Qigong outdoors

ACT I

SCENE 1

Scene: Dusk, late summer. Parking lot of Greenlife grocery store on Merrimon.

(A BUSKER is plucking a Bass Guitar and tapping a Tambourine with his foot; a groovy funk line.  LEE is strolling towards the entrance and pauses to say hello to a FRIEND. They give each other a warm hug.)

LEE’S FRIEND

“Wow Lee, something seems different; what is it?”

LEE

Qigong! I feel great!

LEE’S FRIEND

(Lee’s friend nods and smiles)

I gotta Do It!

THE END…Or is it the beginning???

QIGONG SESSIONS

Monday Evenings

6:30 pm

382 Montford Avenue (Gatehouse in back of main building)

Led by Daoist Traditions Students.

Free to the public.

++++++++++++++++++++

ACT I

SCENE 2

(LEE blog’s & posts the most excellent info on Qigong.

To spread the word to all the land

where they all live healthily & happily ever after!)

National Qigong Association
Promoting Health Through Breath, Movement and Intention

Please visit this website -

http://nqa.org/resources/what-is-qigong/

Just a sample from their home page:

“Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.

The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.

The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.

Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions.”

(LEE thinks aloud to herself)

LEE

There are no ends, only beginnings!

….

Just about everyone who is “Walking Upright” will experience strain or fatigue in the neck and shoulder region.  If you float in the ocean most of your day, then probably not so much, but for the rest of us animals we must develop remedies for this chronic tendency.  Sitting, standing, driving, slouching, computers, looking cool…your body was just not evolved to perform these tasks repeatedly.

I call it “Walking Upright Syndrome”.

Try to incorporate this single stretch into your day,

2 – 3 times a day for 20 – 30 seconds and see what a difference it can make:

The Swan Dive Stretch

Stand in a door frame; place your hands on both sides of the door frame approximately in line with your shoulders.  Gently step through the doorway, allowing your shoulders to relax back.  Your shoulder blades should slightly collapse together.  This is not a plank or push up; instead you are stepping one step through the doorway. Experiment with your hand placement.  Higher up on the doorframe or even above your head will stretch different fibers of the pectoral muscle group on your chest which you are stretching here.  You are trying to lengthen the pectorals that get shortened from chronic postural habits and activity.  You want to take the workload off of the shoulder and neck muscles that are not designed do all the work that we are demanding of them.

*Secret key to success with stretches*

Extend the stretch until just before it would be uncomfortable, and hold it for 20 – 30 seconds.

FIGHT GRAVITY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD – STRRRETCH!

*Note of Caution: This exercise is meant to be gentle, preventive care and not to replace assessment and / or treatment of a condition by a doctor.  If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, or limits in your range of motion, dizziness, headache, nausea, or generally any new symptom  prior to this stretch, consult a doctor before performing this stretch.

BUY LOCAL IN ASHEVILLE GET 10 MINUTES EXTRA MASSAGE FREE*

I am a big fan of the Asheville Buy Local movement that is making waves here in town.  I want to do what I can to encourage this trend.  So I came up with an idea!  All you have to do is purchase anything from a locally owned business in Asheville and I will add 10 minutes to your massage session at Adorn Salon and Boutique in Downtown Asheville, North Carolina.  Please do mention the purchase when you book your massage, and please bring your local receipt in with you as proof of your local purchase.  Gift Certificates available!

828-225-8828

58 College Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Photo from "Massagetoday.com"

I offer massage cupping therapy in my practice and many people are unfamiliar with this ancient remedy.  It is still commonly practiced in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and was used often by our great grandparents with plain old tea cups from the cupboard.  This traditional technique was also taught and practiced for centuries in various parts of Western Europe and is still as effective as ever in treating muscle soreness and stubborn knots in muscles.  It is also reportedly used to decrease the appearance of cellulite, however I have not experimented with this myself.  (I would make an excellent test subject!)  I can say, I have been amazed at the response from clients who have come in for just a “spot treatment” for 15 minutes and walk out with complete relief.  I often like to  share well written pieces from reputable sources on subjects rather than simply paraphrase what they have put so succinctly.  A lovely brief write up on this technique is on the Massage Today website.  I have posted the link.

www.massagetoday.com

Come in for a spot treatment or request it during your regular massage session.  Call 828-225-8828.

mmmMassage…Goood!   Thanks for reading*

For those interested in more reading on the history of this technique, you can find info and even classes at

Health Traditions.comau.

Photo from Health Traditions website*

“Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep!”  It feels good to get validation from a major source such as the New York Times.  This article in particular puts extra perk to my stride because the evidence stated is  done by none other than Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles by self described physician “skeptics”.  The article in New York Times speaks clearly for itself.  Massage continues to build momentum as a valid investment in health care and prevention.  Key word here Prevention! which is the real future of health care reform.  Join in the new paradigm and reduce stress without pills and get a massage! Huzzah!!

Today the question was posed, “…do I treat the Anterior Thorax?”

