Seek for Overall Wellbeing

Many chronic health problems develop over time. During the course of this development we have chance of getting sicker or getting better, depending on what we do.

Main elements that affect our health can be summarized as following:

- Immune system
- Mental strength
- Physical strength
- Nutrition
- Environment
- Lifestyle

Taking control of above elements with good understanding, and trying to improve in a steady and balanced way will lead us to a better health status.

When we go through physical checkup or screening exams, and experience doubtful or questionable reports, don’t panic, because panic will only serve to decrease your immune system defense, and bring down your mental and physical strength.

The best option is to go through above elements and check one by one. Find out the possible causing reasons, and make positive changes accordingly. Take physical checkup again after three months. If problem reports persist, seek for medical help. The chances are, in many cases, you are already on the way to improve. In that case, keep up the good work.

I found a simple solution to prevent and improve many health issues. Use BarleyLife, powder of young barley leaves, as the basic food supplement. It quenches the thirst of our cells, and satisfies our basic nutrition needs. It helped myself since 1994. I truly believe this is a simple solution for an overall wellbeing.

World Tai Chi & QiGong Day

On April 25, 2009, the 11th World Tai Chi & QiGong Day will take place in over 60 countries around the world. You can be part of this global event by joining me this Saturday afternoon at 1:30 in the open area outside the Long Branch Community Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.

This annual event was created in 1999 to promote Tai Chi and Qigong and has been held on the last Saturday of April each year. The annual event is open to the general public, and begins in the earliest time zones of New Zealand at 10 am, and then participants across Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America take part, with celebrations in sixty nations and several hundred cities, ending with the final events in the last time zones of Hawaii almost an entire day later. Celebrations include mass Tai Chi Chuan and qigong exhibitions in many cities, and free classes in most participating cities.  If you are interested, please join me at this event, or join the following Tai Chi classes:

- Long Branch Community Center, Thursdays, 7:30pm (ongoing free class)
- Langley Park Comminity Center, Saturdays (registration needed)

Go Nuts

Nuts contain important nutrients that are good for our heart. Some studies show that people who eat nuts regularly are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. According to recent clinical trials, consuming various nuts such as almond, pecan and walnut can lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Scientists believe that nuts contain various substances that possess cardio-protective effects such as omega 3 fatty acids. Eat a handful of mixed nuts a day, either added to meals or for snack, can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Almond is a rich natural source of vitamin E. Almonds are known to help lower LDL cholesterol when consumed in a healthy way. They are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health-promoting fats as found in olive oil. Almond is a good ingredient for low-carbohydate or carbohydrate-restricted diet. Almond flour is gluten-free which is good for gluten-sentitive people or those who suffer from wheat allergies.

Pecan is a good source of protein and a good low unsaturated fat source of vitamin E. The antioxidants and plant sterols found in pecans can reduce LDL cholesterol levels. A clinical research found that eating a handful of pecans each day may help lower cholesterol levels similar to what is often seen with cholesterol-lowering medications. Consuming nuts regularly can also help lower the risk of gallstones in women.

Walnut is a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Its health benefits range from cardiovascular protection, to the promotion of better brain function, to anti-inflammatory benefits for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. An antioxidant "ellagic acid" found in walnuts supports the immune system. In one study, the participants followed walnut-rich diet were found to have lowered LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) ("lipoprotein a" is a lipid compound that increases blood clotting).

Start your handful of nuts this weekend, and let me know if you feel better.

Natural Form of Nutrition

In a commercial society as we live, the food industry would promote products that bring profit. Nowadays, you may find co-Q10, green tea, Omega 3 fatty acid, polyphenols, etc., whatever is hot, are being "added" to many products in the market.

As our human knowledge about nature is very limited, there are many things we cannot fully understand. We can break down a piece of tea leave and analyze its chemical components, but we cannot put those chemicals together and form a piece of tea leave!

What we really need are the natural forms of these beneficial properties that the nature provides, or the forms that are kept less tempered. We need nutrition supplements that can be fully absorbed and digested by the body.

If supplements are not fully absorbed and digested by the body, they may actually cause potential health problems, such as kidney stone or joint pain.

