Mondays 5:00-6:00pm (April 4th- June 6th).

Price: $180 for 10 classes; $150 for 10 classes for TCM students

To RSVP: email info@mind-bodyacupuncture.com

Join Dr. Hu to learn basic Tai Chi techniques with a Tai Chi Ruler and Ba Fa Wu Bu.  The workshop is open to all members of the public regardless of level.  Even if you’ve never practiced before, we encourage you to join and try.

What We Will Learn

1. Tai Chi techniques using a Tai Chi ruler to stabilize movements and build basic foundation for Tai chi routine

2. Ba Fa Wu Bu: the newest standardized Tai Chi routine to emerge from China for all levels comprising 13 basic Tai Chi movements.

What do you need to prepare:

1. Loose fitting clothing

2. Tai Chi ruler: a round wooden stick approx 33-35cm in length and 3.5-4.5cm in diameter (diameter measurement: your hand can hold it with thumb and index finger just touching together; length measurement: your inner arm length when you raise your arm to shoulder height with two palms facing each other). You can get from Home Depot( customize by yourself) or from Amazon or Eliexpress ((they have this one which is on the larger side, 5cm in diameter. They are Ok if you don’t want to get customized one ) 

The Benefits of Tai Chi:

This gentle form of exercise is the perfect activity for any time of life, safely and effectively promoting flexibility, stability, and strength.

1. Relieves stress and promotes mental well-being

2. Supports healthy sleep

3. Alleviates pain

4. Benefits the immune system

5. Helps increase muscle strength and tone

6. Increases flexibility, agility, and stability

The Tai Chi ruler is a great tool to help to learn some basic Tai Chi principles, such as circular motion and silking reeling exercises while maintaining proper body posture and building basic fundamental Tai Chi techniques.

The new routine, Ba Fa Wu Bu (八 法 五步) which means “Eight Techniques, Five Steps”, includes Yang, Chen, and Sun Tai Chi style elements. It is the latest introductory routine introduced by the General Administration of Sport of China in 2018; This newest standardized Tai Chi routine to emerge from China is gaining popularity around the world for training and practice.

Ba Fa Wu Bu is a general basic routine but also very centered and balanced. Simple enough for the beginner level but built on a foundation that allows for deeper improvement for more experienced practitioners. Ba Fa Wu Bu presents universal fundamentals of Tai Chi and is beneficial to all levels.

I will follow student’s flow to go through the above routine but we might not finish it with section one. I will continue offer more sections step by step to teach more Tai chi routines. 

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Please join with me for  New, Live Zoom Free Qi Gong/Tai Chi Classes on  Wednesday/Fridays/Mondays 4/22/2020 from 5:30-6:30 pm

Follow me to practice the following exercises
1. Meridian Tapping Techniques for health and immune boost( 经络拍打功）
2. Six Unity Qigong （ 养生六合功）
3. Shaolin Six Harmony Qigong（少林六合功）
4. 8 Trigram 5 steps Taichi Routine （ 太极八法五步）

Dr. Jiling hu is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Traditional Chinese Healing qigong and Taichi Exercise
Time:  05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Mon,  Fri, until May 15, 2020
May 4, 2020 05:30 PM
May 8, 2020 05:30 PM
May 11, 2020 05:30 PM
May 15, 2020 05:30 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJwocOCgqjstE9YcR7XT8qM4_M3Hv6ymdnZ2/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCgqzwjEtCVtxCFRow-GY_CXfzwiGJaj_pkny2yOxQLcy6iCc8RGqQpCdXU

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98579840792?pwd=STViVVpYRFJlMUI5Tjc1OGNycmlQdz09

