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I have been practicing Yang Style Tai Ji Quan for around 13 years under the same instructor but feel that my health is suffering as a result of my practice. I could be wrong but wondered if anyone could shed some light on this and perhaps help me a little.
When I train my standing post and form I feel OK for a while and then beyond a certain point I begin to feel a tension around my forehead in my bladder channels. I develop a discomfort around my stomach and liver and begin to feel anxious and generally unhappy. I find it harder to sleep at night and develop red cheeks and a hot face.
I have been to a TCM doctor in China who diagnosed me with a Liver Yin Blockage and following a course of herbs I greatly improved my symptoms. However now I am back in the UK I am experiencing a return of my problems brought on by my Tai Ji practice.
I have approached my teacher about this but he has not been able to offer a satisfactory solution or explanation so I thought I would ask if anybody here can offer some suggestions.
I would have thought that logically this length of time spent working at Tai Ji Quan would have cured any illness I have but this does not seem to be the case.
Why would my practice affect my liver like this? Or is the Tai Ji highlighting a problem in my body rather than creating it?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
J
Hi, Josh.
I’m just a practitioner and not a doctor, but I don’t think the taiji is causing your problems. Your practice is probably causing your chi to move and making the blockages you’re suffering from become more apparent. However, you should do d an expert to ask about this.
In my own practice, I have felt occasional discomfort in the liver and stomach but almost often as a discharge do energy when a blockage releases.
Have you practice Bruce’s opening the Energy Gates qigong? This is a gentle, safe way to work with blocked energy. Paul Cavel, one of Bruce’s senior students, teaches in the uk. Google him and check it his websites. He teaches many of Bruce’s sets. Maybe he can help.
Good luck, mjn
hi josh
im not a doctor, but I do practice tui na therapy, and i see a lot of energetic blockages in people.
it sounds to me like you are maybe putting too much into your taiji. standing post exercise should be easy and comfortable, and so should the form.I have seen a lot of taiji teachers who emphasize the martial aspect, and it bleeds over into the relaxation aspect.
taiji is a real puzzle, in that your trying to do something intense and active in a very relaxed, comfortable manner.if I was in your situation, I would try a couple of things.
1. more fiber in your diet. liver requires fibre to cleanse it out. lots of leafy green salads, more beans maybe, or psyllium husk can be useful. lots of other stuff also can help get your liver and meridians more relaxed. drinking, smoking, and fried foods are all hard on the liver, less of that s@#t will certainly help…2. experiement with some super lazy ass taiji. bruce has called this screw up taiji. standing so relaxed you are just about to fall over, allow your body to move as it will, basically try to do your taiji without any forcing or holding, “like water”. be willing to do it terribly, but in a relaxed manner. I notice that water is not very regular in it’s shape or how itmoves, it’s all over the place. by imitating water, you might find out you have been more tense than you think.
3. learn or practice the dissolving. ive had many times where Ive done my practice too much, or doing it with too much intensity, and it builds up stress in my body. anytime I notice tension, that’s an opportunity to dissolve and release that tension. sometimes ill be doing my taiji form, and ill get a very clear sense of some restriction.
ill slow down or stop entirely and do my best to dissolve the tension. when it feels better, I go back to the form, either start over, or if im keeping a good mindflow, start up where I left off. this has been very helpful to me, it might work for you too.4. practice more at home/on your own. more practice at home, being more relaxed, will spill over into your life and you will be more ready for whatever you are learning in class. I notice students are very uncomfortable when they feel they can’t do something, the tendency is to then try too hard to do it “right”. the end result is poor practice and too much tension. I often see students really relax into class when they have done their homework and feel ready to learn more.
hope this helps, and best of training!
richard
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