Day 170
Not long ago, bending over to work on the back of the MR2 for any amount of time was a crude and unusual punishment for me. Even washing and waxing the car tired my back easily. Well, last Sunday, I spent a couple of hours working on the MR2 and I was surprised that I could do it without pain. And now after 48 hours, I do not feel any "delayed onset muscle soreness". This is remarkable.
This was not a scientific experiment, and my activity was not documented in detail, but I did serious work on Sunday. More than a couple of parts were removed, including air cleaner/cover, some hoses, and the heavy battery. I did not hunched over continuously the entire hour, but I definitely hunched over a lot. And then I had to lift the battery a few times because it did not went on right. I thought nothing when I was doing it. But I think I should celebrate this.
What changed?
I rode bicycle on and off about twice a week, then and now. I used to stretch nightly before and now I pretty much stopped stretching completely. I did little or no strength workout before and now. No crunch, bridge, no push up was performed. What I do is the 20 minutes of Stance nightly.
With conventional wisdom, I did zero exercise to target the abdominal and back. Yes, the stance works the core and the leg. But how did the back get strengthened? Really? It does not make sense.
I have a theory!
I think the back problem, or any movement/posture problem, really should be thought of as a system problem and not a component problem. If your back hurt and you strengthen the back, then you are trying to fix the part. And we have seen examples after examples, you can fix the part but the problem comes back. The back hurt because something or many things caused it to be over-stressed. It can be a weakness somewhere, a stiffness somewhere, or the combination of the two that leads to a bad back. And now we started to look for that stiffness or weakness... There we go again, we begin to look for the problem part.
In the western society, in this age of science, and in me, we are so ingrained in this way of thinking. We are constantly analyzing, breaking things apart, looking for the cause and origin... It is actually very uncomfortable to throw that away and find something else that works.
So my theory is, by doing this Stance, somehow the weaknesses and stiffness somewhere in the body gets strengthened and mobilized, the whole body is actually working together better. As a whole the body is stronger, not just the back.
Like the Nike slogon: "Just DO IT!"
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Masslessness
Day 160 Being Massless
This is going to be very difficult to articulate this .... sensation I have in these couple of days.
There is a sense of ease or freedom in how I go about my days, doing the things I do at work, at home. It is not so much about what I do but how these things are done. I simply do what I think. That is it, so simple, with no hesitation, with no contemplation. I flow from one thing to another. Sometimes, I stopped and changed into something else. But I felt no resistance. There are the usual pressures and obligations but they seems to flow right past me. It is definitely not about slacking off, taking it easy. In fact I get more done. Because little time is wasted on changing gear, changing direction...
Am I making any sense?
How did I get here? I think it was the change in my routine. Instead of doing 20 minutes of the physical part of the stance, I started with cleansing/quieting the mind. And that 25 minutes became not just stance exercise but also a meditation. I emptied the stray thoughts and just stayed with myself. I wonder if other people experienced this.
This is going to be very difficult to articulate this .... sensation I have in these couple of days.
There is a sense of ease or freedom in how I go about my days, doing the things I do at work, at home. It is not so much about what I do but how these things are done. I simply do what I think. That is it, so simple, with no hesitation, with no contemplation. I flow from one thing to another. Sometimes, I stopped and changed into something else. But I felt no resistance. There are the usual pressures and obligations but they seems to flow right past me. It is definitely not about slacking off, taking it easy. In fact I get more done. Because little time is wasted on changing gear, changing direction...
Am I making any sense?
How did I get here? I think it was the change in my routine. Instead of doing 20 minutes of the physical part of the stance, I started with cleansing/quieting the mind. And that 25 minutes became not just stance exercise but also a meditation. I emptied the stray thoughts and just stayed with myself. I wonder if other people experienced this.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Day 33, Micro-movement
At the beginning I did not want to over-thinking this. I mean, the whole point is about just DOing it, not about thinking about it. But being me, I tried to find something related to this Stance.
(There was a connection with isometric exercise which led to Charles Atlus.)
