This issue includes...
1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
2) FEATURE ARTICLE: Qigong for Stress Relief
3) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
4) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
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1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
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"The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact
that you can do something, you can do it -- as long as you really
believe it 100 percent."
-- Arnold Schwarzenegger
============== FEATURE ARTICLE ================
2) Qigong for Stress Relief
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Qigong, (pronounced "chee-gung") is an ancient Chinese
health system that combines physical postures, breathing
techniques, and focused intention to strengthen the body-
mind-spirit connection. It is rapidly gaining popularity in the
West as a form of stress relief and a natural way to create
harmony between the body and mind.
For thousands of years, millions of people have enjoyed the
benefits of Qigong and believed that it is a way of maintaining
health and healing illness. Qigong enjoys a long history in
Chinese medicine. It can be traced back 2500 years in China
to treat war injuries, and later to treat other types of illness.
Some forms of Qigong, such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan, can be
used for self-defense, although overall Qigong has been
used primarily for its health benefits.
Qi -- the Vital Energy
Qigong is a combination of two ideas: "qi" (also spelled
"chi"), translated as "vital energy" or "life force;" and
"gong," meaning "work" or "effort."
In Eastern thinking, vital energy -- qi -- naturally flows
throughout the human body. The idea that life force flows
through all things in the universe is the foundation of
traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, acupuncture,
and meditation.
According to this idea, disease occurs when your internal life
force is blocked or not flowing smoothly. When your qi is not
in harmony, it can create physical illness directly, or create
illness indirectly through mental tension (which can lead to
poor life habits and promote poor health).
Balancing Qi
In traditional Chinese medicine, good health is a result of
well-balanced qi that flows freely. Qigong teaches you how
to use mind, breath, and movement in order to restore the
flow of qi to a healthy balance and promote self-healing.
Practitioners learn how to increase their skill in accessing,
using, and moving qi throughout the body. There are
thousands of Qigong exercises, and different exercises
may focus on certain body parts or achieve a specific
purpose.
In addition to self-administered Qigong, another type of
Qigong is external Qigong. External Qigong is when a
Qigong Master emits qi toward another person to
balance the patient's qi in an effort to alleviate illness.
Health Benefits
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong helps
to restore energy, reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and
remove toxins from the body. It is believed that practicing
Qigong can relieve pain by stimulating endorphins (the body's
natural painkillers), and strengthen the immune system by
increasing lymphatic fluid.
Although Qigong is widely accepted as a form of stress relief
and relaxation, there is controversy as to whether Qigong can
actually treat disease. Nevertheless, Qigong is often prescribed
as a complementary treatment for certain illnesses.
Examples of Scientific Studies
Numerous studies, primarily done in Mainland China, have
documented the capability of Qigong to treat disease. However,
most of these claims have not been verified by scientific studies
in the West because currently there is no widely accepted
instrument to measure the strength of qi, or to understand it
fully, using the tools of Western science.
With that said, millions of people worldwide actively practice
Qigong because of the physical and mental health benefits
they personally experience from using Qigong in their own lives.
Here are a few examples of scientific studies that indicate the
health benefits of Qigong:
-- Improved Hypertension: A study conducted by Huang
Zianbiao of Fujian (China) found that patients with hypertension,
who self-administered Qigong, had improved results as opposed
to control groups. They had increased weight, faster gains in
increases in strength, less diarrhea, and other positive results.
-- Lowers Blood Pressure: A study by Columbia University
indicates that practicing Qigong might lower blood pressure.
-- Detoxify and Treat Addiction: A study performed in 1999,
by Li, Chen, and Mo suggests that emitted qi, in combination
with self-administered Qigong, can treat heroin addiction by
detoxifying the body.
-- Improved Immunity: The Shanghai Academy of Traditional
Chinese Medicine noted that emitted qi increased cellular
immunity in cultured blood cells.
-- Inhibit Tumor Cells in Rats: The Jiangsu Provincial
Research Institute conducted a study indicating that a
Master Qigong practitioner inhibited tumor cell growth,
improved the healing power of the lymph system, and
shrunk tumor cells in rats.
What to Expect at a Qigong Class
Qigong can be learned on your own through books or videos,
or you can attend a class. Classes have the added benefit of
personal direction and specific feedback from the teacher.
A typical Qigong class might start with a gentle warm-up,
followed by Qigong exercises. The Qigong exercises consist
of gentle movements, breathing techniques, and visualization
techniques, ending with deep relaxation.
How to Find Out More
Because there are no national standards for Qigong instructors,
it's important to research the teacher thoroughly to make sure
he or she is right for you, before taking a class.
Ask about the instructor's Qigong background and experience,
whether he or she is a member of any national or international
Qigong organizations, and whom he or she trained with in the
study of Qigong. If possible, seek an instructor that studied
with a well-known Qigong master or Qigong tradition, and has
an established Qigong practice.
To find a class, perform an Internet search for Qigong in your
area. You can also look for information at your local yoga
centers, acupuncture clinics, gyms, or the YMCA. The
Qigong Institute provides a directory of Qigong instructors at:
http://www.qigonginstitute.org/
Arrange to observe a class or take a trial class before
committing your time and money. Talk to other students
in the class or ask for student referrals from the instructor.
Whether you decide to learn on your own or attend a course,
practice makes possible. Devote yourself to consistent
practice several times a week in order to receive maximum
benefit from Qigong.
Note: Make sure to consult your doctor before starting
Qigong or any other exercise program.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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3) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
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4) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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Copyright 2001-2005 by the
National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc.
900 E. Pecan St., Ste. 300, PMB 305
Pflugerville, TX 78660
All rights reserved
Article copyright March 30, 2004,
revised September 23, 2005
Disclaimer: All material provided in this newsletter
is provided
for informational or educational purposes
only. No content is
intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment.
Consult your physician regarding the
applicability of
any opinions or recommendations with respect
to
your symptoms or medical condition.
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