MEDICAL QIGONG (Donghan Daoist Qigong)
What is Qigong:
In Oriental Medicine, the basic principle in leading a healthy and fulfilling life is the balance of Qi, which is “life energy”. One way in which this can be achieved is through the practice of Qigong, the art of exercising the flow of qi throughout the body’s meridians (energy channels). Qigong combines all the benefits of resistance and stretching exercises. However, unlike other forms of resistance exercises, Medical Qigong (DongHan Daoist Qigong) stresses the importance of a “push and pull” concept to improve the overall balance of the muscles. Starting from over 5 000 years ago, Qigong has been used to improve posture, balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility and an overall good health and quality of life.
How can Qigong be beneficial to my health?
Simple everyday activities can bring along with them, stress and muscle tension, both of which are severely detrimental to the health. Qigong relieves muscle tension and restores the balance in one’s body by facilitating the flow of energy throughout the body. The flow of energy not only relieves tension; it also strengthens the bones, makes the joints healthier, and increases blood circulation. During Medical Qigong the body is subject to a variety of challenging positions and breathe work. These challenging positions utilize a wide array of different muscle groups as well as stimulate the bone marrow of the bones as the muscles contract. As the bone marrow is stimulated to increase the body’s cell count, the immune system is also strengthened. Lastly, as energy and blood flow become smoother, aging is slowed down and in some cases, reversed.
Medical Qigong at Eastern Scholar Acupuncture
At Eastern Scholar Acupuncture, we stress the importance of our patients’ ability to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle out of the clinic as part of our treatments. Therefore, during our Daoist Qigong class our patients learn a number of different Qigong forms and exercises that not only offer a workout for those who don’t regularly have time to exercise but also balance, strengthen and help regulate the body’s “Qi” (energy).
Ek Ong Kar (meditation class)
Ek Ong Kar means One Energy created The Creation. Sat means ¡°truth¡± and Nam means ¡°identity of life¡±. Siri means ¡°great beyond description¡± and Wahe Guru means ¡°WOW! Infinite light comes from infinite darkness,¡± the reality of the Cosmos.
The Ashtang Mantra
Chant this mantra to focus, structure, discipline and empower the mind.
Begin by taking a full breath and chant
Ek Ong Kar
Take another full breath and Chant
Sat Nam Siri
Now take a half breath and Chant
Wha-hey Guru
Take another full breath and begin the mantra again.
This is an eight (Ashtang) beat mantra. 8 is the symbol of the human 0 ¡°below¡± meeting the unending-ness 0 ¡°above¡± in Sacred Numerology. That is the symbology of the figure 8 (the big wheel turning the little wheel). Lay it on its side and it becomes the sign of infinity.
The conscious mind relates to words and meanings. The sub-and higher-conscious minds which make up 95% of our mental body-relate to the symbols of imagery, and the sounds of melodies (ragas) and rhythms (taals). This is why art and music can move us at levels far deeper than any words can.
By chanting-over and over-the rhythmic sequence of these eight sound-beats the minds entrain with its connection to infinity. There is a layering effect over the time that one chants this mantra, and eventually the big wheel of the unending-ness runs the little wheel of self.
Kendo 
A typical kendo practice involves learning proper etiquette, striking dummy targets with bamboo sword, and sparring with each other with full armor on. The philosophy of kendo says, ¡°My sword is controlled by my body, my body is controlled by my mind, and my mind is controlled by my opponent¡¯s mind.¡± This means the discipline of kendo goes beyond a simple physical training. As you train your body consistently, your mind gets refined. As your mind gets refined, it overcomes emotional limitations and takes control of your physical capacity. In kendo, such harmonious tuning between your mind and body allows you to cut through his or her opponent in lightning speed without any hesitation. However, as it is implied in the third phrase of the abovementioned philosophy of kendo, practicing kendo does not simply stop at individual achievement. There¡¯s another philosophy of kendo that says ¡°Knowing love in exchange of swords¡± (ÎßËüò±äñ). From a simple foot step to an angle of striking a sword, one¡¯s style of practicing sword reflects his or her personality and level of discipline. Therefore, as you exchange swords with a truly refined swordsmanship, you naturally develop respect for that person¡¯s personality and his level of discipline. Exchange of swords is exchange of character and energy (Ѩ). This is why it is very important that you are trained by a good teacher. A great master fills in your empty mind and allows you to face and defeat your ignorance.
Medical benefit
When taught properly, Kendo is also enormously beneficial to your overall health¡¦
* Aspects of kendo that improves health
* Strict postures
* Strengthening of the entire body, especially lower body and waist
* Strengthening nerves
* Stress release from yelling
* Qi management
