Exercise #62 – Facial Massage

Welcome to

Healing T’ai Chi

 

…the award-winning blog of seated exercises based on Qigong and Yang style T’ai Chi for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

~~~~~~~~~

 ”If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.”

Tao Te Ching #33, translated by S. Mitchell

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Self-massage has always been an integral part of the practice of qigong.   For the next several postings, we will concentrate on the face and head.

 Benefits -  This particular massage will bring blood to the surface of your face giving you a more youthful, healthy appearance.  The best times to use this massage are in the evening, just before bed or in the morning. 

 Posture - Sit as usual with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart. 

1. Rub your hands together to warm up your palms.  Lightly circle your hands over your face emphasizing an upward movement.  Extend the movement into your scalp then repeat massaging your face from the chin upward.
2. Re-warm your hands again if necessary then use your right hand massaging your forehead from right to left 9 times.
3. Change hands and massage from left to right for the same number of times.

 Use the acupressure point, Facial Beauty (St 3), to improve the circulation in your face.

 

 

 

 

• This pressure point is located at the bottom of the cheekbone directly below the pupil of your eye.
• Press gently but firmly on this point for no less than one minute.  You may do both sides at the same time.

Benefits: This effective point can relieve acne, facial blemishes, sagging cheeks and sallow skin.

 

Don’t forget to drink water at the end of your exercise session or any time you begin to feel thirsty.  A Word of Caution…If you have or have had problems with your kidneys, please consult your physician.

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This week’s featured blog: 

http://timeinmoments.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/study-suggests-meditation-increases-brain-size/ 

Featured video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSEF0YxzWik&feature=related

Find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.

T’ai Chi in a Chair: Easy 15-Minute Routines for Beginners is now available exclusively at Barnes and Noble.

http://www.joansweightloss.com

http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com

http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php

Your free e-book is below↓ 

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~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only.  Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~

Exercise #61 – Breathe Better and Energize with Arm Swings

Welcome to

Healing T’ai Chi

…the award-winning blog of seated exercises based on Qigong and Yang style T’ai Chi for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

~~~~~~~~~

 ”The Master observes the world
but trusts his inner vision.
He allows things to come and go.
His heart is open as the sky.”

Tao Te Ching #12, translated by S. Mitchell

~~~~~~~~~

This exercise is a variation on the Backward Arm Swings described in a previous posting.  It is very effective for opening your chest and improving the depth and quality of your breathing.  After all, proper breathing habits are every bit as important as any other method of strengthening the immune system. 

Backward Arm Swings, Version 2:

Benefits - Use this exercise every day for more healthful breathing, increased energy, to uplift your spirits, and to improve your overall health.

Posture – Sit with your feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder-width apart as usual.  Tuck your hips under you so that your back is supported by the back of your shoulder.  Don’t roll your shoulders forward this time.

1. Breathe in and out naturally as you push your arms backward.  Make sure that your tongue is behind your front teeth on the hard palate when you breathe in.  Your body is like an electrical circuit.  Close it and energy flows through you.  When you breathe out, your tongue releases and the excess, used-up energy releases outward.
2. At the same time, grip the floor with your toes and press your heels firmly on the floor.
3. Allow your arms to swing back to the front naturally.
4. Continue swinging your arms in a one to two foot arc for 3 minutes.
5. After 3 minutes begin to slow and shorten the arc gradually until your arms come to a stop.  Uncurl your toes and relax your grip on the floor.

 Use the pressure point called Letting Go (L1) to enhance your breathing exercise.

You can find this point on the outer part of the chest, 3 finger widths below your collarbone.

 Press firmly on this point for a full minute as often as necessary.

 

Benefits:  This point is effective to relieve various breathing difficulties including asthma, chest tension and congestion, coughing and shortness of breath due to emotional distress. 

 Don’t forget to drink water at the end of your exercise session or any time you begin to feel thirsty.  A Word of Caution…If you have or have had problems with your kidneys, please consult your physician

 ~~~~~~~~~

This week’s featured blog: 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-11/a-radical-new-autism-theory/full/    

Featured video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5qfLcGNuDw

Find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.

