Originally Posted by
IronFist
If you disagree with all my poll choices you can post your own answers instead.
I'm not sure what's wrong with my poll choices, though, and I thought I explained them in the first post. You've got movement, breathing, and intent. You can pick the one(s) that are responsible for the changes that come from practicing internal arts that would not come if internal arts were not practiced.
If internal arts are just exercise whose benefits come from the fact that you are doing something (vs. doing nothing), then choose general movements.
If the benefits of internal arts come from specific movements that require being done in a specific way such that it is possible to do them incorrectly and get either no benefit or actually receive harm to yourself, then choose specific movement. An example of this would be "the exercise calls for extending your arm outward for this movement, but if instead you extend your arm upward, you will receive no benefit and/or detriment.
If it's just that internal arts encourage deep breathing which is healthy, then choose general breathing.
If the benefits from internal arts come from specific breathing techniques that require being done in a specific way such that it is possible to do them incorrectly and get either no benefit or actually receive harm to yourself, then choose specific breathing. An example of this would be "this part calls for exhaling 50% of the air in your lungs, but if you accidentally exhale 25% or 75% you will receive no benefit and/or detriment."
Sometimes the breathing and physical movements are supposed to be done together. In this case you can choose both poll options. Some people say these need to be done in a specific way, an example would be "this movement requires exhaling as you extend your arms outward, parallel to the ground. If instead you extend them upward, or if you inhale as you extend your arms rather than exhaling, you will receive no benefit and/or detriment."
If the mental component (such as intent, visualization, etc.) is important, then choose that option. If it is not important, then do not choose that option.
Half the internal stuff I've seen suggests that doing internal arts wrong can range from doing nothing to actually being bad for you. Is that because of the movements, the breathing, or the stuff that goes on in your head?
There are no other components besides movement, breath, and intent.
Therefore my poll is complete and accurate, but you are still welcome to add your own.
What else is there? Facing the right direction? Doing it at exactly the same time every day? I've heard those, too.