www.MindandBodyExercises.com: Blog https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog en-us (C) 2025 CAD Graphics, Inc. [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:45:00 GMT Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:45:00 GMT https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/img/s/v-12/u563229173-o1067742590-50.jpg www.MindandBodyExercises.com: Blog https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog 120 69 Tai Chi in the US: Tradition, Truth, and the Illusion of Authenticity https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Tai-Chi-in-the-US-Tradition-Truth-and-the-Illusion-of-Authenticity Tai chi, one of the most well-known Chinese martial arts, has evolved significantly as it has spread beyond China. Originally developed as an internal martial art (neijia) integrating martial applications, health benefits, and Daoist philosophical principles, tai chi has often been misrepresented in the United States. While many instructors have contributed positively to promoting its health benefits, others have mischaracterized the art, not necessarily by teaching bad practices, but by presenting something entirely different under the tai chi name.

Having practiced, studied, and researched martial arts for over 40 years and legitimate tai chi for the last 25 years, I have personally witnessed the “bait-and-switch” tactics used to market tai chi to Western audiences. Some instructors, either due to a lack of proper training or deliberate deception, have claimed to teach authentic tai chi while actually presenting simplified qigong exercises, unrelated movement drills, or incomplete systems. While qigong and tai chi are both respected Chinese internal arts, they are not interchangeable. All tai chi is qigong, but not all qigong is tai chi. This misrepresentation undermines the integrity of an institution built on discipline, honesty, and tradition.

This article examines the philosophical foundations of tai chi, its key physical components, and the ways to identify authentic practice, particularly within the Chen, Yang, and Wu styles, which are three prominent traditional lineages.

Firsthand Observations of Tai Chi’s Migration and “Bait-and-Switch”

When tai chi was first introduced in the United States, several Asian martial artists took advantage of the limited understanding of internal martial arts among Western practitioners. Some presented adjusted qigong sequences or simplified slow-motion movements as “tai chi,” presuming that American students would not discern the difference.

A fitting analogy for this phenomenon can be seen in the restaurant industry. Imagine going to a Chinese restaurant and ordering the Korean dish “bi bim bop.” The menu lists it clearly, so you expect to receive the correct dish. But when the server brings your meal, you are given “lo mein” noodles instead, and they insist that this is bi bim bop. While lo mein is still an Asian dish, and perhaps even delicious, it is NOT what you ordered.

Yang style 24 – This IS tai chi, complete with names for each exercise

This is exactly what has happened with tai chi in the West. Many students sign up for classes expecting to learn a legitimate tai chi lineage, yet what they receive is a completely different system, usually a generic set of slow movements, breathwork, or unrelated qigong exercises.

Another analogy would be a student enrolling in a college program to earn a degree in Cantonese. They spend four years diligently studying, assuming they are learning the language they signed up for. However, upon graduation, they realize they have actually been taught Mandarin instead. While Mandarin is still a valuable language, the fact remains that the institution misled the student about what they were learning.

Similarly, in the world of tai chi, many instructors have claimed to teach legitimate Chen, Yang, or Wu styles tai chi, but in reality, what they teach lacks core structural components, martial applications, key internal mechanics and the philosophy of these arts as a whole. While what they offer may still provide health benefits, students deserve transparency about what they are actually learning.

I have personally encountered numerous instructors who claimed to teach authentic tai chi but omitted core elements such as silk-reeling energy (Chan Si Jin), fajin (explosive power), and martial applications. Similarly, other teachers abandoned tai chi’s rooting, structural integrity, and push hands training, reducing the practice to mere choreographed relaxation exercises or maybe physical fitness methods at best.

This misrepresentation, while sometimes unintentional and at other times deliberately misleading, is problematic because martial arts in general and tai chi in particular are institutions that pride themselves on high moral standards, integrity, and character. The issue is not that what these instructors teach is inherently bad or ineffective. Many of these adapted forms still provide great health and self-defense benefits. However, they have misrepresented their systems as part of a legitimate lineage when they are not.

This is mostly NOT Tai Chi – however, legitimate static exercises of qigong or dao yin

With greater access to legitimate sources, historical records, and international training opportunities, modern practitioners can now recognize the discrepancies between traditional tai chi and commercialized adaptations. However, the impact of this bait-and-switch phenomenon still lingers in the tai chi landscape today.

Philosophical Foundations of Tai Chi

Tai chi is deeply rooted in Daoist and Confucian philosophy, incorporating yin-yang theory, Five Element Theory (Wu Xing), and Bagua (Eight Trigrams theory). These principles shape both the physical movements and the strategic martial applications of the art.

Yin and Yang: The Balance of Softness and Strength

Tai chi, literally translated as “Supreme Ultimate”, embodies the interplay of yin (softness, receptivity) and yang (hardness, action). Movements transition fluidly between yielding and attacking, expansion and contraction, in accordance with these principles.

This balance is evident across all major styles:

  • Chen-style integrates sudden explosive releases of energy (fajin) alongside soft, coiling movements.
  • Yang-style, derived from Chen, smooths out the transitions but retains the root structure and internal power.
  • Wu-style, known for its compact, small-frame movements, emphasizes yielding and subtle redirections over forceful exchanges.

The Five Elements (Wu Xing) in Tai Chi Practice

The Five Element Theory (Wu Xing) describes dynamic interactions in nature, which tai chi integrates into its movement and energy principles. Each element correlates with essential aspects of tai chi’s execution:

  • Wood (expansion, spiraling energy) – Silk-reeling movements (Chen-style) and the extension of intent through structure (Yang & Wu styles).
  • Fire (ascending, explosive power) – Fajin (Chen-style), as well as the expansive issuing energy in Yang and Wu applications.
  • Earth (stability, neutrality) – Rooting and central equilibrium across all tai chi styles.
  • Metal (condensing, refining force) – The precision of structure and economy of movement, particularly in Wu-style’s compact footwork.
  • Water (flow, adaptability) – The continuous, uninterrupted movement quality of Yang and Wu styles, contrasted with the coiling, wave-like motions of Chen-style.

Bagua (Eight Trigrams) and Cycles of Transformation

Tai chi shares conceptual similarities with Bagua Zhang (Eight Trigrams Palm), particularly in its circular stepping and understanding of transformation in combat. The eight trigrams (Bagua) symbolize the natural forces of heaven, earth, wind, thunder, water, fire, mountain, and valley, each influencing different movement qualities. The 8 energies of fundamental tai chi principles correspond with the 8 trigrams of the bagua:

  • Peng (heaven) – Ward Off: This energy is about expanding outwards and destabilizing an opponent, likened to a filling balloon.
  • Lu (earth) – Roll Back: This energy involves a rolling or drawing action while grounding and stabilizing, like drawing a line with a brush.
  • Ji (water) – Press: This energy involves a squeezing or pressing action, often used to control an opponent’s movement.
  • An (fire) – Push: This energy is a direct pushing action that moves an opponent away or creates an opening.
  • Tsai (wind) – Pluck: This energy is a plucking, pulling or grabbing action, used to disrupt an opponent’s balance.
  • Lieh (thunder) – Split: This energy involves a splitting or parting action, used to create space or to separate an opponent.
  • Zhou (valley) – Elbow: This energy uses the elbow as a weapon, either for striking or for blocking.
  • Kao (mountain) – Shoulder: This energy uses the shoulder to bump or lean into an opponent, creating an opportunity for attack or defense.

Physical Components of Authentic Tai Chi

Having personally trained with high-level practitioners from traditional tai chi lineages, I can confirm that authentic practice requires adherence to specific biomechanical principles. Many modern adaptations focus solely on relaxation, neglecting the essential physical structure required for both internal energy development and combat application.

Kinetic Linking: The Chain of Movement

Tai chi follows the principle of kinetic linking, where movement flows seamlessly through the entire body. This structure applies across all major styles:

  1. The feet root  – Power originates from the ground.
  2. The waist and spine direct  – The dantian (energy center) leads all movement.
  3. The arms and hands express – Energy manifests outward through an integrated whole-body structure.

Recognizing Authentic Chen, Yang, and Wu Tai Chi

Chen-Style Tai Chi

  • Alternating slow and fast movements – Not just slow-motion practice.
  • Silk-reeling drills – Without these, it is not real Chen-style tai chi.
  • Explosive fajin strikes – Demonstrating internal power expression.

Yang-Style Tai Chi

  • Large, flowing postures – Emphasis on balance and smoothness.
  • No abrupt power releases – Unlike Chen-style, Yang-style minimizes fajin.

Wu-Style Tai Chi

  • Smaller movements and compact footwork – Close-range efficiency.
  • Subtle redirections – Making use of yielding and sensitivity.

Conclusion

As someone who has spent over four decades practicing, studying, and researching tai chi and other martial arts, I have personally witnessed both authentic and misrepresented versions of tai chi in the United States. While many well-intentioned teachers have promoted tai chi’s health benefits, others have knowingly or unknowingly diluted the art, leading to confusion among students seeking traditional training. If a martial arts master, expert, or instructor is going to invest their time, effort, and passion in teaching others, why not spend that time learning one of the original, legitimate styles? Perhaps it is easier for them to perpetuate the deception rather than embrace the challenge of learning an authentic style. Is it pride, unwillingness to admit there’s more to learn, or simply a lack of access to true knowledge? Whatever the case, commit to authenticity and honor the lineage of the art.

The bait-and-switch marketing model has been a persistent issue, with many instructors selling qigong exercises as tai chi, stripping the art of its core biomechanical principles and martial applications. However, today’s practitioners have more access to knowledge than ever before. By asking the right questions, studying traditional principles, and seeking qualified lineage-based instruction, students can ensure they are learning true, authentic tai chi, rather than an imitation product rebranded for unknowing students and even healthcare professionals who associate with these practices.

This issue extends beyond martial arts circles. Healthcare professionals, wellness coaches, and others who incorporate tai chi into their practices should be held to a higher standard of ethical responsibility. Professions that pride themselves on education and evidence-based care must ensure that what they promote aligns with authentic traditions, not diluted versions repackaged for commercial appeal. By failing to verify authenticity, they risk misleading their patients and clients, ultimately undermining trust and diminishing the effectiveness of these ancient practices. In a world where information is readily available, there is little excuse for perpetuating misconceptions. Upholding the integrity of both martial arts and healthcare professions requires a commitment to truth, accountability, and respect for the original systems that have endured for centuries.

Qigong class
Tai Chi class
Silk Reeling – Tai Chi class
Qigong class- 8 Pieces of Brocade

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Tai-Chi-in-the-US-Tradition-Truth-and-the-Illusion-of-Authenticity Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:16:00 GMT Science, Skepticism, and Self-Care: Navigating Modern Medicine https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Science-Skepticism-and-Self-Care-Navigating-Modern-Medicine “Change what you can, don’t sweat what you can’t control.”

In contemporary society, the credibility of the healthcare system is frequently called into question. Despite significant investment in U.S. healthcare, exceeding $4 trillion annually, the system often prioritizes profit over prevention and wellness. This profit-driven approach, heavily influenced by pharmaceutical companies, insurance corporations, and healthcare systems, has resulted in patients being viewed as long-term customers rather than individuals empowered to manage their own health. Although emergency and acute care services in the U.S. are commendable, there is a concerning trend regarding the prevention of chronic diseases and the maintenance of long-term well-being (Hurley et al., 2024).

https://www.statista.com/chart/30313/health-and-healthcare-systems-index-scores/

The Role of Trust in Healthcare

Skepticism regarding healthcare is understandable when one examines the statistics. For instance, the U.S. experiences a concerning 250,000 to 400,000 iatrogenic deaths annually, those resulting from medical intervention (Makary & Daniel, 2016). However, this represents only one perspective. The other perspective highlights that despite significant healthcare expenditure, the system performs poorly in terms of life expectancy and chronic disease management compared to other affluent nations (Health at a Glance 2019, 2019). Numerous factors contribute to this issue, including an over-reliance on medications and surgeries, which frequently result in complications rather than the prevention of diseases (Sackett, 2000).

Medical Dissent and the Cost of Speaking Out

Historically, medical professionals who question prevailing narratives have frequently encountered scrutiny, censorship, and professional consequences. Recently, numerous highly esteemed doctors and scientists have expressed concerns regarding public health policies, vaccine mandates, and the influence of pharmaceutical companies only to face discreditation or suppression.

While healthcare professionals with solid credentials have raised concerns about the current state of medicine, many have encountered backlash. Distinguished doctors such as Dr. Daniel Neides have questioned the safety and efficacy of certain medical interventions (Dyer, 2017), and Dr. Peter McCullough despite being one of the most published cardiologists in the world, had his medical board certifications challenged due to him expressing his concerns regarding the medical industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Hulscher et al., 2023). Despite their efforts to initiate important discussions, these professionals often experience a loss of credibility among the public and their peers, being labeled as outliers or conspiracy theorists (Hoffman et al., 2021).

Dr. Robert Malone, a scientist important in developing mRNA vaccine technology, has raised concerns about the safety and long-term effects of these vaccines. Despite his contributions, Malone was de-platformed from major social media platforms after questioning the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and advocating for caution (In-Depth: Did Robert Malone Invent mRNA Vaccines in San Diego? 2022). His case highlights the issue of scientists facing professional ostracization when their views diverge from mainstream policies.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a specialist in ear, nose, and throat medicine, became involved in controversy due to her public support for alternative early treatments and her criticism of vaccine mandates. Consequently, she was suspended from Houston Methodist Hospital. Undeterred, she established her own independent practice, where she continues to treat patients based on her medical observations and research (Bowden, 2022). Her experience highlights the increasing divide between institutional medicine and the physicians who advocate for personalized care.

Dr. Alex Cole, a medical researcher and clinician, has expressed concerns about the transparency of vaccine safety data. He has emphasized the importance of open scientific debate and the inclusion of alternative viewpoints. The key issue is whether medical professionals should experience professional consequences for participating in legitimate scientific discussions (Professional, 2024).

Other doctors, including Dr. Pierre Kory, a critical care specialist, and Dr. Paul Marik, an intensive care expert, have discussed the perceived limitations of the mainstream approach to COVID-19 treatments. They have supported the use of repurposed drugs and alternative treatment protocols, which resulted in professional examination and debate. Dr. Kory and Dr. Marik encountered resistance when promoting these alternative COVID-19 treatment strategies (Marik et al., 2020).

These cases highlight a trend in modern medicine where differing opinions, even those from individuals with significant experience and expertise, are often dismissed rather than discussed. Scientific progress relies on thorough discussion and analysis, yet the current environment frequently favors conformity over inquiry. Regardless of individual perspectives on these particular matters, the marginalization of seasoned professionals poses ethical and scientific questions about transparency, accountability, and the impact of influential industries on medical dialogue.

The Case for Personal Responsibility in Health

With the system seemingly failing at times, many individuals are choosing to take responsibility for their own health. Rejecting the mainstream “sick care” model, which often prioritizes a “pill for every ill,” people are turning to alternative practices that emphasize prevention, self-care, and holistic wellness. Taking responsibility for one’s own health through practices like tai chi, qigong (VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Transformation, n.d.), martial arts, yoga, meditation, and even weight training have become powerful ways for individuals to manage stress, improve physical fitness, and maintain mental clarity.

For me, personally, the approach is clear: read labels, carefully monitor what goes in, on, and around the body, practice daily exercises to strengthen the body, and employ stress management techniques for the mind and soul. I limit my mental intake by reducing exposure to the news and social media, focusing instead on the bigger picture. While I cannot change the world, I know I can change myself and influence those around me in a positive way.

The Need for Change

Moving toward a preventative and holistic healthcare approach is crucial, despite challenges in a profit-driven system. The influence of pharmaceutical companies, insurance, and large healthcare interests often overlooks patient well-being (Dickinson, 2014). A shift to a system that rewards prevention, empowers individuals, and values overall well-being over chronic condition management is needed.

However, comprehensive change may be challenging to achieve at the national level. At the individual level, however, transformation is feasible. By taking personal responsibility for our health instead of solely relying on a system that may prioritize profit over care, we make an empowering choice. Engaging in alternative and preventive practices, such as tai chi, qigong, yoga, resistance training, or daily meditation, enables us to regain control over our wellness incrementally.

References

Bowden, M. T. (2022, March 6). Fighting Methodist Hospital — BREATHEMD | Optimal Airway Health. BREATHEmd | Optimal Airway Health. https://breathemd.org/blog/2022/2/27/the-story-behind-why-im-suing-the-hospital-who-suspended-me-for-prescribing-ivermectin

Dickinson, J. (2014, April 1). Deadly medicines and organised crime: How big pharma has corrupted healthcare. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4046551/

Dyer, O. (2017). Cleveland Clinic to re-evaluate its Wellness Institute after director questions vaccines. BMJ, j253. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j253

Fleck, A. (2023, July 5). The healthiest (& unhealthiest) countries in the world. Statista Daily Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/30313/health-and-healthcare-systems-index-scores/

Health At a Glance 2019. (2019, November 7). OECD. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/health-at-a-glance-2019_4dd50c09-en.html

Hoffman, D., Stewart, A., Breznay, J., Simpson, K., & Crane, J. (2021). Vaccine hesitancy narratives. Voices in Bioethics, 7. https://doi.org/10.52214/vib.v7i.8789

Hulscher, N., Procter, B. C., Wynn, C., & McCullough, P. A. (2023). Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination. Cureus, 15(11), e49204. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49204

Hurley, B., Lovett, S., D’Urso, J., & Smith, E. (2024, December 14). Three medical bills that show true cost of America’s ‘broken’ healthcare. The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/us-healthcare-insurance-companies-ceo-shooting-z597qlq2n?utm_source=chatgpt.com®ion=global

In-Depth: Did Robert Malone invent mRNA vaccines in San Diego? (2022, January 27). UC Irvine News. https://news.uci.edu/2022/01/27/in-depth-did-robert-malone-invent-mrna-vaccines-in-san-diego/

Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the U.S. BMJ, 353, i2139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2139

Marik, P. E., Kory, P., Varon, J., Iglesias, J., & Meduri, G. U. (2020). MATH+ protocol for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection: the scientific rationale. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 19(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2020.1808462

Professional, C. C. M. (2024, December 4). Informed consent. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24268-informed-consent

Sacket, D. (2000) Evidence-based medicine : how to practice and teach EBM : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (2000). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/evidencebasedmed00davi/mode/2up?q=reliance

VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Transformation. (n.d.). TAI CHI AND QI GONG. In VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (pp. 1–7). https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/docs/Tai-Chi-and-Qi-Gong.pdf

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Science-Skepticism-and-Self-Care-Navigating-Modern-Medicine Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT
Media Hysteria vs. Medical Reality: The Overlooked Crisis of Iatrogenic Injuries https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Media-Hysteria-vs-Medical-Reality-The-Overlooked-Crisis-of-Iatrogenic-Injuries Public health discussions often concentrate on contagious diseases such as measles, especially in light of recent outbreaks. In early 2025, the passing of a 6-year-old girl in Seminole, Texas, represented the first measles-related death in the United States in a decade (Bartlett, 2025). This event rekindled debates concerning vaccination and disease prevention strategies. Nonetheless, the significant focus on measles, despite its relatively low mortality rate, starkly contrasts with the limited dialogue surrounding iatrogenic injuries, which result in a substantial number of roughly 250,000 fatalities each year.

The Scope of the Issue: Measles vs. Iatrogenic Injuries

Measles: A Preventable Yet Overemphasized Disease

Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 but has resurfaced in communities with low vaccination rates. The recent Texas case highlighted the risks associated with vaccine hesitancy (Bartlett, 2025). Allopathic medical professionals consider measles preventable through the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, which is reported as 97% effective with two doses (CDC, 2025). However, concerns over vaccine safety and accountability persist. In 1986, Congress and President Reagan enacted the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA), which created a system for compensating individuals harmed by vaccines while granting pharmaceutical companies immunity from lawsuits related to vaccine injuries. This legislation has led to debates about vaccine mandates, corporate accountability, and public trust in immunization programs. Many feel that if the vaccines are safe and effective, why should a multi-billion dollar industry not be held accountable for their products?

Iatrogenic Injuries: A Silent Epidemic

Iatrogenic injuries encompass medical errors, medication complications, surgical mistakes, and hospital-acquired infections. Research indicates that preventable medical errors contribute to over 400,000 deaths annually in the U.S., making them the third largest leading cause of death in the US (James, 2013). A widely cited study estimated approximately 250,000 iatrogenic deaths per year (Makary & Daniel, 2016). Dr. Barbara Starfield (2000) documented how 225,000 Americans die annually due to medical errors, including:

  • 12,000 from unnecessary surgery
  • 7,000 from medication errors in hospitals
  • 20,000 from other hospital errors
  • 80,000 from hospital-acquired infections
  • 106,000 from adverse drug effects when taken as prescribed (Starfield, 2000).

Despite these alarming figures, public awareness and policy efforts remain disproportionately low compared to diseases like measles.

Why the Disparity in Media and Political Attention?

1. Media Sensationalism and Public Perception

Media outlets prioritize stories that generate fear and engagement. “If it bleeds, it leads” has been a media mission statement for decades. Measles outbreaks with their visible symptoms and high contagion make for dramatic headlines, while iatrogenic injuries occur behind hospital doors, lacking visual appeal for mass media (Bartlett, 2025).

2. Political and Public Health Priorities

Governments focus on highly contagious diseases like measles because they can cause widespread outbreaks. Vaccination campaigns offer a clear solution (WHO, 2024), whereas fixing medical errors needs systemic healthcare reforms, which are less appealing politically.

3. Institutional Interests and Liability

Acknowledging the extent of iatrogenic injuries necessitates systemic accountability from hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory agencies, potentially resulting in legal implications and diminished public trust. Conversely, messaging regarding measles often supports pharmaceutical and public health objectives by promoting vaccination initiatives (WHO, 2024).

4. Public vs. Private Accountability

Measles outbreaks are often presented as a matter of public responsibility, with an emphasis on vaccine compliance. Conversely, iatrogenic injuries tend to be regarded as individual incidents rather than indicative of systemic issues, thus enabling healthcare institutions to evade thorough scrutiny (James, 2013).

5. Psychological Bias and Fear Appeal

Individuals tend to exhibit greater fear towards external, unpredictable threats, such as infectious diseases, compared to systemic risks, including medical errors. When measles is presented as an imminent crisis, it triggers a heightened fear response. In contrast, despite their significant impact, medical errors are frequently understated (Slovic, 2000).

The Need for a Balanced Approach

While any death is unfortunate, addressing measles outbreaks is vital. However, the focus on these outbreaks compared to iatrogenic injuries highlights an imbalance in public health priorities. Increasing transparency, implementing patient safety protocols, and facilitating discussions about medical errors are essential to reduce deaths and restore confidence in the US healthcare system.

The significant number of fatalities resulting from iatrogenic injuries highlights the critical need for enhanced patient safety protocols. A robust healthcare strategy must encompass both external health threats and internal systemic deficiencies to ensure better protection of patients’ lives.

References

Bartlett, T. (2025, March 11). His daughter was America’s first measles death in a decade. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/03/texas-measles-outbreak-death-family/681985/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, March 7). Measles cases and outbreaks. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

H.R.5546 – 99th Congress (1985-1986): National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. (n.d.). Congress.gov | Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/house-bill/5546

James, J. T. (2013). A new, evidence-based estimate of patient harms associated with hospital care. Journal of Patient Safety, 9(3), 122-128. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0b013e3182948a69

Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ, 353, i2139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2139

Starfield, B. (2000). Is US health really the best in the world? JAMA, 284(4), 483-485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.284.4.483

Slovic, P. (2000). The perception of risk. Earthscan Publications.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2024, November 14). Measles fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health health & wellness health care healthcare human behavior martial arts center for health mental health osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Media-Hysteria-vs-Medical-Reality-The-Overlooked-Crisis-of-Iatrogenic-Injuries Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:06:13 GMT Why is Spinal Movement Important for CSF Circulation? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Why-is-Spinal-Movement-Important-for-CSF-Circulation The Role of Spinal Movement, CSF Circulation, and Sleep in Brain Detoxification

The brain and spinal cord use a specialized fluid known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to transport nutrients, remove waste, and offer protection. Unlike blood, which the heart actively pumps, CSF circulation relies on movement, respiration, and sleep-related brain activity. Maintaining adequate CSF flow is important for brain health, detoxification, and reducing the risk of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cognitive decline.

This article examines the enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid circulation and activation of the brain’s glymphatic system, the body’s inherent “brain cleansing” process, through spinal movement, breathwork, and quality sleep.

CSF: The Brain’s Fluid Highway

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the choroid plexuses within the brain’s ventricles and circulates through the ventricular system before entering the subarachnoid space, which envelops both the brain and spinal cord. This circulation adheres to a defined pathway:

From the Brain to the Spinal Cord – CSF proceeds down the spinal canal, reaching the lumbar cistern near the sacral region.

Return Flow to the Brain – CSF is ultimately reabsorbed into the venous system via arachnoid granulations located in the superior sagittal sinus.

In the absence of a dedicated pump for CSF, its circulation depends on spinal movement, respiratory mechanics, and sleep-related pressure fluctuations.

Spinal Movement and CSF Flow

The spine houses the spinal cord and dural tube, and movement of the spine serves as a natural pump for CSF circulation. Restricted mobility, due to factors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, or aging, can contribute to stagnant CSF flow, which may affect waste clearance from the brain.

Movements That Enhance CSF Circulation

Holistic movement practices such as yoga, qigong, tai chi and BaguaZhang, are particularly effective in promoting CSF flow. Key spinal movements include:

  1. Flexion and Extension (Forward & Backward Bending)
    • Cat-Cow Pose (Yoga): Alternating between spinal flexion and extension helps mobilize CSF.
    • Spinal Rocking (Qigong): Gentle rocking movements from the pelvis stimulate lumbar and sacral CSF flow.
  2. Rotation and Twisting Movements
    • Seated Spinal Twists: Compresses and releases different regions of the spinal column, enhancing CSF dynamics.
    • Dragon Whips Its Tail (Tai Chi): A controlled twisting motion that supports fluid movement in the spine.
    • BaguaZhang: The whole mind and body martial art practice is based upon the coiling and spiraling of the waist, spine and upper extremities.
  3. Inversions and Gravity-Assisted Flow
    • Downward Dog (Yoga): Allows gravity to assist CSF movement back toward the brain.
    • Rebounding (Mini-Trampoline Exercise): Rhythmic spinal compression enhances CSF pulsation.

These movements maintain the openness of the spinal canal, alleviate tension within the dura mater, and promote proper cerebrospinal fluid circulation, thereby optimizing the functioning of the brain and nervous system.

The Glymphatic System: Why Sleep is Essential for Brain Detox

One of the most critical aspects of CSF circulation occurs during sleep, when the glymphatic system, the brain’s built-in waste removal process, becomes highly active.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1317_CFS_Circulation.jpg

Why Does the Glymphatic System Work Best During Sleep?

  1. Brain Cell Shrinkage Increases CSF Flow
    • During deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), brain cells shrink by up to 60%, increasing the space between them.
    • This expansion allows CSF to flow more freely, flushing out toxic waste, including beta-amyloid plaques, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
  2. Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Activity
    • While awake, the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight mode) restricts CSF flow.
    • During deep sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, allowing CSF to circulate more efficiently.
  3. Slow-Wave Brain Activity Acts as a CSF Pump
    • Research shows that slow-wave brain activity (delta waves) coincides with pulses of CSF flow, helping clear waste from the brain.
  4. Melatonin Enhances Glymphatic Function
    • The sleep hormone melatonin has been linked to increased glymphatic activity and improved beta-amyloid clearance.

Consequences of Inadequate Sleep on Brain Health

As the glymphatic system becomes fully active only during sleep, insufficient sleep can result in the accumulation of toxins in the brain. This increases the risk of several conditions, including:

  • Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
  • Cognitive decline and memory impairment
  • Mental fatigue and reduced clarity of thought

Breathwork and CSF Circulation

Breathing directly influences intracranial and spinal pressure, aiding in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Intentional breathwork practices may support brain detoxification and enhance relaxation, facilitating glymphatic function.

Effective Breathwork Techniques

Diaphragmatic Breathing (Dantien Breathing in Qigong/Tai Chi/BaguaZhang): Deep, slow abdominal breathing creates rhythmic pressure changes that affect CSF flow.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Pranayama, Yoga): May help regulate intracranial pressure and improve brain function.

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4 pattern): A structured breath cycle that can enhance CSF pulsation and balance the nervous system.

How to Optimize CSF Circulation for Brain Health

To ensure efficient CSF flow, glymphatic activation, and brain detoxification, incorporate the following habits:

✅ Prioritize deep sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.


✅ Move your spine daily – Engage in yoga, qigong, tai chi, BaguaZhang or other spinal exercises to keep CSF circulating.


✅ Sleep on your side – Studies suggest the lateral sleeping position improves glymphatic drainage.


✅ Practice breathwork – Deep breathing techniques help regulate CSF dynamics and nervous system function.


✅ Stay hydrated – Proper hydration supports CSF production and circulation.

In summary, spinal movement, proper breathing, and deep sleep are important for maintaining brain and nervous system health. By incorporating holistic movement practices and optimizing sleep quality, it is possible to enhance CSF circulation, support the glymphatic system, and reduce the risk of neurological disease.

A healthy spine, mindful breath, and restful sleep contribute to a clearer, healthier mind.

Contact me if you’d like a detailed movement and breathwork routine designed to enhance CSF circulation and brain detox.

References:

Xu, Q., Shao, C., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Liu, C., Chen, Y., Wang, X., Chi, Y., Yu, S., & Sui, H. (2021). Head-nodding: a driving force for the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93767-8

Xu, Q., Yu, S., Zheng, N., Yuan, X., Chi, Y., Liu, C., Wang, X., Lin, X., & Sui, H. (2016). Head movement, an important contributor to human cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep31787

Wichmann, T. O., Damkier, H. H., & Pedersen, M. (2022). A brief overview of the cerebrospinal fluid system and its implications for brain and spinal cord diseases. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.737217

Yogic breathing affects cerebrospinal fluid dynamics during breathing practice. (n.d.). NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/research-results/yogic-breathing-affects-cerebrospinal-fluid-dynamics-during-breathing-practice?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Cui, L., Yin, H., Lyu, S., Shen, Q., Wang, Y., Li, X., Li, J., Li, Y., & Zhu, L. (2019). Tai Chi Chuan vs General Aerobic Exercise in Brain Plasticity: A Multimodal MRI Study. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53731-z

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health physiology qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Why-is-Spinal-Movement-Important-for-CSF-Circulation Sat, 08 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT The Wellness Chronicles https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/The-Wellness-Chronicles I am excited to present The Wellness Chronicles, a culmination of insights gathered from my many years of writing on holistic health. These books distill key concepts from hundreds of my articles, offering a practical and thought-provoking guide to achieving well-being through a balanced approach to life.

In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and pharmaceutical dependency often overshadow self-care and preventative health, The Wellness Chronicles serves as a beacon for those seeking a deeper understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. Each volume explores a broad spectrum of topics, including nutrition, physiology, healthcare modalities, meditation, psychology, and philosophy, all with an underlying focus on empowering individuals to take charge of their own well-being.

Readers will discover time-honored healing traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda alongside modern holistic approaches emphasizing balance and harmony. These books encourage self-awareness and practical application, addressing injuries and ailments through natural, non-pharmaceutical solutions while advocating for movement, breathwork, and mindfulness as essential tools for health.

Beyond physical well-being, The Wellness Chronicles delves into the intricate connections between the mind and body, and how emotions, thought patterns, and beliefs influence our nervous system, stress responses, and overall vitality. These principles are supported by both ancient wisdom and contemporary insights, illustrating the profound interplay between psychology, philosophy, and personal transformation.

As a visual complement to these insights, I have included many of my original graphics throughout these books. These illustrations highlight self-regulation techniques, eclectic exercises, and Eastern methodologies, demonstrating how the intentional control of breath (wind), circulation (water), and mental focus can cultivate resilience, restore balance, and increase vitality (fire)—a reflection of the Taoist concept that “wind and water create fire.”

The Wellness Chronicles are more than just a guide; they are an invitation to reflect, explore, and apply holistic principles in everyday life. My hope is that this book serves as both a resource and an inspiration, encouraging deeper inquiry into the art of living well.

Thank you for your engagement with this work. I am eager to share this journey with you and contribute to the collective pursuit of enduring health, happiness, and fulfillment.

Thus far, I have volumes 1, 2 & 3, which are available individually or currently as one complete edition of all 3 in one book. Additional volumes may be added as I compose more content. Books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYPFZ46F?binding=hardcover&searchxofy=true

The Wellness Chronicles is a comprehensive exploration of holistic health, offering practical insights into achieving balance in mind, body, and spirit.

Volume 1: Foundations of Health & Vitality – Dive into the history and principle of allopathic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and other methods for a truly integrative approach to wellness.(177 pages)

Volume 2: Physical & Mental Well-being – Discover how anatomy, physiology and essential principles of movement, breathwork, and natural healing to restore balance and enhance well-being. Explore the deep connection between thoughts, emotions, and the nervous system, with techniques to manage stress and cultivate resilience. (236 pages)

Volume 3: Personal Responsibility & Lifelong Wellness – Explores the psychology of mental and physical well-being, emphasizing personal agency for stress management, mindfulness, and the role of emotions in health. (133 pages)

Complete Edition: The Definitive Guide – All three volumes combined in one masterwork, providing a full-spectrum resource for lifelong health and transformation. (515 pages)

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain cultivation depression health & wellness health care holistic holistic health human behavior ikigai martial arts center for health parkinsons disease philosophical concepts physiology psychophysiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/The-Wellness-Chronicles Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT
Gong De Wei Shen https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Gong-De-Wei-Shen The term Gong De Wei Shen (功德为神) could loosely be interpreted as “acquiring karmic merit for spiritual elevation or connection to the divine.” It’s a phrase that might not appear in ancient texts directly but captures the concept of dedicating good deeds or spiritual work to elevate one’s spiritual state, aligning with Chinese philosophies of moral virtue influencing one’s spiritual development. Gong De Wei Shen is indeed rooted in Chinese philosophical and spiritual traditions, though the exact expression isn’t commonly cited. I will break it down to the best of my understanding:

  1. Gong (功): This translates to merit, achievement, accomplishment, or work.
  2. Gong de (功德): This translates to “merit” or “karmic merit” or virtuous deeds as used in Buddhist and Taoist traditions in the sense of virtue accumulated through good deeds and moral actions of generosity and compassion towards others. In traditional Chinese thought and in Buddhism, gong de is the spiritual merit or positive karma gained through altruistic actions, spiritual practice, and moral conduct. These merits are believed to contribute to spiritual growth and favorable outcomes in this life or future lives
  3. Wei (为): This can mean “for” or “as” in this context, often used to imply that the merit serves or benefits something.
  4. Shen 神 : This translates to “spirit” or “divine” and can suggest a higher spiritual state or connection with the divine.

While gong de wei shen itself isn’t a phrase widely cited in ancient texts, some numerous classical works and studies delve into the related concepts of gong de (karmic merit), the role of shen (spirit or divine), and the accumulation of spiritual merit through virtuous actions. Here are some references that explore these themes:

  1. Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) by Lao Tzui: One of the foundational texts of Daoism, the Dao De Jing discusses concepts of virtue (de, 德) and alignment with the Dao (道) as a path to spiritual harmony. While it may not explicitly use gong de, it emphasizes the moral conduct and inner qualities that create harmony with the universe.
  2. The Avatamsaka Sutra (Huayan Sutra): In Mahayana Buddhism, which has heavily influenced Chinese thought, the Avatamsaka Sutra (华严经, Huayan Jing) explores the concept of merit (功德, gong de) in spiritual practice and its effect on one’s path toward enlightenment. This text connects good deeds and moral actions with spiritual progression.
  3. The Book of Changes (I Ching): Though more symbolic, the I Ching reflects on the harmony between human actions and spiritual forces, suggesting that righteous behavior impacts one’s fate and connection with higher powers.
  4. Zhuangzi: This Daoist text, attributed to the philosopher Zhuang Zhou, explores spiritual transformation and the concept of shen as something cultivated through inner clarity and virtue.

The concepts of 功德 (gong de, karmic merit) and 神修 (shen xiu, spiritual cultivation) are deeply relevant to everyday life, even for those who don’t actively follow Taoist or Buddhist traditions. Here’s why they can be important:

1. Actions Shape Our Lives and Mindset

Every small act of kindness, generosity, or ethical behavior accumulates gong de not just in a spiritual sense but in how it influences your relationships, reputation, and self-perception. Helping a friend, being honest in business, or treating people with respect builds trust and goodwill, which can often return in unexpected ways.

2. Inner Peace Comes from Spiritual Awareness

Spiritual cultivation (shen xiu) isn’t about being religious, but rather developing self-awareness, clarity, and emotional balance. In daily life, this may be practiced as:

  • Pausing before reacting negatively in a stressful situation.
  • Practicing mindfulness or gratitude to reduce anxiety.
  • Seeking wisdom in challenges rather than reacting impulsively.

3. Good Energy Attracts Good Outcomes

Many people unconsciously follow the idea of karma or energetic reciprocity. When you consistently act with integrity and positive intention, life tends to reflect that back. We sometimes call this “what goes around, comes around.” This is why some who choose to cultivate gong de often experience more fulfilling relationships, career success, and personal growth.

4. Resilience in Hard Times

Practicing gong de and shen xiu helps you build inner strength. When facing setbacks, those who have cultivated patience, kindness, and wisdom may be better equipped to manage challenges with grace, rather than feeling like a victim of circumstances.

5. A Sense of Purpose

Beyond material success, many people seek meaning in their daily lives. Spiritual cultivation (shen xiu) can provide a sense of meaning or purpose, whether through meditation, learning, creative expression, or simply striving to be a better person.

In Summary

These aren’t just ancient ideas, but rather practical tools for striving to live a more peaceful, balanced, and fulfilling life. By cultivating merit (gong de) and refining your inner spirit (shen xiu), one may naturally create a more harmonious life, both for themselves and those around them.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain cultivation depression health care human behavior ikigai martial arts center for health parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/3/Gong-De-Wei-Shen Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT
The Four Turning, The Five Elements and Carl Jung’s Archetypes https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/The-Four-Turning-The-Five-Elements-and-Carl-Jung-s-Archetypes “The Fourth Turning” by William Strauss and Neil Howe articulates a generational theory of history. The authors posit that societies undergo recurring cycles, referred to as “turnings,” approximately every 80-100 years. These cycles consist of four distinct generational archetypes of the Prophet, the Nomad, the Hero, and the Artist. Each archetype plays a significant role in shaping and responding to historical events in predictable patterns.


The four turnings are:


The High – A period of societal rebuilding after a crisis, characterized by strong institutions, collective unity, and optimism (e.g., post-WWII boom in the U.S.).


The Awakening – A cultural period where individuals challenge established norms, emphasizing personal and spiritual values over conformity (e.g., the 1960s counterculture movement).

The Unraveling – Institutions weaken, individualism increases, and trust in government and societal structures declines (e.g., 1980s-2000s in the U.S.).


The Crisis (Fourth Turning) – Significant upheaval, such as war, economic downturns, or revolution, that forces society to reconstruct itself (e.g., the Great Depression and WWII).
 


 
According to their theory, the U.S. is currently in a Fourth Turning (beginning around 2008), indicating we’re in a period of crisis and transformation that will likely peak in the 2020s before leading into a new High. William Strauss and Neil Howe’s generational theory primarily focuses on Western historical cycles. They did not explicitly incorporate Eastern philosophies like Taoism or the Wu Xing (Five Elements) into their framework. Their analysis centers on patterns observed in Anglo-American history, detailing a recurring cycle of four generational archetypes where the Prophet, Nomad, Hero, and Artist, each influence societal moods and events over approximately 80-100 years.,


The Wu Xing in Taoist philosophy describes five interrelated elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, each associated with specific seasons, times of day, and life phases. This system emphasizes balance and the dynamic interactions between elements, reflecting the cyclical nature of the universe.


While both frameworks recognize cyclical patterns, their foundations differ: the Wu Xing is rooted in natural elements and their interactions, whereas the Strauss-Howe theory is based on generational dynamics and historical events. There isn’t direct evidence that Strauss and Howe studied or integrated Eastern philosophies into their work.


Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, introduced the idea of psychological archetypes and was significantly influenced by his study of Eastern philosophies. Jung’s incorporation of concepts from Taoism, Buddhism, and other Eastern traditions into his work on the collective unconscious and archetypes predated the Strauss-Howe generational theory by decades. While Strauss and Howe developed their own unique framework focused on historical and generational patterns, the notion of archetypes they used resonates with the broader tradition of exploring recurring patterns in human behavior and culture.

Carl Yung’s Archetypes


However, the concept of cyclical patterns is present in many cultural philosophies, suggesting a universal human inclination to find order and predictability in history and nature. While the specifics of the cycles differ between the Wu Xing and the Strauss-Howe generational theory, both offer perspectives on understanding the rhythms and transformations inherent in societies.

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain


Universal Cycles of Transformation


Each framework describes a repeating sequence of phases, with distinct yet interrelated roles:


Strauss & Howe’s Fourth Turning follows a four-phase generational cycle (~80-100 years), where societal moods shift from stability (High) to questioning (Awakening), fragmentation (Unraveling), and renewal through crisis (Crisis).


Wu Xing (Five Elements) describes a five-phase natural cycle (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), applied to time, seasons, and human life. Taoism sees a person’s lifespan in ~25-year segments:

0-8 (Spring) – sprouting of one’s identity

8-33 (Summer) – flowering of one’s vitality

33-58 (Late Summer) – fruition of what has been achieved

58-83 (Autumn) – cutting away what is not needed

83-108 (Winter) – transformation and rebirth

All phases closely mirror The Fourth Turning’s phases.


Jungian Archetypes reflect psychological transformations across an individual’s life and history. His concepts of Hero, Wise Old Man, Shadow, and Rebirth mirror the rise, crisis, and renewal patterns seen in the other two theories. Jung, influenced by Taoism and the I Ching, recognized life as a process of individuation—balancing opposing forces (Yin-Yang, conscious-unconscious), much like the generational and elemental cycles.


Key Takeaways:


Generational, Natural, and Psychological Patterns Are Interwoven
Each theory observes cyclical phases that repeat over time, whether in history (Fourth Turning), nature (Wu Xing), or the psyche (Jungian archetypes).
 
Crisis and renewal are fundamental to change, whether societal, elemental, or personal.
 
Strauss & Howe’s Generational Theory May Unconsciously Reflect Jungian Archetypes
The Fourth Turning’s generational archetypes (Prophet, Nomad, Hero, Artist) resemble Jung’s archetypal roles.
 
Jung, who studied Taoism and Eastern philosophy, recognized cycles of transformation, much like Wu Xing’s elemental shifts.
  
Taoism’s Wu Xing and Jung’s Individuation Both Emphasize Balance
Wu Xing describes the dynamic interplay of elements, where excess in one leads to transformation into another.
 
Jung’s individuation process requires integrating all aspects of the psyche, much like how Taoist balance ensures harmony.
 
 Crisis is a Necessary Stage for Renewal
Fourth Turning: Each crisis (e.g., WWII) paves the way for societal rebirth.
 
Wu Xing: Death and decay (Metal & Water) are necessary before new life (Wood).
 
Jung: Transformation only occurs when the individual faces their Shadow and integrates unconscious aspects.
Though emerging from different traditions, these three theories reveal a shared truth: transformation occurs through cyclical forces, shaping societies, nature, and individuals alike. Whether through generational change, elemental shifts, or psychological evolution, the rhythm of crisis and renewal is an eternal pattern in human experience.

 
References:
Generations X и Y: Crux, Characteristics, Application of a Theory in Recruiting. (2023). https://itluckyhunter.com/blog/generations-theory
 

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety carl jung chronic pain cultivation health care human behavior martial arts center for health qigong self reflection stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/The-Four-Turning-The-Five-Elements-and-Carl-Jung-s-Archetypes Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT
The Detriments of Social Media: A Closer Look at Polarizing Behavior https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/The-Detriments-of-Social-Media-A-Closer-Look-at-Polarizing-Behavior Social media has become an integral part of modern life, offering a platform for self-expression, networking, and information sharing. However, when individuals, especially those with professional careers, use social media to constantly post their political and social views, it can lead to unintended consequences. This behavior, particularly when it involves posting dozens of times a day with little engagement, can be polarizing and may negatively impact both personal and professional relationships. Beyond the social and professional risks, this kind of behavior can also have significant psychological and physiological effects, including stress, cortisol imbalances, and even obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-social-media-is-so-good-at-polarizing-us-11603105204

The Professional Risks

One of the most immediate detriments of excessive posting of polarizing views is the potential harm to one’s professional reputation. For individuals with established careers, social media often extends their professional identity. When their online presence is dominated by divisive political or social commentary, it can overshadow their expertise and accomplishments. Colleagues, clients, or professional networks with differing views may feel alienated, leading to strained relationships or missed opportunities. In extreme cases, this behavior can even result in job loss or damage to one’s career trajectory, as employers increasingly scrutinize employees’ online activity.

Engagement and Feedback

Another notable issue is the lack of engagement these posts often receive. When individuals post frequently and assertively, framing their views as absolute truths, it can discourage others from responding. People may find the content unrelatable, exhausting, or confrontational, leading to a lack of meaningful dialogue. Over time, this can create an echo chamber where the individual only hears their own voice, further entrenching their beliefs and isolating them from diverse perspectives. This lack of engagement can also be a sign that their approach is counterproductive, as it fails to foster the kind of constructive conversations that could lead to mutual understanding.

https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-media-boost-mental-health-millennials

A Shift in How We Engage with Perspectives

In the past, before the advent of social media, people often engaged in face-to-face conversations where curiosity about others’ perspectives was more common. There was a natural inclination to ask questions, listen, and seek to understand differing viewpoints. Social media, however, has fundamentally altered this dynamic. Today, we are freely able and often inundated with the thoughts and opinions of others, sometimes to the point of oversaturation. While this transparency can foster connection, it can also lead to fatigue, especially when those opinions are expressed aggressively or excessively. The mystery and curiosity that once fueled meaningful dialogue are often replaced by a sense of overexposure, where the sheer volume of content can make it difficult to engage thoughtfully.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

The psychological and emotional toll of this behavior cannot be overlooked. Constantly posting polarizing content may stem from a deep-seated need for validation or a desire to influence others. However, when these posts go unnoticed or unacknowledged, it can lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, or even anger. Over time, this cycle can contribute to heightened stress levels and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, the act of repeatedly sharing strong opinions can become compulsive, resembling obsessive-compulsive tendencies. The individual may feel an uncontrollable urge to post, even when it no longer serves a constructive purpose. If someone has the time, effort, and energy to blame others for all of the world’s ills, they also have the time to reflect and focus on becoming a better version of themselves. Rather than dwelling on external problems, shifting some of that energy toward self-improvement could yield far more positive and constructive outcomes.

Respecting Passion Without Sharing It

It’s worth noting that while someone’s efforts to advocate for a cause may appear noble or well-intentioned, not everyone will share their passion or agree with their methods. Social media often amplifies the visibility of these efforts, making it seem as though everyone should be equally invested. However, it’s important to recognize that people have different priorities, values, and capacities for engagement. What one person sees as a critical issue worthy of relentless advocacy, another may view as less pressing or outside their sphere of interest. This disconnect doesn’t diminish the value of the cause itself, but it highlights the importance of respecting boundaries and understanding that not everyone will share the same level of enthusiasm or commitment.

Physiological Effects: Stress, Cortisol, and Chemical Imbalances

The psychological stress associated with excessive social media use can also manifest physiologically. Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that, in excess, can disrupt the body’s natural balance. Elevated cortisol levels have been linked to a range of health issues, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and weakened immune function. For individuals who are constantly engaged in online debates or who feel compelled to post frequently, this stress response can become a persistent state, leading to long-term health consequences.

Additionally, the dopamine-driven nature of social media can exacerbate these issues. The anticipation of likes, shares, or comments triggers dopamine release, reinforcing a habit loop. Over time, this can contribute to compulsive posting, as individuals seek continued validation through online interactions. This chemical imbalance can make it difficult for individuals to step away from social media, even when they recognize its negative impact on their lives.

Constructive Approaches for Change

For individuals who find themselves caught in this cycle, there are steps they can take to create a healthier and more balanced online presence. First, they might consider diversifying their content to include professional achievements, personal interests, or neutral topics that encourage broader engagement. Framing opinions in a way that invites dialogue—such as asking, “What are your thoughts on this?”—can also foster more respectful and productive conversations. Additionally, limiting the frequency of posts and focusing on quality over quantity can help reduce the compulsive urge to share and create a more thoughtful online presence.

For Observers: Setting Boundaries and Offering Support

For those who are on the receiving end of this behavior, it’s important to set boundaries. If the constant stream of polarizing posts becomes overwhelming, muting or unfollowing the individual on social media can help maintain mental well-being while preserving professional relationships. It’s also helpful to remember that their behavior is likely a reflection of their own experiences and beliefs, not a personal attack. In some cases, offering constructive feedback—if the relationship allows—can encourage them to reflect on their approach and its impact on others.

Conclusion

While social media offers a powerful platform for self-expression, its misuse can have far-reaching consequences. For individuals who post their political and social views excessively, the risks include professional alienation, strained relationships, and psychological and physiological harm. By adopting a more balanced and thoughtful approach to social media, individuals can mitigate these detriments and create a more positive and productive online presence. For observers, setting boundaries and offering support can help navigate these challenging dynamics. Ultimately, social media is a tool, and its impact depends on how it is used. By using social media intentionally—fostering meaningful discussions rather than divisive debates—we can create a digital space that informs rather than isolates.

References:

Mims, C., & Holcroft, J. (2020, October 19). Why social media is so good at polarizing us. WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-social-media-is-so-good-at-polarizing-us-11603105204

Professional Risks of Social Media Use

Brown, V. R., & Vaughn, E. D. (2011). The writing on the (Facebook) wall: The use of social networking sites in hiring decisions. Journal of Business and Psychology, 26(2), 219-225.

  • This study explores how employers evaluate candidates’ social media presence and the potential impact of polarizing content.

Echo Chambers and Engagement Issues

Pariser, E. (2011). The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You. Penguin Press.

  • Discusses how social media algorithms reinforce pre-existing beliefs and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

Psychological and Emotional Effects of Social Media Overuse

Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2017). Increases in depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702617723376

  • Examines how excessive screen time and social media use contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Physiological Impact: Stress, Cortisol, and Dopamine

Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Holt Paperbacks.

  • Explains how chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels affect mental and physical health.

Montag, C., & Reuter, M. (2017). Internet Addiction: Neuroscientific Approaches and Therapeutical Implications Including Smartphone Addiction. Springer.

  • Discusses dopamine-driven social media addiction and its effect on brain function.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/The-Detriments-of-Social-Media-A-Closer-Look-at-Polarizing-Behavior Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT
Wind and Water, Makes Fire https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Wind-and-Water-Makes-Fire The human mind and body are integral parts of nature, constantly interacting with its energies. There is a direct correlation between the systems of nature and those of the body, with three key elements of wind, fire, and water, serving as points of connection.

  • Wind corresponds to the respiratory system, as the air we breathe sustains life.
  • Fire represents body temperature, which plays a vital role in all physiological functions.
  • Water relates to the circulatory system, essential for vitality and well-being.

Practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and Bagua Zhang profoundly influence the body, impacting the organs, joints, and muscles at a deep level. In Taoist alchemy, the philosophical phrase “wind and water make fire “ metaphorically represents the dynamic interactions of the Five Elements (Wu Xing) and the internal processes of self-cultivation.

Here’s a breakdown of how this concept fits into Taoist thought:

  1. Five Elements Correspondence:
    • Wind (Feng, 风) is often associated with Wood (Mu, 木), which represents growth, movement, and expansion.
    • Water (Shui, 水) corresponds to the Kidneys and the essence (Jing), which serves as the foundation for transformation.
    • Fire (Huo, 火) corresponds to Yang energy, warmth, and spirit (Shen).
    • The idea is that the interaction of movement (Wind/Wood) and nourishment (Water) can generate Fire (Yang energy, transformation).
  2. Neidan (Internal Alchemy) Interpretation:
    • Wind (Wood) and Water represent Qi and Jing, respectively.
    • Their controlled interaction through breathwork, meditation, and energy circulation can generate the internal “alchemy fire” needed to refine essence into Qi and Qi into Shen.
    • This fire is not literal but the internal warmth and energetic transformation that happens in deep meditation or Qigong.
  3. Martial & Qigong Perspective:
    • In advanced Qigong and martial arts, regulated breath (Wind) and internal fluid movement (Water) manifest into internal heat (Fire), leading to refined power and vitality.
    • This aligns with practices of Tai Chi, Qigong and BaguaZhang, where breath, body movement, and mind-intent cultivate the internal fire for vitality and martial efficiency.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain cultivation depression health care martial arts center for health meditation osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong self improvement stress management stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Wind-and-Water-Makes-Fire Sat, 15 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT
Pulling Back the Curtain https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Pulling-Back-the-Curtain

My new book Pulling Back the Curtain is now available through Amazon (https://a.co/d/09malCv). I offer a color reference guide for Sacred Geometry, Carl Jung’s theories, and their relevance to human behavior and symbolism. If you practice yoga, tai chi, qigong, BaguaZhang, other mind-body methods or are just looking to expand your understanding of our reality, my new book will help you organize all seemingly complex concepts.



Throughout human history, profound truths about the universe and our place within it have been explored and expressed through archetypes, geometry, psychology and philosophy. From the earliest cave drawings to the intricate mandalas of Eastern traditions, humanity has sought to map the intangible forces that shape our existence. These universal patterns reveal not only the structures of the cosmos but also the dynamics of our own inner worlds. It is this interplay between the external and internal, the visible and invisible, that this book illuminates. My intent for this book is to provide a graphical study guide that summarizes complex concepts for those already familiar with these topics, while offering an introduction for those just beginning to pursue this type of information.


The Taoist concept of yin and yang further underscores the dynamic dualities that shape our world: light and shadow, masculine and feminine, chaos and order. This dance of opposites, echoed in Jung’s theories, reminds us that life’s challenges and joys are part of a larger, harmonious whole. At the heart of these inquiries lies the work of Carl Jung, whose pioneering insights into the collective unconscious provide a framework for understanding the interconnectedness of all things. Jung’s exploration of archetypes and opposites, including the balance of yin and yang, offers profound guidance for navigating the complexities of modern life. His fascination with symbols, geometry, and universal patterns serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary thought.


Similarly, the Platonic solids – those perfect, symmetrical forms revered by both philosophers and mystics, stand as metaphors for the foundational elements of existence. These shapes, deeply intertwined with sacred geometry, reflect the harmony and order inherent in nature. Their significance transcends mere mathematics, inviting us to ponder the deeper truths they represent. Sacred geometry ties these threads together, offering a visual language of the divine. Found in the spirals of galaxies, the structure of DNA, and the design of ancient temples, sacred geometry is both a scientific marvel and a spiritual guide. It reminds us that beauty and meaning exist not only in grand cosmic designs but also in the smallest details of our daily lives. Furthermore, sacred geometry finds profound expression in the realm of mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, qigong and even martial arts. These disciplines incorporate geometric principles in their movements and postures, fostering harmony within the body and between the individual and the universe. The exploration of these practices and their connection to sacred geometry will reveal how these ancient systems of movement and mindfulness embody universal truths.

This book invites you to journey into these interconnected realms, where the principles of psychology, philosophy, geometry, and physical movement converge. It explores how these timeless ideas remain relevant, offering practical insights for finding balance, purpose, and connection in a world that often feels fragmented. As you delve into these pages, may you uncover the patterns that shape your own existence. May you find not only knowledge but also inspiration to integrate these timeless truths into your everyday life, creating harmony within and around you.

My books are comprehensive, deeply researched, and feature original, high-quality illustrations. I have invested over 40 years of learning, practicing, and illustrating these topics myself. providing full-color printing, detailed graphics, and specialized knowledge require premium pricing. Most of my publications offer rare insights not found elsewhere, justifying their premium nature. I have specifically designed my books for serious practitioners and scholars, while also offering information for beginners to get acquainted with complex topics and concepts. Each book contains a lifetime of experience condensed into each volume. These books are for those who seek authentic, high-quality study materials rather than mass-market books.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) carl jung chronic pain fibonacci spiral golden ratio health & wellness health care human behavior osteoporosis philosophical concepts platonic solids qigong sacred geometry specific methods of wellness practice stress relief synchronicity tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Pulling-Back-the-Curtain Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT
Inside the Circle: The Power and Peril of Closed Groups https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Inside-the-Circle-The-Power-and-Peril-of-Closed-Groups The Role and Risks of Closed Social Groups in Martial Arts, Yoga, Clubs, and Other Exclusive Communities

Closed social groups, such as private yoga or martial arts schools, serve a unique purpose within their respective disciplines. Depending on the intent behind their structure, their exclusivity can have advantages and drawbacks. Similar dynamics can be found in other exclusive communities, such as religious orders, secret societies, and elite academic circles.

