Posted by Dalida Turkovic - January 29th, 2012
My practice today was rushed but I managed to keep to the challenge and finish with the 5 Xing Gong standing stance and Xingyi. Past few days I had only 40 minutes time to practice before I had to go out: my mind was distracted, breathing was less relaxed, it was difficult to feel the mind-body connection and my arms hurt afterwards.
The easiest practice was when I did it just before the sunrise (today it was at 7.26am in Beijing). I tuned in with the morning light and enjoyed warmth.
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - January 21st, 2012
I dropped the practice two days ago. After I woke up I was postponing and postponing the start to find the morning crumbling away until there was no time anymore. In the back of my mind I thought: hey, I will practice in the evening, that surely counts! As it happens, later during the day I saw an article from Harvard Business Review which suggested:
The key to success is building rituals — highly specific practices that you commit to doing at precise times, so that over time they become automatic, and no longer require much conscious intention or energy (full article available on http://blogs.hbr.org/schwartz/2012/01/no-is-the-new-yes-four-practic.html)
So, here it is, another fresh start and revision of the 90 day challenge. Another countdown with the arrival of the year of the Water Dragon. It is black, it is powerful, it’s waiting to be trained. Shall we call it Toothless?
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - January 15th, 2012
I have started my 90 day practice challenge.
40 minutes practice in the morning and 20 minutes meditation in the afternoon.
I struggled few mornings already. After all, nobody knew about my challenge and I thought giving few more days of contemplation would help with determination. Interestingly, determination didn’t appear until I started doing it.
I didn’t practice for almost 2 months, at least not with my body. I had two operations and needed to rest. Few weeks ago I started to practice through visualisations which helped to get back into standing stances with much more ease. Also, 40 minutes in the morning seems like a good introduction to the days when I will also be practicing 1,5 hrs in the evening.
The rules of 90 day challenge are simple:
Choose the duration of the challenge: 20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes (more? less?), time of the day and what kind of practice (writing, meditating, drawing, Neijia, reading…)
You can set up your own monitoring of the progress by setting up a free account on www.habitforge.com. It is quite self explanatory and it works by sending you daily reminders and motivational quotes about your challenge. It will follow your progress for 21 days and further on if you wish to continue using the same tool.
In the corner of my mind I hear voice asking for flexibility: you know, there is another kind of rule: whatever happens, don’t miss the practice two days in a row…
Which challenge suits you better?
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - December 20th, 2011
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - November 14th, 2011
Excerpt from the book Chinese Qigong Illustrated
Path towards enlightenment represented by Bojo Guksa, a Buddhist monk who lived in the period of the rule of Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The buffalo in the pictures stans for the natural character of man or the source of life.
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In the Wild Troubled by all kinds of thoughts and desires, people are liable to get nervous and disturbed in daily life and with their natural character confused and the ability to sustain themselves lost, they are quite ill with various worries and diseases. The poem reads: Displaying its horns, the buffalo bellows aloud, Running along the mountain path into the distance. A patch of black clouds overhangs the valley, The buffalo tramples wheat seedlings wherever it goes.
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Initial Training When you start qigong practice, place your mind under control and set strict demands on yourself, as if fastening the buffalo with a rope. After persistent practice, you will become disciplined and avoid unnecessary losses. The poem reads: Controlled by a rope through its nose, The buffalo runs swiftly under the whip. It is no easy thing to overcome a willful temper, As the boy struggles hard to lead the buffalo.
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Under Control After some practice, you will find yourself calm and stable gradually. But you cannot slacken your efforts at this moment, anyway. Be sure to forget fatigue and feel at home. The poem reads: Under constant training the buffalo stops dashing, Following the boy across streams and through clouds. Not daring to loosen the rope in his hand, The boy tends the buffalo all day in spite of his fatigue.
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Turning Back When you reach a certain stage in practice, a turn for the better will take place and the destination of your life’s voyage will appear before you. In so doing, you can grow out of recklessness and act in conformity with nature. At this juncture, keep your mind steady and consolidate the original ring and strengthen the original qi. The poem reads: A long time has passed before the buffalo turns back, Its reckless temper has gradually grown gentle. Not trusting the buffalo completely to itself, The boy has not yet unfastened the rope.
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Tamed When you return to the true nature, you will enter a state of freedom; and when you combine the inside with the outside, you will not find yourself shrouded in dust any longer but see the light. Now that you have found your true character, you can do away with those strict demands. The poem reads: Under the green poplar, by the ancient stream, The buffalo moves in harmony with nature. Returning at sunset over the fragrant meadow, The buffalo follows the boy, who has dropped his rope.
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Getting Free of Hindrance Getting free of hindrance is a state of penetration and evenness, and real control of both the body and the mind. Then try to enter a state of void through qi and shen practice and you will feel the inherent rhythm of life. The poem reads: Sleeping contentedly under the sky, The buffalo needs the whip nevermore. The boy, sitting under the pine tree, Starts to play a peaceful, happy tune.
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In Control A man’s potential is boundless, and exploiting and making use of it will lay groundwork for the distillation of life. As the “buffalo” has been tamed and is free from worldly hindrance, it is time for you to enjoy the power of freedom and stroll in the realm of life. The poem reads: Bathed in sunset, the river floats past the willow tree Under the fragrant meadow in light mist.’ Totally at ease, the buffalo drinks when thirsty, eat when hungry, And the boy is lying on a rock, deep in sleep.
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False Reality What is above everything is the true reality and observing various things in the world with a tranquil mind. Attaining the “union of man and heaven,” an advanced state in qigong practice, you will be in harmony with yourself and with nature. The poem reads: The white buffalo stays in the white clouds; The boy is free of concern, and so is the buffalo. Penetrated by moonlight, the white clouds grow whiter; The moon goes its way, and the clouds drift by.
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Single Light With the buffalo and its master in perfect harmony, there is not any difference between the outside and the inside. Shen merges with the body and willpower with qi. Whenever illumination comes, you will feel at ease and full of go and vigor. The poem reads: After the buffalo has vanished, the boy enjoys leisure; A solitary cloud drifts across the hill. Clapping his hands, the boy sings under the moon, Though he has another portal to cross before reaching home.
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The mother of nature is formless, and everything may be back to the original purity and simplicity. The circle in the diagram shows a state of purity and perfection so that existence is non-existence and vice versa. Re-maining quiet and still, you will gain ultimate wisdom and enlightenment and the purification of your life will draw to an end. The poem reads: Both the boy and the buffalo are nowhere to be found, The moon illuminates the vast void. If in search of the meaning of all this, Look at the wild flowers and fragrant grass.
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - November 14th, 2011
To view the show please check the following link for BTV’s Beijing Guest or copy and paste the link http://tudou.com/programs/view/V7n95ZUsA5E/
Photos by Blanca
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - November 14th, 2011
November 6th, 2011 at Confucius Institute, Beijing – Liu Sifu gave presentation on Kungfu and Neijia. Thank you Blanca, Esther, Sarah and Zhao for being there to support IMA1402 and Alejandro for taking photos.
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - August 14th, 2011
Our uniforms are tailor made. Send your request on bagua@small-steps-neijia.com with the measures or come shortly before the class. Uniforms are done in 2-3 days.
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - June 22nd, 2011
On Sunday 19th June Liu Shifu celebrated birthday in Beijing and Su Jin entered the 6th generation of Bagua lineage. Neijia Family expands, tradition continues.
Posted by Dalida Turkovic - April 24th, 2011
Practice evolved and expanded in the magical setting of Mt Pan
April 16-17, 2011
