WELLNESS & LONGEVITY MOVEMENT

Many programs are offered through books, E-books, videos, DVDs, workshops, etc. on Tai chi but there is no comparison to learning from a real master over time. Much is lost when attempting to learn from these methods.This instruction, typically, provides enhancement to the seasoned martial artist who is already familiar with the form and linking steps. Nevertheless, a good Tai chi video can assist Tai chi instruction but replace the specific training offered by a Tai chi master. Additionally, serious injury can be avoided when learning the correct way to enjoying a great and ancient discipline. I humbly encourage all to find out why and how to practice this art in order to truely receive life-sustaining benefits.

“From experience, I have learned that it is better to learn a few moves well rather than many superficially. The essence of tai chi can be found in just one move.”

TAI CHI CHUAN  

Pure Natural Energy & Healing From Within

Over time Tai Chi takes root and imbues youthfulness where once the hardness of aging withered all chances for longevity. The ancient art of tai chi softens the sinews as concentration on the “chi” rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit.

Dating back to the 14th century, Yang Style Tai Chi seeks health in moderation. Health and balance is achieved by forming body movements that are not extreme but gentle and cleansing. Yang style tai chi developed from Chen style tai chi which began in the 13th century. Wu, Hao and Sun style tai chi followed adding their valuable contributions to the internal martial arts in 1800s. These are the five main families where tai chi was cultivated.

“Life exists because qi is amassed, when qi is dispersed, one dies.” — Zhuang Zi, ancient Chinese philosopher

TAI CHI HEALTH BENEFITS 

Tai Chi is an exercise program that uses a sequence of precise body movements, meditation, and synchronized breathing to improve health and well-being. Tai chi movements are designed to express the yin and yang components that are fundamental to Chinese medicine in a balanced and harmonious form. Like most moderate physical activities, tai chi can improve:

• stamina
• muscle tone
• agility
• flexibility
• strength
• pain alleviation

The practice of breathing exercises may serve a meditative function to reduce stress.

Clinical studies show that tai chi is effective for:

• slowing bone loss in early postmenopausal women
• improved physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis
• increases the range of motion in the lower limbs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
• improves aerobic capacity in sedentary adults
• reduced hypertension and lipid profile in hypertensive individuals
• improved sleep in elderly individuals
• significant improvement in symptom management and quality of life for patients suffering from chronic heart failure, fibromyalgia and breast cancer

 The adept practitioner learns to receive the energy or “chi” from below, above and beside him or her. This reception is free, elevating and life sustaining. While the enterpretation of this phenomena is varied, nevertheless, the experience is greatly welcomed.    Sifu Mark Hammer  

The Secrets of Longevity have been a quest by many people for aeons of time.There world longevity centers of the population such as Korea, Japan and China and specific pockets of people such as the Vilcambas (Andes), Hunzas (Pakistani Himalayas), Georgians and Abkhasians. Researchers tracking cultures living the longest have found that its not unusual for these peoples to live a life of quality. Work and play beyond 80 years and beyond is typical. A majority, attain 100 years remaining active and honored by all they live with. Here are the longevity habits of these people. 

THE 7 PILLARS TO A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE

  1. SLEEP

Sleep more, age less…Sleep is not an optional activity. Life’s essential, sleep is a valuable treasure and should not be taken for granted.

Any book dedicated to the topic of aging will cite the necessity for enough sleep, which is 7-9 hours.

There is a strong relationship between deep sleep and the release of Growth Hormone. It is during sleep that adults secrete the greatest amount of HGH.

Sleep disturbances usually stem from 1) deficient adrenals and kidneys (need energy to sleep), 2) high blood pressure spike at 3AM, 3) damp-obstruction in the throat (blocks airways) snoring, semi-wakefulness , 4) excess heat rising from the liver which causes alert status, head heat and headache and 5) excess urination which wakes the person thus not allowing deep REM sleep

2. STRESS REDUCTION

You cannot deny the health benefits of stress reduction.

Effective stress management strategies wards off disease and symptoms of aging.

Dr. Paul E. Lemanski (Albany Medical College( writes, ‘Stress causes the release of ‘fight or flight’ hormones which increase blood flow to our large muscles, increase our heart rate, respirations and blood pressure, and decreases blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract including the saliva glands.

Sleep disturbances usually stem from 1) high blood pressure spiking at 3AM,  2) Deficient adrenals and kidneys (need energy to sleep), 3)  

3. EXERCISE

In ’Successful Aging’ (1998) a study on aging in America, which had begin in 1987, showed that almost all healthy seniors had been physically active throughout their life.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a well-known proponent of alternative or complementary medicine and the author of, ‘Healthy Aging’, supports the idea that up until modern times, humans have almost always been physically active, simply by surviving off the land. Today we work off computers. Exercise is necessary to our health and requires our attention, daily. Yes, walking counts, if done briskly.

