The fun of working on my ‘61 VW bus turned to pain after I tried to “muscle” the engine that one last inch into place. Lying on my side under the vehicle pulling with my right arm, I knew I could get the engine to move that one inch more, I just needed pull harder. The engine did not move, however, I managed to pull the muscle in my right shoulder, spraining it to the point that for awhile I thought it might have separated.

After a few days of reduced activity and increased pain, it occurred to me that I needed to do what I tell others to do:  “Get up and do the practice, do it with care and awareness.”

I also treated my shoulder with Zheng Gu Shui, a Chinese herbal liniment every morning and evening. What do you know! After a couple of days, there was noticeable improvement. Two weeks later it was feeling significantly better. And now four weeks after the injury, my shoulder is almost ‘normal’. I have full range of motion, can lift and carry with my right arm as long as what I am carrying is not too heavy.  Qi Gong 18 Style was the solution. I have healed with no medication, only one chiropractic adjustment to realign my ribs, and a daily ritual practice of Qi Gong 18 Style.

This experience has reminded me of the power of Qi Gong 18 Style. After many years of practice and no particular challenges, I had lost sight of its POWER to heal. That must be why I had to try to be Hercules: so I would be reminded of the true POWER of Qi Gong 18 Style.

This is  an interesting blog post, Why doesn’t the Chinese Clock Go Tic Toc? This article is talking about the relationship between the time of day and organ function. Each of the organs is influenced by the rotation of the sun. The influence determines the energy of each organ. The day is divided into two hour segments, 12 segments, one for each of the Yin and the Yang organ pairs.During the corresponding segment of the day each Yin/Yang pair of organs reaches maximum energy/influence. This event happens in the same order and at the same time day after day. Read the article and learn how you are influenced by Mother Nature.

Qigong and the Art of Slowing Down

Many of the health problems that we face in the west may be attributed to lifestyle choices. We are far too often filling our days with work and leave little time for reflection, meditation, or generally slowing down. Many eastern philosophies have long valued the art of slowing down. Americans would be wise to take note of the health benefits both physical and mental that come from this art.

There are many different ways that one can effectively slow down in Eastern philosophy. Tai Chi is very well known as a practice that emphasizes slow movements with the body as well as a meditative element. Slightly less known, but still very popular is the Chinese meditative practice called Qigong. This is an internal discipline that uses slow graceful movements (and sometimes breathing techniques) to promote the circulation of “qi” or “life force” in the human body. It is thought to enhance the practitioner’s overall health. Although it is often confused with Tai Chi or martial arts, it is actually very popular. There are 200 million people that practice Qigong and it has over 10,000 different styles.

The art of Qigong offers many different benefits. The most popular reasons that practitioners begin practicing are to gain strength or improve health, to gain skill working with qi to become a healer, and to become more connected with “Tao” or God for a more meaningful connection with nature and the universe.

The root word “Qi” in Qigong means “air” in Chinese. “Gong” means discipline or skill. The combination of the two suggests that the meaning could therefore be breath or energy skill.

Many claim that Qigong provides incredible benefits to health through stress reduction and exercise. Others take it further to suggest that a metaphysical effect results from qigong, allowing the practitioner to feel vibrations or electrical currents through “meridians” in the body. Many claim it has a powerful effect in pain reduction or elimination.

While uncertainty persists regarding some of the spiritual aspects of qigong, it is undoubtedly a great way to relieve stress and to slow down. It increases mental health and the strength of joints while allowing the practitioner a chance to focus on breathing. Proper breathing is one of the best ways to promote health and well being.

Qigong can help practitioners to learn diaphragmatic breathing, which can be very helpful in combating stress. It is also a great way to improve muscle tone because it focuses on slow movements and postures that build lean muscle. While there is still uncertainty about its scientific effect on the human body, it is widely regarded as an excellent way to stretch and warm-up to the day. It is very often practiced in large groups so it can be particularly socially conducive as well.

Qigong promotes lean muscle growth so it is best to fuel the body with plenty of lean protein. Whey protein is an excellent source to assist any practitioner of qigong because it contains 90% protein and is a byproduct of dairy so it is very easy to digest. Take a minute to slow down and you’ll be surprised by how much better you feel inside and out.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is viewed in the Western World as being Acupuncture. This is what has been experienced and promoted by most of the Acupuncturists, who are not Chinese Medical Doctors, only practitioners of Acupuncture. They provide a service and bring an increased awareness of “Alternative Medicine” which is needed.

The Chinese Medical Practitioners use Acupuncture as a part of the prescription in the journey to regain health. They rely more on Herbal Treatments and the practice of Qi Gong to establish a regiment of health and wellbeing for their patients.

Consider the number of people who live in China which is10 times the population of the USA! And think of how many practitioners it would take to administer to them. A doctor’s time is limited, so the treatment regiment is typically an Herbal Formula and a prescribed form of Qi Gong. This allows the patient to take control of their own recovery and allows the Doctor to treat many additional patients.

Qi Gong works, don’t let the simplicity of the form deceive you.