Advantages of Closed Groups

  1. Focused Learning Environment
    • By restricting access, students or members can focus on their objectives without outside distractions or feeling self-conscious under public scrutiny. This is particularly important for traditional martial arts, esoteric yoga practices, or spiritual communities that require deep practices of observation, contemplation, and meditation as their main focus.
  2. Preservation of Tradition
    • Many closed schools and societies follow lineages that prioritize secrecy or direct transmission from teacher to student. This can help to maintain authenticity, ensuring knowledge isn’t diluted or misrepresented.
  3. Community and Trust
    • A closed structured system can encourage a strong sense of belonging, loyalty, and trust among members. This is very important for practices that involve partner training, deep introspection, or energy work, as well as in religious and esoteric orders.
  4. Safety and Progression
    • Some disciplines involve physical conditioning or internal energy cultivation such as with advanced qigong, martial techniques, or breath control methods. Restricting access ensures students have proper guidance and do not attempt techniques without foundational preparation.

Potential Disadvantages

  1. Exclusivity Can Limit Growth
    • While privacy may support depth, it may also prevent potential new students from finding and benefiting from these practices. A highly restricted group may unintentionally create an echo chamber.
  2. Loss of Cultural Exchange
    • Martial arts, yoga, and many esoteric traditions have deep historical roots but have evolved through cultural exchange. Over-restricting access could hinder the natural development of these traditions.
  3. Risk of Elitism or Dogmatism
    • If not managed well, closed groups can sometimes lead to rigid, authoritarian-type hierarchies, where senior members become resistant to new ideas or outsiders. This can lead to stagnation rather than growth.
  4. Barrier to Understanding
    • In some cases, secrecy can lead to stigma, misinformation, or misinterpretation from outsiders of the group who speculate about what happens within the group.

When Closed Groups Use Insular Dynamics

Closed groups, whether in martial arts, yoga, religious sects, secret societies, or elite academic circles, can sometimes encourage an “us vs. them” mentality, especially if they become overly insular. Various terms refer to these types of groups such as, but not limited to:

  • Dogmatic Communities
  • Ideological Isolation
  • Rigid Group Mentality
  • Sectarian Influence
  • Closed-System Thinking
  • Insulated Hierarchies
  • Excessive Group Loyalty
  • Echo Chamber Environments
  • Insular Traditions
  • Cult-like

Groupthink & Echo Chambers

  • Critical or objective thinking can diminish in highly insular groups as members conform to a singular worldview.
  • If a martial arts school, spiritual order, or elite academic group never questions its methods, or principles or refuses outside perspectives, it risks stagnation, stigma, and dogma.
  • Some groups discourage members from engaging with alternative viewpoints, reinforcing a “this is the only way” mindset.

Isolationism & “Us vs. Them” Mentality

  • If those outside of the group are viewed with hesitation, suspicion, or unworthiness, the group can become exclusionary rather than welcoming.
  • Some esoteric circles, religious sects, or martial arts schools forbid interactions with non-members, creating psychological dependence.
  • Over time, this can erode personal autonomy and discourage critical reflection.

Loaded Language & Indoctrination

  • Exclusive terminology or redefined words, such as “true knowledge,” “higher-level students,” “the only,” the original,” etc., can create a psychological barrier between insiders and outsiders.
  • Language may be used to elevate the in-group while dismissing external knowledge as inferior, dangerous or subversive.
  • In more extreme cases, dissenting members may be labeled as “unenlightened,” “not loyal,” “not ready,” “not qualified,” or “not clear” to justify exclusion.

Leader Worship & Hierarchical Control

  • Some martial arts or yoga masters, religious leaders, or academic figures present themselves as the sole gatekeeper of knowledge, discouraging students or disciples from questioning authority.
  • Strict obedience without space for personal growth can create an authoritarian dynamic, where members fear questioning the instructor, leader or those in authority.
  • This is especially risky in some of the internal arts and esoteric traditions, where progress is subjective and can be manipulated through metaphysical, mystical or vague claims.

How to Avoid or Become Aware of Insular Dynamics in Closed Groups

  • Encourage Critical Thinking: Healthy groups welcome questions and debate rather than discouraging independent thought.
  • Allow Cross-Training and Exchange: Exposure to other traditions, teachers, perspectives and resources keeps members from falling into dogma.
  • Maintain Ethical Boundaries: If the group expects extreme devotion, secrecy, or control over members’ lives, it’s a huge red flag.
  • Avoid Fear-Based Loyalty: No legitimate school or organization should use fear, guilt, or manipulation to keep members from leaving.
  • Foster Openness Without Dilution: A “semi-closed model,” where serious training is protected but knowledge is not hoarded, may be able to better balance tradition with accessibility.

Are Closed Groups Always Bad?

Not necessarily. Some amount of exclusivity can be beneficial for:

✅ Protecting advanced knowledge from misuse
✅ Maintaining depth and focus while training
✅ Creating a dedicated, distraction-free environment

However, if a group starts demanding absolute loyalty, rejecting all outsiders, or discouraging independent thinking, then it risks cult-like tendencies. Striking a balance between exclusivity and openness is key to ensuring that these groups remain places of learning, growth, and genuine tradition rather than echo chambers of control and manipulation.

With over 20 years of firsthand experience training, studying, and teaching in various closed groups across different settings, I have observed both their strengths and challenges. I then dedicated an additional 25 years to studying the underlying dynamics that shape these environments, recognizing both their positive and negative consequences. To deepen my understanding, I further invested four years into the study of psychology, religion, Eastern philosophy, sociology, psychophysiology, and other related fields, allowing me to analyze closed group behavior with a broader and more informed perspective.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain health care human behavior martial arts center for health parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/Inside-the-Circle-The-Power-and-Peril-of-Closed-Groups Sat, 08 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT
“Prolonged Sitting is the New Smoking” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/-Prolonged-Sitting-is-the-New-Smoking

I spoke this week for a few minutes at The Mayflower at Winter Park, along with The Winter Park Lifelong Learning Foundation, regarding my upcoming course in March on:

“Prolonged Sitting is the New Smoking”

Three sessions that build upon the first, starting on March 5th, 12th, 19th (10:30-11:45am)

Instructor – Jim Moltzan, BS degree in holistic health

Location – WP Library near the Winter Park Village on 17-92.

At each session, I will discuss the physical, mental, and spiritual (self-awareness) aspects of remaining in a seated position for extended periods. Each session will also include about a 1/2-hour of instruction in qigong, tai chi, or other methods that can help to get the body moving, engage one’s mind, and offer for some, meaning and purpose to get out of that chair on a daily basis.

__________

A $35.00 registration is required to attend all three sessions, which goes toward supporting college scholarships through the Lifelong Learning Foundation: https://winterparklifelong.org/register-courses

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain class info edema health & wellness health care human behavior lifelong foundation martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease prolonged sitting promotional qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/2/-Prolonged-Sitting-is-the-New-Smoking Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:34:16 GMT
Is Gratitude and Appreciation Outdated? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/1/Is-Gratitude-and-Appreciation-Outdated The Good Book says it’s better to give than to receive
I do my best to do my part
Nothin’ in my pockets, I got nothin’ up my sleeve
I keep my magic in my heart
Keep up your spirit, keep up your faith, baby
I am counting on you
You know what you’ve got to do

(Triumph – 80’s rock band)

What is up with more recent generations, who often don’t say thank you or express appreciation for others’ paying bills, buying groceries, preparing meals, dining out, creating education opportunities, and many other instances where in the past, people did so? Has this been the new norm for a while now and I just missed the memo? Maybe the email got lost in my AOL spam folder. Perhaps I am behind the times.

I think that my observation touches on a fascinating dynamic: gratitude as a social and cultural norm seems to have diluted over generations, influenced by shifts in our values, communication styles, and societal structures. In the past, gratitude wasn’t just a taught virtue. Expression of gratitude often had real tangible stakes, such as maintaining social connections, securing resources, or avoiding ostracization. A lack of a call thanking an older relative for a birthday or graduation gift would consequently cease future generosities. The pendulum now seems to have swung, with younger generations often less in sync with older generations as to the importance of explicit expressions of gratitude, especially in personal and financial matters.

For example, take the following scenario with a person choosing to treat a small group to an expensive fine dining experience. The younger participants freely order appetizers, entrees, and alcohol without regard for cost or acknowledgment that there may be a budget. At the end of the meal, all comment on how good the meal was, and then go on their separate ways. Another instance may be where an aging grandparent distributes their wealth before their passing but receives little appreciation nor thanks for the efforts that might greatly influence the beneficiaries’ futures. This behavior might stem from several interconnected factors:

Why This Happens

  1. Changing Norms and Expectations
    • In the past, gratitude was tied to survival and societal belonging. Today, individualism and a sense of entitlement may inadvertently reduce the perceived need to express thanks.
    • Younger generations might see expressions of generosity as routine, expected or transactional, especially if they’ve grown up with parents or elders providing without clear expectations of acknowledgment.
  2. Generational Blind Spots
    • Many in their young adulthood haven’t had to manage substantial expenses themselves. Without the firsthand experience of the time and effort required to afford luxuries, they might not fully grasp the significance of such gestures.
    • Digital communication norms have shifted the way gratitude is expressed, with younger people often favoring indirect methods over explicit verbal thanks, such as via texting emojis or likes.
  3. Social and Economic Pressures
    • With stressors like social issues, economic uncertainty, college costs, and other debt, younger people may unconsciously prioritize their immediate pleasure over reflecting on the bigger picture of generosity and sacrifice.

Addressing the Issue

If someone cares to bridge this gap constructively, here are some strategies:

  1. Be the Example and Model by Discussing Gratitude
    • Share how you learned the value of expressing thanks and why it’s meaningful. For example, one might say, “When I was younger, I eventually realized how important it was to show my appreciation, not just out of politeness, but because it helps to build and strengthen relationships.”
    • Express your own gratitude openly, as this sets an example for others. For example, one could acknowledge the chef or server during the dining experience, demonstrating the power of recognition.
  2. Gently Raise Awareness
    • Reflect on the experience with them afterward. For instance: “I really enjoyed treating everyone to dinner, it was quite a special occasion for me. I hope you all felt the same way.”
    • If you can find it appropriate, bring up the idea of cost in a non-confrontational way, such as: “Fine dining is a real treat. It made me think about how much time and effort goes into making something like that possible and memorable.”
  3. Set Expectations Going Forward
    • For similar future outings, one could propose some light boundaries or discussions about the value of shared experiences. For example, “Let’s keep it simple and focus on enjoying the moment. Feel free to order what you’d like, but keep in mind that we’re here to share a meaningful time together.”

Big Picture

While it might feel disheartening in the moment, remember that younger generations often do appreciate acts of kindness but might lack the social tools or awareness to express it in a way that others may recognize. By modeling, discussing, and gently guiding, you can help foster an understanding of gratitude that feels authentic to both parties, ensuring these experiences are both enjoyable and meaningful.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain depression gratitude health care human behavior martial arts center for health mental health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease personal-growth ptsd qigong self care tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2025/1/Is-Gratitude-and-Appreciation-Outdated Sun, 12 Jan 2025 08:23:29 GMT Muscles Aren’t Everything: Why Your Organs Need Exercise Too https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Muscles-Aren-t-Everything-Why-Your-Organs-Need-Exercise-Too Most popular physical exercise methods (running, walking, weights, swimming, etc.) are designed to engage the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, through movement of the arms and legs. However, the internal organs, composed of specialized similar cellular tissues, can also benefit indirectly from physical activity. How and why it makes sense to “exercise” the internal organs is a topic for deeper discussion.

1. Indirect Engagement of Internal Organs Through Physical Activity

  • Cardiovascular System: Aerobic exercises such as running, walking, and swimming help increase blood circulation, deliver oxygen and nutrients to internal organs, and remove waste products more efficiently.
  • Respiratory System: Deep breathing during exercise engages and strengthens the diaphragm, improving lung capacity.
  • Digestive System: Physical activity stimulates peristalsis (the rhythmic contraction of digestive muscles), improving digestion and potentially reducing issues like constipation.
  • Lymphatic System: Movements that engage large muscle groups, increase lymphatic flow, which is critical for immune function and detoxification.

2. Why Exercise Internal Organs?

  • Internal organs, like muscles, rely on regular stimulation to maintain optimal function. Physical exercise promotes:
    • Improved cellular metabolism and regeneration.
    • Enhanced detoxification processes involving the liver and kidneys.
    • Maintenance of healthy organ size and function, especially in the heart and lungs.

3. Direct Stimulation of Organs

While many popular exercises don’t directly target internal organs, some practices focus on this concept:

  • Abdominal breathing or Pranayama: Directly engages the diaphragm, stimulating internal organs, and improving their function.
  • Torso-twisting poses From yoga, Pilates, and some martial arts: These poses gently compress and release organs like the liver and kidneys, thought to stimulate their function.
  • Qigong or Tai Chi: These methods at their root. emphasize mindful movement of the breath and torso, resulting in an increase of internal energy flow, believed to “massage” internal organs.

4. Specific Targeting of Organs

  • Hydration and Nutrition: Essential for organ health, as they provide the components for cell repair and energy.
  • Stress Management: Techniques such as deep breathing, and meditation reduce the impact of stress hormones on organs like the heart, lungs, stomach and adrenal glands.
  • Interoception Practices: Awareness of internal organs and bodily functions and their relative signals can lead to better care and prevent strain on specific organs.

What I have suggested aligns with holistic practices that seek to treat the body as one interconnected system. We can broaden the definition of “exercise” to include practices that target internal organs, where we can promote a deeper level of health and vitality.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Muscles-Aren-t-Everything-Why-Your-Organs-Need-Exercise-Too Mon, 30 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Building Stronger Bones https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Building-Stronger-Bones This month I wrapped up my series of 6 discussions regarding “self-care.”

Specific topics addressed were that of:

what is holistic health?

– management of hands and wrists using acupressure/reflexology

– management of various types of stress and headaches

– understanding how the vestibular balance systems work

– how to breathe deeper and more efficiently affecting

– why is bone density a serious issue and how to improve it

I have many more topics to discuss regarding better physical health, mental wellness, and having meaning/purpose in our lives. Tai chi and qigong are a big part of my curriculum, but I also earned a BS degree in holistic health in addition to my over 40 years of “hands-on” learning, practicing, and teaching. Contact me if you are interested in me speaking at your place of business, group, or other public setting.

All 6 discussions can be found on my YouTube page, by clicking on the image below.

Here is a summary of the topics I discussed regarding osteopenia and osteoporosis, which are conditions related to bone density and strength, which affect millions of people, particularly as they age. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis

  • Osteopenia: This is the early stage of bone loss, where bone mineral density (BMD) is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. It is often a precursor to osteoporosis and indicates weakening bones.
  • Osteoporosis: This is a more severe bone condition characterized by significant bone loss, making bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures. In osteoporosis, bones become porous, with decreased density and structural integrity.

Causes

Both osteopenia and osteoporosis are caused by an imbalance between bone resorption (the process of bone breakdown) and bone formation. Factors contributing to this include:

  • Aging: Bone mass typically peaks in a person’s 20s or 30s and declines with age, particularly in postmenopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels.
  • Hormonal changes: Lowered levels of hormones such as estrogen in women and testosterone in men can contribute to decreased bone density.
  • Genetics: A family history of osteoporosis can increase the risk.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity, particularly weight-bearing and resistance exercises, can contribute to weaker bones.
  • Poor nutrition: Low intake of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial for bone health can lead to bone density loss.
  • Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both are associated with decreased bone density.
  • Certain medications: Long-term use of corticosteroids and some other medications may contribute to bone loss.

Side Effects and Risks

  • Fractures: The most serious consequence, particularly in the hips, spine, and wrists, can result in decreased mobility and increased mortality in older adults.
  • Height loss: Often due to fractures in the vertebrae leading to compression.
  • Back pain: Resulting from collapsed or fractured vertebrae.
  • Kyphosis (spinal curvature): In severe cases of osteoporosis, the spine may curve forward.

Management and Prevention

1. Strength and Resistance Training

  • Weight-bearing exercises: These include activities like walking, jogging, dancing, and stair climbing. They help stimulate bone formation by putting stress on the bones.
  • Resistance training: Lifting weights or using resistance bands helps build muscle mass and improves bone density. Exercises targeting the hips, spine, and wrists are particularly beneficial for bone health.
  • Balance training: Tai chi, yoga, and Pilates are excellent for improving balance and flexibility, reducing the risk of falls that can lead to fractures.

2. Sun Exposure and Vitamin D

  • Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption, vitamin D can be synthesized through exposure to sunlight. About 15-30 minutes of sun exposure several times a week on the face, arms, or legs (without sunscreen) is often enough, depending on skin type, location, and weather.
  • Supplementation: In cases where adequate sun exposure is not possible, supplements are often recommended. The typical dosage is around 600-800 IU per day for adults, though higher doses may be needed for those with deficiencies.

3. Nutrition

  • Calcium: Adequate calcium intake is crucial for maintaining bone density. The recommended intake is about 1,000-1,200 mg per day, depending on age and gender. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), leafy greens (kale, broccoli), almonds, tofu, and fortified foods.
  • Magnesium: Magnesium helps convert vitamin D into its active form, allowing for better calcium absorption. Sources include nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.
  • Protein: Adequate protein intake is essential for bone and muscle health. High-protein diets have been associated with improved bone density.
  • Other Nutrients:
    • Vitamin K: Found in leafy greens, helps regulate calcium and promotes bone health.
    • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish like salmon and flaxseeds, these can help reduce bone loss.

4. Medications (I did not discuss these much, as my focus was towards non-pharmaceutical options)

  • Bisphosphonates: These drugs slow down bone resorption and help to maintain or increase bone density.
  • Hormone Therapy: Estrogen replacement therapy can be beneficial for postmenopausal women to slow bone loss.
  • Denosumab: A monoclonal antibody that reduces bone resorption.
  • Calcitonin: A hormone that helps regulate calcium levels and bone metabolism.
  • Parathyroid hormone analogs: These can help stimulate bone formation in severe cases of osteoporosis.

5. Lifestyle Changes

  • Quit smoking: Smoking accelerates bone loss, so quitting is important for bone health.
  • Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol interferes with calcium balance and bone formation.
  • Fall prevention: Maintaining good balance and a safe living environment can help prevent falls that might lead to fractures.

6. Regular Check-ups:

  • Bone density scans: These scans can help monitor your bone health and assess your risk of fractures.
  • Regular medical check-ups: Consult your doctor for personalized advice and to discuss any concerns.

Summary

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are conditions that reflect the progressive weakening of bones, leading to increased risk of fractures. Managing these conditions involves a combination of strength training, resistance exercises, adequate sun exposure, proper nutrition (especially with calcium and vitamin D), and sometimes medication. Regular physical activity, especially weight-bearing and resistance exercises, can help strengthen bones, while proper diet and lifestyle choices support bone health and overall well-being.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition fitness health health & wellness health care martial arts center for health nutrition osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) wellness winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Building-Stronger-Bones Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:25:26 GMT Are you Superstitious? Perhaps Operant Conditioning is in Play https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Are-you-Superstitious-Perhaps-Operant-Conditioning-is-in-Play Operant conditioning entails learning relationships between behavior and its consequences of reinforcement or punishment. Operant responses are usually voluntary, such as verbal behavior, thinking and/or physical actions. In operant conditioning experiments, the researcher associates a particular response by closely following correspondences to that response with reinforcement or punishment (Ettinger, 2018). 

Superstition may be defined as an irrational belief that can lead to the practice of various rituals, where a random occurrence is related with a positive outcome. The practice of the ritual is then thought to increase the positive outcome by again repeating the behavior. Some may see superstition as rooted in a mismatched correlation between cause and effect, where there is a tendency to interpret outcomes in line with our pre-existing beliefs. We often see this behavior in sporting activities, where a chance action or inaction, could lead to a point or goal for a particular percentage of the time. For example, actions of a baseball batter tapping home plate with their bat, loosening, and retightening their gloves and then hitting a homerun, are likely to be repeated. Not that these actions actually have any effect, but simply because of the coincidental reinforcement (What Is the Evolutionary Reason for Superstitious Behaviour? 2021).

(What Is the Evolutionary Reason for Superstitious Behaviour?, 2021)

Behavior learned through reinforcement usually involves a straightforward process linking cause to effect.  However, with superstitious behavior, we perform an irrelevant action that happens to accompany the behavior that is being reinforced. Now that irrelevant action or the superstitious behavior, itself becomes reinforced (Krauss Whitbourne, 2014).

I think this cause-and-effect superstitious behavior can be often seen in many other common rituals that we often execute without much engaged thought. Ironically, some superstitions actually have some logical explanation or history behind them. An example would be not walking under a ladder because it could be potentially dangerous if something fell off of the ladder and onto someone’s head. Or not opening an umbrella indoors, because it was designed to be open outdoors and clear from hitting potential objects upon opening (Kolitz, 2020).

References:

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Kolitz, D. (2020, March 30). Which Superstitions Are Based on Facts? Gizmodo. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://gizmodo.com/which-superstitions-are-based-on-fact-1841261680

Krauss Whitbourne, S. (2014, October 14). Why We’re So Superstitious. Psychology Today. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201410/why-were-so-superstitious

What is the Evolut3ionary Reason for Superstitious Behaviour? (2021, August 18). New Scientist. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg25133482-900-what-is-the-evolutionary-reason-for-superstitious-behaviour/#:%7E:text=A%20superstition%20is%20an%20irrational,likelihood%20of%20repeating%20the%20behaviour.

What is the evolutionary reason for superstitious behaviour? (2021, August 18). New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg25133482-900-what-is-the-evolutionary-reason-for-superstitious-behaviour/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Are-you-Superstitious-Perhaps-Operant-Conditioning-is-in-Play Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Reiki and its Acceptance in the US Healthcare System https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Reiki-and-its-Acceptance-in-the-US-Healthcare-System American culture and society have greatly become more polarized on many issues. I see there is much more of a divide over the last 40 years between religions, spirituality, and secular practices. Reiki is a Japanese energy-based healing technique that uses an individual’s energy force to help reduce stress, and anxiety and encourage relaxation not only for themselves but also for others. The method uses gentle touch and placement for healing and tries to improve balance in the body. Reiki has become more accepted and understood in some regions in recent years and consequently, more hospitals in the US. I found a few sources that indicated that Reiki is more accepted and offered in more progressive areas of the US, such as New England (Miles, 2019) the West Coast, and New York (McKnight, 2023).  In other areas such as the Midwest, the Rust Belt, and the South, not so much. There is much more work and education that needs to transpire before Reiki will be truly accepted as mainstream by the US population.

However, Reiki practice for some that are religious, may make sense and coincide with their belief in the power of prayer. For those who are spiritual, Reiki offers a non-religious option to connect to the divine or something greater than the self. For the secular, the basic premise of self-regulation through meditation and modulation of the nervous system (Miles, 2008) through managed breath control makes sense when applied to the Reiki concepts. With more studies, exposure, and education all three of these groups may embrace Reiki more in years to come.

I live in Orlando, Florida which has been typically labeled as being in the so-called “Bible-belt.” This is a bit of an issue in that there are many people here, moving to or retiring here specifically to engage in the religious resources of many churches located throughout Florida. Not too much of a coincidence is that one of the largest healthcare providers in the US is Advent Health, which is a Seventh-day Adventist non-profit healthcare system headquartered in Central Florida. This particular religion does not support Eastern philosophy (Roman & Roman, 2022), making it extremely difficult to offer yoga, tai chi, qigong, Reiki, and other methods to its patients and the general public. I have tried hard over the last 30 years to work with their community outreach and senior wellness departments, where I have provided some lectures on bone health, balance, and stress management. I was instructed to keep my presentations on tai chi and qigong, within the guidelines of exercise and mindfulness breathing exercises. Administrators preferred for me not to get into spirituality, religion, or metaphysical concepts that may not coincide with the corporation’s Christian mission, shared vision, or common values. When these healthcare providers do offer yoga or tai chi classes, they are usually just teaching physical exercises. From what I have found, Reiki is not offered much in Orlando except through private practitioners. This may change in years to come as I plan to become more involved in teaching holistic health seminars, for which Reiki will be a topic of my discussions.

Most people are aware that allopathic medicine is a very powerful and profit-driven model that generates about 4.1 trillion dollars per year in products, services, and employment (American Medical Association & American Medical Association, 2024). Anything that is free to learn/practice or empowers the individual to take control of their own health, is often labeled as pseudo-science or alternative, regardless of if other cultures have seen the benefits as legitimate, safe, and effective for thousands of years. “Safe and effective” often has a different meaning in the US where politics and profits often determine safety and efficacy. As the US continues to be more diverse in its assimilation of other cultures, we will continue to see more traditional healthcare practices come to be accepted in the US. Look how long it has taken for acupuncture, yoga, massage, Pilates, and other methods to achieve acceptance in the US. True knowledge lives on regardless of the day-to-day, year-to-year flippancy of a nation’s viewpoints.  If Reiki continues to offer benefits, studies will continue forward and hopefully eventually align with allopathic medicine, which would greatly broaden the acceptance within the general population.

One area of my concern with the potential for healing through Reiki practices is the potential karmic implications that may come about while attempting to help others. If someone is trying to heal by serving as a conduit to the Reiki energy, this is somewhat different than attempting to heal as a source of energy instead. It is my understanding from my own practices and study of Eastern cultures that often peoples’ ailments, whether mental or physical, are manifestations of their own actions and circumstances.  As a healer, one needs to be aware that many life lessons are meant to be learned, experienced, solved, and mastered firsthand. If not for the individual’s own life lessons, but so as not to diminish the energy of other people. An example of this type of scenario is seen typically in the healthcare or first responder professions, where an individual may have good intent in helping another person, but that person often does not change their behavior or circumstances to avoid ailments or events, only to repeat them over and over again. The healer, helper, supporter, etc., often drains themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually while the patient, victim, or person in need becomes somewhat of an energy vampire consuming others’ energy and good intentions.

References:

Miles, P. (2019, September 16). Reiki in hospitals: An update by Pamela Miles, medical reiki master. https://reikiinmedicine.org/. https://reikiinmedicine.org/clinical-practice/reiki-in-hospitals-an-update/

McKnight, J. (2023, April 1). Full list of hospitals that use Reiki in the US. Planet Meditate. https://planetmeditate.com/full-list-hospitals-that-use-reiki-us/

Miles, (2008). (p.198) Reiki, A Comprehensive Guide, Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Roman, A., & Roman, A. (2022, February 24). Yoga, Zumba, Les Mills, Te Fiti the Goddess of Creation, Disney Magic and the New 8 Laws of Health are all part of AdventHealth | Advent Messenger. Advent Messenger. http://adventmessenger.org/yoga-zumba-les-mills-te-fiti-the-goddess-of-creation-disney-magic-and-the-new-8-laws-of-health-are-all-part-of-adventhealth/

American Medical Association & American Medical Association. (2024, April 25). Trends in health care spending. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/about/research/trends-health-care-spending

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Reiki-and-its-Acceptance-in-the-US-Healthcare-System Sat, 07 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Dreams and Death, is There a Correlation? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Dreams-and-Death-is-There-a-Correlation Have you ever suddenly awoken from an intense dream where you questioned if it was just an abstract experience or one that may have a deeper and more profound meaning? Or maybe a repeat of another dream that seems to reoccur? Maybe even where deceased individuals close to you come to “visit” to offer words of support, closure, or invaluable insights?

The dream event is indicative of a momentary state of diminished faculties. It may be quite possible that dreams involving the deceased may be symptomatic of grief, however, this explanation may not hold true for all dream visitations. It is believed that the dream state allows a separation from our senses. Sleep can be viewed as a way of quieting the senses, so that nothing is conveyed to the heart, allowing the veil of the afterlife to be raised up (Kovelant, 2007).

Some may view a visitation dream as a component of the grieving process but diminishing the experience of the dreamer as possibly being temporarily not normal due to a tragedy. Religions such as Islam and more specifically Sufism, the esoteric form of Islam, have quite different viewpoints on dreams. Dreams come from a spiritual or mystical belief. Sufism sees that some dreams, specifically “visitation dreams” are where the dead seem to return or appear in dreams, to interact with us. Whether the perceived visitation of the deceased that appears in one’s dreams is produced by the dreamer, the deceased, both, or neither, remains yet to be determined (Kovelant, 2007).

In many various Indigenous cultures, dreams are seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. Among some Native American tribes, dreams are perceived as a conduit through which the spirits of ancestors can communicate with the living. These dreams are not simply symbolic but are thought to carry messages and guidance from the deceased, who may still remain connected to the physical lives of their loved ones even after passing on to the next phase of spiritual existence.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a celebration that is believed in Mexican culture to be a time when the spirits of the deceased can return to the world of the living. The celebration itself can be seen as a conscious invitation for these spirits to visit. Dreams experienced during this period are often interpreted as actual interactions with the deceased. These dreams are often interpreted as guidance, blessings, support or comfort, and reassurance from those who have passed on.

Chinese culture believes that dreams including the deceased can offer other insights. Recurring dreams might highlight unresolved issues or a need to engage in specific rituals to help the deceased rest in peace. Their belief is that the deceased might appear to the living in dreams to help resolve unfinished tasks or to provide guidance to their living relatives.

Western cultures often seem to approach dreams with a more psychological perspective. Psychologists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung offered insights into dreams in the early and mid-1900s, where the deceased are often seen as manifestations of an individual’s unconscious mind. From this perspective, dreams where the deceased comes to visit, might represent the dreamer’s inner thoughts and emotions as opposed to an actual spiritual encounter. Within this framework, many people may find meaning in these dreams. Some may see these types of dreams as a method to process grief and continue a connection with loved ones who have since passed away.

I have experienced visitation dreams a few times, where close family members or dear friends came to me in my dreams shortly after their passing. I might have attributed these events to coping mechanisms or coincidences in dealing with death and the grieving process. However, I don’t believe this to be the case due to my finding out that other living family or friends had experienced very similar dreams at almost the same time, from the same deceased individuals.

Reference:

Kovelant, K. (2007). Peering through the Veil: Death, Dreams and the Afterlife in Sufi Thought. Journal of Spirituality & Paranormal Studies30, 148–156.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/12/Dreams-and-Death-is-There-a-Correlation Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT
False Memories, the Power of Suggestion – Or Don’t You Think… https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/False-Memories-the-Power-of-Suggestion-Or-Don-t-You-Think Suggestibility is where memory is distorted due to newer and/or misleading information (Ettinger, 2018). I think that this concept of implanting false memories through suggestion, might not be so recent of an idea despite the Ted Talk with psychologist Elizabeth Loftus speaking on seemingly modern events (Loftus, 2013). I am going to veer off onto a different perspective. People have been influencing others with the power of suggestion for at least the length of my life and probably much, much, longer before. I have seen parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, clergy, and others suggest and sway the thoughts and emotions of those who trust them. I have discussed this previously, specifically with the state of dependency and flashbulb memories, and how our thoughts and emotions can affect how we store our memories, whether perceived by us as being a good or a bad memory at any particular time (Ettinger, 2018).

(Walsh, 2017)

When a child is injured or sick, a parent or other adult might downplay the event by using wording such as “it’s not that bad”, “it could have been a lot worse” or “this is nothing” in order to not upset the child. However, these phrases might actually be causing the child to reprogram their thoughts to what an injury should feel like or even their tolerance to pain. Changing the perspective can change how the memories are encoded. These examples could be debated as good or bad depending upon the individual and their unique circumstances. For example, I broke my collarbone at a very young age, where I did not really remember the injury. When I was old enough to remember my parents told me how I was in pain and unable to grab with my right arm. This seemed somewhat traumatic to revisit when I was young, but years later my parents shared that due to my right arm being injured, I turned out to be left-handed. At this time, left-handedness was considered somewhat odd, or unique but also kind of special. Learning of this fact changed my memory of what my collarbone injury was in my mind, for the better.

(Perera, 2023)

My point here is that not only can others sway our thoughts and emotions, leading to our memories being considered as a favorable or unfavorable memory, but we can also change them ourselves. I have worked with many people over my years as a martial arts and self-defense instructor, that had suffered trauma from being injured or assaulted by others. Some of these people were able to not change their memory but rather change their perspective of the memory. This was accomplished by working with them through the memory of the event and how they dealt with the event at the time compared to how they might in the future. With gaining increased knowledge, awareness, and other strengths and skills, some people can change how memories affect them, whether for the better or for the worse.

References:

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The science of behavior (6th ed.). Redding, CA: BVT Publishing

Loftus, E. (2013, September 23). How reliable is your memory? TED Talks. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_loftus_how_reliable_is_your_memory?language=en

Walsh, C. (2017, December 12). CogBlog – a cognitive psychology blog » Pay attention! Divided attention impairs memory processes. https://web.colby.edu/cogblog/2017/12/12/pay-attention-divided-attention-impairs-memory-processes/

Perera, A. (2023). False Memory In Psychology: Examples & More. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/false-memory.html

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/False-Memories-the-Power-of-Suggestion-Or-Don-t-You-Think Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Metabolic Dysfunction and Concerns over Processed Food, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Metabolic-Dysfunction-and-Concerns-over-Processed-Food-Endocrine-Disrupting-Chemic People in the US are experiencing many mental and physical diseases, ailments, and chronic conditions that were not nearly as prominent in years past. Some experts believe there is a definite link between chemicals and the state of poor health in the US.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13762-022-04636-4

Metabolic Dysfunction Statistics: 93.2% of Americans have at least one marker of metabolic dysfunction according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study analyzed health data from over 55,000 Americans and found that only 6.8% were metabolically healthy. This alarming statistic highlights widespread issues like insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, all linked to poor diet and lifestyle choices​. The study concluded that U.S. cardiometabolic health has been poor and worsening between 1999 and 2000 and 2017 and 2018, with only 6.8% of adults having optimal cardiometabolic health.

Processed Foods: Their concerns about the impact of ultra-processed foods are backed by extensive research in nutritional science. A 2019 study published in The BMJ found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Ultra-processed foods are often rich in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives, which have been linked to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation—key drivers of metabolic syndrome. The study concluded that “higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (>4 servings daily) was independently associated with a 62% relatively increased hazard for all-cause mortality. For each additional serving of ultra-processed food, all-cause mortality increased by 18%.”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): The risks associated with chemicals like BPA and phthalates are well-documented. The Endocrine Review has published multiple position papers discussing how EDCs interfere with the body’s hormonal systems, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and reproductive health issues. The thyroid’s hormone signaling plays a critical role in metabolism, growth, and development. EDCs impact endocrine disruptors, from chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and industrial pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These substances, along with herbicides and pesticides like atrazine and DDT, can interfere with thyroid function, leading to various health issues.

Environmental Toxins: Heavy metals, pesticides, and airborne pollutants have been linked to numerous health issues, including mitochondrial dysfunction. A 2014 review in Environmental Research connected chronic exposure to environmental toxins like arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, iron, and pesticides to metabolic diseases through their detrimental effects on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Failure to better manage the exposure of heavy metals will ultimately result in severe complications in the future, due to the adverse effects imposed by these elements and relative substances.

(Society, 2022)

References:

Metabolic Dysfunction Statistics:

  • O’Hearn, M., Lauren, B. N., Wong, J. B., Kim, D. D., & Mozaffarian, D. (2022). Trends and Disparities in Cardiometabolic Health among U.S. adults, 1999-2018. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 80(2), 138–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.04.046

Processed Foods:

  • Rico-Campà, A., Martínez-González, M. A., Alvarez-Alvarez, I., De Deus Mendonça, R., De La Fuente-Arrillaga, C., Gómez-Donoso, C., & Bes-Rastrollo, M. (2019). Association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and all cause mortality: SUN prospective cohort study. BMJ, l1949. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1949

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs):

Environmental Toxins:

  • Jaishankar, M., Tseten, T., Anbalagan, N., Mathew, B. B., & Beeregowda, K. N. (2014). Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7(2), 60–72. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Metabolic-Dysfunction-and-Concerns-over-Processed-Food-Endocrine-Disrupting-Chemic Wed, 27 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
“Ikigai” – A Reason for Getting Out of Bed Each Day https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/-Ikigai-A-Reason-for-Getting-Out-of-Bed-Each-Day

Ikigai is a Japanese concept representing the pursuit of balance among purpose, meaning, self-awareness, and self-realization (PMSS). It’s the harmony of these elements that leads to a fulfilling life, especially when one’s work aligns with them. Often referred to as finding one’s bliss, calling, or “inner genius,” the four elements of PMSS are interrelated yet unique. Together, they give us a reason to get out of bed each day, guiding our lives and enriching our connections to others. Without these components, people often face a life of confusion, chaos, pain, and even a sense of emptiness and perhaps suffering.

Historically, career choice has often shaped a person’s identity, with individuals feeling invisible or inadequate when career titles are lost, changed, or remain unachieved. This pressure is intensified in American culture, where respect is frequently tied to socioeconomic status, adding to the struggle of those who may feel disconnected from their purpose. Many Americans experience a lack of purpose and meaning, often heightened in later life stages. Retirees, for instance, may struggle to redefine themselves when they leave careers that once framed their identities, impacting their sense of place at home and in family life. Similarly, losing a spouse or loved one can erode this sense of purpose. For some, volunteering or public service becomes a way to revive their meaning and direction.

I remember many of my martial arts mentors speaking of the importance of understanding that we “earn” our lives through service to others. Demanding respect through fear or gaining recognition without earning, does not produce true meaning or purpose. Participation trophies usually don’t help to pay the bills. We earn the life we till, seed, and harvest. What can be considered as a higher calling other than helping, teaching, and nurturing others to become better versions of themselves? To take this concept to another level of meaning and purpose in terms of spirituality, I have learned the term gong dao wei shen (功德为神) which is rooted in Chinese philosophical and spiritual traditions. However, the exact expression isn’t commonly cited. I can attempt to break it down:

  1. 功德 (gong de) — This translates to “merit” or “karmic merit” in the sense of virtue accumulated through good deeds and moral actions. In traditional Chinese thought and in Buddhism, gong de is the spiritual merit or positive karma gained through altruistic actions, spiritual practice, and moral conduct.
  2. 为 (wei) — This can mean “for” or “as” in this context, often used to imply that the merit serves or benefits something.
  3. 神 (shen) — This translates to “spirit” or “divine” and can imply a higher spiritual state or connection with the divine.

功德 为 神

Consequently, gong dao wei shen could be loosely interpreted as “acquiring karmic merit for spiritual elevation or connection to the divine.” This phrase might not appear in ancient texts directly but reflects the concept of dedicating good deeds or spiritual work to elevate one’s spiritual state, aligning with Chinese philosophies of moral virtue impacting one’s spiritual development.

Grasping these aspects of PMSS early on benefits not only individuals but also communities and society as a whole. However, finding this balance isn’t something that can be bought or easily read about; it takes time, life experiences, a genuine desire, and self-reflection to develop. In this way, one’s personal sense of ikigai or PMSS truly takes shape through a lifelong journey of discovery and growth.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong rites of passage stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/-Ikigai-A-Reason-for-Getting-Out-of-Bed-Each-Day Sat, 23 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Benefits of Nose-breathing https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Benefits-of-Nose-breathing Breathing through the nose (nasal breathing) is a scientifically proven coping mechanism that helps to manage stress and has many other physiological benefits. Nasal breathing promotes more effective diaphragm engagement than mouth breathing. Nasal breathing encourages diaphragmatic breathing by allowing a slower, deeper breath, which supports the downward movement of the diaphragm. This type of breathing activates the lower part of the lungs, which have a higher blood flow and oxygen exchange concentration, resulting in more efficient oxygen delivery throughout the whole body.

I led a discussion on this topic and better breathing methods last week at the University Club of Winter Park. View the full hour-long talk here at: https://youtu.be/C9xL2k-Eosk?si=9At8PXiV8nXQutPR

When you breathe through the nose, other respiratory muscles are also engaged more fully, helping to maintain core stability and improve posture. Nasal breathing encourages parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity, which can help to reduce stress, promotes relaxation and natural healing.

Breathing through the nose has a wide range of additional physiological benefits:

  • Air Filtration and Humidification: The nasal passages filter out pollen, allergens, dust, and other particles, while also humidifying and warming the air prior to it reaching the lungs. This mechanism reduces respiratory tract irritation and keeps lung tissues moist and better protected against environmental irritants.
  • Nitric Oxide Production: Nasal breathing produces nitric oxide (NO), a messenger molecule that has powerful vasodilating effects, which means that it helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulation. This in turn, allows for more efficient oxygen delivery throughout the body, supporting cardiovascular health and enhancing physical endurance.

  • Increased Lung Capacity and Respiratory Efficiency: Nasal breathing helps to promote a slower, more regulated intake of air, which can improve respiratory efficiency and lung capacity over time. This action enables the lungs to expand more fully, contributing to a better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, thus promoting more effective overall oxygenation.
  • Increased Diaphragmatic Muscle Tone: Nasal breathing exercises the diaphragm, improving respiratory efficiency and also stabilizing core muscles. This can improve posture and reduce the occurrence of back and neck tension, as the diaphragm works in tandem with abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

  • Lowered Stress and Anxiety Levels: Breathing through the nose activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to reduce stress. Deeper, slower breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, associated with calming the body, by lowering heart rate and cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

  • Improved Sleep Quality: Breathing through the nose helps regulate a more consistent breathing rhythm and encourages higher oxygen levels during sleep, reducing the risk of sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea.

Understanding how these mechanisms operate can be highly beneficial for health, fitness, and well-being, as consistent nasal breathing can bring about both short-term benefits such as relaxation, long-term respiratory efficiency and cardiovascular health.

Three effective methods to breathe more efficiently:

  • Breathe through the nose
  • Breathe deeper by moving the abdominal area to engage the diaphragm
  • Become mindful of your breathing rate or breaths per minute (BPM)

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology psychophysiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Benefits-of-Nose-breathing Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Harnessing the Zeigarnik Effect: From To-Do Lists to Closing Circles on Apple Watches https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Harnessing-the-Zeigarnik-Effect-From-To-Do-Lists-to-Closing-Circles-on-Apple-Watches The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon discovered by Lithuanian-Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. It describes the tendency for people to remember unfinished tasks more vividly than completed ones. This effect arises because incomplete tasks generate a state of mental tension and mild cognitive dissonance, enhancing recall ability. Once a task is completed, this tension dissipates, and details gradually fade from memory.

Several factors can amplify the Zeigarnik Effect, such as the perceived difficulty of a task, an individual’s drive or ambition, task engagement, and proximity to completion. This effect can be harnessed to improve memory retention, enhance productivity, engage audiences, or even aid in recalling people’s names. For instance, individuals often remember ongoing projects or partially finished tasks more readily than completed ones.

Positive Applications and Modern Use

The Zeigarnik Effect can be a powerful tool for boosting productivity and maintaining motivation. For instance, to-do lists have become a popular method for leveraging this effect. When people see tasks that aren’t yet crossed off, they’re more likely to feel a psychological pull to complete them. Modern task management apps also rely on this principle, where unchecked boxes serve as gentle reminders that something is left undone, encouraging users to finish their lists.

Similarly, Apple Watches use the concept of “closing the rings” to motivate users toward daily goals. By visualizing physical activity through rings that need to be closed, the watch creates an incentive to finish tasks (such as standing, moving, or exercising) and promotes consistency. This concept reinforces the Zeigarnik Effect by keeping users aware of unfinished goals and making task completion visually rewarding.

Incremental Teaching Techniques

In educational settings, many instructors use incremental teaching strategies that encourage students to keep progressing through a course. By breaking lessons into smaller, manageable steps, teachers create a continuous sense of “incomplete tasks” that keeps students engaged without overwhelming them. Each small achievement provides a sense of accomplishment while still presenting another step to tackle. This method aligns well with the Zeigarnik Effect, as the feeling of “not quite being done” nudges students to complete the next part of the material. I can relate having experienced this effect many times throughout my martial arts training, spanning over 4o years. When my peers and were first introduced to a particular form (a deliberate sequence of exercises), we most often would only learn a few steps of the overall sequence. Parts of this was because the exercises were usually quite complex not only in the static positioning of the body but also in the elaborate transitions from one exercise to the next. Learning a chunk (chunking, in one of my other posts on memory retention) was a time-proven method to help memorize the sequences. When we learned the whole set, we were ready to move onto the next or different set to follow.

Potential Drawbacks

While the Zeigarnik Effect can be beneficial, there are downsides. The constant mental reminder of incomplete tasks can lead to stress, cognitive overload, and even procrastination if the list feels too daunting. Individuals who struggle with a high number of unfinished projects may find themselves avoiding tasks instead of completing them. Understanding how to balance the effect—by setting achievable goals and taking breaks when needed—can help in maximizing its benefits while minimizing stress.

In summary, the Zeigarnik Effect remains a relevant psychological principle with applications in productivity tools, wearable tech, and educational approaches. By understanding this effect, we can better harness its potential to improve focus and task completion while recognizing and managing any drawbacks it may bring.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Harnessing-the-Zeigarnik-Effect-From-To-Do-Lists-to-Closing-Circles-on-Apple-Watches Sat, 16 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Power of Being Watched: The Hawthorne Effect in the Workplace, Fitness, and Family Life https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/The-Power-of-Being-Watched-The-Hawthorne-Effect-in-the-Workplace-Fitness-and-Famil The Hawthorne Effect in Modern Contexts: Workplace, Gym, and Family Dynamics

The Hawthorne Effect refers to the tendency for individuals to alter their behavior when they are aware they are being observed. This aspect of human behavior was discovered during the Hawthorne Studies conducted at the Western Electric Company in Chicago, Illinois during the 1920s. This effect highlights how observation can influence performance and attitudes (McCambridge et al., 2014). In today’s interconnected and highly surveillance society, this phenomenon has notable implications for various environments, ranging not only in the workplace, but at the gym, in social settings, and even within family settings in public.

I can relate this back to my personal experiences while training in martial arts as a young adult. My teachers would often drive the point home that it was important and recognized when students worked hard and diligently while at the school in the group training environment. However, it was even more important how we trained on our own individually when no one else was around us or watching our work ethic in the solo setting. Similarly, the famous psychologist Carl Jung proposed the concept of each of us having our “shadow” or the hidden aspects of our behavior that we don’t usually show in public. When we know we are being observed the shadow part of one’s character hides and in place, various “personas” step up to match the situation and relative environment. In some settings, this may be perceived by others as “putting on an act,” or being a hypocrite.

Workplace Applications of the Hawthorne Effect

The Hawthorne Effect remains highly relevant to today’s workplace environment, especially as business organizations emphasize performance management and workplace culture. When employees are aware that their supervisors or peers are watching, they are more likely to engage in positive behaviors, such as increasing productivity and adhering to company protocols and policies. Studies have shown that the awareness of being observed can nurture a temporary boost in motivation and morale (Sedgwick & Greenwood, 2015). However, too heavily relying on this effect for performance enhancement may lead to superficial compliance rather than sustained engagement, consequently masking underlying workplace issues that affect productivity (McCambridge et al., 2014).

The Hawthorne Effect at the Gym

The Hawthorne Effect is also prevalent in fitness settings. Individuals at the gym, yoga studio or other fitness venues often push themselves harder or adopt better form when they believe others are observing them. This phenomenon is especially evident in both group exercise classes and during personal training sessions. The effect of observation may enhance short-term effort, but it can also create unrealistic standards of performance and an environment of comparison. Research suggests that social comparison in gym settings can both motivate and hinder progress, depending on the individual’s self-perception and fitness goals (Diel et al., 2021).

Family Dynamics in Public Spaces

The Hawthorne Effect extends to family dynamics in public as well, where the presence of other people can influence how family members interact with each other. Parents may become more patient or attentive to their children, and couples may show more affection. This effect speaks to the human tendency to present an idealized version of oneself in front of others, often reflecting societal expectations (Sedgwick & Greenwood, 2015). Although the intent may be positive, consistently modifying behavior based on external perceptions can hinder authentic interactions and create strain within relationships, as it sets up expectations that may not align with everyday family dynamics.

Conclusion

This phenomenon of human behavior demonstrates how the awareness of observation can influence temporary changes in behavior across various settings. While it can serve as a motivator in the workplace and gym, or encourage positive family or social network interactions in public, over-reliance on this effect may lead to superficial or unsustainable behavior changes. Realizing the implications of the Hawthorne Effect can encourage more genuine engagement and support environments that encourage authenticity over performative behaviors.

References

Diel, K., Broeker, L., Raab, M., & Hofmann, W. (2021). Motivational and emotional effects of social comparison in sports. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 57, 102048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102048

McCambridge, J., Witton, J., & Elbourne, D. R. (2013). Systematic review of the Hawthorne effect: New concepts are needed to study research participation effects. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 67(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2013.08.015

Sedgwick, P., & Greenwood, N. (2015). Understanding the Hawthorne Effect. BMJ, 351, h4672. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h4672

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/The-Power-of-Being-Watched-The-Hawthorne-Effect-in-the-Workplace-Fitness-and-Famil Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Is Joseph Cambell’s “Hero’s Journey” Relative Today? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Is-Joseph-Cambell-s-Hero-s-Journey-Relative-Today The Hero’s Journey outline can apply to the average person’s life by representing the various stages of growth and transformation that almost everyone experiences. In our own personal journeys, we may all experience different circumstances or perceptions. There is only one truth, but infinite perceptions for any particular event. In real life, this journey could look like facing major life changes, pursuing personal goals, or overcoming significant mental, physical, and even spiritual challenges.

Here’s how it might play out in the life of an everyday person:

The steps of the “Hero’s Journey” include:

1- THE ORDINARY WORLD: The hero is often unaware, uneasy, or facing internal conflict, is introduced in a relatable way, allowing the audience to connect with their personal situation or struggle. The hero’s background of environment, family, and personal history, is established, revealing a feeling of opposing forces that pull the hero in different directions, creating mental and physical tension. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: We might feel dissatisfied or unsure about something but aren’t yet driven to make a change)

2 – THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: A change is introduced to the not-yet hero, either through external forces or an internal realization, which compels the hero to confront an initial shift in their life. Something happens that urges us to change—a new job offer, a health issue, a relationship shift, or simply a sense of restlessness pushing us to grow. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: Something happens that urges us to change such as a new job offer, a health issue, a relationship shift, or simply a sense of restlessness pushing us to grow.)

3 – REFUSAL OF THE CALL: The hero initially resists the journey, feeling uncertainty, fear of the unknown or a desire to turn away. In some cases, another 3rd party character may voice these fears and the risks involved. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: Most often, our first reaction is resistance. We might feel afraid, overwhelmed, or doubt if we’re capable of taking on the new challenge.)

4 – MEETING WITH THE MENTOR: The hero encounters an experienced guide who provides knowledge, wisdom, training, resources, or crucial advice for the journey ahead. The hero is forced or accepts to look inward to find courage and inner wisdom. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: In real life, mentors come in many forms like family members, friends, a teacher, a therapist, or even an inspiring book or experience that gives us insight or guidance.)


5 – CROSSING THE THRESHOLD: At the end of the first act, the hero commits to leaving behind the “ordinary world” and stepping into a new realm, filled with unknown rules and values. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: This is the moment we commit to the journey, stepping out of our comfort zone. It could be moving to somewhere else, leaving a job, or simply deciding to make a big life change.)


6 – TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES: The hero faces various challenges, cultivates alliances, and identifies challenges and adversaries in the new world. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: On our journey forward, we may encounter challenges and discover who supports or hinders us. We might face setbacks, doubts or obstacles while finding allies who encourage us.)


7 – APPROACH: With newly forged alliances, the hero prepares for a major trial or challenge within this unfamiliar world. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: As we get closer to our goal, we prepare for a major challenge. This could mean making a big presentation, taking a final exam, or confronting an important fear.)


8 – THE ORDEAL: Near the story’s midpoint, the hero reaches a pivotal moment in the “unknown world,” confronting injury, death or their deepest fear. This moment of confrontation brings about a form of transformation, rebirth or renewal. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: This is the peak moment where we face a major hurdle, fear or obstacle, like overcoming a health crisis, finally letting go of a limiting belief, or facing a major confrontation. It feels like a personal “death and rebirth,” as we emerge stronger and changed.)


9 – THE REWARD: The hero claims the reward or treasure that results from facing their challenges. There may be a celebration, though there is often still a risk of losing the reward. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: Having faced our ordeal, we gain something valuable like greater confidence, resilience, insight, or a concrete achievement that represents our growth.)


10 – THE ROAD BACK: Around two-thirds into the story, the hero is driven to finish the adventure, returning from the unknown world to ensure the reward makes it home. Sometimes a chase scene highlights the mission’s urgency and very possibly danger. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: With new insight or skills, we may be driven to bring our growth back to our everyday lives, sometimes facing new challenges as we try to integrate our journey’s rewards.)


11 – THE RESURRECTION: At the story’s climax, the hero undergoes a final, intense test as they approach home. They are transformed by a last act of defying death, embracing rebirth, or a sacrifice of some major merit, reaching a higher state of completion. Through the hero’s actions, the initial conflicts find resolution. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: Before fully returning to our “normal” life, we’re often tested again, reinforcing our inner transformation. This could mean facing a problem like the one we just faced before but responding differently due to our growth.)

12 – RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: The hero returns or continues the journey, now possessing a reward, treasure (or elixir) with transformative power, both for the hero and for the world they return to. (REAL WORLD APPLICATION: Finally, we bring valuable aspects to our daily life, whether it’s wisdom, resilience, or a new perspective. Our journey may not only transform us, but often positively impacts those around us.)

In our real life, these stages might be less dramatic and more cohesive, and maybe even more blended together. The Hero’s Journey reminds us that life is a series of growth cycles, and each challenge we face can lead to transformation, making us more resilient, self-aware, and capable.


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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety bone strength chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong rites of passage rough initiations stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Is-Joseph-Cambell-s-Hero-s-Journey-Relative-Today Sat, 09 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Is Not Consuming Poisons in Our Food a Luxury? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Is-Not-Consuming-Poisons-in-Our-Food-a-Luxury The Perception of Healthy Eating as a Privilege in the U.S. Healthcare Landscape

Today in the US, access to nutritious food is often perceived as a privilege rather than a basic necessity. There is a combination of systemic issues in the food and healthcare industries, social inequality, and perhaps a narrow public understanding of just what good health consists of. These issues have contributed to driving up the cost of nutritious food, creating significant obstacles to maintaining a healthy balanced diet. Ironically, as US healthcare costs continue to rise dramatically, the consumption of unhealthy foods contributes to chronic health conditions creating a vicious circle of events that push individuals further into the healthcare system and consequently perpetuating the cycle of preventable diseases. These are factors that in the US, have shaped the perception that eating healthfully is a luxury and how this perception stems from economic, cultural, and educational factors that influence food choices, physical health, and overall well-being.

Economic Constraints: Why Healthy Food Costs More

A simple reason for the perception of healthy eating as a luxury is the cost disparity between purchasing of nutritious and non-nutritious foods. Organic, fresh, and minimally processed foods are typically more expensive due to significant factors such as agricultural practices, supply chain logistics, and governmental subsidies (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015). Organic farming methods are more labor-intensive and produce lower crop yields compared to of conventional farming, which relies more heavily on use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers (Hughner et al., 2007). This added labor cost, along with a limited supply, increases the cost of organic food, making it less accessible to individuals with lower incomes (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015). Conversely, crops like soy, corn, and wheat, which are often genetically modified and treated with chemicals, are heavily subsidized by the U.S. government, making processed foods derived from these crops less expensive for consumers. This economic landscape perpetuates a cycle where affordable, nutritionally poor food is more accessible, while healthier options remain financially out of reach.

Processed Foods: The Price of Convenience

Aside from cost, processed foods that are loaded with sweeteners, artificial preservatives, and flavor enhancers are designed for maximum taste appeal, convenience, and shelf stability. These foods are quite often high in sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats, all of which contribute to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Monteiro et al., 2018). Low-income neighborhoods, where grocery stores lack fresh produce, frequently rely on this calorie-dense but nutritionally lacking products. The convenience and affordability of these foods cloud the fact that they are contributors to poor health when consumed long-term. The perception that eating healthy is a privilege, reflects not only the cost of food but also the accessibility and desire for unhealthful options that fit into the American fast-paced, budget-conscious lifestyles (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015).

Education and Health Literacy: The Hidden Barrier

A major factor adding to this issue is a lack of health education and literacy among the general population. Understanding the impact of nutrition on long-term health is not prioritized in many US schools, and misinformation about what constitutes “healthy” is extensive (Nestle, 2013). Marketing campaigns often mislead consumers into thinking that “sugar-free” or “low-fat” foods are healthy. In reality, these foods often contain harmful additives like high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame, which both have been linked to various health risks (Swithers, 2015). Also, public knowledge of the role of whole foods, hydration, and balanced macronutrient intake is often dismal, leading some to make choices that encourage immediate taste satisfaction over long-term health benefits (Nestle, 2013). As a result, the cultural perception of healthful food as a luxury is partly fueled by a lack of nutritional knowledge, leading individuals to turn to less expensive, popular foods over healthier, less well-understood options.