Meeting ID: 985 7984 0792
Password: 604079

Meridian tapping Techniques for chi cultivation and immune boost

Click here watch the video

1. Rub the palms together until warm, then put your hands over your face and eye area, then “wash” your face with your hands, repeat 3 times
2. Rub apart the eyebrow
3. Rub the both side of inner canthus
4. Rub the nose bridge
5. Rub LI11(outside of both nostrils)
6. Rub St2(directly below the pupil of the eye, in the depression at the infraorbital foramen)
7. Rub Taiyang ( Temple area)
8. Rub SJ21 ( Ear gate–in the depression anterior to the supra-tragus notch)
9. SJ17 (Wind screen depression area in the posterior to back of earlobe)
10. Rub points St7, ST6 (Masseter muscle area) on the side of your cheek on TMJ joint and biting muscle area)
11. Rub LI18, SI16 (posterior and interior of SCM on the nape)
12. Pull and rub on ear apex
13. Pull and rub the middle of auricle
14. Pull down and rub ear lobe
15. Tapping on the inside of arms (3 hand yin meridians) away from shoulder to hand
16. Tapping outside of arms (3 hand yang meridian) away from hand to shoulder
17. Tapping inside of leg ( 3 three yin meridian) from ankle to inguinal area
18. Tapping  outside of leg (food yang meridian)  from hip to ankle
19. Tapping on the LI4 (Tiger Mouth) ( crossing  tap on the web between thrum and index finger)
20. Cross tapping Extra points Ba Xie ( eight pathogen- crossing tap webs between fingers)
21. Tapping with fist on the Lung1 (Central palace-top of chest where meets the shoulder)
22. Tapping  on Liver 14 (Gate of Hope– 6th intercostal space under the breast)
23. Taping on the Ren22-Ren17 ( Window of sky to sea of qi –Finger tapping along the sternum from throat area down to the center of chest)
24. Tapping on ST25 (Heavenly Pivot- about fist width from umbilicus ) and UB23 (Kidney Hollow-kidney area-) front side and backside at same time
25. Tapping on the ST30 (surging qi point- inguinal area)
26. Tapping on the GB31 (Wind City–side of thighwhere the tip of the middle finger touches)
27. Tapping on GB21 (Shoulder Well-Top of shoulder)
28. Tapping on DU14 (Nape area) with both hands
29. Chop on LI10 (Arm 3 miles-forearm near elbow)
30. Fist tapping on St36 ( fist distance below the center of knee cap)
31. Finger Tap the SJ5 (external door-Lung) on both sides
32. Finger n the PC6 (internal door-heart) on both sides
33. Shake arms 9 times x 3

Function:  Acupressure and Meridian tapping helps body and mind connection   Stimulating the meridian points through  tapping can reduce physical tension and emotional stress,  relieve your stagnant energy,  and strength body resistant.   In TCM, we believe it promotes qi and blood, unblock stagnation in the channel and collaterals, expel pathogen and tonify vital qi.

Get ready. Relax the whole body, include neck, shoulder, arm, even fingers. Standing maturely, or you may also sit if you prefer. Using gentle but powerful force, even pace! Neither too soft or too hard.

The Ancient health cultivation qigong exercises.

Daoyin Liu He Gong ( Six Unity Gigong):

Click here to watch video

Preparation: Relax body and mind, stand naturally, listening your own breathing or rhythmic sounds. Slightly curl up your mouth corner , breath natural and have a peaceful mind

1. Ascending and descending, opening and closing—bring clear yang qi into the body and remove turbid qi out
2. Exhale the old and inhale the new—in six directions-Exhale the turbid qi and inhale fresh qi to achieve internal qi activity to unblock the meridian and harmonize the qi and blood
3. Ascending the clear and descending the turbid-regulate internal organs, mainly exercise psoas, abdominal diaphragm and gastric muscles and guide qi flow, and exert a gentle massage on Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Intestines
4. Turn the body to look back—strength psoas, ligament and spine, and improve functions of spine, strength the bone and Dai meridian, fortify the spleen and kidney
5. Relax the fascia and stretch the body—Lateral pulling and extension of lower back and upper limb muscles, to unblock gallbladder meridian, alleviate back muscle tension and benefit the joints
6. Leap on the horse to draw a bow—balance front and back, left right, up and down, and benefit the head, neck, limb, waist and abdomen, regulate three burner, unblock the water passage.
7. Closing posture: Inducing qi to its origin.

