Welcome to
Healing T’ai Chi
…the award-winning blog of seated exercises to balance mind, body and spirit for people of all ages and levels of fitness.
~~~~~~~~~
“ In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and
kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.”
Tao Te Ching #8, translated by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English
~~~~~~~~~
We are continuing with our exercises to relax and energize the neck and shoulders. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers this area of the body to be the gateway between the mind and the body and, as such, to be an area where tension and negative emotions tend to settle.
-
Sit as usual with your feet flat on the floor shoulder-width apart.
-
When you complete the last head bend from the previous exercise, drop your head to one shoulder (no straining, please) and then the other.
-
Count 6 complete head drops alternating sides. On the 6th head lean, circle your head down toward your chest and then back up to the center position 6 times.
-
When you complete the last circle, lean or drop your head to your shoulder 6 times alternating sides.
-
On the 6th head lean, circle your head again down to your chest and back to upright position 6 times. These circles are really half circles in that you don’t drop your head backwards when rotating it.
-
When you complete the head leans and circles, sit quietly for a few moment while you breathe in and out slowly and with concentration.
Try the pressure point Wind Mansion (GV 16) to complement your exercise session.
(illustration from Michael Reed Gach’s Acupressure’s Potent Points)
-
You will find this point in the center of the back of your head in the large hollow directly beneath your skull.
-
Press firmly on this point for a full minute.
Benefits: This point is good for your eyes, ears, nose and throat. It will relieve headaches vertigo or a stiff neck and neck.
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/site:
http://sadaaf.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/vinegar/
Featured video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QjCmnQdoHA
Don’t forget…you can find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.
http://www.joansweightloss.com
http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php
http://www.rsbell.com/radio/index.php
http://www.thepeopleschemist.com/
Get your free e-book here:
~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~
Welcome to
Healing T’ai Chi
…the award-winning blog of exercises to balance mind, body and spirit for people of all ages and levels of fitness.
(Sponsored by the Exerciseline Super Store)
~~~~~~~~~
“The valley spirit never dies;
It is the woman, primal mother.
Her gateway is the root of heaven and
Earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it; it will never fail.”
Tao Te Ching #6, translated by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English
~~~~~~~~~
Chinese medical practitioners believe that the neck and upper shoulder area constitute the gateway between mind and body and their interactions. Because tension often settles in this area the exercise below is one you will want to use often.
-
Sit as usual with your feet flat on the floor shoulder-width apart. Tuck your hips under you so that your back is completely supported by the back of your chair. If your legs are too short to reach the floor, put a foot rest under your feet for the duraation of the exercise.
-
Tilt your head forward toward your chest as you breathe out.
-
Breathe in and return your head to the upright position. Breathe out again and gently lower your head backward. (If you have had a serious neck injury and/or surgery, consult your physician before using this exercise.)
-
Breathe in again and return your head to the upright position. Continue lowering your head to your chest and then backwards at least 6 times.
-
Let your head bend over toward your left shoulder as you breathe out. Then, breathe in and return your head to the upright position.
-
Continue alternating left and right at least 6 times. Sit quietly and breathe in and out slowly and with concentration for a few seconds.
Use the pressure point Shoulder Well (GB21) to enhance your exercise session.
(illustration from Acupressure’s Potent Points)
-
You can find this effective point at the top of the shoulder one to two inches out from the base of the neck which is the tightest spot on the muscle.
-
Press firmly on this point for at least 30 seconds on each shoulder.
Benefits: Use this point often to relieve a stiff neck, shoulder tension, irritability and poor circulation.
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/site:
http://jeanetteeleff.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/vitality-for-today/
Featured video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkjH8uB9IGE
Don’t forget…you can find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.
http://www.joansweightloss.com
http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php
http://www.rsbell.com/radio/index.php
http://www.thepeopleschemist.com/
Get your free e-book here:
~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 #82 – Clearing Head Congestion 2
10/11/2009
Welcome to
Healing T’ai Chi
…the award-winning blog of seated exercises to balance mind, body and spirit for people of all ages and levels of fitness.