The Institutional Influence: Schools and Healthcare

Schools and the healthcare system also shape public perception and access to healthy food. School meal programs, specifically those in lower-income areas, often offer highly processed foods due to budget constraints and limited resources for fresh ingredients (Gaines et al., 2014). This reinforces the idea that nutrient-dense foods are exceptional rather than essential. Just as the U.S. healthcare system prioritizes treatment over prevention, schools rarely encourage dietary education as part of comprehensive healthcare (Schroeder, 2007). While medical professionals widely recognize the link between diet and chronic disease, the system rarely encourages preventive approaches, including education relative to nutrition and lifestyle changes (Schroeder, 2007). This gap leaves many young Americans, especially those without access to nutritional education, without a clear understanding of how a healthy diet influences long-term health.

Bottled Water vs. Sugary Beverages: A Reflection of Misplaced Priorities

The fact that bottled water costs more than soda and soft drinks reflects the prioritization of profit over public health. Soda and other sugary beverages are relatively cheap due to subsidies for their ingredients and widespread production. Bottled water prices remain high due to packaging and branding processes. This pricing paradox encourages consumers, particularly those with limited resources to choose soda over water. The strategic marketing of sugary drinks as less-expensive alternatives further contributes to poor dietary habits and supports the idea that basic, healthy choices are a privilege for the exclusive or elitist.

Breaking the Cycle: A Call for Systemic Change

Recognizing and addressing the perception of having a healthy diet, being a privilege requires systemic changes across multiple sectors. Lawmakers must evaluate agricultural subsidies to level the playing field between nutrient-dense foods and heavily processed products (Miller et al., 2016). Schools should encourage nutritional education and pursue methods to improve food quality within budgetary limits, especially in low-income areas (Gaines et al., 2014). Additionally, healthcare providers should encourage preventive care practices that focus on dietary education, empowering patients to make more informed food choices. With these changes, healthy eating can become more accessible and implemented.

In conclusion, the view of healthy eating as a luxury reflects societal inequities within the American food and healthcare systems. By reducing economic and informational barriers to nutritious food, American society can cultivate a culture where healthy choices are more available to everyone, making better health and well-being, not a privilege but a shared right.

References

Gaines, A. B., Lonis-Shumate, S. R., & Gropper, S. S. (2011). Evaluation of Alabama public school wellness policies and state school mandates. Journal of School Health, 81(5), 281-287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00588.x

Hughner, R. S., McDonagh, P., Prothero, A., Shultz, C. J., & Stanton, J. (2007). Who are organic food consumers? A compilation and review of why people purchase organic food. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 6(2-3), 94-110. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.210

Monteiro, C. A., Cannon, G., Levy, R. B., Moubarac, J.-C., Jaime, P., Martins, A. P., … & Swinburn, B. (2018). Ultra-processed foods: What they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutrition, 21(1), 6-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018003762

NESTLE, M. (2013). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (1st ed.). University of California Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt7zw29z

Schroeder, S. A. (2007). We can do better—improving the health of the American people. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(12), 1221-1228. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa073350

Swithers, S. E. (2015). Artificial sweeteners are not the answer to childhood obesity. Appetite, 93, 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.03.027

Ver Ploeg, M., Mancino, L., Todd, J. E., Clay, D. M., & Scharadin, B. (2015). Where do Americans usually shop for food and how do they travel to get there? Initial findings from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition food deserts health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Is-Not-Consuming-Poisons-in-Our-Food-a-Luxury Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT Medicalization of Health: A Pill for Every Ill https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Medicalization-of-Health-A-Pill-for-Every-Ill The Medicalization of Health: From Lifestyle Adjustments to Pharmaceuticals

In recent decades, the US healthcare system has shifted toward addressing various health conditions through clinical interventions rather than lifestyle changes. This is now a trend referred to as “medicalization”. Medicalization involves labeling natural processes and/or lifestyle-related conditions as medical conditions that require pharmaceutical or surgical treatments as the preferred solutions. Health issues such as childbirth, obesity, depression, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, and others, were once managed with diet, exercise, and social support. In years past these issues were seen as part of the human experience. These ailments are now frequently treated with drugs or invasive procedures. Medicalization offers rapid solutions but also raises concerns about the rise in pharmaceutical dependence and how consumer influence is encouraging this shift.

Suppose Western allopathic medicine and medicalizing conditions are considered safe and effective treatments. Why are we seeing all-time highs in these areas?

Infant Mortality: The U.S. infant mortality rate rose to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, marking the first increase in two decades, up by approximately 3% from 2021. This trend varies across racial and ethnic groups, with significant increases noted among infants of American Indian and Alaska Native mothers​ CDCCDC Blogs.

Obesity: Among U.S. adults, obesity prevalence was last recorded at 41.9% by the CDC. This figure has seen a steady increase over the years and reflects long-term trends rather than recent spikes​.

Depression: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that 8.4% of U.S. adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2022. This aligns closely with your figure and indicates an increase in mental health issues, especially post-pandemic​.

ADHD: For children ages 3–17, ADHD prevalence remains close to 10%, with recent surveys indicating about 9.8% are diagnosed with ADHD. Your figure of 11.4% is slightly higher than the current average but within a plausible range, considering increases in diagnosis rates over the past few years​.

Anxiety: Anxiety disorders affect around 31% of U.S. adults at some point, according to the NIMH. This remains one of the most common mental health conditions, with prevalence rising, particularly among younger adults​.

Insomnia: Roughly 14.5% of adults report experiencing chronic sleep issues, including difficulty falling asleep most nights, a condition that is increasingly recognized as widespread in the U.S. population​.

Treating symptoms without addressing the root causes of disease and illness, creates pharmaceutical customers for the long term, without effectively curing anything.

Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in the U.S. and New Zealand

The United States and New Zealand are the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising, fueling the perception that medication is the primary route to wellness. With advertisements that are seen on television, in print, and online, drugs are marketed as quick and simple solutions to complex health issues, often emphasizing benefits while dismissing potential risks (Ventola, 2011). Such advertising encourages a culture where consumers may feel the need or desire for medications for issues that may otherwise be managed without drugs. This situation consequently drives demand for pharmaceutical solutions and potentially contributes to overdiagnosis and overtreatment (Ventola, 2011).

Role of Medical Professionals and Consumer Complacency

Medical professionals play a major part in driving medicalization. Pressured by patient demand for immediate solutions and limited consultation time, physicians may prioritize pharmaceutical treatments over lifestyle-based recommendations (Topol, 2015). Pharmaceutical companies knowingly promote their products to healthcare providers, offering the immediate solutions that medications may offer compared to lifestyle changes. Consumer demand favors this approach, where patients seek medications for conditions that could potentially be addressed through diet, exercise, or mental health practices (Moynihan et al., 2002). This dependency on pharmaceuticals creates a cycle of reliance, diminishing the desire for individuals to manage their own health through more sustainable means.

Medicalization of Childbirth

Throughout much of human history, childbirth was a natural process, often managed by midwives and family members (Simonds et al., 2007). Childbirth, especially in the US, has become highly medicalized, with many births taking place in hospitals with the usage of epidurals, Cesarean sections, and labor-inducing drugs. In the United States, the Cesarean section rate is nearly 32%, exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of 10–15% (WHO, 2015). The routine use of medical interventions in low-risk pregnancies has led to concerns about unnecessary risks and a sense of reduced autonomy among women (MacDorman et al., 2016). These interventions may help to ensure safety in high-risk situations, but critics argue that their frequent overuse may add stress, complications, and an overemphasis on medical control (Simonds et al., 2007).

Obesity: The Turn to Medications and Surgery

Obesity is now seen as a medical condition, despite it being greatly influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Medications as well as surgeries, such as gastric bypass, have become common solutions despite the WHO’s emphasis on lifestyle interventions as first-line responses (WHO, 2021). Pharmaceutical options may provide rapid results and meet consumer demand for quick fixes. However, they often fail to tackle underlying factors like mental health, socioeconomic status, and environmental issues (Gaesser et al., 2021). The medicalization of obesity also reflects societal expectations for quick results, where lifestyle-based treatments are often seen as secondary (Gaesser et al., 2021).

Depression and Pharmaceutical Solutions

Depression was once regarded as a deeply personal struggle, has now been typically treated through antidepressants, making them one of the most prescribed medications in the world (McManus et al., 2016). Antidepressants provide critical support for those with severe depression, while the use of these pharmaceuticals can obscure the benefits of non-drug interventions, such as therapy, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments (Cuijpers et al., 2021). Medical experts typically advocate for a combined approach, but the demand for rapid relief often drives consumers toward pharmaceuticals as the primary solution. This trend highlights concerns about potential long-term dependency and other risks of addressing symptoms without fully understanding underlying causes (Cuijpers et al., 2021).

The Rise of ADHD Diagnoses and Stimulant Use

Another mental ailment that has increased greatly in recent decades is ADHD. Stimulant medications have become the primary treatment (Visser et al., 2014). Medications that improve focus and relieve symptoms such as Ritalin and Adderall can also lead to dependency and behavioral side effects. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as behavioral therapy and parental training, are often underutilized, despite their effectiveness in managing ADHD (Molina et al., 2009). The great increase in ADHD diagnoses has led some researchers to question whether typical childhood behaviors are increasingly pathologized, leading to increased unnecessary use of medication (Visser et al., 2014).

Medicalization of Other Common Conditions

Other medical conditions reflect the trend toward medicalization such as:

  1. Anxiety and Anti-Anxiety Medications: The increased prescription of anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, often occurs without deeper inquiry into alternatives of several agents such as ashwagandha, passionflower, galphimia, echinacea, ginkgo, chamomile, lemon balm, valerian, and lavender, which can often manage symptoms without the potential risks of dependency (Garakani et al., 2020).
  2. Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Pills: Insomnia is frequently treated with sleeping pills, even though non-drug approaches, such as sleep hygiene and lifestyle adjustments, often produce more sustainable results (Smith & Perlis, 2020).
  3. Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Menopause is a natural process, where hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is frequently prescribed to address symptoms. While HRT can be beneficial, its risks and potential side effects bring light to the discussion for balanced approaches that implement lifestyle adjustments (Manson et al., 2016).

Conclusion

The medicalization of various health issues, ranging from childbirth to obesity, depression, anxiety, insomnia ADHD, and perhaps others, reflects a broader societal trend toward pharmaceutical dependency and reliance. Medical interventions are invaluable in many cases, however, the increased reliance on medications and clinical treatments for conditions historically managed through lifestyle adjustments raises many ethical and practical concerns. The influence of pharmaceutical companies and the current advertising permissiveness in the United States and New Zealand further highlight the much-needed balanced approach that encourages sustainable, lifestyle-based strategies along with clinical treatment options. Increased emphasis on non-pharmaceutical approaches can help empower individuals to take a more proactive role in their own health and cultivate more realistic long-term wellness.

References

Cuijpers, P., Stringaris, A., & Wolpert, M. (2020). Treatment outcomes for depression: challenges and opportunities. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(11), 925–927. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30036-5

Gaesser, G. A., & Angadi, S. S. (2021). Obesity treatment: Weight loss versus increasing fitness and physical activity for reducing health risks. iScience, 24(10), 102995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102995

Garakani, A., Murrough, J. W., Freire, R. C., Thom, R. P., Larkin, K., Buono, F. D., & Iosifescu, D. V. (2020). Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and emerging treatment options. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584

MacDorman, M. F., Declercq, E., Cabral, H., & Morton, C. (2016). Recent increases in the U.S. maternal mortality rate: Disentangling trends from measurement issues. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 128(3), 447-455. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001556

Manson, J. E., Chlebowski, R. T., Stefanick, M. L., Aragaki, A. K., Rossouw, J. E., Prentice, R. L., … & Anderson, G. (2013). Menopausal hormone therapy and health outcomes during the intervention and extended poststopping phases of the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trials. JAMA, 310(13), 1353-1368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.278040

McManus, S., Bebbington, P., Jenkins, R., & Brugha, T. (2016). Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. A survey carried out for NHS Digital by NatCen Social Research and the Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester-UCL Discovery. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1518055/

Molina, B. S., Hinshaw, S. P., Swanson, J. M., Arnold, L. E., Vitiello, B., Jensen, P. S., … & MTA Cooperative Group. (2009). The MTA at 8 years: Prospective follow-up of children treated for combined-type ADHD in a multisite study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5), 484-500. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e31819c23d0

Moynihan, R., Heath, I., & Henry, D. (2002). Selling sickness: The pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering. BMJ, 324(7342), 886-891. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7342.886

Simonds, W., & Rothman, B. K. (2007). Laboring on: Birth in transition in the United States. Routledge.

Perlis, M. L., Pigeon, W. R., Grandner, M. A., Bishop, T. M., Riemann, D., Ellis, J. G., Teel, J. R., & Posner, D. A. (2021). Why treat insomnia? Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 12, 215013272110140. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501327211014084

Topol, E. J. (2015). The patient will see you now: The future of medicine is in your hands. Basic Books.

Ventola C. L. (2011). Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising: Therapeutic or Toxic?. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management36(10), 669–684.

Visser, S. N., Danielson, M. L., Bitsko, R. H., Perou, R., & Blumberg, S. J. (2014). Trends in the parent-report of health care provider-diagnosed and medicated ADHD: United States, 2003–2011. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(1), 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.09.001

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/11/Medicalization-of-Health-A-Pill-for-Every-Ill Sat, 02 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Health and Wellness Issues Have Worsened in Recent Decades https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Health-and-Wellness-Issues-Have-Worsened-in-Recent-Decades People in the US are experiencing many mental and physical diseases, ailments, and chronic conditions that were not nearly as prominent in years past. Many diseases and issues previously experienced by adults, are now seen in children. Some experts believe there is a definite link between our food, lack of physical activity, chemicals, other lifestyle choices, and the state of poor health in the US.

https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults/

Mental Health Conditions

General Prevalence:

  • Approximately 60 million adults (23.08%) in the U.S. experienced a mental illness in the past year, and nearly 13 million adults (5.04%) reported serious thoughts of suicide ​NAMIMental Health America.
  • Among youth aged 12-17, one in five experienced at least one major depressive episode, with over 56% not receiving any treatment ​Mental Health America.

Specific Disorders:

  • Anxiety Disorders: Affect 19.1% of U.S. adults ​NAMI.
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Approximately 8.3% of adults experience a major depressive episode ​NAMI.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Affects about 2.8% of the population ​NAMI.
  • Substance Use Disorders:
  • Over 45 million adults (17.82%) and 2.3 million youth (8.95%) are experiencing substance use disorders Mental Health America.

Barriers to Treatment:

  • The ratio of people to mental health providers is concerning, with around 340 individuals for every provider in many areas ​Mental Health America.

Physical Health Conditions

  1. Chronic Conditions:
    • Obesity: Over 42% of U.S. adults are classified as obese​ National Institute of Mental Health. This condition is linked to various other health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.
    • Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions like hypertension and heart disease remain prevalent, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates ​National Institute of Mental Health.
  2. Diabetes:
  3. Respiratory Conditions:
  4. Musculoskeletal Disorders:

In recent years, the prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents in the U.S. has become increasingly concerning. Here’s an overview of the current landscape based on recent statistics:

  1. Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions:
    • Approximately 1 in 5 children (19%) aged 3-17 years has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder ​CDCNAMI.
    • Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are particularly prominent, with anxiety disorders affecting 9.4% and major depressive episodes affecting 7.8% of this age group​PediatricsAmerican Psychological Association.
    • Developmental Disorders: Conditions such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are becoming more commonly diagnosed. Approximately 9.4% of children aged 2-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, while around 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism​ HHS.govCDC.
  2. Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors:
    • In 2023, 29% of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 14% reported seriously considering suicide​ CDCPediatrics.
    • Among LGBTQ+ youth, rates of suicidal ideation are alarmingly high, with 20% having attempted suicide ​CDCAmerican Psychological Association.
  3. Impact of Socioeconomic Factors:
    • Factors such as food insecurity, housing instability, and exposure to community violence contribute significantly to mental health challenges ​PediatricsAmerican Psychological Association. Structural racism also plays a critical role, particularly affecting Indigenous and Black children, who face higher rates of mental health issues and trauma ​Pediatrics.
  4. Access to Treatment:
    • Despite the high prevalence of mental health conditions, many children lack access to necessary care. For instance, 50.6% of youth aged 6-17 with mental health disorders received treatment​NAMI. There are significant disparities based on socioeconomic status and race​ PediatricsAmerican Psychological Association.
  5. Improvements and Challenges:
    • Some improvements have been noted recently, such as a decrease in persistent sadness among students overall, but increases in experiences of bullying and school safety concerns have been observed ​CDC. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for more comprehensive support systems in schools and communities ​PediatricsNAMI.

Physical Ailments

  1. Obesity: Childhood obesity is a significant concern, affecting approximately 19.7% of children aged 2 to 19 years as of 2020. This prevalence is higher among Hispanic (26.2%) and Black (24.8%) children compared to their White (16.6%) and Asian (9.0%) counterparts​ CDC. The annual medical costs related to obesity for U.S. children is estimated to be $1.3 billion CDC.
  2. Asthma: Approximately 7.5% of children in the U.S. have asthma, making it one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases. Asthma rates have been shown to vary with socioeconomic status, with children from lower-income families more likely to be affected​ CDC.
  3. Allergies: Allergic conditions, including food allergies and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), are prevalent among children. It’s estimated that 8% of children have food allergies, with increases seen in recent years​ CDC.
  4. Diabetes: The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) among children is around 1.5%. There has been a notable increase in Type 2 diabetes, attributed to rising obesity rates​ CDC.
  5. Sleep Disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnea affect an estimated 2% to 5% of children, often linked to obesity and resulting in various physical and mental health issues​ CDC.
  6. Vision and Hearing Impairments: Around 5% of children have some form of visual impairment, while 1.4% experience hearing loss​ CDC.
  7. Injuries: Unintentional injuries remain a leading cause of morbidity among children, with thousands of emergency department visits annually related to accidents​ CDC.

Conclusion

The combined rise in mental health issues and chronic physical conditions points to a pressing health crisis in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and social isolation, which further complicate access to care and treatment​

Mental Health America. It’s crucial for healthcare systems and policymakers to address these issues, focusing on improving access to mental health resources and integrating physical health strategies to support overall well-being.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition health health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health mental health mental-illness osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Health-and-Wellness-Issues-Have-Worsened-in-Recent-Decades Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder-SAD What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affection disorder (SAD) is defined as a subtype of depression, where an individual experiences chronic major depression that follows a seasonal pattern. SAD most often occurs during the winter months. The exact cause of SAD is unknown but is thought to probably manifest from hormone and neurotransmitter dysfunction affecting the nervous and psychic-emotional systems of the human body (Piotrowski, 2022).

Theories of What Causes SAD

Research points towards the winter form of SAD, involving the hormone melatonin, which is a substance secreted by the brain’s pineal gland. Melatonin affects mood and energy levels as well as helps to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Studies reflect too much, or prolonger secretion of melatonin may promote SAD (Ettinger, 2018).

Melatonin as well as serotonin systems are influenced by the earth’s daily dark-light cycle also known as photoperiodism. SAD can thereby be related to seasonal disturbances in the earth’s dark-light cycle and its relative effect on individuals (Ettinger, 2018).

Key Symptoms of SAD

  • Seasonal patterns of experiencing of a depressed mood that may include feelings of sadness, emptiness, or tearfulness
  • A lack of interest or pleasure in most activities for most of the day
  • Significant loss or gain of bodyweight
  • Insomnia (inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
  • Psychomotor agitation or psychomotor retardation
  • Loss of energy (fatigue)
  • Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide ideation (Piotrowski, 2022)

Who Suffers From SAD?

  • Research shows that people living in northern climates are more likely to be affected by SAD than people living at other latitudes.
  • Most persons who will experience this problem will be in their twenties and thirties.
  • Individuals typically experience depression as the amount of daylight decreases with the advancing of the winter season.
  • Women are two to four times more likely than men to develop SAD.
  • Rates for newly diagnosed with SAD tend to decrease during the fifties and decrease dramatically after age sixty-five (Piotrowski, 2022).
  • SAD affects 0.5 to 3 percent of individuals in the general population. It affects 10-20% of people with major depressive disorder and about 25% of those with bipolar disorder (Seasonal Affective Disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics, n.d.)

Treatment Options

Phototherapy or light therapy is the dominant treatment for those affected by this disorder. Exposure to light can be difficult for some people as each may have unique circumstances in relation to their environment, schedules and careers which may help to limit access to light (Piotrowski, 2022).

Phototherapy involves sitting in front of a specific type of therapeutic light source for anywhere from thirty to ninety minutes. This treatment is usually done in the morning each day. Serotoninergic antidepressant medication is sometimes used along with phototherapy (Piotrowski, 2022).

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another type of treatment where thought patterns are modified to manage SAD. There are also light visors having a light source built into the brim that can help those with this disorder (Piotrowski, 2022).

References:

Biard,G. (2008), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10095047

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Francis, G. (2019), http://www.PacificProDigital.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81371623

Piotrowski, N. A. . P. D., & Prerost, F. J. . P. D. (2022). Seasonal affective disorder. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition).

Seasonal affective disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/seasonal-affective-disorder/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder-SAD Sat, 26 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Perspectives on Managing Stress https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Perspectives-on-Managing-Stress Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), the German author of Faust and other literary works, once wrote:

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”

We need to have our priorities in proper order for our own individual goals and responsibilities. It is easy to become caught up in trivial issues that have no real impact on the more important issues that may actually affect our health and well-being. My understanding of stress is an excess of focused attention to a particular issue that may become a detriment to one’s health and well-being of their mind, body, or spiritual awareness. This extra attention can make its way into our thoughts through our senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. As our sensory organs receive potential negative input, and relay signals to the brain, our nervous system will make adjustments to the various organ systems and chemistry of the blood throughout our bodies. Stress hormones affect the organs and overall health of the individual leading us back to a potential vicious circle of our health affecting our thoughts and emotions and causing more stress back throughout the body.

Some stress is actually needed for us to be able to manage the ups and downs we encounter in daily life. I have come to understand that everyone manages stress with their own unique skill set of coping mechanisms and available resources. What is quite stressful for one person may be a minor inconvenience for others. Similarly, when someone experiences some type of traumatic event, they may later experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whereas another individual with different coping skills may come to experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is the term for what may happen when a person who struggles psychologically from trauma and adversity, may come to experience positive, transformative changes in their behavior and mindset (Collier, 2016). Either way, I think that most people try not to be stressed or traumatized, but when they do experience either, there is a wide variety of self-regulation skills that one can access. I have been introduced to various theories such as self-efficacy theory (SET) and self-determination theory (SDT) where individuals can be active participants in how they manage their own thoughts, emotions, and relative actions (Simons-Morton & Lodyga, 2021).

I think everyone has stress on some level in their daily lives. However, I have been fortunate to figure out at an early age that the most important things in my life is my mind, body and spiritual awareness. Once I learned that this is a universal truth that is hard to debate, I realized that everything is connected to the balance and well-being of our physical body, our mental understanding, and an awareness of a higher power along with a sense of purpose or life direction. With the prior being said, I still do experience the daily mundane stresses of tasks, work-related circumstances, interactions with people, studying for this course and a host of other issues many others deal with also. However, I realize that I am the one controlling my thoughts, emotions, and actions, and consequently, I determine how much or how little stress I allow to manifest in my life.

I am currently managing my stress by monitoring my diet and appropriate nutrition, exercising consistently by practicing of sitting, standing, and moving meditation methods like tai chi, qigong, and other martial arts, as well as some resistance/weight training, and cardiovascular exercises, while trying to get about 7-8 hours of sleep. I have studied and practiced many sleep methods/behaviors and their relationship with exercise, meditation, and other mind/body practices. What we do or don’t do during our waking hours can determine the quality of our sleep at night. Conversely, how well we sleep, and duration can affect the quality of our waking hours also. Practicing stress relieving exercises and behaviors during the day such as yoga, mindful breathing, meditation, tai chi, (A Prescription for Tai Chi? A UCLA Researcher Works to Position This Ancient Mind-body Practice Into Mainstream Medicine Nationwide. – Document – Gale General OneFile, 2024) and many other physical exercise methods, can help the mind and body to better process information and rejuvenate during the sleep stages. Mental output and activity often become stressful when we try to work, manage family duties, solve finances, and manage hundreds of other daily tasks. A good night’s rest is most often earned by what we eat, what we think, and what types of physical activity/exercise we practice throughout the day. This is what I have learned and experienced from my own anecdotal experiences.

References:

Collier, L. (2016). Growth after trauma. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/growth-trauma

Simons-Morton, Bruce; Lodyga, Marc. (2021) Behavior Theory in Public Health Practice and Research. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Kindle Edition. 

A Prescription for Tai Chi? A UCLA researcher works to position this ancient mind-body practice into mainstream medicine nationwide. (2024, March). Healthy Years, 21(3), 1+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A783577598/ITOF?u=vol_vsc&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=07847cf8

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Perspectives-on-Managing-Stress Wed, 23 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Evolutionary Psychology in Modern Life: Health, Behavior, and Society https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Evolutionary-Psychology-in-Modern-Life-Health-Behavior-and-Society The evolution of human behavior has affected diseases and medical conditions or morbidities such as psychiatric and psychological conditions. Some of these conditions have become acceptable as consequences of not only genetics but effects from the environment such as climate, culture, nutrition, healthcare, etc. Herein lies the discussion of nature versus nurture. A major component in human evolution is the social environment and our ability to adjust or modify it to suit our needs. This ability to make changes allows for the potential mismatch between evolved phenotypes and the current surroundings that we exist and live within, possibly leading to psychological disorders (Gluckman et al., 2016).

Subjection to unfortunate and early social environments such as childhood neglect or abuse, has been linked to increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to stress where there is a greater risk of suffering from depression later in life, especially if exposed to other stressful occasions. Increased vulnerability to environmental stressors can be seen as an evolved trait, where stressful environments guide development toward outcomes that are adaptive to stressful conditions as mechanisms affecting physiological functions (Gluckman et al., 2016).

Higher risk-taking or immature behavior is thought to be connected to the lack of prefrontal cortex development, which has been known to affect judgment, planning, impulse control, and decision-making portions of the human brain. Usually, this part of the brain and consequential mental development is not fully mature until about 25 years of age. There is evidence of young males experiencing puberty at an earlier age, where they are biologically mature while simultaneously being psychologically immature (Gluckman et al., 2016). I think that this might be leading to them being much more prone to having suicidal tendencies than those experiencing puberty later. This example appears to demonstrate how a mismatch can affect other adolescent issues such as risky behaviors, drug use and abuse, rebelling, and depression at an early age (Gluckman et al., 2016).

Evolution and Medicine: A Holistic Approach

Evolutionary principles can be applied to medical practice and public health. By exploring an evolutionary perspective, the focus can be steered towards clinical medicine and public health. Evolutionary explanations can encourage differing perspectives of basic, clinical, and public health analysis. Evolutionary interpretations seem to seek the “why” a clinical problem has come about rather than the mechanistic approach of “how” some ailments surface.

Medical conditions might be better understood when a more encompassing or holistic approach looks at a patient’s social background including personal, family, and medical history, a patient’s lineage, human biological and cultural evolution, as well as the broader biological evolution. Examples in this chapter relayed how multiple components are responsible for influencing the risk of acquiring disease and illness. Influenza is often seen as a respiratory viral infection with various levels of severity. Influenza has a relationship with animals where there is a rapid evolution of viruses while we try to maintain effective vaccines. The genomic sequence and evolution of the influenza virus is constantly being evaluated in order to develop vaccines and/or other prophylactic public health strategies. These measures tap into evolutionary principles. Evolutionary science is the main uniting principle within all biology (Gluckman et al., 2016)

Evolutionary Psychology and Consumer Behavior

Author Gad Saad writes about how Darwinian concepts of evolution affect us as consumers in his article of “Applying Evolutionary Psychology in Understanding the Darwinian Roots of Consumption Phenomena”. Humans as a species as well as consumers, embrace various behaviors that are linked to many key Darwinian modules of evolution such as variation, selection, and adaptation. These concepts are found to be consistently reoccurring within expressions of popular culture such as in music, television, and movies. Some of our consumption rituals have roots in our Darwinian heritage, but where consumers are not necessarily consciously aware of the resulting cause or etiology of their behaviors. Most people do not think about our biological heritage when we our buying goods or services (Saad. 2006).

Many of Saad’s examples were relative to reproductive fitness and how specific aspects of selection such as hair color, eye color and height could affect courtship rituals such as dating and gift-giving. Other factors brought up were how females might be more concerned with their physical appearance and pursuing products or services (cosmetics and cosmetic surgery) that would hopefully attract males with more resources that would help perpetuate the success of future offspring. Males were thought to pursue products that allude to their material resources by displaying expensive vehicles (Saad, 2006). I find it interesting how some of these aspects might be viewed today as stereotyping or sexist, however, have some relevance in actual science and research.

Jealousy Through an Evolutionary Lens

“Sex Differences in Jealousy: Evolution, Physiology, and Psychology” an article written by Buss, Larsen, Westen, and Semmelroth, 1992 reports on a hypothesis where situations that initiate emotions of jealousy, may physiologically and psychologically be different for men and women. This issue might have evolved over time due to the different adaptive problems humans experience during mating rituals. Three studies were conducted with participants being undergraduate students, presumably from the University of Michigan and being mostly equally divided between male and female. The study asked questions of what would be more distressing regarding both sexual and emotional infidelity. The results of the studies support that jealousy was activated when questions of this context were discussed with the participants while being connected to a polygraph to monitor skin response, heart rate, and signal strength. The studies would find that these two types of infidelity would have differing results between men and women. Men were more distressed than women while thinking that their partner was having a sexual relationship with another partner, than if the relationship was emotional. Women appeared to be more disturbed by the emotional infidelity of their partner being committed or emotionally attached to a different partner (Buss et al., 1992).

Evolutionary psychological concepts that may be relative to this issue of jealousy and infidelity, are that female commitment jealousy and male sexual jealousy will be greater in cultures where males invest heavily in the upbringing of their children. Also male sexual jealousy will decline as the age of the male’s partner increases due to the female reproductive fitness also declining (Buss et al., 1992). I think that these studies can be seen as limited or somewhat biased in that the participants were of a single age group (college age) and culture (American Midwest). Other age groups or persons from other parts of the country or the world might yield different results.

Art and Evolutionary Psychology

There is an increased curiosity in evolutionary psychology and how it affects our inherited nature within contemporary life, or so Richard Hickman’s 2016 “Reflections on Art Making and Evolutionary Psychology” states. This leads to the question of if all human beings possess an innate capacity and desire for making and appreciating art?  Does denial of this capacity lead one to an unrealized and unhealthy life? He goes onto remember that as a young art teacher, a colleague commented that “you can’t teach art; you’re either born with it or not.” Maybe having the ability to know, see or make art is highly subjective on defining what art actually is to one person and not to another. Does art reflect skill, expression, and organization or other universal signatures, for everyone defining what their version of art entails?

Hickman goes on to submit the concept of humans in years past, having to rely on their knowledge of plants and their relative health to ensure survival, in essence, a form of art in detecting fresh-looking plants over diseased or spoiled fruits and vegetables perhaps. He goes on to state individuals are not born as an artist or with specific art-related talents but rather that we are born with a potential for a sense of creativity to adapt our environment and accessories to our needs and desires (Hickman, 2016).

Conclusion

From an evolutionary perspective, I think that many artistic developments have come about due to evolutionary adaptation relative to our preferences and dislikes of foods, music, cinema, and other entertainment or traditions. As I have studied anatomy and physiology, I have come to understand that most functions and responses of the human body, basically come down to chemistry. As I have just seen the tip of the iceberg with this course’s topics, I think that almost everything in our bodies, our behaviors, and beliefs, all within our environment and the universe as a whole, comes down to evolution. I have been exposed to how evolution has affected many human health issues such as pregnancy, nutrition, disease, and heredity. I have also become more aware of how the behaviors of humans as well as other species are affected by evolution principles. Also, evolutionary environmental changes in climate, weather, and other geographical issues have come to play a part in how other interconnected components are all affected. In sum, evolutionary psychology offers a compelling framework for understanding human behavior, from health and disease to consumer choices and social dynamics. The studies and theories discussed in this essay demonstrate how evolutionary principles continue to shape modern life, influencing everything from public health strategies to interpersonal relationships. By exploring human behavior through an evolutionary lens, we gain a deeper appreciation for how our biology, culture, and environment are interconnected. As our understanding of evolutionary science continues to evolve, so too will our insights into the human condition.

References

Buss, D. M., Larsen, R. J., Westen, D., & Semmelroth, J. (1992). Sex Differences in Jealousy: Evolution, Physiology, and Psychology. Psychological Science, 3(4), 251–255. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40062797

Gluckman, Peter; Beedle, Alan; Buklijas, Tatjana; Low, Felicia; Hanson, Mark. (2016) Principles of Evolutionary Medicine (p. 261-284). OUP Oxford. Kindle Edition.

Gluckman, Peter; Beedle, Alan; Buklijas, Tatjana; Low, Felicia; Hanson, Mark. (2016) Principles of Evolutionary Medicine (pp. 324-325). OUP Oxford. Kindle Edition.

Richard Hickman. (2016). Reflections on Art Making and Evolutionary Psychology. The Journal of Aesthetic Education, 50(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5406/jaesteduc.50.3.0001 Saad, G. (2006). Applying Evolutionary Psychology in Understanding the Darwinian Roots of Consumption Phenomena. Managerial and Decision Economics, 27(2/3), 189–201. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25151431

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Evolutionary-Psychology-in-Modern-Life-Health-Behavior-and-Society Sat, 19 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
How Career and Income Define Respect in American Society https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/How-Career-and-Income-Define-Respect-in-American-Society “What do you do for a living?” Isn’t this a typical icebreaker that many Americans use when first meeting someone? For many, this question can carry hidden judgments about education. income and social status. Are you a soldier, a doctor, a lawyer, a judge, a firefighter, a teacher, a law enforcement officer, an athlete, or a celebrity deserving more respect than others due to your level of contributions to society? Or a janitor, garbage collector, starving but aspiring artist, stay-at-home parent, and other professions or callings that maybe don’t garner much respect? Does the retired general or surgeon still expect others to jump to their requests, once they are no longer “in service?” I used to command… I used to manage…

Historically, career choice has often defined an individual’s identity, leading to feelings of invisibility or inadequacy when career titles are lost, changed, or unachieved. This pressure is magnified by America’s long-standing tendency to measure respect towards another based on their socioeconomic status. Psychologist Carl Jung proposed decades ago the concept of personas, which helps to shed light on this behavior. Jung theorized that personas are a type of social mask we wear in society to fulfill various roles that align with expectations for a particular social environment. In the context of the workplace, one’s professional roles become personas that they inhabit. When at home or in other social circles, one’s persona may change to fit the situation, circumstances and environment. The manager at work may also be the caring, understanding but disciplined parent at home. Likewise, the firefighter might also be a great cook or confident to others in need. When people ask, “What do you do?” they’re often asking about the persona or mask you wear in society, expecting a concise answer that reflects status or identity. However, for those in transition such as laid-off workers, retirees, or stay-at-home parents, answering this question can become challenging as their personas shift, blur or dissolve. These individuals may struggle to accept their current selves with their former, socially validated personas, which can lead to psychological issues, such as identity crises and feelings of inadequacy. due to feeling “unmoored” or disconnected from a former identity.

This career-centric perspective, sometimes referred to as “workism,” is deep-seated in American culture. It may have roots in the Protestant work ethic, which values hard or complex work as a measure of morality and worth. The result is a societal obsession with careers that often substitute family, community, and religion as the primary marker of value. In the US, socioeconomic status is quite often related to job titles and income, meaning that the “What do you do?” question also functions as a shortcut for determining respect and the perceived value of a person. This respect, or lack thereof, can create social friction, where those without distinguished titles feel slighted.

To reduce the unhealthy dependence on a career path as identity, experts suggest reframing the question or focusing on aspects of life outside and beyond one’s career. Jung’s approach would encourage developing a deeper understanding of one’s self beyond the persona, encouraging individuals to explore other aspects of their identities that are not dependent on professional success and/or recognition. Questions like, “What do you enjoy?” or “What are you passionate about?” may spark more meaningful conversations about who a person is, without linking the value of their character to their economic or social standing.

The American perspective on work and its complex culture has been slowly evolving. Younger generations are adopting a more open, less judgmental approach to non-traditional career paths. However, the stigma of defining oneself by a job title still lingers, leading to challenges in self-worth, especially when careers are in flux, disrupted, or ended for various reasons. As people move beyond “work enmeshment”— an unhealthy co-dependence on career identity — and begin to separate their self-value from their professional personas, they can cultivate new ways to contribute and find purpose. This might involve creative endeavors, personal growth, volunteering, or other areas of interest.

One valuable lesson I learned years ago from martial arts training is that “one must learn before they can earn,” along with the reminder that “happiness comes from within, not from mere recognition from others.”

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/How-Career-and-Income-Define-Respect-in-American-Society Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Nature of Well-being: Insights and Biases in Recent Studies https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/The-Nature-of-Well-being-Insights-and-Biases-in-Recent-Studies I think that legitimate research studies can help support a particular perspective. However, we can often find studies that support our own beliefs, viewpoints, and agendas.

Recently I read an article titled Spending Time In Nature Is Good for You. New Research Explains Why, published at Healthline.com by Chantelle Pattemore, reports why spending time in nature is beneficial to our mental and physical well-being and specifically why (Pattemore, 2022).

This article was based on another article reporting new research coming from the University of Tokyo, where researchers found at least 10 new mechanisms that can positively affect mental and physical health (Huynh et al., 2022). These would include satisfactive, formative cohesive, and transcendent. Satisfactive would be a feeling that one’s needs and expectations are satisfied by way of interactions with nature. Formative would be where following interactions with nature, factors of attitude, behaviors, mood, and values change either instantly or over a short duration of time. Cohesive is the growth of significant human relationships through activities engaging with nature. Transcendent refers to obtaining spiritual or religious benefits after interacting with nature (Pattemore, 2022). This particular article references the observational research having come from a systematic review and analysis of 301 relevant peer-reviewed pieces of literature from 62 different countries. Most of the studies included and focused on local communities, followed by tourists, indigenous communities, farmers, fishers, and business owners (Huynh et al., 2022).

I feel that there definitely was the potential for research bias as the studies that were reviewed were mostly from Europe, Asia, and North America. Obviously, there are other regions of the world where people not only live near or within nature but may more or less embrace doing so depending upon many variables. Studies from Europe comprised 42.1% of articles, Asia comprised 21.7% of articles and North America comprised 18.5% of articles reviewed. Central and South America offered 6.5% of articles, Africa had 5.8% of articles, and Oceania had 5.4% of articles reviewed. Additionally, the studies focused on various locations of particular cultural ecosystem services (CESs) within each country. CESs are also referred to as the non-material or “intangible contributions” to well-being that nature provides. The reviewed studies focused on CESs from urban and semiurban ecosystems (26.2% of articles), forests and woodlands (20.2% of articles), inland water (12.5% of articles), and coastal areas (8.9% of articles) (Huynh et al., 2022).

I think that if the majority of the studies reviewed came from regions that are directly located near nature, such as coastal areas, mountainous areas, locations near some type of body of water, wooded areas, and others, people will probably have reasons why they think they receive benefits from the nature available in these types of areas. Conversely, I think that if the studies reviewed came from people dwelling happily within city buildings, separate from plant life or areas with less access to nature, they might be more inclined to report that they are not as concerned with access to nature. For this reason, I think this article might be considered as reviewing a captive audience knowing that people living close to nature are going to report positively about the benefits of doing so.

I do feel that this article has merit overall based on the reviewed data, but I actually find myself biased in favor of the results. I have lived within areas where I had much, as well as little easy access to nature and therefore have the benefit of being able to draw a comparison for myself as to what is better for my health and well-being. Another individual may find that living in a mostly concrete and metal environment, that offers them income and other resources, that may contribute to their own peace and satisfaction, is better for their own health and well-being. In conclusion, while I think that legitimate research studies can help support our own beliefs, viewpoints, and agendas particular perspective, there are often just as many studies that support contradictory viewpoints.

References:

Pattemore, C. (2022, August 5). Spending Time In Nature Is Good for You. New Research Explains Why. Healthline. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/spending-time-in-nature-is-good-for-you-new-research-explains-why

Huynh, L. T. M., Gasparatos, A., Su, J., Dam Lam, R., Grant, E. I., & Fukushi, K. (2022, August 5). Linking the nonmaterial dimensions of human-nature relations and human well-being through cultural ecosystem services. Science Advances, 8(31). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abn8042

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/The-Nature-of-Well-being-Insights-and-Biases-in-Recent-Studies Sat, 12 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Prolonged Sitting is the “New Smoking” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Prolonged-Sitting-is-the-New-Smoking

View my recent discussion on the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting. I detail the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. I also talked about the importance of finding activities that you enjoy and that will help you to stay active.

Health risks associated with prolonged sitting:

  • Heart disease: Prolonged sitting can lead to several cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
  • Diabetes: Prolonged sitting can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Cancer: Prolonged sitting has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including colon cancer and breast cancer.
  • Prolonged sitting can also lead to several other health problems, such as obesity, back pain, and depression.

I suggest several activities, such as walking, biking, swimming, tai chi, qigong, and yoga. I also emphasize the importance of finding activities that are appropriate for your fitness level and that you can do regularly.

Finally, I offered some tips on how to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting. These tips include getting up and moving around every 30 minutes, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and using a standing desk.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Prolonged-Sitting-is-the-New-Smoking Wed, 09 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Balancing Mind, Body & Spirit Awareness – a graphical presentation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Balancing-Mind-Body-Spirit-Awareness-a-graphical-presentation This is a graphical summary of my recent public discussion emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual health in maintaining balance. A large portion of my discussion touched upon vestibular balance and how to prevent falls not just by cleaning up your walkways, but by increasing one’s ability to manage their center of gravity, increase leg strength, improving range of motion and the need to become more self-aware of one’s attention, one’s physical body as well as surrounding envirnment.

The role of knowledge, intelligence, and cognitive processes in balance.

The connection between beliefs, morals, values, and spiritual awareness.

The impact of mental health and emotional well-being on balance.

The concept of “deep roots” and their connection to physical balance.

The influence of diet, medications, and lifestyle choices on balance.

The potential negative effects of recreational drug use.

The importance of environmental factors and injury prevention.    

The relationship between the feet and overall health, including the concept of “death begins in the big toe.”

The importance of sleep hygiene and quality sleep for overall health.

The use of technology, such as LED lights, and its potential impact on sleep and well-being.

The role of the feet in overall balance and stability.

The impact of injuries and falls on balance, particularly the “fracture cascade.”

The importance of maintaining physical fitness and strength for balance.

Engaging in regular physical activity, such as tai chi or yoga.

Improving posture and body alignment.

Being mindful of surroundings and potential hazards.

Practicing deep breathing exercises to regulate the nervous system.

Use “3 points of contact” when standing, sitting, climbing, hiking, etc. for a more stable structure.

Understand that the human body is very similar to a tree with roots (lower body), trunk (middle or core), and branches and leaves (arms and hands).

Become more self-aware that you have a purpose, a calling, bliss or “ikigai,” a Japanese term for a sense of purpose and meaning that can affect others beyond the self.

One has to put in the time and effort to achieve anything of value. One can be non-active, proactive, or reactive, depending upon their attitude, goals, and resources. Physical exercises to improve balance can consist of a combination of static, dynamic, and locomotive movements and methods.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety balance chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts physiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management tai chi vestibular winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Balancing-Mind-Body-Spirit-Awareness-a-graphical-presentation Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Petroleum is Essential to Making Many Pharmaceuticals https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Petroleum-is-Essential-to-Making-Many-Pharmaceuticals Americans love their vehicles and the independence they offer to go wherever and whenever they please. Americans also enjoy their use of pharmaceuticals with “a pill for every ill” mentality. Some people think that we should eliminate or reduce our dependence on both petroleum and pharmaceuticals, while others embrace the need for more. Ironically, petroleum-based chemical compounds are essential in the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals that milions of Americans rely upon for daily life. Many medicinal compounds are derived from petrochemicals, which are produced from the refining of crude oil and natural gas. Most of these chemicals are toxic and/or poisonous depending upon the concentration. As in many things, too much or too little can be dangerous. Even drinking too much water (water intoxication) or breathing too much oxygen (hyperventilation syndrome) can have detrimental side effects. So while many people may support reduction or even elimination of petroleum, ironically some people’s lives may actually depend upon the petroleum industries’ continued usage to produce pharmaceuticals.

Here are some examples of the most common petroleum-based chemical compounds and their usage in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals:

1. Benzene Derivatives

  • Benzene is a fundamental building block in the production of numerous pharmaceutical compounds.
    • Uses: Benzene derivatives are used to produce analgesics, antihistamines, and other drugs. For example:
      • Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) production involves benzene derivatives as starting materials.
      • Phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is derived from benzene.
    • Intermediate Compounds:
      • Aniline: A benzene derivative used in the production of paracetamol (acetaminophen).
      • Phenol: Often used in the synthesis of antiseptics and disinfectants, phenol is also a precursor in the production of various pharmaceuticals.

2. Ethylene and Propylene Derivatives

  • Ethylene and propylene are the simplest alkenes and are derived from petroleum cracking.
    • Uses: These compounds are used to create solvents, intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). For example:
      • Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Widely used as a solvent and stabilizer in pharmaceuticals.
      • Ethylene oxide: Used in the production of antibiotics, including azithromycin.
    • Intermediate Compounds:
      • Ethylene glycol: Used in the synthesis of certain antibiotics and antifreeze proteins.
      • Propylene glycol: Used as a solvent in oral, injectable, and topical pharmaceutical formulations.

3. Toluene Derivatives

  • Toluene, like benzene, is an aromatic hydrocarbon derived from petroleum.
    • Uses: Toluene derivatives are key in synthesizing a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including antiseptics, sedatives, and analgesics.
      • Synthesis of diazepam (Valium), a benzodiazepine used for anxiety and seizures, involves toluene-based intermediates.
    • Intermediate Compounds:
      • Benzaldehyde: Used in the synthesis of sedatives and antipsychotics.
      • Benzoic acid: A precursor for numerous drugs, including antimicrobial agents and antifungals.

4. Xylene Derivatives

  • Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon derived from petroleum refining.
    • Uses: Xylene is used in the manufacture of a variety of drugs, especially in the creation of pharmaceutical intermediates and solvents.
      • Phthalic anhydride, a derivative of xylene, is used in the production of certain plasticizers and pharmaceutical excipients.

5. Methanol

  • Methanol, often derived from methane, is a component of natural gas, and is a crucial feedstock in the pharmaceutical industry.
    • Uses: Methanol is a precursor to formaldehyde, which is used in the synthesis of various antibiotics, vaccines, and vitamins.
      • Vitamin A and E production often require methanol as a solvent.
    • Intermediate Compounds:
      • Formaldehyde: Used in vaccines and sterilization processes, as well as in the synthesis of many organic compounds.

6. Alkylating Agents

  • Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, are both derived from petrochemical processes and are used as alkylating agents.
    • Uses: These compounds are fundamental for creating certain antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, and other therapeutic drugs.
      • Cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil, both chemotherapy drugs, are synthesized using alkylating agents.

7. Isoprene Derivatives

  • Isoprene, a component of natural rubber, can be synthesized from petrochemical processes.
    • Uses: Isoprene derivatives are used in the production of various drugs, including cardiovascular medications and biologics.
      • Digoxin, a drug used to treat heart conditions, requires isoprene-based chemistry.

8. Acetylene Derivatives

  • Acetylene, refined from petrochemicals, is used in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals.
    • Uses: Acetylene-based compounds are critical in creating anesthetics and certain antibiotics.
      • Local anesthetics such as lidocaine are produced from acetylene derivatives.

9. Petroleum-based Alcohols

  • Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) is a petroleum-derived solvent used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in the consumer market.
    • Uses: It is used in drug formulations, as a sterilization agent, and as a solvent in the production of active ingredients.

10. Paraffins and Paraffin Derivatives

  • Paraffins (alkanes), derived from petroleum refining, are used in ointments, creams, and as bases in many topical pharmaceuticals.
    • Uses: They serve as carriers for active ingredients and stabilizers in various medicinal formulations.

Conclusion

Petroleum-based chemical compounds, including benzene derivatives, toluene, xylene, ethylene, propylene, and various alcohols and solvents, are crucial in the synthesis, formulation, and production of many pharmaceuticals despite being toxic and poisonous chemicals. These compounds not only provide the raw materials needed for drug development but also enable the mass production of medications that are viewed by many as essential for modern healthcare. I provide this information so that people can hopefully be better informed as to what they are putting into their bodies. Whether these compounds and their potential risks may be argued as acceptible or detrimental is up to the individual to determine.

References:

Benzene Derivatives

  • Ghatak, S. (2019). Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Therapeutic Aspects of Biomacromolecules. This book covers benzene’s role as a key starting material in the synthesis of drugs like aspirin and acetaminophen.
  • Goldman, L., & Schafer, A. I. (2015). Goldman-Cecil Medicine (25th ed.). This reference discusses benzene derivatives in the context of analgesics, such as aspirin and phenylbutazone.

Ethylene and Propylene Derivatives

  • Miller, R. W., & Freund, H. A. (1999). “Ethylene and Propylene in Pharmaceutical Production.” Journal of Industrial Chemistry. This paper explores how ethylene and propylene are used in pharmaceutical solvents like polyethylene glycol.
  • The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. The entry on polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol confirms their roles as solvents and excipients.

Toluene Derivatives

  • Clarke, E. C. W., & Amador, R. V. (2010). Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemical Synthesis. This book highlights the role of toluene in synthesizing diazepam and other benzodiazepines.
  • Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. The entry on toluene discusses its use in producing pharmaceutical intermediates like benzoic acid and benzaldehyde.

Xylene Derivatives

  • Pavia, D. L., Lampman, G. M., & Kriz, G. S. (2015). Introduction to Organic Laboratory Techniques: A Microscale Approach. This book mentions xylene’s role in pharmaceutical chemistry, including phthalic anhydride’s use as an intermediate.
  • Morrison, R. T., & Boyd, R. N. (2011). Organic Chemistry. This textbook explores xylene derivatives used in pharmaceutical synthesis.

Methanol

  • Lichtenthaler, F. W. (2006). “Carbohydrates as Organic Raw Materials.” Carbohydrate Research. This article discusses the importance of methanol in pharmaceutical synthesis, especially for vitamin production.
  • Ansell, M. F. (2005). Comprehensive Organic Synthesis (Vol. 1)*. This text includes the role of methanol as a solvent and its derivation from petrochemical sources.

Alkylating Agents

  • Roberts, J. D., & Caserio, M. C. (1977). Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry. This foundational textbook discusses the use of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as alkylating agents in chemotherapy drug production.
  • Weiss, R. B., & Harlow, G. J. (2000). Alkylating Agents in Cancer Treatment. This article focuses on how alkylating agents derived from petrochemicals are crucial for drugs like cyclophosphamide.

Isoprene Derivatives

  • Saito, S., & Ohyama, T. (1995). “Isoprene and Its Applications.” Advanced Materials Research. This article highlights the use of isoprene derivatives in cardiovascular drugs such as digoxin.
  • Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. The entry on isoprene explains its importance in the production of pharmaceuticals and biologics.

Acetylene Derivatives

  • Sundberg, R. J. (1996). Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III. This reference provides detailed information about acetylene’s use in producing local anesthetics like lidocaine.
  • Hoch, F. L. (2003). “Acetylene Chemistry: Synthesis and Applications.” Journal of Chemical Education. This paper explains how acetylene derivatives are employed in synthesizing anesthetics.

Petroleum-based Alcohols

  • Knox, S. (2011). Solvents and Cosolvents in Pharmaceutical Applications. This book covers the role of isopropyl alcohol as a solvent and sterilization agent in pharmaceutical production.
  • Dunn, W. (2005). Handbook of Solvents in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. This text includes isopropanol and its derivation from petrochemical sources for drug formulation.

Paraffins and Paraffin Derivatives

  • Gennaro, A. R. (2000). Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (20th ed.). This reference discusses the use of paraffins in topical formulations and as carriers for active ingredients.
  • Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. The section on paraffins details their role in pharmaceutical ointments and creams.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety big pharma chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/10/Petroleum-is-Essential-to-Making-Many-Pharmaceuticals Wed, 02 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Complex Dependency on Petroleum in America and the Start of the Anthropocene https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/The-Complex-Dependency-on-Petroleum-in-America-and-the-Start-of-the-Anthropocene The Anthropocene is a term for a geological epoch following the Holocene, dating from the starting point of significant human impact on Earth up to the present day. Some people may see this as having begun with the colonization of the Americas around 1610 or with the years of the Industrial Revolution around 1760-1840. The 1940s and 1950s brought the “Great Acceleration” with major technological advances with nuclear weapons and the use of petroleum products.

Do you have a smartphone, iPad, computer, or other electronic devices?

Wear apparel like clothes and shoes that are made of polyester, nylon, or spandex?

Enjoy driving on paved roads?

Use cosmetics, eyeglasses, pharmaceuticals?

Live with the convenience of plastic products and packaging of items from the grocery store?

Use electricity, plumbing, and air conditioning in your car, home, or office?

How many of the former are you willing to give up to reduce the impact on the environment?

In recent years, there has been an increased interest among Americans to reduce the use of petroleum-based products. A desire to minimize climate change and other environmental concerns has driven this shift. Many concerned citizens, activists, and politicians, advocate for reducing the nation’s dependence on petroleum, looking for a future where alternative sources of energy may replace fossil fuels. While this goal is commendable, it often ignores the deeply embedded role that petroleum and its based products play in almost every aspect of daily life. Way beyond fueling combustion vehicles and equipment of many types, petroleum is fundamental to the production of countless products that Americans and the rest of the world use daily. Consequently, reducing petroleum use is more complex than it appears, and to ignore this reality may be, in many ways, delusional.

One of the most commonly seen and experienced uses of petroleum is in transportation. Gasoline and diesel power are still the majority of vehicles on the road despite the rise of electric cars and hybrid vehicles. Gas combustion engines remain the primary method of transportation for most Americans. The infrastructure supporting these gas vehicles is also dependent upon petroleum. Roads are paved with asphalt, which is a petroleum byproduct, as vehicles themselves run on tires made from petroleum-derived materials. Even with a focused push toward electric transportation, roads, and tires remain essential to everyday living, along with countless other petroleum-based components.

Beyond transportation, petroleum’s contribution to consumer goods is far-reaching. Many Americans might not know that much of the clothing they wear consists of synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, which are both made from petroleum. The decades-old popularity of athletic and leisurewear, known for its comfort and durability, further binds the average consumer to petroleum-based products. The dependency doesn’t end there. Plastic packaging, found in almost every store, business, office, and household, is made from petroleum. From food containers to household and industrial cleaning supplies, petroleum-based plastics make daily life more convenient, despite their environmental impact. Single-use plastics such as grocery bags, fast-food containers, and water bottles are common examples of how petroleum has become embedded into our daily routines.

Petroleum is also vital to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Plastics are fundamental for the packaging of healthcare products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Various synthetic drugs depend on petrochemicals for their production, and plastic-based medical equipment and instruments are vital to maintaining sterile environments in hospitals and clinics. Healthcare as we know it, would not exist without the use of petroleum-based products. American society’s dependency on this resource is far more complex than simply putting gas in a car.

Petroleum’s importance also extends into the technology sector. From smartphones to computers, electronics are filled with various components made from petroleum-based plastics. Household and office wiring use insulation materials, necessary for transmitting electricity and data, which also come from petroleum. This technology in electronics is used by activists to spread awareness about climate change, ironically using petroleum products in their design and functionality. This creates quite a paradox where there is a desire to eliminate petroleum use, but where one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, technology, remains deeply intertwined with it.

Understanding this complex network of petroleum dependencies, the ongoing demonization of petroleum companies by some individuals, activists, and politicians seems somewhat disconnected from reality. Petroleum extraction and its usage indeed have significant environmental consequences. However, the idea that we can simply eliminate petroleum from our lives without enduring major disruptions and/or changes to our daily routines, technological advancements, and healthcare systems is quite unrealistic. The thrust to demonize petroleum companies often disregards the benefits petroleum provides in many various sectors of society, extending well beyond just transportation and energy.

Renewable energy sources have increased and hopefully will continue to grow, however, the transition away from petroleum will be a long and expensive evolution. Actions that will reduce petroleum use should be based on valid information and on the reality that petroleum plays an irreplaceable role in many critical industries. Instead of focusing only on eliminating petroleum, perhaps a more balanced approach is needed. Advocacy actions should bring to light the need to reduce unnecessary wasteful petroleum consumption while also acknowledging its key applications in areas like public healthcare and technology.

