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RELAXATION
The following have been found by studies to be very helpful in
relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy
cortisol levels:
• Guided Imagery
• Journaling
• Self-Hypnosis
• Exercise
• Yoga
• Listening
to Music
• Breathing
Exercises
• Meditation
• Sex
Every single one of these are covered in our Qigong program
Qi Gong switches the nervous system from the stress related
‘fight or flight’ mode to the restorative healing, relaxation mode
of the parasympathetic branch. EEG shows that, in people practicing
Qi Gong, endorphins are released and the cerebral cortex enters a
state of calm that few people experience, even in sleep.
The average person uses only five to ten percent of his or
her 15 billion brain cells; yet studies show that Qi Gong
activates 90 percent of the human brain by suffusing it with
stimulating bioelectric currents. This results in
significant memory improvement, learning and enhancement of
physiological functions controlled by the brain.
Numerous studies show that practicing Qi
Gong also increases the level of essential neurotransmitters
in the blood. Deficiency of these elements can cause Parkinsons,
Alzheimer’s, chronic depression, insomnia and drug addiction.
STRESS
Hormones are secreted by adrenal Glands to regulates the flight
or fight response (stress response). This in turn
affects:-
• Glucose
metabolism
• Regulation of
Blood Pressure
• Insulin
Release
• Immune
Function
• Inflammatory
response
High and prolonged states of stress lead to CHRONIC
STRESS:
• Impaired
cognitive performance
• Suppressed
thyroid function
• Blood sugar
imbalances such as hyperglycemia
• Decreased bone
density
• Decrease in
muscle tissue
• Higher blood
pressure
• Lowered immunity
and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and
other health consequences
• Increased
abdominal fat leads to heart attacks, strokes
• Ph Balance –
Through Stress and Poor diet our Ph balanced is disturbed and
becomes acidic. Cardiovascular damage, including the
constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen. Weight
gain, obesity and diabetes. Bladder and kidney conditions,
including kidney stones. Immune deficiency. Acceleration of free
radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
Hormone concerns. Premature aging. Osteoporosis; weak, brittle
bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
• Joint pain,
aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
• Low energy and
chronic fatigue. Slow digestion and elimination. Yeast/fungal
overgrowth.
For healthy functioning the RELAXATION RESPONSE needs to
activated after the Fight or Flight response occurs to re balance
the body.
You can make lifestyle changes in order to
keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place.
Inner
smile
• Smiling
signals happy healing hormones such as ecstatic endorphins and
immune boosting killer T-cells whereas
•
Frowning triggers the secretion of stress hormones. Smile
therapy actually lowers the stress hormones cortisol, adrenalin and
noradrenaline and produces hormones which stabilise blood pressure,
relax muscles, improve respiration, reduce pain, accelerate healing
and stabilise mood1.
Though a heart-felt smile has a deeper effect, even a surface
smile tricks the brain into releasing happy hormones according to
biofeedback facial research.
As respected Monk Thich Nhat Hanh explains,
“ Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes
your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Open Liver
As part of the Open Sky Qigong program we journey through the 5
elements of Ancient Chinese Philosophy. Each element relates to
both a yin and a yang organ and the Liver is associated with the
wood element, the season of spring, the color green and the
emotions of depression, anger, resentment and frustration. In
chinese medicine the Liver is affected by emotional depression,
anger, irritability and frustration.
Qigong has been shown to have a direct influence by reducing
these symptoms and the open Liver technique is a perfect way to
work on the Liver directly.
RESEARCH: Separate studies
showed that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly
increased for people who impulsively vent their anger as well as
for those who tend to repress angry feelings.
A. Siegman et al. J Behav Med. 1998; 21(4) D. Carroll et al. J
Epidemiol Comm Health. 1998; Sept.
Open Heart
Standing Qigong helps to strengthen the lower back, legs and
knees and helps Qi to circulate in the lower body. Having the arms
raised and rounded aids the Qi to flow increasing circulation
throught he shoulders, neck and arms releasing tension, stress and
having a direct impact on emotions such as anxiety and panic
attacks.
RESEARCH: Heart-focused, sincere, positive
feeling states boost the immune system, while negative emotions may
suppress the immune response for up to six hours.
In a groundbreaking study of 1,200 people at high
risk of poor health, those who learned to alter unhealthy mental
and emotional attitudes through self-regulation
training(QIGONG) were more than four times more likely to be
alive 13 years later than an equal-sized control group.
R. Grossarth-Maticek & H. Eysenck. Behav Res Ther. 1991;
29(1)
Click below to Download these research
articles
The Multifaceted benefits of
Qigong
Physiological effects of
Qigong |