AND TAI CHI
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Gong") and Tai Chi? How does it work?
Before addressing some of the health benefits of Qigong and Tai
Chi, it may be helpful to explain what physiological principles are at
play causing these positive reactions.
One of the pioneers in the study of the physiological effects of stress
on the human body was Dr. Herbert Benson, of Harvard Medical
School. His medical research concluded that when people
purposefully get into a deep state of relaxation (either through
meditation, hypnosis, prayer, yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, etc.) a
condition occurs that Dr. Benson and his colleagues called the
"Relaxation Response." This is in essence, the opposite of the "flight
or fight" emergency response that our nervous system activates
during periods of stress. The negative physiological and
psychological effects of stress are well documented. A recent article
in Newsweek magazine (September 27th, 2004) tells us that
between 60 to 90% of all doctor visits involve stress related
complaints. Common health problems that are often a result of
chronic stress include impaired memory, high blood pressure, a
weakened immune system, ulcers, skin problems, and digestive
disorders.
Qigong and Tai Chi (along with other forms of meditation) initiate in
the human body the "Relaxation Response." What are the effects
upon the body of this Relaxation Response?
When our nervous system is activated into a state of stress, a
hormone called "epinephrine," or more commonly known as
"adrenaline," is released into our system. This is done via our
"sympathetic nerves," or the "sympathetic function" of our autonomic
nervous system. When the Relaxation Response takes place, there
is a decrease in the sympathetic function of the autonomic nervous
system. This reduces the heart rate, blood pressure, dilates the
blood capillaries, and enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients
to the cells of the body.
Also affected by Qigong as it activates this Relaxation Response is
the neurotransmitter profile of our brain. Neurotransmitters, or as
they are sometimes called, "neurohormones" are information
molecules that bond with neuro-receptor sites located throughout the
body. Neurohormones like endorphines, dopamines,
norepinephrines, and serotonines (the neurohormone affected by the
prescription antidepressants "Prozac," "Paxil," and "Zoloft") are
sometimes referred to as the bodies "naturally produced morphines."
These "happy hormones" as they are sometimes jokingly called, are
increased and enhanced during this Relaxation Response. While
one is in this Relaxation Response state during Qigong and Tai Chi,
people often will not only feel peaceful and relaxed, but genuinely
"happy" or even at times, "euphoric." This is one of the reasons
Qigong is often recommended as an aid to depression and addiction
recovery. By altering our brains neurotransmitter profile, Qigong
"replicates" the effects of antidepressants, and the pleasant feelings
created by the substance used by the addict.
As Qigong and Tai Chi activate the Relaxation Response, this also
affects the brain wave patterns. During Qigong the brain waves shift
to more alpha, and sometimes theta brain wave patterns (those
associated with rest and relaxation), and have fewer of the
high-frequency beta waves. This shift to lower frequency brain wave
patterns is one of the main triggers for the body to increase the
production of "self-healing" neurotransmitters. In other words, this
deep state of mind-body relaxation activates the bodies own natural
self-healing and self-repairing mechanisms.
Besides Qigong and Tai Chi's ability to decrease heart rate and
blood pressure, enhance our immune system, reduce stress,
depression, and addictive cravings, it is also believed it may
coordinate and balance "right" and "left brain hemisphere"
dominance. This can promote a deeper sleep, reduce anxiety, and
often improve mental clarity.
Studies have demonstrated that Tai Chi can improve flexibility and
reduce the pain of joints afflicted by arthritis, if started early enough
from the onset of the condition. A famous research study found that
Tai Chi improved the balance of older people and thus reduces the
risk of falling, which is a major cause of disability and death among
the elderly. Preliminary studies have shown Tai Chi helps people
with Multiple Sclerosis by increasing physical functioning as well as
their mental well being.
Are Qigong and Tai Chi some sort of miracle "panacea" that
can "cure" everything? In a word, no. Nothing in the previous
paragraphs should be construed as some "promise" that conditions
will definitely be alleviated, or diseases "cured." We have simply
stated what research has shown that many people have experienced
as they practice Qigong and Tai Chi. Though most illness may be a
direct result of stress, not all are. Every person and their body is
different. People have very different reactions to prescription
medications because of the diversity of our health, physiology, and
conditions. It is no different when people try various mind-body
exercises; some have a radically positive effect, others have virtually
none.
But in contrast to prescription medications, Qigong and Tai Chi are
such mild exercises they have virtually no "side-effects." (Please do
not cease any prescribed medication without consulting your
physician! If a reduction of medication may be beneficial, this should
be done in conjunction with the advice of a medical professional).
Is it remarkable that these practices of Qigong and Tai Chi
should be so beneficial, oftentimes profoundly? Not at all.
Think of our bodies as an automobile. If a person were to drive
their cars without regularly checking the oil, water, and other "vital
fluids," the vehicle would soon breakdown. Why do we expect
anything different from our bodies? Qigong and Tai Chi (if done on
a consistent basis) is comparable to "vehicle maintenance." With
these ancient healing practices we are allowing the body to replenish
itself with rich oxygen, self-healing neurotransmitters, lymph fluid,
and (like an oil change) allowing the body to be more efficient in
eliminating itself of toxins and metabolic by-products, which are
expelled as we exhale the carbon dioxide of our breath. It is
common sense that taking some time out each day to relax, deep
breathe, and stretch with gentle movements would be beneficial.
This is why millions of people in Asia have (and still are) doing such
practices daily. Only recently have medical researchers and
physicians in the West been exploring these practices. As time goes
on, Western medical research is finally beginning to "catch up" with
the truth that Eastern societies have known for millenia; our health
is connected to our breath, which is connected to life, which is
connected to energy. Throughout history cultures worldwide have
known that--"breath = life = energy."
The practice of Medical Qigong and Tai Chi is firmly rooted in the
principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine ("TCM"). The ancient
Chinese medical books declared that a "good" doctor is one that
prevents a disease through wise counsel, not one that cures it after
the fact. Prevention and maintenance of good health is the holistic
approach favored by the TCM philosophy of health. Acupuncture,
which has become famous in the West and is now widely accepted,
is simply assisting externally (through needles in various meridian
points) that which Qigong does through the exercises and intent of
the practitioner; moving, enhancing, and balancing the movement of
Qi ("bio-electric energy") through the body. Qigong is simply
"acupuncture without needles" and without a TCM doctor.
At Self-Empowered Health Qigong/Tai Chi our goal is to equip
people with the tools they need to follow their own path to health
abundance; the wise path prescribed by Traditional Chinese
Medicine--"prevention is the best medicine." We firmly believe
that people have the right (and responsibility) to take charge of their
own health, to be proactive, and "self-empowered" in their quest for
greater health and well-being. Our mission is to assist people to
carry out that task through educating them about the simple,
beautiful, and sublimely powerful tools of Qigong and Tai Chi.
[NOTE: Much of the information above was taken from books and
articles by Dr. Roger Jahnke (O.M.D.)and Dr. Herbert Benson.]