Tag: yoga

BaguaZhang (8 trigram palm)

Bagua, Baguazhang, Bagwa, Pakua, Walking Meditation or “walking of the circle” are all names for this style of Kung Fu training. Translated to English is “8 trigram palm”. Bagua is an internal developing style similar to Tai chi and Hsing Yi. Tai chi is often considered to be the softest, Bagua somewhat harder and Hsing Yi the hardest style of the three main internal styles. Hard and soft refer to the control applied to the various movements practiced. Bagua develops stability in motion amongst many other things. Cheng, Chung, Emei, Sun are all styles of Baguazhang.

Benefits include:

  • Calming of the mind
  • Focuses thought
  • Strengthens and relaxes muscles
  • Can be practices as “Moving Meditation”
  • Attention to body alignments
  • Cultivates internal energy (qi)
  • Develops the physical body from the inside out
  • Slow, medium & fast body motions
  • Static (isometric) as well as continuous (isotonic) movements

Deep mindful breathing, specific muscle stretching and deliberate walking techniques are the basis of BagauZhang exercises. Practicing BaguaZhang or Bagua, stepping positions, body postures and changes (transitional stretching movements) enables one to move your body like a spring, being flexible and light but having a lot of strength and power behind the movement. This would be similar to moving as light and smooth as a feather but having the strength and speed of a bear.

Attaining certain body alignments within postures, holding that position and moving from one to another is essential to develop overall strength, coordination, balance and increase of energy flow throughout the body. Proper breathing is important in the development of internal strength and has to be in tune with each movement. These postures can be practiced as static exercises for any length of time (typically 20 seconds to 5 minutes or more), or dynamically while performing the different stepping methods.

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Often we look to point the finger how others should be better. Another perspective would be to make ourselves better. Be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Set the example because this action alone can be contagious in a positive way.

Wisdom is a recipe of knowledge and experience obtained over time (age) allowing one to differentiate when is the correct timing to react or not to react. When to do, when not to do. Coming up to a stop sign, you really don’t care to stop your vehicle (your true feeling) but you do because it is the right action (the law) to stop. If a blaring fire engine were to suddenly appear in your rear view mirror, you might choose to move through the intersection and to a space clear of the oncoming 370,000 pounds of moving metal and water (correct action for this situation).

Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

.Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

https://www.facebook.comMindAndBodyExercises

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

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

Masters Council

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia (bone porosity & bone loss)

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia (bone porosity & bone loss)

Are you age 40 or older? If so, you might want to make sure you stay active as you continue to age. After 40 or so, the average woman losses 8% of their bone mass; men loss about 3% per decade. So, by 70 a woman can lose 25%; a man 18%. Bones can become more porous and weaker, usually starting to increase after age 45.

Wow, not good!

Consistent (and appropriate) exercise puts strain on the muscles, joints and bones, causing the bones cells to stay active and continue to remodel, often until the end of life. (Wolff’s Law)Appropriate exercise as we all age depends upon the individual. However, Tai chi, yoga and qigong are all low-impact and can be practiced by most people regardless of age and health issues.

I offer private lessons in Wekiva and weekly group classes at Winter Park Presbyterian Church.

Jim Moltzan407-234-0119 www.MindAndBodyExercises.comhttps://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExerciseshttps://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/https://umareg.com/masters-council/

Grow Older, But Also Grow Wiser

We all grow older, but do we ever really grow up? Growing up usually refers to being more responsible, more independent, more aware, more giving of oneself.

However, it usually takes a better part of a lifetime to realize what is most important in our lives. Our family and our health, right? How cliché. We say it because it sounds wise and moral. But really, what we as humans seem to value the most is our home, cars, money, and other material possessions. Our ego tops the list of our priorities as we like to think that what we offer more than we receive in our daily existence within the universe.

Often we look to point the finger how others should be better. Another perspective would be to make ourselves better. Be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Set the example because this action alone can be contagious in a positive way.

