Many people have heard about the exhilaration and high that often follows long-distance running. This can be attributed to the release of natural pain killing substances called endorphins and enkephalins, very similar to opium. People also report feeling better simply from doing an exercise workout due to getting more oxygen to the brain, moving waste products out of the cells and getting the natural flows of the body moving.
There is another way to feel better, which can be done without special equipment or space requirements. This method comes from the Chinese and is thousands of years old, predates acupuncture and is designed to improve health. One of the many different forms of this method, chi gong or qigong, looks deceptively simple but the movements affect the life force in the body similar to acupuncture without needles. Chi gong improves the function of organs and gets blood, air and other bodily fluids moving more efficiently and effectively.
Chi gong differs from other exercises because it utilizes the message system of the body. It requires a positive mental attitude to get the most benefits, similar to doctors using visual imagery to help cancer patients go into remission.
Many ailments improve with improvements to exercise, eating and sleeping habits. People hear this all the time, but you actually need to feel the beneficial effects to turn you into a believer. At Yonemoto Physical Therapy we help people transition from theory to practice. Sometimes it takes a little guidance from others to get on the path to healthy living. Life is movement. The body is designed to create movement using a network of systems. Energy is necessary to cause movement. Movement will also create more movement. Notice how your limbs feel while sitting still versus when you are exercising.
Take a little inventory of your health habits to see if you are moving in the right direction. If not, find out what improvements are needed. Participating in an exercise and energy program, like chi gong, could be the place to start.
To enhance you body’s overall health and wellbeing, I periodically conduct a six-week series of Chinese energy classes (qigong) at our office in Alhambra, California. Call for more information on class schedules. The first class is FREE/complimentary!
Qigong is a 5,000-year-old method of exercising for health and longevity from China, held as closely guarded secrets in families and monasteries. This form of exercise utilizes gentle movement and is thought to balance qi or energy within the body for maximum health and happiness.
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