Medical qi gong and acupressure provide an unique way of rejuvenating the facial appearance by stimulating classical acupuncture points that are used to:

* [...]]]> Most of my clients have a hard time believing that I just turned 48. It is because, in addition to a heathy lifestyle, I perform energy facials for myself on a regular basis.

Medical qi gong and acupressure provide an unique way of rejuvenating the facial appearance by stimulating classical acupuncture points that are used to:

* Improve the tone of the muscles under the skin.

* Improve the texture and appearance of skin.

* Increase circulation and blood flow to create a natural glow.

* Improve allergies, sinus inflammation, and promote more clear vision.

Unlike surgical methods for improving face tone, the classical acupressure points are also points that improve health and muscle tone naturally.

Thus, acupressure and medical qi gong energy facials not only improve the way you look but how you feel overall in terms of health, without invasive procedures, toxins (such as BoTox), or harsh chemical peels.

The process is entirely non-invasive, working off-the body- with the classical acupressure points, and brushing lightly along the points to open the energy flows. I begin the session, with the points located on the forehead and near the eyes, move to the areas near the nostrils and finally work with points that are near the chin, mouth and neck.

Vibrational energy healing techniques, similar to Reiki healing are used instead of massage, such that even the most fragile and sensitive skin benefits from this style of acupressure, barely touching the face.

Each session is individualized, such that if clients have certain concerns or issues, I may integrate additional distal acupressure points found on the neck, arms or shoulders to complete the experience.

Also, I offer a full line of custom and pre-made Chinese herbal formulations that can help to reduce skin discolorations, improve skin texture and tone, while also providing a gentle lift to energy. Be sure to ask about these vital supplements when you come in for your appointment.

Check out the Groupon deal for Austin today to purchase an energy facial for yourself or a loved one. Only new clients qualify for the Groupon Deal, but existing clients can purchase the deal as a gift for a loved ones who has never tried Aiki Healing services.

When allergies hit, we need to reduce heat, strengthen the metal elements of the lungs and large intestine, and nourish the yin and blood. Let’s take a look at these strategies more closely:

Reduce Heat

Often times [...]]]> In Chinese medicine, when our immunity system is strong, we tend to be able to tolerate pollen and other allergens well.

When allergies hit, we need to reduce heat, strengthen the metal elements of the lungs and large intestine, and nourish the yin and blood. Let’s take a look at these strategies more closely:

Reduce Heat

Often times we do not realize that we are consuming foods that contribute to excessive heat in the body. Foods that are in the pepper family, some nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes (the exception is eggplant), and high amounts of carbohydrates (sugar and even large amounts of whole grains), can create excessive heat that stresses our immunity systems.

This is why often times, after the holidays, when we have consumed more sweets and items that are not a usual part of our diet, people often develop an even greater allergy reaction to cedar season in the central Texas area.

Foods such as cucumbers, burdock root, peppermint tea, leafy green vegetables and the healing vegetable bitter melon can all help reduce heat.

Also, qi gong movements that focus on activating the energy pathways that run along the center front of the body (ren channel) are helpful. Pulling Down the Heavens with a focus on pulling cool energy from the sky and moving the cool qi through center core as the hands descend is also helpful.

Raise your hands with palms up to the heavens and imagine grasping a ball of cool energy. Move this energy as your hands descend, through the center of your body with the intention of quelling and moving heat out of the body, by descending energy down through the legs and out the feet.

Strengthen the Lungs and Large Intestine

There are wonderful Chinese herbs, when mixed in formulation, are very effective for strengthening the lungs. Jie geng, chuan bei mu, and bai wei reduce bronchial swelling and strengthen the immunity system. Herbs such cang er zi, help the body to reduce a histamine response to pollen.

I usually create custom formulations for addressing allergy when pre-made tablets are not tolerated or strong enough to knock out the allergy reaction.

Also, the large intestine, a metal element organ that supports immunity, needs to be balanced by making sure that bowel movements are regular, especially if one is taking traditional antihistamines and decongestants, which tend to dry out the intestinal tract along with heat produced by allergic reactions. Adding rhubarb, to stews or soups is a wonderful way to create a natural and gentle cleansing effect of the bowels.

Also, dang gui, the herb traditionally used to balance hormones, combined with mei men dong, in formulation with other herbs, can help to moisturize the intestinal tract and promote greater elimination through the bowels, necessary for reducing toxins in the body that may be taxing the immunity system.

It is common for people to also develop sinus infections or bronchitis once an allergic reaction begins. There are wonderful herb formulations such as xian lian wan, which contains the powerful natural antibiotic huang lian and the stomach tonic mu xiang, a wonderful combination when nausea is present as a result of sinus drainage.

