Attributes to cultivate to become a better practitioner:
- Relaxation, 2. Structure/Body Alignment, 3. Internal connection, 4. Intention, 5. Internal Awareness
Relaxation
Relax mind, body, and breath so the energy can flow more easily thru pract’s body. Allows practitioner to listen with hands and to use force for penetrating deeply. Smooth body mechanics.
Structure/Body Alignment
Aligning one’s own tissues so force is easily and efficiently generated and transmitted. Allows practitioner to work without strain to prevent fatigue and injury. Ensures that energy and force comes from the core of the body and legs. Makes application of force efficient.
Internal Connection
Using the body as one connected whole and moving from the core. Perform techniques/transmit information and listen with whole connected body. Practitioner’s qi connects and syncs with patient’s qi. Facilitated by the 3 external harmonies: shoulder harmonizes with hip, elbow with knee, wrist with ankle.
Intention
Guiding your relaxed, aligned, connected body to affect change in a specific manner. Visualizing the goal and seeing it through. Embodies the 3 internal harmonies: Mind (shen) harmonizes with intention (Yi), Intention (Yi) with energy (qi), energy (qi) with force (Li).
Internal Awareness
With a heightened awareness of self, the practitioner will become more sensitive and aware of the patient’s energy, anatomy and physiology.
Contraindications for Tui Na
Diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, osteoporosis, recent stroke, cancer/tumor, recent surgery, heart disease, skin lesions or serious dermatological problems, blood clots.
Qigong Basic Stance
- bend knees slightly
- sink tailbone, relax lumbar
- erect head, as if suspended by a string into Du 20
- slightly tuck chin - open du 15/16
- relax waist and hips
- round upper back, gently press shoulder blades forward
- soften chest muscles, chest is slightly concave
- relax shoulders, drop elbows
- tongue tip on the roof of the mouth, connecting du and ren channels
- breathe relaxed, lower abdomen moves with breath
- mind relaxed and focused - be aware of the whole body
3 common qigong mistakes
- forced breathing, 2. labored use of strength, 3. throwing out chest and sucking in abdomen
ball holding
qi to hands and fingers
wei tuo presents the pestle
strengthens shoulder girdle, elbows, wrists.
plucking and resetting the stars
strengthens legs, pectorals, biceps, wrist.
pulling nine oxen by their tails
strengthens legs and rotational strength of forearm. helpful for rolling, pushing, and chafing.
three dishes falling to the ground
high horse stance. strengthens legs, aligns back.
prone tiger pouncing on its prey
strengthens back, arms, fingers.
3 parts of the back protocol
Compressions, Decompressions/Traction, Later Decompressions. Each part performed on the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral areas. Warm up and finishing techniques exist too.
purpose of back protocol
regulate the spine and abdominal cavity
Function and effects of Compressions
- Compresses the spine longitudinally and from lateral to medial.
- Accentuates the spine’s natural curves.
- Slackens ANTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT and other intervertebral ligaments.
- Opens and stimulates qi and blood flow to and from Du meridian.
- Increases circulation of qi, blood, fluids around the spinal column.
Function and effects of Decompressions/Traction
- Decompresses the spine longitudinally.
- Opens intervertebral spaces - takes pressure off of discs, nerves, vertebrae.
- Allows energy to course thru the Du/spine. -Stretches POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT and SUPRASPINOUS LIGAMENTS.
- Traction, mobilization of sacrum frees up lower jiao and Dan Tian.
- Allows practitioner to assess restrictions of natural movement.
Function and effects of Lateral Decompressions
- Decompresses the spine laterally.
- takes pressure off of the sides of the spine
- open joints where ribs and transverse processes meet
- frees up movement of the ribcage
- Thoracic: release spinal erector muscles and intertransverse ligaments. Spinal erector muscles gently stretched away from the spine
- Lumbar: spinal erector muscles and quadratus lumborum gently stretched away from the spine
- Sacrum: gently stretch gluteal muscles away from PSIS and sacrum. Release the sacrotuberal ligament
- sacral foramen (ba liao points): sexual organs, lower body
clinical indications for the back protocol
Acute back pain, chronic back pain, disc herniation/compression/degeneration, osteoarthritis, neck pain, spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slips anteriorly), scoliosis, muscle spasm, sciatica, hip pain.