To completely abandon petroleum is somewhat delusional. The transition toward a more sustainable future will require significant changes in habits, infrastructure, manufacturing, and attitudes. It will also require a more broad view of petroleum, where its environmental impacts are managed through logic, innovation, and compromise. Instead of demonizing petroleum in its entirety, actions should focus on lessening the environmental footprint of its extraction and use, while simultaneously encouraging the development of realistic alternatives.

In conclusion, the push to reduce petroleum use in America is understandable and necessary for addressing climate change as well as other environmental concerns. However, the reality is that petroleum is deeply rooted in the fabric of modern life. From the vehicle we drive to the clothes and shoes we wear, the healthcare we receive, and the technology we are reliant on and often addicted to, petroleum touches almost every aspect of society. Moving away from petroleum will be a very complicated and gradual evolutionary process, requiring foresight, logic, innovation, balance, and a realistic understanding of its current function in our daily lives. The path to a sustainable future must address both the need for change and the reality of our current dependence on petroleum.

References:

Malhi, Y., Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, & University of Oxford. (2017). The concept of the anthropocene. In Annual Review of Environment and Resources (p. 25.1-25.28). http://www.zeeli.pro.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2017-MALHI-The-concept_of_the_anthrop.pdf

Petroleum products – Illinois Petroleum Resources Board. (2023, September 27). Illinois Petroleum Resources Board. https://iprb.org/industry-facts/petroleum-products/

McDaniel, W. (2024, May 14). Fact Sheet: Everyday Products & Uses — COGA. COGA. https://www.coga.org/factsheets/everyday-products-uses

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety big pharma chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/The-Complex-Dependency-on-Petroleum-in-America-and-the-Start-of-the-Anthropocene Sat, 28 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
“A pill for every ill.” Thank or Blame, Rockefeller and Carnegie for Monopolizing Western Medicine? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/-A-pill-for-every-ill-Thank-or-Blame-Rockefeller-and-Carnegie-for-Monopolizing-West A pill for every ill.” How did we get here?

Western allopathic medicine with its use of pharmaceuticals, surgery and other invasive treatments are truly technological amazing feats. Especially for treatments for traumatic injuries, genetic disorders and other specific he ailments. But are pharmaceuticals and surgery necessary or the best option for every cough, sneeze, wheeze, ache or pain? There are other options available such as diet and lifestyle choices, exercise, herbs and other seemingly “alternative” methods. Some of these options have been used for thousands of years, standing the test of time. However, many in the US favor Western allopathic (biomedicine) and often have never heard of, been informed or educated to specific alternative or traditional healthcare (self-care) treatments and methods. This is not by mere happenstance but more likely from a carefully orchestrated marketing plan initiated around the early 1900’s by extremely wealthy businessmen John D. Rockerfeller and Andrew Carnegie.

The influence of Carnegie and Rockefeller on Western medicine played a large role in shifting the focus away from traditional medical practices toward more scientific, evidence-based medicine. Carnegie and Rockefeller, two of America’s most prominent industrialists, wielded significant influence over the development and implementation of Western allopathic or biomedicine medicine. Their impact, while enormous, was a complex relationship of positive and negative consequences. The Flexner Report was funded in 1910 by the Rockefeller Foundation and authored by Abraham Flexner which helped to reform medical education and care in the United States, thereby leading to higher standards and a more rigorous, scientifically based medical curriculum.


Positive Impacts:

Standardization of Medical Education: Both Carnegie and Rockefeller were greatly involved in funding the Flexner Report, a revolutionary study that led to the standardization of medical education in the United States. This resulted in a consequential improvement in the quality of medical training and relative patient care. The reforms that came about from this report helped to reduce the prevalence of unproven or harmful treatments.

Advancement of Medical Research: Their philanthropic support established research institutions and funded new methods of medical research. This support influenced many medical advancements.

Improved Public Health: Rockefeller’s philanthropy impacted treatments for diseases through The Rockefeller Foundation, founded in 1913, such as yellow fever and hookworm, greatly improving public health and reducing mortality rates. Also, the foundation supported the development of public health schools, including the Harvard School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Scientific Rigor: The increased focus on scientific research and evidence-based practices led to major advancements in medical knowledge and treatment efficacy.

Public Health Improvements: Public health initiatives and medical research helped to eradicate and manage many infectious diseases.

Negative Impacts:

Suppression of Alternative Medicine: The standardization of medical education under the Flexner Report, while helping to improve overall medical treatment and relative quality, also led to much stifling of alternative medical practices. This consequently impacted the exploration of diverse healing modalities and potential benefits from such treatments.

Marginalization of Traditional Practices: Many traditional and holistic practices that were deeply embedded in various cultures, were disregarded or labeled as quackery or ineffective. Practices that lacked scientific validation, despite potentially being effective, were often dismissed, as Western medicine became more dominant.

Closure of Alternative Medical Schools: Schools that did not meet the new rigorous standards were closed. This included institutions that taught naturopathy, homeopathy, and other alternative medical practices.

Focus on Profit: Critics believe that the intimate relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and Rockefeller’s philanthropy created a system that prioritizes profit over patient well-being. This profit-based healthcare system is thought to have influenced the direction of medical research and drug development since its inception over one hundred years ago.

Disparities in Healthcare: While Rockefeller and Carnegie’s philanthropic efforts are notable, some are more critical in seeing their roles as having purposely or inadvertently contributed to healthcare disparities. Critics focus on the closure of many African American medical schools following the Flexner Report, which led to limiting opportunities for Black physicians and impacting healthcare access within Black communities.

Medical Monopolies: The rise of a more standardized medical system led to the formation of medical monopolies, reducing the diversity of medical treatments and approaches.

Pharmaceutical Focus: The focus on pharmaceutical treatment solutions and surgical interventions often takes precedence over other potentially effective traditional therapies, such as herbal medicine and other holistic approaches.

Schools Closed After the Flexner Report

The Flexner Report led to the closure of a wide variety of medical schools, in particular those that focused on alternative medical practices, for-profit proprietary schools, and Black medical schools. The long-term ramifications included the consolidation of medical education under a more scientifically rigorous, allopathic (biomedicine) model, but it also contributed to the gradual erosion of medical diversity, helping to bring about more racial and gender disparities in medical training. Out of approximately 155 medical schools in existence at the time, over 50% (more than 80 schools) were closed within the decade following the report’s publication. The schools affected can be categorized into different types based on their fields of study and student populations:

Alternative Medical Schools:

Homeopathic and Alternative Medicine: These schools were specifically targeted by the Flexner Report because they did not align with the allopathic or conventional medicine model, which the report strongly favored. Homeopathic and alternative schools either converted to follow allopathic principles or ceased to remain open.

Naturopathic and Osteopathic Schools: Some osteopathic schools remained operating by aligning their curricula more closely with the scientific, evidence-based model that the Flexner Report promoted. Naturopathic schools faced an eventual decline.

Proprietary Schools (For-Profit Schools):

A large amount of the schools closed were proprietary, also referred to as “for-profit institutions.” These schools often required less rigorous admissions standards, less equiped laboratory facilities, and less access to teaching hospitals. These would include some medical schools that taught natural remedies, herbal medicine, homeopathy and other alternative practices. Many alternative or non-allopathic medical schools were shut down after being deemed insufficiently scientific by the Flexner standards.

Black Medical Schools:

Access to Medical Education: With the onset of fewer medical schools accessible to Black students, opportunities to pursue medical education and careers in medicine were more severely reduced within the Black demographic at the time. This in turn, increased healthcare disparities within Black communities, both in the immediate aftermath and in the years that followed the report.

Long-Term Impact: The ripple effect of these closures continues today to affect the diversity within the medical profession and the quality of healthcare in underserved communities. Out of the seven Black medical schools that existed at the time, only two survived after the report. Those would have been Howard University College of Medicine (Washington, D.C.) and Meharry Medical College (Nashville, Tennessee).

Five Black medical schools that were closed included:

  • Leonard Medical School at Shaw University (Raleigh, NC)
  • Flint Medical College at New Orleans University (New Orleans, LA)
  • Knoxville College Medical Department (Knoxville, TN)
  • Louisville National Medical College (Louisville, KY)
  • University of West Tennessee College of Medicine and Surgery (Memphis, TN)

The Flexner report quite heavily criticized these schools for lacking adequate faculty, funding, and facilities, leading to the closure of most Black medical schools. This consequently had a damaging impact on the number of Black physicians, increasing racial disparities in healthcare.

Women’s Medical Schools:

Many medical schools for women also endured closure after the Flexner Report. Women’s schools had already been facing discrimination, but the report further limited their operations by requiring them to have the same scientific standards as the other male institutions, while not taking into account the limited support, resources and funding available to them. Smaller women’s medical colleges either closed or merged with coeducational institutions in order to survive. The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania would go on to survive due to eventual reforms.

Introduction of Petroleum Products into Healthcare:

Petroleum products have had a major impact on pharmaceutical production and implementation. The rise of the petroleum industry, in which figures like John D. Rockefeller played a central role, facilitated the development of various synthetic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Here are several significant ways in which petroleum products influenced the pharmaceutical industry:

Development of Synthetic Drugs

  1. Raw Materials: Petroleum products provide raw materials for the production of many drugs. Petrochemicals, refined from petroleum, have become essential building blocks in pharmaceutical chemistry.
  2. Cost and Efficiency: The ease and availability of petroleum-based raw materials made the production of synthetic drugs more cost-effective and efficient, enabling the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals on a large scale.
  3. Innovation: The ability to create synthetic chemical compounds has led to the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical drugs that were previously impossible to produce utilizing natural sources alone.

Expansion of the Pharmaceutical Industry

  1. Growth of Big Pharma: The development of synthetic drugs and the ability to mass-produce them has greatly aided the growth of major pharmaceutical companies. These companies have often invested in research and development, thereby further advancing the field of medicine.
  2. Increased Accessibility: The grand-scale production of pharmaceuticals has made drugs more accessible to a broader population, sometimes enhancing public health improvements. Other times, not so much as when particular drugs are recalled or banned due to lack of efficacy and/or discovery of detrimental longterm side effects.

Impact on Drug Manufacturing

  1. Solvents and Excipients: Petroleum-derived solvents and excipients are crucial in the production of many pharmaceuticals. These substances play a major role in the processing and stabilization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
  2. Packaging Materials: Petroleum products are used to make plastics and other materials for pharmaceutical packaging. This has helped to improve the transportation, storage, transportation, and shelf-life of medications.

Examples of Petroleum-Influenced Pharmaceuticals

  1. Antibiotics: Penicillin, an antibiotic, has benefited from petrochemical solvents and various industrial processes developed through the petroleum industry.
  2. Aspirin: The large-scale synthesis of aspirin was due to advances in chemical engineering and the availability of petrochemical raw materials.

Conclusion

The impact of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller on Western allopathic medicine is multifaceted. While their contributions to medical research, education, and public health are undeniable, their influence also shaped the direction of medicine in ways that had both positive and negative consequences. It is important to recognize that, although Carnegie and Rockefeller advanced Western allopathic medicine by promoting scientific rigor and public health initiatives, they also contributed to the decline of many traditional medical practices. The shift toward a more scientific approach brought numerous benefits but also led to the marginalization of traditional and holistic methods once considered effective and safe. Moreover, the Flexner Report backed by their funding, had long-lasting detrimental effects on Black medical schools, which in turn affected the training of Black physicians and healthcare in Black communities. This dual influence critically shaped their legacies within the medical field.

References:

Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller’s Influence on Medicine:

  • Brown, E. R. (1979). Rockefeller Medicine Men: Medicine and Capitalism in America. This book discusses the influence of the Rockefeller Foundation on American medicine, including its role in the establishment of medical research institutions and public health initiatives.
  • Flexner, A. (1910). Medical Education in the United States and Canada: A Report to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The original Flexner Report, commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation, played a central role in the reform of medical education, including the closure of many medical schools.
  • Marks, H. M. (1997). The Progress of Experiment: Science and Therapeutic Reform in the United States, 1900-1990. This book explores how the philanthropic efforts of individuals like Rockefeller shaped the modernization of medicine through scientific research and public health reforms.

Impact of the Flexner Report on Black Medical Schools:

  • Savitt, T. L. (2002). “Abraham Flexner and the Black Medical Schools.” Journal of the National Medical Association, 94(3), 246-257. This article specifically addresses the impact of the Flexner Report on Black medical schools and how it led to the closure of most Black medical institutions, exacerbating racial disparities in medical education.
  • Byrd, W. M., & Clayton, L. A. (2000). An American Health Dilemma: A Medical History of African Americans and the Problem of Race (Vol. 1). Routledge. This book provides an in-depth history of the challenges faced by Black medical professionals and institutions, including the long-term effects of the Flexner Report.

Marginalization of Traditional Medical Practices:

  • Hirschkorn, K. A. (2006). “Exclusive Versus Everyday Forms of Professional Medical Knowledge: Legitimacy Claims in Conventional and Alternative Medicine.” Sociology of Health & Illness, 28(5), 533-557. This article discusses how the rise of evidence-based medicine marginalized alternative and traditional medical practices in favor of standardized scientific approaches.
  • Whorton, J. C. (2002). Nature Cures: The History of Alternative Medicine in America. This book provides historical context for how alternative and traditional medical practices, such as homeopathy and naturopathy, were sidelined by the rise of scientific medicine promoted by figures like Carnegie and Rockefeller.

Petroleum’s Role in Pharmaceutical Development:

  • Torrance, A. W. (1998). “From Coal to Oil: The Role of the Petrochemical Industry in Medicine.” Chemical Heritage Magazine. This article explores how the rise of the petroleum industry contributed to advancements in synthetic chemistry, which was crucial for pharmaceutical development.
  • Hounshell, D. A., & Smith, J. K. (1988). Science and Corporate Strategy: DuPont R&D, 1902-1980. This book examines how major chemical companies like DuPont, using petroleum products, played a crucial role in developing synthetic chemicals for pharmaceuticals.
  • Sneader, W. (2005). Drug Discovery: A History. This comprehensive history of pharmaceuticals includes details on how the availability of petrochemical raw materials revolutionized drug manufacturing.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety big pharma chronic pain health & wellness health care holistic health martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/-A-pill-for-every-ill-Thank-or-Blame-Rockefeller-and-Carnegie-for-Monopolizing-West Wed, 25 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Be-Brave-Enough-to-Suck-at-Something-New “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche

By putting oneself through voluntary stressful activities over time and with diligent practice, one can better cope with involuntary stressors in everyday life. One does not have to become great at the activities, but rather better by putting in the focus, time, and effort. Becoming better and mindful of the activity are the goals of self-cultivation that may lead to self-realization. I have come to understand that in order to practice self-cultivation certain components need to become apparent to the practitioner:

  • Regulation of the emotions (to create space between thoughts and relative feelings/emotions)
  • Closing, minimalizing, or becoming less distracted by the 5 senses of vision, sound, taste, touch, and smell (to bring about tranquility)
  • Become aware of being in the present moment (interrupt the pattern of the daily mundane tasks and chores)
  • Live with methods of self-cultivation in your daily practices, as opposed to waiting for the perfect time, place and environment in order to become present.

Depending upon various practices and activities, an individual can strive to achieve these facets of self-cultivation.

The Impact of New Challenges on Eustress, Brain Development, and Mental Well-Being

Pursuing new challenges, usually skillful methods such as learning to play a musical instrument, singing, dancing, earning a new degree, practicing tai chi or yoga, learning another language, or engaging in creative arts like painting or sculpting, has profound effects on both physical and mental well-being. These activities stimulate cognitive functions, contribute to brain growth, and promote the release of “good” neurotransmitters, which influence a wide range of physiological and psychological processes. One key outcome of these challenges is the experience of eustress, or positive stress, which enhances performance, resilience, and brain development. In particular, activities that involve learning and personal growth have been shown to increase the size of the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC) and stimulate beneficial changes in the brain and body.

Eustress and Its Role in Well-Being

Eustress is a form of stress that stimulates motivation and enhances performance. Unlike distress, which can be overwhelming and harmful, eustress promotes mental clarity, emotional satisfaction, and resilience. When engaging in new challenges, the brain responds by increasing arousal and focus, which leads to the release of certain hormones and neurotransmitters that support cognitive and emotional regulation. This “positive stress” creates a cycle in which effort and reward are reinforced, helping individuals build greater resilience over time.

For example, learning to play an instrument or practicing yoga requires sustained focus, which triggers a release of adrenaline and norepinephrine from the locus coeruleus in the brain and the adrenal glands just above each kidney. These hormones sharpen focus, increase heart rate, and enhance physical readiness. This initial physiological response primes the body for action, while mental engagement leads to emotional satisfaction as the individual experiences mastery over a new skill.

In the long term, eustress fosters a growth mindset—a belief that abilities can improve with effort and persistence. This mindset encourages individuals to pursue even greater challenges, further enhancing cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and overall mental well-being.

Brain Development and the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex

One of the key regions of the brain involved in processing new challenges is the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC). The aMCC is located within the cingulate gyrus and is involved in cognitive control, motivation, error processing, and emotional regulation. It is particularly active when individuals engage in tasks that require effort, attention, and decision-making—such as learning a new instrument, mastering yoga postures, or solving academic problems. Research shows that the aMCC grows in response to sustained mental effort, with increased volume and thickness in this region linked to improved cognitive performance.

As individuals challenge themselves to learn new tasks, such as those that require fine motor skills, sustained attention, or problem-solving, the aMCC helps process errors, monitor performance, and regulate the allocation of cognitive resources. This leads to improved task performance over time and a greater sense of accomplishment. Moreover, activities that demand attention and effort promote neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to reorganize and strengthen neural connections in the aMCC and other related regions.

Neurotransmitters: Production and Impact on Brain and Body

Engaging in new challenges triggers the release of key neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and GABA—which regulate mood, motivation, emotional balance, and physical well-being. Understanding where these neurotransmitters are produced in the brain and body, and the areas they affect, sheds light on their powerful influence on mental and physical health.

  • GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity, promoting calmness and reducing anxiety. It is produced in the brain by GABAergic neurons and is particularly active in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi enhance GABA production, which helps to regulate the body’s response to stress and promotes relaxation. GABA inhibits excessive neural activity in the amygdala, reducing anxiety and improving emotional control
  • Dopamine: Produced primarily in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the brain, dopamine plays a crucial role in motivation, reward, and the pursuit of pleasure. It is released in response to activities that offer a sense of accomplishment or learning, such as completing a difficult task or mastering a new skill. Dopamine acts on the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, enhancing focus, goal-directed behavior, and anticipation of rewards. It also influences motor control via its actions on the basal ganglia, particularly during activities that require fine motor skills like playing a musical instrument or practicing tai chi.

  • Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is produced in the raphe nuclei, located in the brainstem, and is widely distributed throughout the brain. Serotonin regulates mood, anxiety, and emotional well-being. Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and other mindfulness activities stimulate serotonin production, which acts on the amygdala (responsible for emotional processing), the hippocampus (involved in memory formation), and the prefrontal cortex (critical for higher-order thinking and decision-making). Increased serotonin helps reduce anxiety, stabilize mood, and improve emotional resilience.

  • Endorphins: Produced in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, endorphins act as natural painkillers and are released during physical activity, including yoga, tai chi, and other forms of exercise. These chemicals bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain perception and promoting a sense of euphoria. Endorphins also interact with areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, such as the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex, contributing to feelings of relaxation and well-being.

Enhancing Cognitive Functions and Neuroplasticity

Challenging activities like learning to play an instrument, earning a degree, or engaging in creative pursuits stimulate the brain’s neuroplasticity—the ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process strengthens cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving, while also promoting the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis).

For example, playing a musical instrument engages multiple brain regions, including the motor cortex (for hand movements), the auditory cortex (for processing sound), and the prefrontal cortex (for planning and decision-making). As the brain coordinates these functions, new neural connections form between these regions, enhancing cognitive flexibility and executive function. Similarly, activities like painting or sculpting stimulate the visual cortex and areas involved in creativity and spatial reasoning, such as the parietal lobe, leading to improved creative problem-solving skills and greater cognitive resilience.

Physiological Benefits of Physical and Mental Challenges

Engaging in new physical and mental challenges has a wide range of benefits for both the brain and body. Practices like tai chi and yoga not only improve physical health by enhancing balance, coordination, and flexibility, but they also promote mind-body integration, which has significant cognitive and emotional benefits. These activities stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation, reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and improves immune function.

Mentally engaging activities, such as earning a new degree or learning to paint, stimulate neural circuits that enhance cognitive function, while also promoting the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and emotional well-being. The combination of mental effort and physical relaxation leads to a holistic sense of well-being, with improvements in both mental clarity and physical health.

Conclusion

Pursuing new challenges, whether physical, intellectual, or creative, triggers a cascade of positive effects in the brain and body. The experience of eustress fosters resilience, motivation, and personal growth, while activities that engage the brain leading to neuroplasticity and cognitive enhancement. Key brain regions, such as the anterior mid-cingulate cortex, grow in response to new challenges, while neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and GABA promote emotional balance and well-being. Through these mechanisms, challenging ourselves with new pursuits enhances both our physical and mental health, allowing us to thrive and achieve greater fulfillment in life. Overall, it doesn’t really matter if the individual becomes great or even good in their pursuit of skillful methods. What is more important is the intent and effort puts towards the activity itself which becomes a conduit to self-cultivation and hopefully self-realization.

References: Eustress and Positive Stress:

  • Selye, H. (1974). Stress without distress. New York: Harper & Row.
  • Nelson, D. L., & Simmons, B. L. (2003). Eustress: An elusive construct, an engaging pursuit. In P. L. Perrewe & D. C. Ganster (Eds.), Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being (Vol. 3, pp. 265-322). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. doi: 10.1016/S1479-3555(03)03007-5

Neuroplasticity and Learning:

  • Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. Viking.
  • Puderbaugh, M., & Emmady, P. D. (2022). Neuroplasticity. StatPearls. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557834/
  • Zatorre, R. J., & Schlaug, G. (2009). Music and the brain: advances in cognitive neuroscience. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1060(1), 231-241. doi: 10.1196/annals.1360.017

Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex (aMCC) and Cognitive Control:

  • Shackman, A. J., Salomons, T. V., Slagter, H. A., Fox, A. S., Winter, J. J., & Davidson, R. J. (2011). The integration of negative affect, pain and cognitive control in the cingulate cortex. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(3), 154-167. doi: 10.1038/nrn2994
  • Posner, M. I., & Rothbart, M. K. (2007). Research on attention networks as a model for the integration of psychological science. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 1-23. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085516

Dopamine Production and Function:

  • Wise, R. A. (2004). Dopamine, learning and motivation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 5(6), 483-494. doi: 10.1038/nrn1406
  • Schultz, W. (1998). Predictive reward signal of dopamine neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 80(1), 1-27. doi: 10.1152/jn.1998.80.1.1

Serotonin and Emotional Regulation:

  • Fisher, P. M., Meltzer, C. C., Ziolko, S. K., Price, J. C., & Hariri, A. R. (2006). Capacity for 5-HT1A-mediated autoregulation predicts amygdala reactivity. Nature Neuroscience, 9(11), 1362-1363. doi: 10.1038/nn1785
  • Berger, M., Gray, J. A., & Roth, B. L. (2009). The expanded biology of serotonin. Annual Review of Medicine, 60, 355-366. doi: 10.1146/annurev.med.60.042307.110802

Endorphins and Exercise:

  • Boecker, H., Sprenger, T., Spilker, M. E., Henriksen, G., Koppenhoefer, M., Wagner, K. J., … & Tolle, T. R. (2008). The runner’s high: Opioidergic mechanisms in the human brain. Cerebral Cortex, 18(11), 2523-2531. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhn013
  • Raichlen, D. A., & Polk, J. D. (2013). Linking brains and brawn: exercise and the evolution of human neurobiology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1750), 20122250. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2250

GABA and Stress Reduction:

  • Watanabe, M., Maemura, K., Kanbara, K., Tamayama, T., & Hayasaki, H. (2002). GABA and GABA receptors in the central nervous system and other organs. International Review of Cytology, 213, 1-47. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7696(02)13011-7
  • Streeter, C. C., Jensen, J. E., Perlmutter, R. M., Cabral, H. J., Tian, H., Terhune, D. B., … & Renshaw, P. F. (2007). Yoga Asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: a pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(4), 419-426. doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.6338

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression eustress health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology qigong self improvement stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Be-Brave-Enough-to-Suck-at-Something-New Sat, 21 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Balancing Mind, Body & Spirit https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Balancing-Mind-Body-Spirit Last week I led a discussion on improving balance (mental, physical, and spiritual awareness) at the University Club of Winter Park, I would gladly speak again at other locations if anyone cares to reach out to me. Below is a brief summary of the topics that were discussed.

https://youtu.be/ayivzXu-TKI?si=9iD0vtEUf1KoCbTr

This video was a discussion about holistic health, which is a way of looking at the whole person, including the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Harmony is achieved when the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects are in balance. These components are all deeply interconnected. If you are physically balanced, you are more likely to feel mentally balanced. If you are mentally balanced, you are more likely to be able to connect with your spirituality.

The following main components of balance:

  • Physical balance: This refers to the ability to maintain your equilibrium. It is important for many activities, such as walking, running, and playing sports.
  • Mental balance: This refers to the ability to manage your thoughts and emotions. It is important for your overall well-being and for your ability to cope with stress.
  • Spiritual balance: This refers to your sense of connection to something larger than yourself. It can be a connection to nature, to other people, or to a higher power.

I offered some tips on how to improve balance. These tips include:

  • Doing balance exercises regularly. There are many different balance exercises that you can do, such as practicing tai chi, qigong, yoga, pilates, standing on one leg, or even walking on uneven surfaces.
  • Practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you to reduce stress and improve your mental balance.  

____________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health meniere's disease osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts physiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi tinnitus vestibular balance winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Balancing-Mind-Body-Spirit Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Earn a Good Night’s Rest – Sleep Hygiene (part 2) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Earn-a-Good-Night-s-Rest-Sleep-Hygiene-part-2

(Part 2 of 2)

The quality of your sleep can affect your health and well-being. Habits and practices can either promote or hinder quality sleep. By better understanding the implementation of specific sleep hygiene practices, one can improve overall sleep quality and relative health and well-being. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend that adults should get 7 hours of sleep per night, while children and teens require more. A third of US adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Lack of sleep has been
associated with the development and management of several chronic diseases and ailments such as obesity, depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (Sleep and Sleep Disorders, 2023).

I have studied and practiced many sleep methods/behaviors and their relationship with exercise, meditation, and other mind/body practices. What we do or don’t do during our waking hours can determine the quality of our sleep at night. Conversely, how well we sleep, and duration can affect the quality of our waking hours also. Practicing stress relieving exercises and behaviors during the day such as yoga, mindful breathing, meditation, and tai chi, (A Prescription for Tai Chi? A UCLA Researcher Works to Position This Ancient Mind-body Practice Into Mainstream Medicine Nationwide. – Document – Gale General OneFile, 2024) and many other physical exercise methods, can help the mind and body to better process information and rejuvenate during the sleep stages. Mental output and activity often become stressful when we try to work, manage family duties, solve finances, and manage hundreds of other daily tasks. A good night’s rest is most often earned by what we eat, what we think, and what types of physical activity/exercise we practice throughout the day. This is what I have learned and experienced from my own anecdotal experiences.

Diabetes – Studies show that poor sleep is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sleep duration and quality are predictors for levels of Hemoglobin A1c, an important marker for blood sugar control. Research posits that sleep duration and quality may be important factors in improving blood sugar control for those with type 2 diabetes.

Obesity – Research shows that short sleep duration results in metabolic changes that may be associated with obesity. Other studies have also reported a link between excess body weight and short sleep duration. This link has been seen in all age groups and is particularly pronounced in children. It is suggested that sleep quality in childhood and adolescence is very important for brain development. Lack of sleep in children may affect the hypothalamus, which modulates appetite and the utilization of energy.

Cardiovascular Disease – Those suffering from sleep apnea are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Stroke, irregular heartbeat, hypertension, and coronary heart disease are thought to be more common for persons with sleep disorders. Also sleep apnea and hardening of the arteries seem to share common physiological characteristics, whereas sleep apnea may be another predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Depression – Poor sleep quality has been known to be a symptom of depression. Research shows that depressive
symptoms may diminish once sleep apnea has been treated where appropriate sleep is restored. The association between sleep and depression posits that it is important for those with depression to be aware of sleep disorders, as those persons with sleep disorders need to be observed for issues with depression (Sleep and Chronic Disease, 2022).

Key Sleep Disorders:

  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Restless Leg Syndrome

I found this topic of sleep hygiene to be very expansive. I have listed below behaviors that can be implemented to help ensure more sleep duration and better quality.

  • Refrain from eating or drinking much within 3 hours before bedtime.
  • Reduce consuming caffeinated or alcoholic drinks later in the day.
  • Eliminate afternoon naps after 3 p.m. if you usually sleep well during the night.
  • Perform some type of exercise every day.
  • Exercise or physical activity engaged close to bedtime can make it more difficult for some to fall asleep.
  • Follow a consistent schedule to help relax before sleep; shower, bathe, listen to music, read, etc.
  • Go to sleep when you are tired and try to rise at the same time each morning.
  • Reduce viewing lighted screens, such as TV, computer, or smartphone before going to bed.
  • Keep the bedroom quiet, cool, and dark.
  • Use a sleeping mask, earplugs, or a fan, to block light and reduce sounds.
  • Keep stimulus away from you and your bed. Accessing your phone, TV, or food while in bed can make it more difficult to fall asleep while in bed (Sleep and Your Health | Office on Women’s Health, n.d.)

References:

A Prescription for Tai Chi? A UCLA researcher works to position this ancient mind-body practice into mainstream medicine nationwide. (2024, March). Healthy Years, 21(3), 1+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A783577598/ITOF?u=vol_vsc&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=07847cf8

Module 6. Improving your Sleep and Alertness, Create a Good Sleep Environment (Continued) | NIOSH | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/work-hour-training-for-nurses/longhours/mod6/03.html

Sleep for a good cause. (2022, July 28). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-sleep.html

Sleep and sleep disorders. (2023, March 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/index.html

Sleep and your health | Office on Women’s Health. (n.d.). https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/sleep-and-your-health

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Earn-a-Good-Night-s-Rest-Sleep-Hygiene-part-2 Sat, 14 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Earn a Good Night’s Rest – Sleep Hygiene (part 1) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Earn-a-Good-Night-s-Rest-Sleep-Hygiene-part-1

(Part 1 of 2)

Sleep is a natural regularly occurring physiological function, where humans and other animals reduce physical and mental activity, lessen responsiveness to stimuli, and particular patterns of brain activity occur (Ettinger 2018). Prolonged lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause impaired memory formation as well as adverse effects on the brain’s other cognitive functions such as learning, language, reason, and perception. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to significant mental diseases, such as depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder (Horowitz, 2020). Physical problems attributed to consistent lack of sleep include weakening of the immune system, headaches, heart disease, fainting, weight gain or weight loss, blurred vision, and hernias. Other related ailments may include obesity, cancer, stroke, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and kidney failure. Severe sleep deprivation in humans can also be fatal, where a rare neurological ailment called fatal familial insomnia, results in damage to areas of the thalamus (Horowitz, 2020).

Studies with REM-deprived sleep participants showed the effects of decreased ability to concentrate on tasks, increased irritability, hostility, anxiousness, and aggressiveness. Studies also showed that REM-starved participants entered into REM sleep almost as soon as they were permitted to nod off, throughout a one-week experiment. Participants experienced a REM rebound effect, where they spent roughly 50 percent more time in REM than they did before the start of the experiment. This REM rebound effect seems to occur immediately after a duration of forced wakefulness during a night’s sleep. Physiological changes in animals have been observed in other studies regarding REM deprivation, with effects of weight loss, deteriorated appearance, skin lesions, increased energy expenditure, decreased body temperature, and even death. Researchers think that if humans experienced similar circumstances of sleep deprivation used in animal studies, similar outcomes would present (Ettinger 2018). 

Studies show that sleep is necessary, but exactly why is not clear. Theories exist that we require sleep to conserve energy, avoid predation, and memory aid. However, none of these theories are widely accepted by psychologists. Another theory is that sleep helps in mental and physical restoration. Sleep is thought to restore resources that are drained during our daily activities. Studies show that people often sleep longer after particularly tiring events helps to support this theory. Unsettled evidence shows that specific types of tissue restoration might happen during sleep. Growth hormone is secreted at increased levels during Stage 4 sleep as well as brain neurotransmitters possibly being restored during sleep. Other research indicates that sleep is essential for brain homeostasis.  Additionally, research suggests that metabolic waste that accumulates from neural activity is eliminated from the brain and cerebral spinal fluid, while only occurring during sleep (Ettinger 2018).  This theory has merit, as other relative studies offer further evidence of sleep quality affecting health and well-being, specifically with intensive care unit (ICU) patients (Pisani, 2015). I find it hard to discredit this theory, just based on personal experience with almost everyone I have ever known or met, expressing how much more restored, refreshed, and energetic they are when they have regular quality sleep.

I feel that American culture in general, does not pay much attention to preventing disease and illness, let alone the specific issue of sleep deprivation. We have gradually grown into a nation where we live for our pleasures today, with little regard for the consequences that will come tomorrow. Many see modern allopathic medicine and its many pharmaceutical options, as the only path to fix all of our ills. There is a plethora of medications that we can take to keep us awake when we don’t get enough sleep. Conversely, we also have a wide variety of other pharmaceuticals to help us sleep when we are too awake, anxious, or stressed. I have two college-aged kids, who are learning how to manage and navigate their college lives of studies and social life, while also trying to stay safe and healthy in the process. I don’t really think the issue of college student sleep deprivation has changed much over the last few decades, as far as young adults exercising their independence and learning of their limits. What has changed, I believe is the acceptance of legal as well as illegal drugs being used to manage the ups and downs of coping with the on-campus “college life”. Additionally, the last 2 years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly added to the recipe for potential psychological issues. Many people of all ages have experienced stress as they attempt to balance their relative circumstances. Many people were inside more which may have led to a more sedentary lifestyle, eating more poor-quality food, drinking more alcohol, consuming more recreation and medicinal drugs, and other issues that can affect the quality of sleep. Consequently, I think the more relative issue that is yet to unfold, is how has the management of the pandemic affected sleep quality across many demographics? This topic will probably take years to study to draw any logical conclusions.

References:

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Horowitz, D. (2020). Sleep deprivation. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health.

Pisani, M. (2015). Sleep in the intensive care unit: An oft-neglected key to health restoration. Heart & Lung : The Journal of Critical Care44(2), 87. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.007

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Earn-a-Good-Night-s-Rest-Sleep-Hygiene-part-1 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Availability Heuristic https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/The-Availability-Heuristic Have you ever made an important choice based on a gut feeling, only to later realize that it wasn’t as logical as you previously thought? Chances are, the availability heuristic played a role.

In today’s fast-paced world, information is just a click away, allowing our brains to take shortcuts to make sense of the overwhelming amount of data we encounter. One such psychological shortcut is the availability heuristic or availability bias, a cognitive bias that influences how we perceive and judge the world around us. These terms have gained some awareness in recent times. Availability heuristic is a cognitive bias or mental shortcut that entails making judgments about the likelihood of events based on how readily and easily examples come to mind. People have a propensity to rely on information that is readily available in their memory and may make uninformed decisions based on their immediate environment, rather than taking into account more logical, comprehensive, or statistically accurate data. Examples of this abound in today’s highly polarized facets of society such as politics, economics, science, healthcare, and others where the internet, social media, and word of mouth play major roles in shaping individuals’ reality.

A common example of the availability heuristic is the fear of commercial flying despite its statistical safety record. Due to the intense media coverage of plane crashes, these rare events are more readily recalled, leading to an exaggerated perception of the risks associated with flying. In contrast, the routine nature of safe flights doesn’t leave a strong impression, even though driving a car is statistically far more dangerous.

The availability heuristic may include some of the following memory and recall biases:

  1. Ease of Recall: If something is easily brought to mind, it may be perceived as more likely or significant. People often judge the probability of events based on how easily they can recall examples.
  2. Media Influence: Events that draw more media coverage or are more sensationalized are more likely to be at the forefront of people’s minds, leading to an overestimation of the likelihood of such events occurring.
  3. Personal Experience: People may draw from their own personal experiences or the experiences of others they know when determining probabilities, even when these experiences are not necessarily representative of the overall statistical likelihood.
  4. Familiarity – Favoring options that are well-known or have been encountered frequently.
  5. Fluency – Judging something as more likely or better because it is easier to process or understand.
  6. Recognition – Preferring options that are familiar or well-known over those that are unknown.

Other types of availability heuristic would be:

  • Decision-making strategies:
    • Satisficing – Choosing an option that meets the minimum criteria, rather than seeking the best possible solution.
    • Elimination by Aspects – Sequentially eliminating options by focusing on one attribute at a time until only one remains. Also known as the process of elimination.
    • Tallying – Summing up positive aspects for each option and choosing the one with the highest total.
    • Take the Best – Making decisions by focusing on the most important attributes, such as size, cost, value, etc.
    • Naive Diversification – Spreading choices across a variety of options without a deeper thought process.
  • Influence of emotions and perceptions:
    • Affect – Making decisions based on emotions and feelings rather than objective analysis.
    • Social Proof – Assuming that the actions and behaviors of others reflect the correct behavior in a given situation.
    • Effort – Estimating the value of something based on the amount of effort required to obtain it.
    • Similarity – Assessing outcomes based on how similar an option is to a known category or case.
  • Probability and risk perception bias:
    • Neglect of Base Rates: The availability heuristic can lead people to disregard base rates or broader statistical information when making decisions and judgments. Instead, they may focus on memorable instances.
    • Scarcity – thinking something is more valuable when it is less available or limited in quantity.
    • Representativeness – Judging the likelihood of something based on how closely it resembles a typical case.
    • Anchoring and Adjustment – Relying mostly on the first piece of information (anchor) and making adjustments based on it.
  • Cognitive shortcuts and simplifications:
    • Contagion – Believing that physical objects can transfer properties through physical contact or association.
    • Hiatus – Assuming that a long pause in a particular pattern makes it less likely to continue.
    • Simulation – Predicting outcomes based on how easily one can imagine or simulate them in their mind.
    • Gaze – Using the direction of one’s gaze to make decisions or influence actions.

In a world where we’re constantly exposed to sensory information, it’s important to recognize when the availability heuristic might be impacting our decisions. By being aware of these biases, we can attempt to make more informed choices, relying not just on what comes to mind first but on a broader, more accurate set of data.

Reference:

MSEd, K. C. (2024, June 24). What are heuristics? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-heuristic-2795235

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/The-Availability-Heuristic Sat, 07 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Taoism Viewed as a Philosophy, Vitalizing or Religious https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Taoism-Viewed-as-a-Philosophy-Vitalizing-or-Religious
The Chinese character for “the Tao”

Taoism or Daoism is based upon the concept of the Tao (or Dao) and its literal meaning of the path, or way. The Tao is the main principle of Taoism, where the Tao is seen as the natural order of the universe. This understanding of the universe and all-encompassing things within whether alive or inanimate, cannot be defined in mere words, but rather become known through actual living experience in everyday beings (Smith, 2009). The Taoist individual becomes more reliant upon their own intuition in order to understand the potential for their own individual wisdom. The universe came into being with us together; with us, all things are one. The Tao is simply inconceivable, and therefore it is useless to say another word about it. Intuitively, we know there is a dimension of ourselves and of nature that eludes us because it is too close, too general, and too all-embracing to be singled out as a particular object. This dimension is the ground of all the astonishing forms and experiences of which we are aware. Because we are aware, it cannot be unconscious, although we are not conscious of it as an external thing. We can give it a name but cannot make any definitive statement about it. The only way of apprehending it is by watching the process and patterns of nature and by the meditative discipline of allowing our minds to become quiet, to have a vivid awareness of “what is” without verbal comment.

Visual representation of the Chinese character for “the Tao”

Chinese culture and its views on religion have evolved over many centuries with Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism being considered the “three pillars” of ancient Chinese society (National Geographic Society, 2022). Consequently, most Chinese people have practiced Confucianism in their ethics and public life, Taoism in their private life and hygiene, and Buddhism at the time of death, along with shamanistic folk religion also added in along the way. “Every Chinese wears a Confucian hat, Taoist robes, and Buddhist sandals” (Smith, 2009).

There are 3 main types of Taoism. The first type is referred to as philosophical Taoism, where it is essentially a frame of mind, where the goal is to conserve one’s te or power, by expending it efficiently. This type of Taoism holds the main concept of wu wei, meaning “inaction” but in Taoism means pure effectiveness. Wu wei is an action in which the individual strives to minimize conflict in relationships and be in harmony with nature (Smith, 2009). This concept more simply stated would be to learn to “go with the flow”. Attempting to exist in opposition to the Tao, one will eventually be consumed by it. Striving to live in harmony with the Tao or more specifically wu wei, will benefit from this relationship. Living more in harmony with the Tao can be often seen as being more out in the world and nature to experience its gifts while living a life interacting with nature as well as with others.

A second type of Taoism is “vitalizing” where practitioners strive to maximize their life force, also called qi or chi. These adepts worked with their minds, matter, and physical movement, to increase their life force (Smith, 2009).  Some may find this branch of Taoism as more unusual or unfamiliar as Huston Smith called it a “vitality cult” (Smith, 2009). Most belief systems and/or religions are based upon the unknown, mysteries, and unconfirmed facts. To the uninformed, what is considered one person’s religion may very well be another person’s cult.

A third type of Taoism was influenced by Buddhism, being that of Religious Taoism. Here the actions of psychics, free-lance soothsayers, shamans, and faith healers who may have come by their powers naturally, religious Taoism institutionalized these activities (Smith, 2009). Religious Taoism appears as a crude superstition to the uneducated. At the time of Smith’s observation, science knew little of what energy is, how it proceeds, or the means by which it can be utilized (Smith, 2009). However, currently, we do know about faith healing engaging energies, including faith in oneself. Placebos are now known and proven to have various healing effects mentally, physically, and/or spiritually.

I have had much firsthand experience with all 3 of these types of Taoism along with Buddhism and Confucianism, as a philosophical lifestyle, as my martial arts and qigong lineages are deeply rooted within these belief systems. I did not priorly nor formally study any of these philosophies but rather lived with them in my life. I see the concepts and principles found within these philosophies as being highly relevant to my everyday routine. I was raised within the Christian Church and more specifically the Lutheran and Disciples of Christ branches. Taoism does not oppose nor contradict these Christian faiths but rather supports morals and ethics found in many other religions.

The Taoist concept of yin and yang, where harmony and balance coexist, contrast and relativity are seen in all things in life and nature. Yin and yang ultimately affect all aspects of life in health, relationships, business, and even other religions in various other aspects. Yin and yang are much more than simply the contrast between dark and light. The symbol for this concept depicts cause and effect, ebb and flow, and other manifestations of harmony, and is known as the Tajitu. The symbol actually has more components beyond just the 2 fish-shaped halves. The complete circle itself consists of the two halves, plus the small dots of contrast found in each half, and lastly, the line that divides the two halves. These dots remind us that nothing is truly black or white, or absolute. The fine line resting between the two opposing halves may be viewed as the gray area that we sometimes find ourselves navigating when striving to balance our decisions. Decisions between what we perceive as true, right, or correct for whatever situation and circumstances relate to any particular time and place. What is seen as correct yesterday may not be so today; appropriate for one, may not be for another. These components collectively represent the ever-changing relationship of all of these various pieces and parts that make up the whole.

Taoism does explain the creation of the Universe and what exists within it. The Tao transformed from the nothingness or Wuji, to yin and yang, then further into the 5 Elements or Wuxing, then to the 8 trigrams or Bagua, and eventually into the Ten Thousand Things. Some people may see these concepts as religious, while others may interpret as philosophy and maybe even others will see these ideas as a science of the universe.

The I Ching, a Taoist philosophical text written by Fu Xi around 1300 BCE, addresses 64 phases in that we go through in the process of becoming a human being (Hon, 2019). Through these phases, one can evolve from basically being unconscious to hopefully conscious, from an inferior to a superior human being. It actually takes considerable effort and time to become what we consider human. We are born basically like any other animal and more specifically a mammal, but with the potential abilities to learn to communicate and reason.

Hexagrams of the I Ching

There is a fundamental belief within Taoism, that we are not born with the wisdom of being “correct” but rather we are born and begin to be “true” in our perceptions, words, and actions. For example, a child cries because they are hungry, expressing their true feelings of hunger pangs in their stomach. Later in life, that same child will learn that the correct way to express oneself may be to ask for food verbally. We are usually not born as balanced or enlightened human beings. Humans are not intrinsically born as what we often label as “good”. Our nature is seemingly good as an innocent little human being but basically, we are born as an animal with no inherent skill to survive physically or socially. Unguided children will not feed, clothe or potty-train themselves. If you look at any young child not nurtured, guided, or refined by a parent or mentor of that child, that child will instinctively do whatever they please until met with resistance. The child is not inherently “bad” but rather has instinctive behavior, similar to that of a little animal not knowing of boundaries or refinement. If the parent doesn’t accept this duty of actual parenting, the child may eventually grow into an adult who spends their whole life behaving like an animal. If the parent does not take the time to give their child life direction by teaching with words and actions rooted in principle and love, that child will become a human being in physical form, while remaining an animal in their consciousness and relative actions.

Some belief systems or philosophic schools of thought believe that we have to earn our human potential beyond that of being an animal. We are born into a particular set of circumstances or actions of cause and effect, known as karma, in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Even before we arrive in the physical form of a zygote, embryo, or fetus, there is a belief structure that we already made an agreement based upon our karma, of what kind of resources one will come into this world with and relative life from these resources. These may include time and place of birth, physical or mental traits, ethnicity, status, and other cultural variables. Hopefully, the individual earned good karma in their past life because that affects where and to who they are born into.

The first phase of life is childhood from birth to age 8, which is considered as Spring and is highly relative to one’s past karma. The individual child has very little control over their own current karma at this age, relying almost entirely upon where they were born and who their parents are. The order of the next phases of life would be Summer (ages 8-33), Late Summer (ages 33-58), Fall (ages 58-83), and Winter (ages 83-108). These phases of the year correspond accordingly with the 5 Element Theory or Wuxing (Wuxing, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d.), and the mental and physical changes we experience throughout our whole cycle of one lifetime.

After the initial spring phase of childhood and into young adulthood or summer, the individual begins to work on choosing whether or not they are going to go through life in a state of unconscious suffering or go through life evolving as a conscious human being. Life is a challenge or struggle, and we all experience this struggle differently. The struggle never ends as we strive to become more human until we can no longer. Similar to standing upright on two feet, we always have a struggle to work and exert effort to stay standing. As soon as we stop working on standing, we fall. Consequently, there is this constant struggle to become more human or to use other labels such as self-realization or self-mastery. Realization in this context may be defined as having an advanced understanding of the interrelationship of their mind, body, and consciousness. Self-cultivation is another appropriate term, as we ourselves are actually the garden that needs constant tending. Some among us may have started on this path decades long ago, trying to navigate within this lifestyle and path of self-cultivation. Some are considered spiritual teachers or leaders. They are not done yet, as we are never truly done as far as this physical life is concerned. If life is a constant struggle, the concept we have to accept is that no one is entitled to anything. If we truly want to change our reality, we need to realize that no one is going to change it for us. Not our friends, family, boss, government, or anyone other than ourselves. The universe and nature offer no entitlements that are going to change our individual reality. It starts with us taking ownership and responsibility to change our own set of circumstances and actions (karma) whether good or bad. If we look at our situations or circumstances as being someone else’s fault or responsibility, we have lost control over our own life and our own potential outcomes. Ultimately, we may realize that we allow others the power to manage our lives until we choose to change this reality, as we alone choose to make ourselves good or make ourselves bad.

The concept of freewill

We have no true freedom if we are subject to the will of others. Self-cultivation is about taking total ownership of our own life and its direction.  We have this choice every minute of every day, until death. Ancient and time-proven safe and effective methods of mind and body practices rooted in Buddhism and Taoism, such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, and other methods, offer ways to build character, strength, and self-discipline. Within some belief systems, these practices can affect one’s karma. By regular and consistent execution in maintaining a particular posture or stance, despite the physical discomfort in doing so, the individual develops the fundamentals of self-discipline. These practices offer a very deliberate equation or recipe, to achieve self-cultivation. Self-cultivation cannot be achieved by luck or chance. Similar to traveling to a specific destination, one cannot easily reach their target by chance, without a map or sense of direction. Religions of Hinduism offer the Yamas and Niyamas whereas Christianity holds the 10 Commandments as guidance or maps of direction. Buddhism has the philosophy of the Eightfold Path and Islam has their 5 Pillars. The philosophy of Taoism has a similar guide in its own Eight-step Path.

This Eight-step Path of Taoism is where I will focus some attention. This path of processes is a map or recipe of insights that may lead to experiences in varying levels of evolution of our own consciousness. This recipe is rooted in the understanding that our life is basically a continuous yearly journey around the sun where we all go through the yearly cycles of the climatic seasons. The climate appears very random to us as children, where we see sun and rain for a while and then a time later of wind and snow. Until we are taught that there is a deliberate repeating cycle, this change in our surroundings, environment and relative weather patterns seems to be so random. When the child knowingly experiences a second or third year of the season changes, the climate becomes less confusing and actually more predictable. Similarly, the steps or cycles of the Eight-step Path may appear at first to be somewhat random but are quite deliberate.

The first step may be the most difficult, which is to truly see oneself in the highest expression of their humanness. The Sanskrit word of namaste, meaning of “may the divine in me see the divine in you”. The challenge here is that in most cases, the individual cannot see the divine in others because they cannot see it first in themselves. This highly important component is in the reflection of actually looking inside of yourself. Often this step is most uncomfortable, where the individual is venturing outside of their comfort zone in order to go through the humility of seeing themselves in a less-than-perfect perspective. This is where methods of sitting, standing, and moving practices within yoga, qigong, tai chi, and others can offer these self-awareness reflections, in addition to their mere basic physical benefits of Westernized glorified stretching and breathing exercises. Beyond just exercising the body, these somewhat gentle methods can require the practitioner to become aware of their various aspects of weaknesses in their postural alignments, coordination, balance, and other facets of their self-awareness like breath and heart rate. Observing and becoming aware of our physical body is the gateway into becoming more aware of our complex thoughts and emotions. We are not our thoughts, but rather the observer and master of them. Within the Tao Te Ching we find the wisdom text relating to reflection in (Novak, 1994):

“Knowing others is intelligence,

knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength,

mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,

you are truly rich…”

We can seek to find the root causes of the turbidity and chaos in our society today, where most people do not aspire to see their true selves and the chaos coming from within. This can be evident in our lack of taking ownership and accountability for any of our own behaviors. Self-reflection is a very important component of any belief system or spiritual cultivation. It is called reflection because in ancient times, mirrors did not exist. One would actually have to look at water in order to see their own image or a reflection thereof. If the water was moving or turbid it would not be possible to see one’s reflection. Similarly, if one’s thoughts and relative lifestyle are turbid, it is very difficult for one to self-reflect. Your mind is that water and so you never really get a chance to see your true nature because it’s not very tranquil enough and never clear enough to reveal even just a fleeting glimpse of our true nature. This is an important component of spirituality, self-improvement, self-awareness, or whatever one chooses to call this concept. This nature of our higher nature isn’t just your nature. It is my nature. It is his and her nature. It is all of our nature. It is all the same nature being that we are all basically connected. The divine in me sees the divine in all. We all have one little particle of that highest nature and when it is momentarily separated, we suffer the illusion of individuality for only a moment.

Strive to see your true nature

I do not see Taoism, Confucianism, or Buddhism as religions, but rather as life philosophies in that they hold principles that can easily be seen and/or incorporated into other spiritual belief systems. What I find most appealing about Taoism is that I don’t find it to be a religion by definition, but rather a philosophy of how to navigate the human condition. I have found that Taoism at its core seeks to focus on holistic, universal, and peaceful principles of living in harmony with nature and the natural order of all within it, whether alive or inanimate.

References:

Chinese Religions and Philosophies | National Geographic Society. (2022, May 20). National Geographic. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/chinese-religions-and-philosophies/

Hon, Tze-Ki, “Chinese Philosophy of Change (Yijing)”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2019 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2019/entries/chinese-change

Novak, P. (1994). The World’s Wisdom. Retrieved from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/122387/sp/178876424/mi/570541808?cfi=%2F4%5Btext%5D%2F2%5Bchapter06%5D%2F6%2F250%2F2%2C%2F1%3A0%2C%2F1%3A0

Smith, H. (2009). The World’s Religions. Retrieved from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/119147/sp/178692013/mi/570158024?cfi=%2F4%2F2%5Bch8%5D%2F4%2F182%2C%2F1%3A0%2C%2F1%3A0

Wuxing (Wu-hsing) | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://iep.utm.edu/wuxing/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain cultivation depression health care human behavior inner transformation martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/9/Taoism-Viewed-as-a-Philosophy-Vitalizing-or-Religious Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:32:35 GMT
The Flow State – being in the zone, dialed in https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/The-Flow-State-being-in-the-zone-dialed-in The “flow state” also known as being “in the zone,” refers to a focused mental state in which an individual is fully immersed in an activity, perhaps feeling energized, with effortless action, while also enjoying the process. This term was introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s. This flow is often described as a state of “optimal experience,” where individuals are so involved in what they are doing that they may lose track of time and may even become oblivious about their surroundings.

I have come to experience this myself through martial arts training with weapons practice where one strives to harmonize the movement of the sword with the mind and body engagement. See my broadsword demonstration. https://youtu.be/d_KmKHFbCt8?si=GMYvzTs9IpmmUN63&t=491

I have seen others achieve the flow state through rowing or crew. In rowing this flow state is referred to as “perfect swing” or just swing. Swing only happens when all eight rowers are rowing in such perfect unison that no single action by anyone is out of sync with those of all the others. Only then will the boat continue to move, unchecked, fluidly and gracefully between the pulls of the oars.

Characteristics of the flow state may include:

  1. Intense Concentration: People in a state of flow are deeply focused on the task in the present moment. They experience a sense of clarity and concentration, with a heightened focus on the present moment.
  2. Loss of Self-consciousness: People in flow often report a decreased awareness of themselves. They are not too concerned with how they are perceived by others or with thoughts of failure and success.
  3. Timelessness: Flow activities can create a sense of time distortion. Some people may feel that time is passing quickly or, conversely, that they’ve been experiencing an activity for a much longer period than actually has transpired.
  4. Intrinsic Motivation: Flow is often linked with intrinsically rewarding activities. The satisfaction and enjoyment come from the activity itself rather than external recognition or rewards.
  5. Clear Goals: Activities that produce flow typically have concise and achievable goals. Individuals understand what needs to be done, and feedback is immediate.
  6. A Balance of Skill and Challenge: Flow manifests when the level of challenge in an activity is highly compatible with an individual’s skill level. If the activity is too easy, it may lead to boredom. If the activity is too difficult, it can result in anxiety or insecurity.

Some common examples of activities that may manifest into a flow state include certain sports, playing musical instruments, writing/journaling, painting, martial arts, target shooting, or other artistic endeavors, or any other task that requires some skill, ability, and concentration. Achieving a flow state can have many positive effects on overall physical health, mental well-being, creativity, and even performance. Many pursue flow-inducing activities to further enhance their experiences and productivity.

There are several benefits to experiencing a flow state. These may include:

  • Increased productivity and creativity
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved mood and well-being
  • Greater sense of self-efficacy

How can one achieve a flow state? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If someone can find activities that they enjoy and that challenge them just enough, they’ll be more likely to experience a flow state. And once they do, they will better understand why it’s such a sought-after experience. However, there are several things someone can do to increase their chances of experiencing it. These may include:

  • Choose a challenging but achievable task.
  • Set clear goals for yourself.
  • Remove distractions.
  • Get into a relaxed but focused state of mind.
  • Be fully present in the moment.

Some additional tips for achieving a flow state:

  • Find a passion. What activities do you get lost in? What makes you lose track of the world around you? Once you know what your passions are, you can begin to focus on activities that are related to them.
  • Set smaller, more achievable goals. When you’re starting out, it’s imperative to set goals that are challenging enough but not too difficult. If you set goals that are too out of reach, you’re more likely to get discouraged and give up.
  • Break down bigger tasks into smaller ones. This will make challenges seem less daunting and more manageable.
  • Get rid of external and internal distractions. When you’re trying to achieve a flow state, it’s important to reduce as many distractions as possible. Turn off the phone, close the email app, and seek a quiet place to perform your tasks.
  • Be present in the moment. Put your mind where you are at. Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. Try to focus on the task at hand and enjoy the experience.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/The-Flow-State-being-in-the-zone-dialed-in Sat, 31 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Operant Conditioning: A Holistic Approach to Behavior and Health https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Operant-Conditioning-A-Holistic-Approach-to-Behavior-and-Health When humans and other animals learn to relate their behavior with reinforcing or punishing consequences, this is referred to as operant conditioning. In the Operant Conditioning Theory, there are basically four methods consisting of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment (Ettinger, 2018). 

