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OF CONDUCT The internal can be practiced in many ways; some better than others. These rules and procedures are for building energy in the best environment. One can grow a rose in common dirt and it will live, however if one wants to see beutiful flowers, one must control the environment with rich soil containing the rightn proportions of nutrients. So it is with the internal, they can be no more than dance and aerobics. If one wants it to grow and flower; practice must be done with the right mind and surroundings.
#1 Constant Movement When learning an internal form or Chi Kung, one builds energies, fires and/or currents through the body, so it is important to keep these currents moving. These currents activate specific acupuncture meridians, and are used as a foundation for later moves and energies. Any pause or discontinuity in the flow of internal movements, inhibits the momentum, and transformation of these internal energies. Interruptions in the internal forms or Chi Kung practice, is like taking a half-baked cake out of the oven, cooling it off, and then starting to heat it again. When one rubs two sticks to create a fire, one cannot rest, till the fire starts. If one wants to rest, they must leave the room at once, so as not to disrupt the flow for others. A student resting, is like a stuck note in a choir practice room, throwing off the mood, and tone for all others in the room. There is a group tempo in a Traditional Chinese Internal Martial Arts class, a lot like the group tempo, in a drill team, marching band or orchestra. There is also an undertone, that is kept for a meditative mind, for moving meditation, so conduct should be similar to when one is meditating, or in a church. The internal forms and Chi Kung, are based upon a combination of Taoist and Buddhist meditations, and many forms are used for stationary meditation, as well as moving meditation. If one is not serious in practice, the spirit is dispersed. #2 No eating or drinking, no food, liquids or liquid containers are allowed in the classroom.Since the internal forms and Chi Kung, works on internal organs, it is important that one does not disrupt or overload the internal organs with food, or liquid, during practice, It is not wise to eat a lot, before or after practice either. Before practice, one should not be too full or too hungry. If one is too hungry, there will be a lack of energy, if one is too full the stomach may be injured. Even restroom stops are minimized by the serious practitioner. Elimination cause the chi to scatter, laying down couses the chi to rise causing discomfort. After practice, do not immediately drink or eat nor lie down; to avoid disturbing the digestion and flow of chi. The agreement that Community Schools has with Juneau Public Schools, per Juneau School District Board Policy # 7501R; dictate that no food or liguid containers are allowed in the classroom, so keep all bottles, liquids or food, in your car, or leave outside the classroom door. This is stated in the Community Schools catalog, and is a rule of Juneau Public Schools: "Food and drinks are not allowed unless prior approval is given." Serious trainers in most physical disciplines do not drink or eat in the middle of a training session. Traditional Chinese Mrtial Arts, also mandates, no food or liguids present. #3 Grooming, adjusting of clothes or jewelry, is to be done outside of the classroomThe class description states that the class 'will entail constant movement'. There will be no exceptions; for social conversation, grooming, dressing adjustments, etc.; one must leave the room immediately. For example, in martial arts schools where a uniform is worn, even the adjustment of one's gi, is done out of the exercise area. No permission is needed for leaving, or returning to the room, one may choose any time they wish. Tai Chi also does energy work through Qi Gong. Hand and body placement will affect acupuncture meridian activity, so only internal forms or Chi Kung postures and moves are permitted while in the classroom. Although uniforms are not required, one should leave their outside daily life and routines, at the door. Internal work developement, will affect many aspects of one's daily life, and these must be suspended to be worked on. Some obvious impacts to one's daily life are: basic ways of moving, posture, balance and breathing method. One would not repair a watch, while it is still running. Those who have trained in another martial art, might be familiar with the protocol, which is based upon traditional martial art's teacher/student relationships. #4 Private LessonThe class is divided into three sections: 1) group stretching, 2) group class and 3) one on one, private lessons. Anyone in the group, may ask questions, while in group stretching, or group class lessons. When the instructor is giving a private lesson, it is for that individual only, so do not be rude, and interrupt, or attempt to steal the lesson for yourself. Everyone will have their own private lesson. Individual lessons, allow for individual corrections, and explanations, specific to the person's body and development at the time, and are not transferable to other situations or people. Would you want a suit, tailored for someone else? When in the classsroom, one must always be exercising, either a fixed Qi Gong posture, stretch, or moving an internal form. Movements other than these, are not permitted in the classroom. #5 Correct PracticeThis is a class, not any exercise workshop. Students are expected to practice, out of class. If one does not practice, they will not build the foundation needed for internal, martial or healing energies. If one does not practice by themselve; they will find that it is easy to do the forms in class, but not by themselves. Whwn one has been in class a few time, one will have to repeat what they have learned unassisted; to show what they have retained. If nothing has been retained, then they will have to relearn the move, and will not advance until they do. Practicing a move incorrectly is not internal. To train people to follow, be a puppet, or parrot, is NOT the aim of the internal. Traditional Chinese Internal Martial Arts follow a path on self criticism, self adjustments, awareness and introspection; that have their foundations in Buddhist meditation for raising one's consciousness. In learning a new language, one must learn to pronounce individual words, before they learn phrases. A similiar word, might mean something completely different. So it is with the internal; to be off a fraction of an inch, might as well be a mile. Close, is only good enough for playing horseshoes, or throwing hand grenades. Each class has a unique combination of individuals and abilities. By design; the progression of stretching, moves taught, moves repeated, and energy work; are all sequenced for a cumulative effect, specific for each environment. The instructor teaches detail, but also acts much as the conductor, does in a symphony. You will get out of the class, what you put into it. Updated 01/23/2006 |