(Continued 09-12-2012)
I don't know anyone else in the world is doing this. There is something probably not natural about moving so slowly. Try do a plie', stand then bend the knees. Typically in a 8 count movement, 4 counts down, and 4 counts up. Now do the same 8 counts but go down only half as far. Then reduce the movement even further. Now you are barely moving up and down still the same 8 counts. Try that for a couple of minutes and what are you feeling?
Do you feel some kind of pulse, or vibration in your legs?
x
x
x
x
(There was a connection with isometric exercise which led to Charles Atlus.)
(Continued 09-12-2012)
I don't know anyone else in the world is doing this. There is something probably not natural about moving so slowly. Try do a plie', stand then bend the knees. Typically in a 8 count movement, 4 counts down, and 4 counts up. Now do the same 8 counts but go down only half as far. Then reduce the movement even further. Now you are barely moving up and down still the same 8 counts. Try that for a couple of minutes and what are you feeling?
Do you feel some kind of pulse, or vibration in your legs?
x
x
x
x
Starting ...
At about Day 155
Yesterday a young friend spoke with me enthusiastically after she went home and practiced what I showed her. For some reason, she was not feeling well today. hmmm......
I hope she is alright. And I hope she did not overdo the exercise.
After doing the stands for so many days, at times I was not sure if I have learned anything or found anything important. Well, I think I need to address something. The Start.
It is still true that the most important thing is to just DO IT EVERYDAY, regardless of how exactly you do it. But HOW you do it, does matter.
Like more things one do in a day, we have a tendency to rush. My wife and I would do the stance 20 minutes just before we go to sleep. I hit the timer, Go. Then we stopped when timer chimed. But does it has to be like that?
I often asked myself why am I not progressing mentally or spiritually. Well, this might be why. I did not cleanse myself when I begin my stance. Thus I did the exercise with just my body but not the whole being.
This is what I suggest. Like being in a dance class, just take a minute to CENTER oneself, and check your body. Say hello to each part of your body and see how they are. Stand neutrally tall, about shoulder width. Relax the eyes. Let the arms drop and just breath generally. Just relax for a minute.
When ready, move the feet laterally a little, and begin by reaching and lifting the arms toward the front of the body forming part of a ball.......
.
.
.
.
.
Do you feel the difference?
Yesterday a young friend spoke with me enthusiastically after she went home and practiced what I showed her. For some reason, she was not feeling well today. hmmm......
I hope she is alright. And I hope she did not overdo the exercise.
After doing the stands for so many days, at times I was not sure if I have learned anything or found anything important. Well, I think I need to address something. The Start.
It is still true that the most important thing is to just DO IT EVERYDAY, regardless of how exactly you do it. But HOW you do it, does matter.
Like more things one do in a day, we have a tendency to rush. My wife and I would do the stance 20 minutes just before we go to sleep. I hit the timer, Go. Then we stopped when timer chimed. But does it has to be like that?
I often asked myself why am I not progressing mentally or spiritually. Well, this might be why. I did not cleanse myself when I begin my stance. Thus I did the exercise with just my body but not the whole being.
This is what I suggest. Like being in a dance class, just take a minute to CENTER oneself, and check your body. Say hello to each part of your body and see how they are. Stand neutrally tall, about shoulder width. Relax the eyes. Let the arms drop and just breath generally. Just relax for a minute.
When ready, move the feet laterally a little, and begin by reaching and lifting the arms toward the front of the body forming part of a ball.......
.
.
.
.
.
Do you feel the difference?
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Day 52 , Looking back and Forward
The 20 minutes a day Zen Stance has definitely improved myself physically. Just a few short years ago, I was having some difficulty getting in and out of the little Toyota MR2. Thought I was supposed to accept the fact that I was no longer young and have to change the way I get in and out of a car. It made me learn the "correct" way of getting onto a low sports car. --> Open the door and enter the car with the buttock touching down on the seat first. Then pivot about the buttock, bringing right then left legs into the car. Now I realized that it was because my left leg not having the strength to support my body. This is no longer an issue.
