We Suck :|

We made it 27 days. I didn't notice all that much increase in power, but Neil said there was some noticeable improvement.

Neil wasn't actually feeling all that well, too much yang energy was the theory, so we decided to end the project... for now.

Perhaps after the winter holiday season we'll start it up again...

Thanks for reading!

./Aram

Day 22: This project sucks

I'd just like to point that out, in case anyone was wondering.

We did make it 3 weeks so far, which is neat. I'll leave it at that and ignore the timer on the right telling me how many days remain.

It's just better that way.

./Aram

Day 18 Observations

So Neil and I were talking, and I was trying to figure out what effect all this was having. I mentioned that it felt easier to 'mobilize' qi in my qigongs and standing post meditation. It may be pure mental imagery, but it was just my observations. Neil mentioned that he was feeling the same way, and he felt 'heavier' as he mentioned a few posts ago. This is encouraging for me, as I really don't know what I'm doing. To have my observations in line with a long-time practitioner of gongfu during this project is a good sign, even though we are obviously at vastly different levels of both internal and external skill.

To be honest, I figured that when we made it through the 108 days, I assumed Neil would have reached his goal, and notice a huge change. I really didn't think I'd honestly feel anything, mostly due to my lack of skill and sensitivity to energetic gongfu stuff. To even feel a tiny bit at this point is great, yet, as many people will point out, purely a personal observation.

Here's the updated chart:



./Aram

Day 15, Spirits are high

Well, day 15, and a personal record for me! Frustration has been way down too, but that may be a function of less teasing from my wife. I'll make sure that both Neil and I update our chart and I'll put it in my next post. I believe that the chart will auto-update, but this way it stays on the front page...

I hurt my back around day 9 or so, so I've had very little kung fu until about day 13. I've resumed my Qigong and bagua practice. I don't really notice a difference, but perhaps this is so slow a process, I won't even feel it. I hope that maybe Neil will be able to tell a difference in the way my kung fu is now. It's hard to say if I move better/feel 'full' as there has been no practice.. maybe when I iron out the kinks, I'll be shocked at how everything feels!

./Aram

Day 8

So Day 8 begins....

I have noticed a real spike in the frustration levels in the past few day but they seem to be subsiding. I also though that Arams approach to the 108 is interesting. Not having an intense period of "extra" training so that a real control is placed and results should be felt as to whether or not the 108 days of celibacy make a difference in the production of Jing and Qi or if all the stories are really about 108 days of intense training make you feel better (well duh...).
Anyway I have been practicing some baguazhang each day and some taijiquan on my own aside from the gongfu I am doing while teaching classes. I did start to feel a "fullness" a couple of days ago, but now that feeling has subsided somewhat. I am wondering though if it has to do with the perspective of my own feelings and my closeness to them. Meaning that as the jing grows I feel different but then most likely get used to that feeling. I have noticed however that in qigong and internal practices that my qi is seeming to flow more strongly and smoothly already... Things are looking good with 100 days left to go!

Day 5 and 6 update

Day 5 Training:

External:
Tornado Fist, 16 Dragon, Praying Buddha

Day 6 (so far) Training:

Internal:
8 Brocade Qigong
Bagua Circle Walking, Palm Change 1

I don't really notice a change in my internal power yet. I was talking about this with a friend earlier today, and he figures that it's the focus on the 'task', and not the 108 days itself, that increases your power. The extra training, diet etc that people usually take on during these times also contribute to the 'feeling powerful". It makes sense, and I mentioned that in the beginning: except for the celibacy, I'm trying to keep all other things as normal as possible during this time. The extra training may make a difference for me, but I'll take that risk in exchange for having something to keep my mind on track!

./Aram

Aram: 4 Day Summary

Here's my summary so far:

Day 1-2

Internal:

8 Brocade Qigong
Baguazhang Circle walking (only about 6-7 minutes, the kids were around :))
Bagua Palm Change 1, both sides

External Bayingquan Forms:
Dragon Pole (empty-handed)
Tornado Fist
Regular Thursday Class on Day 2

Day 3

Internal:

8 Brocade Qigong
Baguazhang Circle Walking: 12-13 mins
Palm Change 1 (it's starting to feel better as I practice it more, oddly enough!)
Standing Post Qigong (aka Rice Bowl Qigong)

External Bayingquan:

Tornado Fist
Dragon Pole


Day 4 hasn't happened yet, I'll probably post later tonight about it. I'd really like to start getting up earlier and slide some meditation in, but that would be well, early. We have a demo at the Creston Fall Fair today; I think we're all pretty pumped about it. If the pics turn out, I'll put a few in here.

I'd like to say I feel a difference, but I don't...yet. Considering we're only 3.7% of the way into the project, I'm not too worried. Some people have asked why we don't do a full lifestyle change with this, eat right, quit drinking (which we are, actually), etc. I think it would be a great idea, however, I think it would interfere in nailing down the relationship of Jing retention and Kung Fu Power. We're off the sauce (not heavy drinkers at all anyway) just because it really isn't all that good for you, but cutting other things out may be too much, both in trying to personally determine if this 108 day thing works, and for sanity purposes. If I can't substitute candy for sex, I think I'd crack up. :)

./Aram