Reinforcement is a method that increases the chances and frequency that a response may occur. Positive reinforcers are stimulus awarded after a response that increases the probability of the response. Negative reinforcers are when stimulus is removed following a desired response, which increases the probability of the initial response (Ettinger, 2018). An example of positive reinforcement would be awarding a child an allowance for completing their chores. An example of negative reinforcement would be removing a curfew for a child completing their homework early. Specific techniques such as shaping, verbal instruction, physical guidance, modeling, and increasing motivation can be implemented to encourage the manifestation of an initial desired operant response. The schedule at which reinforcements are administered can also affect the response behavior. A continuous reinforcement schedule occurs when behavior is reinforced every time it takes place (Ettinger, 2018). An example of this would be rewarding a dog with a treat after it sits still for a determined amount of time. A partial reinforcement schedule occurs when behavior is reinforced for only part of the time (Ettinger, 2018). An example of this would be a fisherman being rewarded with catching fish throughout the day, but with the time in between catches varying. Partial schedules of reinforcement are slower to be instilled but are noticeably more lasting than when no reinforcement is implemented at all. Partial reinforcement schedules breakdown further into either ratio or interval schedules, where both may be either variable or fixed (Ettinger, 2018). 

(File:Operant Conditioning diagram.png – Wikimedia Commons, n.d.)

Punishment is a method where a stimulus implemented, either added (positive punishment) or removed (negative punishment) following a response affects a decrease in the frequency or chances of that response occurring. A punishment effectiveness in creating a desired change in behavior is determined by the punishment’s consistency, intensity, moderation and if there is a delay between a response and punishment. Also, combining a punishment with positive reinforcement may improve the effectiveness of the punishment (Ettinger, 2018). An example of positive punishment would be adding a curfew to a child in response to the child not completing their homework. An example of negative punishment would be to take away internet access due to the child not completing their homework.

(Admin & Admin, 2023)

Building of self-discipline and its relative behavior, is something that I was introduced to, through martial arts. I was 16 years-old at the time, and I experienced a very rigidly formatted version of operant conditioning. This is a very instrumental age for most people, where adolescence offers a time to begin to develop a sense of self, independence, identity, and self-awareness (Author Removed at Request of Original Publisher, 2015). Positive reinforcement is a tool used not only in most modern martial arts systems today, but also in coaching of sports, in schools, and other places of exercise to enhance fitness, well-being, self-discipline, stress management and many other reasons. In most martial arts schools, reinforcement and punishment are implemented as methods of operant learning. An individual is often rewarded here with a positive stimulus for a behavior that may be perceived as improving or growing stronger in character or punished by removal of stimulus for not improving or demonstrating good judgement. Particular to martial arts training, when a student starts on this path, most are educated that there exists a work and reward system of positive reinforcement delivered through a belt system. The belts range from the color spectrum where a white belt is a beginner to a blackbelt as having more proficiency, and then various degrees of blackbelt reflecting more expertise. When a student puts in the time and effort towards practicing and attempting to perfect the various exercises, techniques and relative sets or forms, they receive a reward of the next colored belt. I see the scheduling of this technique as partial reinforcement, in that a student doesn’t receive a new belt reflecting their progression after every class, but rather over a longer length of time demonstrating continual improvement.

Conversely, many instructors will use some methods of negative punishment where they maybe remove one-on-one time or personal instruction if a student does not demonstrate improvement of their skills or is perceived as not being serious about their own personal development. Or another example would be positive punishment where a student would be encouraged to stay after class to practice more in order to demonstrate that they are indeed serious about improving. While some of these methods may appear as outdated, harsh, or lacking compassion, I actually see them as being quite the opposite. If the end result and goal is for the individual to develop self-discipline and the infinite number of benefits that come with this trait, then the methods do justify the outcomes.

If instructors, coaches, teachers, and other positions of authority are to use punishment and other apathetic forms of control, they must be conscious of their potential impact. Although punishment may affect a response, it may also condition dysfunctional behaviors in the individual, by cultivating a conflict within the student-teacher relationship (Leeder, 2022).

References:

Author Removed At Request Of Original Publisher. (2015, October 26). 6.3 Adolescence: Developing Independence and Identity – Introduction to Psychology. Pressbooks. Retrieved October 8, 2022, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/intropsyc/chapter/6-3-adolescence-developing-independence-and-identity/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Leeder, T. (2022) Behaviorism, Skinner, and Operant Conditioning: Considerations for Sport Coaching Practice, Strategies, 35:3, 27-32, DOI:10.1080/08924562.2022.2052776

File:Operant conditioning diagram.png – Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operant_conditioning_diagram.png

Admin, & Admin. (2023, June 30). B.F. Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning. Communication Theory. https://www.communicationtheory.org/b-f-skinners-theory-of-operant-conditioning/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Operant-Conditioning-A-Holistic-Approach-to-Behavior-and-Health Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Managing Back Pain – You Have Options https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Managing-Back-Pain-You-Have-Options

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety back pain chronic pain depression health & wellness health care lower back injury martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Managing-Back-Pain-You-Have-Options Mon, 26 Aug 2024 06:31:47 GMT
Stress & Headache Management – University Club Holistic Health Discussion https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Stress-Headache-Management-University-Club-Holistic-Health-Discussion My classes and discussions go way beyond the teaching of tai chi and qigong alone. My last public discussion at the University Club of Winter Park covered many topics, such as:

– types of stress

– strategic trauma

– parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

– general adaption syndrome (GAS)

coping mechanisms

– types of headaches

– herbs for managing sinus headaches

– methods to manage specific types of headaches

– the 12 primary energy meridians

– various acupressure techniques for managing stress and headaches

My 1-hour discussion can be viewed at:

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology phytotherapy-herbology qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Stress-Headache-Management-University-Club-Holistic-Health-Discussion Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Glutamate – plays a major role in shaping learning and memory https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Glutamate-plays-a-major-role-in-shaping-learning-and-memory Glutamate – the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain plays a major role in shaping learning and memory.

Glutamate, also known as glutamic acid, is an amino acid and is a major excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that initiate an action potential into postsynaptic neurons. Glutamate originates from glucose and is found in the central nervous system (CNS) including the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be an important component of long-term potentiation, which is the process of neuronal functioning that changes and regulates some types of learning and memory. Recent research shows that learning and memory formation can be improved by pharmaceuticals that assist in glutamate activity. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is often used as a food additive for flavoring, contains glutamate. Consuming foods containing large amounts of MSG may induce dizziness and numbness, while possibly inhibiting learning and memory. These symptoms are likely due to the overexciting of glutamate neurons with excessive amounts of glutamate (Ettinger, 2018). 

(Happiest Health, 2023)

Glutamate can over-excite neurons until they commit suicide, in what is called excitotoxicity. This glutamate imbalance is thought to be involved in some degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Excessive brain glutamate levels may cause numerous symptoms, including hyperalgesia (pain amplification), anxiety, restlessness, and ADHD-like symptoms such as inability to focus. A glutamate deficiency in the brain is thought to cause symptoms such as insomnia, concentration problems, mental exhaustion and low energy (Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, 2022).

(Andistowe, 2023)

References:

Happiest Health. (2023, July 18). Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter of brain | Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/neurology/glutamate-neural-connections

Andistowe. (2023, April 12). What is Glutamate. Nourished Blessings. https://nourishedblessings.com/what-is-glutamate/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. (2022, June 12). Verywell Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/gaba-glutamate-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-716010

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Glutamate-plays-a-major-role-in-shaping-learning-and-memory Sat, 17 Aug 2024 05:54:16 GMT
Do Recreational Sports and Religions Exist in Separate Domains? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Do-Recreational-Sports-and-Religions-Exist-in-Separate-Domains Americans do love their sports, as do many other nations and their populations across the world. America has about 29% of the population considered as avid fans and 46% as casual fans (Statista, 2023). Another source reports that Americans consider themselves sports fans in general at 63% versus Europeans at 69% (YPulse, 2023). I surmise that there are many other studies and reports on this topic that will sway far and wide depending upon the researchers and intent for the studies. I think this is important to note due to the question of separation between sports and religion. Additionally, I do think that many Americans feel that they do not have to have an affiliation to sports or religion, where the two can very much be mutually exclusive of each other. Or, where either of these two elements of American culture are related in ways that would make the others incompatible or null to the other. Many do not want to see their own involvement in sports, on any level to be labeled as a religious relationship. However, when analyzed for specific similarities in components of various religions, such as rituals, initiations, use of symbols, conformity to the group and groupthink, superstitions, adherence to uniforms/clothing/hairstyle, and particular jargon, sports fans often have all these boxes checked. So do many branches of the military in the US and worldwide. Many of these facets exist in liminal groups of particular sects and brotherhoods (Kottak, 2019). Ironically, these components are often the same criteria that are evaluated in labeling particular groups as cults or cult-like. “Culture” is often used for more positive contexts. “Cult” is a word that gathers a much more negative response. Being labeled as a cult can have significant consequences for any religious institution, sports team/group, or various other groups and their members, even in countries that are openly committed to religious freedom and freedom of speech (Peretz, et al., 2021).

This topic of recreational activities and religions strikes a nerve with me as I have had firsthand experience and knowledge, in participation within various groups that have received the “cult” label. Church groups (Christianity, Taoism, Scientology), sports teams/groups/fans (baseball, football, cheerleading, rowing), and fitness trends (martial arts, yoga, Falun gong) have all been labeled to outsiders of these groups as cults on some levels large and small. Consequently, I have come to understand that one person’s culture is another person’s cult. Similarly, one person’s sport may be seen as religious to others not in that group.

I do think that a benefit and disadvantage of modern society is the need to assign a label to every single thing, big and small, animate and inanimate, real or imagined, etc. While striving to have clear definitions for all things, we often fail in the realization that not everything is either black or white, or absolute. Rather, all things are in a constant state of flux and/or change, relative to their unique set of circumstances at a given time and place. People in Salem were labeled as witches and burned to death a few hundred years ago. Religious groups worldwide still to this day kill one another to prove who is more righteous. While the US does have its many problems, fortunately, we do have these sometimes-considered pesky little words of the 1st amendment that allow us the right to express ourselves rather in speech, freedom to worship, or freedom to be fanatical in sports and recreation activities as long as it does not infringe upon another’s rights.

Someone may enjoy watching or participating in sports activities but does not necessarily need to be a fan(atic). Similarly again, not all religions need to be labeled as cults, nor are all cults religious. Much grey area as everyone is free to have their own perspectives on these issues here in the US, for now at least. Some places elsewhere in the world cannot even openly engage in this conversation. Sports and religion, despite their similarities, serve different roles in society and culture. Therefore, I agree that religion and recreation can be separated.

References:

Statista. (2023, May 4). Sports fans share in the U.S. 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/300148/interest-nfl-football-age-canada/

YPulse. (2023, June 15). NA vs WE: Who Are the Bigger Sports Fans?  – YPulse. https://www.ypulse.com/article/2022/05/19/we-na-vs-we-who-are-the-bigger-sports-fans/

Kottak, C. P. (2019). Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology.

Peretz, E., & Fox, J. A. (2021). Religious Discrimination against Groups Perceived as Cults in Europe and the West. Politics, Religion & Ideology, volume 22, no. 3-4, pages 415–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2021.1969921

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain cults depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health qigong stress management tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Do-Recreational-Sports-and-Religions-Exist-in-Separate-Domains Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
US Youth Experiencing Adult Health Issues at Earlier Ages https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/US-Youth-Experiencing-Adult-Health-Issues-at-Earlier-Ages Here are some summaries of factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues of obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression, suicide, and other issues, typically considered as adult issues in years past:

Obesity

  • Childhood obesity is a serious and growing problem in the United States. It affects almost 20% of children and teens ages 2 to 19.
  • Increased consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks: The rise of fast food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks has contributed to a significant increase in calorie intake and a decrease in nutrient intake among young people.
  • Decreased physical activity: The increased prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, due to factors such as television, video games, and computer use, has led to a decrease in physical activity among young people.
  • Marketing of unhealthy foods: Children and adolescents are bombarded with advertisements for unhealthy foods, which can influence their dietary choices.
(Joyner, 2023)

Diabetes

  • Genetic predisposition: Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic component, and a family history of the disease increases the risk of developing it.
  • Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
  • Unhealthy diet: A diet that is high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Lack of physical activity: Physical activity helps to control blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Anxiety and depression

  • Increased academic pressure: Young people today face a lot of pressure to succeed in school, which can lead to stress and anxiety.
  • Social media: Social media can be a source of both positive and negative social interactions. For some young people, social media can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and anxiety.
  • Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a growing problem that can have a serious impact on the mental health of young people.
  • Fear of violence: Young people today are more likely to be exposed to violence, both in their communities and in the media. This exposure can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress.

Suicide

  • Mental health disorders: Mental health disorders are a major risk factor for suicide.
  • Substance abuse: Substance abuse is another major risk factor for suicide.
  • Exposure to violence: Young people who are exposed to violence are more likely to attempt suicide.
  • Lack of access to mental health care: Many young people who need mental health care do not receive it, which can increase their risk of suicide.

Other issues

  • Sleep deprivation: Young people today are more likely to be sleep deprived, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
  • Exposure to environmental toxins: Young people are more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins, such as lead and air pollution, which can have a negative impact on their health.
  • Lack of access to healthy food: Many young people do not have access to healthy food, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

These are just some of the factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues. It is important to address these issues to promote the health and well-being of young people. I think that we are way past thinking and talking about these issues as maybe being a concern, and rather look at them as a harbinger of what is soon to come. More doing and less pondering. Just below is the link to my YouTube video, introducing a strategy to help address this issue of combating youth mental and physical decline:

References:

Infographics | DASH | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/multimedia/infographics_posters/infographics.htm

Covert, D., & Fraire, M. G. (2019). The role of anxiety for youth experiencing suicide-related behaviors. Children’s Health Care, 48(4), 351–371. https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2019.1630284

Chen, M., Padmapriya, N., Chua, X. H., Escobosa, L. L. T., Tay, A. E., Tai, B. C., Petrunoff, N., & Müller-Riemenschneider, F. (2024). Screen viewing patterns and their association with mental wellbeing and psychological distress: a cross-sectional study amongst university students. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19608-1

Dalton, E. D., Hammen, C. L., Brennan, P. A., & Najman, J. M. (2016). Pathways maintaining physical health problems from childhood to young adulthood: The role of stress and mood. Psychology & health31(11), 1255–1271. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1204448

Jones, L. C., Mrug, S., Elliott, M. N., Toomey, S. L., Tortolero, S., & Schuster, M. A. (2017). Chronic Physical Health Conditions and Emotional Problems From Early Adolescence Through Midadolescence. Academic pediatrics17(6), 649–655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2017.02.002

Joyner, J. (2023, December 9). CDC updates tool to help treat childhood obesity. Healthnews. https://healthnews.com/news/cdc-updates-tool-to-help-treat-childhood-obesity/

Scheiner, C., Grashoff, J., Kleindienst, N., & Buerger, A. (2022). Mental disorders at the beginning of adolescence: Prevalence estimates in a sample aged 11-14 years. Public health in practice (Oxford, England)4, 100348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100348

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety depression diet & nutrition health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/US-Youth-Experiencing-Adult-Health-Issues-at-Earlier-Ages Sat, 10 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Is Deception Permissible in Research Studies, if it Serves the Greater Good? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Is-Deception-Permissible-in-Research-Studies-if-it-Serves-the-Greater-Good I think that the topic of the usage of deception is quite controversial due to the ambiguity and vast opportunities for interpretation of what is considered “harmful” to an individual. What circumstances may seem as safe and harmless to one person, may be devastating or debilitating to others. Who exactly is the arbitrator of these decisions and what makes them qualified? If we have learned one thing over the last few years, it may be that not everyone seems to view science from the same perspective. We can hope that those who administer research studies have their ethics and moral compass pointing in the right direction, but history has demonstrated the contrary in previous studies such as the Little Albert Experiment (infant behavior study), the Milgram Experiment (electric shocks as punishment), the Stanford Prison Experiment (participants took on the roles of guards or prisoners) and the now infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study which involved the denial of syphilis treatment to African-American males in Alabama from 1932 until 1972.

Back in the 1920’s, I don’t think there was as much of a concern over the ethics of studies with children such as the “The Little Albert Experiment” where a young infant was conditioned to fear specific animals (Cheezy, 2010). I can only speak from my personal experience of having parents who were born in the 30’s and raised me in the 60’s and 70’s, where corporal punishment was often the norm at home and in some schools. Corporal punishment has been used in both secular and religious educational systems in many societies in past centuries, up until recently (Baron, 2005). What was considered an acceptable method of treating children years ago is no longer. I am pretty confident that while this type of experiment and relative study was acceptable at the time, today this would be considered child abuse and/or child endangerment.

I think even though some experiments from the past or current day, can be considered unethical despite the rewards of such studies. This is where the common debate of “just because we can do something, should we” might continue (Epstein, 2022). To go down a bit of a darker path consider the following. Even though people perform evil actions or questionable behavior, whether as the researcher or the participant, how does the science advance to recognize or prevent such actions? Experimentation and studies are a necessary, evil determined by current culture, society, and our current morality police.

I would hope that today, researchers would have more of a plan to effectively and thoroughly defuse whatever fear or anxiety that would be introduced to the participants from the experiment. Additionally, this study seems quite weak in that there was only one child participant. Perhaps more participants would broaden the sample of the study. Other criteria such as age, gender and prior exposure to animals or sounds would play a role in the outcome of this type of experimentation. Different breeds of whatever animal species could also affect the outcomes, as a large Doberman Pincher might be a bit more aggressive towards a child than say a diminutive Teacup Terrier.

Rahwan, Z., Fasolo, B. & Hauser, O.P. Deception about study purpose does not affect participant behavior. Sci Rep 12, 19302 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21972-0

I think we often personally justify some level of deception if it appears to be for the greater good of humanity, society, nature, or other select demographics. However, when it comes to us or someone close to us, becoming the object of such deception for the greater good, do we still look at the deception as acceptable? Realizing that allowing some transparency will possibly taint the results, I feel that there needs to be some level of honesty, preferably beforehand and definitely afterward if we are to expect and respect people to be future participants in any studies or experiments. Otherwise, people will continue to lose trust in those administering the research studies and make their own adjustments as perceived necessary or simply choose not to participate to begin with. These options seem readily apparent in the current day as some parents feel that their children were unwilling participants in their children’s education, having been severely interrupted or compromised during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event could be viewed as a mass case study or research experiment where there may have been no clear plan or protocols in place previously to determine what may be considered deceptive, harmful, or maybe even abusive to those involved. I feel that much time and further research will help us to better determine if the deception was justified and at what cost mentally and physically.

References:

Baron, J. H. (2005). Corporal punishment of children in England and the United States: current issues. The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York72(1), 45–46.

Cheezy, John. “The Little Albert Experiment.” YouTube, YouTube, 1 June 2010,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hBfnXACsOI

Epstein, D. (2022, June 4). Medical Futility: Just Because We Can Do Something. . .Should We? SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/medical-futility-just-because-we-can-do-something-should-we/

Rahwan, Z., Fasolo, B. & Hauser, O.P. Deception about study purpose does not affect participant behavior. Sci Rep 12, 19302 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21972-0

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Is-Deception-Permissible-in-Research-Studies-if-it-Serves-the-Greater-Good Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Most Have Choices, but Don’t Like the Options https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Most-Have-Choices-but-Don-t-Like-the-Options Often people feel that they have no choices regarding their own health. This is true for some people, but mostly I see people having choices that they don’t like. An individual may have little control or lose their ability to take personal responsibility for their own health, due to that individual’s unique set of circumstances. Children are often subject to the habits and actions of their parents until they learn about nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Those who suffer from mental illness or are injured may be unable to take control of their own health, where others or government agencies are needed to intervene. Those in prisons are also not really in much control of what they consume, physical activity, and violence that may affect their health and well-being. Some individuals have their own unique socioeconomic factors that may affect or lead to their inability to have proper nutrition or access to healthcare and fitness options. I think this is where society needs to make a distinction between providing help to those who cannot take care of themselves and those who choose not to take care of themselves.

We live in a time where behavior contradictions abound. Such as taking the time and effort to buy and prepare their own foods of a healthier variety; fast food is often cheaper and tastes better they may justify. Or people will have no budget for nutritious foods or a gym membership but will visit Starbucks daily for $5.00+ sugar-loaded coffee drinks. Despite this current mentality, some with little resources still may find time to walk, run, swim, practice calisthenics, or watch free YouTube exercise classes for almost every type of exercise method. These options are available for free, but many choose not to exercise or pursue a healthy diet. We as a society need to get past looking at health and well-being as a luxury, privilege, or commodity. Rather we can see health, fitness, and wellness as basic life skills that need to be taught at the grade school level, so we can become a better nation. Become healthy.

From a holistic health point of view, everything influences and affects healthy or unhealthy behaviors. What we think, what we eat, and how we move, are what I see as the root components of our health and wellbeing. Everything else basically branches off from these factors. If I must pick one aspect of behavior that is most important, I will highlight personal responsibility. Over many decades, our American society has gradually eroded from people feeling and being responsible for their own health and well-being, to that where many people feel that it is the government, their doctors, their employers, and everyone else’s responsibility to keep the individual healthy.  The state of Vermont has implemented a program called the Vermont 3-4-50, which offers the potential for people to become more self-empowered to seek out the resources to become better educated regarding better nutrition, physical activity, and mental health (HealthVermont, 2019). The program seems to be based on politicians, employers, and schools all promoting the program. The key component here is that schools need to play a major role in teaching the youth how to live a healthy lifestyle. It is so cliché, but the youth of today are indeed the leaders of tomorrow. There has been much media attention in the last year on how the recent generation, or Gen Z, is now being labeled as the “anxious” or “depressed” generation. This program and mindset are exactly what is needed not just for Gen Z but for people of all ages. Hopefully, the 3-4-50 program can spread more awareness and become implemented on a national level.  

Make good choices. Be wise in your decisions, as your life and those you care about are most affected by your thoughts and actions.

Reference: HealthVermont. (2019, July 1). 3-4-50 Vermont: Standing together to reduce chronic disease [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGlv0aC86HU

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition health & wellness health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/8/Most-Have-Choices-but-Don-t-Like-the-Options Sat, 03 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Free Will – If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Free-Will-If-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice

If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill

I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose Free will

-Rush

Free will is defined as “the assertion that our choices and actions are not caused by antecedent events, but emerge spontaneously from the mind” (Ettinger, 2018). Freewill is a topic that I have delved into many times throughout my life. When I was much younger, immature, and naive, I found it easier to relinquish my free will and blame or even empower others or other circumstances to determine my actions. With time and real-life experiences of our own choice, we hopefully acquire life knowledge and/or wisdom. Over my lifetime and relatively gained experiences, I have come to learn that we are very much in control of our own thoughts, emotions, and actions. This is not to say, that as part of the human condition, we are not subject to others, our environment, and other circumstances that present themselves. Obviously, some people may not have this control due to illness, injury, or other congenital issues.

I have heard an explanation of free will, as that our lives can be viewed from the perspective that we are all on airplanes. We choose to travel in specific directions, towards a specific destination. Once we are on a particular plane that we choose, we are somewhat free to move about the cabin, albeit relative to what we can accomplish within the vessel we willingly entered into. So, while we may have free will, we still may be limited by our resources of time, finances, status, location, and other natural resources. Along with free will comes the consequences of cause and effect. I may be free to play in the Florida sun all day, but I will inevitably suffer the consequences of sunburn and heat exhaustion. I am free to shout “fire” in a crowded movie theatre, but again I am subject to the consequences of my actions if there is no fire.

I have read articles on free will that address more the physiological aspects of how humans behave, rather than the circumstances that might determine why we behave a particular way. An example would be where test participants have predictable reactions during a controlled experiment, which attempts to show that the participants had no free will.  The experiment demonstrated that brain activity before the physical action of pushing a button was responsible for the choice of when and which button to push (Ettinger, 2018). Not mentioned, were other details of the experiment, such as if the participants were made aware of the purpose of the experiment and if they were able to retry the experiment after knowing so. Both variables might have changed the outcome of the experiment.

(Braun, 2018)

I think the concept of free will can branch out into many different directions such as mental diseases, habits, or addictions and their relationship to free will. Relative to drug addiction, perhaps an addict’s free will can be seen as weakened due to the chemical interactions with their physiology which can affect thoughts, emotions, and relative actions (Monterosso & Schwartz 2020). Or even the belief that we have free will to not believe that we have free will, can be debated and discussed.  Additionally, if we have free will to choose only between given options, do we really have free will to choose other options (Reeve & Middlebrooks, 2021)? Similar to the concept of “Sophie’s Choice” where no outcome is preferable over the other, or maybe the “lesser of two evils” as many feel we experience with politics, healthcare, as well as societal and cultural issues.

References:

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Monterosso, J. R., & Schwartz, B. (2020). Addiction science and the perception of freewill. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour50(3), 373–390.

Reeve, D., & Middlebrooks, D. (2021). MISUNDERSTANDING FREEWILL: (Which We Don’t Have). Skeptic (Altadena, CA)26(4), 54.

Braun, A. (2018, September 27). Freewill is an illusion. The Guidon Online. https://hayshighguidon.com/opinion/2018/09/27/freewill-is-an-illusion/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Free-Will-If-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Can One Person Really Make a Difference? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Can-One-Person-Really-Make-a-Difference Definitely! I have seen this occurring many times over my 60 years. Very evident in today’s events, is that of social media. Innovators such as Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Jack Dorsey (Twitter), Elon Musk (Twitter now X, Tesla, Space X), and others have been at the forefront of using modern technology and social media to help evolve cultures worldwide. History will later determine if these innovations have been positive or negative additions to our societies. Innovators are individuals who bring discoveries or inventions to awareness, usage, and acceptance within particular groups (Conerly, 2021). Social media was nonexistent before the usage of smartphones became mainstream and now is often viewed globally as a necessity. Some societies have suggested that cellphone accessibility has become a basic right as a means to communicate and gather information (Writer, 2009). Currently, social media can be considered as low as well as popular culture, as its usage transcends almost all levels of social status.

I think there are many examples all throughout history, with religious or spiritual figures such as Jesus Christ, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), Mohammed, Confucius, and Lao Tzu. These individuals literally defined new perspectives on culture, for which religion or spirituality is but one subgroup of culture within a society.  I have found that one person’s culture may be seen as another’s cult. These figures are often debated and even labeled as either cultural or cult leaders (Conerly, 2021). All of these spiritual leaders affected the values and beliefs of their relative groups for many years after their lives. This can be readily seen in many ways, but more specifically in the many symbols associated with each of these cultures.

I think that for culture to change, it needs to become a ripple effect starting with one individual or one event that is the spark.  Like a fire, where the wood, gas, fuel, etc. has the potential to become fuel, a fire cannot grow until the spark ignites the fuel and may remain dormant. Jesus Christ was a spark, but if he had no followers, it would have just been his beliefs and teachings. I think of the old cliche, if a tree falls but nobody hears it, did it indeed produce a sound? The debate produces circular logic where perhaps no one answer is correct or absolute.

Sometimes making a difference does not have to be seen as changing society or culture, but rather an individual. Drew Dudley explained the “lollipop moment” as an event, conversation, or experience that fundamentally changes another person for the betterment of their life (TEDx Talks, 2010). I have been part of a healthcare subculture, (and even sometimes a counterculture) as a teacher of holistic health practices, tai chi, and qigong for over 40 years. I have effectively taught or conversed with thousands of individuals. A large percentage of my students have been senior adults, who have aged and consequently passed away. I have been invited to numerous funerals or celebrations of life, by members of their families. I was personally told by some of these members how I had had a profound effect on their loved one’s health, but also their happiness and quality of life. This has come through not only from my instruction but also from the social setting in which I am a catalyst. It is in these moments of self-realization that I confirm my true meaning and purpose of being a teacher and sometimes a healer.

To speak a bit more spiritually and philosophically, I have found that we earn our life, through our service to others. What holds some people back from sharing the importance of these lollipop moments with others, I feel is a humbleness to not want to draw attention to oneself. In our current society, there exists so much egocentrism where many seek to be something different, something bigger or better than the rest. We can experience some level of ego-death, where we can realize that the universe does not exist for us, but rather we exist as a small part of the universe. To relate this back to the question of one person being able to make a difference to change society or culture? Yes, we all can have this ability, albeit some with better or less success. One step at a time, one person at a time, and one day at a time. 

References:

Conerly, T. R. (2021, June 3). Ch. 3 Introduction – Introduction to Sociology 3e | OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/3-introduction

Writer, L. H. F. (2009). Is a cellphone a basic human right? Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/news/is-a-cellphone-a-basic-human-right/article_b1422c20-ea5b-524a-b75e-26f8f970a6da.html

TEDx Talks. (2010, October 7). TEDxToronto –  Drew Dudley “Leading with Lollipops” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVCBrkrFrBE

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Can-One-Person-Really-Make-a-Difference Sat, 27 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Bone Conduction – it is all in your head https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Bone-Conduction-it-is-all-in-your-head In typical traditional hearing, sound waves move through the air, reaching the ear canal and then causing the eardrum to vibrate. Bone conduction, on the other hand, is a physiological mechanism by which sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear by vibrations of the bones within the skull. These vibrations are then transmitted by way of the middle ear bones (ossicles) to the inner ear, where they are transformed into electrical signals that the brain perceives as sound.

With bone conduction, sound waves take a detour from the outer and middle ear and directly stimulate the inner ear. This scenario can occur when vibrations from a vibrating object or even more specifically from bone conduction headphones, are attached or placed upon the bones of the skull. Bone conduction technology is utilized for various health-related applications such as for hearing aids. This technology can be highly beneficial for people with particular types of hearing loss or for environments where traditional headphones may not be as appropriate, such as underwater communication or scenarios requiring awareness of ambient sounds.

I propose that this concept of bone conduction might be related to the perception of sounds originating from within the body, such as sounds produced by muscles, bones, and joints. However, specific sounds that one may hear when moving their bodies about, during physical exercise or other activities may actually come about due to different physiological mechanisms. Sounds such as snap, crackle, and pop (just like the old Rice Crispie cereal catchphrase) are more commonly due to the movement of joints and their release of gas bubbles within the synovial fluid that is known to lubricate the joints. The sound of a particular joint “popping” may be the result of the release of nitrogen gas from within the synovial fluid, when pressure changes come about during joint movement. While these sounds may not always directly related to bone conduction in the sense of transmission of sound waves through to the inner ear bones, they do involve the mechanical aspects of bone and joint movement. Bone conduction as explained here previously, usually refers to the transmission of external sounds through the bones of the skull to the inner ear, as opposed to sounds generated from within the body.

However, I draw some attention to this phenomenon as being more apparent when practicing specific exercises from activities such as yoga, Pilates, tai chi, qigong, and perhaps others. These methods usually require a heightened sense of self-awareness, where an individual can become quite sensitive to interoception. Interoception is the ability to sense internal signals from one’s own body, such as when we are hungry, when our heart is beating fast, or when we need to use the toilet. Having this level of self-awareness sensitivity may provide opportunities to “hear” their digestive system working, muscles, fascia, and bones repositioning, and even hear their own heartbeat as if it were outside of their physical body. In summary, the sounds we hear during exercise are probably more related to joint physiology, mechanics, and fluid dynamics, than due to the bone conduction of external sounds being transmitted to within our heads.

Reference:

Chadwick, J. (2020, July 30). Apple unveils “bone conduction headphones” concept. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8576155/Apple-unveils-bone-conduction-headphones-concept.html

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Bone-Conduction-it-is-all-in-your-head Wed, 24 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Sick-Care to Self-Care: Transforming Health Through Holistic Practices https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Sick-Care-to-Self-Care-Transforming-Health-Through-Holistic-Practices

View my public discussion last week at the University Club of Winter Park.

This discussion covered many topics, such as:

– healthcare vs. “sick-care”

– specific exercises for the fingers, hands, and wrists, for increased grip strength as well as better blood circulation in these areas

reflexology (acupressure)

– the Three Treasures of mind, body, and spirit

– 3, 5, 7 pillars of health

– yin & yang concepts of balance & harmony

– Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the 5 elements & organ functions

– cross crawl theory and how it affects neural plasticity

– blood “shunting” during exercise and rest

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

Contact me at [email protected] to schedule an event at your location.

More video clips, books, posters & resources at:

http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety arthritis chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts physiology qigong reflexology stress management stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Sick-Care-to-Self-Care-Transforming-Health-Through-Holistic-Practices Fri, 19 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Reducing Daily Stress Experienced by High School Students – Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Reducing-Daily-Stress-Experienced-by-High-School-Students-Mindfulness-based-Stress- See something, say something, right? Do something!

Our teenage youths have been in distress now and for many years past. So much talk, but so little action. I am trying to do something, and it is time-proven and with a clear plan and direction.

Reducing daily stress experienced by high school students is possible through Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques. I believe this to be accurate, as I have practiced and taught many stress management techniques for over 40 years to adults of all ages.

The goal of my proposed intervention is to reduce the typical daily stress that teenagers experience regularly on the individual level, while in high school. Daily stress often leads to mental health ailments of anxiety, depression, impaired focus, and lack of quality sleep. The target audience for this intervention is high school students, 14-18 years of age. Promoting focusing on mental health and well-being is crucial for overall health. This will be accomplished by myself or a qualified professional guiding participants through the various stages of change within the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to encourage the practices of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). MBSR therapy is a meditation strategy that is used to help with stress management, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, hypertension, chronic pain, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and other disorders (Kabat-Zinn, 2013).

MBSR techniques have little risk and can increase the agency that individuals have in managing mood swings and physical pain, as well as enhancing the quality of their own lives (Niazi & Niazi, 2011). Research from recent studies supports that some college students who practiced mindfulness along with their coursework, reported cognitive and wellbeing benefits, when practicing for as little as five minutes twice a week, dependent upon the specific type of mindfulness method implemented (O’Hare & Gemelli, 2023).

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) will be utilized with this intervention. TTM encompasses more than one health-related behavior theory, which to me seems that TTM offers a more comprehensive strategy to help individuals to better understand and manage stressors within their daily life. Within TTM there are four key constructs that are thought to produce significant behavioral changes. The constructs are:

• Stages of changes

• Decisions balance

• Self/Efficacy/Temptations

• Processes of change

The first construct of TTM suggests that there are stages of change where precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance all affect human behavior. The second construct of decision balance suggests that when there are more pros than cons for a certain behavior, an individual will either move forward or backward within the stages. The third construct encourages a “can-do” attitude, where an individual may gain confidence and feel that they have more control and agency in their decisions.  The fourth construct delves more into the details of experiential versus behavioral changes (Simons-Morton & Lodyga, 2021) where a person moves from the “thinking” state to a more active “doing” state of being. Overall, the TTM will help me to show participants how mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques can help students move from the “contemplation” stage to “action” by highlighting its effectiveness in stress reduction and management.

This intervention can be implemented by first contacting a local high school’s administration to explain the goals and benefits of sponsoring such an event. Once the administration agrees to support, promote, and manage the registration of students for a group setting workshop (intervention), a trained and/or qualified professional will come to the school’s auditorium after school finishes on a predetermined day. They can then present an initial 10-minute introduction of the potential goals and benefits to the students. Using a whiteboard and handwriting a few notes and health statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) will help draw their focus. My message that can be conveyed, is how as young adults, they can individually have self-efficacy over their thoughts, emotions, and relative coping mechanisms for managing stress. A major portion of this presentation will be explaining in some detail what the TTM is and how it is related to stress management. Another major component of this presentation will be an explanation of the methods and benefits of MBSR.

The professional will then ask those students interested in participating further in this intervention to answer only to themselves by signing a contract of commitment form to attend 3 10-minute sessions for a total of 8 weeks. There will be no consequence if the student decides not to continue, however, they will not receive any credit or reward upon completion if they do not attend. Sessions will be just after school ends, giving the students 5-10 minutes to get to the auditorium. Parent’s knowledge and support of their children’s participation are key components needed to reinforce their child’s commitment to accept the challenge of doing some type of task or activity that will potentially affect not only the individual but the whole family’s well-being. I would also invite and encourage parents to attend the sessions if they are available to do so.

My intervention can address the key constructs of TTM throughout the presentation. More specifically, the stages of change will need to be targeted as follows:

Precontemplation – In this stage, participants may not yet recognize a need to reduce stress or might not view it as an important priority. If they were in the room and attending my presentation, they are already past precontemplation, or else they would not have made the effort to come to the event.

Contemplation – With a goal of raising awareness of current teen health issues, I seek to motivate and inspire individuals to think more about becoming equipped to manage the impact stress has on their health and well-being, I will offer information regarding the benefits of mindfulness techniques to reduce stress, thereby affecting and improving overall health and well-being.

Preparation – In this stage I will be explaining how we will need to take action and how this group will be readied, in order to achieve a greater sense of agency over individual stress management. I will provide resources such as guided meditation apps or YouTube classes that can help support their practice.

Action – The phase of action is where participants will actively engage in MBSR exercises. Each session will review and build upon prior sessions. I will be encouraging them to practice regularly and offer other strategies to overcome potential hurdles and maintain motivation. Setting reminders on their phones and finding quiet places for meditation will help reinforce their self-practice.

Maintenance – In this phase, individuals will have successfully adopted mindfulness techniques into their daily routine and are most likely experiencing the benefits of having less stress. I can offer further strategies to help maintain their practice and prevent relapse, such as further opportunities for learning and growth through other techniques and resources. After this intervention concludes, there will be a follow-up survey one month after the event to determine if participants are still engaged in practicing the self-regulation techniques that they learned.

The construct of decision balance will be addressed and discussed at each session, as participants will be reviewing the pros and cons of returning for future sessions. If they feel that they are improving their stress management, they will be inclined and more self-motivated to continue.

The construct of self-efficacy of individuals will most likely increase as participants move through the stages of change.

For the construct of the processes of change, I would not going to go into much detail to the whole group. I feel that this construct, while important may be a bit more complex than what will already have been covered up to this point as far as human behavior is concerned. A slide will be available in the presentation, and I can offer further explanations as necessary.

The intended outcome of the intervention will be to hopefully have the participants be able to better recognize and manage stressful experiences, whether from events such as tests, time management, social interactions, and other activities that often manifest into stress.

Please contact me if you, your school, your business, your organization, or your group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

References:

American Heart Association: Childhood stress linked to higher risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes in adults. (2024, January 17). Contify Life Science News, NA. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A779587760/ITBC?u=vol_vsc&sid=ebsco&xid=ed427911

CDC. (2023) The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021, https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health/index.htm

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013) Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition) (pp. 77-78, 351). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Niazi, A. K., & Niazi, S. K. (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction: A non-pharmacological approach for chronic illnesses. North American Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.4297/najms.2011.320

O’Hare, A. J., & Gemelli, Z. T. (2023). The effects of short interventions of focused-attention vs. self-compassion mindfulness meditation on undergraduate students: Evidence from self-report, classroom performance, and ERPs. PLoS ONE, 17(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278826

Simons-Morton, B., & Lodyga, M. (2021). Behavior theory in public health practice and research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
https://umareg.com/masters-council/

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

  • 5th degree in Korean Kung Fu (Ship Pal Gye) 
  • Recognized by Zen Wellness as a Master Level Instructor (gold coin)
  • Recognized by the Doh Yi Masters as a Fellow Doh Yi Master, having completed 10000 hours of training
  • Bachelor’s degree in Holistic Health

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anger management anxiety chronic pain depression health health care human behavior mental health mindfulness psychophysiology qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Reducing-Daily-Stress-Experienced-by-High-School-Students-Mindfulness-based-Stress- Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:16:59 GMT
The 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing (3 of 3) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-8-Dimensions-of-Wellbeing-3-of-3 (part 3 in a series of 3 posts)

Post 1 – The 3 Treasures: Mind, Body & Spirit

Post 2 – The 5 Pillars of Health

Post 3 – The 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing

This is my third post on this topic of the most important facets of our lives. Here I illustrate and briefly describe the next manifestation of the concept of the 3 Treasures of the mind, body, and spirit to the “8 Dimensions of Wellbeing.” With this realization, we can see from the graphic below how the many sub-categories of the 5 Pillars and 8 Dimensions, are rooted in the original concepts of mind (qi) , body (jing), and spirit (Shen). Without the 3 Treasures, there are no 5 Pillars nor 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing. Without the roots, there are no trunks, branches or leaves on a tree.

Here are some brief descriptions of the 8 dimensions of well-being:

  1. Physical Wellbeing – The ability to maintain a healthy physical body through regular and consistent exercise, appropriate nutrition, adequate sleep, and striving to avoid harmful habits such as tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
  2. Emotional Wellbeing – Recognizing and managing one’s emotions, coping mechanisms for minimalizing mental stress, and developing resilience, while pursuing a positive outlook on life.
  3. Intellectual Wellbeing – The ability to engage in lifelong learning that can stimulate cognitive mental activities, while also pursuing opportunities for problem-solving and creativity.
  4. Social Wellbeing – Having the ability to foster and maintain healthy relationships, cultivating a sense of belonging, and also being able to contribute to a community.
  5. Spiritual Wellbeing – Pursuing finding purpose and meaning in one’s life, having personal morals and values, while engaging in practices that can promote inner peace and harmony.
  6. Occupational Wellbeing: The pursuit of achieving satisfaction and enrichment through a career or job, while balancing work and leisure, along with aligning career goals with personal goals, skills, and values.
  7. Financial Wellbeing: Being able to manage financial resources effectively, while also planning for the future, and maintaining financial security and stability.
  8. Environmental Wellbeing: Pursuing achieving harmony with the environment, by promoting sustainability, and creating healthy and safe areas at home and in one’s community.

Each and every dimension can affect another as they are all interconnected and can contribute to overall health, well-being, and relative happiness. Balance and harmony in these dimensions can help individuals to achieve a more fulfilling and well-rounded life.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
https://umareg.com/masters-council/

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chi kung chronic pain core training depression fitness health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong self reflection stress management stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-8-Dimensions-of-Wellbeing-3-of-3 Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The 5 Pillars of Health (2 of 3) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-5-Pillars-of-Health-2-of-3 (part 2 in a series of 3 posts)

Post 1 – The 3 Treasures: Mind, Body & Spirit

Post 2 – The 5 Pillars of Health

Post 3 – The 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing

In recent years, more hospitals, wellness centers businesses, and other groups have begun to acknowledge that there is some relationship between the food we consume, exercise, management of stress, social relationships, and sleep hygiene, collectively referred to as the “5 Pillars of Health.” These components can exist in harmony to play parts in overall health and well-being. With this realization, we can see from the graphic below how the many sub-categories that are now thought to be parts of wellness build upon the original concept of mind, body, and spirit.

The 5 Pillars of Health are a great segway from the 3 Treasures of the mind, body, and spirit. All aspects of society and culture evolve over time. It only makes sense that some ancient philosophical concepts will also continue to evolve over time. Thousands of years ago, nutrition might not have been viewed as good or bad, but rather as great to just have enough food to survive. Exercise may have not been so trendy, whereas again survival might have dictated the types of activities that people engaged with (ie. hunting, running, swimming, lifting dragging, etc.). While people have been coping with stress for as long as humans have existed, we have not diagnosed it as such up until recent decades. Social connections and sleep are again areas that had not really been considered to affect health that much, until more recently.

Food and Diet:

  • Importance: Food provides the essential nutrients that the body requires to function properly.
  • Key Aspects: A balanced intake of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, proteins,) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), appropriate hydration, and mindful eating.
  • Tips: Focus on consuming whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Reduce intake of processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and excessive salt.

Exercise:

  • Importance: 2nd only to not smoking, exercise is the best activity for maintaining physical health, improving mental well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life.
  • Key Aspects: Includes cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise, strength/resistance training, flexibility exercises, coordination, control, and balance activities.
  • Tips: Strive to exercise for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity per week, while also engaging in muscle-strengthening activities for two or more days per week.

Stress Management:

  • Importance: Studies and relative research support that chronic stress can definitely have negative impacts on physical and mental health.
  • Key Aspects: Coping and managing techniques can help to reduce stress, such as deep breathing exercises (qigong), mindfulness, meditation, and better time management.
  • Tips: Try to implement relaxation techniques into daily activities and routines, engage in hobbies, and pursue support from friends, family, and/or professionals when needed.

Relationships:

  • Importance: The ongoing 80-year-old Harvard Grant Study on Adult Development supports that ongoing healthy social relationships can impact emotional well-being and also can provide support during tough times.
  • Key Aspects: Connections to family, friends, local communities, and other social support networks can affect well-being on many levels.
  • Tips: Seek open communication, show empathy, set boundaries, and make quality time for loved ones.

Sleep or Sleep Hygiene:

  • Importance: Quality as well as quantity of sleep is important for physical rest and recovery, emotional balance, and cognitive functions.
  • Key Aspects: Good sleep hygiene involves consistent sleep patterns, appropriate duration (7-9 hours for most adults), and an environment that promotes sound and uninterrupted sleep.
  • Tips: Strive to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, in a restful environment, reduce caffeine and electronics intake well before bed, and practice a bedtime routine.

The 5 Pillars of Health may seem like common sense to many. However, many people of all ages do not understand these pillars to be fundamentally important to overall better health and well-being. More than in other periods in the US, more Americans are suffering from disease and illness that can be managed through implementing these concepts of the 3 Treasures and the 5 Pillars of Health.

Reference:

2023 Annual report. (2023). In American Public Health Association, America’s Health Rankings. https://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr_2023annual_comprehensivereport_final2-web.pdf

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
https://umareg.com/masters-council/

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chi kung chronic pain core training depression fitness health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong self reflection stress management stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-5-Pillars-of-Health-2-of-3 Wed, 10 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Sick-Care to Self-Care:Transforming Health Through Holistic Practices https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Sick-Care-to-Self-Care-Transforming-Health-Through-Holistic-Practices-1 Sick-Care to Self-Care:
Transforming Health Through Holistic Practices

(this week’s FREE discussion at the University Club of Winter Park)

This week I will again speak at the University Club of Winter Park, to share information about health and wellness practices. This month, I will discuss the many factors that play a role in our health and well-being, as well as those “Mind and Body” practices that Western medicine increasingly recognizes as important to our health.

I will be discussing topics such as qi, and how to increase its flow through acupressure (reflexology) on the hands, fingers, and wrists. These exercises can help reduce pain while also increasing grip strength. A strong grip can help reduce falling for those with balance issues.

The concept of “sick-care” is to wait until you get sick to get care. The idea of “self-care” empowers the individual to manage their own well-being by taking active control to prioritize healthy lifestyle choices and consider options beyond traditional Western medicine. It’s never too late to start caring for yourself, so join us to learn how!

UCWP is located at 841 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, at 2pm Thursday, July 11th. Contact me to confirm attendance at 407-234-0119

Thank You,
 
Jim Moltzan 
http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
https://www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan
https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure anxiety arthritis chronic pain depression martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong reflexology specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/Sick-Care-to-Self-Care-Transforming-Health-Through-Holistic-Practices-1 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:43:44 GMT
The 3 Treasures (1 of 3) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-3-Treasures-1-of-3 (part 1 in a series of 3 posts)

Post 1 – The 3 Treasures: Mind, Body & Spirit

Post 2 – The 5 Pillars of Health

Post 3 – The 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing

Mind (Qi)– How and what you think about and how you process information from sensory input. From the Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM) perspective, the mind is related to the vitality of the breath. Responsible for the blueprint of internal and external functions of the energy force within the body. Qi can be equated to the flame which is the source of the light that illuminates from the candle. The flame eventually consumes the candle. Qi is one’s energy or vitality. When Qi is used wisely, one’s Jing can last longer. Qi is loss through regular daily activities but gained back through good habits of diet, exercise, breathing, and sleep.

Body (Jing) – The physical matter that makes up you and how well it functions. The physical structure of the body’s tissue. Responsible for the developmental processes of the body. Jing can be equated to the wick and the wax which is the fuel for the source of the flame. Better quality wax determines the longevity of the candle. One’s Jing is determined by genetic inheritance. Jing is depleted over one’s lifetime and is not easily replenished.

Spirit (Shen) – What you believe as far as beliefs in the unknown, faith, morals, a purpose, etc. The refined level of the mind and higher consciousness. Consists of the spirit, soul, and mind. Responsible for the interaction of destiny & fate. Maintains internal and external functions. Shen can be equated to the light that illuminates a candle. A candle’s purpose is to light the darkness. One’s Shen is the illumination of their spirit. When one’s Jing and Qi are in abundance, Shen is released. Shen is divided further into the mind (shen), the intellect (yi), the corporeal soul (po), willpower (zhi) and the ethereal soul (hun). These 5 shen are a topic for another discussion.

These three treasures are the most valuable things that we all possess. Without these 3, we have no family, no friends, no career, no big house, no internet. What we sometimes see today as “new” is indeed rather old. This concept of the 3 Treasures comes from Taoism, a philosophy that is over 2000 years old, originating around 500 BCE. These are universal truths that are hard to debate. We all need to take care of our own “treasures” before we can be of benefit to those around us. Breathe deeper, exercise more, eat better, and earn a good night’s sleep by being active and relieving stress during the day.

Modern science and research seek to label and dissect any and all things, intending to assign a name or label to all that is and sometimes that which is not. With this realization, we can see from the graphic below the many sub-categories that are now thought to be parts of the original concept of mind, body, and spirit.

The mind is comprised of various components:

Intellect:

  • Perception – recognizing and acknowledging sensory stimuli.
  • Attention – ability to focus on specific thoughts and stimuli.
  • Language – understanding and producing speech and writing.
  • Planning – ability to formulate a strategy or process.
  • Problem-solving – finding solutions to complex issues.
  • Decision-making – making choices among options.
  • Adaptation – being able to change and adjust thoughts, feelings, and actions.
  • Mindfulness – an awareness of current thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.

Cognitive Functions:

  • Memory – storage and retrieval of information.
  • Thinking – the mental process of considering or reasoning about something.
  • Reasoning – the process of drawing conclusions or making inferences based on evidence and logical principles.
  • Understanding – to comprehend the meaning or significance of something.
  • Judgment – the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.
  • Behavior – the actions or reactions of an individual in response to external or internal stimuli.
  • Sensing – the process of detecting and responding to stimuli through the sensory organs.
  • Feelings – experiences of emotions.

The body can be broken down into various categories:

Health:

  • Metabolism – chemical processes that occur within living organisms.
  • Homeostasis – the body’s ability to manage and regulate stable internal bodily functions and conditions.
  • Growth/development – physical changes throughout a living organism’s lifespan.
  • Immune response – ability of the body to defend against pathogens.
  • Energy – the amount of physical power that can be drawn upon.
  • Sleep hygiene – the quality of an individual’s ability to rest and recover.

Fitness:

  • Survival – on the most basic level, the ability to stay alive.
  • Stamina – ability to sustain prolonged physical for an extended time without fatigue.
  • Endurance – the muscular system’s capacity to sustain activity.
  • Strength – the ability of muscles to exert force against resistance
  • Flexibility – the range of motion available at a joint or group of joints
  • Balance – the ability to maintain the body’s position, whether stationary or while moving.
  • Control – to manage and direct the body’s movements precisely and efficiently.
  • Coordination – ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently.
  • Speed – to move quickly across the ground or move limbs rapidly for a specific purpose.
  • Power – ability to exert maximum force in the shortest amount of time.

Spirit can be interpreted through numerous facets:

Beliefs/values:

  • Faith – belief in principles of an organized religion or spiritual practice.
  • Morality – the ability to differentiate between what is considered right and wrong.
  • Ethics – a system of moral principles.
  • Reflection – the ability to be aware of one’s own thoughts and actions.
  • Awareness – a sense of one’s self, surroundings, and relative environment.

Connections:

  • Higher power – a sense of a greater presence beyond themselves.
  • Others – relationships with people, and community.
  • Nature – relationships with all living creatures and the environment.
  • Purpose – a reason to wake up every day.
  • Meaning – realization of one’s reason for existing.

Part 2 of this series will delve into the concept of The Five Pillars of Health.

What type of pillars have you built your foundation of health, fitness, and well-being upon? Watch my view below for further discussion.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chi kung chronic pain core training depression fitness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong self reflection stress management stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/The-3-Treasures-1-of-3 Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
“They Don’t Know, What They Don’t Know” – The Dunning-Kruger Effect https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/-They-Don-t-Know-What-They-Don-t-Know-The-Dunning-Kruger-Effect

The Dunning-Kruger effect was theorized by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger in a 1999 study. They proposed that there is a cognitive bias where individuals with knowledge or ability within a specific area have a propensity to overestimate their own competence in a particular field. This overestimation may come about due to a lack of the necessary metacognitive skills to accurately determine their own competence. A common phrase used to summarize this phenomenon is that of “they don’t know, what they don’t know.” This effect may be seen in examples of recent high school or college graduates who sometimes express a type of hubris, where they believe that they are intellectually superior to others. Expecting parents sometimes experience this effect where before their child is born, they have delusions of what type of parents they will be. “My kids won’t get away with that,” “I won’t be doing that with my children,” or maybe prejudging other parents in how they choose to raise their kids. Once their children are born, new parents might soon realize that parenting is much more complex and difficult than what they first believed.

Conversely, those individuals who are highly knowledgeable or skilled in a particular field often underestimate their own competence. This underestimation may manifest because some individuals assume that challenges or projects that are easy for them, may also be easy for most others. Well-seasoned individuals in any particular field of knowledge, skill, or ability often gain much wisdom from experience, adaptation, and application of their specific skill set. For some people, this is also highly humbling as the individual realizes that the more someone knows, they ironically recognize that there is so much more to learn.

The Dunning-Kruger effect can be summarized into four key stages:

  1. Incompetence and Confidence: Individuals possessing low skill levels or knowledge may fail to acknowledge their lack of skill, leading to inflated self-assessments and high confidence.
  2. Awareness of Incompetence: Once an individual acquires more knowledge and experience, they may start to become more aware of their own incompetence, which in turn leads to a further decrease in confidence.
  3. Competence along with Cautious Confidence: With further experience, practice, and learning, individuals begin to develop true competence. As their confidence begins to increase again, they can more accurately showcase their abilities.
  4. Mastery with Modesty: More highly skilled individuals will often acknowledge the complexities of a particular domain and realize how much they still don’t know. This awareness can lead to modesty or humbleness about their abilities, despite the individual being highly competent in their specific field.

The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights the importance of seeking self-awareness and striving to continue to learn new things. It proposes that improving one’s metacognitive skills, such as the ability to self-assess one’s own knowledge and performance accurately can help minimize the effect. In summary, the Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with low knowledge, ability, or competence in a specific area may overestimate their own skill level. On the other hand, people with a high competency in a particular field often underestimate their relative ability. This may occur due to the same skills that contribute to competence are also needed to recognize competence, leading to a disconnect between self-assessment and actual ability.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/7/-They-Don-t-Know-What-They-Don-t-Know-The-Dunning-Kruger-Effect Wed, 03 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Why People Have Lost Faith in the CDC, FDA & the US Healthcare System https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Why-People-Have-Lost-Faith-in-the-CDC-FDA-the-US-Healthcare-System I rely on a diverse array of reliable sources for my research, including peer-reviewed studies, medical journals, and databases like PubMed and BMJ. I choose Google Scholar and other sites as a means to finding other sources of information knowing that information needs to be quantified. As far as the CDC and the FDA websites are concerned, my skepticism is that they will not post their own shortcomings on their own websites. Instead, we need to look towards more reputable and non-biased news or research sources that are not connected financially to these government agencies. For example, the American Medical Association has recognized the public’s lack of trust in the CDC, highlighting the need for greater transparency (American Medical Association, 2020) where it will carry more weight if the CDC actually acknowledges what many have already felt was a lack of transparency of information during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, I believe that The Washington Post is considered a legitimate and reliable news source. The Post reported that the CDC experienced “technical blunders and botched messaging” that were brought to public attention by friends, supporters, and even some professionals within the CDC’s own Atlanta headquarters (Sun & Achenbach, 2020).

Evidence-based Medicine? 

Dr. Jon Jureidini, a child psychiatrist in Australia and a member of the Critical and Ethical Mental Health (CEMH) research group, authored ‘The Illusion of Evidence-based Medicine’ (2022). The CEMH conducts critical appraisal, meta-research, teaching, and advocacy, with the goal of promoting safer, more effective, and more ethical research and practice in the field of mental health (Staff Directory | Dr Jon Jureidini, n.d.).