It was my wish to also strengthen myself mentally. Initially I thought the stance could do that. Now I am not so sure.
So what is it that trains the mind as well as the body?
It was my wish to also strengthen myself mentally. Initially I thought the stance could do that. Now I am not so sure.
So what is it that trains the mind as well as the body?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Day 42 - Renewed Challenge
40 days completed. The effect was initially surprising, then flattened. It is true, the muscle tone of my buttock and thighs had not felt so good for at least a decade. How do I know? After a ride through the cold air, when the shorts were removed, the icy cheeks (slight sagging) are no longer so icy. Yet, I began to feel restless during the nightly stance sessions. And the sessions seemed to begin later and later. I need more challenge.
This morning I gave myself a challenge. I added the morning session. It was not just a 20 minutes session. I bent lower than before, and then I stretched it to 25 minutes.
It worked. Approaching 20 minutes mark, the intense shaking began. I held it.. for 5 more minutes, as the flame inside burned, and perspiration on the verge of forming on my forehead. Let's begin another 40 days.
This morning I gave myself a challenge. I added the morning session. It was not just a 20 minutes session. I bent lower than before, and then I stretched it to 25 minutes.
It worked. Approaching 20 minutes mark, the intense shaking began. I held it.. for 5 more minutes, as the flame inside burned, and perspiration on the verge of forming on my forehead. Let's begin another 40 days.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Day 23, Movements within Stillness
Day 23 --
The word - "Balance" came to my mind when I played tennis the first time in a month. My body was moving noticeably lighter, with a sense of The intangible feel of the body moving with easy and stability was noticeable. Was this the product of this little 20 minutes routine nightly?
Stillness!?
You might notice that staying standing still isn't as easy as it seems. If you are able to overcome that initial .. difficulty and persist you might begin to see that the world is actually full of movement. The world that one ought to pay attention to is actually the body. Keep in mind that the goal actually is not about holding a pose stiffly. It is alright to move, to gently flex the joints, to stretch. You want to be relaxed with just a small effort on your muscles. When you are still you can begin to notice things happening in your body. Feeling warm all over is perfectly normal. Some people feel a fire ignited from the base of the spine burning upward and out. Some begins to shake. With the slightest movement in say hands, I felt this .. vibration like sensation some called it Qi or life energy in my fingers. There is no need to seek those sensation. If it comes, allow it. Everything should be happening naturally and gently. The moment is about you so you do what you feel like doing, being there with yourself, just being.
The word - "Balance" came to my mind when I played tennis the first time in a month. My body was moving noticeably lighter, with a sense of The intangible feel of the body moving with easy and stability was noticeable. Was this the product of this little 20 minutes routine nightly?
Stillness!?
You might notice that staying standing still isn't as easy as it seems. If you are able to overcome that initial .. difficulty and persist you might begin to see that the world is actually full of movement. The world that one ought to pay attention to is actually the body. Keep in mind that the goal actually is not about holding a pose stiffly. It is alright to move, to gently flex the joints, to stretch. You want to be relaxed with just a small effort on your muscles. When you are still you can begin to notice things happening in your body. Feeling warm all over is perfectly normal. Some people feel a fire ignited from the base of the spine burning upward and out. Some begins to shake. With the slightest movement in say hands, I felt this .. vibration like sensation some called it Qi or life energy in my fingers. There is no need to seek those sensation. If it comes, allow it. Everything should be happening naturally and gently. The moment is about you so you do what you feel like doing, being there with yourself, just being.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Stand to Regenerate or Taxing Exercise
Day 14 - Thursday
Tuesday was particularly difficult because the cold affected me so severely I took a couple of hours off from work. Getting home was another minor challenge since I chose to pedal to work on this day. The two hour nap helped, and I nearly skipped the Stance that night.
Two days later the cold has nearly vanished. Perhaps the Stance made an impact on my recovery.