Wisdom is a recipe of knowledge and experience obtained over time (age) allowing one to differentiate when is the correct timing to react or not to react. When to do, when not to do. Coming up to a stop sign, you really don’t care to stop your vehicle (your true feeling) but you do because it is the right action (the law) to stop. If a blaring fire engine were to suddenly appear in your rear view mirror, you might choose to move through the intersection and to a space clear of the oncoming 370,000 pounds of moving metal and water (correct action for this situation).

Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

.Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

https://www.facebook.comMindAndBodyExercises

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

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

Masters Council

Cause & Effects of Sleep Quality

Here is another post digging deeper into:

The Importance of a Good Night’s Rest

What we do during the waking hours, often determines how well we sleep at night. How well we sleep and how much determines how the quality of our waking hours is utilized. By practicing stress relieving exercises and habits during the day, the mind and body can more easily process information and rejuvenate during the sleep stages. Sleep requirements vary depending upon age, mental and physical conditions.

Recommended Hours of Sleep

Are you low on energy? Hard to focus throughout the day? Many chronic illnesses can be attributed to poor sleep. More serious diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, are thought to be directly related to not achieving sufficient recovery during the sleep cycle.

STRESS affects REST!

Side Effects of Poor Sleep

Sleep Time Graphic

Each phase of our day is intimately interconnected with the others. What you do or don’t do during the waking hours will definitely affect the quality of the sleep time. Then the quality of the sleep affects your energy and outlook going into the next day. This can make a never ending cycle that continues until you decide to make it change.

Sleep Cycles graphic2

During the sleep cycle our body needs adequate time and quality rest to perform daily maintenance and restoration. Additionally, the brain waves need to change and slow in order for this restoration to take place.

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Brain Waves During Sleep
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Brain Wave graphic

Mental activity can become stressful when trying to work, solve problems, manage a family, finances and juggling hundreds of other daily tasks. Physical activity, relaxing and enjoyable activities are key components to balancing this daily stress. A good night’s rest is earned, by what eat, what you think about and what types of physical activity is executed throughout the day.

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Breath Management Activities

Tai Chi, bagauzhang and qigong are all methods of exercise that also embody the philosophy balancing physical exercise with mental engagement to relieve stress and tension, while also increasing the flow of energy ( and blood flow) within the body improving health and well-being.

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Be well, stay healthy, be wise!

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Jim Moltzan

Daily Energy Flow in the 12 Main Meridians

The Horary Clock (Circadian Rhythm) – 24 Hour Qi Flow Though the Meridians
Here is another graphic presentation of the Horary Clock or Circadian Rhythm showing more of the relationship to the 5 Element Theory.
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Understanding how the human body works and interacts within nature, along with self-awareness are the basis of Traditional Chinese medicine.
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The graphic shows what is known as the Horary cycle or the Circadian Clock. As Qi (energy) makes its way through the meridians, each meridian in turn with its associated organ, has a two-hour period during which it is at maximum energy. The Horary Effect is recognizable by measurable increases of Qi within an organ system and meridian during its time of maximum energy.
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Daily Energy FLow-Meridians
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Some activities are better to execute in accordance with the energy being more present in a particular organ at the specific time of day.
Harmonizing Habits:
5-7am – Wake Up, Move Bowels, Meditate
7-9am – Sex, Breakfast, Walk, Digest
9-11am – Work, Best Concentration
11am-1pm – Eat Main Meal of Day, Walk
1-3pm – Absorb Food, Short Nap, Work
3-5pm – Work or Study
5-7pm – Exercise, Light Dinner
7-9pm – Light Reading, Massage Feet
9-11pm – Calm Socializing, Flirting, Sex
11pm-1am – Go to Sleep, Cellular Repair
1-3am – Deep Sleep, Detox Liver & Blood
3-5am – Deep Sleep, Detox Lungs
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Tai Chi, yoga and qigong are all methods that increase the flow of energy within the body improving health and well-being.
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Be well, stay healthy, be wise!
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