Dr. Jon Jureidini reports that medicine is mostly dominated by a few very large and competing pharmaceutical companies, that are quite aligned in their methods to expand their profits. He reports on the issues of evidence-based medicine being compromised by the commercialization of academia, failed regulation, and other corporate influences. This doctor sees the scientific progress being abused by the medical industry and its relationship with academic researchers, as they often do not share raw data, suppress negative trial results, and fail to report adverse events. Because of this, there is a greater potential for patient death, due to commercial interests’ influence upon regulators, research agenda, and universities. He strongly suggests that reforms need to be made in all of these areas, in order to bring trust and legitimacy back to evidence-based medicine. Jureidini calls for a separation of regulators from drug company funding, due to regulators often accepting funding and industry-funded trials to approve drugs that a particular company is trying to market (Jureidini, 2022).

Why Drug Marketing Rules America 

Lydia Green, a pharmacist, and former pharmaceutical advertising copywriter speaks about her goals of decreasing the sway of influence of pharmaceutical marketing and misinformation on the American healthcare industry. America contributes only 5% to the population of the world yet spends 1/3 of the world’s $1.4 trillion pharmaceutical healthcare marketplace. In spite of spending the most, the US often ranks low on the overall health of its population. Medicine often prioritizes profit over patient well-being. These pharmaceutical companies are businesses that at their root, just like all businesses, operate to make a profit. Again, it is all about the money. When healthcare and its relative components of pharmaceuticals, doctors, and the profits that both can gain from promoting their products, despite actual need – this whole system is severely corrupt and broken and in need of drastic reform. Green proposes a need for a 3rd party agency to help return trust, regarding the pharmaceutical industry. This alliance would be made up of communicators, marketers, former pharma-ad writers, medical and pharmacy schools, and doctors who have no influence from companies with profits as their sole motivation. However, Green suggests that such an organization could be funded through payments, but once again from fees attached to monies that pharmaceutical and medical device companies make to doctors (TEDx Talks, 2020b).

DTC Pharmaceuticals

In 2015, the US pharmaceutical industry spent $5.4 billion on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements. The U.S. is one of only 2 countries that legally allow DTC for drug companies. New Zealand is the other. Not coincidently, Americans pay more for drugs and medical devices than any other country in the world (Drugwatch, 2022).

Michelle Llamas, a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) has a long list of experience, but what makes her credible to this article is her almost a decade of medical writing and research experience. She is a trusted source for information on high-risk prescriptions, health conditions, drugs, and medical devices (Drugwatch, 2023).

Drug companies often invest billions of dollars in their attempts to promote off-labeling of their drugs and/or devices that are not approved for other uses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Companies try to convince doctors to prescribe their brand-name drugs or devices, for uses other than their original approval. Additionally, drug companies sometimes create clinical trials focused on swaying doctors and educational courses to highlight expensive drugs for non-FDA-approved uses, despite having no scientific evidence of efficacy or safety. Drug and device companies spent in 2015, about $4 billion on television ads, and about $1.5 billion in magazine advertising. Radio, theaters, newspapers, billboards, and some other types of marketing took up an additional few million dollars. It paid off for these companies to advertise, as every dollar spent on advertising generated increased sales of prescription drugs by $4.40. Big pharmaceutical companies are willing to gamble on being fined for a few hundred million dollars, despite their product being found to cause adverse effects if they know that they can market a product that may generate billions of dollars in profit (Drugwatch, 2022). From a business perspective, this is a good business model. From an ethical perspective, this is downright criminal and inhumane.

Another area of concern is that the CDC often receives funding from the exact same pharmaceutical companies that it is tasked with regulating. The ASH Clinical News, a magazine for the American Society of Hematology, reported that the CDC Foundation received $79.6 million from companies like Pfizer, Biogen, and Merck between 2014 and 2018. The CDC responded that the agency doesn’t accept commercial support, but its own media office has stated that “the CDC claims its public-private partnerships are synergistic and beneficial” (CDC Pressed to Acknowledge Industry Funding, 2021).

FDA Allows Toxic Ingredients in the US, But Other Countries Ban Them

“The FDA has once again failed the public by ignoring the harmful effects of phthalates on our health,” said Kristina Sinclair, associate attorney at the Center for Food Safety. “The agency’s refusal to pay attention to scientific evidence will have detrimental health effects for years to come” (Earthjustice: FDA Approves Use of Toxic Chemicals Leaping Into Food and Beverages, (2023).

“Despite its nearly $7 billion annual operating budget, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn’t analyzing every shampoo or supplement on sale at your local drugstore. In fact, the FDA does not approve most cosmetics before they hit shelves—let alone assess how they’ll affect human health after years of regular use. This information vacuum has given rise to a network of nonprofits, consumer-protection groups, and independent scientists dedicated to informing the public about potential hazards lurking in their products.” (Ducharme, 2024).

Red Dye No. 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and other chemicals are banned in other countries, where the FDA allows these to be added to food products in the US (Worthington, 2024).

Don’t Burn Bridges With Your Future Employer

Lastly, I find it disturbing that there is a merry-go-round of employment where high-level pharmaceutical executives and directors of the FDA go to work for one another, whereas in other types of business, these interactions would be considered conflicts of interest. For this issue, I found that NPR, National Public Radio (considered a reputable news source) reported that from 2001 through 2010 about 27% of its FDA employees who approved cancer and hematology drugs, went on to work for the pharmaceutical companies. The potential conflict of interest here is that FDA employees may have a career goal of later working in the public sector at pharmaceutical companies that they are in charge of regulating. Will these FDA regulators give pharma companies the benefit of the doubt for their products or be more critical of them by using poor comparisons in drug studies?  The article did bring up the idea that having former FDA officials on the pharmaceutical industry payroll can offer some benefits to the general public. Former FDA employees having knowledge of the drug approval process can help facilitate the processes and relevant research that needs to be completed, and where the most current pathways to approval are followed (Lupkin, 2016). Another more recent peer-reviewed article from the Stanford Law School addressed this exact issue in further detail (Karas, 2023). We all know these issues are wrong and continue to go along with the societal cognitive dissonance, hoping that it will all work out and the general population will be fine.

Be well, become healthier, and be wise. Do your research.

References:

American Medical Association & American Medical Association. (2020, September 15). Words and actions that erode trust in the CDC hurt us all. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/words-and-actions-erode-trust-cdc-hurt-us-all

Sun, L. H., & Achenbach, J. (2020, September 28). CDC’s credibility is eroded by internal blunders and external attacks as coronavirus vaccine campaigns loom. Washington Post. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A636718930/HWRC?u=vol_vsc&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=505e0540

CDC pressed to acknowledge industry funding. (2021, December 30). ASH Clinical News | American Society of Hematology. https://ashpublications.org/ashclinicalnews/news/4797/CDC-Pressed-to-Acknowledge-Industry-Funding

Lupkin, S. (2016, September 28). A look at how the revolving door spins from FDA to industry. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/28/495694559/a-look-at-how-the-revolving-door-spins-from-fda-to-industry

Karas, L. (2023). Fda’s Revolving Door: Reckoning and Reform. Stanford Law & Policy Review, 34(1), 1.

Drugwatch. (2022, November 21). Selling Side Effects – Big Pharma’s Marketing Machine. Drugwatch.com. https://www.drugwatch.com/featured/big-pharma-marketing/

Drugwatch. (2023, February 23). Michelle Llamas – Drugwatch Senior Writer. Drugwatch.com. https://www.drugwatch.com/authors/mllamas/

Jureidini, J. (2022, March 16). The illusion of evidence based medicine. The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o702

Staff Directory | Dr Jon Jureidini. (n.d.). https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/jon.jureidini

TEDx Talks. (2020b, November 23). Why Drug Marketing Rules American Healthcare and What We Can Do About it | Lydia Green | TEDxMcphs. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7rQbknPyE

Earthjustice: FDA Approves Use of Toxic Chemicals Leaping Into Food and Beverages. (2023, July 23). Targeted News Service, NA. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A758209943/STND?u=vol_vsc&sid=ebsco&xid=6ec0ba16

Ducharme, J. (2024). Scientists Are Finding Out Just How Toxic Your Stuff Is. Time.Com, N.PAG

Worthington, L. (2024, April 3). These common U.S. snack ingredients are banned or restricted abroad. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/additives-artificial-flavors-us-snacks-banned

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Why-People-Have-Lost-Faith-in-the-CDC-FDA-the-US-Healthcare-System Sat, 29 Jun 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Walking is Great Exercise, and it’s Free! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Walking-is-Great-Exercise-and-it-s-Free Having difficulty getting started on a fitness routine? No local gyms? No money in the budget for managing your health, fitness, and overall wellness?

How about adding more walking into your day? Walk your neighborhood. Hike in the woods or local parks, or try “nature bathing,” a topic for another post. Climb stairs in your home, apartment, or at nearby malls, offices, and other businesses. The options are abundant if one is motivated. Other types of exercise might offer more benefits than walking and are perhaps more appropriate for specific body types and issues. However, walking is the most available form of exercise that most people are already doing daily, to some degree. Walking can be therapeutic for some as a way to manage stress and anxiety, a much-needed tool in our current hectic society.

Here is a step-by-step method that offers some of the psychological mechanisms that can help someone to become motivated to get started with a fitness routine. By implementing the Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) I encourage any individual’s belief in their ability to perform specific behaviors relative to personal fitness and well-being. With the goal of increasing an individual’s health (young and old alike) through physical activities, I suggest expounding upon this goal by using appropriate, safe, and effective methods, such as walking. Why not implement more walking into your day? Consistent walking has many potential health benefits. Walking can help to increase overall physical health and mental well-being, as can be seen in adults of all ages who walk regularly. Some communities offer organized group walks where people can join and see others in similar health being able to engage in regular physical activity.

Once an individual becomes engaged in more simple and easily obtainable goals of walking activities, they can begin tracking and recording walking sessions on a daily basis. As the person increases their consistency of walking, they can gradually increase the distance and/or amount of time walking. As the individual sees their own progress increase through self-recording, they can further increase their own goals and consequently begin to achieve mastery in their own ability to maintain their health. Later they may invest in a fitness tracker, which could encourage more self-mastery of the individual’s health goals. Fitness trackers like Fitbit or Apple Watch can offer the person other ways to track not only their walking but also heart rate and calories burned in the process of walking. By acknowledging and celebrating their own achievements of specific goals, the individual again is receiving a feeling of mastery in their own achievements helping to instill their confidence and determination to continue further with their program of walking.

After some amount of time walking regularly, an individual will most likely begin to feel and experience somatic or emotional responses as they may feel less emotional stress after walking. They may even begin to feel the “runners’ high” where endorphins are released into their bloodstream, thus giving them a sense of temporary euphoria. By adding in some additional activities such as gentle stretching or warmup exercises at the beginning and/or end of each walking session, an individual may be able to better manage physical soreness, muscle tightness, or even emotional stress. As a person improves their own health, loved ones may offer emotional and maybe physical support if needed. An individual then may also begin to feel that others do indeed care about their health and well-being. This can further help them to become more intrinsically motivated to continue their exercise program knowing and believing that they can do it on their own but have more support if necessary. I think that all of the constructs that I discussed from SET and also with the self-determination theory (SDT), will give an individual over a short amount of time, the tools that they need to have more self-control, agency, and autonomy over their own health and well-being.

The Physiology of Walking for Fitness

Walking and other weight-bearing activities that engage the muscles in the feet, calves, and thighs illicit a pumping effect that aids in moving blood back to the heart. Rhythmic patterns of relaxation and contraction of these muscles, in addition to the movement of the ankle and toe joints, help to increase venous return and help prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities. Lack of physical movement such as walking and an increase in sitting within our modern American sedentary lifestyle, are major factors that are contributing to the drastic decline in physical and mental wellness of our population within the last decades. More sitting for hours on end at work, behind computer screens, playing video games, and engaging with social media are the norm now. In past years physical activity was more prevalent whether from occupations, recreation, social interactions, or other reasons. A return to a more active lifestyle is what is necessary to get our nation back on track for better health and wellness, instead of harsh pharmaceuticals for all that ails us (a pill for every ill), and pursuing living a life without consequences. We are the architects of our own well-being and relative health and happiness.

The venous plantar plexus of the foot, the venous pump of the calf, and the thigh muscle pump all work together as part of the venous return mechanism, which sends blood back to the heart. The venous pump of the calf, also referred to as the calf muscle pump, is a very important component of this whole mechanism involving the relaxation and contraction of the calf and foot muscles during specific activities such as walking, climbing, exercising, and others. The primary muscles of the calf muscle pump are the gastrocnemius and soleus. This engagement of the calf muscles compresses the veins and pushes blood upwards against gravity. The venous plantar plexus is a bundle of veins found in the sole of the foot, having a primary function of collecting deoxygenated blood from tissues within the foot and moving it back upwards towards the heart. Other muscles in the foot, such as the flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, and lumbrical muscles, influence toe flexion and extension and consequently help with increasing blood circulation. Both of these mechanisms within the calves and feet contribute to providing efficient blood circulation back up to the heart, as well as preventing blood pooling (edema) in the lower extremities.

Nose-breathing while walking also helps the body to produce nitric oxide (NO) a now well-known messenger molecule that is produced in the nasal cavity and other tissues throughout the body and more specifically in the veins as arteries. NO increases blood flow through dilation of the veins and arteries.

References:

Parts of the figure were drawn by using pictures from Servier Medical Art. Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

___________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Walking-is-Great-Exercise-and-it-s-Free Wed, 26 Jun 2024 05:00:00 GMT
“Wisdom in Holistic Wellness: Exploring the Intersection of Fitness, Well-being and Behavior” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/-Wisdom-in-Holistic-Wellness-Exploring-the-Intersection-of-Fitness-Well-being-and-B

This video discussion covers many topics, such as:

  • whole vs holistic health
  • fitness vs. health vs. wellness
  • the tensegrity model
  • the Three Treasures (jing, qi & shen)
  • 3, 5, 7 pillars of health
  • the Harvard Grant Study of 1938-present
  • resting heart rate vs. heart rate variability
  • how breathing rate (BPM) affects the parasympathetic nervous system
  • DOSE – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins
  • abdominal or diaphragm breathing
  • “Box breathing”
  • energy suns vs. energy vampires
  • restoration, longevity & cultivation
  • yin & yang
  • TCM, the 5 elements, and Ayurveda’s doshas or constitutions
  • living with a sense of purpose & meaning (ikigai)
  • motivation vs. desire

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being. Contact me at [email protected] if you’re interested in hosting me for speaking events for fitness, holistic health and wellness.

More video clips, books, posters & resources at:
http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpres…
https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyE…
http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care holistic health martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/-Wisdom-in-Holistic-Wellness-Exploring-the-Intersection-of-Fitness-Well-being-and-B Sat, 22 Jun 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Journey Through Utah’s Mighty Five: A Transformative Experience https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Journey-Through-Utah-s-Mighty-Five-A-Transformative-Experience Motivation: The Key to Transformation

Motivation played a critical role in my recent journey to hike Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks. With the right motivation, one can literally achieve new heights in mental, physical, and spiritual development. The desire to explore these majestic parks and push my limits fueled my determination. This motivation helped me overcome physical challenges, stay mentally focused, and experience profound spiritual moments. When properly motivated, the potential for personal growth is limitless. Visiting Utah’s renowned “Mighty Five” national parks—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—was an adventure that profoundly impacted me on mental, physical, and spiritual levels. Each park offered unique landscapes and challenges that pushed my limits and transformed my perspective on life. Additionally, a hike to the Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante added a refreshing and memorable experience to our journey.

Preparation and Training

Before embarking on this journey, I increased the intensity of my physical training three months prior. Although I have been practicing and teaching martial arts, tai chi, and qigong for over 40 years, I knew that I needed further mental and physical strength. Consequently, I added in 1-1/2 hour weight training, treadmill, and stairmaster routines 5-6 days per week for 12 weeks. This preparation was crucial for building more stamina, and endurance, and aiding the rehab of an old injured ACL on one knee and a torn meniscus on the other. The rigorous training paid off immensely, allowing me to tackle the demanding hikes with confidence and resilience. Additionally, some other minor chronic aches and pains resolved themselves after a few weeks of this increased schedule. My martial arts training greatly helped me with my self-discipline, overall flexibility, and core strength.

Mental Renewal

  1. Arches National Park: Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, this park sparked a sense of wonder and creativity. The iconic Delicate Arch, standing alone against a backdrop of fiery sunsets, inspired introspection and clarity. The surreal landscapes made me reflect on the passage of time and the enduring beauty of nature’s creations.
  2. Bryce Canyon National Park: The vibrant hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock—stood like sentinels in the amphitheater. Hiking among these geological formations felt like stepping into another world. The silence and majesty of Bryce Canyon offered a space for meditation, helping me to clear my mind of everyday clutter and focus on the present moment.
  3. Lower Calf Creek Falls: The hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls was a refreshing mental escape. The sound of cascading water and the lush, green surroundings contrasted sharply with the arid landscapes of the other parks. This serene oasis provided a perfect spot for contemplation and mental rejuvenation.

Physical Challenges

  1. Canyonlands National Park: This vast park, divided into four districts, tested my endurance and resilience. The Island in the Sky region, known for its challenging terrain, pushed me to my physical limits. Navigating the rugged paths and towering mesas required strength and determination, reinforcing the importance of perseverance and preparation.
  2. Capitol Reef National Park: Hiking the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust, was a physical feat. The diverse trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous climbs, improved my fitness and coordination. The sense of accomplishment after conquering these trails boosted my confidence and physical well-being.

Spiritual Awakening

  1. Zion National Park: The soaring cliffs and deep canyons of Zion are awe-inspiring. We hiked the Narrows, wading through the Virgin River with towering canyon walls on either side, which was both a physically and spiritually invigorating experience. Additionally, the hike to Scout’s Landing, with its panoramic views, invoked a sense of humility and connection to something greater than myself. These trails offered a profound sense of peace and spiritual renewal.

Conclusion

The “Mighty Five” national parks of Utah, along with the Lower Calf Creek Falls, are not just destinations for outdoor enthusiasts; they are sanctuaries for personal growth and transformation. The mental clarity gained from Arches and Bryce Canyon, the physical challenges met in Canyonlands and Capitol Reef, and the spiritual awakening experienced in Zion have left an indelible mark on my life. These parks reminded me of the beauty, strength, and resilience inherent in nature—and within myself.

I encourage everyone to explore these natural wonders, not just to witness their breathtaking beauty but to embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Tips for Future Visitors

  • Preparation is Key: Ensure you have the right gear and physical conditioning for the hikes.
  • Respect Nature: Stay on designated trails, pack out all trash, and respect wildlife.
  • Take Your Time: Allow yourself to fully experience the beauty and serenity of each park.
  • Reflect and Journal: Take notes or journal your thoughts and feelings during your visit to capture the transformative moments.

Embarking on this journey through Utah’s Mighty Five is more than just a travel experience; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the natural world in a deeply meaningful way. Feel free to reach out to me if you have more questions about this adventure or how to prepare to undertake the challenge.

Read my detailed gear and trip logistics review (JR Moltz) of our outfitter REI at:

https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/namer/utah-adventure-vacation.html

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety arches national park bryce national park canyonlands national park capitol reef national park chronic pain depression grand escalate health care hiking hiking utah martial arts center for health national-parks nature osteoporosis parkinsons disease personal transformation ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi the mighty five travel utah utah national parks winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga zion national park https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/6/Journey-Through-Utah-s-Mighty-Five-A-Transformative-Experience Tue, 18 Jun 2024 07:25:26 GMT
Navigating Holistic Health https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Navigating-Holistic-Health
51-minute discussion on holistic health

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Navigating-Holistic-Health Thu, 30 May 2024 12:19:12 GMT
Complimentary, Alternative, or Integrative Health? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Complimentary-Alternative-or-Integrative-Health I think a root component of science is to define, label, and categorize all things that may or may not exist. Hence, the more we learn and discover, the more we label and divide. With this being said, I think that the terms complementary, alternative, and integrative are perfect terms to offset those of allopathic, biomedical, modern, or Western practice. Traditional healers, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), homeopathy, and naturopathy, all of which, while debatable have been proven over the test of time to be safe and effective for many ailments and health issues. Perhaps these modalities are deserving of a more appropriate label as “traditional effective non-pharmaceutical medical care” or something similar. 

I do take issue with the often-used terms of “Western” and “modern,” as these are somewhat self-serving. Western to what? Modern compared to what? Both of the latter are using insects and calling it something new as entomotherapy (Siddiqui et al., 2023) despite it being a method used for thousands of years. My point is that the lines between all of these medical modalities have become somewhat blurred over time and when used in particular circumstances. For traumatic physical injuries, such as those from vehicle or industrial accidents, injuries from gunshots, or other physical violence, Western allopathic medicine is the superior modality. For chronic issues and preventative interventions, I think not so much. Sometimes strong pharmaceuticals are necessary to manage the pain from an injury and/or lifesaving surgery. However, a patient could be weaned off strong meds and even replaced with non-pharmaceutical or less invasive follow-up therapies, depending upon the patient’s unique circumstances. Overall, I think that the US medical healthcare system is more of a “sick-care” program that is profit-driven and focuses on treating symptoms or after-the-fact conditions. Complimentary, Alternative or Integrative Health treatments often focus on preventative or less-invasive methods that often do not generate much profit to be more fully utilized by allopathic healthcare providers.

Very few insurances provide coverage for treatments outside of the biomedical modality. I have been personally impacted by this issue with family members and myself, all regarding having suffered from lower back and knee pain. Surgical procedures may be covered if are seen as necessary, while chiropractic or physical therapy coverage varies based on upon perceived effectiveness of the specific condition being treated. The cost for a microdiscectomy on a herniated disc can range between $20,000 and $50,000 which would be covered, but rest for a few weeks followed by chiropractic treatments at about $100 per session – 5 total, were not. Yoga sessions at $20 a class for about 20 classes, are not covered. Eventually, both chiropractic and yoga worked for my family members. For my injured knee, an osteopathic surgeon looked at me and shook his head in bewilderment when I declined to have a covered knee surgery procedure ($5000-$30000). I was able to manage the repair of my issue through appropriate exercise, free of cost other than time and effort on my part. Some sufferers have no option but to have surgery or use pharmaceuticals, especially if they have suffered some type of traumatic injury. For others, it is worth looking into non-invasive treatments first before committing to a surgery that may or not offer long-term positive results.

Some Western healthcare professionals will defer to why complementary, alternative, or integrative health methods sometimes are quite effective due to the placebo effect. However, I have found that the placebo effect is quite relative to allopathic medicine as well as other methods of alternative medicine. I have found that many allopathic medical professionals often look down upon alternative medicine and/or traditional methods as offering effectiveness by relying mostly upon the placebo effect. Ironically, the US healthcare system relies quite heavily on this perception that medical pharmaceuticals can fix many ailments. The power of suggestion plays a major part in alleviating pain and suffering. Roughly, between 10-90% of the efficacy of prescriptions comes down to the placebo effect. Factors such as trust in the doctor that prescribes the medication, and specific details regarding the medicine, such as its brand, price, name, and place of origin can all affect a patient’s potential belief in the medicine helping to improve their aliment (Meissner et al., 2011). While we keep hearing “follow the science”, science seems to show that the placebo effect is truly a real component of the US healthcare system.

References:

Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: what’s in a name? (n.d.). NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name

Meissner, K., Kohls, N., & Colloca, L. (2011). Introduction to placebo effects in medicine: mechanisms and clinical implications. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 366(1572), 1783–1789. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0414

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Complimentary-Alternative-or-Integrative-Health Tue, 21 May 2024 08:48:22 GMT Tai Chi – Basic Background Information https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Tai-Chi-Basic-Background-Information The origin and roots of Tai Chi, are based on written information, oral interpretations, and word of mouth. Also, many of the practitioners often went by different names and spellings there of. This presented information is by no means complete nor precise but is offered as a basic understanding of the origin of these ancient methods.

Many history scholars and martial arts enthusiasts have spent much time and effort debating the details of the origins. While it might be interesting for some, it is suggested not to lose the meaning behind the knowledge and the practice methods. To become a walking encyclopedia of information, but having no true understanding of the methods can lead to a somewhat imbalanced understanding of Tai Chi. More in-depth understanding can come from actual physical practice, mental understanding, self-awareness as well as spiritual cultivation.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, that is practiced as a graceful form of martial arts, low-impact exercise, and moving meditation. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, smooth, and focused manner with accompanied Qigong (mindful breathing exercises). Tai Chi, also called Taiji, Tai Chi Chuan or Taiji Quan, on the fitness level, is a self-paced system of gentle physical exercises and stretching. Each exercise or posture flows into the next without pausing, ensuring that the body is in constant motion. Tai chi is similar yet different from Yoga which is another type of meditative exercise and practice. Tai Chi and Yoga include various physical postures, deep breathing techniques, and often along with meditation. Tai Chi is sometime referred to as “Yoga in motion”.

Tai Chi has many different types or styles. Each style emphasizes various Tai Chi principles and methods. There are also variations within each style. Some styles or teachers focus more on health benefits, history, or philosophy, while others might focus on the martial arts aspects of Tai Chi.

History:
Chen, Yang, Wu, and other Tai Chi Styles
There are differing theories as to the true origins of Tai Chi. Tai chi is a type of moving qigong, which has roots in yoga. Some believe Chen Wangting to be the original founder of Tai Chi and the Chen style. Chen style is practiced typically with explosive movements including jumps, kicks, and strikes. Slow, graceful movements are alternated with quick, forceful ones. Low, strong stances develop strength, stability, and agility. Silk reeling is spiraling movements that flow from the feet to the hands, which is the foundation of Chen-style Tai Chi. Chen style can provide a good cardiovascular workout but requires more athleticism and physical coordination than some of the other styles of Tai Chi. All styles can be adjusted by the practitioner.

From the Chen Style came the most popular and practiced Yang style, with its founder Yang Lu Ch’an. It is thought that Yang learned his system from the Chen family while working as a servant in their village and secretly observing their training and practice routines. In 1850, the Imperial family hired Yang Lu Ch’an to teach his modified, less athletic adaptation to their elite palace guards. The Yang style improves flexibility by expanding and contracting the body using exaggerated movements and practices slowly and gracefully.


The Yang Style ultimately produced the Wu Style, another popular style of Tai Chi founded by Wu Ch’uan Yu. This military officer cadet trained under Yang Lu Ch’an, the founder of the Yang style and martial arts instructor of the Chinese Imperial Guards. Wu style is unique in its focus on the body leaning forward and backward rather than remaining centered, as one does in the other styles of Tai Chi. The back leg serves as a counterbalance, allowing for added extension without losing stability and balance. Wu style uses a medium stance, with movements being smaller and more compact than those used in Yang style.

Beyond these three original styles came others such as the Hao, Sun & Li styles. There are then the many variations or sub-styles that emanate from the original family styles. There is also the Wudang style from Wudang Mountain which is also thought to be the original style, originating from the Daoist monk Chang San Feng.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/5/Tai-Chi-Basic-Background-Information Mon, 06 May 2024 05:56:26 GMT
If Only I Could Read Your Mind https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/4/If-Only-I-Could-Read-Your-Mind I think we have all thought at some point that it would be nice to be able to read someone else’s mind or know what someone is thinking just by looking at them. It has been the subject of many movies, television shows and comic books. However, with the inception of social media over the last two decades, some feel that we don’t really need to read someone’s mind, when we can just look at their profile and posts on Facebook, Twitter (X), Tik Tok or other platforms. A majority of people surveyed felt that they are concerned over having little control over companies collecting their personal data (Conerly, 2021). In spite of this some people post very personal and intimate information not only about themselves, but also their loved ones and friends.

I find it very ironic that almost daily there are discussions on news coming from Washington and legislators regarding our privacy rights, when so many people willfully offer up their private information on public forums. As artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing by the second, and becoming integrated within some social media platforms, there are many more opportunities becoming available for abuse and crimes. Online identity theft is making it more difficult to know if someone is actually posting their own words and images. With access to photographs, video footage and a few spoken words, software programs can re-construct this information into “deep fakes” where posts can be made available without permission from the person whose identity has been stolen (What the Heck Is a Deepfake? | UVA Information Security, n.d.). These issues will not be going away anytime soon, as culture and society constantly evolves and reacts in order to keep up with the ripple effects coming from new technologies. 

References:

Conerly, T. R. (2021, June 3). 8.1 Technology Today – Introduction to Sociology 3E | OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/8-1-technology-today

What the heck is a deepfake? | UVA Information Security. (n.d.). https://security.virginia.edu/deepfakes

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/4/If-Only-I-Could-Read-Your-Mind Sat, 13 Apr 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Social Media Addiction https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/4/Social-Media-Addiction American people seem to finally be waking up to the fact that over-usage of smartphones and more specifically constant engagement in social media platforms, are detrimental to health and well-being. Social media addiction is the 2024 version of crack cocaine, where many people appear to be unable to go for more than a few minutes without their “fix” or dopamine dump from checking their phone for new messages, likes and other notifications. The Social Dilemma is a 2020 Netflix documentary that interviews many former software designers, investors, executives, and other insider occupations at social media platforms, such as Facebook, and Twitter(X). I did view this film back when it first aired but thought it would be insightful to watch and critique it more in detail today, as much has changed and/or advanced with most of these platforms, in the last fours years and even more recently.

This documentary offers insights into the beginning stages of social media, and most specifically on how Facebook started out in 2004 as something totally different than what it is today. Social media and its widespread availability and popularity are a good example of an evolutionary model of technological change” (Conerly, 2021a), where society has moved away from telephones being used merely for verbal communication. Smartphones have evolved to cameras, video recorders, email/text messaging devices and other uses way beyond telephones of years past. Most of those interviewed participated in the documentary because their experiences, hindsight and conscious has led them to think that such platforms purposefully manipulate a user’s attention and relative behavior. In doing so, users often develop a level of dopamine addiction when staying constantly engaged in interaction with social media either through smartphones, personal computers, or other electronic devices. Most of those interviewed see social media as neither inherently good nor bad, but rather as a tool to be used wisely as there exists a strong potential for addiction and abuse. They are careful to highlight the positive aspects of social media, such as offering ways for people to connect, re-connect, and stay abreast of current events and activities of friends and family.

However, it is the opposite side of these benefits that have gained attention. Specifically, the view that for a whole generation of people, online social media connections have become their primary group (Conerly, 2021b), or their most important and significant others in their circle of influence. Or as these insiders see them, as a generation that has been raised to form their self-worth and identity through social media technology and its manipulation (Watch the Social Dilemma | Netflix Official Site, 2020). They feel that young people have been gradually losing their ability to socialize in person, while having difficulty in occupying themselves without social media interaction. I am old enough to have seen this evolution transform, seemingly right before my eyes. In years past before the explosion of social media, I used to be able to stop in a restaurant, coffee shop, bar or other public venue and see young (and older) people interacting with one another through conversation, facial and hand gestures, and other forms of outward communication. Now it is most common to see people of all ages and walks of life, immersed in staring into their smartphone, seemingly oblivious to time and those around them. Young people today seem more anxious, fragile, depressed, less likely to take positive risks, drive less, and date less. More scientific evidence has been gathered, where many are believing that social media is a psychological, cultural, and sociological experiment on a large scale also referred to as a “contagion experiment.” The documentary states depression in youths spiked in 2011 with an increase of 62% for preteens, and 189% with teenagers and suicide increasing 70% for preteens and 151% with teenagers (Watch the Social Dilemma | Netflix Official Site, 2020).

The original innovators and designers had no true inclination of how technology would advance so quickly and exponentially, while the human brain cannot physiologically keep up. The expansion of these platforms has become quite profitable for companies that manage the information made available through social media. This is often seen as “gatekeeping” where those people in charge of the media can decide what the viewing public is exposed to (Conerly, 2021c). and people begin to not know what to believe as true or otherwise. These companies have become an“oligopoly,” where only a few firms dominate a marketplace (Conerly, 2021d). Social media addiction and abuse have been brought to the attention of congressional hearings where government leaders are asking the social media oligopoly CEOs how to make these platforms safer for all, but especially with the youth in the US (Associated Press, 2024). I do not think that the platforms will change their methods and policies on their own, for the betterment of the people. However, I do understand that all actions have consequences, whether deemed as good or bad. The consequences from years of rampant growth and manipulation of data and uses, have brought us to this point where members of congress are basically trying to reverse the legislation from years past and specifically something called Section 230.  This law was passed in the earlier days of the internet and social media expansion (around 1996) that granted immunity to these companies from being sued by its users for unforeseen circumstances. The supreme court ruled in 2023 to keep the immunity in place, as it seems to fall under the freedom of speech (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S REVIEW OF SECTION 230 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT OF 1996, 2023). Congress members are now pushing for the tide to turn and have social media platforms able to be brought to trial for related injuries, deaths and other detrimental side effects. I think things will change dramatically if this happens, hopefully, for the better. But as with most things we don’t know or see the true results until time has passed.

Overall, I do feel The Social Dilemma is still very relevant to modern society, as these issues of addiction and abuse will not diminish on their own. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the daily increase in fake news and misinformation, I feel it is of the upmost importance that social media platforms and their leaders take actions that are based on mental health, rather than their stockholders and profits.

References:

Watch The Social Dilemma | Netflix Official site. (2020). https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

Conerly, T. R. (2021a, June 3). 8.2 Media and Technology in Society – Introduction to Sociology 3E | OpenStax

Conerly, T. R. (2021b, June 3). 6.1 Types of Groups – Introduction to Sociology 3E | OpenStax.

Conerly, T. R. (2021c, June 3). 8.4 Theoretical Perspectives on Media and Technology – Introduction to Sociology 3E | OpenStax.

Conerly, T. R. (2021d, June 3). 8.3 Global Implications of Media and Technology – Introduction to Sociology 3E | OpenStax.

Associated Press. (2024, January 31). Senate hearing LIVE: Mark Zuckerberg, social media CEOs testify [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUjv2Ky7PcM

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S REVIEW OF SECTION 230 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT OF 1996. (2023, May 8). https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/department-justice-s-review-section-230-communications-decency-act-1996

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health health care human behavior martial arts center for health mental health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong social-media stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/4/Social-Media-Addiction Tue, 09 Apr 2024 06:29:37 GMT
The DOSE, Feel Good Chemicals https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/The-DOSE-Feel-Good-Chemicals The human body is an incredible pharmacy within all individuals, where our thoughts and relative emotions can manifest various chemical reactions that affect organ function, either in positive or negative manners. There are four main neurotransmitters that affect our nervous system in positive and beneficial aspects. These are also referred to as the key “feel-good chemicals” as they help contribute to positive emotions. I have come to understand these and remember them through the acronym of DOSE, where Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins.

Dopamine is often called the “reward chemical,” as dopamine within the nervous system surges as we feel a sense of pleasure from achieving goals, or while anticipating and receiving something perceived as enjoyable. Dopamine motivates us to pursue rewarding experiences, while playing a role in learning and memory.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to our feelings of calmness, well-being, and emotional stability. Having low serotonin levels is linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia and other mental disorders. Serotonin production within the body can be increased through activities that promote relaxation and a sense of accomplishment.

Oxytocin is also called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin is released during events of physical contact, social bonding, and acts of kindness where it brings about a sense of trust, empathy, and connections with others.

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers that are released during exercise, eating of spicy foods and laughter. Endorphins have the ability to help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Understanding of the mind-body connection of these chemicals is well known throughout fields of study, such as biology, physiology, and chemistry, as to their roles in management of thoughts and emotions and their physiological effects on the body’s autonomic nervous system. There are various ways to illicit the physiological mechanisms that release these powerful chemicals, where proper nutrition, exercise, meditation practices and social interactions are the common denominators for all. Management of breathing is one of the most effective ways to self-regulate thoughts and emotions and relative overall health of the nervous system which manages organ function.

References:

Meet your feel-good chemicals. (2022, March). WellBeing, 74. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A736545392/OVIC?u=vol_vsc&sid=ebsco&xid=bb4ebd80

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/The-DOSE-Feel-Good-Chemicals Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:26:53 GMT
Normalcy Bias or “that will never happen” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/Normalcy-Bias-or-that-will-never-happen Normalcy bias is a cognitive behavior where a person has a propensity to underestimate the likelihood of a significant negative event or disaster occurring, as well as dismissing potential impacts if the event were to happen. This bias is based in the assumption that things will continue to operate in the same manner that have in the past, regardless of evidence or indications supporting the contrary.

Typical characteristics of normalcy bias include:

  1. Optimistic Bias is often linked to normalcy bias, where an individual is so optimistic that they may believe that they are not as likely to encounter negative events than that of others. Too much of this optimism may lead to a lack of preparedness.
  2. A Reluctance to Take Action – People that are influenced by normalcy bias may resist taking proactive actions or preparations towards high-impact events that might not happen. This reluctance can be rooted in a belief that relative events are improbable.
  3. Over Dependence upon Familiar Patterns – Individuals with normalcy bias may rely upon familiar patterns or cycles, thinking that the future events will repeat similarly to the past, influencing their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
  4. Minimizing Perception of a Threat – People with normalcy bias often have a tendency to simplify the importance of potential threats or risks. They may think that because a threat has never come about, it is not likely to occur in the future.
  5. Desire to Maintain a Sense of Normality – Individuals prone to experiencing normalcy bias often gravitate toward keeping a sense of normality and routine, even when faced with eminent dangers or threats. This may influence inadequate or delayed responses to warnings of impending negative events.

Examples of normalcy bias:

  • Living in an earthquake-prone area, regardless of warnings and historical evidence of seismic activity. Belief that a major earthquake is unlikely to occur because it hasn’t happened recently. This bias can lead to lack of awareness, preparedness and relative response in the event of an actual earthquake. Other natural disaster-prone areas also apply (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, etc.).
  • Those in financial distress, will just somehow get by in spite of their spending budget showing otherwise.
  • During World War II in Nazi Germany, many Jews hoped and believed that things would return to normal.
  • Up until the terrorist attacks on the US of 9/11, many Americans thought that there would never be an attack on US soil. A paradigm shift ensued, leading us to where we are today with heightened awareness, fear, anxiety, TSA and many other adjustments to our society that have been the new normal.
  • People in relatively fine health, believe that because they haven’t been seriously ill, sick or injured, that their health will continue to be healthy despite other factors and circumstances. This has been evident over many years with people smoking of tobacco, alcohol consumption and poor diet.
  • From a fitness perspective, people often don’t realize how much of their strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance that they may lose as they age. A simple fall or injury may create a paradigm shift in how an individual views their well-being.
  • Criminals, illegal drug dealers/user, tax cheats, reckless drivers and others may also fall into the normalcy bias, where they see themselves never being caught, as normal so therefore in their thoughts they will never get caught.

Normalcy bias and cognitive dissonance are two similar but different terms defining psychological behaviors. Normalcy bias is more focused on downplaying the possibility or significance of negative events. Cognitive dissonance is more broad concept associated with the unease caused by conflicting beliefs. Both concepts involve cognitive processes, but pertain to different aspects of cognition and behavior.

In conclusion, normalcy biased can often lead to lack of, or delay of appropriate mental and physical preparedness for potential future events and relative circumstances. Nobody wants to live in fear or anxiety of events that may or may not come about. However, becoming adequately educated and/or informed may help to better manage an individual’s thoughts and relative actions concerning any particular potentially negative event.

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/Normalcy-Bias-or-that-will-never-happen Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT
Do you think “the higher power” has a gender? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/Do-you-think-the-higher-power-has-a-gender I do not believe that God, Allah, Yahweh, the Divine, or whatever term we use for the higher power has a gender, nor race, ethnicity. These labels are all made from humans assuming that something greater and beyond us could be labeled as categorized by clergy, linguists or scientists is quite narcissistic on our part. Over the history of humanity, there were only two choices of male or female, so the higher power had to be one or the other in view of humans. When the Bible states in Genesis 1:27 “And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” If man (humans) was created in the image of God, many are led to think that God must be a male as Adam was the first human and a male.

If we can break away from our thoughts that the earth and humans are the center of the universe, we may be able to entertain the idea that other life or entities exist beyond what we know here on Earth. Perhaps elsewhere in the universe, their exists something beyond male or female, animal, or plant, etc. Perhaps when humans or other life passes on to their relative afterlife, all labels are removed. I would like to think that in heaven, Valhalla or whatever comes next, our age, gender, race, ethnicity, or any other dividing status would not follow us to that place of bliss.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health martial arts center for health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/Do-you-think-the-higher-power-has-a-gender Sat, 09 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT
What is Qi, Chi or Ki? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/What-is-Qi-Chi-or-Ki What is Qi, Chi or Ki?

Chi or Qi (pronounced as “chee”) translates to mean “breath” in Chinese. Chi is the life energy that all living creatures require in order to exist. Different cultures call this energy, Ki (from Japanese), Gi (Korean) or Prana (Indian). Chi is a type of energy in the human body and circulates within the blood throughout. Chi flows in a specific pattern from the chest, down the front of the arms to the fingers. It then travels up the back of the arms to the head. The chi then travels down the back to the feet and back up the front of the body to the chest. It travels through meridians within the body that can be best described as something similar to the electrical lines on a printed circuit board. There are 12 main meridians and 8 extraordinary ones as well. There are points along these meridians that are known as “pressure points” or acupoints for acupressure and acupuncture.

Why is Chi important?

The amount of chi in one’s body and the quality of it determines whether an individual is generally healthy or prone to illness. There is a finite amount in our bodies and is gradually exhausted due to age and possible abuses. When it decreases so does the lifespan of the individual.


How do we obtain the chi we have?

  • Prenatal chi comes from our parents.
  • Nutritional chi comes from the food we eat.
  • Air chi comes from the air we breathe.
  • Other types of chi are manifested from the previous three types to form others.

What types of chi are there?
Similar to how there can be many different types of plants for example, each having its own name and characteristics, there are various types of chi.

Prenatal, original or primary chi, are different names for the same type of chi that is inherited from the mother (and father) at the time of conception. At birth, the chi resides in and around the kidneys, eventually spreading throughout the rest of the organs and body. In order for the prenatal chi to be maintained, food, drink and air are required. Our health and quality of it are directly linked to the quality of these components. Even if someone’s prenatal chi is weak, it can still be properly nourished by proper diet, exercise and life style. Postnatal or nutritional chi and is derived from food and life style. Nutritional chi is responsible for producing the blood as well as providing the body with nourishment. Where the chi circulates, the blood will follow. The blood nourishes the chi; it is a synergistic relationship
just is yin and yang.

Pectoral or air chi is drawn into our lungs from the air we breathe. People lacking stamina, are known to be deficient in air chi. It enables the lungs to control respiratory functions and enables the heart to circulate blood, relying upon the arms and legs to circulate chi throughout the body.

Defensive or guardian chi (Wei Qi) circulates on the surface of the body, protecting it from outside influences and dangers. Originating from the food we eat, defensive chi is responsible for the operation of the skin’s pores, thereby regulating the body’s temperature and ability to provide moisture when needed.

Normal chi or Zangfu Zhi chi, is that which circulates through the organs.


Jing Luo Zhi chi is that which circulates through the meridians.

How do I keep what I have?
A proper balance of nutrition, exercise and a healthy lifestyle directly affect the quality and abundance of chi. Emotions and their balance or lack there of, affects the quality of an individual’s chi. The 7 emotions are Joy, Anger, Sadness, Grief, Pensiveness, Fear, and Fright. Energy (Chi) is regarded as one of the 3 Treasures or essential components of life, with essence (Jing) and spirit (Shen) being the other two. When energy, essence and spirit are in harmony with one another, the person finds himself or herself alert, healthy and vibrant. Or the opposite, if their treasures are in imbalance. If this harmonious flow is disrupted, illness occurs.

Can I get more?

  • Better quality food or herbs
  • Better quality of air we breathe
  • Deep breathing exercises such as Qigong
  • Other forms of internal martial arts training such as Tai Chi, Hsing Yi or BaguaZhang

What is Chi Kung, Qigong or Gi Gong?
Exercises originating in India and China, for enhancing or “cultivating” chi. The above names reflect different spellings for the same concept. Cultivate is an appropriate word because, as living things require nourishment and nurturing to grow, chi must be nourished and encouraged to develop.

How do these exercises work?
By regulating one’s breath and rhythm of it, an individual can begin to affect the parasympathetic nervous system which slows their heart rate, lowers the blood pressure, relieves muscle tension and consequently changes their body chemistry. This is basically the same state of being one achieves while sleeping and is when the body rests, heals and recharges its energy levels.

What are the benefits of practicing these types of exercises?

  • Increased energy
  • Relief from chronic illnesses
  • Increased self awareness
  • Expansion of one’s thought process
  • Spiritual awareness
  • Increased longevity
  • Better control of emotions
  • Provides a release of one’s internal chatter

Can Qigong exercises really cure serious diseases and ailments?
It is important to note that the claim of practicing chi kung to overcome illness and promote health is based on countless testimonials of practical cases spanning centuries. If someone is physically impaired, this affects his or her emotions and mental state. Consequently, someone’s emotions can easily affect their health, for better or worse. If our psychological and physiological systems function as they should, illness should not occur. Illness occurs when one or more of the body’s systems fail in their functions. The specialty of chi kung is to restore and enhance harmonious energy flow, thereby overcoming illness.


What is the difference between Qigong and Nei Dan (Nae Gung)?
Qigong is exercises focusing on increasing one’s energy by regulating their breath. Nei Dan is somewhat more advanced in that one uses their thought and awareness to guide and increase their energy throughout the spine and bones within the body.


Why pursue these methods?
The American Health Care Crisis might not be as such if all Americans assumed more personal responsibility for their own health. Many spend small fortunes on doctor visits, medication, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, acupuncture and other forms of health care and pain relief. Chi kung is relatively cheap to learn, takes little space and only minutes a day to reap the benefits. The only side effects are positive and it doesn’t require a prescription from your doctor.


I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain health health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/3/What-is-Qi-Chi-or-Ki Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:23:32 GMT
Come join me at the 2024 Yoga Festival! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Come-join-me-at-the-2024-Yoga-Festival Come join me at the 2024 Yoga Festival!

I have a tent space rented from 10am-4pm at Lake Eola, near the bandshell. I will have many of my books, posters and herbal extracts (dit da jows) for purchase at a discount, for those who stop by. If you are not near Orlando or have no time, consider clicking some of my links below to see what type of education I am offering.

Many people don’t know that Tai chi is a type of qigong, which has roots in yoga. Tai chi is often referred to as “yoga in motion.”

___________

___________

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health meditation mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Come-join-me-at-the-2024-Yoga-Festival Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:41:46 GMT
Can someone die more than once in a lifetime? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Can-someone-die-more-than-once-in-a-lifetime I think yes, definitely. Severe trauma mentally or physically can trigger a “hard reset” where an individual is so affected that they are basically a different person(ality) after such events. See the soldier who returns home and can no longer relate to their friends and family due to what they have seen and experienced during war. Or the person who survives cancer or some type of near-death event, where they promise to make drastic changes to their lives once they recover. It is these types of events that shock an individual into what is truly most important to them, often being their own health, and the people around them that they hold dear.

I have come to understand that there are basically two paths to ego death. The first is what I have just been describing, through the trauma of pain and suffering. It often comes unannounced and free of a monetary charge. The second path to ego death is through self-cultivation, through prayer, meditation, skillful means, and perhaps other methods that inspire self-reflection. This path is most often deliberately pursued and usually comes with costs of time, sacrifice and resources whether monetary or otherwise.

______________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Can-someone-die-more-than-once-in-a-lifetime Sat, 24 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Can good exist without evil? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Can-good-exist-without-evil

I fear not. We may hope to see everything as good, positive, beautiful or whatever the “good” is in anything, there must exist the opposite, corresponding or dependence upon the other in order to offer contrast to both. This is the balance that holds everything to together. Literature professor Joseph Campbell spoke of it often in his documentaries, referring to this concept as the duality in all things. Taoist philosophy of yin and yang, sees this polarization as part of the birth of creation itself. Without the contrast we cannot ask the question of how “good” or how “evil” someone or something is, as these concepts are not absolute and are almost always determined in relation to time and circumstances.

A soldier may be good for their particular country, but evil to the enemy. A child may see their parent(s) as evil because they took their electronics away for whatever reason, when the parent was trying to be a good influence. Natural disasters may kill off human, animal, and plant life. Would we consider nature evil? The sun brings us life on so many levels. Too much sun can bring other issues of cancer, drought, and other climatic imbalances. So, is the sun good or bad? All things are relative and connected to one another in various amounts, shades, and levels. Without this contrast, neither good nor evil can exist.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Can-good-exist-without-evil Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
A Blueprint for Inner Happiness, and its You! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/A-Blueprint-for-Inner-Happiness-and-its-You Happiness comes from finding the “master” within!

Do You Know What Your Potential Is? Physical health, mental well-being and the relationships within our lives; are these the most cherished aspects of your life? Yet, how much effort do we put towards improving these areas on a daily basis?

You may have many teachers throughout your life, but every individual has the ability to access the “master” within their own self. You are the master in control of your own reality. No amount of wealth or fame can make you truly happy if you are not healthy and value those around you. The following aspects are just one formula for a successful life. With a blueprint of how to achieve prosperity, how can you not become healthier within all facets of your life?

Respect

Discipline

Self Esteem

Confidence

Determination to Achieve Goals

RespectThis is where values begin. You must understand and have respect for yourself (self-respect) before you can demonstrate it to others. Taking the steps to take care of your physical and mental well-being effects you first and then those closest to you second.

DisciplineDeveloping control of one’s own desires, commitments, and ultimately your own actions, leads to self-discipline. Control of physical movements can lead to management of thoughts and emotions.

Self-EsteemAs you review your achievements of respect and discipline, your sense of worth is elevated and appreciated.

ConfidenceUnderstanding and accepting your weak areas as well as your stronger aspects removes insecurity. When you feel that you are physically well and mentally sharp, confidence can fill your personality. You can accomplish whatever goal you set out to achieve. One should be careful not become arrogant with an increase in self-confidence.

Determination to Achieve Goals– The positive sum of the previous aspects leads to one’s determination. Good judgment and focused effort toward positive goals result in true personal success.

So, the question here is, how does an individual gain these mental traits of respect, self-discipline, self-esteem, confidence, and determination, if they do not have much of these to begin with? At the root of this blueprint is physical movements and/or exercises. Mental development comes from engagement with the physical body. We heal the body with our mind, as our body protects our mind. Skillful means and activities, whether it be physical exercise, playing musical instruments, painting, drawing, singing, cooking, gardening, the list goes on, anything that engages the body through engagement of one’s thoughts and attention can help to bring about enhancement of positive mental traits. By developing self-discipline to continuously execute and perfect whatever skillful activities, an individual can start to understand not only how their being works physically but also mentally and emotionally. You can find your strengths and your weaknesses and improve them both. From here the self-control acquired can be used to accomplish any goal when properly motivated.

__________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/A-Blueprint-for-Inner-Happiness-and-its-You Sat, 17 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Do We Die and Go to Heaven, or Die and Bring Heaven With Us? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Do-We-Die-and-Go-to-Heaven-or-Die-and-Bring-Heaven-With-Us Many say they know of the afterlife either being a good place (heaven) or a bad place (hell). Others believe that life here is a temporary classroom, where we keep coming back to revisit lessons not yet understood. No one that is alive can truly know the proven existence of any life beyond their current physical manifestation. Some hope for an afterlife that is heavenly, but also live a life that is hellish. Quite the quandary, no? Why not try to live a heaven life, and hopefully bring that with when you pass? Sounds better than living in hell on earth, and then taking hell with to the next level of existence. There are many theories abound regarding the laws of attraction and how we often acquire what we dwell upon, whether deemed as good or bad. Those that think mainly about wealth and/or fame, put much of their energy into obtaining these things. However, once they acquire these items, they often realize that they are not truly happy with themselves, because they sacrificed things such as family, friends, health and other aspects of their being.

Others see God’s kingdom as heaven on earth. Their life may be full of love, gratitude, and happiness. Others may see their physical life here on earth as hell with none of the prior mentioned and therefore are looking forward to hopefully reaching a better place in the hereafter. The famous philosopher Confucius is thought to have said that we should not put focus on the afterlife, because we don’t understand much about it. Instead, we should focus on our everyday life here in the present. I take this further to mean that we can choose to believe that the Kingdom of God is here right now, in our mind and body here in the physical world. My understanding is that the state of our thoughts at the very time of our passing is of the upmost importance. What we do or don’t do here on Earth within our physical lifetimes, can and will affect what happens to our soul or consciousness after our physical being expires. I have personally been exposed to many people that are most concerned about what may happen in their next life, with very little concern about how they live this current physical life. And others, who care only about their wants and desires of what is in front of them, with no concerns for what may come next. We may indeed die and go to a place of heaven or hell, based upon how we live our lives. If we strive to live a “heavenly-like” life, we may be able to take that peacefulness, joy, and bliss with us to whatever the next phase we have earned. Consequently, if we live a life full of hell in anger, hatred, suffering and regret, we very well may bring that negative energy to whatever that next place may be.

________________________________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health meaning and purpose osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Do-We-Die-and-Go-to-Heaven-or-Die-and-Bring-Heaven-With-Us Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Is Mindfulness the Same as Paying Attention? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Is-Mindfulness-the-Same-as-Paying-Attention I used to think that mindfulness was just the latest buzzword for the health and wellness industry. A few years ago, I would have defined mindfulness more simply as “paying attention”. However, I have come to understand this term to have more depth and complexity than merely paying attention. Having been involved in meditation and many mind, body and spiritual practices for almost 4 decades, I have come to understand that paying attention is most often what someone else requires or expects from someone. Mindfulness however, originates from within the individual as they themselves are responsible for becoming aware of their own thoughts, emotions, and actions.

A study from 2022 at the University of Queensland reported that mindfulness training improved the psychological well-being of management students. This training was delivered via online methods. Participants chose to use one of two methods of training to manage mindfulness. The first method was Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) consisting of mindfulness meditation, yoga, delivered weekly through 45 minutes of educational videos. Participants were requested to practice methods for 30 minutes per day, five days per week over the course of eight weeks. Those that chose physical exercise as a method to manage mindfulness could pick their own method of exercise. Participants in the exercise group were also requested to practice their exercise methods for 30 minutes per day, five days per week over the course of eight weeks. The exercise group also watched videos but theirs focused on physical health, fitness, nutrition, physiology, etc. instead of mindfulness topics. The researchers concluded that the participants that completed the mindfulness training as instructed, when compared with the physical exercise participants, online mindfulness training can noticeably increase how often people experience states of mindfulness. This study further reported that mindfulness training can help students develop a sense of authenticity or the ability to see themselves more neutrally or unbiasedly, mostly by way of increased self-awareness (Kay et al., 2022).

The four categories of psychophysiological relationships are outcomes, markers, concomitants, and invariants (Cacioppo et al., 2016). Mindfulness methods can help practitioners to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions happening in the present moment, often leading to more positive outcomes in their life. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can increase concomitants or the relationship of cause and effect when the physiological stress response is reduced, leading to increased well-being and happiness. Other studies have reported that mindfulness can affect psychophysiological stress markers such as heart rate variability (HRV) and brain activity patterns that can increase better autonomic nervous system regulation and cardiovascular health. It can also reduce cortisol levels, which can have an effect on lowering stress levels (Aguilar et al., 2021).

References:

Kay, A. A., & Young, T. (2022). Distanced from Others, Connected to Self: Online Mindfulness Training Fosters Psychological Well-Being by Cultivating Authenticity. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 21(2), 261–281. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2020.0316

Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. G. (2016). Handbook of Psychophysiology. p.10-, Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.

Aguilar, R. C., Stoffel, M., Hernández, C., Rahn, S., Moessner, M., Steinhilber, B., & Ditzen, B. (2021). Effects of a mindfulness‐based intervention on mindfulness, stress, salivary alpha‐amylase and cortisol in everyday life. Psychophysiology, 58(12), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13937

______________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Is-Mindfulness-the-Same-as-Paying-Attention Sat, 10 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Difficult Times Sometimes Bring About Good Changes https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Difficult-Times-Sometimes-Bring-About-Good-Changes “Sometimes bad things have to happen before good things can.”

– Becca Fitzpatrick

https://psychologycompass.com/blog/point-of-view/

In spite of bad circumstances, good things may emerge. For example, the recent COVID-19 pandemic did actually produce some positive results for some people. For others, not so much. I think this concept requires a greater understanding of the bigger picture of how the pandemic has brought some level of clarity, meaning and purpose into many individuals’ lives, in spite of having affected so many in a negative way. Some people lost their lives, while others more “fortunate” lost their businesses, jobs, homes and friends. Others made vast amounts of income by acting upon opportunities. This leads me back to the dichotomy of yin and yang, that is found in almost all things. In order to appreciate the “good” in anything, we need to also see the “bad” in order to understand the contrast. While some people were quite traumatized by lockdowns, mandates, isolation, job loss and the illness itself, others thrived while working from home and around their family and loved ones. Some used this time to re-invent themselves, cook and eat healthier at home, exercise more and other positive events and realizations that might have never come about.