T’ai Chi in a Chair: Easy 15-Minute Routines for Beginners is now available exclusively at Barnes and Noble.

http://www.joansweightloss.com

http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com

http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php

 

↓Your free e-book is below↓

View this document on Scribd

 

~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only.  Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~

Exercise #60 – Leg Acupressure Points for Immunity

Welcome to

Healing T’ai Chi

…the award-winning blog of seated exercises based on Qigong and Yang style T’ai Chi for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

~~~~~~~~~

“Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.”

Tao Te Ching #16, translated by S. Mitchell

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The following are effective acupressure points to stimulate your immune system.  Unlike in the previous posting, these are located on the legs/feet.  Use these frequently.

 Acupressure’s Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach

Bigger Rushing(Lv 3):

• You can find this point on the top of your foot between the big toe and your second toe.
• Press firmly on this point for a full minute on one foot then change feet.

Benefits: This point boosts the immune system but, in addition, it can be used to relieve headaches, eye fatigue, hangovers and fainting.

Bigger Stream:

• This point is located midway between the inside of the anklebone and the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.
• Press firmly on this point on one leg for a full minute.  Switch legs and pressure firmly on the other ankle for the same amount of time.

Benefits: This pressure point also strengthens the immune system while relieving fatigue, swollen feet, and ankle pain.

 

Don’t forget to drink water at the end of your exercise session or any time you begin to feel thirsty.  A Word of Caution…If you have or have had problems with your kidneys, please consult your physician.

~~~~~~~~~

This week’s featured site/blog:  http://www.healthranger.org/ 

This week’s featured video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=XMq2N6h3zUk 

Find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.

T’ai Chi in a Chair: Easy 15-Minute Routines for Beginners is now available exclusively at Barnes and Noble.

http://www.joansweightloss.com

http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com

http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php

 Free e-book:

View this document on Scribd

  

 

 

~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only.  Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~

Exercise #59 – Arm Pressure Points for Immunity

Welcome to

Healing T’ai Chi

 …the award-winning blog of seated exercises based on Qigong and Yang style T’ai Chi for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

~~~~~~~~~

 ”There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.”

Tao Te Ching #25, translated by S. Mitchell

~~~~~~~~~

With the Mexican swine flu spreading throughout our country, it is more important than ever to take care of our health.   The following acupressure points are all on the arms and hands.  Use these frequently while sitting quietly and breathing slowly in and out.  Next week, we’ll feature immune-stimulating points on the legs and feet. 

Acupressure’s Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach 

Crooked Pond (LI 11)

• You can find this pressure point on the upper edge of your elbow crease.
• Press firmly on this point for at least a full minute.  You may cross your arms and press the points on both arms at the same time.

Benefits: This point increases the effectiveness of the immune system and can relieve fever, constipation and elbow pain.

Outer Gate (TW 5)

• You will find this point 2 and a half finger widths above the center of your wrist crease on the outside of the forearm.
• Press firmly on this point (one arm at a time) for a full minute.

Benefits: This particular point increases resistance to colds in addition to relieving rheumatism, tendonitis, and wrist pain.

Joining the Valley (LI 14)

• Find this point in the webbing between the thumb and index finger.  To make sure you have the right spot, move your thumb close to your finger.  At the highest part of the muscle is the correct location.
• Press firmly on this point (one hand at a time) for a full minute then change to your other hand.

Benefits: In addition to increasing the effectiveness of our immune system, this effective pooint relies arthritis, constipation, headaches, toothaches, shoulder pain and labor pains.

Note: This point should not be used by pregnant women because it can cause premature contractions.

Don’t forget to drink water at the end of your exercise session or any time you begin to feel thirsty.  A Word of Caution…If you have or have had problems with your kidneys, please consult your physician

 ~~~~~~~~~

This week’s featured site/blog:

 http://joyofnutrition.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/a-juicy-approach-to-health/

This week’s featured video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHpZsvNqiC8

Find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.

T’ai Chi in a Chair: Easy 15-Minute Routines for Beginners is now available exclusively at Barnes and Noble.

http://www.joansweightloss.com

http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com

http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php

Download your free e-book:

View this document on Scribd

~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only.  Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~