I started SFQ Level I since July 06, have practiced Active Exercises and Small Universe Meditation on a daily basis (but missing a few days here and there). I just ordered Level II yesterday.

I am not new to Qigong. I have practiced another form of Qigong (off and on and regretfully not on a daily basis) for the past 2 years. I love the easier SFQ exercises and have progressed nicely in just 3 months compared to the older forms of Qigong which I went through the motions without knowing why certain exercises were done this and that way. I've started to actually feeling "the Qi energy," which I've never able to feel before, perhaps b/c I had previously looked for something solid and tangible.

Being an already sensitive person, since practicing SQF, I have experienced more intensive sensitivity. I have felt positive as well as some strong negative energy from people I daily deal with. And not being sure if I am ready for Level II but I feel that I should start looking into Level II to find ways to shield myself from being affected by negative Qi. It would be nice to be able to turn those negative Qi to positive Qi and while doing that, helping those that always surround themselves with negativity w/o knowing it.

I've read many posts in this forum (and still have approx. some 50 pages that I haven't read) and have learned so much from all of the forum contributors/posters. This is such a nice, friendly forum with gentle, wonderful people.

I have a few questions and would appreciate answers from you.

1. Is it recommended to take Level I and/or Level II from Master Lin and his associates in person, or would home study courses be good enough, and then learn Level III in person when the time comes? Would practicing Level I and II diligently and patiently good enough, or would I miss anything doing it myself?

2. Will there be classes and/or retreats in California that I can look forward to? Or the only way to take classes is to travel to the East Coast?

3. I have tried to do Self Concentration meditation lying down a couple of times, what is the correct position for hands and feet? Would the palms be facing down, up, sideway?

Thank you. May the good Qi always be with you.