View my public discussion last week at the University Club of Winter Park.
This discussion covered many topics, such as:
– healthcare vs. “sick-care”
– specific exercises for the fingers, hands, and wrists, for increased grip strength as well as better blood circulation in these areas
– reflexology (acupressure)
– the Three Treasures of mind, body, and spirit
– 3, 5, 7 pillars of health
– yin & yang concepts of balance & harmony
– Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the 5 elements & organ functions
– cross crawl theory and how it affects neural plasticity
– blood “shunting” during exercise and rest
My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.
Contact me at info@mindandbodyexercises.com to schedule an event at your location.
Sick-Care to Self-Care: Transforming Health Through Holistic Practices (this week’s FREE discussion at the University Club of Winter Park)
This week I will again speak at the University Club of Winter Park, to share information about health and wellness practices. This month, I will discuss the many factors that play a role in our health and well-being, as well as those “Mind and Body” practices that Western medicine increasingly recognizes as important to our health.
I will be discussing topics such as qi, and how to increase its flow through acupressure (reflexology) on the hands, fingers, and wrists. These exercises can help reduce pain while also increasing grip strength. A strong grip can help reduce falling for those with balance issues.
The concept of “sick-care” is to wait until you get sick to get care. The idea of “self-care” empowers the individual to manage their own well-being by taking active control to prioritize healthy lifestyle choices and consider options beyond traditional Western medicine. It’s never too late to start caring for yourself, so join us to learn how!
UCWP is located at 841 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, at 2pm Thursday, July 11th. Contact me to confirm attendance at 407-234-0119
Most people in the United States will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Causes of back pain are many, ranging from poor posture, heavy lifting, and lack of exercise among other issues. Some may find relief through chiropractic or acupuncture therapy. Depending upon the root cause, most pain goes away within a few days or weeks, only to return at a later date. Unless the root cause is fixed, most treatments only offer temporary relief. In many cases, the root cause of back pain is tight hamstring muscles and/or poor posture. Excessive sitting can tighten these muscles as well as a lack of proper stretching on a regular basis contribute to many back pain issues. How we sit, how we stand and how we move, or more often don’t move – all affect our posture and relative issues with the spine and the nervous system.
Not having back pain, does not necessarily mean your spine is in great shape! If not disease nor illness is a goal, we need to focus on being fit, well & healthy. Good health usually comes at a cost of time, effort, sacrifice and resources, or a combination of the prior. Most people don’t care to make the investment into taking care of themselves until after they are injured. even then, most people with back issues often choose pain medicines or sometimes surgery over exercise or lifestyle changes that can improve their situation. Traumatic injuries are often best treated with emergency surgery and that is really not the topic of this post.
In 2019, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (referred to as high impact chronic pain) in the past 3 months.
Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain both increased with age and were highest among adults aged 65 and over.
Non-Hispanic white adults (23.6%) were more likely to have chronic pain compared with non-Hispanic black (19.3%), Hispanic (13.0%), and non-Hispanic Asian (6.8%) adults.
My booklet sample below, goes into detail, along with graphics to offer information on how these root problems affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I offer information on how to manage back pain without pharmaceuticals nor surgery when at all possible. Yoga, qigong, tai chi, martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, reflexology/acupressure, deep breathing, meditation and other methods are explained in great detail in order to offer many options depending upon individual circumstances.
Included are many exercises and other methods to develop strength and flexibility which improve posture and relative spine health. Good health of the entire spinal structure starts with good posture. Strength in the back, hips and abdomen provide a strong cage that houses the internal organs. Flexibility in these areas helps to maintain good blood circulation to the organs and lower body. Lengthening of the spine while exercising reduces stress and tension on the nervous system. Additionally, there are deep and relaxed breathing exercises included, which can help manage stress and pain. These can be practice while performing the back exercises or as stand-alone methods. I have practiced and taught others all of these methods for over 40 years, and often with much success.
My booklet can be purchased in hard-copy or Kindle versions at:
Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.
I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
Traditional herbal extracts consisting of various liniments, tinctures, teas, etc. are known for their unique properties, which harmonize both the mind and body, allowing the body to find its natural balance in just a short amount of time. Each traditional herbal extract formula targets a specific area of the body, just as different foods and vitamins supply nutrients to specific areas of the body or different medicines are used to treat specific illnesses.
Some herbs allow the body to naturally expel toxins from joints and tissues, enabling oxygen and vital nutrients to reach affected areas. Others stimulate the body’s natural energy to accelerate healing in the muscles, joints, nerves, and ligaments.
During physical exercise or qigong practice, the application of these herbal extracts helps to relax the muscles and increase circulation, allowing you to challenge yourself further. This then allows you to maximize your full strength and speed while preventing injury caused by shocking different parts of the body, such as: joints, nerves, and muscles.
Blockages of the Qi, or chi (energy) flow usually result in poor blood circulation followed by illness. Acupressure or “pressure point” massage in conjunction with herbal extracts open the blood circulation and energy pathways increasing a flow of vitality that moves throughout the whole body. Response time to this opening of the energy pathways is usually less than 5 minutes.
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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.
Silk Reeling refers to internal (neigong) movement principles practiced in traditional styles of Tai Chi, especially emphasized within the Chen and Wu styles. The metaphoric term derives from the spiraling and twisting movements of the silkworm larva as it wraps itself within its cocoon. In order to draw out the silk successfully, the action must be smooth, consistent and flowing with no jerking or sharp change in direction. Too fast of a movement and the silk breaks. Too slow and it sticks to itself and becomes tangled. Silk Reeling movements are continuous, rhythmic and spiraling patterns practiced at consistent speed with a “light touch” of drawing silk. Silk reeling is practiced in solo forms and stances as well as in “push hands” with a partner.
Key Points of Awareness: • The head stays upright as if trying to make the scalp push the ceiling up; chin slightly tucked back. • Keep the head level and don’t drop your head when your arms move downwards or to look at your feet. Use your peripheral vision to focus on the arms when they are lowered. • The tongue should be gently placed on the top palate (roof) of your mouth. • Keep your body upright, with the spine naturally straight while keeping the chest relaxed. Do not hold too much tension in your chest. • When the arms are in the lower phase of the movement don’t lean or bend forward keeping the body upright at all times. • When moving the arms, try to keep the shoulders relaxed and loose, trying not to lift them. • During movements when the arms arc away from the body, try not to lift the elbows too high. Make sure you keep your elbow lower then the hand. • When shifting the weight side-to-side, always keep the knees slightly bent. Don’t straighten the empty leg. • The breath should be natural, deep, slow and quiet while coordinated with the body movement. Typically when the hand goes across the body, breathe in through the nose. When the hand goes away from the body, breathe out through the nose.
Embrace the concept of feet, waist, arms:
1) Push (power) from the feet 2) Direct with the waist moving 3) Express with the shoulders, arms & hands
Watch the video to see one method of stretching the spine, relieving stress, increasing oxygen intake and becoming more self-aware.
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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.
United Martial Arts Association 