Get closer to nature. Get natural form of nutrition.

Live Wisely and Meridian Channels

The body heals, not the medicine, not the medical equipment. No matter how much medicine we pour into a dead person, it will not work. Because the healing mechanism is with us when we are alive. This is beyond the current medical science can explain. The ancient people figured out wise ways to work with this natural healing mechanism which still work up to this day.

We must not treat our body as a machine. Rather, we should treat it as an extremely highly intelligent being. Having this kind of understanding in mind, we will not try to temper with any part of our body with our shallow knowledge, but try to understand its unique operation as a whole and cope with it according to its natural way.

Tai Chi and QiGong are along this line of Chinese traditional medicine theory to help the body to heal naturally. According to this theory, the blood and energy supply focus on different meridian channels during the 12 time zones of a day. Each pair of related two channels work together to keep a balance.

子zi 11:00pm-1:00am--Gall Bladder Channel
丑chou 1:00-3:00am--Liver Channel

寅yin 3:00-5:00am--Lung Channel
卯mou 5:00-7:00am--Large Intestine Channel

辰chen 7:00-9:00am--Stomach Channel
巳si 9:00-11:00am--Spleen Channel

午wu 11:00am-1:00pm--Heart Channel
未wei 1:00-3:00pm--Small Intestine Channel

申shen 3:00-5:00pm--Bladder Channel
酉you 5:00-7:00pm--Kidney Channel

戌xu 7:00-9:00pm--Pericardium Channel(心包经)
亥hai 9:00-11:00pm--Triple Heater Channel(三焦经)

Tai Chi and Longevity

Tai Chi and QiGong work on the Qi flow along the channels that associate with our internal organs. They can offer theraputic effects if practiced correctly. Many examples in history proved that Tai Chi and QiGong effectively helped the weak to become strong and the sick to heal. It is a proven effective tool leading to a healthy and quality life.

Grandmaster WU Tunan (吴图南) lived 104 years (1885-1989). He was a sick boy when he was yong. His parents sent him to learn Tai Chi when he was nine years old. Later he taught marshall arts at schools and universities and became a well-known researcher in this field. One of his research subjects was longevity through Tai Chi and QiGong. He shared his experience at his 100-year birthday celebration. He said that he lived a full and quality life because of Tai Chi.

Please check out this link-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRj4aqLsu8

Pathways of Healing

When we practice Tai Chi and QiGong for health and healing, it is important to understand the traditional Chinese meridians or channels (经络) which are know as pathways of energy flow. Through practice, we are able to focus the Qi and send it along the pathways for healing and releasing discomfort.

There are twelve primary channels(十二正经) that are related to internal organs. Six can be found on the arms and the other six can be found on the legs. During our practice we stimulate these channels to improve the energy flow through our internal organs.

The channels on the arms are related to heart, pericardium(心包), lungs, large intestine, small intestine, and the trunk of the body which is know as SanJiao(三焦).

The channels on the legs are related to liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, gall bladder, and bladder.

If you can't remember their locations, simply pat along your arms and legs in the morning after you get up and in the evening before you go to bed. You may add a third time during the day while you watch television or listen to music. You will feel good and it IS good for your health.

Tai Chi for Healthy and Quality Life

As we enter the new year of 2009, I would like to make a new year resolution that I make more efforts in promoting Tai Chi for healthy and quality life for the communities. Much need to be done in the following areas:

- Tai Chi for busy people to release pressure
- Tai Chi for seniors to strengthen balance and flexibility
- Special instructions for wheelchair Tai Chi
- Understand and work with Chinese Meridian (经络)
- Practice Qi(气) and use it for healing
- Push Hands (推手) for health and healing

In addition to the current classes, individual appointment will be available after May 2009. Please send email to nanxwang@gmail.com

Centering and Rooting

Centering and rooting are two key elements in practicing Tai Chi and Push Hands. Even if you practice Tai Chi only for improving health, and do not have intention to get into combating, it is essential to understand the importance of centering and rooting. They are the basic elements to insure proper Qi flow.