4. NUTRITION

We all know the importance of good nutrition and a balanced diet. But which diet? The best history of longevity is held by the Hunzakuts of the Pakastani Himalayas. Here the longevity people exceed a century of living. They practice these health pillars, exceptionally, and more. They eat 3/5 the calories as those in industrialized society, drink 40 cups of water with chunks of Himalyan mineral salt daily, work 12 hours a day then play,take long 20 mile treks or hike up the mountin side, meditate many times in the day, etc.  Their diet consists of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and a little goat or Yak meat every couple of weeks, drink home made “Pani” wine (weak) and goat milk. The secret to their health is that they are not wasteful. They put all animal and human elimination and garbage back into the soil as compared to industrial society where all all elimination goes down the drain to public works depts.and released in garbage dumps. Our soil is nutritionally weak while their soil, without the support of nutrients and pesticide, can fend off all microbes and insects. 

5. WATER

Like that of nutrition, lots can be said and studies can be cited all day long as to which type of water is best for us. One thing is for sure however. Drinking enough water on a daily basis is essential for proper elimination and detoxification. I have found that water in plastic containers is very acidic which results in an inflammatory state. City water is in healthy acid/alkaline ranges but still has too much chlorine. I suggest putting a filter on the tap and shower head. Reduced acidity and chlorine.

6. SUPPLEMENTATION

Today it is becoming very hard to argue against proper supplementation in order to maintain health due to our poor soil nutrition. However, if one were to source natural crop supplementation, they would be better off. This is hard to come by because it takes extra knowledge to provide for yourself and you need to take the time to grow your crop. But, if you are are desiring longevity then I would begin the search for an urban community garden or acquire land to produce yourself.

Many well-respected scientists, researchers, and medical professionals have discovered the relationship between mineral deficiencies and a wide variety of health conditions, which afflict the human body.

Since our soil is mineral deficient, effective supplementation based on plant nutrients is crucial. Longevity herbal is a beneficial natural source of highly mineralized, vitaminized food. Besides the health engendering alkalods contained there are dense nutrients which provides the human body the potential for correction. The key is the knowledge of the practitioner and chooser of the herbs essential for balance to be achieved. 

7. POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

In the work called “The Secret” and many studies before, a positive belief in oneself, one’s vision, having supportive people to hold you to the task and believing in you, recognizing when you are off-course and positively course correcting will greatly minimize stress, affect others to be positive and reflect back positivity.   

There are, of course, other pillars to support a long and healthy life, but these are what we consider the most fundamental. More in-depth information can be found at “Secrets of Longevity“ 

Abraham Bruck is the developer of the Universal Healing Technique and the UHT Lifetime Trauma Resolution Protocol

This procedure will use the Four Basic Elements that we are composed of; Fire, Water, Air and Earth to heal, clear, cleanse and unblock (for lack of better word) the Subtle Energy System of the body on all Four Energy Levels.

You will note that I have associated each Element with an Energy Level. A brief explanation follows:

Fire – representing the Spiritual; a small part of the Spirit or Soul permeates the whole body. The greater part of the Soul transcends the body.

Water – representing the Mental, also permeates the whole body; every organ, every cell has intelligence.

Air – Emotional; we can feel with and have feeling in every part of our body.

Earth – Physical; there are minerals in and light shining from every cell of our body.

Sit in a comfortable relaxed position in a place where you will not be disturbed. Music is OK.

Fire – Spiritual

Put your attention on your root chakra and imagine that there is a fire burning there. See the red color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading from your root chakra up your spine: until your attention focuses on your sacral chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your sacral chakra. See the orange color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading from your sacral chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your solar plexus chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your solar plexus chakra. See the yellow color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading from your solar plexus chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your heart chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your heart chakra. See the green color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading from your heart chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your throat chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your throat chakra. See the blue color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading up from your throat chakra until your attention focuses on your brow chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your brow chakra. See the indigo color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the fire spreading from your brow charka until your attention focuses on your crown chakra.

Put your attention on the fire burning at your crown chakra. See the light violet color of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as you do so notice the fire spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes.

Now, notice that you have a fire burning at each of your charkas. See the colors of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat; as these fires are getting increasingly larger, notice that there is a fire running all along your spine and all along all of your meridians and that the fire is spreading until it fills your whole body and beyond; see the colors of the fire, hear the sound of the fire, feel the heat…

Water – Mental

Put your attention on your root chakra and imagine that there is water surging there. See the red color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading from your root chakra up your spine: until your attention focuses on your sacral chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your sacral chakra. See the orange color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading from your sacral chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your solar plexus chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your solar plexus chakra. See the yellow color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading from your solar plexus chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your heart chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your heart chakra. See the green color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading from your heart chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your throat chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your throat chakra. See the blue color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading up from your throat chakra until your attention focuses on your brow chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your brow chakra. See the indigo color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the water spreading from your brow charka until your attention focuses on your crown chakra.

