Sunday, November 25, 2012

Improve your immune system with small vibrations!

KEYS TO FITNESS 
by SHEILA YONEMOTO, PT


Qigong, an ancient Chinese exercise, benefits both health and longevity. It involves mind and body coordination to improve the flow of the body’s vital life force.
One simple way to improve your immune system is to improve salivation in your mouth. Doctors and dentists know that saliva helps reduce dental cavities. People with poor salivation tend to have more dental cavities and poorer immune function. Qigong exercise helps increase salivation. You will notice even more saliva afterwards.
Improving the lymphatic flow in the body also improves the immune system. The lymphatic system removes waste material. Sometimes, if there is a lot of material to remove, congestion occurs, resulting in swelling, heaviness and decreased immunity.
Using shaking machines or vibrators or jumping on trampolines can help move the lymph fluid. A simple qigong exercise involves doing mild shaking while standing and relaxing all joints in the body, including the jaw, so that when you shake, your teeth clack.
Imagine all of the water in your body, which is about 70% of your body composition, moving as a single unit, creating a tidal wave moving waste material out of the cell and driving in nutrition, including oxygen. Also imagine the various types of tissues gliding smoothly as separate units, unsticking any scar tissue that may have developed from trauma, infection or disuse.
Your fingers, shoulders, vertebrae, skin and muscles should bounce or move as a wave or flap like a flag blowing in the breeze. The action should appear graceful and flowing, with movement occurring at each separate joint. Care has to be taken to shake at an appropriate speed so you don’t hurt yourself.
From a qigong point of view, this is the only exercise I know of that benefits the hormonal or endocrine system. The endocrine system could be described as the “mobile” messenger system, versus the nervous systemm which could be described as the “landline.”
As a child, I watched my grandparents doing a Japanese exercise called nishishiki. They would shake their arms and legs while lying on their backs. My grandmother lived to 88 and my grandfather to 97. Later, a 92-year-old Japanese patient told me to shake my hands to stay healthy.
Even while playing sports, if a team member missed a point, everyone said, “Shake it off.” Shaking seems to lead to better health and performance.
What differentiates living from non-living things? Movement.
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Qigong, Chinese energy classes. Try a no-impact qigong class. 
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has been a physical therapist for over 30 years, specializing in Integrative Manual Therapy utilizing a holistic approach. She can be reached at Yonemoto Physical Therapy, 55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100, Alhambra, CA  91801. Call (626) 576-0591 for a free consultation, or visit  www.yonemoto.com for more information. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.

Qigong Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms


Article: Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong and Fibromyalgia: Methodological Issues and Two Case Reports – Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Nov. 9, 2012. [Epub ahead of print]
By J. Sawynok, et al.


Background: Qigong, which has many forms, was recently described as "meditative movement," and represents a self-care technique that can contribute to improved health. There are challenges involved in research into qigong, including defining the amount of instruction required for threshold effects, and whether there is a relationship between amount of practice and outcomes. Recent clinical trials examining Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ) for fibromyalgia have used a standardized regimen of practice over an 8-week period. 



Case report: Between a pilot trial and a subsequent larger controlled trial, 2 individuals with fibromyalgia of over 20 years' duration undertook levels 1-4 CFQ training involving movements and meditation at a community-based event and then practiced regularly over a 1-year period. They subsequently both undertook further training, and consolidated their health gains. 



Both observed major reductions in pain, improvements in sleep, mood, emotions, food and other allergies, and consider their condition essentially resolved. They have ceased taking several medications and have resumed their lives. 



Results: The information provided by these individuals could not be derived from a clinical trial, as it is unlikely people would commit to this amount of practice. 



Conclusions: The case study approach provides data with respect to extent of practice, perseverance and long-term outcomes, and provides valuable insight into the potential of this self-care practice.



Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Nov. 9, 2012. [Epub ahead of print] By Jane Sawynok, Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;  Chok Hiew, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; Dana Marcon, Personal Training Clinic, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Contact: jana.sawynok@dal.ca


Saturday, November 17, 2012

MIT Qigong - Special Session at Harvard Business School!

Big thanks to Sean Voigt (HBS social chair of section-D) for organizing this special event. Huge thanks to Coach Jim Roselando for teaching us Wang Xiangzhai's art of Yiquan Qigong every monday night for free! Thank you all for the past 4 great years of Health Nourishing Qigong Cultivation!



Special thanks to Jon Tee and Joseph Perovenzano for documenting the event! 

See their other work at: 
http://contour-video.com/

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Monday Night MIT Qigong 11/12

We had a large group of people at Qigong last Monday for over an hour of standing meditation:

Warm-up
5min Gathering Qi
5min Leg Meridian Qi
8x5min Posts
5min Leg Meridian Qi
5min Gathering Qi
Seal/Wash

Sunday, November 4, 2012

HBS Special Event: Mon, 11/5: 7-8:30pm

Join Coach Jim Roselando and the MIT Qigong Club for a FREE Introduction to Standing Meditation on the Harvard Business School Campus!!

Monday, November 5th: 7-8:30pm
Soldiers Field Park - Building 2 Common Room

The natural alignment process of Yiquan Qigong cultivates wholesome power and physical equilibrium. The Breath methods cultivate Zheng Qi (true chi). Soft Qigong will transform not only your body but your entire way of life! There are 50 confirmed first time meditators. This is an experience not to be missed. Join us for an evening of health cultivation!!

Dress: wear whatever makes you feel comfortable
Video link to similar event: Rooftop Qigong Event

For more information: http://web.mit.edu/qigong
Or join our email list: http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qigong

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How to get there:
Harvard Business School
Please park on Western  Avenue in front of the Harvard Business School.
Or 20min walk from Harvard or Central Square. #70 Bus drops at 111 Western.
Google Map: 111 Western Ave 

Soldiers Field Park - Building 2 Common Room
Soliders Field Park is situated on the SouthEast corner of campus.
Please see map for directions to Building 2:
Soldier Field Park Map 




Thursday, November 1, 2012

Special Qigong Event at Harvard Business School

MIT Qigong Club
 
 
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"Special Event @ Harvard"
 
Date: Nov 5th (Monday)
 
Time: 7:00-8:30
 
Where:
 
Harvard Business School 
 
Soldiers Field Park Apartments
 
Building 2-Common Room
 
 
Cost: FREE
 
***
 
This Monday's class will be held at HBS!
 
"Come join us for a night of Natural Qigong"