Coping with Stress: Tai Qi and Transcendental Meditation

Posted by Red Setter (1144 days ago)

Hi
Recently I quit my a job as director for a european company with responsibility for 11 countries. I made the personal decision to quit because I was tired, short tempered, paranoid, panicky, increasingly unmotivated, unable to concenytrate and, worse, cutting myself off from my friends. Quietly suffering deep/acute stress.

So to my question... I want to deal with my stress once and for all... I dont want to spend a huge amount of money, because it's not a money but a life thing.

In terms of coping with stress and learning how to relax my mind, what are your opinions regarding
1). Tai Qi (who should I go to in HK? Who is the best Tai Qi Master?)
2). Transcendental Meditation
3). Other ?

[By the way advising me to have a message and keep fit are not the responses I am looking for]

Determined to deal with stress once and for all

TIA
Red Setter

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by docboat (1144 days ago)

Stress is not a situation, but a reaction to a situation. Therefore, in dealing with stress you need to understand why such a reaction is forthcoming, and then you can sort out what to do about it. A number of things will help:

1. See a psychologist - what is your personality etc
2. NLP - neuro-linguistic programming is an excellent way of resetting your internal responses to a situation
3. Balance in life. Yes exercise, but also taking the time to smell the roses, as they say. So looking at culture - music, art, sports - and developing those skills in yourself, and practrising them. Going tomovies and the theatre.
4. Tai Chi is a good way of symptomatically resolving problems, but does not address the fundamental issues. Same for yoga - also highly recommended.
5. Cognitive behavioural therapy may be suggested by some prtactitioners.

For good psychologists, check out ReSource the counselling centre, or ask you doctor for recommendations.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by freshair323 (1144 days ago)

I think the better way is share or ventilate with your friends. Like psychologist, just help you to find out your problem but you need to solve by yourself at the end point.
So no need to waste money to talk with guys.
Instead, relax and do not think you are in the sick role. Go to have drink with friends, hightea or dinner in some place that you have no time to go before.
Join some classes to meet new friends.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hkkm (1141 days ago)

Tai chi and yoga can help with stress (I do both of them). But if you're not particularly coordinated or flexible, or you don't like feeling foolish while you're learning how to do it, they may not be for you.
I've been doing both tai chi and yoga once a week for a couple of years now. It tooks me about a year before I was comfortable enough with the tai chi to feel more or less "relaxed" while I was doing it, and I still haven't gotten the breathing right. Obviously if you do it every day you should learn much faster!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by bodyactive (1140 days ago)

There are around 12 internal system that need balancing through exercise, nutrition and lifestyle. Continued stress will deplete most if not all in a downward spiral leading to adrenal burnout and poor health.
A slowly but sure way to rebuild your health would be to indentify which of the internal systems are out of balance and use tai chi, chi gong, yoga, walking - low intensity exercise to stimulate blood, energy or chi through those organs and systems. For example belly breathing through the nose while walking - four steps inhale, 1 step natural pause, 4 steps exhale is a calming walking meditation that does not cost any money and builds the parasympathetic system (the sympathetic system is activated as a reaction to stress not unlike being chased by a lion all day).

Each of the 12 internal systems can be rebuilt by a targeted exercise and nutritional eating or supplementation.

A good exercise for you to do would be to smile and laugh alot more.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lamma Animal Protection (78 days ago)

Also, Karen Argyle teaches nei gong.
Karen is a popular teacher, gentle, motivating and humourous. Call her on 96607532 to find out more. i am new to it but have found it very gentle and helpful.
Neigong exercises are conscious (deliberate) movements, designed to produce relaxation or releasing of muscular tension combined with special breathing techniques. The fundamental purpose of this process is to develop a high level of coordination, concentration and technical skill.


A martial art, Nei Gong emphasises training the coordination of your body with breathing, harmonising the inner and outer and creating a basis for Nei Gong's method of utilising power and technique.

(I am based in Hong Kong)