Tag: sciatica

24 Yang Style Tai Chi

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What are “forms” or “sets” of Tai Chi Exercises?
Tai Chi is a powerful art of immense depth consisting of exercise, self-defense and philosophy. The “sets” or “forms” are the structure or the foundation. Forms are individual exercises linked together to form a long flowing series of movements. According to Yang Chan Fu (who is known as the modern father of Tai Chi) “to start learning Tai Chi you have to start with the forms”. There are many styles of Tai Chi, and within each style, each has its different Forms. Even with one well-known form, there are many versions. Students might feel confused facing so many options, or one could take it as an advantage to have so many choices available.

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It is helpful and interesting to understand the structure and background history of the forms. Similar to an artist playing a musical composition, it is possible to play music well. To play it as a piece of art, it becomes necessary to understand the inner meaning, intention and structure of the piece.

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The Origin of the 24 Forms
The Chinese National Sports Committee authorized the country’s four most renowned Tai Chi experts to compose the 24 Forms in order to popularize Tai Chi; . Based on the Yang style, and by eliminating many repetitions and retaining the essential principles of Tai Chi, the 88 Forms was condensed to only 24 Forms. The 24 Forms is easier to learn, remember and practice taking about five minutes to practice. Anyone can do four times through the form in about 20 minutes. The 24 Forms has become the most popular tai chi form in the world.

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The Structure of the 24 Forms
The 24 Forms is divided into five sections. The first section consists of moderate stretching of the upper and lower limbs, which works as warming up for the later exercises. The second section is more challenging with further stretching and turning of the body. The third section contains the most challenging parts with balance exercise and a few kicking movements. The fourth section contains the most technically difficult movements. Lastly, slower movements work as winding down exercises. The 24 Forms has incorporated the essential tai chi principles.

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Many Benefits of Tai Chi-2

Be well, stay healthy, be wise!

Jim Moltzan

https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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

https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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.

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

https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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.

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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.

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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.

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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