“Qi emission therapy followed by homework exercises can move a person into a state of calm and relaxation while also moving stagnation, heat, cold and toxins. This is the condition of the parasympathetic nervous system—saying to the body “rest, relax, heal.”
If you have read the two pages on emotions and illness, you see the picture of how thoughts and feelings affect the flow of Qi (Energy) in the body. Emotions of anger, grief, worry, fear or anxiety stagnate and bind Qi and cause it to flow in ways that do not benefit the organs. In Western Medicine, this pattern counter to the natural flow of Qi is the change from rest, relax, heal (Parasympathetic Nervous System) to fight or flight (Sympathetic Nervous System). When this happens, many changes take place in the body:
- heart rate and blood pressure increase
- pupils dilate to take in as much light as possible
- veins in skin constrict to send more blood to major muscle groups (responsible for the “chill” sometimes associated with fear—less blood in the skin to keep it warm)
- blood-glucose level increases
- muscles tense up, energized by adrenaline and glucose (responsible for goose bumps — when tiny muscles attached to each hair on surface of skin tense up, the hairs are forced upright, pulling skin with them)
- smooth muscle relaxes in order to allow more oxygen into the lungs
- non-essential systems (like digestion and immune system) shut down to allow more energy for emergency functions
- trouble focusing on small tasks (brain is directed to focus only on big picture in order to determine where threat is coming from)
This system is built into our bodies to save us from real life-threatening situations—there is an animal about to attack or your child is about to step into the street. However, the problem arises when non-life threatening situations stimulate this response and it becomes the normal state of the body. Notice that “non-essential systems” like DIGESTION and IMMUNE FUNCTION shut down. This is fine for a very short period, but over days, weeks, months, it’s not good.
To read an article, based on western medicine, how these bodily functions can progress toward cancer, click here.
In contrast to the detrimental effects of toxic thoughts and emotions, peaceful thoughts help the Qi flow. Prayer and meditation assist the body even more by adding power to the natural flow of Qi. Deep, mindful breathing can correct the flow of Qi to all parts of the body. Deep breathing can actually move the state of the physical condition from fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) to rest, relax, heal (Parasympathetic Nervous System).
Beyond these helpful activities of prayer and meditation, moving the Qi with the specific postures, breath and intention of Qigong exercises has also been shown to be extremely beneficial in putting the body in a state of rest and calm. In addition, Qi emission therapy followed by homework exercises you carry out between sessions can move a person into a state of calm and relaxation while also moving stagnation, heat, cold and toxins. With Qi emission therapy, prescribed” homework” based on a particular condition can increase the effectiveness of the session. These “homework prescriptions” can include sounds, mantras, color and visualizations used in Chinese medicine for centuries to move stagnation and help the body restore homeostasis. As a trained Qigong therapist, I will teach you these prescriptions and work through them with you in the office. You will be able to repeat them at home as necessary.