The fourth exercise is generally repeated three times when practiced. When done this way total time to repeat this exercise three times is about twelve minutes.

The fifth exercise is done sitting down in cross-legged position. The leg cross can be simple "Indian" style or slightly more advanced depending on ability and comfort zone of person practicing.

There is a sequence of hand gestures at beginning and there are positions to hold. The duration of holding hand positions can vary. Once again, how long is determined by person practicing. Both how long you hold hand positions and overall duration of exercise are entirely at discretion of person practicing.

In beginning a person might only practice fifth exercise for a few minutes. Advanced users may practice for an hour or longer. Again, it all depends on ability and comfort level of person practicing.

These are very simple explanations of exercises. For more detailed and accurate accounts of exercises read Falun Gong by Li, Hongzhi. Or alternatively, you can download his instruction videos from main Falun Dafa web site mentioned previously.

Mr. Li also has another book called Zhuan Falun, which to my understanding expounds on characteristics of universe: Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. I wrote that with hyphens to underscore that this is one characteristic and not three separate ones. Again, that is my understanding about them and much more profound understandings can be found in book Zhuan Falun itself.

Because you can practice Falun Dafa with others in a group setting without being charged any initial or recurring fees, it seems like perfect alternative to other exercises that charge money to participate in. Exercising with a group or alone is fine and each person may have his or her own preference on that. It's enjoyable either way.

I personally practice it both ways. On weekends we do have a group practice here in Kansas City area and you are welcome to come join us if you are in area. Fortunately, many cities throughout United States, Canada and around world have similar group practices. You don't have to come to Kansas City to enjoy this wonderful practice.

I have one last item of note. It seems that some people can't stand to see others enjoy something good. And this is no different. The current person that runs China, Jiang Zemin, is terribly furious at people who practice Falun Gong for no logical reason that anyone can come up with. He brutally persecutes those who practice it in China.

If you want to learn more about persecution of Falun Gong in China, there is a web site that you can visit, faluninfo.net. They even offer suggestions to help end persecution if you are so inclined.

I do hope you get chance to experience what I have from practice. The health of my body and a deep sense of peace and well being are some of what I have obtained.

This article is for information purposes only. The information is not meant to give advice or attempt to prevent, treat or diagnose any health problems. If you have or think you might have any type of health condition, please consult your primary care physician immediately. Consult him or her before taking up any form of exercise

Too much sugar (or too much alcohol) in blood stream is a dangerous situation, and your body will pull out all it's forces to fight "enemy." Unfortunately, battle is fought too aggressively, so by 2 am your blood stream has too little glucose. And your brain needs glucose. Your brain realizes that there's a big problem, so you need to wake up.

Protein can be reprocessed into glucose to feed brain, but it takes time. In meantime, you lie there awake, with an imbalance in your brain chemistry that tends to cause a rehashing of everything negative from your day.

Your brain is looking for cause of problem but can't find it, unless you understand that 2 am wakening might be caused by sugar or alcohol. The chances are fairly high that your doctor will not ask you what you ate or drank if you go to him for help. Since you don't know to look at your diet for a clue to problem, your brain looks everywhere else - at state of your marriage, at your financial situation, at your children's school grades, at your career prospects...

Next time you wake up too early, think about what you ate and drank last night. By finding real cause of your insomnia, you may be able to save yourself a trip to doctor. You might even give yourself an excuse for a healthier lifestyle at same time.

Jonni Good is the author of a self-help book for sugar addiction, and the owner of a website concerning sugar addiction and natural weight loss.

http://www.stress-free-weight-loss.com