Tai Chi is a set of movements based on marshal arts. It is designed to give people templates or drills for applications. It trains the body to follow certain routine movements to deal with certain situation. The essence of Tai Chi vs. other type of hard marshal arts is that it suggests people not to attack first. But once defending action is taken, act fast and smart by using internal power (Qi). Centering and rooting are the two things we practice to accumulate the Qi.

Once the Qi is accumulated, it can be used to strengthen ourselves, to improve energy level, and to release pain. It is a natural and effective way of healing.

Heng and Ha

Heng(哼)and Ha(哈)are the two sounds when practicing pre-birth Qi(先天气)which is a higher level of Tai Chi QiGong. When one established routine practice of basic Tai Chi QiGong, it might be time to make one step forward. Pre-birth QiGong will lead you to a whole new level.

Heng-and-Ha practice was kept as a secret in Chen’s family. They did this practice in the middle of the night when they believed it was the best time to boost up the Qi. Those of you who had experience of Heng-and-Ha with me in Tai Chi class may recall the strong feeling after a short practice.

Heng-and-Ha is a key step in practicing pre-birth Qi(先天气)which is also known as Dan-Tian-Qi(丹田气), Nei-Qi(内气), or Zhen-Qi(真气). When say Heng, we inhale while the lower abdomen going inward. When say Ha, we exhale while the lower abdomen going outward. It is helpful to practice with movements. One should be relaxed and follow the body's natural way of breathing when first start practicing this type of QiGong. It takes time to train the body, and one should not rush.

This practice is not for beginners, and it is not for those who have pre-conditions of health concerns.

Honey

Honey is well known for its many health benefit properties. A hot honey drink mixed with lemon juice is so soothing and refreshing. It is a good home remedy for the flu season.

Honey is also good for skin when used externally. It helps the wound to heal, and it prevents the sun and wind damage from out door activities. It is especially good for dry skin. Here is a facial recipe that I have put together for myself. I would like to share it with you.

½ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon BarlyLife®
1 teaspoon milk
Mix well and apply to clean face, let it stay for 1 hour
Use wet fingers to massage in circular motion
Wash off and apply lotion

If you have some house chores to do, put on this facial, turn on your favorite music; while the house chores are done, your facial is done. It doesn't cost a dime and it’s all natural!

Natural Cleansing

Our body has natural ability to clean itself internally to get rid of the old and absorb the new. Periodically, we experience flue-like or allergy-like symptoms, which could be part of our body's cleansing process. This process removes the toxins within our body that could be generated as a result of metabolism.

If we observe closely, we might notice that virus infection usually has fever, while cleansing process doesn't. If you started a program to improve your health, very likely you might experience some sort of cleansing process. The symptoms usually start from your weak link of the body.

It is important to manage the cleansing process with plenty of rest, light food, alkaline water, hot bath and moderate outdoor exercise.

Feel free to call Nan for a free health consultation.

Prevent Cancer

We all have cancer cells in our body. When our inner environment is healthy, cancer cells cannot develop. However, if our inner environment is not healthy, the cancer cells may grow wild. Out of many right things we should do, we need to remember two key words: alkaline and oxygen. In today’s blog, we talk about oxygen.

Dr. Otto Warburg won Nobel Prize in 1931 for proving cancer is caused by a lack of oxygen respiration in cells. He said “the cause of cancer is no longer a mystery, we know it occurs whenever any cell is denied 60% of its oxygen requirements”.

While low level of oxygen in cells may be caused by different reasons, we can always find a simple solution to address them all—Tai Chi and QiGong.

It is my personal experience in practicing Tai Chi and QiGong that the level of energy and health improvement is beyond anything else I did. Because this practice can effectively provide cells with basic needs—oxygen.

Push Hands

Push Hands in Chinese is 推手(tui shou). It is an important practice in learning Tai Chi. Some call it the gateway to understand the martial aspects of Tai Chi, or the application of Tai Chi.

Like the movements of Tai Chi Chuan, Push Hands is also a kind of template or drills to facilitate the practitioners in daily exercise. Over the years, people summarized different kinds of techniques into a set of routine drills. Each drill can be used individually for two people to practice together.

During push hands practice, two people keep their hands touched and feel about each other's power and intention; and use different techniques to neutralize the opposite power. It looks like combating in a peaceful way.