My answer is without a doubt – “Yes, always!” The tendency for all of us that “Walk Upright” to develop tension and muscle shortening in the Pectorals, Serratus Anterior, and Subclavius is extremely common. This puts an extra strain on the back and neck muscles to hold your upper body and head up. This causes the back and neck muscles to become fatigued and painful from doing extra duty. The key to relieving the neck and back pain is to also release the anterior muscles which have become shortened from posture, sitting, repetitive activity and that old friend gravity.  I also include the abdominal muscle groups to balance the entire core. I find this approach most effective. Excellent reference to the mentioned anatomy is here; I like keeping it as a reference for myself you might find it helpful too.
www.theodora.com/anatomy/the_muscles_connecting_the_upper_extremity_to_the_anterior_and_l.html

Really?!  I insist you will enjoy this video.  This is amazing!  Such great technique!  This elephant has genuine affection and care for her client; watch how she helps her up after the treatment!!  Love this*  Have a great weekend everyone.
Much cheer!!

Click on the link below…

Elephant massage girl

Add Dry Brushing to Your Massage Session
at
Adorn Salon & Boutique
Keep the Brush & Continue Your
Skin Brushing Regime At Home

Cleanse the lymphatic system
Reduce appearance of cellulite
Remove dead skin layers
Strengthen the immune system
Stimulate the hormone and oil-producing glands
Tighten the skin preventing premature aging
Tone the muscles
Stimulate circulation
Improve the function of the nervous system
Help digestion
AND it’s easy, inexpensive and invigorating!

• The skin is the largest eliminative organ in the body and is responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day.
• The skin eliminates over one pound of waste acids each day in the average adult, most of it through the sweat glands.
• The skin is known also as our third kidney.
• The skin receives one third of all the blood circulated in the body.
• The skin is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet one of the first to show signs of imbalance or deficiency.

Dry Brushing was recommended by the Finnish Dr., Paavo Airola for his patients 30 years ago and is still popular in European spas and many cancer treatment centers today. The Russians, Turks and Scandinavians have used this treatment for centuries.

There are so many consequences to the habit of the human form walking upright.  We are inundated by earth’s gravity every second of our lives. First remedy of choice..float in water all day!  If that is not an option, a little simple structural analysis and regular massage may be a remedy that can transform your life.  Many chronic aches and pains of life are treated effectively with massage, and yet massage is considered a Birthday treat or a luxury gift for Valentine’s Day.   I recommend monthly massage to my friends, family, and clients.  A therapeutic massage that includes lengthening the muscles that have shortened over the years of fighting gravity to remain vertical.  These most often include the pectoral chest muscles, the abdominal muscles, and many others that are accessed from the FRONT of your core.  It’s not just love that makes you feel like a puppet on a string.   Gravity’s grace has a wild side.   Let’s work with it!   Put massage in your life.  Make it a part of your preventive health routine.  Also, float in the ocean every chance you get!

Thai Yoga Bodywork

*photo from Lotus Palm School of Thai Yoga Massage-www.lotuspalm.com

Many are intimidated by the exotic name, Thai Yoga Bodywork, but it is one of the most down-to-earth types of bodywork I have ever experienced.  It is performed on a mat on the floor while you remain clothed, preferably in loose fitting clothes like what you would wear to the gym or yoga class.  The treatment includes rhythmic compressions (like kneading dough), along energetic lines and acupoints (pressure points) referred to as Sen lines, and passive yoga stretches.  It is referred to as Thai Yoga Bodywork for these reasons.  It does a wonderful job of releasing tight muscles and achieving overall relaxation but also opens up the joint capsules and helps return adequate blood flow deep into the joints and tendons.

The most frequent descriptions immediately following a treatment is feeling deep relaxation, improved body alignment, and feeling fully energized, instead of groggy or sleepy.  The results are like getting a Deep Tissue massage without the pain!

Does Thai Massage hurt?

The massage works deeply, but there is no health benefit from causing you to cringe in pain during a treatment; in fact we will be trying to release knotted muscle fibers, not cause them to shrink up to protect against an attack.  The compressions begin gently, then gradually work deeper and slower to release the bound up tissues that are causing discomfort, thereby thwarting chronic pain and dysfunction.  The passive stretches are tailored to your individual range of motion and comfort and stops just before we cross that pain threshold.  The usual immediate reaction during a stretch is “AAhhhhhh yes!”

Thai Massage is Natural Preventive Medicine!

In Thailand, children would do “Thai massage” for their parents who performed hard labor just so they could get up and go to work the next day without injury.  Thai Yoga Bodywork can prevent injury from developing due to overuse and repetitive actions of muscles.  This Bodywork is actually a branch of medicine in Thailand that is estimated to be more than 2,500 years old and migrated to Thailand from India and China.

I recommend a fascinating article that describes it beautifully in Massage & Bodywork Magazine by Perry Garfinkel, entitled “Thailand Reclaims Its Ancient Medicinal Roots”.

Thai massage can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone including children and seniors. It is ideal therapeutic work for athletes to improve their muscle recovery after events and while training to improve alignment, endurance, and flexibility.

Life is a sport! Thai Yoga Bodywork can aid in meeting every challenge.

If you live in, or are visiting Asheville, then sign up for a Thai Massage at

Adorn Salon & Boutique in the heart of Downtown Asheville:

58 College Street

Asheville, NC 28801

828.225.8828

www.adornsalonandboutique.com