Day 15 - Wed 15th January - The getting of discipline

Well, as it happens I am no stranger to self-discipline, but one thing I have long felt would be supportive for my Qi cultivation practices is getting up early in the morning, and going to bed at a reasonable hour, and establishing a routine with this. Here, i am getting into the swing of starting the day with Tai Chi class at 6:30am. After 30 minutes of Tai Chi with the gloriously energetic and funny coach Masa from Italy, we do half an hour of Qi Gong warm-up/stretch exercises with Walter, then another half an hour focussing on one or two Qi Gong exercises with Master Chia.

In fact, both today and yesterday, i woke up around 4:30, after having had six hours' sleep, feeling quite energetic. I didn't get out of bed straight away, but rested until about 5:30, then did some pranayama before preparing to go out into the crisp morning air. It's about 13 or 14C out there at 6:30am, warms up by midday to about 30C, then cools down again considerably by the evening.

Today's main focus was on Sexual Gong Fu (Kung Fu), which harnesses the Qi generated by the body's sexual organs, and transforms it into power energy for promoting health, vitality and stamina. One of the practices for women involves using a jade egg, which you insert into the vagina and then use for various strengthening exercises. The stronger your sex organs and your whole pelvic floor, the better you are able to stop energy from leaking out of your body and direct Qi upwards.

This is some of us, waiting to start our jade egg practices! Women only, of course, and all discreet and in a safe and nurturing environment!