In this hectic world we live in where speed and efficiency are held with utmost value, it has become a growing trend to take some time to yourself to get pampered and recharge. Spas have been popping up like mushrooms all over, offering all sorts of services - medicated baths, aromatherapy, a variety of body wraps, scrubs and of course, massages.
One can suggest that the western mentality and emphasis on progress on production has put the world out of balance, and the eastern orientation toward harmony, balance and transcendence aims to correct that. Tuina is one of those ways in which we can put a balance in our lives.
Like Cupping, Tuina is something that can be done in the comfort of one's own home - depending on which Tuina technique one is using, it can even be done in the office, car or anywhere. Sure, it may take a little more practice to master, however, it is something that anybody can learn, and I think that's where it draws much of its value. It's such practical knowledge and I believe that everyone should have a basic knowledge of it and its techniques. It's so useful in our world today.
The eastern philosophy of balance really makes us realize that if we keep pushing ourselves relentlessly, we run the risk of burning out, and it's so important for us to know when to stop and give ourselves a break.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Can Qigong exercises build lean muscle?
Q:
Is it possible for Qigong exercises to build muscle? I am limited in the amount of time I can work out in a day and I am trying to get the best of all worlds. I would like to increase health, longetivity and muscle tone. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Re:
I don't think so. Not enough physical excercise to improve lean muscule tone. Perhaps some power building excercises from Nei Ja Chuan styles and help. Most Chinese are not concerned with looks and more concerned with eficiency in movement, alignment,all combined with breath training. Muscle mass or lean muscles are not valued much. The exception in the extensivee leg training in Internal styles such as Chen Tai Chi, Pa Kua, Hsin Yi and Liuhebafachuan. Again looks are not the issue, but a strong base and root are basic as a launching pad, along with a strong and flexible waist. In the West, upper body strength is values and in China, lower body strength is more empahsised.
Is it possible for Qigong exercises to build muscle? I am limited in the amount of time I can work out in a day and I am trying to get the best of all worlds. I would like to increase health, longetivity and muscle tone. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Re:
I don't think so. Not enough physical excercise to improve lean muscule tone. Perhaps some power building excercises from Nei Ja Chuan styles and help. Most Chinese are not concerned with looks and more concerned with eficiency in movement, alignment,all combined with breath training. Muscle mass or lean muscles are not valued much. The exception in the extensivee leg training in Internal styles such as Chen Tai Chi, Pa Kua, Hsin Yi and Liuhebafachuan. Again looks are not the issue, but a strong base and root are basic as a launching pad, along with a strong and flexible waist. In the West, upper body strength is values and in China, lower body strength is more empahsised.
Posted by
Beacon Lee
Benefits of Qigong VS Yoga
It really depends who you talk to, different traditions say different things....
This is going to get complicated real fast, but let's start first with how Chinese often talk about "internal work"
NONE of these is cut and dry. Many martial art traditions got their internal work from religious and medical methods. Many martial art methods found their way back into religious sects...
Yoga also has different branches, different traditions and different schools
Raja or royal yoga was a life style, but yoga itself is a general term meaning "union" and is related to the English work "yoke" or to bind. Yoga is to become "one"
Various Yogi have said this means different things, one with YOURSELF, one with NATURE, many today, to appeal to westerners, say one with G'd
Similarly, Taoist Chi Gong has been said to either 1) make you literally immortal (not die) or to 2) make you "one with the Tao" (which could mean one with the Jade Emperor, ie a god, or one with teh correct path, or one with the universe/nature
Depending upon the Buddhist school, you can be doing Chi Kung to strengthen your body for meditation, or to literally make yourself a Lo Han!!!! That may mean depending upon the tradition, becoming an imortal (like the Taoist Sin Yan) or simply making yourself no longer exist!!!
Theory and religion aside, on a practical level the many techniques both share is quite astounding. They are really sort of one and the same. You have both posture and breath, movement and stillness, alll which have quantifiable physical results and benefits....
Remember, Yoga includes Asana (posture, including movement) and Pranayana (breathing), then later there is deep meditation and contemplation
This is going to get complicated real fast, but let's start first with how Chinese often talk about "internal work"
- medical
- religious
- martial art
NONE of these is cut and dry. Many martial art traditions got their internal work from religious and medical methods. Many martial art methods found their way back into religious sects...
Yoga also has different branches, different traditions and different schools
Raja or royal yoga was a life style, but yoga itself is a general term meaning "union" and is related to the English work "yoke" or to bind. Yoga is to become "one"
Various Yogi have said this means different things, one with YOURSELF, one with NATURE, many today, to appeal to westerners, say one with G'd
Similarly, Taoist Chi Gong has been said to either 1) make you literally immortal (not die) or to 2) make you "one with the Tao" (which could mean one with the Jade Emperor, ie a god, or one with teh correct path, or one with the universe/nature
Depending upon the Buddhist school, you can be doing Chi Kung to strengthen your body for meditation, or to literally make yourself a Lo Han!!!! That may mean depending upon the tradition, becoming an imortal (like the Taoist Sin Yan) or simply making yourself no longer exist!!!
Theory and religion aside, on a practical level the many techniques both share is quite astounding. They are really sort of one and the same. You have both posture and breath, movement and stillness, alll which have quantifiable physical results and benefits....
Remember, Yoga includes Asana (posture, including movement) and Pranayana (breathing), then later there is deep meditation and contemplation
Posted by
Beacon Lee
Yoga and multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis symptoms can take a toll, but staying on a regular exercise regimen may help. Join a live Web chat on the benefits of exercise for people with MS on May 2 at 11 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. CDT, 2 p.m. EDT). Our chat guest, Dr. Barbara Giesser, clinical professor of neurology at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine and medical director of the Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center at UCLA, will be on hand to take questions on fitness and MS. Giesser has been treating patients with MS since 1989
We asked her if certain types of exercises, such as yoga or aquatics, are generally better for people with MS.
"Many people with MS report benefits from yoga," she said, "including increased flexibility and decreased spasticity, and decreased fatigue. Swimming in a cool (not more than 85 degrees) pool is excellent exercise and provides an aerobic workout without someone becoming overheated. A pool also allows people with weak muscles to exercise those muscles in a gravity-free environment and perform motions they would not be able to do on land. Some who have MS also report that they derive benefit from Pilates-type workouts for core strength and flexibility."
Becoming too hot is a concern for those with MS, she added: "If a person with MS becomes overheated, it may temporarily make their symptoms worse. While they are exercising, it is important for them to try to keep cool. They can do that by drinking cold water or ice chips, placing cooling cloths on their head and neck or by wearing special cooling garments. They can also have a fan on during exercise."
We asked her if certain types of exercises, such as yoga or aquatics, are generally better for people with MS.
"Many people with MS report benefits from yoga," she said, "including increased flexibility and decreased spasticity, and decreased fatigue. Swimming in a cool (not more than 85 degrees) pool is excellent exercise and provides an aerobic workout without someone becoming overheated. A pool also allows people with weak muscles to exercise those muscles in a gravity-free environment and perform motions they would not be able to do on land. Some who have MS also report that they derive benefit from Pilates-type workouts for core strength and flexibility."
Becoming too hot is a concern for those with MS, she added: "If a person with MS becomes overheated, it may temporarily make their symptoms worse. While they are exercising, it is important for them to try to keep cool. They can do that by drinking cold water or ice chips, placing cooling cloths on their head and neck or by wearing special cooling garments. They can also have a fan on during exercise."
Posted by
Beacon Lee
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