Conversely some people ate less healthy, exercised less, and acquired mental ailments of depression, anxiety, and others. I bring this back to the realization that I have discussed before that everyone perceives stress, pain, suffering and trauma differently in relation to their own availability of coping mechanisms. I think it takes a certain level of wisdom to be able to see the good and bad in all things, while also choosing to see the good in people in spite of their attempts to prove otherwise. The COVID-19 pandemic gave many more than ample opportunities to tone their personal social skills while trying to keep their relative stressors in check. There will almost always be good and bad in all things. It is our choice how we choose to see things and act upon them accordingly.

________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior longevity martial arts center for health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/Difficult-Times-Sometimes-Bring-About-Good-Changes Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
We Actually Need Some Stress in Our Lives https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/We-Actually-Need-Some-Stress-in-Our-Lives I don’t believe that it is possible to not have any stressors, whether from mental circumstances or acute/chronic pain, as these are part of life. Good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress) are what offers us contrast between suffering and happiness (Zabat-Zinn, pg. 303, 2013). It is highly important that we all have a means to minimize or release our inner suffering from internal and external stressors. Yoga and other meditative breathing practices that engage the mind and body are truly profound in being able to not only help reduce pain in the body through strengthening and stretching it, but also simultaneously modulate the nervous system and relative responses to that pain.

Physical pain in our bodies can cause not only the regional discomfort, but also associated emotional pain. I am certain that almost everyone has experienced some type of physical injury, where shortly afterwards they may not be the most pleasant person to be around. In contrast, when we exercise, we often get sore muscles and some relative pain and/or discomfort. So, in both cases of injury and exercise, we can only do so much to alleviate the physical pain. However, we can make a decision as to how much emotional suffering we attach to our physical pain. As Jon Kabat-Zinn states that we can realize that we often have a range of options for managing physical pain, even very intense pain, other than only being automatically overwhelmed by the pain (Zabat-Zinn, pg. 361, 2013).

As life experience accumulates, we are able to better determine what pain in our body is telling us, whether it is a response to physical trauma, disease, illness, and other circumstances such as work and exercise. I think as we age, most people will have quite a buffet of physical pains that will be experienced. I personally have dealt with lower back pain off and on for many years. In spite of my discomfort, I usually would not share this with others around me preferring to keep my ailments and relative issues to myself (aversion). In hindsight, keeping my pain to myself probably manifested into some level of mental stress. I do think though, that whatever emotional pain from physical stressor I may have had, it was possibly cancelled out or minimized from the joy or sense of purpose from being with others at the time. Even though I had back pain, I would still be practicing sports and activities with my two kids. It is quite amazing what we can do and accomplish even with much pain, when we set our priorities and goals beyond ourselves.

Reference:

Kabat-Zinn, Jon. (2013) Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition) (p. 361). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

_______________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health mindfulness osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/2/We-Actually-Need-Some-Stress-in-Our-Lives Sat, 03 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Sculpting Wellness: The Transformative Power of Mindful Physical Activities https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Sculpting-Wellness-The-Transformative-Power-of-Mindful-Physical-Activities I have found the phrase “heal the body with the mind, heal the mind with the body” to be a root concept of learning how to tap into our innate ability to become mindful of our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

I have been on the mind, body, and spiritual path for over 40 years having started with martial arts, qigong, and other Eastern methods when I was 16 years of age. Consequently, I highly recommend any methods that encourage the practitioner to actively engage the physical body with cognitive thought processes simultaneously. These types of activities include martial arts, which may or may not have components of qigong and/or meditation, yoga, Pilates. Other seemingly less-exercise activities of drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, wood-working and other skillful activities require the individual to deliberately think about their exact body positioning. I have found (and personally practiced) all of these methods with either slow or fast breathing patterns that can put the practitioner in a meditative or mindful state of self-awareness.

I have learned that the thought processes that are involved with the holding of physical postures along with regulated and managed breathing, regardless of the prior mentioned methods, engages specific muscle groups while simultaneously engaging the nervous systems. Either the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) is engaged with slow rhythmic breathing or the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) with a more rapid rhythmic breathing cadence. Either of these processes can change the blood chemistry to promote healing on different levels.

I have also learned to practice qigong, tai chi and other martial arts exercises with specific music consisting of bells, chimes, and other percussion instruments with the exact purpose of slowing (or sometimes increasing) the heart and breathing rate in order to enter into a meditative state of being and higher self-awareness. Music is another means to tap into regulation of our nervous systems by way of the auditory and even tactile senses. Think for example the difference of how your body feels when listening to hard rock versus that of calming sounds of rain, waterfalls, birds, the wind, etc.

__________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Sculpting-Wellness-The-Transformative-Power-of-Mindful-Physical-Activities Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Philosophy or Religion? Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism – a brief comparison of the 3 systems https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Philosophy-or-Religion-Buddhism-Taoism-and-Confucianism-a-brief-comparison-of-the-3

There is often debate as to what is a philosophy, versus that which is a religion. I have come to understand that there are fundamental differences between the two, that are rooted in the goals, nature, and methods of each system. Religion seems to focus mostly on spiritual awareness through understanding and moral guidance, whereas philosophy embodies more broad topics such as science, logic, politics, and art. Philosophy looks to find truth in empirical and logical evidence, while religion usually accepts faith as valid evidence. Philosophy can be a broader, and more general field, where religion usually involves specific sets of beliefs and practices within a group. Philosophical aspects often appear within religions and consequently philosophical discussions about religious topics. The relationship between philosophy and religion can be complementary, where each can offer a unique perspective of the human experience. I write about this topic as I have found that individuals who have some type of relationship with either a life philosophy or religion, often have a stronger sense of purpose, meaning and gratitude beyond themselves. This often leads to a healthier and happier life. Also, association with a religion in while aligning with a philosophical system need not be mutually exclusive to one another. In various parts of the world where people are free to worship and live as they may, one can be a Christian, Buddhist and Taoist if they so choose.

Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are three of the most commonly practiced belief systems that are often labeled as philosophies, religions or even sometimes as both. The following is a summary of their origins and tenets:

The 8-spoked wheel is often seen as a symbol for Buddhism.

Buddhism:

Origin:

  • Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE by Buddha (563-483 BCE), also named Siddhartha Gautama, in ancient India which is today Nepal.
  • Siddhartha was a prince who gave up his privileged life in order to better understand the nature of human suffering and to seek enlightenment or nirvana.

Core Tenets:

  • The Four Noble Truths define the nature of suffering and a path to reduce its presence:
    • The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Buddhism acknowledges the existence of suffering and dissatisfaction in life. This suffering can be physical, emotional, or mental.
    • The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samudaya): Buddhism asserts that the root cause of suffering is craving or attachment (tanha) to things that are impermanent. This attachment leads to suffering because everything in the world is subject to change and eventual loss.
    • The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): Buddhism teaches that it is possible to end suffering by letting go of attachment and craving. When one ceases to cling to impermanent things, suffering can be extinguished.
    • The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): Buddhism offers a practical path called the Eightfold Path that leads to the cessation of suffering. This path consists of ethical and mental practices, such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
  • The Eight-fold Path provides a guide towards ethical and mental development needed to achieve enlightenment (Nirvana):
    • Right views
    • Right aspirations
    • Right speech
    • Right conduct
    • Right livelihood
    • Right endeavor
    • Right mindfulness
    • Right meditation

Goal:

  • The ultimate goal in Buddhism is to attain Nirvana, where there is a state of liberation from the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth also known as Samsara.
The taijitsu is often associated with Taoism and its concept of yin & yang.

Taoism:

Origin:

  • Taoism, or sometimes Daoism, thought to have originated from Lao Tzu and his foundational text of the Tao Te Ching (The Way and Its Power), in China in the 6th century BCE.

Core Tenets:

  • Main focus is upon trying to live in accordance to the Tao (the Way), which is thought to be the indefinable, fundamental force that unites all and everything in the universe.
  • Another main principle is that of Wu Wei (effortless action), where one strives to live in harmony within the natural flow of the Tao rather than be subject to it.
  • Ying & yang focuses upon the unity and duality inherent in all seeming opposites, such as: night-day, male-female, good-evil, positive-negative, etc.

Goal:

  • Taoist philosophy strives to have the individual exist in a state of balance and harmony with the Tao, in order to align within the natural order of things, rather than imposing one’s own will upon nature and the universe as a whole.
The Chinese character for water is often associated with Confucianism.

Confucianism:

Origin:

  • Confucianism originated in China and was founded by Confucius (also known as Kong Fuzi) (551-479 BCE).
  • Confucius was primarily concerned with understanding of social order and its issues of ethics, morality, and the proper conduct of people living in society.

Core Tenets:

  • Sacred texts of the Wu Ching (Five Classics) include the I Ching (Book of Changes), the Lun-Yu (The Analects)
  • Emphasis is upon a moral code of:
    • Li: A code of moral/social conduct
    • Jen: Compassion/benevolence towards others
    • Yi: Righteousness
    • Te: Virtue
    • Xiao: Filial piety
  • The importance of social harmony and the cultivation of moral character through education and self-cultivation.
  • Emphasis upon the “Golden Rule” of “do not do unto others what you would not desire yourself.”

Goal:

  • Confucianism focuses upon establishing and maintaining a harmoniously functioning, well-ordered society through the virtuous persons who can fulfill their roles and responsibilities for the greater good of all.

From my research, there is no historical evidence that supports that the founders of Buddhism (Siddhartha Gautama), Taoism (Lao Tzu), and Confucianism (Confucius) had ever met one another, crossed paths or had interactions during their lifetimes. All three of these individuals had lived in different times and places. Based upon the geographical distances as well as cultural differences between them, it is quite unlikely that these founders could have shared any direct experiences or even knowledge of each other’s existence.

These traditions often share some of the same philosophical ideas. Similarities in philosophical topics cultivated by these systems are most likely due to common exploration of universal ethical and existential questions during their times, rather than direct interactions or encounters among the founders. These systems do also have unique differences in their goals, teachings, methods, traditions, and approaches to life.

Comparisons between the three systems:

  • Basic Goals:
    • Buddhism: understanding the self.
    • Taoism: understanding the self in relation to all else.
    • Confucianism: understanding the self and the relationship to society.
  • Geographic Origins:
    • Buddhism: India
    • Taoism: China
    • Confucianism: China
  • Founders:
    • Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
    • Taoism: Often associated with Lao Tzu
    • Confucianism: Confucius
  • Central Concepts:
    • Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, nirvana
    • Taoism: Tao, wu wei, yin & yang
    • Confucianism: Li, Jen, Te, Yi, Xiao
  • Ultimate Goal:
    • Buddhism: Nirvana
    • Taoism: Harmony with the Tao
    • Confucianism: Social harmony through moral character and cultivation
  • Perspective on Life:
    • Buddhism: reduce suffering, detach from desires.
    • Taoism: alignment and harmony with the Tao
    • Confucianism: ethical conduct and social responsibilities

________________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Philosophy-or-Religion-Buddhism-Taoism-and-Confucianism-a-brief-comparison-of-the-3 Sat, 27 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Why do insurance companies cover pharmaceuticals and surgeries, but seldom cover non-invasive n https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Why-do-insurance-companies-cover-pharmaceuticals-and-surgeries-but-seldom-cover-non Oh please, come on now… we all know there is no profit in treating healthy individuals. No business by definition will operate at a loss, let alone a lesser profit when so much money is left sitting on the table. Companies cannot stay in business for too long if they do not continue to grow from existing and new customers. Often people with chronic ailments are customers of drugs for the duration of their life span. US healthcare (truly sick-care) is a profit-driven system where it benefits from people remaining sick enough to require daily meds, but well enough to function in society. This is blatantly obvious where every fall medical experts warn us of the impeding “flu season” and a need to get vaccinated once again. Why not suggest instead or addition to this, that people take better care of themselves, get more sunlight (vitamin D) and exercise more? This is the time of year when temps drop, people bundle-up and cover their exposed skin or stay indoors more and thereby become even more Vitamin D deficient than they are normally anyway. Poor diet choices help fuel this deficiency also. Any qualified medical expert knows this and also know that Vitamin D levels are directly relevant to the immune system’s ability to function properly.

Similarly, look how difficult it is to find insurance policies that cover hearing aids, eyeglasses or dental treatments, as if these are not major health issues that often dictate our everyday tasks and responsibilities. If you need to be able to see better, hear better or eat properly, the former are all basic health requirements. Insurance companies need not cover these because they know most people will spend their own money regardless of if they can afford such luxuries as glasses, hearing aids or healthy teeth and gums.

So, how does this relate to the insurance companies? Insurance coverage decisions are a reflection of the current healthcare system’s business strategy, that is often in a state of constant change and adjustment. In today’s US health climate, there is a strong emphasis on pharmaceutical interventions and surgery in lieu of lifestyle modifications. Insurance coverage decisions regarding treatments with pharmaceuticals and surgeries are influenced by various factors of claimed cost-effectiveness, clinical evidence, medical guidelines, and the choices of pharmacy benefit managers who quite often base decisions upon profit over treatment effectiveness. It is important to note that insurance coverage decisions may not always coincide with individual preferences or beliefs towards certain treatments.

Surgical procedures may be covered if are seen as necessary, while chiropractic or physical therapy coverage varies based on upon perceived effectiveness of the specific condition being treated. I have had firsthand experience with this exact situation on many occasions. Nasacort for allergies is $26-36 or Flonase $14-21 with insurance, both covered but also offered me side-effects of anxiety and jitteriness. Over time, my body became accustomed to these medications and were no longer effective, but the side-effects remained. Insurance doesn’t cover herbs or supplements which I found to be quite effective for managing seasonal allergies. The cost for a microdiscectomy on a herniated disc can range between $20,000 and $50,000 which would be covered, but rest for a few weeks followed by chiropractic treatments at about $100 per session – 5 total, were not. Yoga sessions at $20 a class for about 20 classes, not covered. Both of these methods worked for those that I knew could fare better from options other than surgery. An osteopathic surgeon looked at me and shook his head in bewilderment when I declined to have a covered knee surgery procedure ($5000-$30000) for something I was able to manage through appropriate exercise, free of cost other than time and effort on my part. Some sufferers have no option but to have surgery or use pharmaceuticals, especially if they have suffered some type of traumatic injury.

Most of us know that chiropractic and appropriate exercises such as stretching, yoga and others are viable and effective methods of managing chronic pains. We also mostly know that insurance companies will not be covering these treatments because they generate little or no profit to their bottom lines. We know this but go along with it (cognitive dissonance) because most of us feel that we are helpless (learned helplessness) against a system that favors profits over patients. However, there is hope as we all have the ability to make our own decisions regarding our own health and well-being. I have personally trained and/or helped many of my students over the years to better manage chronic issues with their knees, lower back, neck, shoulders, headaches, allergies, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other ailments, through appropriate exercise and lifestyle modifications. Anecdotal experiences and academic studies abound if one cares to do a bit of research. I encourage all to perform their due diligence when it comes to pursuing and treatment, whether pharmaceuticals, surgery, chiropractic, herbs, physical exercise or any other methods of healthcare/self-care.

Several factors influence insurance companies’ decisions on coverage, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Regulatory approval of pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures – specific medicines and surgeries should go through a rigorous approval process by regulatory agencies, which can hopefully offer credibility to their usage in medical treatment. However, there has been an erosion in public trust towards regulatory agencies in recent years, as it has been proven that many are actually paid to perform research by the same companies that fall under their regulation.
  2. Clinical evidence – pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures often have established clinical evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in treating certain conditions, however as stated previously some research studies are funded by pharmaceutical companies leading to a conflict of interest. Some companies seek out specific academic institutions or scientist that agree with their particular goals (Jureidini, 2022).
  3. Quick fixes or a pill for all our ills – pharmaceuticals and surgeries can often offer relatively quick relief from symptoms, which may be desirable to both patients and healthcare providers. Time-consuming and effort to modify one’s lifestyle can require more time in order to gain significant results.
  4. Patient compliance – a certain percentage of patients might find it difficult or challenging to commit to making and managing lifestyle changes. Consequently, this makes pharmaceuticals and/or surgeries more practical, reliable and seemingly better options for particular patients.

There does seem to be a small but growing acknowledgement of the importance of lifestyle choices and relative modifications, such as managing a more nutritious diet, regular and consistent exercise, and taking some preventative measures towards various health conditions. Particular insurance providers might cover preventive services or programs focused upon encouraging healthier lifestyles. As this field of preventive medicine continues to evolve, there may be some amount of increased emphasis on adding some lifestyle interventions into healthcare coverage. In the meantime, realize that we truly are the architects of our own health, happiness and well-being.

Reference:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypipes/2023/10/16/this-healthcare-reform-could-finally-bring-democrats-and-republicans-together/?sh=2b4ceb5b43cb

Jureidini, J. (2022, March 16). The illusion of evidence based medicine. The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o702

________________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Why-do-insurance-companies-cover-pharmaceuticals-and-surgeries-but-seldom-cover-non Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Overview Effect, a Cosmic Perspective of Just How Minute Humanity is https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/The-Overview-Effect-a-Cosmic-Perspective-of-Just-How-Minute-Humanity-is Author Frank White first introduced the “overview effect” in his 1987 book “The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution”. White had interviews with dozens of astronauts regarding their time in space, finding that many of them had experienced an alteration of their consciousness upon viewing the Earth from such a unique and distant perspective. White explained that the overview effect as being a “state of cognitive dissonance” where astronauts are faced with recognizing the reality of their existence as being a small part of a immense and interconnected universe. This immediate understanding can manifest into various cognitive changes such as:

  • A sense of astonishment, sublime and wonder: Some astronauts have commented about being overwhelmed by seeing the beauty, as well as fragility of the Earth when viewed from outer space.
  • An increased sense of interconnectedness: Some interviewed astronauts have reported experiencing feeling a deeper connection to all life on Earth as they have come to view humanity as but a single species instead of separate races, countries, or groups.
  • A re-calibration of priorities: Those astronauts that have experienced this effect have commented that they often feel a newfound appreciation for the importance of being good stewards of our environment, as well as nations needing to work together for the benefit of the Earth as a whole.

Coincidentally, television space traveler William Shatner of Star Trek fame, did travel in 2021 into space with the invitation from Blue Origin and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. Shatner too did experience this phenomenon of overwhelming emotion and realization that the Earth, as most of us know it, is not all that we think it is, as sometimes being the center of the universe. Instead, Shatner and others have come to truly see the Earth as a small part of the universe.

As space travel and exploration becomes more feasible as a reality for non-traditional astronauts, travel off-planet may be another method to achieve some level of ego death. This paradigm shift could possibly lead to a more caring, peaceful and perhaps sustainable future for all of humanity. Ego death is a realization that someone comes to understand that they are not truly the things that they may identified with. Examples of this would be the brilliant doctor who becomes injured and must surrender their control to another to possibly save their life. In this discussion of the overview effect, an individual who sees the Earth in perspective to the rest of the universe, might experience their own ego death as they become humbled by seeing the brilliance of the universe.

To think that this on Earth is all that there is, I find to be quite narrow-minded as well as narcissistic. While standing on the Earth and gazing up at the night sky with no surrounding light pollution, have you never felt a similar type of overview effect upon seeing literally an infinite number of stars?

References:

The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, 3rd Edition. (2014, December). ProtoView. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A392254156/AONE?u=vol_vsc&sid=ebsco&xid=acfa7be9

Koren, M. (2023). Seeing Earth from Space Will Change You. Atlantic Monthly331(1), 22–25.

Meijer, Dirk. (2014). The Universe as a Cyclic Organized Information System: John Wheeler’s World Revisited. NeuroQuantology. 13. 10.14704/nq.2015.13.1.798.

_____________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/The-Overview-Effect-a-Cosmic-Perspective-of-Just-How-Minute-Humanity-is Sat, 20 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Post-traumatic Growth (PTG), General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), and Learned Helplessness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Post-traumatic-Growth-PTG-General-Adaptation-Syndrome-GAS-and-Learned-Helplessness Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the term for what happens when someone who struggles psychologically from past trauma and adversity or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), comes to experience positive, and maybe even transformative changes in their mindset and behavior. Over time, a survivor’s focus shifts away from their trauma, moving toward a new purposeful narrative that may include possibilities for a better future. A key factor for PTG is the ability for the sufferer to create an emotional distance from the traumatic event and realize that it doesn’t define who they are.

Potential benefits may include:


(1) A sprouting of personal strength
(2) An ability to relate to others more deeply
(3) An openness to new possibilities and maybe even greater opportunities
(4) A greater appreciation of life
(5) Spiritual and existential change


It is important to note that not everyone who experiences PTSD can or will also experience post-traumatic growth. Those who respond to trauma by assuming control, manage much better.

Contrasting PTG is that of “learned helplessness” where a person acquires an altered state of being, that can occur after a person has experienced a stressful situation once or repeatedly. The individual comes to believe that they are unable to control or change their negative situation or future circumstances. Eventually, the person stops trying to change their conditions, even when opportunities for positive change become available. This thought process puts extra wear and tear on the nervous system, as the HPA-axis is constantly engaged in order to cope with and manage the inner stresses on the psyche. This can further lead to the general adaption syndrome (GAS) were the body sees the continued heightened level of stress as the new norm, and consequently psychophysiological mechanisms become affected. 

After reading The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, I have a better idea of how mental wounds can heal or stay fresh, active and continue to live on in a sufferer’s mind. Over my past years as a martial artist, tai chi and yoga teacher, almost all of my teachers (masters in their respective fields of expertise) spoke of how the mind protects the body, as conversely and more often synergistically, the body protects the mind. The mechanisms that control our physiology that are affected and managed by are nervous system, embody this exact relationship between our mind and body. What really embraced my attention was the concept that if our being is not able to react and take some level of control over a traumatic situation, we may well be caught in a never-ending loop of reliving the original trauma, often leading to the learned helplessness that I spoke of earlier. Our nervous system, along with our mind, body and spirit will continue to perceive the original trauma as present threat until reprogrammed to be otherwise.

I was taught and encouraged to teach others also, that in a self-defense or other traumatic situation, a victim will almost always fair better emotionally and mentally if they try to defend themselves against a would-be attacker. In spite of the obvious potential for becoming injured, killed or otherwise, a victim at a particular time or place, need not accept that they will forever be a victim. I know this to be true from the hundreds of students that made their way to our schools and pursued self-defense instruction and classes, often after already having experienced some type of personal abuse, crime, or assault. However, at the time of my interaction with such individuals I was not following any scientific data nor studies, but rather my firsthand observations and conversations I had with many of my students. More recent research on my part, has led me to various studies of how yoga has been studied and implemented in the treatments of symptoms from traumatic events, such as fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Macy et al., 2015). Additionally, other research has been studied regarding specifically how self-defense training can be used as an intervention as a psychotherapeutic treatment for traumatic events (Rosenblum & Taska, 2014). Yoga, qigong, tai chi, martial arts and other mind-body practices have proven the test of time for hundreds if not thousands of years within other cultures. Hopefully, are scientific and medical communities will continue to pursue their due diligence to confirm how beneficial these methods can be for those in need within our fast-paced and often stressful lifestyles.

References:

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

Macy, R. J., Jones, E., Graham, L. M., & Roach, L. (2015, December 9). Yoga for Trauma and Related Mental Health Problems: A Meta-Review With Clinical and Service Recommendations. Trauma, Violence, &Amp; Abuse, 19(1), 35–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015620834

Rosenblum, G. D., & Taska, L. S. (2014, March). Self-Defense Training as Clinical Intervention for Survivors of Trauma. Violence Against Women, 20(3), 293–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801214526048

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Post-traumatic-Growth-PTG-General-Adaptation-Syndrome-GAS-and-Learned-Helplessness Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Holistic Health Illustrated Study Booklets https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Holistic-Health-Illustrated-Study-Booklets Remember the Indiana Jones movies, where Indy (Harrison Ford) found his father’s diary, which had very important sketches, notes, and other clues to aid his search for the Holy Grail? Well, I have been searching for over 40 years for the “Holy Grail” of health, wellness, fitness and self-awareness. I have been producing graphic posters and graphic study booklets to depict what I believe to be the key components of better health, fitness, well-being and relative happiness. My publications consist mostly of pages showing color graphics of concepts for better health and wellness. I draw my illustrations from my knowledge of allopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qigong, martial arts, yoga and philosophy on these topics. There are depictions of theories on the human life cycle, psychology relative to components of fitness and many other subjects pertaining to mental and physical well-being. Most of my booklets contain many exercise sets for rehabilitating injuries and illness, as well as others to promote longevity and a better quality of life.


These booklets are the summation of over 40 years of my training, education, teaching and public speaking of holistic health, qigong, fitness, wellness, TCM, martial arts and other facets of self-improvement. Similar to popular study guides such as Quick Study or PermaCharts, these graphic and text guides cut to the chase in order to minimize precious time spent muddling through extensive textbooks seeking understanding of specific concepts. Each guide is packed with the root knowledge regarding specific topics. This format is highly beneficial for the novice as well as experts in the fields of health, wellness and self-improvement.

Books published and available:

Here are links for a low-res thumbnail-look inside of:

Book 1 – Alternative Exercises:
https://…/book-1-alternative-exercises-multiple-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 2 – Core Training:
https://…/book-2-core-training-multiple-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 3 – Strength Training:
https://…/book-3-strength-training-mulitple-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 4 – Combo of 1-3:
https://…/book-4-combo-book-1-3-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 5 – Energizing Your Inner Strength
https://…/book-5-energizing-your-inner-strength-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 6 – Methods to Achieve Better Wellness:
https://…/book-6-methods-to-achieve-better-wellness-thumbnail-view.pdf
Book 7 – Coaching & Instructor Training Guide

Book 8 – The 5 Elements & the Cycles of Change
https://…/book-17-the-5-elements—the-cycles-of-change-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 9 – Opening the 9 Gates & Filling 8 Vessels-Intro Set 1:
https://…/book7-intro-set-opening-the-9-gates—filling-8-vessels-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 10 – Opening the 9 Gates & Filling 8 Vessels-sets 1 to 8:
https://…/book8-the-8-vessels-9sets-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 11 – Meridians, Reflexology & Acupressure:
https://…/book-9-acupressure-techniques-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 12 – Herbal Extracts, Dit Da Jow & Iron Palm Liniments:
https://…/book-10-herbal-extracts-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 13 – Deep Breathing Benefits for the Blood, Oxygen & Qi:
https://…/book-11-deep-breathing-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 14 – Reflexology for Stroke Side Effects:
https://…/book-12-exercises-for-stroke-side-effects-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 15 – Iron Body & Iron Palm
https://…/book-15-iron-palm—iron-body–thumbnail-preview-.pdf

Book 17 – Fascial Train Stretches & Chronic Pain Management
https://…/book18-fascial-trains-pain-managment-thumnail-view.pdf

Book 18 – BaguaZhang
https://…/book-18-baguazhang-fundamentals–thumnail-preview-.pdf

Book 19 – Tai Chi Fundamentals
https://…/book-19-tai-chi–thumbnail-view-.pdf

Book 20 – Qigong (breath-work)
https://…/book-20-qigong–breath-work—thumbnail-view-.pdf

Book 21 – Wind & Water Make Fire
https://…/book-21-wind—water–thumbnail-view-.pdf

Book 22 – Back Pain Management
https://…/book19-back-pain-managment-thumbnail-view.pdf

Book 23 – Journey Around the Sun-2nd Edition:
https://…/journey-around-the-sun-intro-pages-9-18.pdf

Book 24 – Graphic Reference Book:
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/2023/06/14/book-24-health-wellness-graphic-reference-book/

Book 26 – Whole Health Wisdom: Navigating Holistic Wellness: 
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/2023/12/06/whole-health-wisdom-navigating-holistic-wellness-my-new-book/

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Most of my publications are available through Amazon at:

www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Study booklets, graphic charts & herbal extracts can also be purchased at:

Study Booklets, Charts & Herbal Extracts

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, mindfulness0based stress reduction (MBSR), qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ptsd qigong self care stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Holistic-Health-Illustrated-Study-Booklets Sat, 13 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
The Teacher/Student Relationship https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/The-Teacher/Student-Relationship Seek the right teacher for you, because in time a student (you) can become similar to your teacher, sometimes absorbing good and bad traits alike.

“Learn to earn”
One must learn something and understand it effectively before teaching it to another. It is usually quite difficult to teach another what you yourself are not proficient with. Learn to understand – earn to have purpose and meaning. Jack of all trades, master of none – think about it, do you know something well enough to help another rather that hurting them with what you do or do not know? Not everyone who carries the title of teacher, is indeed a good teacher.

Teaching visually as well as audibly.

The Teacher/student relationship
In the teaching and learning environment, there has to be an even exchange of energy. The teacher shares their knowledge while the student listens, watches, absorbs and hopefully learns and applies. Gratitude is a reciprocating relationship between student and teacher, because if there is no teacher, there is no student. If there is no student, there is no teacher. Yin and yang in all things. Teachers too, benefit from this relationship. Teachers, first responders, armed forces members, public service workers and others don’t help others just for others to benefit. These types of individuals often find purpose and meaning through their service to others. At the very root of these endeavors is indeed a self-serving motivation that needs to be kept in check. Helping and teaching others to have purpose is one thing; indulging a god complex is another. A god complex is when an individual truly believes they have a greater power, influence, ability, etc., and see themselves as superior to others. A god complex behavior is often associated with having a narcissistic personality disorder. We all have much to offer and learn from one another, regardless of fame, wealth or social status.

A wise and experienced teacher realizes that not everyone learns the same way and adjusts accordingly. Some teachers are better at this than others as not all teachers are the same. Various students are better at grasping concepts through graphic or visual presentations, while others gravitate towards the sounds of words. Some may visualize the words in their mind’s eye. While still others learn best through touch and movement, where they need to be physically engaged in order to mentally comprehend concepts.

Teaching verbally, visually and tactilely.

Embrace the “beginner’s mind.”

Students and teachers alike can benefit from understanding that they cannot fill a full cup, without first emptying what they already have. Once a student’s ego lets go of what one thinks they already know, they can then be open to learn something new or see something from a different perspective. Teachers can often learn much from their students if they are open to it and not let their own ego get in the way of their own learning from a student.

Learn so that you can earn a living and hopefully a purpose!

Learning ability/environment later in life

It is never too late to learn something new. Those who were once a teacher, can be a student once again. We are only limited by our own boundaries. However, learning ability does change as we move through the various phases of life. Short term memory becomes just that, shorter. We may remember complex details from our youth but fail to remember someone’s name that we were just introduced to seconds prior. Memory is indeed a muscle that needs to be exercised continuously in order to keep it working effectively. Sitting in a classroom or behind a computer screen can have a toll on the physical body, so plan accordingly and find the format that works best for your circumstances.


Fees for instruction

Fees and/or tuition are almost always necessary, in order for the teacher/student relationship to flourish. Time, effort and monetary compensation are all forms or conduits of energy. Sometimes labor (physical as well as mental) in return for knowledge is a viable commodity and can offer many opportunities for personal growth. No fee, cost or sacrifice on some level = NO VALUE. No skin in the game most often leads to no commitment or investment of one’s time and effort. Give a young adult an automobile and often they don’t care about maintenance, dings or scratches. The spoiled or entitled individual sooner or later learns a whole different set of life lessons. The person that saves and buys their own vehicle, often takes more pride and care of their assets, as they realize and value the time, effort and sacrifice that they put on the line for their own personal gain. Most people know this in spite of looking for the best deal or “free any things”. We usually pay for what we get, good or bad quality. Teachers need to earn living and be rightfully compensated for their time, effort and sharing of their earned knowledge.

___________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/The-Teacher/Student-Relationship Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Fracture Cascade – a domino effect of ailments https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Fracture-Cascade-a-domino-effect-of-ailments

A “fracture cascade” refers to bones and ailments such as osteoporosis, where a person experiences multiple fractures in a sequence, often initiated by a single initial fracture. Falling is a major reason leading to such circumstances. When bones weaken due to poor nutrition, inactivity and age, osteopenia and osteoporosis can grow into serious medical conditions. Herein bones become less dense and more porous, which can make bones more prone to fractures. This “fracture cascade” highlights the possibility of a domino effect that can manifest in individuals with osteoporosis. Falling and landing on one’s hand, can cause fractures to the fingers, wrist, bones in the forearm (ulna and radius) and the bones that comprise the shoulder joint. Additionally, when someone falls, they may injure their knees, hip joints (head of the femur) as well as injuries to the spinal vertebrae. Having a physical exercise plan that not only increases bone strength, but helps to improve balance, and flexibility as well as strength of the muscles. Grip strength becomes more important as we age and sometimes need to grab on to solid structures to avoid falling. Weight training, yoga, tai chi and Pilates are all appropriate methods to achieve these goals.

Practicing exercises that challenge one’s balance is a key component to prevent falling, while increasing leg strength and flexibility to navigate falls.
These images show the various hand and wrist positioning that are common when people accidentally fall onto, while trying to mitigate falls.

A fracture cascade might occur from the following circumstances:

  1. Initial fracture – A person with osteoporosis experiences an initial fracture, often as a result of some level of impact, stress or trauma on particular weakened bone(s).
  2. Modified or influenced body mechanics – After the first fracture, body mechanics during physical movement may be influenced reducing mobility, pain and changes in gait.
  3. Increased risk of falling – Modified mechanics and reduced mobility leads to an increased risk of losing sense of balance, which is often elevated in individuals with osteoporosis.
  4. Future fractures – Minor physical trauma, stumbles or minor to major falls can lead to a ripple (cascade) effect of additional fractures in other bones throughout the body.
  5. Compromised Functionality: With each additional fracture, an individual’s freedom to move and function unimpaired can be at further jeopardy, making them even more prone to future falls and fractures.

This cycle of decline can contribute to compromised overall health and thereby quality of life for those with osteoporosis. Management strategies for osteoporosis should involve prevention through lifestyle modifications, dietary awareness (rich in calcium and vitamin D), weight-bearing exercises and activities. If necessary, there are pharmaceuticals intended to improve bone density and reduce fracture risk. However, almost all medications have side-effect that needed to be weighed against their benefits. It is highly important that individuals at risk with osteopenia/osteoporosis seek healthcare professionals as well as fitness and wellness advocates to pursue a comprehensive plan for bone health.

This graphic details various exercises to help increase strength, flexibility, and dexterity of the wrists, hands and fingers. One can practice these exercises as a form of preventive maintenance.

______________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Fracture-Cascade-a-domino-effect-of-ailments Sat, 06 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Walking Aids in Venous Return – or walk more, your life might depend upon it! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Walking-Aids-in-Venous-Return-or-walk-more-your-life-might-depend-upon-it Walking and other weight-bearing activities that engage the muscles in the feet, calves and thighs illicit a pumping effect that aids in moving blood back to the heart. Rhythmic patterns of relaxation and contraction of these muscles, in addition to the movement of the ankle and toe joints, help to increase venous return and help to prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities. Lack of physical movement such as walking and an increase in sitting within our modern American sedentary lifestyle, are major factors that are contributing to the drastic decline in physical and mental wellness of our population within the last decades. More sitting for hours on end at work, behind computer screens, playing video games and engagement with social media are the norm now. In past years physical activity was more prevalent whether from occupations, recreation, social interactions and other reasons. A return to a more active lifestyle is what is necessary to get our nation back on a track of better health and wellness, in lieu of harsh pharmaceuticals for all that ails us, and pursuing living a life without consequences. We are the architects of our own well-being and relative health and happiness.

The venous plantar plexus of the foot, the venous pump of the calf and the thigh muscle pump all work together as part of the venous return mechanism, which sends blood back to the heart. The venous pump of the calf, also referred to as the calf muscle pump, is a very important component of this whole mechanism involving the relaxation and contraction of calf and foot muscles during specific activities such as walking, climbing, exercising and others. The primary muscles of the calf muscle pump are the gastrocnemius and soleus. This engagement of the calf muscles compresses the veins and pushing blood upwards against gravity. The venous plantar plexus is a bundle of veins found in the sole of the foot, having a primary function of collecting de-oxygenated blood from tissues within the foot and moving it back upwards towards the heart. Other muscles in the foot, such as the flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, and lumbrical muscles, influence toe flexion and extension and consequently help with increasing blood circulation. Both of these mechanisms within the calves and feet contribute to providing efficient blood circulation back up to the heart, as well as preventing blood pooling (edema) in the lower extremities.

I have been practicing for over 40 years a type of moving meditation called BaguaZhang or 8-trigram palm, which is a walking meditation with various feet, hands, arms, and body positioning. When practiced with rapid (or sometimes slow) breathing and circular walking or stepping patterns, a great amount of qi (the Chinese word for life force) or prana (in Ayurveda), is accumulated within the body for martial, fitness or wellness applications. Conversely, the same methods can be practiced with a slower respiration rate of 6-10 BPM or even slower for more health and spiritual focused practices. I have received many benefits from these practices on mental, physical, and spiritual levels. Mentally, I feel more aware, alert, and calm throughout my day after a 20-minute session of practice. Physically, my whole body is stronger as the exercises engage many more muscle groups than conventional exercise. Spiritually, I am much more self-aware, as well as feeling more connected to nature and the energy or universal consciousness that we have access to. In today’s current norm of many coping with stress, anxiety, depression and many other psychological and physical issues, many types of exercise can be a much-needed option in lieu of pharmaceuticals or other invasive treatments. Basic walking is a great means of maintaining wellness, while advanced methods of walking such as BaguaZhang can offer benefits on many levels beyond locomotion. Studies on BaguaZhang have shown that these types of exercises were able to significantly affect the delicate balance of autonomic control, by way of increasing parasympathetic regulation while decreasing sympathetic nerve activity. Also reported were decreased were levels in serum glucose, cholesterol, body mass index and systolic blood pressure. Lastly, innate and adaptive immunity improved, as well as increased in physical fitness and physical strength for those who participated in a 10-week study (Tai, Chou, Tzeng, Wei, Su, Liu, & Kung, 2018).

References:

Parts of the figure were drawn by using pictures from Servier Medical Art. Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

Tai, H.-C., Chou, Y.-S., Tzeng, I.-S., Wei, C.-Y., Su, C.-H., Liu, W.-C., & Kung, W.-M. (2018). Effect of Tai Chi Synergy T1 Exercise on Autonomic Function, Metabolism, and Physical Fitness of Healthy Individuals. Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (ECAM), 2018, 1–7. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1155/2018/6351938

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Walking-Aids-in-Venous-Return-or-walk-more-your-life-might-depend-upon-it Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Seek Out the “Wounded Healers” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Seek-Out-the-Wounded-Healers Would you seek dental help from a dentist with rotten teeth?

Ask for relationship advice from someone that has a record of domestic abuse?

Take your car to a mechanic whose own automobile is always broken down?

Then why would you seek advice on health and well-being from someone who themselves is not healthy and well?


I have previously come across the concept of the “wounded healer.” There is no shortage of books and articles on this topic, where people that have first-hand experience with surviving trauma are often the best empaths for a particular issue. Psychologist Carl Jung may have been the first to use this term back in 1951, where he proposed that disease of the soul could be the most advantageous type of training for a healer. Jung was thought to believe that only a wounded physician could heal effectively. An empath that truly understands another’s circumstances may be of great benefit and perhaps provide a guiding path to post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is the term for what happens when someone who struggles psychologically from trauma and adversity, comes to experience positive, transformative changes in their mindset and behavior. “Finding the silver lining in all things, good or bad,” is a quote many of us are quite familiar with.

How can something “good” come from things that are seemingly “bad?” While I don’t think anyone truly looks forward to any personal loss and/or suffering on any level, there are sometimes good aspects that can come out of even the worst of circumstances. Losses or misfortunes can offer the possibility of life-enhancing “post-traumatic growth” as someone weaves the lessons of loss and resilience into their life moving forward. Personal growth following major experiences of loss is common (Hall, 2014). From my experiences in teaching fitness, wellness, and mindfulness, I have found most people do not have a deeper connection to their own health, well-being, or consciousness until some event of trauma as a life-threatening or life-changing situation enters into their life. Loss of life of a family member or close friend can be the spark that causes another to change their behaviors. Someone passing of a heart attack at an early age, might motivate others to watch their own health closer. Mental or physical trauma can sometimes lead to what some call “knowing one’s true self”, self-realization or enlightenment. Taoism and Buddhism has taught me decades ago, that trauma can be means to knowing one’s true self. Trauma can be very intense and life-changing experiences that an individual may become so affected, that they may appear to others to have evolved overnight into a different person. Many of us have encountered someone who while in dire straits, promises to change their ways if their circumstances where to play out in their favor. Changes of this sort can be viewed as positive or negative, as all things are relative. Change through motivation, stemming from trauma.

View public domain image source here

I have discussed alcoholism in some of my past posts here, as it is a topic that I am quite familiar with. We can see the wounded healer here, where survivors of alcoholism or those who have experienced alcohol abuse-related relationships often have firsthand experience with coping with alcohol related issues. Similarly, survivors of abusive relationships and varying levels of trauma have been wounded themselves but can also help others to heal by extending empathy and, if sought, advice. This same concept may hold validity for survivors of law enforcement related events, survivors of war trauma as soldiers and/or civilians, healthcare workers, firefighters and many others involved in service to others. However, in order to serve effectively as a wounded healer, this individual needs to be able to manage their own stress, suffering and other mental and physical ailments before extending their advice to others that are suffering. Otherwise, this individual, while having good intentions, may actually come off as being less understanding, less empathetical and perhaps hypocritical, and therefore causing more harm to a sufferer.

(1) Survivors of alcoholism or those who have experienced alcohol abuse-related relationships

(2) Survivors of abusive relationships on all levels of trauma

(3) Survivors of violence and/or law enforcement related events

(4) Survivors of war trauma as soldiers and/or civilians

(5) Survivors from cults and other particular groups

(6) Survivors of physical accidents or catastrophe

References:

Daneault S. The wounded healer: can this idea be of use to family physicians? Can Fam Physician. 2008 Sep;54(9):1218-9, 1223-5. PMID: 18791082; PMCID: PMC2553448.

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1200463

Hall, C. (2014). Bereavement theory: recent developments in our understanding of grief and bereavement. Bereavement Care, 33(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/02682621.2014.902610

__________________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic health human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2024/1/Seek-Out-the-Wounded-Healers Mon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT
Rough Initiations – Rites of Passage https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Rough-Initiations-Rites-of-Passage Rough initiations is another term for rites of passage, which can be ceremonial events that mark important transitions in an individual’s life. A rough initiation refers to the challenging aspects of an initiation process or symbolic ritual. These events often involve the change of one’s social status, roles, or responsibilities within a family, group or community. Initiations are a common element within rites of passage, taking various forms or presentations. Challenges may involve physical and/or psychological challenges of endurance, meant to push an individual to achieve their full potential, capacity or limits. By overcoming these challenges, the individual can demonstrate their willingness and qualifications to accept new roles or responsibilities within a particular group or community. Rough initiations are integral to various cultures and traditions around the world, where they are often designed specifically to assess an individual’s strength, fortitude, courage, resilience, and loyalty to a group or community. Details and particulars for rough initiations vary widely, but most have the underlying purpose of facilitating personal growth, strengthening of social bonds, and promoting a sense of identity and worth within the group.

I don’t think that our current American culture offers much in the way of positive reinforcement of any real “coming of age” initiations or rites of passage. Common American initiations over the years have typically been the introductions of smoking cigarettes, drinking of alcohol, driving our first automobile, graduation from high school, and religious ceremonies of confirmation, bar/bat mitzvahs and other initiations that usher the individual into adulthood. Some of these previous examples other than the religious ones, can on some level be loosely interpreted as Francis Weller defined initiation, as “a contained encounter with death.” Upon further reading of Francis Weller’s Rough Initiations, what first started to catch my attention is that not everyone experiences things quite the same way. For what may be traumatic for one individual might be trivial or an inconvenience for another. My understanding of trauma beyond the actual definition of events that our done to someone mentally and physically that manifest suffering to the individual, is that trauma most often comes at us unwelcomed, unannounced and usually free of a monetary charge. Initiations (rough or otherwise) on the other hand, are often welcomed, announced well ahead of time, seen as acceptance into adulthood, and for some there may be a monetary reward or financial fee in order for the initiation to be held. Trauma is firsthand experiences or witnessing of physical injury/violence, abusive/toxic environments, death of a loved one, etc. Modern day rough initiations might be seen in religious ceremonies, the first hunt/fishing, cold/hot plunge, an intense mountain hike, college all-nighter, fasting, isolation, sleep deprivation and other tests that may challenge someone to perform at higher levels of physical activity and mental discipline. Basically, trauma comes to us, whereas we may pursue rough initiations, or so I have come to understand. We are all quite literally wired differently in regard to our own physiological nervous system, that often helps us to interpret stimuli as either positive or negative to mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. I do think that other cultures, may still hold their initiations of upmost importance, as I have come to learn more about that of indigenous peoples throughout the world.

This is not a new concept as we can see examples from ancient times, where groups such as the Spartans, Romans, Vikings, Samurai, Mongols, the Knights Templar, Benedictines, Franciscans, Native Indigenous people worldwide, secret societies, and perhaps many others have had their own particular initiations and rites of passage. In more modern times, rough initiations can still be found in various presentations, although they may not be as common or standardized as some traditional cultural practices. Here are some examples:

  1. Cultural or Social Initiations: Cultures, subcultures or social groups can have initiation rituals that require symbolic actions or engaging in challenging tasks that can range from endurance challenges to symbolic acts designed to demonstrate loyalty to the values of a group.
  2. Fraternity/Sorority Hazing: Many organizations discourage, restrict and even ban hazing, however some fraternities and sororities still include initiation rituals that can be physically or emotionally challenging.
  3. Sports Initiations: College and professional sports may have initiation rituals that involve rookies undergoing tasks or challenges, or participation in team-building events in order to demonstrate their commitment or loyalty to their team.
  4. Military Training: Military basic training involves physically and mentally challenging tasks needed to prepare recruits for the demanding risks they may encounter in their roles as soldiers. Initiation activities may include intense physical fitness routines, such as “hell week,” and other psychological stress events that help to build discipline, resilience and camaraderie.
  5. Specialized Training Programs: Elite military units, law enforcement agencies, first responder emergency teams and others may require their members to participate in stressful training which may be considered as extremely rough initiations, to ensure they are prepared for life and death situations.

Authors in the book and movie industry have played an enormous role in promoting this whole concept of rough initiations as can be seen in a seemingly endless stream of titles such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Narnia, The Matrix and many, many others. Challenging initiations can help to cultivate a sense of belonging, camaraderie and commitment, however there is a nuanced relationship between beneficial rites of passage and detrimental hazing practices. Many organizations now deliberately discourage or restrict activities that can potentially put individuals at physical or mental risk, compromising their overall well-being. Most would agree that responsible and respectable initiation processes should focus on the individual’s personal growth, social connections, and instilling a positive sense of belonging.

Iron Palm training (strategic trauma or rough initiations)

Reading Rough Initiations brought some memories back from my first years in my martial arts (cult)ure and having experienced many initiations. I refer to it as such because at this time of the early 1980’s, American and Eastern cultures from China and Korea did not exactly assimilate well with each other in the conservative Midwest. One person’s culture can very well be seen as another’s cult. This can be quite apparent as seen today regarding one’s religious, philosophical, and sometimes political beliefs. Even facets in pop culture, social issues and sports can reflect this divide between perspectives of what trends seem to have their own culture. With the former being said, the martial arts community of years past was often viewed as having its own unique culture as demonstrated in its traditions, rituals, and ceremonies. My lineage did indeed focus beyond the basic goal of self-defense, due to the deep Taoist and Buddhist roots of my teachers. I was not quite aware of this before my first introductions, but I would soon learn that most martial arts systems are indeed rooted in having a series of initiations or tests, designed to bring an individual at least from being physically and mentally weak to that of enhanced physical and mental strength, and for those interested in cultivating higher spiritual awareness. I too have sought out rough initiations or “voluntary suffering” in what I would later learn to be called strategic trauma. Intense exercise, meditation, fasting, sensory deprivation, isolation and other methods of self-cultivation can be considered types of self-induced strategic trauma. “Iron palm” training is one such method of self-induced trauma that I did willfully partake in. Mental, physical and self-awareness benefits can be achieved from skillfully hitting bags of dried beans, and then applying medicinal herbs and acupressure techniques thereafter to promote healing. I think when others recognize an individual for having accepted these challenges either on their own volition or with the guidance, encouragement, and assistance from others, these events are now transformed into initiations. We as a group, consisting of my teachers, peers, and later my students under my guidance, did heavily invest in Weller’s five variables of initiations that are the same used to heal individual trauma. These variables are community, ritual, the sacred, time and place. These components can help stabilize and anchor our inner dialogue, when either coping with traumatic life-changing events or self-cultivation.

Iron Palm – Jing Well Acupressure lecture

References:

Writings. (n.d.). Francis Weller. https://www.francisweller.net/writings.html

Hewitt, D. (2021, November 27). 18 Memorable Coming of Age Rituals from History. History Collection. https://historycollection.com/18-memorable-coming-of-age-rituals-from-history/

__________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior initiations iron palm martial arts center for health meaning and purpose osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong rites of passage stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Rough-Initiations-Rites-of-Passage Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
The 12 Steps of the Hero’s Journey – Why is this relative to us? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/The-12-Steps-of-the-Hero-s-Journey-Why-is-this-relative-to-us The concept of the “Hero’s Journey” comes from Joseph Campbell who was a writer, mythologist, and lecturer. Campbell introduced this idea in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” which was published in 1949. The theme underlying in the Hero’s Journey is that many myths, stories and legends, from differing cultures throughout the world and throughout history follow a similar pattern or structure. Psychologist Carl Jung referred to this innate relationship as the collective unconscious. The Hero’s Journey consists of roughly 12 distinct stages for a “chosen one” to navigate. Specific details may vary from culture to culture, but the overall structure remains fairly consistent. Examples would be that of Gilgamesh (Sumerian/Babylonian Mythology), King Arthur (Arthurian Legends), The Odyssey and Jason and the Argonauts (Greek Mythology), The Ramayana (Hindu Mythology), Sun Wukong (Journey to the West – Chinese Mythology), Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld (Sumerian Mythology), and Siegfried, the dragon slayer (Germanic mythology).

This structure of storytelling has also been popularized by modern authors of books and movies such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and maybe most widely known of “Star Wars“. George Lucas of Star Wars was inspired by Campbell’s writings, but the two did not meet until well after Lucas had already produced his famous movies. I think that if we look carefully and reflect inward, we may be able to also see the pattern of the hero’s journey in each of our own lives. Why is this important? Because seeing our lives from this perspective can help to add clarity and focus to the unique meaning and purpose that we all possess but are not always aware of.

I find Sam Keen and Anne Valley Fox’s Your Mythic Journey published in 1973, to be quite relevant to current cultural and societal issues. Specifically, that of myths being defined as lies or something opposite of being factual. I too used to think of myths as lies or mere stories to entertain us, until becoming educated otherwise to this stigma. Keen elaborates that myths are a strict set of interconnected stories, customs, rituals, and rites, that serve to inform us while providing a sense of meaning, purpose, and direction to an individual, a family, a community, or culture. Keen expresses that telling of myths, ancient as well as modern have fallen to the wayside due to advances in technologies and the evolution of cultures and societies. When particular things can be seen as “good,” there is always the other opposite or contrasting perspective of there existing some amount of “bad.” While technology might be a factor in people choosing to not write their stories down as much as in years ago or choose to commit them to memory, because they know that they can always just go look them up on the internet. The other side of this coin is that modern technology has opened up the ability for more people to access other nations’ information bases and various cultures’ stories, myths, and knowledge, literally from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. In years past if someone cared to pursue learning about a particular culture, they might very well be best informed if they were to travel across the oceans to find a source that was willing to share. Today we just pick up our smartphone to travel in our thoughts to the other side of the world.

I have been immersed in a Taoist lifestyle for over 40 years, both from my martial arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) background and study of this philosophy. With this in mind, I am drawn to see the yin and yang or the balance and contrast, in all things. This concept of yin and yang dates back thousands of years where Taoism has its origins around 500 BCE. Perhaps Taoism came about from the passing of myths to one another, or some myths may have come about from those having studied Taoism. Or maybe both are true, a debate for another discussion. Keen’s words have yin and yang written deep throughout them, as he hints that the contrast between heroes and enemies, is what gives meaning to either side.

Keen later goes on to speak of the inner voices of our ancestors and those around us, that often run through our minds. I have come to know this as our inner dialogue, and when not in check, referred to as the “monkey mind” that is constantly and incessantly jumping from one thought or story to another. Organizing our stories and our myths in our own mind is the challenge. These stories can offer us purpose and meaning to each of us in our own individual and unique ways in spite of standing on the shoulders of those who came before us with their stories and myths. Current popular culture in the US seems somewhat focused upon people needing to come to some realization of “their truth” as opposed to what Keen speaks of as “their story.” Can various different people having the same experience have different truths? I think not, but they can definitely have different stories of their own unique experience. An underlying theme that Keen speaks of is the need for someone to stand in the shoes of another, if they are to truly understand another’s story, whether in their myths, culture, traditions, symbols, etc.

I find Keen’s comments about how few people really know the depth of their own thoughts and imaginations quite accurate. I see more people concerned with what is going on within the virtual computer-generated and online social worlds outside of themselves, rather than understanding what is happening within their own minds. Some people can claim to know about driving a race car in virtual reality when they actually only know how to drive a standard vehicle in the physical world. Learning to understand and differentiate our public and private selves or “discovering our many selves” as Keen states, is a bit of foreshadowing of what I read later as some strong Carl Jung influences of personas, and archetypes as well as Sigmund Freud’s concepts of the id and ego.

The 12 steps of the hero’s journey:

  1. The Ordinary World
    The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.
  2. The call to adventure
    Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
  3. Refusal of the call
    The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
  4. Meeting with the mentor
    The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.
  5. Crossing the threshold
    At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
  6. Tests, allies, and enemies
    The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
  7. Approach
    The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
  8. The ordeal
    Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
  9. The reward
    The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
  10. The road back
    About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
  11. The resurrection
    At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
  12. Return with the elixir
    The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.

I feel that we are all pursuing a hero’s journey on some level as we all manage and cope with our daily trials and tribulations. However, it is up to the individual to reach some inner clarity and cultivation of character to better understand how this concept applies to their story.

References:

Campbell, J. (1949). The hero with a thousand faces. Pantheon Books.

Keen, S. (1989). Your Mythic Journey: Finding Meaning in Your Life Through Writing and Storytelling. TarcherPerigee.

____________________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/The-12-Steps-of-the-Hero-s-Journey-Why-is-this-relative-to-us Wed, 27 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Purpose and Meaning – From Chaos to Calling, Discovering Your Reason for Being https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Purpose-and-Meaning-From-Chaos-to-Calling-Discovering-Your-Reason-for-Being

Ikigai is the Japanese term for striving to achieve a balance of differing concepts of purpose, meaning, self-awareness and self-realization (I will use the acronym of PMSS), while also being able to earn a living from occupations that are rooted in these concepts. Other names for this concept may be finding one’s bliss, calling or inner genius. These four concepts of PMSS are similar, albeit different in their definitions. When we have these components within are psyche, we have a reason to be, a reason to get up out of bed each day, a direction that we can see will benefit our lives and those around us. Without these components, we see chaos, confusion, pain and suffering. Some do know and realize their purpose early in life, although most do not. Many Americans seem to have lost their sense of purpose and meaning. Some may never have known their purpose in the first place, let alone later in their lives. We often see retirees having a loss of purpose once they step away from careers that mostly defined who they were in the workplace, at their homes and within the family hierarchy. Some lose their purpose when a spouse or loved one passes away. Some people in these latter categories, look to volunteering and public service as ways to revive their meaning and purpose. Gaining as understanding of these concepts sooner than later is better not just for the individual, but communities and society as a whole. This sense of PMSS is not something that one can purchase at a store or read about and determine from first thoughts or insights on this topic, as time, life experiences, desire and self-reflection all help to shape one’s PMSS.

Each of the elements of PMSS can offer philosophical and psychological aspects. Here are some summaries of each:

  1. Purpose:
    • Purpose refers to the reason why something exists or is done, the desired outcome or the intention behind an action.
    • In the context of having a purpose, personal purpose involves a person having an understanding of their reason for being, and what gives their life a sense of drive and direction.
  2. Meaning:
    • Meaning is the worth, value or significance that a particular thing holds, often determined from the influence, connection or impact that it has on other things in its surroundings.
    • In the context of having a personal meaning, this concept is the relative awareness, understanding and interpretation of one’s own experiences, actions, and relationships, that influence an individual’s sense of usefulness, satisfaction and fulfillment.
  3. Self-Awareness:
    • Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of an individual’s own being, which may includes one’s own character, emotions, desires and intents, usually involving one’s ability to reflect upon oneself in order to better understand one’s own thoughts and behaviors.
    • In the Context of having a personal self-awareness, this concept would involve recognizing and acknowledging personal strengths, weaknesses, values, desires, and aspirations.
  4. Self-Realization:
    • Self-realization is the process of pursuing one’s full potential by becoming the best version of oneself, while also achieving a state of personal actualization and fulfillment.
    • In the context of pursuing self-realization, this is closely related to finding and living in harmony with one’s purpose and meaning through one’s life experiences, often including cultivation of personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of authenticity.