The Baduanjin qigong

The Baduanjin qigong(八段錦) is one of the most common forms of Chinese qigong as exercise.^[1] Variously translated as Eight Pieces of Brocade, Eight-Section Brocade, Eight Silken Movements or Eight Silk Weaving, the name of the form generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a silken quality (like that of a piece of brocade) to the body and its energy. The Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of medical qigong, meant to improve health

Standing Ba Duan Jin

Click here to see watch video

Two Hands Hold up the Heavens (Shuang Shou Tuo Tian)

This move is said to stimulate the “Triple Burner” aka “Triple Warmer” or “Triple Heater” meridian (Sanjiao). It consists of an upward movement of the hands, which are loosely joined and travel up the center of the body.

Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Eagle / Hawk / Vulture

While in a lower horse stance, the practitioner imitates the action of drawing a bow to either side. It is said to exercise the waist area, focusing on the kidneys and spleen.

Separate Heaven and Earth

This resembles a version of the first piece with the hands pressing in opposite directions, one up and one down. A smooth motion in which the hands switch positions is the main action, and it is said to especially stimulate the stomach.

Wise Owl Gazes Backwards or Look Back

This is a stretch of the neck to the left and the right in an alternating fashion.

Sway the Head and Shake the Tail

This is said to regulate the function of the heart and lungs. Its primary aim is to remove excess heat (or fire) (xin huo) from the heart. Xin huo is also associated with heart fire in traditional Chinese medicine. In performing this piece, the practitioner squats in a low horse stance, places the hands on thighs with the elbows facing out and twists to glance backwards on each side.

Two Hands Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist

This involves a stretch upwards followed by a forward bend and a holding of the toes.

Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely (or Angrily)

This resembles the second piece, and is largely a punching movement either to the sides or forward while in horse stance. This, which is the most external of the pieces, is aimed at increasing general vitality and muscular strength.

Bouncing on the Toes

This is a push upward from the toes with a small rocking motion on landing. The gentle shaking vibrations of this piece is said to “smooth out” the qi after practice of the preceding seven pieces or, in some systems, this is more specifically to follow Sway the Head and Shake the Tail.

8 Trigram 5 steps Taichi Routine ( Ba Fa Wu Bu-Taichi 13 postures)

Click here to see watch video

1. Ward Off – Peng
2. Roll Back – Lu
3. Press – Ji
4. Push – An
5. Pull Down – Tsai
6. Split – Lieh
7. Elbow – Chou
8. Shoulder – Kao
9. Advancing Steps – Jin
10. Retreating Steps – Tui
11. Stepping to the Left Side – Ku
12. Stepping to the Right Side – Pan
13. Settling at the Center – Ding

The Thirteen Postures (8 Gates and 5 Steps) are referred to in various ways by T’ai Chi Ch’uan authors.  Some call them the “Thirteen Powers = Shi San Shi.”  Others call them the Thirteen Postures, the Thirteen Entrances, the Thirteen Movements, or the Thirteen Energies.

The most frequent references to the 13 Postures are in the writings and teaching in the Yang Style of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.

The first Eight Gates or Eight Entrances (Ba Gua or Pa Kau) can be divided into the Four Primary Hands (Ward Off, Pull Back, Press and Push) and the Four Corner Hands (Pull Down, Split, Elbow and Shoulder).

All thirteen postures, or course, involve some movement of the feet and legs, but the final Five Gates involve more extensive movements of the feet and legs.  These are collectively referred to as the Wu-hsing – Five Elemental Phases of Change.  The final five gates are associated with the 5 elementary processes (Wu-xing) involving:  metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

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This is the “Tai Chi Health” series developed and issued by the WHO Traditional Medicine Cooperation Center-Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Chinese traditional health cultivation Qigong. Share to you for promoting physical and mental health.