(sponsored by Exerciseline.com)
~~~~~~~~~
“Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind become still.
The ten thousand things rise and fall
while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then
return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness,
which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to
disaster.”
Tao Te Ching #16, translated by Gia Fu Feng & Jane English
~~~~~~~~~
These exercises provide an effective method to relieve migraines and headaches or to clear head congestion caused by allergies, sinusitis or a cold.
-
Sit up in bed or in a comfortable chair in a quiet area of your house.
-
Rub your head all over as though you were shampooing your hair for at least a full minute.
-
Then, using your thumb and index finger press upward against the hollows of the eye socket closest to the bridge of your nose.
-
At the same time, press the thumb of your other hand in the center hollow of your neck directly underneath your skull.
-
Hold your fingers at these two areas while you breathe in and out slowly through your nose for a full minute.
-
Return your hands to your lap and breathe in and out through your nose again for a few seconds.
Complete your head clearing session with the pressure point Bigger Rushing (LV 3).
- If you are sitting in a chair, use the heel of one foot to press on this point on your other foot. If you are sitting on your bed, cross one leg over the other and press on this point with the thumb of your hand. Press firmly for a full minute on each foot.
- Reverse hands and feet and press firmly on this spot for another full minute.
Benefits: This particular point will relieve headaches, eye fatigue, allergies and arthritis.
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/site:
http://baptistplanet.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/lie-to-me-my-parents-did/
Featured video:
Don’t forget…you can find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.
http://www.joansweightloss.com
http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php
Download your free e-book here:
~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 #81 – Clearing Head Congestion 1
10/04/2009
Welcome to
Healing T’ai Chi
…the award-winning blog of seated exercises to balance body, mind and spirit for people of all ages and levels of fitness.
(sponsored by Exerciseline.com)
~~~~~~~~~
“Sometimes breathing is hard,
sometimes it comes easily;
Sometimes there is strength and
sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up and sometimes
down.”
Tao Te Ching #29
~~~~~~~~~~
Clearing Head Congestion
This exercise will help relieve earaches, head congestion and plugged ears due to a cold or the flu. It can be used often without any adverse effects. However, you may not be able to do this exercise if you wear hearing aides. As always, consult your health care provider.
Sit as usual with your feet flat on the floor shoulder-width apart to allow your energy to flow freely. Your back should be supported by the back of your chair. Don’t worry about timing your breathing with your movements for this exercise.
- Using your thumbs, rub behind your ears in the general area of the mastoids.
- Continue to rub briskly for a full minute.
- Then, cup your ears with your hands and release continuing for a total of 12 times.
- Repeat the behind-the-ear rub then cup your ears again.
- Complete your session by sitting quietly with your eyes closed and breathe in and out slowly with concentration for a minute or two.
Try any of the acupressure points in front of the ear (Ear Gate, TW21, Listening Place, SI19 or Reunion of Hearing, GB2) to supplement your session.
(illustration from Acupressure’s Potent Point)
-
Find the small depression directly in front of the ear. This point is the Listening Place (SI 19). One half inch above this point is Ear Gate (TW 21), while Reunion of Hearing (GB 2) is one half inch below.
-
Press on any of these points on both ears or on all of them with the pads of your indes, middle and ring fingers.
-
Hold these points for 3 minutes while breathing slowly and with concentration.
Benefits: These points will relieve headaches, toothaches, earaches, hearing problems or TMJ.
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:
Featured video:
http://drtoddcremeans.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/more-on-functional-medicine/
Don’t forget…you can find great deals on home exercise equipment at the Exercise Equipment Super Store.
http://www.joansweightloss.com
http://mybodysite.com/Publish/index.php
Download your free e-book:
~The exercises in this blog are intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.~
