by Ed
Qi gong is a Chinese form of exercise that is really more than exercise. The therapeutic effects of qi gong go beyond what you would expect from the movements. Most forms of qi gong exercise involve a number of movements that move the joints through all or most of their range of motion, but it is the way that the movements are done that is really important. If you know the principles of qi gong, you can turn almost any movement into a qi gong exercise.
Qi Gong Principles
- Relaxation is always the first and most important principle. Before you even begin practicing qi gong exercise, you need to relax your entire body. As you continue practicing relaxation regularly, over the months and years, you will discover that, in the beginning, you really did not know what relaxation was. You can continue taking it to deeper and deeper levels.
- Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation as well as concentration. The breathe should be even and smooth. Breathe into the abdomen, rather than the chest, but never force it. Coordinate your movements with your breathing.
- Awareness. There is a saying use in qi gong, martial arts, and Chinese medicine: “Qi follows Yi.” It is often loosely translated as, “Where attention goes, energy flows.” The same principle is used by Tibetan and Indian yogis, as well as hypnotherapists, to heat the body, temporarily stop the heart, stop a wound from bleeding, and other so-called miraculous feats of bodily control. Allow your awareness to rest in the joints that are being moved, or through the limb that is being moved.
- Grounding. Feel the weight of your body as you stand and move. As you relax feel as if you are sinking into the ground.
- Coordinate the movements with your breathing. All movements should be slow and smooth. Feel as if the movement is coming from the center of your body or even from the earth. It can take a very long time to get that feeling, especially without a teacher, but it makes a big difference in the effects on your physiology.
You will notice that many of the principles affect each other. Eventually you will find that it is all one principle, and when you are doing that, you are doing qi gong. If you do range of motion exercises before your your workout, slow them down and do them as qi gong. As you slowly shuffle forward in a long line up, become aware of the principles and turn your shuffle into qi gong. There are many times throughout the day when you can focus on the principles and change the way you move, which will improve blood flow, open your joints and increase vitality.
by Ed
Getting enough sleep and exercise is crucial to the wellbeing of those suffering with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Qi gong can be very helpful in both areas. Qi gong is a Chinese form of therapeutic exercise and meditation. There are many different styles that have developed over the centuries.
According to Chinese Medicine, FM and CFS are due to a deficiency and a stagnation of the body’s vital energy. There may also be latent toxins (viruses, bacteria, etc.) in the body. Qi gong, which means energy work can increase our store of vital energy, improve it’s flow and strengthen the immune system, which can help expel the latent toxins.
The movements in most forms of qi gong are gentle and flowing like the movements of tai chi, making it easier for people with low energy reserves to do them. They provide the body with needed exercise while slowly building strength and stamina. Meditative forms of qi gong help to calm an agitated mind and body, improve sleep, and strengthen the immune system. Most practitioners also report an increased pain tolerance.
If you live near Berkeley California, check out Dr. Bingkun Hu. He is an excellent teacher of the Wild Goose style of Qi gong. Wild Goose includes both active and meditative qi gong forms. You might also want to check out Ken Cohen’s The Essential Qigong Training Course.
One of my favorite qi gong meditations is the inner smile meditation. If you would like to download a free mp3 of the inner smile meditation, mention it in your comment, below.
by Ed
Every once in a while, as I’m browsing the web, I run into a post I wish I had written. Dr. Daisy has this great post about preventing childhood ear infections. Being an acupuncturist, the only thing I would add is to try Chinese Medicine to treat your child’s ear infection. Since antibiotics can perpetuate the problem of repeated ear infections, you need to find another way to treat them. Chinese Medicine has some very effective antibacterial herbal formulas. Like antibiotics, they can be overused and they can lead to a deficiency of beneficial bacteria in your gut, but they have certain advantages.
- Bacteria are less resistant to them because they have not been overused, also because each formula has more than one antibacterial component.
- Chinese Medicine has always been holistic, looking at the forest, instead of the needles on the trees. Therefore, formulas are designed to lessen side effects. Your child’s digestive tract is far more likely to come out unharmed and their immune system won’t take a beating.
- They taste terrible, so your child will get better quickly to avoid taking them again. (Just joking, there are many child friendly formulas these days.)
Do check out Dr. Daisy’s great post on preventing childhood ear infections, and consider a practitioner of Chinese Medicine the next time your child gets one.