If you choose a traditional route of taking pharmaceutical antibiotics ask your herbalist for an immunity building formulation to strengthen the body so that your body does not develop the pattern of relying only on antibiotics to fight off infection. The herbs, along with an acidophilus supplement, will also help to counter the side effects of the antibiotic. Of course, acupressure/medical qi gong, can also help to complement other therapies and balance the immunity deeply. I recommend weekly visits during the allergy season to support a restoration of the body’s immunity balance.

Qi gong movements such as the lung movement from the Taoist Five set, are wonderful for balancing the immunity system gently. These movements are taught in our ongoing class which is moving from Saturdays at 3 pm to Saturdays at 10 am starting 1/28/2012.

Nourish the Yin and Blood

Turnips, beets, carrots and yams help to nourish the yin (fluid, blood and hormones) and blood gently.

Often times, traditional medications for allergies (including steroids, antihistamines, and decongestants) dry the yin, creating a greater tendency towards constipation, dry lungs, dry cough, high blood pressure, and dry mucus membranes. By increasing root vegetables, you help to nourish and restore balance to the yin level of energy.

Turnips in particular have the unique capacity to strengthen all twelve of the primary energy pathways or meridians–creating a powerful detox on the body that empowers the immunity system. If you do not like turnips, simply dice one small turnip and wrap in a cheesecloth and put into a stew with ingredients that you like for a soup. Cook your soup for at least 1.5 hours. A simple recipe is given below. At the end of cooking, remove the turnips. Your soup will contain the decocted essence of turnip without the flavor ?being overwhelming or unpleasant.

Qi gong movements such as the kidney movement from the Taoist Five or Ocean Qi breathing from the Five Treasures are also critical to nourishing the yin.

Allergy Soup

One small turnip diced and wrapped in a cheesecloth

8-9 cups of organic vegetable or chicken broth (low sodium)

3 large carrots chopped (nourishes yin)

1 cup of cabbage shredded (green cabbage but you can also use purple)–cabbage detoxifies the body and nourishes yin.

1/2 cup of diced purple onions (source of quercetin, natural antihistamine)

1 bunch of swiss chard chopped fine (source of quercetin, natural antihistamine)

2 burdock roots peeled and sliced into julienne strips (natural liver support)

1 cup of chopped cilantro (source of quercetin)

2 tablespoons of roasted garlic mix (immunity support and natural antibiotic)

1 can of Amy’s Bean vegetable soup (optional)

1 can of black beans strained and washed to remove excess salt or you can use black beans soaked overnight and rinsed (if using beans that are uncooked add 60 minutes to the cooking time)

In a pot, add the broth, beans, bean soup and other ingredients.

Bring to boil then cook for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally and checking fluid levels to make sure all ingredients are covered. Remove the cheesecloth with turnips before serving.

Set the tone for the new energy arriving with a renewed commitment to connecting with nature and growth.

Sometimes people get caught in a loop where they feel unworthy to partake of all the abundance nature gives us. Yet, when we focus on nature, [...]]]> Although the energy year changes January 23, 2012, the calendar year changes today.

Set the tone for the new energy arriving with a renewed commitment to connecting with nature and growth.

Sometimes people get caught in a loop where they feel unworthy to partake of all the abundance nature gives us. Yet, when we focus on nature, we cannot help but drink in the healing properties of the warm sun (vitamin D source and stimulant for production of serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter), the detoxifying effects of herbs as foods (deep root vegetables for nourishing the kidneys in winter, seafood, and green leafy vegetables for detox of the liver), and the healing sounds of nature echoed in the wind.

This simple way of appreciating and welcoming the gifts of nature liberates us from ego, a part of self that often will find logical justifications for not allowing us to embrace healing and growth.

I encourage each person reading this blog today to create a ritual of connecting with nature that you use daily–and through this connection you will eventually feel a greater connection with the divinity of God.

My ritual today was walking across our beautiful park-like front yard and watching the fall leaves dance in the sunshine as the wind gently moved my bamboo chimes. I drank in the fresh air and felt a deep sense of gratitude for all the blessings in my life.

You can also engage the free qi gong tree meditation on this site in downloadable format to play on your MP3 or ipod devices while visiting a park. ?To subscribe to our library of audio meditations, click here.

Have a wonderful New Year and don’t forget that we resume the ongoing qi gong movement and meditation class next Saturday at 3 pm at our Westlake office:

3355 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 7, Suite 704 in the Westlake Wellbeing Center.

