which is 4.44am here (rather than some time before) and I’m not tired at all.

Thank you for the challenge. Thoroughly enjoyable and palpably more beneficial.

Shaolin salute /o

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 20:13:50 +0000

In reply to Eric. Cat naps are allowed!

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 20:12:14 +0000

This would be a challenge for me! I embrace the night and love to sleep in. Though, I’ve heard the Krishnas start their meditation by 5a, and I’m sure it’s for the same reason. I’ll give it a shot! I may take a cat nap mid-day though…

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 00:10:50 +0000

In reply to CJ Bain. That's terrific, CJ. Congrats! Keep up the good work.

By: CJ Bain

CJ Bain — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 23:57:30 +0000

I’m so bad at mornings I couldn’t even consider a 30-day challenge, so I made myself commit to a 7-day challenge. Now I’m on day 14 and I’m sure I’ll finish the 30 days and beyond.

I’m not sure yet if I find practice at dawn better than any other time of day, but if I’m up early and do it first then I’m guaranteed not to skip because I’m late to work. Doing both my practices every day is definitely better than not.

But where do you get dogs that go back to sleep instead of barking, cavorting and demanding attention as soon as their human stirs?