Sinking Chi Hints And Tips

[Anonymous]

HI I would like to hear peoples tips on sinking chi during standing practice as I know this is a very important beginning practice. I find it hard to tell if I am sinking my chi or just imagining I am and spacing out. Does the feeling of chi become stronger with practice? And does doing the sinking process outside on the earth make any difference to indoor practice? I guess i am just struggling with knowing if i’m doing this correctly if at all.

Any help would be great thanks Neal

[Anonymous]

Hi Neal,

Im not a certified teacher but heres my experience.
I did standing on my own without a “live” teacher for at least 3 years before I finally “knew” that I was sinking my qi. Before that, imagining and wondering and spacing out were all common experiences.

I still space out but the experience of qi DID become stronger with practice. Although subtle it eventually it becomes unambiguous and you get used to what it feels like.

I also know that one can take sinking to a very deep level so sinking becomes much harder (or “softer” as I have been told).

What helped alot for me was just hanging out at the crown and above the crown of your head. Dont be in a rush to sink. Just feel. Eventually I found that the sensation of blood and qi wil gather there when your attention and intention does. Next, as your mind moves bit by bit downwards, you follow the leading edge of the sinking sensation as it moves down your body as if you are a big sponge soaking and sinking qi down your body and into the earth.

Hope my opinion helps! and personally I find practicing outdoors more in enjoyable and typically “feels better” likely due to all the fresh qi nature can provide. However, I dont feel that practicing indoors impedes my ability to sink.

cheers,

Kevin

[Anonymous]

Hands on with another person feeding you a tiny bit of a push into either your chest or mid section is a pretty good test. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart, a little more is ok, and feet squared up so you don’t have a back foot to brace against. If they can move you with 4 oz of pressure, you ain’t got it. If you have it, it’ll feel like they are pressing against a wall. Just make sure you aren’t simply leaning into them. Once you start to get it, take note of how you are structured and bring that structure into your solo practice. Hope this helps.

Joe Wood

[Author]

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