Must See Special on Smart Phone Addiction

I must say was not surprised after watching this well researched show on "Brain Hacking" seen on 60 Minutes. The show interviews a ex google designer by name of Tristan Harris explaining how you don't even have a chance to not get addicted. It bothered  him so bad in which he has found another calling to educate society on the dangers of the technology.  I am not going to go on and on about this but you should really watch it and spread the word to your love ones. There are several mini segments as well you should see here.  

 In the past few years I have encountered quite a number of students hooked on Smart Phones. In many cases it has been so bad that several students cannot even last 20 minutes in a basic Qigong class without getting the shakes, cold sweats etc. from being away from their smart phone. This is very alarming to say the least and it is not going to get better until it get's even worse, until their is a large public outcry on it. 

 In the special you will see that there is even a company tracking how to jack up peoples Dopamine levels so get hooked even stronger.  Again watch the special.  There are two links the CBS Special and Tristan Harris website in which you would also should Check out.

GWA

CBS Link :   http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brain-hacking-tech-insiders-60-minutes/ 

Tristan Harris Website:  http://www.timewellspent.io/

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

On Saturday April 29, 2017 is the annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. Anyone is welcome to join my weekly Saturday Class at 10:00am - 1130am in Sterling heights Michigan.  In our group we practice Tai Chi Energy Cultivation, which teaches posture, energy flow, imagery meditation and proper breath technique. 

For over 40 + years the technique of Taiji Qi Liu (太極氣流) commonly refereed to as  Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow is intended for the common citizen for the promotion of good health. The first practice is intended for any health level and was originally designed as a rehabilitative sequence of movements.  Perfect for people who like stretching of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Vastly improves blood circulation and strengthen's the immune system. The practice is soft and flowing, and with tangible results. Every class you feel your energy, peace of mind and joy of Tai Chi and Qigong. 

The class will be hopefully outdoors depending on weather; if not we will be at my studio. For previous, or serious students that would like to practice email me below:

qigonghealingcentre@gmail.com 

Gary W. Abersold  

Wisdom of Bruce Lee

The above picture is one of my favorites of Bruce Lee; if not the favorite. You ever wonder what would have been if he lived? Where would Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do be with him as the leader. Maybe he would of return to his roots of Tai Chi Chuan he learned with his father. For sure his Tai Chi Chuan would be extremely popular to say the least.  It's fun to speculate is it not. 

Growing up in the late 1970's early 1980's Bruce Lee was everywhere. The bookstores, on TV shows and at the Drive in Theaters. Vietnam was still in everyone's mind; even as a young kid I was totally aware of this tragedy of a war. We all needed a cultural heroe and there he was. Interesting is it not that a Chinese Martial Artist would thrill/save a few generation's of westerners! Do some research; one will be amazed on how much he impacted society.

 As young delinquent kids we would sneak out late at night, hop the back wall of the drive in and stand ontop of older friends cars at the midnight drive in and imitate his moves, as well as all the crazy Hong Kong flicks that would be played. All of us received alot of cheer and good laughs as we worked out many scenes to be played out again and again in proceeding nights to come (lol). We were all Kung Fu Krazy early teenagers - who were tapped into things to come. 

In these movies we all got a first glimpse of Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do.  Bruce Lee gave us a first real glimpse of real Kung Fu that was exploding on the west coast. Bruce Lee truly changed the world culture and he didn't even need a website or a silly little I phone :) Now how about that! 

Wisdom

As a teenager his books gave myself much inspiration and hope. One of his famous quotes/elucidations from his early writings from Kung Fu Tsu is " 論語 述而篇, 孔子曰 : 三人行、必有我師焉。擇其善者而從之、其不善者而改之。" ...  A good teacher should not be rigid and impose his student to fit his favorite pattern's or art. A teacher is not a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for themselves. As teachers we are not teaching you anything, except one to explore themselves and find their truths and inclinations. 

