Zhan Zhuang Geezer

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: Time of practice should be adjusted according to patientís situation. Usually people in relatively good condition can start from 10 minutes. If condition is worse, patient can start from 5 minutes. Then time of practice should be prolonged. It can be prolonged gradually (eg. from 5 to 6-7 minutes), or by longer steps (eg. from 10 to 20 minutes). Patient can practice 2- 3 times every day, not more than 5 times. Time of single exercise and frequency of practice should be decided by checking if the feeling of comfortable force and interest donít disappear. Practice shouldnít cause too much burden. The principle is no tiredness. Only this way feeling of comfort in whole body, free blood circulation, cultivating spirit and strengthening body can be achieved. During exercise there can appear feeling of pain, numbness, increased secretion of saliva, yawning, hiccup, fear, pricing or itching, prickling, feeling of warmth, increased sweating and other feelings ...

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: The main goal of mind activity is focusing spirit, stabilizing an tranquilizing mind. So mind activity is a process of curbing disturbing thoughts, ìuncountable thoughts are returning to oneî, it is entering the state of tranquility. The principle of mind activity is that the imagined objects and situations induce feeling of lightness, relax, comfort, bringing pleasant, happy mood, so you are avoiding tension and worry. Usually below listed forms of mind activity are used. • Relaxation. One method is based on unified, complete experiencing the feeling of relax, by using method of ìas smile, but not smile, as if urinating but not urinatingî. In another method you are experiencing the feeling of relax beginning from head, gradually downward, through neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, palms, chest, waist, abdomen, hips, legs, feet, to the toes. This process of relaxation can be repeated many times. But for a beginner it can be difficult. So a beginner should...

Quoting from Gradmaster Wang: In case of most patients they are used as supplemental practice. But in case of liver problems, in first stage of therapy as much attention is put to them as to standing postures. • First posture. Put your palms into pockets, only thumbs outside. Legs slightly bent, shoulders comfortably stretched, armpits half open. Body as if leisurely leaning against something behind. Eyes closed, spirit focused. When whole body achieves feeling of relax and comfort, one foot starts lazy movement forward (about one fist distance), as if tried to make movement and at the same time as if wanted to stop. When left foot is moving, head is naturally leaning rightward, so there appears feeling of comfortable oblique stretching. Do it alternatively with left and right foot, as if wading through mud. • Second posture. Backs of palms are resting on both sides in the waist area. Or place both palms naturally stretched to the sides. Other demands are the same as above.

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: They are usually used in case of very serious illnesses or those who are not able to leave bed. Can also be used as a supplement to standing and sitting postures. • First posture. Lie down on your back. Eyes slightly closed, mouth slightly open, legs naturally straightened and separated (not more than shoulder-width). Or you can bend knees slightly. Heels on the bed. Palms resting on underbelly, elbows on the bed. Armpits half open. Whole body relaxed. • Second posture. Put your arms on both sides of body. Insides of palms directed downward or upward. Elbows on the bed. Armpits half open. Other demands are the same as when practicing first posture. • Third posture. Arms are as if embracing something in front of your chest. Elbows resting on the bed. Knees slightly bent. Other demands are the same as when practicing first posture. • Fourth posture. Arms resting on both sides of body, or raised as if embracing something in front of chest. Legs straigh...

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: Usually when illness is severe, but patient has some ability of taking effort (eg. in cases of serious arthroplogosis, when using standing postures is not possible temporarily) or in case of patients without limbs. They can also be used as supplement by patients who are mainly using standing postures. • First posture. Sit on edge of a chair, with body straight, eyes closed, mouth slightly open. Feet parallel or making shape of / \. Distance between feet ñ about 4 fists. Whole feet are resting on the ground. Knees bent at about 90 degrees angle. Palms are resting on thighs, fingers pointing obliquely forward, arms curved, armpits half open, whole body relaxed. • Second posture. Pull your both feet back. Heels lifted, feet making shape of / \. Knees bent at about 40-50 degrees angle. Palms are resting on thighs or are placed in front of chest, at distance of about 1 foot. Fingers separated, pointing obliquely forward. Insides of palms directed toward b...

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: • Tibao shi. Feet are shoulder width apart, making shape of / \ (Chinese character for 8). Weight evenly distributed on both feet. Main point of supporting weight is just behind ball of foot (from translator: can be also interpreted as back part of foot - both variants are used in yiquan). Knees slightly bent. They should not overreach toes (depending on situation of a specific person, they can be bent less, or not bent). Body straight, arms curved, armpits half open. Shoulders very slightly moved back, so chest can be open ñ it is position of light, agile erection. Fingers of both palms are pointing toward each other. Distance between them is about 3 fists. Palms are at level slightly below navel. Insides of palms directed upward. Arms as if embracing a big balloon. Head straight or slightly leaning back. Eyes closed or naturally open (especially at first stage of practice), mouth slightly open. Whole body is relaxed (ìrelaxed but not slackî). On face ...