Saturday, August 02, 2008

The Human Body and the Chinese Mind


I will be given three lectures at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum in Redding, California. This is coordinated with The Bodies Revealed Exhibit at Turtle Bay.

Tai Chi
Sundays, August 3, 10 & 17, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Michael Garofalo, M.S., Taijquan, Qigong and Yoga teacher, will lead three Tai Chi sessions. Sessions cover The Human Body and the Chinese Mind, Fitness Concepts in the Chinese Mind, and The Body and Mind Connection in the Chinese Mind. Includes take-home information.
Cost per session: members $10, nonmembers $15. Children are half price. Guarantee your place by prepaying for all three. To register, call 242-3108.
Turtle Bay Museum Classroom


Here is an outline of my first talk:

The Human Body and Chinese Mind

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Health Practices

Presented by Michael Garofalo, M.S.
Cloud Hands Website: http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/index.htm

August 3rd (Body), 10th (Mind) and 17th (Spirit), 2008, 10 – 11:30 am
Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum, Redding, California
Coordinated with the Bodies Revealed Exhibit

Qi or Chi, pronounced “Chee,” is a general term in Chinese referring to “energy,” and, more specifically, the energy that sustains life, keeps us alive, and provides us with strength and vitality. The Qi in our bodies moves or flows along meridians or channels inside of the body. Qi can be discovered, gathered, circulated, purified, directed, conserved, stored, transformed, dissolved, and transmitted. The Qi energy system is comparable to our vascular system moving blood (which carries glucose and oxygenated red blood cells) through arteries and veins; and, the bio-electrical impulses of our central nervous system which move in nerve fiber pathways to all parts of our bodies.

Traditional Chinese medicine used medical Qi theory, herbal and other natural medicines, massage, therapeutic exercise, rest, acupuncture, diet, Five Elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Metal) theory and Yin/Yang theory, and mental/social health practices to help people stay healthy and recover from illness and disease.


In addition to the internal organs of the body such as heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, stomach, etc., the traditional Chinese view included Qi storage areas (lower, middle and upper Dan Tien - Field of Elixir), Qi channels, and energy gates or Qi focal points (e.g, Bubbling Well on bottom of foot).

Qi Gong or Chi Kung is a method for training the body to improve and increase our Qi, which results in good health, well being, vitality, and long life. Gong means work, practice, routine, mastery, and skills. There are many styles of Qi Gong, and there is considerable writing and clear archeological evidence of Qi Gong practices in China before 250 BCE. Qi Gong has much in common with mind-body arts like yoga and tai chi chuan.


The Eight Section Brocade, Ba Duan Gin
Qi Gong
Exercise Set

1. Pressing the Heavens with Two Hands
Many Chinese healers believe that this exercise helps regulate and improve the heart, lungs, stomach, and spleen. It stimulates the internal organs in the upper trunk area. The Triple Warmer or Triple Burner (Sanjiao) refers to the heart, lungs, and stomach.

2. Wise Owl Gazes Backward
This exercise benefits the Qi in the lungs, large intestine, eyes and neck; as well as being a tonic for the entire immune system. It exercises the neck and eyes.

3. Draw the Bow and Let the Arrow Fly.
This exercise benefits the Qi in the kidneys and spleen. It exercises the arms, shoulders, waist, eyes, and legs.

4. Separating Heaven and Earth

This exercise benefits the Qi in the spleen and stomach. It exercises the shoulders and upper back.

5. Big Bear Turns from Side to Side

Most of the qigong and traditional Chinese medical literature says that this exercise benefits the heart, and gets rid of "heart fire." Exercising the lungs (metal) helps absorb the heat and control the fire, the heart fire - heartburn (Hsin For - heart fire). It exercises the waist, back, and legs.

6. Expel the Stale Chi, Punching with Angry Eyes

This exercise benefits the Qi in the liver and gallbladder. It exercises the legs, back, shoulders and arms.

7. Bouncing and Shaking the Body; Cure the 100 Ailments.
This exercise benefits the Qi in the entire body and is a tonic for the entire immune system. It exercises the legs and calves.

8. Bowing to Our Honorable Ancestors; Touching Toes and Bending Backwards.

This exercise benefits the Qi in the kidneys. It exercises the lower back, hips and legs.

Recommended Reading:

Kenneth S. Cohen, The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
Yang Jwing Ming, The Root of Chinese Chi Kung
Mike Garofalo, Eight Section Brocade, http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/esb.htm.
Books by Daniel Reid, Roger Jahnke, Bruce Kumar Frantzis, and Jerry Alan Johnson.


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