Prevention is better than cure – Don’t dig a well when you’re thirsty

There is a Chinese proverb that says: "先挖井，后渴饮" (xiān wā jǐng, hòu kě yǐn)”, which roughly translates to “do not dig a well when you are thirsty”. It simply means to plan ahead for future needs. In the context of health preservation, it means prevention is better than cure. Chinese medicine, ever evolving since its earliest documentation 2500 years ago, has an ongoing track record in health preservation and solutions for chronic conditions.

One of the pillars in Chinese medicine is exercise therapy. Many people outside China hear about Taichi (Taiji), and most people have the impression of “senior citizens” doing slow motion exercises. However, many Eastern exercises practiced in the West such as Yoga, have undergone various forms of adaptations from its origin. In its native China, people of all ages from primary school students to retirees practice Taichi.

Qigong Class held weekly at Kinglake Chinese Medicine

Qigong is another exercise form that is gaining popularity in the West. In China, it is commonly called Daoyin. Its practice dated back to Sui dynasty (ca. 581-618 CE), where it was recognised as a form of medicine prescribed by Chinese medicine doctors.

Modern research studies have shown that regular practice of Taiji and Qigong benefit the body, mind, and spirit/ emotions. People who practice it regularly have found that it balances blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability, improves joint strength and mobility, tonifies muscle and improves flexibility, improves balance, and prevents falls. They also felt that it clarifies the mind, cultivates awareness, improves memory and creative thinking, cultivates positive habits and thinking. Overall, they felt calmer, they can better connect to their emotions, moderate and uplift their moods, chase away restlessness and gloominess.

So how do Taiji and Qigong/ Daoyin benefit body mind spirit?

No flow = pain, No pain = flow

Taiji and Qigong movements may seem slow and simple to the untrained eye, yet the slow and flowing movements are where the healing secrets hide. These slow and flowing movements are infused with trained coordination in body, breath, and physical and spatial awareness. The more we practice, the more effortless and unified and harmonious the movements are. The energetic channels in the body are open and expanded, allowing the body to relax at the deep level, at the same time clearing the mind and allowing mental clarity to shine through. When the body is relaxed, Qi and blood in the channels are freely flowing. The body is nourished from the superficial to the cellular levels, from the skin, muscles, connective tissues, blood and lymph vessels, nerve vessels, internal organs, to the cells. When the body is nourished, it is able to transform the food we eat and drink, and the air we breathe into nutrients for the body to do various physical and mental functions; and process wastes and toxins to be

released effectively from the body. When the toxins and wastes are released, the mind and emotions are clear. This is how Taiji and Qigong influence the body, mind, and spirit/ emotions.

Chrys Soenaris Healing Dao ~ Eastern holistic therapies: moxa, taiji, qigong, yoga On behalf of Kinglake Chinese Medicine