Mind/Body/Spirit V: Maximizing Body Energy flow

Physical Body Energy flow is related to your habits of Nutrition, Hydration, Exercise, Sleep and Breathing. These are activities you are already (of necessity) engaged in, and in most cases the optimizing adjustments are few, simple and pleasurable.

Nutrition: most of us fall short of what we know is a good diet. We probably should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and less fried and fast foods. Anything we do to improve our diet improves positive energy flow. For greater detail, check out: http://www.pulsemed.org/back-to-basics-diet.htm

Hydration: most of us in the Western world, it is safe to say, are at least somewhat dehydrated. It is estimated that the average 150 – 200 lb person should consume 3 – 4 quarts of water daily for optimum flow. For details see: http://www.ilsi.org/northamerica/publications/hyd%20-%20hydration%20-%20fluids%20for%20life.pdf

Exercise: this activity needs no explanatory website; suffice it to say that more exercise is better, even a little more is better. For exercises specific to improving qi, see: http://www.qigongexercise.com/

Sleep: “In general, you can strengthen your qi by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep… [and this will] also help reverse the aging process.” This quote, as well as more information about restoring qi, may be found o0 the site: http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/433-restoring-and-enhancing-your-qi.html

Breathing: the benefits of breathing are obvious. Not so well known is that deep breathing from the diaphragm (belly breathing) relieves stress, while shallow chest breathing is actually stressful. For breathing thought to be especially beneficial to qi energy flow, see http://www.qi-energy.info/qi-breathing.htm

Mind/Body/Spirit III: Increasing Positive Energy flow.

The Eastern world has long been aware that there is a Positive Energy within all animate- and inanimate- objects. This is now being accepted in the Western world as well; as it is accepted that matter is basically a form of energy. This energy is universally connected, and may even be the connectivity itself. The ancients named this positive energy force “qi”, the source of life, and have developed healing techniques based on it. Among them are the acupuncture and acupressure healing techniques, still in use today.

The website http://www.acupressure.com/applications/qienergy.htm has some information about these techniques, and qi energy. “Within all living animals are Qi meridian pathways. These life force channels govern the functions of all systems of the human body. The way Qi energy flows through the meridians presides over wellness or dis-ease imbalances... Thus, when Qi blockage occurs, the inhibited energy flow can result in all kinds of human suffering; however the flow of the Qi force can contribute to happiness when the Qi energy flows… [This] is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, in self-care and in preventive health care. ”

It turns out that these same healing benefits can be obtained by simply tapping on the meridian points, without recourse to acupuncture or massage. This is known as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that can be easily learned and used by anyone with no previous experience or training. As mentioned on a previous post, there are easy to follow instructions at www.garythink.com/eft/eft-tutorial.html as well as other sites about EFT or tapping that a search engine will discover for you.

The “new” Energy Psychology: The body, mind and spirit connection.

The “new” Energy Psychology: The body, mind and spirit connection. There is a “new” player in the western world when it comes to Psychological and Physiological healing practices. More than five thousand years ago ancient peoples in the Eastern world (and elsewhere) were practicing healing techniques that had nothing in common (except maybe the placebo effect) with modern day western medical practices. They believed that the mind and body are interconnected by a series of energy pathways and energy centers. There is an energy force, Qi (chi) that flows through the body and mind that regulates and keeps us healthy. The practices of acupuncture and acupressure were healing techniques used to regulate and balance this energy flow; and meditation, yoga, healing oils, herbs, mantras, and other practices were also used. These healing techniques are still common in the Eastern world today, plus are beginning to be recognized in the West. Proponents claim these are very effective in curing many ailments, including some that the western medical establishment is unable to cure. These techniques have now been “proved” effective in clinical trials and properly controlled studies. Doctors are using these in conjunction with regular medical treatments and as stand-alone procedures. Energy healing techniques have some significant advantages: 1-- They heal the mind, body and spirit: as one, connected, integrated whole. 2-- Side effects are more likely to be beneficial, rather that harmful. 3-- The techniques are non-invasive, and they do no harm. 4-- They are comparatively low cost, even free. 5-- Most procedures can be performed by the individual himself, on himself. In the following posts we will examine the bona fides, and the pros and cons of some of these techniques.