Comment: So this is one of those things that stick in your head forever; it really is that good; simple and to the point. The hidden message is only through hard work and continued practice will you find yourself. A teacher is only a small part of the puzzle. If you lean on them too much you will get nowhere. Do you have what it takes to do something with what you are learning? Only you can answer that. Learning these arts has not changed at all, in over the thousands of years of development. It comes down to sacrificing to practice and keep on practicing and learning and refining throughout your life.  The silver lining to all of this there is nothing to prove/master if you like this stuff you will be at it until the day you unzip and return to the cosmos.

Gary W. Abersold

 

      

Morning classes Spring 2017 & Other Items

Daily Classes

There will be Daily Morning  Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow (太極氣流) Classes being taught in Sterling Heights and Troy areas in the morning time several times a week. These classes will be for the most part outside or on bad weather days at my studio or if possible shelter areas. All Classes are at 10:00am-11:15am. This practice is very popular and everyone that practices it daily feels great results.  If interested and to learn more contact us through email qigonghealingcentre@gmail.com and we will get back with you. 

***There will be no more night classes available. I have taught Daytime and Night classes for over 15 years. I am only teaching and doing other services now in the morning hours. Days hours are from 7am-4pm daily.*** Thank You to everyone who had participated in the night programs! 

Websites  

By choice my website presence is only here at this Qigong website. I don't do social media (facebook, twitter etc.); 99% of my students come from references, and don't see the point of it all. My preference is real time connection in person when possible. I do feel more and more people are developing serious addiction problems with these devices and don't want to be part of the problem. So you can say that I take a stand against the cyber world to a certain degree. I don't spend much time online only post when needed. :) Life is to be lived and experienced. I do check my email randomly in the early morning..

Gary W. Abersold

Qigong Healing Centre

 

  

Simple Answer to "How is Qigong Different from Yoga, Gym Exercises Etc?"

  The Main Difference of Qigong Traditions

 By Gary W. Abersold

A common series of question's that is often asked are: 

1. What is the difference between Qigong and Relaxation Techniques? 
2. How is Qigong and Yoga different?
3. Are Gym workouts and Qigong different?
4. How is Qigong different from Samatha ~Vipasyana Meditation   
   

The above are a series of type questions often asked but, in mosaic fashion never truly are explained well. The answer is quite easy actually; it focuses on intention, attention and feeling of life force energy as a primary feature of  Qigong. I explain more below, but to also get a couple of things out of the way lets ad on a couple of other details.

 The term Qigong and Application: This is a umbrella term that has a large body of practices; numerable in style and uses. Each Qigong practice is unique and is not a "One Size Fits All" modality either. It takes a well trained practitioner with many years of practice to be able to easily enlightened the would be new user of Qigong. In the public many Qigong classes are taught and address many common ailments. In reality serious problems need specific tailored Qigong practices, along with in many cases related herb formulas and Qigong treatments. This can include massage and Acupuncture Therapy in various forms as well. There are many guidelines in proper administration of Qigong practices. Many Qigong practices have been vetted by Chinese Scientific and Medical Community, so the practices I am referring to are not self created Qigong sets by self identified Qigong Masters. I have been studying Chinese Medicine since 1981 and working as a Therapist since 1994, with many achievements and credentials. What I can tell you with certainty it requires quite depth, and continuing training and education in this vast tradition. 

The Qigong Difference: Qigong versus modalities such as Yoga, Gym exercises, etc. is that it first puts a large investment on mind intention and attention which develops our wisdom mind and helps us to properly enter into qigong properly. The Mind Intention and Attention I will leave for a journal entry all its own; its concepts are specific and different. It is a large teaching, which requires much elaboration. 

The universal salient features of Qigong Traditions is primarily the specifics of internal energy activation and mastery of life force energy. Specific practice's address the following - building/conserving, harmonizing/balancing, transforming/increasing, releasing/projecting life force energy is the main difference. Also skill set exercises that calibrate the physical body and internal organ system, specific respiratory breathing and paired movements, specialized life force meditations, specialized stretching, and postural movements, based on internal energy pathway system. Specialized personal empowerment's to strengthen ones Body/Mind/Soul are just some of the main differences.  

