Question: How much practice is enough or required?

A common question often received in email is "It possible to do too much Tai Chi, Qigong or meditation? Every now and then students will ask me in classes, “How much practice is too much?” 

Introduction: A long time ago in a different place of time and space...It was the 1980's when I was learning these practice's. Beginning in Junior High School it was a vastly different culture and focus on standards of practice. It was very common to practice several hours a day, 3-6 times a week. There were very few Americans in these groups; it was mostly us guys in the classes as well. Many Masters did not allow women in the groups. A over the top dedication to your Sifu and the school was mandated as well. Students cleaned the school, helped the Master out with whatever they asked. Looking back I was young, fortunate and free from worldly obligations to fill up my day with practice in various forms. All information and techniques was personally and physically taught in person. We had to memorize practices on the spot, there were no video tapping or note taking as well.  

So it was a sink or swim game; we practiced more because everything was memorized and we had no Video Tapes, DVD's, Internet or handouts to fall back on. Was it better than today? I would say no, it was just different and each generation has it's value on how to educate for next generation of students. Today with fast pace of life, everything wired for speed many students just are not equipped to "woodshed" it out as in the old days. Many just don't see the value as well.       

With that being said I do believe that each generation should focus on "Qigong of today, Tai Chi of today or meditation standards of practice today". A worthwhile note as well is that typical in our culture, where we feel that if a little is good, more must be better. It is a common paradigm for Americans, to try and re-engineer anything we can get or hands on. This can be true with these traditions, but will only go so far. 

Cautionary Note for Eager Novice Teachers: A common problem is that many practitioners and teachers of today is they mis-appropriate practice, create their own video tape and water down way too many things. All good systems are well informed and documented in today's world. If you teach - promote your Teachers material, skills and all the great things you have learned along the way with them. There is nothing better than the original! Indigenous traditions should be honored in this way. Make no mistake about it, if you cheat your students out of crucial information and technique, they eventually will find out, and lose faith in the tradition. Many people in many areas have made many videos and books now and claim skills and backgrounds that they do not really have. This continues to be a problems filled with false and misleading information. Don't become part of the problem, be a genuine person focus on leading an example of quality and tradition.    

Less is More!

The Science in the study of Qigong, Tai Chi and Meditation says that as little as 20 minutes delivers very tangible results. One of my Master teacher's is now 80 years old, I asked him during a practice in May of 2016, "how much does he practice"? He said with his busy schedule he practice's still no more than one hour per day. He also practices what he teaches as well. 

There is no need to practice for hours a day, and when people report doing so, often times they are not really accomplishing much better skill as well. The purpose of these practices is to help us to balance ourselves and engage more fully and healthfully in life. If we do too much of anything, we cannot find balance. I will concur that for a modern person practicing up to an hour a day is more than sufficient. We can do two twenty-minute sessions, or one longer session, per day. I recommend that you start with only five to ten minutes a day accomplishable goals because it is easier to set aside such a small chunk of time every day, no matter how busy your lifestyle or daily schedule.


 The advantage of starting slowly and following "less is more" as bendable guideline is that as you begin to feel the effects, your desire to practice increases naturally. When that happens, there is no need to force ourself to practice and, in fact, forcing ourselves to practice rarely leads to an quality, long-term practice. In closing for us that engage in these traditions as a "way of life" take an honest look at your schedule and plan accordingly. It is best to set yourself up for success, rather than setting goals that will be hard to achieve. Sometimes more is just more; it which is not better. :)

GWA

Are you Burned Out?

 

 Why does having a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment for many in their careers seem like such a struggle at times? There is an invisible battle going on, day-by-day between our search for a Fulfilling Career in our desires and the hidden forces of  Professional Burnout. This is also applicable to teachers of body/mind traditions as well. In many driven people I have found they don't like to ask for help or admit they are getting  burned out in their work load. The following are ideas that could help awaken how to regain balance. 

(1) Admit you are worn out on the road to exhaustion: This sounds easy, but it’s the hardest step. Our egos, as well as our incomes, are invested in feeling good about our work. It’s not easy to admit that you are a mess. See it as an opportunity to grow. For many teaching classes, or doing therapies they are overloaded with too much. Quality has slipped long ago and they are barely hanging on by a thread to keep it together. These practices over time when done excessively without proper recovery are taxing on the body/mind if proper recovery is not done. High quality can only be maintained with proper level of work load. Everyone's stamina is different so pay attention to your personal needs.    

(2) Take breaks and vacations from your work: Personal retreats will give you time to sharpen your skills back up. Schedule your personal retreats ahead of time they can be as a simple as around the corner from where you live. Displacing yourself from your home and surroundings is all that is needed. Leave the technology off, and find yourself once again. Any type of body/mind healing will do wonders for yourself. This can be a ideal time to work on a practice you have been struggling with as well. Take time to refine yourself is crucial for personal health.      

(3) Return to Yourself Daily: Oddly some people that are on the downward spiral - road to burn out never spend time alone. Everyday connect to yourself; your traditions that serve you. Daily, body/mind healing traditions can help dissolve the layers of stress and symptoms of burnout.

(4) Emotional Balancing: This is probably the most important. Get in touch with your true and deeper feelings and express them. Repressed emotions alone can create burn out. Work with a trusted mentor to help you deal with these frozen emotions. This will help raise your consciousness back up and make better sound judgements, in life. In many cases this is the root of many illnesses and personal burnout.   

(5) Trusted Friend: A person whom you can be completely comfortable with and express your deepest parts of yourself is important. It really can put things in perspective, and help you be more conscious about your personal challenges. Connect with a non-judgmental, but objective trusted friend; you can open up to. Everyone needs someone whom they can ask questions too to get a unbiased view point. In many cases they might be able to point out things you do that causes you being overwhelmed. The key here is that you will need to surrender yourself to objective criticism as well.   

(6) Start a Empower Group:  Start a monthly get together with other people in similar situations. The ideal help of all is to share your experiences with your peers who have had similar experiences. It’s very empowering and will give you many ideas that can eliminate repeating silly mistakes as well.

(7) Be in Control:  Don't let the people, client's in your life determine how you interact with them. You teach people how to treat you. Understand that not everyone that comes to you in life - in professional and personal life will be good for you. Decide what kinds of people you want to work with, be around with, and be willing to let those that don't fit the bill go by. There should be a common likeness for things to flow properly. Sometimes you have to clean the slate clean, and eliminate those elements out. If it happens to much most likely its probably you and not them, which in that case you need to seek experience help to figure that out. 

(8) Is it a Career or a Passion?:  Many time the things we love most perhaps will not be supported by the public 100%. There are those Careers like Art, Music and other desires that at one time were lucrative. Now that times change and we must adapt to that. Ultimately our personal health is paramount to all else-including money. If you love what you do, and simply cannot be supported by public need. It most likely will not be a good choice for not fulfilling your financial needs, don't stay in the game just because.  Look into other businesses and career opportunities. Still follow your bliss but learn to adapt and not stress yourself out. The mental stress alone will burn you out. 

I hope you find these ideas useful; and if you are in this place in life, it can help you begin to paving a new way, for personal healing!     

GWA