Some of us carry our responses to stress, pain and trauma in our bodies in the form of:

Qi gong is an amazing form of movement and bodywork that can help you:

Yet, for years, I have always kept my fees very modest in order to make the work accessible for all. In doing so, I did not realize that [...]]]> One of the things that clients often say to me is, “You do so many extra things for me, and in a way  no other practitioner could do.”

Yet, for years, I have always kept my fees very modest in order to make the work accessible for all. In doing so, I did not realize that I was buying into a perception of shortage–the idea that not all people could afford  fees that reflect the unique and deep vibration of the services that I provide.

A dear colleague recently helped me to realize that when we believe  in the energy of abundance, then we also have faith that people, who are determined to heal in deep ways, are also connected to abundance, such that they can attract the resources needed for healing, for God provides to each one of us those things that we truly need–only sometimes we perceive the blessing is not there, so we fail to claim and manifest it.

To celebrate this new understanding in myself and also honor the renewed depth of my training which span the lineages of Dr. Arnold Tayam, Master Ni (OmNi), Jeffrey Yuen, and my studies with Dr. Jingyu Gu, I welcome a new structure of fees which reflects my faith that my clients can attract abundance to continue the work.

For the new changes to all rates, please refer to this page on the site:  Session Policies and Fees .  Essentially there is a change from $90 an hour rate to $107. and 1.5 hours is now $143.00  These rate changes will become effective Nov. 1, 2011.

I know the reactions will be mixed with some of you embracing and flowing with the changes as an opportunity to show gratitude for all the extra things Aiki Healing has given to you over the years, and also as an opportunity to grow in new ways.  Others may feel more challenged to step up to new levels of valuing the level of healing resources that come from Aiki Healing.  I’m happy to help you work through perceptions of shortages to empower you to discover how you can truly afford and deepen the healing work.

Also, healing work is not like other services or products.  While people may delight in getting a Groupon for 50% off a meal at a restaurant and  wind up  frequenting that restaurant, what I have discovered is that when people are receiving deeply discounted healing services, they tend to be less compliant with fully implementing healing strategies and partaking of the level of services needed to produce lasting results. Thus, the “bargain hunters” approach to healing work rarely produces deeper results.   Yet, when people are  connected to and compensating practitioners for  the true value of a service, they tend to put more effort into optimizing that investment by fuller compliance that results in deeper healing.

Thus, this change of rates is also an opportunity for clients to gain more growth through higher levels of self responsibility in the healing journey and greater alignment spirituality with the energy of reciprocity–giving back deeply as one receives deeply.

I’ve had this experience in my own healing journey.   For instance, my  students often comment how fortunate I am to work with the most rare spiritual teachers in my training, and how these opportunities have helped me build balance and joy into my life at a profound level.    These teachers have  premium level fees  that truly reflect the value of their unique teachings–and when I step up to meet those fees, I value that work at a higher level such that I invest the time to study  practice and integrate deeply what is taught to me, and in doing so, I gain great benefits in growth.

Thus, the teacher and practitioner that I am today is the result of teachers and healers who loved me enough to say, “You can reach this higher level–you are capable of affording the advanced trainings.”   It is true. Each time, when I was challenged to meet new levels of fees for deeper training and healing work, somehow God would always provide me with an extra session here or there, or checks from clients who worked with me in the past, who are getting results in their lives today, who just wanted to show me their appreciation (a flow of energy that also comes from my daily  mantra of “Unexpected checks show up in the mail.”).

Also, it is an opportunity to review priorities.  I have often been amazed how sometimes people will share that they are struggling with health or their lives and feel challenged to seek holistic care in terms of time and finances. Yet,  they will  find the time and resources to go on a cruise, buy the latest smartest phones or ipads,  or invest in spa services or other therapies that far exceed the cost of healing work.  So it’s not that they don’t really have the resources, it is that their beliefs around shortages cause them to not make their own healing journey the highest priorities in life.

It can be balanced to allow ourselves these pleasures of material things that make our lives joyful and convenient, but we need to also put as much priority on our own internal treasures of health and wellness, as we do other things that we value in life.  If we can do that, then we achieve fuller results.  So, if you are someone who is struggling to achieve your health goals or balance in your life, examine closely  how you are using your financial resources and time. You might discover that you are creating a situation of shortage by how you prioritize where you place your time and financial resources.  It could be that you are not valuing yourself enough to invest in yourself.

When we are fully committed to embracing and valuing ourselves and the resources that are in our lives, especially  resources that are rare and unique, then we move past partial results and open ourselves to fuller results that then allow us to create rather amazing shifts in health, spirit and the way we attract abundance into our lives.

