Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong Spinal Problem

Pete,
I have often wondered about this but I have a pretty bad curvature of the spine. It does not cause any pain and my body has apparently adapted to it. I was wondering, however, if this will hamper the energy in the back moving up and down and cause blocks?

Yes.

One goal of Tai Chi or Qigong is to have the spine totally straight.

I understand that the goal is to have a totally straight spine. But my question is what if physically the spine is not straight. It other words, in it's natural state there is a curve in it. What would Master Lin say about the energy in that situation?

Ok, So looking at the post again maybe this will help explain what I am asking. I should of not used the work "problem" but instead concern. If you look at the trees, some have straight trunks and some are crooked. There is nothing wrong with them, they just are made that way by nature. So does it have an impact on the way the energy flows through them? Maybe I just answered my own question, because I would think the answer is "no, since it is a part of nature."

Nature certainly has it's impact, but so does nurture.

Working on straightening your spine structurally isn't too easy, but you can also straighten it energetically.

A doctor could probably tell you if there was something really causing your spine to 'naturally' stay out of line. But your spine is capable of a lot more than you may know. With work you can expand and contract the space between vertebrae, your spine can move more fluidly like a ferret. When your spine starts getting this mobile, you'll see for sure how straight your spine should naturally be.

Well, I understand what you are saying but I don't know if I buy it. First, I have been told that I was born with the curve in my spine and other family members also have it. But as for having any impact on my life, it doesn't. I attend a weekly yoga class and everyone is amazed at how flexible I am and how easily I can go into all of the poses. I am the most flexible person in the group and I don't think anyone even knows of the curvature. I have often wondered if maybe that is the reason that I am so proficient at yoga. I have also attempted to use affirmations in the past to straighten it, to no avail. So, after years and years of having it bother me, it is now my friend. I have just always wondered about the energy thing.

With few exceptions, no matter how your body is built, you will benefit from practicing Qigong.

Don't give flexibility too many props. It's good to be flexible, but don't sacrifice power for it. A contortionist can put his/her body in a million positions because of his 'flexibility', but that doesn't mean he has 'strength' in those positions, or that he is connected.

The best example I can give is the way most people stretch: they bend at a joint and stretch the muscle around that joint. If you were to expand from both sides of that joint, you could get a much fuller stretch and without damaging the side of the joint being compressed when improperly stretched.

You say you were born with it, that it's natural; well here's a good analogy for you:
When any car is built at a factory, it has been drastically tuned down, to decrease it's performance. By removing certain things, or modifying certain parts, you can return the vehicle to it's 'natural' state of efficiency and power. The level that it was designed to be capable of, but not necessarily built at.

Gee, this how exchange is getting to be silly Are you the chiropractor on the board. Ok, so here are some additional points:

1. I do strength training from 3 to 5 days a week.

2. I have attended Pilates classes with a top notch teacher so I know what you are saying about stretching.

3. I see a chiropractor on a regular basis. He does not actually crack but rather works on trigger points. He is constanly amazed at what good shape I am in and is not at all concerned with the curve. (As well as the medical doctors)

4. The curve is actually an "s" shape which means my center of gravity is not affected at all.

5. If I knew how to get rid of it, believe me I would because the only thing it has every bothered is my self-esteem. (At least in my younger days, when such things mattered) Always though others knew about it which is not true.

6. So, what else do you want me to do?? Any suggestions about how to get rid of it, short of surgery will be looked at with an open mind.

Maybe it's my spelling I should be working on!! lol