This is the 3rd post of a three part series on Eastern Medicine inspired by learnings at one of my favorite girlfriend getaways (click here for a favorite girlfriend getaway site): Green Valley Spa in St. George Utah.
What is Chi? Some of you may be reminded of that favorite product with the catchy jingle “Ch, ch, ch, chia pet.” Alas, that is NOT what we’re talking about here. If you are interested in Chia Pets only, click here and toodloo. We are talking about CHI (Pronounced CHEE). Chi is, as defined by the free dictionary, “the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; in traditional Chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health.”
People who do Tai Chi, as I did out at Green Valley Spa, are essentially looking to get in on this good energy. As an article from the Mayo Clinic notes, Tai Chi has only been studied scientifically in recent years. It appears to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and reduce bone loss in post menopausal women (among other benefits). So, this is good right? Okay, now for a couple of mind blowing examples.
Harold teaches Tai Chi at Green Valley. He used to be in a wheelchair. His son-in-law lives in China and is a martial arts master. He said to Harold one day, “I can help you.” Harold was sort of like, “Uh…well…okay. I have nothing to lose.” (P.s. You know on America’s Most Wanted when it says “RE-ENACTMENT”?…this is like that). So, after doing certain movements over Harold’s spine each day, and giving Harold a battery of exercises to do each day…guess who was out of the wheelchair in 3 or 4 months? Harold. As skeptical as I may have been before, it is really hard to sit there telling someone standing right in front of you: “Oh, yeah, there is nothing to this ‘chi’ thing…you spontaneously got up out of the wheelchair on your own dude.”
“Mr. Chi” (my name for him)- Harold then told us about a guy in China who was legendary for all the “Chi” or good energy he had built up. In a kind of Chi card trick, Mr. Chi would push his hands forward and have the force – without touching people – to push them backwards. He would do this with guys at the gym. They all loved it. So veteran journalist and former White House Press Secretary Bill Moyers goes over to check this out and, apparently, it’s the real deal. Bill Moyers was floored. Click here for the set of videos where he explores Eastern medicine. Here is a YouTube video. Here is a transcription of the Moyers interview.
So, there’s the proof…but, what can you do? If I were to start anywhere, it would be with the Tibetan 5 Rites. Apparently, this was made famous by a group of Tibetan monks sought out by a former British military officer who had heard there were all these monks who were 100, but looked 40. The book about this phenomenon is called The Ancient Secret to the Fountain of Youth (click here for book 2). Scroll down on this document by Mary Kurus to see the movements and instructions for the Tibetan 5 Rites.
Namaste my little Chia Pets. May you all be de-stressed and look like you’re 12 the next time I see you!
Very new to this thing, still learning about this game. This is a great thing that my friend recommended to me, I never getting involved with it but soon will be Thanks! 🙂
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