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Dear friend,
Think about your favorite exercise…
I like ancient exercises best and feel lucky that I learned martial arts
when I was young. I have a lot of success with ancient exercise
techniques with my patients. The slow, graceful movement types produce
remarkable health benefits. And they’re very easy to do.
You may be skeptical about things that claim to “balance your energy” –
or techniques that create a healing effect using nothing but your breath
and fluid movements. And I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that what
some folks call “moving meditation.” looks a little strange…
But after I gave it a shot, my only regret was that I didn’t do it
earlier. I can /feel/ that there’s something to it. I discovered a great
teacher in the US. He’s from China and teaches the ancient styles passed
down from teacher to student for over 5,000 years.
His connection to Western medicine attracted my interest. He’s working
with doctors from the University of Minnesota. His style of Qi Gong
(pronounced /Chee Gung/) is helping people overcome physical, mental and
emotional issues – even reversing disease.
The list of conditions being treated with Qi Gong is too long to mention
here, but a few include:
* Migraines, sinus problems and allergies
* Weight loss
* Diabetes
* Heart disease
* Cancers
* Strokes
* Digestion
* Hearing and Vision
Here’s how it works: You repeat a series of simple movements while
breathing calmly and deeply. You use your “minds eye” to visualize that
you’re guiding your breath through your body.
When I do it in the morning, I get a rush of energy and a deep feeling
of inner calm. It’s hard to put in words, but you feel “protected.” And
you start to notice changes too. Aches and pains go away… your breath
deepens… your mood brightens… and the things that used to make you angry
just fade away without upsetting you.
Here’s one you can try right now. It’s very easy… Just stand with your
feet shoulder width apart, toes pointing forward. Start with your arms
at your side and then slowly bring your elbows forward, so they are
slightly in front of you. Spread your fingers out a bit, so there’s
space between them.
Bend your knees slightly and sink your hips. Gently stretch your spine
upwards by lifting from the base of the skull. As you do this, slightly
tuck in your chin. This will straighten the first 7 vertebrae in your
neck. Raise the corners of your mouth into a smile.
From this position, bring your awareness to your breath. Inhale and
exhale. Do it slowly and with as little effort as possible. As you
inhale, imagine a peaceful calm entering every cell in your body. As you
exhale, imagine your stress, worry and illness blowing out of your body
like smoke.
As you hold this position, you’ll notice that your shoulders start to
relax and drop. You’ll feel your legs relax and sense that they’re more
rooted to the ground. Your breathing will deepen and you’ll feel it flow
into your arms and legs.
Doing this simple exercise for 2 to 3 minutes will give you a feeling of
focus and centeredness. In the morning, it will energize you and prepare
you for your day. In the evening, it will wash away your stress and lift
you mood.
If you’ll only start your own program of Qi Gong, it won’t be long and
you’ll be singing its praise too. It’s an exceptionally effective tool
for invigorating your body and getting rid of stress. And, it’s simple
to learn and do.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL THE MODERATORS
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