Put your attention on the water surging at your crown chakra. See the light violet color of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as you do so notice the water spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes.

Now, notice that you have water surging at each of your charkas. See the colors of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling; as these waters are getting increasingly larger, notice that there is water running all along your spine and all along all of your meridians and that the water is spreading until it fills your whole body and beyond; see the colors of the water, hear the sound of the water, feel the cooling…

Air – Emotional

Put your attention on your root chakra and imagine that there is air blowing there. See the air blowing red, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing from your root chakra up your spine: until your attention focuses on your sacral chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your sacral chakra. See the air blowing orange, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing from your sacral chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your solar plexus chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your solar plexus chakra. See the air blowing yellow, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing from your solar plexus chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your heart chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your heart chakra. See the air blowing green, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing from your heart chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your throat chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your throat chakra. See the air blowing blue, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing up from your throat chakra until your attention focuses on your brow chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your brow chakra. See the air blowing indigo, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the air blowing from your brow charka until your attention focuses on your crown chakra.

Put your attention on the air blowing at your crown chakra. See the air blowing light violet, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as you do so notice the air blowing down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes.

Now, notice that you have air blowing at each of your charkas. See the air blowing, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze; as these winds are getting increasingly larger, notice that there is air running all along your spine and all along all of your meridians and that the air is spreading until it fills your whole body and beyond; see the air blowing, hear the sound of the air, feel the breeze…

Earth – Physical

Put your attention on your root chakra and imagine that there is a red crystal shining there. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading from your root chakra up your spine: until your attention focuses on your sacral chakra.

Put your attention on the orange crystal shining at your sacral chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading from your sacral chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your solar plexus chakra.

Put your attention on the yellow crystal shining at your solar plexus chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading from your solar plexus chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your heart chakra.

Put your attention on the green crystal shining at your heart chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading along the meridians down your legs to your toes, up your body and along your arms to your fingers, up your body to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading from your heart chakra up along your spine: until your attention focuses on your throat chakra.

Put your attention on the blue crystal shining at your throat chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading up from your throat chakra until your attention focuses on your brow chakra.

Put your attention on the indigo crystal shining at your brow chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes, and up to the top of your head. Next notice the light spreading from your brow charka until your attention focuses on your crown chakra.

Put your attention on the violet crystal shining at your crown chakra. See the colors of the crystal, hear the sound of the light, feel the vibration; as you do so notice the light spreading down along the meridians and along your arms to your fingers, down and along your legs to your toes.

Abraham Bruck is the developer of the Universal Healing Technique and the UHT Lifetime Trauma Resolution Protocol

Meditation has been practiced for eons throughout the entire world and in many cultures.  It has its roots in Eastern culture.  The word meditation describes a diversity of methods and ways of practicing which can include mindful meditation, transcendental meditation and guided meditation.  The different types of meditation use a variety of techniques, including focusing attention on the breath, or on a word or a single object.  A particular posture can be employed but isn’t necessary to the practice. Let this be part of your beginners guide to meditation.

Meditation can be simple to learn, does not require special equipment, and can be done in almost any location.  Meditation and yoga for stress relief can make a big impact. After only one session a person can experience stress reduction.  It has been found by most researchers that only 20 minutes a day will produce long-term health benefits.  The effects can be felt even with the practice of meditation for only 10 minutes a few days a week.

Meditation, if practiced regularly, can improve psychological and physiological health.  The brainwave pattern can be brought into the alpha state by meditation.  This is the state of consciousness which encourages healing.  Meditation promotes relaxation, mental clarity, psychological health, healing from different diseases, and mind/body health generally.

It’s been found in studies that meditation activates the part of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, controlling the body functions like digestion and blood pressure.  Stress has a powerful negative impact on these functions, so meditation can help relieve the causes of stress-related disease, like digestive disorders or heart conditions.

In a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, 90 cancer patients practiced mindful meditation for a period of seven weeks.  Patients found at the end of that time that they suffered from less depression, anger, confusion or anxiety.  They experienced fewer heart or gastrointestinal problems, and they reported higher levels of energy.

A group of people who had meditated for four months was studied by researchers at the Maharishi School of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.  The people participating in this study had a lower level of cortisol, the “stress hormone” in their systems and they said they felt better prepared to meet the challenges of stress in their lives,  which includes tips on dealing with anxiety and depression.

Research can help confirm some of what we know about, but there are obviously many benefits we can claim without research.  Meditation offers benefits to almost everyone, and has no reported ill effects.