Hi, Bren

I'll reply to your post as I read it.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bren:
[B]Hello board members. I'd like to start off by saying that this discussion board is a tremendous help and inspiration for a Qigong beginner (and potential Qigong beginners)!
**I completely agree!**
After much reading I finally ordered the course. I really haven't had it for long, nor have I been routinely practicing the exercises (yet) but, I have noticed quite a bit of change. It's my general mood - I used to be down and depressed always about something. Now I sometimes feel as though I could jump out of my skin with happiness. Although this isn't the way it is 100% of the time, I still feel more at peace than I ever have. I can deal with people and stress and life in general far better. Perhaps I'm experiencing a bit of the euphoric feeling some people get when practicing SFQ, which I've seen discussed on previous posts. Whatever it is, I love it. This is my motivation for making SFQ a greater part of my life.
**Personally, I feel much less stressed when I use SFQ. It's almost as if the stress is drained out of me. I figure that has to affect my health in some positive way, because if the body has less stress to cope with, it has more resources to heal itself.**
So on to my question. I want to start weight training. I was thinking I would do at least half an hour of the active meditations in the morning, then move on to 15 - 30 minutes of weight training (or aerobic, i.e. bike riding). I've noticed that after the active meditations I am very loose, and my muscles are warmed up (and I have much energy of course). This, to me, seems like an ideal time to work out. Would there be any reason to hold off on other exercises right after doing SFQ?
**It sounds logical but according to what others posted here, it doesn't work. So...instead of going on quickly to do aerobic work, why not use that 20 minute gap to take 500mg or 1gm tablets of L-Ornithine, as is suggested in "Life Extension" by Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw, which is supposed to gently coax the body to increase its level of growth hormone, making for a more effective exercise session??!**
Thanks to everyone who's posted here! All this knowledge has really helped.
**I am not sure yet. I'm glad to be able to share with folks my enthusiasms and my doubts, my knowledge of self-esteem psychology and my ignorance of Qi Gong**
best always,
Mike
moochy_hope@yahoo.com