Healing, Yoga and Qigong

How does one relax? The Chinese long ago became intrigued with this question. They studied babies and young children to see why they are the most relaxed - and energetic - of all people. They also studied animals such as tigers that remain equally relaxed whether they move slow or fast. And they studied how people can best train to become as relaxed as babies or tigers. As a start, try the following little exercise. Sit down and take off your shoes and, if you wear them, your glasses. Rest your palms in your lap, facing upward. Gently curl your fingers and thumbs a little toward your palms and then uncurl them. Do these actions repeatedly in a slow, rhythmical fashion in which you never stop moving. Let the curl become the uncurl and the uncurl become the curl. Usually the slower you move, the better, but "pulse" at whatever speed feels most relaxing to you. Now in unison with your fingers gently curl a little and uncurl your toes. Do this in such a way that you ...

Five simple steps to self-healing, as taught by Zeev Kolman in his healing workshops. 1. Relax Sit quietly. Meditate. Listen to your favorite music or repeat a mantra, a calming word or phrase. 2. Breathe Inhale deeply. Hold your breath. Use your imagination to push the oxygen to all the organs of your body - including the heart, stomach, and legs. See the breath and oxygen swirl around your head and brain and go out the top of your head. 3. Connect with the cosmic energy Sit with palms up. Imagine the cosmic energy entering your body as a brilliant light. Feel the energy in your palms as it accumulates. Take your time. 4. Work with your hands Create an "imaginary" balloon of energy between your hands. Feel the energy. Continue to build up the energy with gentle in-and-out movements of the hands. 5. Build a blue shiel...