My 390-Day "Blind Practice" Journey: Zhan Zhuang & Tai Chi for Health

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my personal journey over the past year, which I humbly call my "blind practice" as I've been self-teaching without a formal teacher. I hope my experience can offer some insights and perhaps encouragement to others on a similar path.

In 2010, at 44 years old, I was diagnosed with Vitiligo and was experiencing various sub-health issues. I decided to take my health into my own hands and began self-learning the Yang-style 85-form Tai Chi. For the first three months, I practiced diligently, but frankly, it felt like just doing calisthenics. I felt no "Qi sensation" or internal energy everyone talked about.

After research and reflection, I realized I might be what some internal art texts call a person with "less sensitive meridians" or a "lower root capacity." For people like me, simply practicing the Tai Chi forms for years might not yield significant internal feeling. I read an article once that suggested people with Vitiligo should avoid Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation), but after much research, I found no conclusive evidence for this taboo, so I decided to proceed.

I immersed myself in the writings of masters like Wang Xiangzhai (Yiquan), Wang Anping, and others. By the end of 2010, I devised a new regimen: using Hunyuan Zhan Zhuang as my primary practice, supplemented by the Tai Chi 85-form.

From November 1, 2010, to November 25, 2011—390 days—I committed to standing for at least 60 minutes daily. In total, I accumulated 1,001 hours of Zhan Zhuang, averaging 2.56 hours per day, while still practicing the Tai Chi form daily.

My Method & Physical Reactions:
My posture was a "high horse stance" – knees slightly bent, holding a "ball" in my arms. I stood both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in silence, other times while watching TV.

The journey was not easy. As the saying goes, it was often "more uncomfortable than comfortable." However, driven by a desire for better health, I persisted, "uncomfortable yet happy."

Gradually, I began to feel the "Qi sensations" – tingling, warmth, heaviness, stiffness, cold, pain, itching, and soreness. I felt subtle vibrations under my skin, a sense of weightlessness, and even a constant "buzzing" sound in my head. While these sensations weren't intense, they were undeniable signs of change.

Positive Health Changes:

Improved sleep without nightly bathroom trips.

Better overall energy levels.

Significant improvement in nocturnal emissions (a classic sign of consolidating Jing/essence in TCM).

Needing fewer blankets in winter, feeling warmer.

Minor illnesses and injuries healed much faster, often without medication.

Lifestyle Changes:
This practice catalyzed profound lifestyle shifts. I completely quit smoking and drinking after over 20 years. After 200 days, I transitioned to a strict vegetarian diet. I also gave up late nights, intense aerobic sports, and other dissipative habits, replacing them with walking, Tai Chi, and Zhan Zhuang.

My Conclusions:

For "lower root" individuals, Zhan Zhuang is a powerful key. It builds a foundation of Qi that Tai Chi forms alone may not quickly provide. They work synergistically.

Diet is crucial. I believe a vegetarian diet aids cultivation by making the body cleaner and the mind calmer.

Re-evaluating "Exercise": For true health past 30, gentle, internal practices that cultivate Qi are far superior to intense, draining aerobic exercise.

My Vitiligo has not improved, but I am undeterred. I believe that as my practice deepens, perhaps reaching the third layer of Zhan Zhuong mastery, healing may occur naturally.

This journey has become more than physical; it's a philosophical exploration of life's meaning. I continue my "blind practice" with an open heart, grateful for the path.

I would be happy to hear your thoughts, advice, or similar experiences.

Best,
SeekingTheWay

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. Your story is incredibly motivating for someone like me who is just starting out and often feels "un-sensitive." I also haven't felt much in my first few months of Tai Chi, and I was getting discouraged. Hearing that you persisted for three months without feeling anything but then found a way through with Zhan Zhuang gives me so much hope. The sheer dedication of 1,001 hours is awe-inspiring. It shows that real change is possible if we just don't give up. I'm going to look into adding standing meditation to my routine. Thank you for the detailed account of your sensations—it gives me a roadmap of what to possibly expect. Please keep us updated on your progress!

Fascinating read. Your meticulous record-keeping and self-awareness are impressive for a self-taught practitioner. I'm particularly interested in your point about Zhan Zhuang being more efficient for Qi cultivation for certain body types. This aligns with some traditional teachings that prioritize "standing as the foundation" before movement.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind:

Regarding the shoulder joint soreness you mentioned: This is common, but "normal" doesn't mean it shouldn't be addressed. It could be a structural alignment issue. Have you experimented with subtly adjusting the height of your arms or the width of your embrace to see if it relieves the tension without losing the "holding the ball" structure?

You mention watching TV during half your practice. While I understand it helps pass the time, have you tried sessions in complete silence? I've found that even 15 minutes of fully mindful standing, focusing solely on the body's sensations and breath, can be more productive than an hour with distraction.

Your journey is a powerful testament to self-discipline. Well done.

Your post is much more than a training log; it's a profound reflection on life and cultivation. You've truly grasped the essence of why we do this—it's not just about fixing a single ailment, but about a fundamental transformation of our being, inside and out. The lifestyle changes you've made (quitting smoking, going veg) are a natural and powerful outcome of the energy you're building and the mindfulness you're developing.

You're not just "doing" Zhan Zhuang; you are living the principles of internal arts. The Vitiligo is just one part of your journey; the real story is the incredible strength and clarity you are building. Remember the saying: "The practice is the goal." You are walking the path beautifully. Thank you for this inspiring contribution.

This is an incredible testimony. The list of your health improvements is remarkable—better sleep, more energy, faster healing. These are the real-world results everyone hopes for. Your experience is a powerful case study for the efficacy of Zhan Zhuang.

The point about re-evaluating intense exercise is so important. As a former runner, I also found that switching to Tai Chi and standing meditation resolved chronic knee pain and fatigue that high-impact sports caused. Your story reinforces that "less is more" when it comes to building sustainable health. I'm sorry to hear about the Vitiligo, but your attitude of persistence and non-attachment to the outcome is the best medicine anyone can have. Keep going!

Reading your post felt like reading parts of my own journal! I also started with forms and felt nothing, until a senior student told me, "You have to stand to get the juice to flow." I too am self-taught from books and videos, and I know that "blind practice" feeling all too well. The sensations you describe—the buzzing, the vibrations, the heaviness—are so familiar. It's comforting to know others are experiencing the same strange and wonderful things.

I haven't made the full leap to vegetarianism yet, but your well-reasoned points, especially about "Qi and blood quality," are giving me a lot to think about. It's brave of you to share this so openly. It makes those of us on a similar solitary path feel a little less alone.

Let's both keep standing