Month: July 2020

The 12 Primary Energy Meridians & The 8 Extraordinary Vessels

Primary Energy Meridians & 8 Vessels2

The 12 Primary Energy Meridians & The 8 Extraordinary Vessels
Within Chinese Medicine, there exists the theory of the 12 Primary Energy Meridians. Also, there is the Eight Extraordinary Vessels representing the body’s deepest level of energetic structuring. These vessels are the first to form in utero, and are carriers of Yuan Qi – the ancestral energy which corresponds to our genetic inheritance. They function as deep reservoirs from which the twelve main meridians can be replenished and into which the latter can drain their excesses of qi. Other names for these Eight Extraordinary Vessels include: the Eight Curious Vessels, the Eight Marvelous Meridians, and the Eight Irregular Vessels.
Western medicine does not recognize the meridians nor vessels existence as they are not physical components that can be seen nor dissected in a lab environment. However, other types of energy such as electricity, radiation and heat also are not visible to the human eye but are accepted as existing.
The blood, fascia and nervous system are all presumed to be the conduit in which the qi circulates throughout the human body. Mind and body practices such as tai chi, yoga and qigong are all methods of exercise and wellness known to affect the meridians, vessels and qi flow in a positive way. Improving the immune system is just one benefit of increasing this flow of energy.
Be well, stay healthy, be wise!
Jim Moltzan

The 36 Noble Stances (moving qigong set)

The 36 Noble Stances

Noble stances are a combination of various stances from different styles of Chinese martial arts. Stances, in this case, meaning correct placement of the feet, knees, hips, and arm positions relative to one’s center of gravity. Executing static positions and holding the particular body positions for anyway from a few seconds to several minutes reaps many benefits foremost being able to cultivate a strong and healthy core.

This is another time-proven method to increase the capacity of  the nervous system! By holding the body in specific alignments, the nervous system is strengthened to endure more pain, stress and discomfort. Think of tempering steel in fire to strengthen the metal.
When engaging the muscles, tendons, bones and fascia, the 12 regular energy meridians are engaged plus the 8 extraordinary meridians are opened and filled as reservoirs to adjust the ebb and flow of energy throughout the body and thereby strengthening the immune system among other bodily functions.
Exercise methods like these have been known for centuries, but are considered new or “alternative” to modern western culture.
Learn how this all works from private, small or group instruction.
Be well, stay healthy, be wise!
Jim Moltzan
407-234-0119

 

Deep Breathing Benefits

Breathing Deeper – more than just more oxygen

Learning how to regulate the breath is truly one of the key components to maintaining good health and well-being. Most people do not regulate their breath or even think about it, until a health issue presents itself.
Deep Breathing Benefits
Breathing shallow helps the body to produce cortisol and adrenaline.
Breathing deeper helps the body to produce dopamine, oxytocin, seratonin and endorphines.
Controlling how you breathe can affect your emotions.
Emotions cause the brain to adjust and affect the body’s blood chemistry.
The blood chemistry directly affects the internal organs and consequently all of the bodily systems and functions.
For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119

Sciatic Pain – What are Some Options?

Sciatic Pain -What are Some Options?

This is very similar to my recent post on knee pain. Back, knee, shoulder, neck – it really is the same basic issue. What is your plan?

sciatica-causes & treatment graphic

Become educated should be number 1, no?

  • Give it a rest? Sit, stand or lie down?
  • Ice or heat? When is one more beneficial?
  • Keep active? When do you decide to get moving again?
  • Go to your doctor? Chiropractor, physical therapist? Alternative exercise coach?
  • Get an x-ray? MRI?
  • Medicate? Anti-inflammatories (nsaids), opioids?
  • Surgery? Microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, epideral?

Compressed spine

Depending upon your issues, maybe yes to all of the above. Without knowing how serious your injury is, it can be difficult to plot a course to relieve the pain and gain back confidence in your activities. You need to do the homework and research to become educated as to what injuries are typical and what the options are to move forward.

sciatica-one part affects other parts

I am not a doctor nor claim to be.  However, I have a different health, fitness and well-being background spanning almost 40 years. Starting martial training at the age of 16, I have continued training, studying and teaching ever since. Traditional Chinese medicine and qigong can also be studied within some martial arts lineages, which I have pursued. Martial arts is deeply connected to fitness and health, aside from the obvious self-defense benefits. My fellow instructors (and students) and I were taught that it was easier but not ethical to injure someone unless justified. More honorable was to heal injuries or train and teach to not become injured.

sciatica-pain & numbness

The point of this article is not to dissuade anyone from gaining medical treatment. But rather to encourage the acquiring of information and learning what ones options are before committing to a surgical procedure that may or might not improve your current situation. There is always a risk of having a worse set of circumstances after the procedure. There is not much lost nor risk of trying non-impact exercises, other than ones time and effort. If the exercises don’t produce the desired results of pain reduction and back stability, one can always elect to have the surgical procedure afterwards, which will undoubtedly require pain meds, physically therapy and exercises after surgery anyway. Pay now or pay later – another term often used in the healthcare industry.

sciatic anatomy page2

The above exercises are a sample of various yoga and qigong type of movements that can offer relief of pain for some individuals. Again, it is imperative that the individual becomes educated and aware of their particular situation is and what movements will help or hinder their body.

Be well, stay health, be wise.

Jim Moltzan

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

Moving Qigong (tae guk chung set #1)

How deep you breathe directly affects your health! And it is FREE, doesn’t require a prescription, no special clothes nor equipment. Just YOU making the effort to breathe slower and deeper.
Breathing Rate vs Intensity
Breathing deep and slower is a key component to good health and longevity. We all have the ability to use the breath to take responsibility for OUR own healthcare. Desire and self-discipline are 2 more components that come into play.
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated when breaths per minute, are 10 or less. There are many ways to get to below 10 BPM, with tai chi, yoga and qigong among the most popular methods.
Be well and stay healthy!

Jim Moltzan

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/