Exercise such as the Stance can regenerate rather than drain energy. Recharge oneself by adjusting the intensity to avoid getting out of breath. Maintain a deep steady breathing rhyme. And focus on keeping the energy in, visualize a red flame in the abdominal or allowing the energy to flow or loop around the upper body.
Yet, relax always. Let it happens, Do not force.
Tuesday was particularly difficult because the cold affected me so severely I took a couple of hours off from work. Getting home was another minor challenge since I chose to pedal to work on this day. The two hour nap helped, and I nearly skipped the Stance that night.
Two days later the cold has nearly vanished. Perhaps the Stance made an impact on my recovery.
Exercise such as the Stance can regenerate rather than drain energy. Recharge oneself by adjusting the intensity to avoid getting out of breath. Maintain a deep steady breathing rhyme. And focus on keeping the energy in, visualize a red flame in the abdominal or allowing the energy to flow or loop around the upper body.
Yet, relax always. Let it happens, Do not force.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A Miracle Cure... Almost
Day 10 -
Even I sometimes foolishly wish there is a miracle cure for .... every illness there is.
Lately a cold is brewing in me. Might have caught it from dad whom I visited earlier this week. Symptoms include an odd sensation in the back of the throat, tender back, tight neck, sneezing, and nose a little runny.
But my lower back does not bother me.
It is almost like a car has miraculously grown a bigger spare tank.
Even I sometimes foolishly wish there is a miracle cure for .... every illness there is.
Lately a cold is brewing in me. Might have caught it from dad whom I visited earlier this week. Symptoms include an odd sensation in the back of the throat, tender back, tight neck, sneezing, and nose a little runny.
But my lower back does not bother me.
It is almost like a car has miraculously grown a bigger spare tank.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
A Shift Back to One
There is risk in using too many words for this.
Doing this simple stance gives space for the noise to fade, clutters to dissipate, and clarity to emerge.
In time, perhaps this clarity will permeate the rest of the world.
All one needs to do is to stand and breath, for a little while.
Doing this simple stance gives space for the noise to fade, clutters to dissipate, and clarity to emerge.
In time, perhaps this clarity will permeate the rest of the world.
All one needs to do is to stand and breath, for a little while.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Stance - a relaxed stillness
While there are many Chinese writing on the stance, few can be found in English. The following will give you an idea about the pose.
The general idea is to stay in a relaxed balanced stance with a slight knee bend.
The words STILL and RELAXED are the key words. Think natural, unforced opposite to awkward, forced. Stand with feet shoulder width or slightly wider. Body straight. Bend knee slightly as if sitting down. Feel an even pressure between the 2 feet and between the toe/ball and the heel. Stretch your arms slightly outward from the rib cage, naturally bend/round the forearms and stretch out the hands slightly, like ballet arms, like hugging a tree or holding a giant ball.
Breath naturally and deeply. It is not necessary to hold the post rigidly. Gently stretch the joints if you feel tight. Shaking, feel of vibration, heat or tingling are sensations that might occur. Increase or decrease the intensity by lowering or raising your body.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Day 6, Benefits
Standing for a 20 minutes period is not so difficult to do. But then to persist for 40 days straight takes a little more planning and will power. I had begun on the day after my birthday and this is the 6th day. It has been easy during the vacation, but I have to allot time for the work days next week.
So far I feel my core muscles definitely has gotten more "firm". Even when I lean forward on my elbow sitting at a table, I feel torso body does not slum. My buttock, lower back and stomach seems to be held together tighter. And my balance is better. I'd like to think my mind is more clear, but I have to see about that.
So far I feel my core muscles definitely has gotten more "firm". Even when I lean forward on my elbow sitting at a table, I feel torso body does not slum. My buttock, lower back and stomach seems to be held together tighter. And my balance is better. I'd like to think my mind is more clear, but I have to see about that.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Challenge
An Invitation to
STAND in a relaxed stillness
20 minutes a day for 40 days....
to discover, energize, focus, meditate .... to will, to challenge, and to dedication to oneself
to initiate a change
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