Duration of Zhan Zhuang

[nianfong]

I wonder how long do you guys usually practice zhan zhuang in one session? How long do you hold each posture?

I have been experimenting with holding higher postures for 5 minutes each, and holding lower postures with maximum tendon stretch for about 6 to 7 breaths while consiously stretchin and relaxing in accordance with breathing.

[fixed your spelling--it was hurting my eyes -Fong]

[David Boxen]

I usually don't go more than 15 minutes anymore.

[klonk]

Good. My expert advisor tells me, once you get the idea, you go deeper in your stance, stay longer. Do it progressively, more time, less altitude, as your endurance grows.

It is an ongoing topic of discussion, and certainly many people disagree with me, but I think the point of diminishing returns shows up at about half or three quarters of an hour.

[qiphlow]

currently: about 35-45 minutes per day, starting with a higher posture, but sinking lower as i relax.
i have been known to do a 30 min session in the morning combined with 1-1.5 hours in the evening if i'm feeling brave, or only a 20 min session once per day if i'm feeling lazy

[nianfong]

it's spelled ZHAN ZHUANG
or call it jimmy jam

[Ian]

Didn't Tim Cartmell say 40 minutes of jam zhuang is enough?

zhan jong?

Anyway... personally I'd trust Tim on the matter.

[lü dongbin]

1 h or longer

[Harvey]

What's better 10 mins of quality low stance correct breathing or 1 hr of just trying? but for me 5 breaths after the shakes kick in is when i stop.

[mixjourneyman]

I stopped practicing Zhang Zhuang aside from San ti and mill stone pushing posture a little over a year ago.
I just circle walk and hold the basic postures to build up the connections that ZZ works on.
My teacher said something very interesting concerning ZZ. something to the effect of "Yi Quan has very special small movements inside every ZZ posture, so you do them for a long time and its good for you. Otherwise it will just make your arms hurt", though I don't think he was talking about San ti when he said that (more about holding the tree and whatnot).

[edededed]

Important that is, thinking I!

[SPJ]

It really depends on how much time is available.

We would find a quiet place preferablly with some fresh air if you live in the city, you know what I mean.

Pick a posture and stand and relax as much as you could and as long as you could.

Fatigue may sets in, but still relax.

after that, we would do some mild self hitting or "massage" the muscles.

and walk a bit.

end of practice.

[C.J.Wang]

My teacher said something very interesting concerning ZZ. something to the effect of "Yi Quan has very special small movements inside every ZZ posture, so you do them for a long time and its good for you. Otherwise it will just make your arms hurt", though I don't think he was talking about San ti when he said that (more about holding the tree and whatnot).

Your teacher is darn right. ZZ may appear still on the outside, but inside there's A LOT of fine muscle movements governed by intent. Without them, ZZ just makes you as stiff as a bronze statue.

[David Boxen]

Motion in stillness and all that jazz. To me zhan zhuang as imaginary strength training. No need to go for very long at a time...it's about being able to turn on and off certain sensations.

[zenshiite]

Lately I've only been doing about 3 minutes on different postures, counting breaths during. My calculations seem to be correct in that a good, regular inhalation/exhalation takes approx 2 seconds. 90 breaths each, sometimes 120-150 on treehugger pose as I like to call it.

[Chris Fleming]

Unfortunately lots of people who hold forever are really only developing varicose veins in their legs...