Click here to learn more

Contents
一、Ba Duan Jin
二、Fang Song Gong (Relaxation Exercise)
三、Liu He Gong (Six-Unity Exercise)
四、Gu Yin Liu Zi Jue (Six Healing Sounds)
五、Song Rou Gong (Soft and Relaxed Exercise)
六、Xiao Yao Gong (Free and Easy Exercise)
七、Tian Zhu Dao Yin Gong
八、Yi Jin Jing (Chinese Transformation Classic)

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What is the mechanism of cupping therapy?

First of all, physical stimulation is one of the mechanisms to produce a therapeutic effect of cupping. During the cupping, the cups are firmly attached to the skin surface, tracted the nerves, muscles, blood vessels and skin glands, which can cause a series of neuroendocrine responses, and regulate vasodilation and vasoconstriction function and vascular permeability, so that local blood circulation is significately improved.

Secondly , the negative pressure of cupping quickly cause local hyperemia, blood congestion, and even rupture of small capillaries, red blood cell destruction and result in hemolytic phenomenon. Partial release of hemoglobin of red blood cells is a positive stimulation to the body which can create double regulation to the tissues and organs’ function under the regulation of the nervous system. At the mean time, it can improve the phagocytosis of white blood cells, increase skin sensitivity to external changes and tolerance, and thereby enhance the body’s immune system.

Thirdly, a powerful vacuum suction and pulling force can also fully open the sweat pores, then sweat glands and sebaceous gland function are stimulated and strengthened, and the skin surface senescent cells fall off. It can accelerate the body of toxins, the discharge of waste.

How many types of cupping are there?

In addition to the traditional form of cupping described above, which is known as “dry” cupping, some practitioners also use what is called “wet” or “air” cupping.

In “air” cupping, instead of using a flame to heat the cup, the cup is applied to the skin, and a suction pump is attached to the rounded end of the jar. The pump is then used to create the vacuum. In “wet” cupping, the skin is punctured before treatment. When the cup is applied and the skin is drawn up, a small amount of blood may flow from the puncture site, which are believed to help remove harmful substances and toxins from the body.

Is cupping safe? Does it hurt?

While cupping is considered relatively safe (especially air cupping, which does not include the risk of fire and heat), it can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin. As the skin under a cup is drawn up, the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand. This may result in small, circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. These bruises are usually painless, however, and disappear within a few days of treatment.

In addition, there are several instances where cupping should not be performed. Patients with inflamed skin; cases of high fever or convulsions; and patients who bleed easily, are not suitable candidates for cupping. Pregnant women should not have cupping on their stomach or lower back. If the cups are being moved, they should not cross bony areas, such as the ridges of the spine or the shoulder blades.

I would like to learn more about cupping. Where can I find out more information?

Several articles on cupping have been published in peer-reviewed journals and acupuncture websites. To learn more about cupping, you are encouraged to visit the following sites and read the following articles:

• Alternative therapies. Cupping. A World of Acupuncture website. Available online
• Dharmananda S. Cupping. Institute for Traditional Medicine website. Available at www.itmonline.org/arts/cupping.htm
• Cupping Therapy. https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/cupping-therapy?page=2

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Some of the issues acupuncture can help with include:

• Pain Management
• Nausea
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Depression and Anxiety
• Dry Mouth
• Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
• Fluid Retention
• Weight Maintenance

Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to health care and is particularly useful in providing pain relief, reducing the impact of side effects, accelerating recovery, and improving overall quality of life.

According to the National Cancer Institute, acupuncture may cause physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. It is proposed that, by stimulating physical responses in these areas, acupuncture positively affects blood pressure and body temperature, boosts immune system activity, and causes the body’s natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to be released.

To learn more about how acupuncture can safely and effectively be incorporated into an oncology treatment plan, call for a consultation today!

Science Provides Proof of Acupuncture’s Helpful Role in Cancer Therapy

Clinical trials have examined the effects of acupuncture on cancer as a disease, as well as the symptoms caused by cancer treatments. Results have shown that, for many patients, treatment with acupuncture relieves symptoms or keeps them from getting worse.

