Comments on: Energy Cross-Training Part 1/3: The Real Purpose of Yoga

By: Kevin Hartwell

Kevin Hartwell — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:09:45 +0000

Thanks for the reply Bruce,
Ive been doing Dragon and Tiger Qigong for a while now and learning Energy Gates at the moment; both through your books and dvds. I love both sets but not yet noticed my flexibility improving as a result.
I trying to “dig my well deep” so will likely be practicing DT and Energy Gates for a while before moving on (I live a long way from EA instructors here in Canada). I can see myself learning the energy arts system for the rest of my life.
Thanks again,
Kevin

By: Tai Chi Master Bruce Frantzis

Tai Chi Master Bruce Frantzis — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:35:44 +0000

Hi Kevin,
The Chinese Taoist Yoga we teach is very different than the Indian Systems. Many of the Indian Systems focus on stretching and postures with some breathing. The Taoist Yoga is really focused on slow movements where breathing ‘IS’ the main point to putting your mind consciously into your body. There is less emphasis on deep poses. The other big difference is Taoist Yoga never has the breath stop and hold rather it is about getting circular breathing through the postures. Holding the breath causes more tension and stress in the body and trains it to tense up, where circular breathing is about learning to let go and release so they are very different methods. Ultimately, Taoist Yoga leads to meditation (like traditional Indian Yoga) but its methods are slightly different. In the energy arts system all the qigong gets work toward more flexibility and the three internal martial arts of tai chi, hsing-i and bagua build strength – especially hsing-i and bagua. Hope that helps, Bruce

By: Kevin Hartwell

Kevin Hartwell — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:51:09 +0000

Greetings Bruce,
Ive practiced chi gung for a few years as well as the taoist meditation. Ive recently begun doing yoga (bikram) to gain more strength and flexibility. Does the Taoist Yoga that you teach give a person a similar results to hatha yoga? Or are there any other alternatives within the energy arts system?
Thanks,
Kevin

By: lenny

lenny — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:11:45 +0000

thanks for this.
it really gets to the heart of my program for survivors.
it’s can be difficult to explain how/why all three components (yoga/breath/meditation) complement each other to people that do not have a practice, or practice one discipline only.

again, THNX!!!

By: Paul Erskine

Paul Erskine — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:24:50 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge Bruce. It’s fantastic stuff and helps to improve lives (and make people happier)… Your website, blogs, books etc have a wealth of invaluable life-changing info in them.

By: richard

richard — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:36:48 +0000

Hi Robert,
Thanks for the correction…this was an editor error.
Richard

By: Robert Sweet

Robert Sweet — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:12:03 +0000

Great blog – interesting subject. Let’s take care of one possible (but very important) typo first. The Sanskrit term prajna means “wisdom” he term prana means “energy or lifeforce.” I’m assuming that you meant prana due to its neighborly association with energy flow and chi.

Terms and ideas always get complicated when we try to explain states of being and consciousness that are beyond the capability of our “normal” mind to understand or integrate. The energy channels in play during samyama (the yogic equivalent of meditation; concentration, contemplation (one-pointed flow), samadhi (“the thing itself” or unity of consciousness) are ida, pingala, and the sushumna. These are located on the left, right, and deep center of the spine. Ida (energizing thoughts and feelings) and pingala(will; intent and action) cross back and forth through the chakras from the tailbone (muladhara chakra) to the crown (Sahaswara chakra). The chakras (tailbone, sacrum, navel, heart, throat) are aligned along sushumna in the spine, then Ajna (forehead, third eye) and culminating at Sahaswara (1000 petal lotus) are the yogic path to Enlightenment, the start of Spiritual Life.

The term Yoga (Union) is best defined as the state of harmony of body, mind, and inner self. This inner harmony expressed in outer harmony with the world. Unfortunately the vast majority of yoga instruction in the West focuses on the body uses techniques and practices associated with Hatha yoga. Interestingly, Hatha (literally sun/moon) yoga focuses primarily on asana and pranayama. In the classic tradition of yoga it isn’t even considered one of the four main yogas – Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti.

So when sitting to meditate, get straight, breathe deep, be calm and centered, and allow your awareness to transcend (go beyond) the rational mind and experience the source of consciousness … gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha … enjoy.

By: Philip

Philip — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:13:19 +0000

This is great and has expanded my understanding of the connection between tai chi and yoga. It makes very much sense. Thankyou. Btw, your DVD’s are the most clear and easy to follow of any I have found. I live in an area where I don’t have access to attending your seminars and workshops, so I am grateful for your DVD’s, CD’s and books. Your energy is so clear and clean and filled with peace.

Peace,

Philip

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:16:15 +0000

Hi Bruce,
thanks for creating a blog for us. Can you comment something on the focus at the tan t’ien in Standing Meditation, as compared to the focus in yoga siting meditation where we keep it at the third eye? I’ve done Standing Meditation for years and feel very comfortable and free of body during it, and I can stand for a long duration, I feel less comfortable when sitting and more difficult to keep the focus at the third eye.

By: Dwai

Dwai — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:38:47 +0000

Dear Bruce Sifu,

I have read your books on the Taoist Water Method (they are among the most prized in my collection among most of your other books)…the fascinating thing is that your explanation of Taoist esoterica is identical (sometimes almost to the finest details) with the Indian systems of Samkhya (Yoga) and Advaita (both from the description of the energetics to the intellectual aspects).

Hatha Yoga is simply a component of Ashtanga (8-limbs) Yoga. The 8 are, needless to say: Yama, Niyama, Asana (Hatha Yoga), Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. So yes, Hatha Yoga (asana practice) and Pranayama are both preparatory to the process of Sense-withdrawal (Pratyahara), Dharana, Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (union with Ultimate Consciousness) (inner dissolving, if I might borrow what I have learnt from you).

I am glad you have started writing this blog.

Grateful for the knowledge you share.

Best Regards,

Dwai