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Qigong is one of the main rivers of Traditional Chinese Medicine along with acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage. It is a Mind-Body system of exercise which offers effective self-care; truly Qigong’s practice of self-massage gives you health at your fingertips. Modern research collaborates its effectiveness too.

In this issue, I’d like to share 3 effective acupressure points on your hand: for headache and migraine relief; another  to help upper back and neck tension; and another for a healthy heart. As a bonus, these special points also fortify your immune system, increasingly important for staying healthy as we move into the fall cold and flu season.

First point is on the webbing between your thumb and first finger. With the end of your thumb, or curl the thumb of one hand inside its palm to use the knuckle knob of your thumb, massage near the top of the web. It may be a bit sore if you have a headache. Keep massaging and hold the pressure. You can massage this point daily for digestion and lung health maintenance.

Left is an image of second point, helpful for neck and shoulder tension, on the outer edge of your hands. Make a light fist and turn your palms face up,  knock the edges of your little fingers and palms together for 15 seconds. Third point is good for heart health. Pinching the end of your little finger, the end point of your heart meridian, stimulates the entire heart energy channel.

Is there one reason why you exercise? You probably have many reasons, I know I do. Movement is essential for life. Even in stillness of sleep and meditation, hearts beat regularly to circulate blood and  lungs circulate and process life-giving breath. Today’s modern lifestyle requires that most of us add an exercise regime to our schedules to insure getting sufficient daily movement to condition and tonify a healthy body.  Even Albert Einstein was famous for pacing on his favorite rug while working through complex equations and taking long walks.

Within gigong’s ancient system, movement is only one part of exercise. Stillness is another. While in a stationary pose the practitioner’s intent is to cultivate the flow of Qi, that invisible life force energy, circulating within and without. To insure an efficient flow of Qi the practitioner needs to completely relax, let go and allow Qi to flow. It’s believed  that stagnant or stuck Qi causes disease, and flowing Qi generates good health.

Another motivating reason to exercise is for self-care. Qigong and Tai Chi successfully manage stress. Practitioners learn to move through tension, tightness and resistance. We focus on where we are holding tension and relax through breathing and subtle movement. It sounds more complicated than it is; others say it sounds simpler than it is. In my experience it’s both. As we learn to sense the flow of Qi in our bodies,  we gain an effective tool to dissolve stressors before these create an irritating, or chronic, condition. Even arthritis, especially the pain, can be managed by doing regular qigong exercises and self-massage.

Best of all, no special props or tools are needed to do qigong. You can take your practice traveling, to the office – anywhere! Subscribe to this Blog, schedule a Skype session and check out my Vimeo channel online.If you live in Orange County join one of my classes and Keep Moving with Qigong!!