Yes!  This is an excellent idea.  Register by clicking here or you can call me at 512.468.6588 or email  me at info@aikihealing.com

If you have enjoyed the weekend mini retreat experiences, please help [...]]]> Many of you have events occurring this weekend and have asked if we can move the mini-retreat to Sunday Nov. 13th before the holidays.

Yes!  This is an excellent idea.  Register by clicking here or you can call me at 512.468.6588 or email  me at info@aikihealing.com

If you have enjoyed the weekend mini retreat experiences, please help me to create the best experience by letting me know thiis week and weekend if you can attend the Novemeber 13th event as this allows me to customize content and preparation of the meal based on the number of people attending.

Remember that the retreat has a $150 value and is being offered at the special rate of $49.00

To offer that rate, I rely on the strong commitments of participants.

In our physical tissues, we can hold the energetic charges of trauma and pain, which can create shifts in our biochemistry such that the body is more prone to chronic health challenges.  Yet, if we only address the physical aspect of these challenges, we may not experience fullest healing.

Thus, the presence of chronic health issues [...]]]>

In our physical tissues, we can hold the energetic charges of trauma and pain, which can create shifts in our biochemistry such that the body is more prone to chronic health challenges.  Yet, if we only address the physical aspect of these challenges, we may not experience fullest healing.

Thus, the presence of chronic health issues can be an opportunity to take a spiritual journey and discover how our energetic responses to our  experiences are stored in the body.

For example, a young woman manifested chronic pain and fatigue that seemed to have no western, medical explanation or source. She was hypersensitive to chemicals and manifested many sensitivities to foods but no “true” allergies according to allergists.

After years of partaking of medications, embarking on special diets, and using acupuncture and other complementary techniques, she still suffered from debilitating levels of pain and fatigue.

Why? She was receiving allopathic and complementary care in a way that focused only on the physical aspects of health–her spiritual journey was completely ignored.

Yet, when she began working with Chinese medical qi gong practitioners who created an integration between working with the physical manifestations and developing a spiritual understanding of the energy patterns, she began to heal at a very profound level until she was able to live life pain-free and with higher levels of energy.  This method of healing also emphasized the idea of self sufficiency, developing self help tools that she could integrate and use daily between appointments to strengthen her energy and reduce pain.

As a spiritual teacher and practitioner of medical qi gong, I truly believe  that we need to  complement traditional western medical therapies with  the use of herbs and  qi gong (bodywork and movement forms) which can work to reduce systemic inflammation (often existing when chronic pain is present) but more importantly, shift the underlying energetic and spiritual patterns that play a role in health manifestations and blocks to healing.  Thus, this emphasis on vibrational healing–transforming across realms of self, is key to the way I practice. Thus, I tend to bring a deeper spiritual emphasis to all the tools of Chinese medicine that impact the body.

HERBS

Master Jeffrey Yuen, 88th generation of a lineage of Taoist priests from the Jade Purity tradition, states in his transcript, Herbs and the  Mind, “Herbs are not only going to produce a biochemical effect–they effect brain chemistry.  But herbs also, as I want to contend, provides a vibrational effect as well.”

Yet, many Chinese medicine practitioners, are not well versed in the spiritual or vibrational application of herbs, for this application  is not taught formally in acupuncture colleges.  For instance, many Chinese medicine practitioners are unaware that there are some Chinese herbs that are wonderful for pain relief but do not necessarily have the effect of purging spiritual energies that may be creating blocks to healing. Other Chinese herbs are capable of not only sedating the neurological responses but also releasing spiritual energies or blocks.

In my journey of training with Master herbalist John Fung and Master Yuen, I have delighted in the dance of discovering the spiritual and biochemical applications of herbs such that my clients often comment that my formulations are quite unique. It’s not that the herbs I use are so unusual–it is the understanding of how to combine the herbs in a way to complement healing across all realms of self that makes the formulations effective.

Yet, I understand that in a busy world, not all clients have the time or desire to cook the custom tea decoctions, so I also use pre-made herb formulations such as Guang ci Tang brand, and augment their vibrational effects with medical qi gong bodywork so that clients receive the optimal effects with the pre-made formulations.

BODYWORK

Some Chinese medicine practitioners work with the classical acupuncture points without knowledge or awareness of the spiritual applications of those points. Such knowledge is not critical if the practitioner is only looking at what is happening on a physiological level.  Yet, the essence of Chinese medicine is about transformation of all parts of self, not just the physical layer.

Thus, as practitioners, we must consider the life and spiritual experiences of the individual and examine how those experiences are stored in the body in order to understand what needs to be released to obtain fullest healing.

Of course, working with both the physical and energetic aspects of health challenges takes time–so clients with chronic issues may not notice immediate shifts.

