Tim,

I've been doing the zhao bao exercises you taught me religiously. You mentioned to do them all 36 times each without rest if possible. Is this to build up strength endurance because the form is strenuous?

After learning the form do people typically stop doing the conditioning exercises? It's probably a good idea to keep at them, IMO. Happy New Year.

Hi Tim,

36 is the recommended number of reps because that number will certainly build enough strength and endurance so that you can do the form correctly.

The form practice requires one to maintain a level of relaxation during fairly strenuous exercise, the only way to achieve this is to have a surplus of strength and endurance beforehand.

It's a good idea to keep up on the basics even after you learn the form, you can cut down the number of reps though.

How important are the less strenuous qi gong exercises? If you learn the form and practice it often do you need the qi gong aspect?

The leg exercises are kick-ass. I've made them my regular leg workout.

Thanks, Tim.

Unlike the basic conditioning exercises you learned, most qigong exercises are not strenuous.

Qigong (breathing exercises) can be useful as supplementary training.

Tim,
Have you found the harder zhao bao leg exercises to be of more benefit than conventional squats, Hindu squats, etc?

Being in such a low stance for so long, keeping your back straight, and doing the tai ji squats, seems beneficial for wrestling in a way that Hindu squats can't hit.

Any leg conditioning exercises correctly done are beneficial, I do think that the ZB basics offer more well rounded conditioning than many other exercises, especially in regards to the techniques they're designed to support.

What techniques are they designed to support? Is zhao bao tai ji mainly a stand uP striking or Wrestlkng art?

Is zhao bao similar to Chen style? A friend asked which style of tai ji zhao bao came from or resembled?

I've noticed that my back is straighter and I've been told I feel heavier than I am since starting the zb exercises. I recommend them to anyone willing to do them as they are rather strenuous.

Girls have XX chromasomes, and boys have XY chromasomes.