Recommended Summer Reading: The Healing Promise of Qi

The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi
by Roger Jahnke, O.M.D

Here is an excerpt.

"Ancient Qi masters developed a formula for health and longevity based on the Qi:

Inner Harmony = Qi Flow = Health and Longevity

This formula is the foundation of all Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. Concepts in Western science such as coherence, resonance, and integrated body/mind function are parallel to the concept of harmony in China. In the West science points to numerous forms of flow including blood, lymph, brain chemical distribution, nerve transmission and the movements of ions.
When they added the capacity to purposefully cultivate inner harmony through personal practices the ancients created this formula:

Practice + Intention = Inner Harmony = Qi Flow = Health and Longevity 

Exploring Qi and Qigong is like opening a marvelous Chinese puzzle box--boxes within boxes, secrets within secrets. Think of yourself as having just reached a gateway where, only a moment ago, no gate was visible. According Chinese tradition, if you open this gate and enter the realm of Qigong--with sincerity--a multitude of practical benefits will be yours."

Kung Fu Leadership Team Enhances Their Chi

Here's what chi looks like after whitewater rafting!  The Kung Fu Leadership Team paddled The Gorge on the South Fork American River on Friday the 13th of July. (Yes, Friday the 13th! We aren't superstitious.)

What a team!  What good captains--Shih Fu Catherine (on far right) and Shana Maziarz (second from left).  And Shih Fu Eileen solo paddled an inflatable kayak. She now has a river story to tell about swimming Lost Hat Rapids and Satan's Cesspool.

"I'd paddle with the Kung Fu Team anytime!" says Shih Fu Catherine.

How to Stay Cool

"The summer is associated with the Fire element in the Chinese system. The organs ruled by this element are the heart and small intestine as well as the functions of circulation and heating in the body.

Diet and exercise are very important to keeping the Fire element strong. Proper nutrition is vital to maintaining a healthy heart and for providing fuel and heat for the body.  So our diet could be changed by eliminating refined foods, tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco, and by cutting down on animal fats...

Summer is the time to recharge those internal batteries with solar power. Keep the Fire balanced with Water inside and out, and keep the body loose, getting good exercise. It is a time for growth and coming forth."
--Elson M Haas, MD "Staying Healthy with the Seasons"

Practice Independently on July 4th

There will be no classes on Wednesday, July 4th.
Classes resume on Thursday, July 5th.