Yet, because clients with chronic issues are suffering, naturally they want more immediate relief-so this is where complementing the work with western medical therapies comes in handy–where the western methods can provide more immediate pain relief or subsiding of other symptoms–as clients engage the longer term and deeper work to resolve the underlying patterns.

Thus, in my practice, clients with chronic pain may be partaking of pain meds, while simultaneously engaging vibrational body work, acupressure and use of herbs.

QI GONG

Qi gong provides tools to help integrate what is happening with the physical body and the emotional and spiritual experiences of the individual.

However, like other prongs of Chinese medicine, it is not often taught in a customized way that overtly emphasizes the physical and spiritual connections.

In fact, in China, medical qi gong is taught in a very westernized way, much like acupuncture, with the focus on shifting the physical manifestations.

Thus, emphasis is often on large movements designed to move the qi but no background is given in terms of what the spiritual application of the movements are.

When I teach clients, especially in private lessons, I customize the movements and teach how the movements relate to their physical and spiritual selves.

Also, I emphasize quiescent meditations that can be performed sitting or lying down, so that people who may be severely debilitated by illness, can still partake of the healing benefits without tiring themselves or exacerbating discomfort.

CONCLUSION

Sometimes, it takes a practitioner skilled in synthesis techniques, methods of facilitating a harmony between all the tools a client is using, to create an integrative experience where all pieces of healing are working together instead of in a piecemeal fashion.  So, often times, my role is as  a synthesis practitioner, delicately weaving a bridge between all other healing techniques that a client may be experiencing, but especially providing to clients the fullest prongs and essence of Chinese medicine, which is truly about healing all parts of self.

Let us all continue to hold  Mike Jones and his wife in prayer everyday sending them love and energy as we did last night.

Last night we journeyed into the Five Treasures form [...]]]> I thank the men and the partners  of the men of the Us Too support group for having me at their meeting last night.

Let us all continue to hold  Mike Jones and his wife in prayer everyday sending them love and energy as we did last night.

Last night we journeyed into the Five Treasures form as a way of:

• reducing stress
• building immunity
• addressing the emotional aspects of the journey with cancer.

The circular heel-toe stepping we performed also strengthened center core which influences our physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Click here to  access the free DVD of Five Treasures by the  National Qi Gong Association.

Click here for the Prostate Healing Resources article. 

This article contains a link to  a nearly 20 pages document written in 2008. It  explores the role of using medical qi gong, Chinese medicine, herbal strategies, and dietary help to strengthen.

Also, don’t forgot that free phone consultations are available to the men of US Too. Simply call Kay Hutchinson at 512.468.6588

We also shared a wonderfully healthy meal of inari sushi, bean salad, fresh cashew/carrots green salad and [...]]]> I want to thank everyone for attending the Master Hua Ching Ni Cosmic Tour Bagua workshop on Sunday.  We laughed, meditated and learned together as we explored the 11 movements and heel-toe walking pattern of the cosmic tour bagua.

We also shared a wonderfully healthy meal of inari sushi, bean salad, fresh cashew/carrots green salad and pine nut and garlic hummus with baked corn chips.

Many of you asked for recipes.

The inari sushi recipe was published last fall in our blog.

Here is the recipe for the bean dish that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

1 can of any brand of organic, cooked beans

• Red kidney beans
• Black soy beans
• Chickpeas (garbanzo)
• Pinto Beans
• Black Beans

1 tablespoon roasted garlic

1/4 cup of diced purple onion

1/2 cup of chopped cilantro

1/8 cup Waldon Farms calorie free, sugar free, fat free creamy Italian dressing

1/4 tsp ground fennel

1/4 tsp of tumeric

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp coriander powder

1/4 tsp curry

Directions

Drain and place the contents of all the bean cans into a large pasta colander. Rinse with cool water until the water becomes clear and the beans are not gritty.

This step is critical as it removes excessive starch and the salt that is often added to cans.

Place the beans in a large bowl.  Add in dry seasonings, chopped onions, garlic and cilantro and toss lightly.

Last, add the Italian dressing and toss well.

Serve at room temperature or it may be served cold out of the fridge.

You may vary the seasonings to taste and the type of beans that you use to create variety.

This recipe is high in protein and very effective for helping to regulate glucose with carbohydrates that digest slowly. This dish can be used as a substitute for grain carbohydrates on weight loss plans that emphasize slow carbs and also for intestinal cleansing and reduction of inflammation. If you are not accustomed to eating beans regularly or have a tendency towards bloating, use a product like Bean-O for about a week until the digestive organs acclimate to the higher fiber content.