Nan will soon start teaching push hands at Langley Park Community Center. Please contact the Center directly for class details.

Tai Chi QiGong

Qi in Chinese is 气 (chi). The basic meaning of Qi is air. The extended meaning of Qi in practicing QiGong (breathing exercise) is energy or life force.

The ancient people believed that we all have original Qi stored at DanTian area (lower abdomen) at birth. When we grow up to 25 or so, the natural Qi comes to it’s peak and starts to decline. By practicing QiGong we are able to halt or slowdown this aging process.

There are thousands of QiGong styles in China. Not all are safe to practice. Most need close guidance when practicing. Tai Chi QiGong is one of the few styles that are safe to practice following the basic instructions.

QiGong practice is an important part of all my Tai Chi classes. Or we can say, without QiGong, Tai Chi is not really Tai Chi. QiGong is the core of this internal exercise.

I suggest practicing QiGong 3 times a day—in the morning, in the evening, and during the day, 20 minutes each time. It’s not a day’s work. It takes years of practice to regain this life energy.

Come to Nan’s classes for personal instructions.

Breathe Deep

Most of us breathe without much awareness. In other words, we are passively breathing whatever way the body is doing. Most of the time, shallow breathing.

Through practicing QiGong (breathing exercise), we can make the breathing slower and deeper. As a result, we will be able to bring much more oxygen into our blood stream, down to each cell.

When first start practicing, follow your body’s natural capacity, or natural breathing. Then focus on DanTian (lower abdomen) breathing. Three times a day, 5-20 minutes each time. This is to get your body prepared for the next step.

Then you may start to practice holding the breath. Inhale–hold–exhale. Hold for 2-4 seconds. It has to be gentle. Don’t force it.

Before you practicing, I suggest you measure the number of breath per minute (count inhale and exhale as one). Most people count 6–8 per minute. Measure again after 6 months of practice. You may be surprised how much you can improve after practicing QiGong.

For personal instructions, come to Nan’s Tai Chi classes at Long Branch Community Center (Thursday evenings) and Langley Park Community Center (Saturday mornings).

Keep Body Environment Alkaline

Human body has a narrow range pH level of 7.35-7.45 which is slightly alkaline.

pH (potential of Hydrogen) has a measurement scale of 0-14. Above 7.0 is alkaline and below 7.0 is acidic. Most fruit and vegetables are alkaline and meats are acidic. Stress and sadness acidify the body. When the body environment becomes acidic, we get sick.

How to keep our body environment alkaline? Here are a few steps to follow:

1. Be happy (Sad tears are toxic)
2. Eat alkaline food as much as possible
3. Drink alkaline juice: BarleyLife® and LeafGreens®
4. Drink alkaline water: ABOVA® ORP Water
5. Do Tai Chi and QiGong every day

Ask Nan for a free health consultation.

Chew Your Food

“Chew your food.” Mom always said. Chewing is the foundation of a good health. It is not just breaking the food, it combines food with enzymes released in saliva and it activates the enzymes in the fruit and vegetables we eat.

Hospital pureed food looks so nice, and it is easy to take. However, the patients are not fully assimilating the nutrients because chewing is missing. The enzymes in the saliva are not well mixed with the food. Some data says, we produce a liter or more of saliva every day. We need to bring out it’s full benefit to our digestion system.

We spend a lot of money buying food, and spend a lot of time cooking. But we often forget to spend time chewing the food. Chewing is where good health begins.

Ask Nan about PrepZymes® if you have digestive concerns.

Help Our Body to Fight

Do you know we have many fighters in our body. They are called phagocytes. They eat foreign things, such as bacteria, virus, or dead cells. When they are active, our body is clean, we feel clear-minded and energetic. When they are not active, we feel drowsy, cloudy-headed, and tired.

How do we keep the phagocytes active? Phagocytes are like little babies. When they are not hungry, they don’t like to eat. Some Chinese cancer researchers made experiments and found out, when we feel hungry, that’s the time when the phagocytes are active.

Now we understand why the old saying goes like, do not eat too full, eat 70-80% is good for our health. Let’s give it a try and help our body to fight effectively.