Relief for Nausea and Vomiting:
The strongest evidence of the beneficial effect of acupuncture has come from clinical trials that investigated its use for relieving nausea and vomiting. Several types of clinical trials using different acupuncture methods showed acupuncture reduced nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and surgery.

Boosts the Immune System:
Human studies on the effect of acupuncture on the immune system of cancer patients showed that it improved immune system response, including an increase in the number of white blood cells.

Improves Pain Management:
In clinical studies, acupuncture reduced pain levels for some cancer patients. In one study, most of the patients treated with acupuncture were able to stop taking drugs for pain relief or to reduce their doses.

Relieves Pain and Stiffness during Hormone Therapy:
In 2010, the Journal of Clinical Oncology published the results of a small study that concluded that acupuncture helped relieve pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients who were simultaneously being treated with hormone therapies.

Minimizes Dry Mouth:
In 2009, the medical journal Head and Neck reported the results of a pilot study done at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The subjects were people suffering from head and neck cancer. The authors concluded that the pilot study demonstrated that acupuncture can improve the subjective symptoms of radiation-induced dry mouth as early as two weeks after starting treatment. They found that benefits can last for one month after treatment ends.

A study published in January 2000 in the medical journal Oral Diseases, confirms the efficacy of treating xerostomia with acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Researchers analyzed the data of 70 patients who suffered from dry mouth due to radiation therapies, Sjogren’s disease, and other causes. Researchers discovered that patients who received 24 acupuncture treatments had an outstanding improvement in their salivary flow rate (SFR) for up to six months after treatment. It was also concluded that continued acupuncture treatments could increase one’s salivary flow rate for up to three years.

Reduces Pain and Shoulder Dysfunction:
In 2008, Dr. David Pfister, chief of the head and neck medical oncology service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, reported that patients found significant reductions in both dry mouth and pain and shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection with the help of acupuncture. Dr. Pfister highlighted the potential role of acupuncture in oncology.

Reduces Hot Flashes:
In 2011 a Yale University/University of Pittsburgh study of women with hot flashes brought on by conventional breast cancer treatment, found that women who received acupuncture had a 30 percent reduction in hot flashes.

Acupressure for Nausea Relief

Nausea is an indicator that something else is wrong. Depending on the severity and duration of vomiting, some level of dehydration may occur. In severe cases, this may become a medical emergency. Small sips of warm water may help the patient stay hydrated or, if this is not tolerable, sucking on ice chips may help.

Here are three simple acupressure techniques you can perform at home to help alleviate your nausea.

1. Pericardium 6 (P6) or Inner Gate
To locate this point, place your hand with the palm facing up. Starting from the middle of the wrist crease, place three fingers down below your wrist. Your index finger should be in the middle of two tendons. If you are having trouble locating the tendons, flex your wrist and they should be displayed more prominently. Press Inner Gate lightly with the pad of your thumb. You can slowly increase pressure and go deeper into the point. Continue this exercise for up to five minutes if you are using heavy pressure. However, some people experience more relief from nausea when they continuously press with gentle to moderate pressure. If this is the case for you, it is safe to apply acupressure for longer periods of time. This may be especially helpful in cases of motion sickness.

2. Outer Gate or San Jiao 5 (SJ5)
If your nausea still persists, you can activate this partner point to Inner Gate. It is found on the opposite side of the forearm from Inner Gate. With your thumb on Inner Gate and your middle finger on Outer Gate, complete the circuit by squeezing the points together using moderate pressure. Hold for a few seconds and then release. This can be done for up to five minutes. If you feel you need a little extra self-care, you can place your hands near your heart, close your eyes, and breathe deeply as you perform this technique.

3. Abdominal Circular Motions
This exercise covers a larger area, and is less exacting. First, put your hands on your hips, at the level of your waistline. Next, adjust your fingers so they are all below your ribs, with your pinky resting around the level of your belly button. Your fingers should be lined up with the nipples. Press into the abdomen using circular motions and gradually expand your motions outwards for another couple of inches. This technique can be quite soothing and is best when performed sitting down, for two to three minutes.

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