To Truly Feel and Experience Qi: With all that being said the main goal is to exist in a heightened sense of feeling, focus, and awareness of "life force energy". To truly feel and experience Qi is what seperates Qigong from almost everything else. It is unique and a complete tradition that does not have to be layered upon with other systems. Cultivation of life force energy is the oldest tradition in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The whole goal of Qigong is to strike a balance between yin/yang and develop the Qi for optimum health. Being present in the life force field activation and having the tissues, blood and bones saturated with Qi, is a main difference in Qigong Traditions and practitioners role in health and wellness.

Qigong is Holistic: The concept of holism/holistic is a foundation in Qigong. Western Scholars explain holism as a Philosophy with Therapeutic application.  The philosophy of holism is characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. The therapeutic application of holism is treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease. Qigong in a western sense is Medical, a form of medicine and is therapy. To call it Medical/Medicine although is a slippery slope to use that lingo. Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine have no correlation and those terms eludes it to be western scientific medicine which just causes all kinds of confusion. It is simply therapeutic that lead's one into application of  holism. Follow your Qigong Tradition along with nature and you will exist in a holistic state. 

In Closing: Many years ago I asked one of my teachers of China "What does Qigong do"? Trying to pick his mind and see what he had to say. He said "Oh well It makes everything better"; from your personal to ones professional life that's it in a nutshell. It's no big deal just do it and stay focused and you will find the gold in your efforts. Forget everything else this is the best thing in life.

GWA     

On Personal Qigong Practice

Insights Along the Way

Today's journal entry covers only three topics briefly:  1. Personal Practice 2. The age of everything 3.Where to begin. I get lot's of emails from students and even written letters asking about these three topics. So lately it seems that many students are not practicing as regular as they should; many are too wrapped up with social media and lurking around online and getting little to no results.  Through feedback many don't even now where or how to begin the search. To the reader hope you find this useful; but take it with a grain of salt. I began in a non technology driven era, my views are real experiences = real results. ~GWA       

Daily Personal Qigong Practice

The purpose "Personal Qigong Practice" is to build and maintain a solid foundation. Foundation practice's ensures our body/mind to grow and also to keep what we been practicing. Having a strong Qigong practice always ensures our body to be able to recover from illness, imbalance or depleted energy states.  It also assist you to connect more deeply with your personal spiritual endeavors. When we engage to keep a strong tradition alive, we not only be maximize our self-healing ability, we are more effective if we do self energy healing treatments on ourselves and others. It also helps your daily living; how you relate to others around you, and your career. Qigong self practice makes gives you "moxy" for our busy life. 

The Age of Everything Available

Technology is kinda like Pandora's box for the dabbler in energy healing practices and almost anything else for that matter. I find more and more people distracted by not knowing what to do. This is not because lack of access; the internet has created a whirlwind of confusion. Everyone today has a book, video something to sell/peddle. In many cases much has been misappropriated from a lineage/teacher as well. My advice is to stick with one tradition -one mentor; or you will be constantly searching and never going anywhere. 

The reason this is important is because it takes several years to refine any one method/approach. Loyalty to a system and a mentor goes a long way. If you engage with a tradition and you go in 100 % and get close with the students and teacher you will find a deeper interest will be taken in you. Qigong mentors are students as well; and we know what it takes to do Qigong properly. In many cases when a teacher sees that a student is a dabbler they will clam up and not be able to guide you deeper. The mistake falls on you; is it so hard to do one thing 100% ? 

Real experiences up close and personal is what to look for. Study with a teacher, have a friendship practice group. This will go a long ways in what you have a interest in. Practicing with friends is key because more than one person will be there doing the same thing. If you have forgotten something most likely someone else remembers it. Having practicing/training buddies is key in the informal practice sessions. Life is short; time clicks by constantly. Invest in real life experiences, you will be glad you did in the future.

Where to Begin?

In your community it is best to do good ole fashion, get in your car and venture out and mingle. When I began in 1981, it was through word of mouth or a lead from friends etc. The same holds true today, the good teachers who can actually teach are often off the grid. They might have a website but their interaction online will be small at best. It might be frustrating in the beginning to find someone. If you stick to it doors will open and you will find what you are looking for. Look for the teachers that run ongoing classes, this is important for learning how to practice.Weekly interaction is important to give and receive feedback. The local group is the foundation to your path, without it will be real hard to keep up in early stages.

GWA