In summary, purpose and meaning are key components to achieving self-awareness and self-realization. Developing a better sense of self-awareness can lead to a better understanding of one’s purpose. Self-realization involves the continuous process of living in harmony with that purpose, while finding meaning in one’s life journey. These four different concepts are interconnected and deeply individual, often shaped by one’s own individual experiences, values, and beliefs. Practices such as meditation, yoga, qigong, tai chi and others can often help serve as a conduit to a better understanding of how one’s mind, body and self-awareness are interconnected.

__________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior ikigai martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Purpose-and-Meaning-From-Chaos-to-Calling-Discovering-Your-Reason-for-Being Sat, 23 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
What Are The Key Elements to Happiness? A Harvard Study Adds Insights https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/What-Are-The-Key-Elements-to-Happiness-A-Harvard-Study-Adds-Insights Having a loving family, supportive friends, good health, and having a sense of purpose, are these not what are truly at the root of most people’s happiness? So, then why do we struggle so much to find our happiness through other means, when we know the answer is found in what I have already mentioned? I think many people are in a state of what is currently a popular term of cognitive dissonance, or a inner mental conflict of knowing what is true but choose to believe and behave otherwise to the facts. Most of us know that happiness comes from within, but still look to find it or buy it at some retail store or car dealer down the road. Americans’ happiness has been in a state of decline for many decades now, where many people have a lack of faith or spirituality, have less sense of purpose/meaning, less deeper connections to family and friends, and even less loyalty and pride in the workplace. Many people prefer living a false reality through social media or interactions entirely through the internet. Open your eyes and take an honest look around and see where we are truly residing. However, there is hope though. We just need to do the work. Read further below.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development (aka the Grant/Glueck Study) is an ongoing longitudinal study having started in 1938 with 724 men, with women added in some years later. The goal of the study was to track the participants’ physical and mental health, along with their social and emotional interactions and development over the span of their lives. Now 80 years later, the study is still offering insights into what are the key elements that participants found to have provided happiness throughout their lives. The original study began with a group of 268 Harvard sophomore men, and then later expanded to include a second cohort of 456 inner-city young men from Boston. Many of the men from both groups would go off to fight in WWII, where consequently not all of the soldiers were able to return back home alive.

Key findings:

  • Relationships are key to happiness and well-being. Individuals who pursue and maintain strong social ties are more often happier and healthier than those who are more isolated.
  • Mental and physical health are synergistically entwined. People with good mental health are more prone to be in good physical condition.
  • Stress management is essential for long term health and wellness. Having healthy coping mechanisms helps with better health and longevity.
  • No “one size fits all” approach worked for all. Everyone is uniquely individual in how certain aspects or behaviors of health maintenance may work for some but not necessarily others.
  • Expression and experiencing of positive emotions. Emotions and expressions of gratitude, thankfulness, compassion and empathy are thought to heavily influence health and happiness.

And there it is, some scientific data that has been tracked and passed the test of time. Maybe nothing revolutionary is found in the study, that we often take for granted every day. Family, friends, good health, and a sense of purpose and/or faith in something greater than the individual. All is really needed is the desire, effort and time to make these key elements a reality to the user. Start or join an in-person club or group, call or visit friends and loved ones, mend broken relationships, volunteer, spark new conversations and relationships where appropriate. Get moving! Walk, run, swim, yoga, tai chi, hike. Get your blood moving. Try to be at least 51% positive, as much as possible. Find the things that make you want to wake up every day and get out of the bed, the house, your head. There is a whole world out there that you can be part of and not just an observer from a distance.

Reference:

Msudlifemed. (2019, February 16). Harvard Study of Adult Development- Relationships, Resilience, and Happiness (Healthy Aging). MSU Denver Lifestyle Medicine Resource Hub. https://msudlifemed.wordpress.com/2019/02/16/harvard-study-of-adult-development-relationships-resilience-and-happiness/

___________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression happiness health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/What-Are-The-Key-Elements-to-Happiness-A-Harvard-Study-Adds-Insights Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Gratitude Attitude https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Gratitude-Attitude

The holidays often provide us a reminder for us to be grateful for we have within our lives, as well as what we don’t have. Shouldn’t we try to be grateful though, regardless of what time of the year it is?

We all live a certain amount of time, which will be different for everyone, where we engage and/or are exposed to a large amount of happiness as well as sadness in our lives. Good times as well as bad times, or maybe looked at as a constant ebb and flow of peaks and valleys. I feel that I have a high amount of gratitude for my life, for which I equate to having come to my own realization for what is most important in my life. These things being my own gifts of my mind, body, and spirit along with those family and friends that share in my life. I think as we all become older these things become more apparent and of higher priority as we may realize that time is somewhat limited. Consequently, my mindfulness strategy is to strive to maintain these factors with the goal of not having regrets for not doing so, when it is my eventual time to pass onto the next phase of whatever comes hereafter.  With consistent daily practice of methods such as the “loving-kindness,” “living deeply” and “embracing life” focused meditations, I feel confident in increasing my level of gratitude that I express as well as experience.

I think it does help quite a bit to understand the psychophysiology that affects our mind and body as we process gratitude. I have come to understand that all emotions elicit a response from particular areas of the brain and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and more specifically the limbic system and relative components of the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and the hypothalamus. These regulatory mechanisms of the ANS produce a variety of appearance changes that are related to specific emotions, such as reactions of skin coloration, moisture and secretions, protrusions, and appearance of eyes (Cacioppo & Tassinary, 2016, p.448). I think that gratitude is perceived as a more positive emotion like joy or happiness, rather than a negative or threat-reactive emotion like fear or anger. I would then propose that an individual experiencing gratitude would also simultaneously experience their pupils constricting, facial reddening, dryness of the palmar regions of the hands and soles of the feet, tears secretion and perhaps lack or increase in piloerection as these are all functions of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) in reciprocity with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (Cacioppo & Tassinary, 2016, p.455).

A 2022 study published in the Nephrology Nursing Journal reports on how nurses that care for sufferers of chronic kidney disease (CKD), are often highly emotionally stressed and often themselves suffer health issues of burnout. Researchers in Canada hoped to recruit up to 35 nephrology nurses to participate, but eventually had 13 with 12 nurses actually completing the study program. Nurse participants needed to work in an academic urban regional renal care program, of which were at 10 hospital-based facilities and one at a community-based facility. Participants were recruited via emails, posters, and educational in-services. Nurses were required to be of at least 18 years of age or older, speak English, and work within the renal care program. Anyone that was experiencing untreated severe depression/mental health illness was to be excluded from participating in this study. Once having attended a brief screening process, volunteers that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were given a letter of information and asked to provide their signed, informed consent. The nurses had agreed to participate in an 8-week Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) research-tested program that integrated the skills of mindfulness, with the intent of practicing specific methods they would cultivate skills in self-compassion to nurture self-kindness, a better sense of common humanity, and mindfulness where they could better manage difficult thoughts in a more balanced perspective instead of reacting with an avoidance or fight/flight response. For each of the 8 weeks a different theme was focused upon. The first week was aimed at discovering mindful self-compassion, the second week was practicing mindfulness, the third week was practice Loving-Kindness meditations and so on, where week eight focused upon embracing your life. The last week was highly important in that along with the culmination of the study, participants were educated on ways to cultivate gratitude, self-appreciation, and happiness.  Also, they learned ways to transform one’s mind’s away from natural negativity bias, while actively embracing the negative and positive aspects within one’s life and inner self. At the end of the study, researchers reported that the participating nurses’ self-compassion scores increased with a statistically significant difference between the before and immediately after intervention time points. Similar improvements were reported in the self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness aspects, where self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification had decreased (Crandall et al., 2022).

A way to practice gratitude is to write a letter to one’s younger self. This can help to put into perspective what we as individuals have accomplished, while knowing there is more work to be done. As we write this letter we can contemplate if we will ultimately become either a warning or an inspiration to those in our lives and around our presence. I believe that if we take time to look at ourselves from this perspective, we can actually change our beliefs, views, actions and consequently our emotions as we move forward.

References:

Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. G. (2016). Handbook of Psychophysiology. Pgs. 448, 455. Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.

Crandall, J., Harwood, L., Wilson, B., & Morano, C. (2022). Mindful Self-Compassion Training and Nephrology Nurses’ Self-Reported Levels of Self-Compassion, Burnout, and Resilience: A Mixed Methods Study. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 49(5), 405–417. https://doi.org/10.37526/1526-744x.2022.49.5.405

____________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care holistic martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Gratitude-Attitude Sat, 16 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Ayahuasca, Literally Means “the vine of death” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Ayahuasca-Literally-Means-the-vine-of-death Ayahuasca usage in Amazonian cultures as a method of healing, has been more widely documented in more recent years. Ayahuasca has been very popular and widespread among indigenous people in South America, having much usage among Amazonian cultures as a way to promote community bonds within interethnic festivals, serving as an initiation or rite of passage from childhood to adulthood, as a religious sacrament, and also as a spiritual teacher plant to increase self-awareness. Various traditional medicines that include plants containing psychoactive constituents, such as Ayahuasca, are becoming more popular throughout the world. Ayahuasca, whose name means “the vine of death” contains N-dimethyltryptamine or DMT (Santos-Longhurst, 2022). This is an appropriate name, due to indigenous people’s use of Ayahuasca in order to achieve spiritual awakening where in the ritualistic ceremony. A participant may face in their mind the loss of everything that they consider important, such as their identity, their body, their health, their loved ones and perhaps even their old belief systems. How they were supposed to be, supposed to live, who they were supposed to love, and how they were supposed to forgive one another, all may become more apparent as the participant’s mind and body process the powerful psychedelic. This ceremony has three important components with the first being the setting, such as within the Amazon Rainforest, the second being the shaman master conducting the ceremony and third the ayahuasca plant and other relative constituents of the concoction to be consumed (Collective Awakening, 2017b).

While the documentary, Collective Awakening talks mostly about the positive aspects of Ayahuasca, I feel it is important to comment on other issues relative to its use. I have found other research on my part that warrants more discussion. Thousands of Westerners (I personally know a few) travel to Amazonian regions every year to pursue spiritual enlightenment and healing of physical as well as psychological ailments. With the more recent globalization of Ayahuasca, there has been a growing assimilation of the ritualistic settings, where the ceremony used to be more respective of its original context. As traditional healing methods grow in popularity, novelty and consequently more integration into Western culture, I feel there needs to be more intense scrutiny into the distribution, use and possible regulation within the US and other countries. This has already been occurring, as more scientists have been increasing their study of Ayahuasca for its potential therapeutic and long-term effects and benefits for fields of neuropsychiatric and neuropharmacology. Research has found encouraging results for mental health issues such as depression, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug dependency, and eating disorders (Bouso & Sanchez-Aviles, 2020).

Living here in Orlando, Florida makes me a bit more sensitive to this topic of Ayahuasca usage going mainstream. A few years back there was a death here, related to a seemingly “alternative church ceremony” and its use and administering of Ayahuasca. The church was not held as legally liable for the death of a 22-year-old man who was a participant (Ray, 2019). My concern is that the ceremony, its meaning, and its purity will become diluted as all of these factors often come into play with the Westernization of traditional medicine modalities.

References:

Collective Awakening. (2017, February 8). Amazonia – Ayahuasca Documentary [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1fcMplVWc

Bouso, J. C., & Sanchez-Aviles, C. (2020). Traditional Healing Practices Involving Psychoactive Plants and the Global Mental Health Agenda: Opportunities, Pitfalls, and Challenges in the “Right to Science” Framework. Health and Human Rights, 22(1), 145–150. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26923481

Santos-Longhurst, A. (2022, July 13). Everything You Need to Know About DMT, the ‘Spirit Molecule.’ Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-dmt

Ray, K. (2019, November 23). No charges after death investigation at ayahuasca church. WFTV. https://www.wftv.com/news/9-investigates/no-charges-after-death-investigation-at-ayahuasca-church/852255976/

______________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology psychedelics ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Ayahuasca-Literally-Means-the-vine-of-death Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Managing Our Inner Dialogue https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Managing-Our-Inner-Dialogue Ancient philosophies and belief systems of Buddhism and Taoism have long understood a state of consciousness of mind wandering, however referring to it as the “monkey mind.” This term is quite appropriate as it defines a state of one’s thoughts jumping from one thought to the next, as a monkey can jump from one tree to the next. William James, the founder of psychology in the United States coined the term “the stream of consciousness.” He saw our thoughts similar to a film reel, where we have individual thoughts that linked together in a sequence to form somewhat of a moving story or movie in our minds. The story moves or “streams” as we are constantly moving from one thought to the next as we process external and internal stimuli. William James theorized that human consciousness does not occur in bits or fragmented segments but rather flows more like a river, or a stream of consciousness. (Benjamin, 2018).

Our inner dialogue consist of basically two separate modes of awake thought processing and associated cognitive brain functions. The first mode of the brain is called the default mode network (DMN), the turbid mind, the incessant inner dialogue, or the monkey mind. In this mode we occupy 50-80 percent of our time with this wandering attention, juggling about 150 undone tasks at any particular time. When we perform mundane tasks, such as getting dressed, taking a shower, brushing our teeth, driving to work, or maybe jogging around the block, our mind is often wandering elsewhere. Our brain is not really focusing much on the physical task at hand but rather thinking of other issues or events elsewhere. We sometimes refer to this as multitasking. Our mind is constantly wandering in and out of the past, present, and future. Becoming and staying focused on specific tasks is a large challenge for the human brain.

The second mode of the awake brain is the task positive network (TPN) or focused mode (Dal Lin et al., 2015). Focused mode is engaged when we are actively paying attention, in the present moment, or concentrating upon tasks using short-term memory, as the brain processes information deemed as very important, interesting, or even sometimes dangerous. For example, if you are engaged in an interesting movie, you may not notice time passing by because your thoughts are focused on what is happening in the movie. If one’s life was to be threatened by a venomous snake, they might become extremely focused upon not moving too quickly, while also keeping their focus on the movement of that snake. Playing a musical instrument, riding a bike, taking a test, or using a knife while cooking are other examples of using this first mode of the brain – focused mode. We often enjoying being in this mode, in spite of not spending the majority of our time here. However, too much time in focus mode left unchecked, can often lead to stress and relative psychological and physiological disorders.

So, how can we better manage and deliberately engage the mode of our choosing? The first step is understanding that we are exposed to various types of stimuli at any given movement. Stimuli comes to us in differing amounts through either external or internal sources. Stimuli is received through our primary sense organs of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and touch receptors throughout skin on the entire body. Internal stimuli is received through baroreceptors as well as pain, temperature and other types of receptors that tell us when we are hungry, thirsty, and off balance. Often this input manifests into various emotions, whether deemed as positive or negative in their nature.

Psychologist George Miller proposed his theory in his 1956 paper entitled The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information, that the human brain’s short-term or working memory (STM) has an upper limit referred to as the “magical number seven.” Miller’s paper detailed his theoretical description of how STM brain might be capable of managing 7 objects, or bits of information.  However, the upper limit could be as many as 9 or as little as 5. Miller’s article reported that memory span is not limited by small bits of information, but rather limited by that of a few bits of information grouped together, or “chunks” (p. 349). Cowan (2015) wrote a review of Miller’s (1956) article titled George Miller’s Magical Number of Immediate Memory in Retrospect: Observations on the Faltering Progression of Science. Years after Miller’s paper, Cowan and Baddeley conducted their own studies on human memory and information processing, where both surmised that the real magic number is actually four and not seven. This concept of the limits of STM affect everyday tasks and interactions, ranging from reading menus on a website, driving a vehicle, and even holding a conversation with one another.

If we can deliberately choose to occupy our thoughts with stimuli that engages our short-term memory along with our breath and physical body alignments and sometimes movement, we can actually learn to better manage our thoughts and emotions. The physical body is a conduit into understanding our mind. The mind is tasked with directing and protecting the body. Conversely, the body protects the user’s mind. Yoga and its sibling of qigong, and its offspring of tai chi, offer many options of sitting, standing and moving exercises that can help to move the practitioner into a meditative state of mind that can help to tame our incessant inner dialogue. Other methods that can engage this cognitive process of managing thoughts can be playing instruments, gardening, and other skillful means however, not all offer the same benefits such as the physical health benefits of yoga, qigong and tai chi.

References:

Benjamin, T., Jr. (2018). A Brief History of Modern Psychology. Wiley.

Cowan, N. (2015). George Miller’s magical number of immediate memory in retrospect: Observations on the faltering progression of science. Psychological Review122(3), 536–541. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039035

Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review63(2), 81–97. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/h0043158

____________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Managing-Our-Inner-Dialogue Sat, 09 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Whole Health Wisdom: Navigating Holistic Wellness (my new book) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Whole-Health-Wisdom-Navigating-Holistic-Wellness-my-new-book What we think, what we eat and how we move our bodies are the basic components that determine our health and happiness. We all know this, but how do we go about making our lives what we want them to be? Knowledge. Knowledge indeed gives us power to succeed in any endeavor. Knowledge unused is wasted.

I just recently finished up my 26th book in my series on mind, body and self-awareness, titled Whole Health Wisdom: Navigating Holistic Wellness. I formatted this book mostly as an outline, in order to best present the multitude of topics that encompass holistic health and wellness. Each topic could be a separate book unto itself. It is now available for purchase on Amazon https://a.co/d/gcRDJbg with a paperback and Kindle format. However the Kindle version does not look as well formatted as the paperback version. I have at least a few more book topics in my pipeline, as I have tried to publish about one per year more recently.

Book 26 draws upon my over 40 years of learning, practicing and teaching, with the goal of helping others to unlock the key components of holistic health by discovering a life of balance, vitality, and well-being. In this comprehensive outline, you’ll embark on a transformative journey that explores the profound connections between mind, body, and spirit. From ancient healing traditions to modern wellness practices, gain insights into nutrition, healthcare modalities, mindfulness, and the power of belief systems. This outline can serve as a “quick” study guide, inspiring further research, and discussion. Teachers and students alike who are seeking to embrace holistic living as a path to achieving lasting health, happiness, longevity, fulfillment, meaning and a sense of purpose can benefit from this outline.



I included many of my detailed color graphics towards the back-half, that I feel connect strongly to the topics covered in my outline. Specifically, the graphics offer insights and exercises relative to self-regulation of the nervous system, through deliberate management of thoughts, emotions and relative physiological responses by way of respiration and physical body postures. Included are also detailed illustrations of many qigong exercises such as the 8 Pieces of Brocade, Opening & filling of the 8 Vessels (Ship Pal Gye), bottle and weight exercises as well as the Yang 24 tai chi set along with history and physiology. Just below is watermarked copy of new book for those who care to review its contents.

whole-health-wisdom-outline-12-03-2023-watermarked-copy-compressedDownload

______________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses and individuals that see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Whole-Health-Wisdom-Navigating-Holistic-Wellness-my-new-book Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Physically close, mentally far; physically far, mentally close. https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Physically-close-mentally-far-physically-far-mentally-close The quality of a relationship can be determined by the overall strength of the mental connection.


“Physically close, mentally far; physically far, mentally close” is a philosophical concept that reflects a paradoxical aspect of human relationships. We can be physically close to others, but still feel mentally distant. Conversely, we may be physically distanced, but still feel mentally close.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development (the Grant/Glueck Study) started in 1938 with 724 men, and women added in later, has been ongoing for 80 years. Key findings of this study were the following:
(a) Relationships are key to happiness and well-being
(b) Mental and physical health are synergistically in twined
(c) Stress management is essential for long term health and wellness
(d) Gratitude is also a key component to living a longer and happier life
(e) No one size fits all” approach, as everyone’s situation is somewhat unique from another

Human relationships are often quite complex, nudging us to recognize the multi-dimensional nature of closeness and connection beyond the limitations of physical space. Further contemplation on this might bring us to a deeper understanding and appreciation for those in our lives.

  1. Proximity:
    • Being physical next to or in close proximity to another, does not necessarily guarantee emotional or intellectual connection. Individuals can be physically close as in the same room, office, vehicle, or sharing the same space, while being distant in their own thoughts, emotions, and deeper understanding of one another.
  2. The Nature of Connection:
    • Authentic connections transcend physical presence. Mental closeness consists of a deeper understanding that can exist regardless of physical distance, focusing upon the importance of not only emotional but also intellectual connections in relationships.
  3. Communication and Understanding:
    • Open and truthful communication and mutual understanding are imperative for genuine closeness. Physical proximity by itself cannot make up for a lack of communication or comprehend of another’s perspectives.
  4. Technology:
    • Recent advancements in technology have increased the options to stay in touch while being physically far apart. Smartphones, computers and other electronic communication tools have enabled more people to be able to maintain relationships across vast distances, demonstrating the ever changing nature of relationships in our world.
  5. Existential Reflection:
    • Our minds are not bound by mere physical constraints as we can transcend the limitations of space if we desire to do so with our relationships.
  6. Emotional Distance:
    • Physical closeness can be seen as a reflection of our geographical location. Mental distance can be a result of emotional barriers. People may find themselves physically close to other, while emotionally distant due to differences of values, morals, opinions, unresolved conflicts, or emotional walls.
  7. Authentic Connections:
    • Authenticity in relationships requires a deeper understanding of shared values, principles, and emotional empathy for meaningful connections.
  8. Temporal Evolution:
    • Relationships most often change and evolve over time. Physical closeness that once nurtured mental proximity can change, where physical distance coexists with either a stronger or weaker mental connection.
    • Physical distance can actually strengthen relationships, because it may cause people to miss and appreciate each other more giving people time to reflect on their relationship and grow closer.

If people strive to have a strong emotional bond where they feel they are supported and deeply understood by each other, their relationship will be strong regardless of the physical proximity between them.

__________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga). I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/12/Physically-close-mentally-far-physically-far-mentally-close Sat, 02 Dec 2023 07:39:13 GMT Suicide Rates Spike…. Again in the US https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Suicide-Rates-Spike-Again-in-the-US Here I am again, discussing mental health care in the US. The Wall Street Journal just dropped an article reporting that “U.S. Suicides Reached a Record High Last Year.” It doesn’t need to be this way.

I find this so frustrating that we know our nation’s people are in distress, due to many manageable root issues of poor diet, lack of physical activity (sedentary lifestyle), addiction to electronics, lack of patriotism and maybe most important. loss of meaning and purpose in our lives. Most of us know these are major issues, but do we really care enough to make changes that will actually have a lasting effect? Having vast resources in the way of dollars, and throwing more money to healthcare facilities that often prescribe strong pharmaceuticals cannot be the only answer to this problem that has been on the rise for the last decades. As we can see today, these methods are not making much of a dent.

If we continue to only treat the symptoms of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc. we will never truly address the root causes of these ailments.

Here is the link for the Wall Street Journal article:

There are many options that we can implement, we just need to pierce the veil of delusion and fix the root causes of most of our problems. Most start with our youth and never end as they grow into adults. Education and self-discipline are key.

  • Improve the diet in schools. No more crap junk foods at school or at home.
  • Get recess and PE back in the daily school schedule. What good are cramming advanced courses in the schedule when a kid can’t even self-regulate their emotions with some recess and physical activity?
  • Better manage this smartphone, TV, PC internet/gaming addiction. Basic physiology classes explain this is all about our inner chemistry that is way out of balance with all of the dopamine and cortisol rollercoastering up and down, all day long.
  • Give our people a place to be proud of. If people don’t have a home. a community, a city, a nation, what’s the desire to live in these places?
  • Let’s better educate people to have purpose, something that makes us want to get up and out of bed because the world needs each of us in order to become a better place for everyone.
  • Show those that you love and care about, and even those that you don’t, that the world is a better place for them not only for being in it, but being part of it. This gives meaning to someone and their life.

In addition to these root issues being addressed, there are other options for people to try just in order to manage and self-regulate their own stress. Some are absolutely free or available for minimal costs such as:

(1) Education – books, documentaries, libraries, online


(2) Support – from family, friends, local support groups, online, on the phone (dumps oxytocin into the blood flow)


(3) Mindfulness – pursue becoming aware about what you think, how you react, your actions

(4) Meditation – take a break, a walk, listen to calming music, garden, exercise – these are all types of activities that can elicit a meditative state of mind (adjusts serotonin levels in the bloodstream)


(5) Exercise – the conduit to the mind is through the physical body. Physical movement either gets endorphins and dopamine flowing or epinephrine, adrenaline and cortisol if you are running from a tiger. Walk, run, swim, stretch, hike, etc. These are mostly free.

Other methods may have a cost, but are stiller cheaper in the long run than pills, therapy, a trip to the hospital or ultimately to the morgue.

Be well, become healthier, become wiser.

_____

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga). I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Suicide-Rates-Spike-Again-in-the-US Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:17:11 GMT
Why is the US Younger Population in Crisis? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Why-is-the-US-Younger-Population-in-Crisis Well, this did not just happen overnight and for no apparent reason. There are many factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression, suicide, and other issues, typically considered as adult issues in years past.

Obesity

  • Increased consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks: The rise of fast food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks has contributed to a significant increase in calorie intake and a decrease in nutrient intake among young people.
  • Decreased physical activity: The increased prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, due to factors such as television, video games, and computer use, has led to a decrease in physical activity among young people.
  • Marketing of unhealthy foods: Children and adolescents are bombarded with advertisements for unhealthy foods, which can influence their dietary choices.

Diabetes

  • Genetic predisposition: Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic component, and a family history of the disease increases the risk of developing it.
  • Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
  • Unhealthy diet: A diet that is high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Lack of physical activity: Physical activity helps to control blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Anxiety and depression

  • Increased academic pressure: Young people today face a lot of pressure to succeed in school, which can lead to stress and anxiety.
  • Social media: Social media can be a source of both positive and negative social interactions. For some young people, social media can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and anxiety.
  • Cyber-bullying: Cyber-bullying is a growing problem that can have a serious impact on the mental health of young people.
  • Fear of violence: Young people today are more likely to be exposed to violence, both in their communities and in the media. This exposure can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress.

Suicide

  • Mental health disorders: Mental health disorders are a major risk factor for suicide.
  • Substance abuse: Substance abuse is another major risk factor for suicide.
  • Exposure to violence: Young people who are exposed to violence are more likely to attempt suicide.
  • Lack of access to mental health care: Many young people who need mental health care do not receive it, which can increase their risk of suicide.

Other issues

  • Sleep deprivation: Young people today are more likely to be sleep deprived, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
  • Exposure to environmental toxins: Young people are more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins, such as lead and air pollution, which can have a negative impact on their health.
  • Lack of access to healthy food: Many young people do not have access to healthy food, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

These are just some of the factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues. It is important to address these issues in order to promote the health and well-being of young people.

Solutions

  • Put physical education (PE) back into schools as a priority: Young and old people today need physical activity, not just for the body but their brains. Physical activity is known to help reduce and manage obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
  • Keep the environmental poisons away from the kids: Get the young people off the couch and computer screens and outdoors to get some fresh air and appreciation for the nature that is all around us.
  • Remove the crap junk food from the diet: Young people eat what schools offer, whether healthy or not. Just as they will eat what their parents buy and put in their homes. If adult parents cannot be disciplined themselves to eat healthier, how can we expect the kids to do the same. Lead by example.
  • Be parents to your children, and stop being their friends: DO YOUR JOB! Give your kids love, guidance, direction, compassion and boundaries. Be better advocates for their health and well-being. Plant good seeds, not bad weeds!

___________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior obesity osteoporosis qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Why-is-the-US-Younger-Population-in-Crisis Sat, 25 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT
What is the PERMA-V Model for Flourishing? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/What-is-the-PERMA-V-Model-for-Flourishing

Dr. Martin Seligman, a psychologist and one of the founders of positive psychology, introduced the concept of PERMA as a framework for understanding and cultivating well-being and happiness. PERMA is an acronym that represents five essential elements of a fulfilling and meaningful life. Here’s a brief summary of each component:

  1. Positive Emotions (P): This refers to experiencing and cultivating positive feelings such as joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, and love. Fostering positive emotions is seen as a crucial aspect of overall well-being.
  2. Engagement (E): Also known as “flow,” engagement involves being fully absorbed and immersed in activities that challenge and utilize one’s skills. When individuals are engaged in what they’re doing, they often lose track of time and experience a sense of deep satisfaction.
  3. Relationships (R): Positive social connections and meaningful relationships contribute significantly to well-being. Maintaining healthy and supportive relationships with friends, family, and community fosters a sense of belonging and social support.
  4. Meaning (M): Finding meaning and purpose in life is essential for well-being. This involves understanding one’s strengths and values and using them to contribute to something larger than oneself, whether it be through work, relationships, or other pursuits.
  5. Accomplishment (A): Achieving goals and accomplishments, both big and small, contributes to a sense of competence and mastery. Setting and reaching goals provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
  6. Vitality (V): There has been an update to Seligman’s PERMA model, and the “V” for Vitality has been added. This addition expands the model to include physical well-being as a crucial component. Vitality encompasses the importance of a healthy and energized body. It involves paying attention to nutrition, exercise, sleep, and other factors that contribute to physical well-being.

The PERMA-V model suggests that these six elements work together to enhance overall well-being, and individuals can focus on cultivating each aspect in their lives to lead a more flourishing and satisfying existence.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi well-being wellness winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/What-is-the-PERMA-V-Model-for-Flourishing Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Flu Season is Really Vitamin D Deficiency Season https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Flu-Season-is-Really-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-Season Yes, it is that time of year again. Become educated, become healthy and be in control of your health and well-being. Nobody else will care more about YOUR health than YOU!

Temperatures drop. People stay inside. Many wear more layers of clothing to stay warm. Those in warmer climates cover their skin to avoid too much sun exposure. For a big chunk of the year, many people do not receive enough sunlight on their skin to produce their own vitamin D. Nationwide vitamin D deficiency overall prevalence rate is 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%)2.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in several physiological processes, including bone health and immune system function.

Bone Physiology:

  1. Calcium Absorption:
    • Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium from the intestines. Calcium is a critical mineral for bone health, and its absorption is necessary for the development and maintenance of strong and healthy bones.
  2. Bone Mineralization:
    • Vitamin D helps regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, facilitating the mineralization of bone. This process is essential for the formation and maintenance of the bone structure.
  3. Preventing Rickets and Osteomalacia:
    • Severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These conditions result in weakened and deformed bones due to impaired mineralization.

Immune System:

  1. Immune Cell Function:
    • Vitamin D has been shown to modulate the function of immune cells, including T cells and macrophages. It helps regulate the immune response, promoting the appropriate response to infections while preventing excessive inflammation.
  2. Antimicrobial Properties:
    • Vitamin D has antimicrobial properties and can enhance the production of antimicrobial peptides. These peptides play a role in the body’s defense against various pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.
  3. Autoimmune Diseases:
    • There is evidence suggesting a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Adequate vitamin D levels may help modulate the immune system and reduce the risk of autoimmune conditions.

Sources of Vitamin D:

  1. Sun Exposure:
    • The skin can produce vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. Spending time outdoors and getting sunlight on the skin is a natural way to produce vitamin D.
  2. Dietary Sources:
    • Some foods are good sources of vitamin D, including fatty fish (such as salmon and mackerel), fortified dairy products, fortified cereals, and egg yolks.
  3. Supplements:
    • In cases where it’s challenging to obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight and diet, supplements may be recommended, especially in regions with limited sunlight or for individuals with conditions that affect vitamin D absorption.

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is crucial for both bone health and a well-functioning immune system. It’s important to strike a balance, as both deficiency and excess of vitamin D can have adverse effects on health. If you have concerns about your vitamin D levels, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/Flu-Season-is-Really-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-Season Sat, 18 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT
An Ultra-Processed Diet – we truly “are what we eat” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/An-Ultra-Processed-Diet-we-truly-are-what-we-eat

Most of us were taught a very long time ago, that we truly “are what we eat.” Well here we are decades later and it is quite evident what our population has been eating. Specifically, junk and crap foods that have helped to lead our people to have:

  • Nearly 1 in 3 adults (30.7%) are overweight.
  • More than 1 in 3 men (34.1%) and more than 1 in 4 women (27.5%) are overweight.
  • More than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity (including severe obesity).
  • About 1 in 11 adults (9.2%) have severe obesity.
  • Nearly 40% of all adults over the age of 20 in the U.S. – about 93.3 million people – are currently obese.
  • Every state in the U.S. has more than 20% of adults with obesity.
  • The U.S. adult obesity rate stands at 42.4 percent, the first time the national rate has passed the 40 percent mark.
    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

And let’s also note the other issues of:

Maybe now is the right time to re-evaluate what we are putting into our bodies, and more importantly what kids are eating today will determine what type of health they will have later as adults. Plant good seeds, not weeds.

Be well, Get healthy, Be wise.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/11/An-Ultra-Processed-Diet-we-truly-are-what-we-eat Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:31:52 GMT
Whole Heath Wisdom: Navigating Holistic Wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Whole-Heath-Wisdom-Navigating-Holistic-Wellness Be well, become healthy, become wiser. You are the architect of your health and happiness!

Holistic wellness encompasses not only physical exercises but proper nutrition, social interactions, self-regulation of stress & emotions and many other facets of well-being. Holistic health practices seem like they are something new, sometimes thanks to savvy marketers looking to ride the next wave of healthcare fads. Ironically, many holistic methods have roots deep in Buddhism, Taoism, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and other ancient cultures from around the world. Phytotherapy (herbology), naturopathy, chiropractic and even biomedicine/allopathic medicine owe these origins to the ancients.

So many people in pain and suffering, that don’t need to be. I am looking forward to partnering with more wellness centers, hospitals, VA facilities, schools, other groups and venues that can see the value in promoting mind, body and self-awareness. Most know that we have been in a mental and physical healthcare crisis, for many decades now.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

_________

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) alternative medicine anxiety chronic pain health & wellness health care holistic martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi wellness winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Whole-Heath-Wisdom-Navigating-Holistic-Wellness Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:55:36 GMT
Meditation Practices – (the non-pharmaceutical pill you can take today, to ward off your illnes https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Meditation-Practices-the-non-pharmaceutical-pill-you-can-take-today-to-ward-off-yo I have some observations from practicing and teaching meditation methods from over my last 40 years. There has been much stigma in the US regarding meditation going back to when the Maharishi introduced it to the Beatles rock band from 1959 and into the 60’s, and consequently the whole American counterculture of “hippies” of that era. I was quite young at this time but remember how adults around me would comment on how meditation was religious, cultish, and maybe even related to drug use. Some of these factors may actually be true for some people but definitely don’t need to be. Meditation and its many, many various methods can stand alone from any of my previous mentioned groups. Once people become informed and more educated, then they can logically determine for themselves that meditation is more of a mental type of exercise than anything threatening or unusual. Once someone realizes that meditation can come in many ways other than sitting still for long periods of time, such as playing or listening to music, walking, hiking, cooking, walking, producing artwork and many other skillful means, meditation can become less weird, unusual, or threatening. Moving meditation through yoga, tai chi/qigong, dance, and some others are a great way to get away from the stationary methods of sitting and standing meditation. However, if someone is closed minded to the whole idea of learning and trying something new, then it doesn’t really matter how hard another tries to convince them.

Time is another big deterrent to regular and consistent practice of meditation. Many people have the false assumption that if one is not sitting in the lotus position for hours on end, then they are not meditating or may not be doing it long enough to benefit. Studies have reported that some college students who practice mindfulness as part of their coursework, showed cognitive and wellbeing benefits, even when practicing for as little as five minutes twice a week, depending upon the type of mindfulness method implemented (O’Hare et al., 2023).

I have come to understand that it takes about 3 minutes of regulated slow breathing to engage the parasympathetic nervous system and its relative benefits of slower heart rate which affects metabolic functions, helping to induce stress relief, relaxation, and mental clarity. I have come to call the “foot in the door” approach seems to work best for beginners. This is when I suggest to someone with an interest in trying meditating, to start with using a timer set for 5 minutes. Almost everyone can agree that 5 minutes is quite easy to carve out and into one’s schedule. Often after the 5 minutes goes by relatively quicky and without incident, a beginner can easily add another 5 minutes, and then another of they feel better from the initial starting. Our mind has this interesting ability to adjust our perspectives on time and relative priorities as our thoughts and emotions level off to see what truly is more important.

Other challenges that I have encountered either with myself or others are physical discomfort, inability to relax and/or quiet the mind, boredom and even some people become so relaxed that they fall asleep. Practice, practice and more practice. Meditation is a slow path to a greater reward, that will pay off over time of the effort is invested. If you were to eat a salad once a month, this will not make you healthy. Similarly, meditating once in a while will not yield much results. Slow and steady wins the game.

Reference:

O’Hare, A. J., & Gemelli, Z. T. (2023). The effects of short interventions of focused-attention vs. self-compassion mindfulness meditation on undergraduate students: Evidence from self-report, classroom performance, and ERPs. PLoS ONE, 17(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278826

Some other tips regarding meditation:

Meditation can offer numerous benefits for mental, emotional, and even physical well-being, but it’s not always an easy practice to master. Common challenges people face with meditation include:

  1. Restlessness and Impatience: Many beginners struggle with restlessness and impatience, finding it difficult to sit still and quiet the mind.
  2. Monkey Mind: This refers to the constant stream of thoughts that can make it hard to concentrate or find a sense of calm during meditation.
  3. Physical Discomfort: Sitting in one position for an extended period can lead to discomfort or even pain, distracting from the meditation experience.
  4. Lack of Time: Finding time to meditate regularly can be a challenge in our busy lives, leading to inconsistency in the practice.
  5. High Expectations: Some people expect immediate results from meditation, leading to disappointment when the benefits don’t manifest right away.
  6. Doubt and Skepticism: It’s common to doubt the effectiveness of meditation, especially if the benefits aren’t immediately apparent.
  7. Boredom: Sitting in silence can sometimes lead to feelings of boredom, making it harder to stay engaged in the practice.
  8. Difficulty Focusing: People often struggle to maintain focus on a single point of attention, such as the breath or a mantra.

To overcome these challenges and improve your meditation practice, consider these recommendations:

  1. Start Small: Begin with shorter meditation sessions and gradually increase the duration as your focus and comfort improve. Even a few minutes of meditation can be beneficial.
  2. Be Patient: Understand that meditation is a skill that takes time to develop. Results may not be immediate, but consistent practice will yield benefits over time.
  3. Accept Thoughts: Instead of trying to forcefully push away thoughts, acknowledge them without judgment and gently bring your focus back to your chosen point of meditation (e.g., your breath).
  4. Use Guided Meditations: Guided meditations, available through apps or online, can provide structure and support, making it easier to stay focused.
  5. Experiment with Techniques: There are various meditation techniques (mindfulness, loving-kindness, body scan, etc.). Experiment with different techniques to find the one that resonates with you.
  6. Create a Routine: Set a regular meditation schedule. Consistency is key to reaping the benefits of meditation.
  7. Adjust Your Posture: If physical discomfort is an issue, try different sitting positions or consider practicing walking meditation to reduce the strain.
  8. Lower Expectations: Approach meditation with an open mind and without lofty expectations. Focus on the process rather than the outcome.
  9. Join a Group: Meditating with a group or participating in meditation classes can provide accountability and a sense of community.
  10. Cultivate Patience: Patience is crucial. Like any skill, meditation improves with time and practice. Be kind to yourself as you navigate the challenges.

Remember that meditation is a personal journey, and everyone’s experience is unique. It’s okay to face challenges along the way; these challenges are often opportunities for growth and learning.

________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi trauma winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Meditation-Practices-the-non-pharmaceutical-pill-you-can-take-today-to-ward-off-yo Sat, 28 Oct 2023 09:51:49 GMT
Try to Avoid Being “Triggered” by the Overused Word “Trigger” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Try-to-Avoid-Being-Triggered-by-the-Overused-Word-Trigger

“Triggered” has become a more recent buzzword, relative to emotional interoception and self-regulation and use of coping mechanisms. Almost anything can be a perceived trigger to an individual depending upon genetics, upbringing, environment, experiences, etc. Burnt toast may be a trigger to a child or adult, where they express disgust, disappointment, anger and other negative emotions. Loud noises may be a trigger for a soldier experiencing PTSD from combat and relative life and death circumstances. Everyone interprets stimuli uniquely to their own circumstances. However, trigger is not too often being associated with positive scenarios. We don’t hear much of people being “triggered” into helping someone in need, triggered to complete a task, or offer a compliment. Triggered is becoming a bit overused and taking on a negative definition within our culture.

Doctor Erik Messamore speaks in some detail about how the word “trigger” itself can become overused and actually trigger its own negative emotional responses. The word often connects to definitions attached to weapons or a state of lack of control. Once the trigger is pulled or engaged, there is no way to un-pull the trigger (Ask A Psychiatrist, 2020). I have discussed this concept in other venues, where the topic came up about how it is possible to manipulate someone to remember any particular thought. For example, if we were to perform an online Google search asking for “cars other than blue ones” and then click images, all we will see our blue cars presented. So, regardless of us asking for no blue cars, artificial intelligence only picks up on the “blue” with no context of the surrounding words. If we ask a produce worker at the grocery store to find us some unbruised bananas, their attention goes towards finding the bruised ones and not choosing those. Regardless, their thoughts and ours gravitate towards not wanting bruised bananas. Similarly, if we are discussing something that is negative, stressful or triggering, but seemingly not personally affecting us, our words and attached thoughts will on some level affect our emotions and relative psychophysiological responses.

Alternative words instead of using triggering could be:

  • stressors
  • elicit
  • produce
  • bring about
  • manifest
  • cause
  • produce

Psychologist John Cacioppo states that “the processing of a word, like any other sensory stimulus is sensitive to experience,” (Cacioppo & Tassinary, 2016, p.515). I think that this brings us to the understanding that specific areas of the brain play roles in the processing of sensory stimuli which may be perceived as bringing us happiness, stress, or other emotional states in between. While all humans may have the same components within the brain, each person processes stimuli and relative happiness or stress somewhat unique to their own genetics, life circumstances, and behaviors and/or lifestyle choices (DocMikeEvans, 2016). When we choose to speak words, the Wernicke’s area of the brain is engaged to help formulate within our thoughts, what we will verbally say. Neuron signals are then transmitted to the Broca’s area of the brain in order to produce the strategy for the motor cortex to put together the sounds that will become words and sentences. From here we use our language to communicate our thoughts (Andrew Scott, 2013). I think that this process is the result of how each individual perceives stimuli and responds uniquely depending upon their own availability of coping mechanisms, resources, and life experiences. If someone is exposed to mostly negative experiences throughout their life, they may have a different “calibration” for what they perceive as happiness. Conversely, someone who has very little stress in their lives may see themselves as quite happy, until something they perceive as a major stressor forces them to re-calibrate their thinking.

So, I think that happiness and stress are both relative terms to the present moment. Perceptions of happiness and stress will continue to ebb and flow as we learn, grow, and then adapt to whatever we experience under whatever circumstances. Words have meaning, impact and influence. Choose words wisely.

References:

Ask A Psychiatrist. (2020, May 12). Emotion Regulation. What causes emotional reactions and how can we modify them? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUPIhzHa-68

Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. G. (2016). Handbook of Psychophysiology. P. 515. Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.

DocMikeEvans. (2016, August 18). The science of Subjective Well Being, a.k.a Happiness. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPbjK3MmjL0

Andrew Scott. (2013, March 24). Broca’s area vs. Wernicke’s area – VCE Psychology [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iHDF5twkcE

_________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

]]>
[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Try-to-Avoid-Being-Triggered-by-the-Overused-Word-Trigger Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:31:11 GMT
Self-regulation or “you are the boss of you” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Self-regulation-or-you-are-the-boss-of-you So many people complain about national health issues that face our country today. Stress, PTSD, anxiety, depression, diabetes, suicide, obesity and many other ailments have skyrocketed over the last decades. The US spends the most of all nations on healthcare, in spite of ranking way below the top. These issues did not happen overnight and will not be fixed overnight either. If children (and adults too!) were being taught to manage themselves or self-regulate, their stress, their interactions with others – through exercise and breathing management, we would soon not have as many adults in such poor health. Plant good seeds if you want good crops, right? Healthcare is best started with self-care.

Become interested in self-regulating and managing your own health, your stress, your sense of balance. Or maybe just get out of the house and meet some new people. Do something that engages your mind and your body at the same time. Walk, run, swim, hike, garden, play a musical instrument, paint, draw, build or create something,

I prefer self-regulation through exercises from martial arts, yoga/qigong and other similar mind-body methods. Exercises can be practiced while standing, and then moving into yoga-like postures of Tai chi and qigong. By aligning the bones and relative joints, muscles become engaged making both the bones and muscles stronger and consequently more stable. Putting focus on one’s physical body is how one can occupy their mind with positive thoughts rather than the typical chaos, confusion and other negative issues that distract us from enjoying life to its fullest.

1. Self-observation- we look at our behavior and keep tabs on it.

2. Judgement- we compare what we see with a standard.

3. Self-response- if we did well with your standard, you give yourself rewarding self- responses.

___________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Self-regulation-or-you-are-the-boss-of-you Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:09:39 GMT
Symbolism’s Relationship to Music https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Symbolism-s-Relationship-to-Music

Symbols can have strong meanings, and for that reason have been used for thousands of years to help convey messages, passing on of history, mythology and philosophical concepts. I have combined some of my thoughts on the relationships between Carl Jung’s ideas on “squaring of the circle,” and its similarities to the Indigenous Medicine Wheel, the 5-elements theory or “wuxi” from Taoism, and the energy center or “chakras” from Hinduism/Buddhism. The Indigenous Medicine Wheel offers the values of humility, honesty, respect, courage, wisdom, truth, and love. Taoism’s star symbol represents other aspects of the mind, will power, intellect, the corporeal and ethereal souls, among other correspondences. The chakra scale has its own set of similar, but different correspondences. The more I delve into the teachings of these ancient cultures, I feel quite strongly that the similarities between them are not mere coincidences, but rather perhaps the underlying collective unconscious presenting itself in various different manifestations, in separate locations and at assorted times in human history.

Aside from overlapping components of colors, elements, animals, energy centers and many others, is the similarity in the musical notes or tones that all of these philosophical and/or belief systems share. Humans have used music for enjoyment, for ritual, for healing and perhaps other reasons for thousands of years. Music is a series of sounds or tones that produce vibrations. These vibrations can affect the human body’s nervous system on many levels, sometimes deemed as being good or bad for the individual. Certain tones are thought to affect specific organs, different levels of self-realization, and links to higher spiritual realms. Conversely, specific notes can vibrate to cause stress on the nervous system, breakup kidney stones and even for demolition of buildings.

I learned many decades ago that the holding of physical postures engages specific muscles group while simultaneously engaging the nervous systems. Either the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) is engaged with the slow rhythmic breathing or the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) with a rapid rhythmic breathing cadence. Either of these processes can change the blood chemistry to promote healing on different levels. This physiological process can be seen in the other moving meditations practices of yoga, and its offspring of qigong and further spawn of tai chi. I have found (and personally practiced) all of these methods with either slow or fast breathing patterns can put the practitioner in either the meditative or trance state, depending upon background music/sounds, the individual and their intent. This is a concept called entrainment, where the practitioner’s heartbeat synchronizes with the beat of a drum or other percussion sound. I have learned to practice qigong, tai chi and other martial arts exercises with music consisting of bells, chimes and other percussion instruments with this exact purpose of slowing (or increases) the heart and breathing rate in order to enter into the meditative state of being.

With so much talk and debate in recent years regarding anxiety, depression and many other mental ailments, music therapy along with physical and mental exercises, offers realistic, relatively cheap and readily accessible methods for self-regulation of thoughts, emotions and relative physiological mechanisms. Or, in other words self-care of personal health and well-being.

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I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/Symbolism-s-Relationship-to-Music Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:54:03 GMT
We are the Architects of our own Health, Happiness, Well-being, Destiny or Fate https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/We-are-the-Architects-of-our-own-Health-Happiness-Well-being-Destiny-or-Fate When we start to realize that we are indeed the architects of our own health, happiness, well-being, destiny or fate, we begin to see things from a quite different perspective.

Wim Hof, listen or don’t. There are many, many others that know that the secret to health and well-being is through modulation of our autonomic nervous system. This is accomplished through self-awareness,and mindfulness of our thoughts that affect emotions that affect blood chemistry that affects organ function and overall quality of health. Not really a secret anymore if everyone can learn of this. Ancient cultures knew of this thousands of years ago. Western medicine is slow to acknowledge this because there is no profit coming from a healthier lifestyle. Most of us know this but deny accepting it – cognitive dissonance; knowing better but just going along with things to acquiescence.

If it was not for me, myself being deeply involved in these practices for over 40 years, I would not believe much of what others say. However, when we delve into what we eat, what we put into and on our bodies, how we think and respond to life, we can see that there is much more to healthcare by way of “self-care.” Do your own due diligence and become aware of you.

Be well, become healthy, become wiser.

And we ALL have access to this knowledge and ability to incorporate it into our lives.

I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/10/We-are-the-Architects-of-our-own-Health-Happiness-Well-being-Destiny-or-Fate Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:46:02 GMT
Which “Care” do You Invest Upon? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/9/Which-Care-do-You-Invest-Upon – Healthcare (rely upon others to keep you healthy)

– Self-care (assume control & responsibility for your well-being)

– Other-care (taking care of others more so than yourself)

– I don’t care (live for the moment, no regard for consequences)

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Tired of being tired?

Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, PTSD?

Feel tight, weak or unable to enjoy activities that you used to be able to do?

Are you interested in managing stress, improving balance, while learning low-impact strength and flexibility exercises?

Or maybe just get out of the house and meet some new people.

These particular exercises are done standing, and then moving into yoga-like postures called Tai chi and qigong. By aligning the bones and relative joints, muscles become engaged making both the bones and muscles stronger and consequently more stable. Putting focus on one’s physical body is how one can occupy their mind with positive thoughts rather than the typical chaos, confusion and other negative issues that distract us from enjoying life to its fullest.

I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Contact for times, locations and costs.

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

_______________

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/9/Which-Care-do-You-Invest-Upon Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:54:41 GMT
Mind and Body Exercises – It really is that simple! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Mind-and-Body-Exercises-It-really-is-that-simple

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain class info depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Mind-and-Body-Exercises-It-really-is-that-simple Sat, 29 Jul 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Migraines – Triggered by Bright Light https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Migraines-Triggered-by-Bright-Light Bright light can be a triggering factor for migraine headaches in some individuals. The underlying physiological mechanisms are not fully understood, but several theories have been proposed to explain this relationship.

One theory suggests that the visual cortex, the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information, becomes hyperexcitable during a migraine attack. Bright light, particularly certain wavelengths such as blue light, can stimulate the visual cortex and lead to an overstimulation of the neurons, triggering a migraine episode.

Another theory focuses on the role of the trigeminal nerve, a major cranial nerve involved in migraine pathology. It is believed that exposure to bright light can cause the trigeminal nerve to release certain neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which are known to be involved in migraine pain signaling. The release of these substances may trigger inflammation and dilation of blood vessels in the brain, leading to a migraine headache.

Additionally, people with migraines often have heightened sensitivity to light, a condition known as photophobia. This sensitivity can cause discomfort and pain when exposed to bright light, making it a potential trigger for migraine attacks.

It is important to note that not all individuals with migraines are sensitive to bright light, and triggers can vary widely among individuals. Migraine triggers can also include other factors such as stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and environmental factors. Therefore, the relationship between bright light and migraines can be complex and may vary from person to person.

If you experience migraines triggered by bright light, it can be helpful to manage your environment by wearing sunglasses, using tinted lenses, or reducing exposure to bright screens or lights when possible. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a headache specialist can also provide personalized advice and treatment options for managing migraines.

Personally, I have managed headaches for many years varying from migraines, stress-related and triggered from allergies to food and environment. I am not a medical doctor nor claim to be. However, I have found that with the physical and mental practices of qigong/yoga, tai chi, martial arts, meditation and other mind & body practices, I can not only prevent debilitating headaches, but be more self-aware so as not to contribute to the triggering of such ailments. Acupressure has also brought me much benefit for myself as well as my clients as well (see my graphic below).

References:

Bluebird, O. &., & Bluebird, O. &. (2021, May 5). Discovering your migraine triggers with Migraine Buddy – Migraine Buddy. Migraine Buddy – Track Your Headache and Migraine – Find your Triggers and Relief – -Take Control. https://migrainebuddy.com/discovering-your-migraine-triggers-with-migraine-buddy/

Light sensitivity at EVERY stage of a migraine attack. (n.d.). TheraSpecs. https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/light-sensitivity-migraine-attack-stages/

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health migraine obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Migraines-Triggered-by-Bright-Light Wed, 19 Jul 2023 06:18:15 GMT
Become the Diamond, Leave the Coal Behind https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Become-the-Diamond-Leave-the-Coal-Behind Humans are like a lump of coal (or carbon), where if put under enough pressure, we may transform into a diamond. I understand that it takes many years, perhaps millions of years for this transformation to happen. As humans we have only about 70-80’s years on average to make our transformation come about, so best to start as soon as possible. I speak of this diamond metaphorically, in regards to each of us being on our own journey to find purpose and meaning in our lives. The diamond is what emerges from the dark and dirty coal, as we strive to find the inner genius, beauty, perfection and acceptance within our selves.

We all have our own unique set of circumstances with relative trials and tribulations. How we manage these issues are key to our health and happiness. Managing our thoughts, emotions and actions can often be attained from managing our physical body through exercise and deliberate wellness and fitness methods. Qigong (yoga), tai chi, meditation and other methods can offer lifelong benefits to the mind, body and spirit. These practices are paths to become your diamond from the rough of the world.

The process of transforming coal into a diamond takes an incredibly long time—millions to billions of years. Both coal and diamonds are made up of carbon, but the key difference lies in their formation and the conditions under which they are created.

Coal forms from plant material that accumulates in swampy environments over millions of years. Through the process of burial and geological transformation, the organic material undergoes compaction and chemical changes, resulting in the formation of coal. This process typically takes millions of years.

On the other hand, diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle, where high pressure and temperature conditions exist. These conditions cause carbon atoms to arrange in a crystal lattice structure, forming diamonds. This process occurs at depths of around 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles) and requires immense pressure and temperatures of approximately 1,000 to 1,300 degrees Celsius (1,832 to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit). The time required for diamond formation can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years.

Therefore, the transformation of coal into a diamond is an extremely slow and geologically long process, occurring over millions to billions of years under specific conditions deep within the Earth.

Life is a challenge. Nothing worth achieving comes for free. Gifts and rewards are most valuable when earned. Change your coal into diamonds.

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Become-the-Diamond-Leave-the-Coal-Behind Sun, 09 Jul 2023 08:45:35 GMT
Thoughts Can Affect the Immune System https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Thoughts-Can-Affect-the-Immune-System Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, suicide, and many other mental ailments are all serious health concerns. And also buzzwords for politicians and media attention that many feel are talked about, but never addressed. If you follow the news and mainstream media you might be led to believe that pharmaceuticals are the only treatment for mental health issues. There seems to be very little discussion regarding use of exercise (recess and PE for kids) and management of stress through breathing techniques. Both of these methods are readily available for free and span socioeconomic factors as well. Most people don’t need much space to walk, run, swim or practice calisthenics exercises. Breathing techniques are easily taught and practiced once someone is educated. A national healthcare system based on lifestyle habits of proper diet and regular exercise would be less expensive that the $4.3 trillion dollars that was spent on “sickcare” in 2021. “Selfcare” teaches people to be responsible for their own health and doesn’t help to bring profits to pharma corps, hospital chains and other facets of the healthcare industrial complex. So what should we do? Become educated to what your health is truly about…and it should not be to make other people wealthy from you not being healthy, well and fit.

The autonomic nervous systems, specifically the sympathetic (SNS, fight or flight) and parasympathetic (PNS, rest and digest) nervous systems play an integral role with the human immune system. The interaction between these two mechanisms is how the human mind and body reacts to everyday stress and sometimes traumatic stressful events.

Emotional states directly influence respiration rate which affect organ function and consequently the immune system’s ability to fight off disease and illness. When our breathing patterns change so does our blood chemistry. Our emotions reveal themselves in various breathing patterns. Emotions of anger, fear, and anxiety result in quick, shallow breaths. Grief causes us to breathe spasmodically. Boredom leads to shallow breathing, while sadness and depression produces shallow and inconsistent breathing.

Stress can be defined as an individual’s consciousness and body’s response to tension or pressure in regard to specific events or changes in one’s environment. Increased breathing rate is necessary when experiencing truly stressful situations, like being chased by an animal, running from a fire or similar life-threatening situations. However, continued breathing at this pace for an extended period of time puts accumulative stress on all of the body’s systems. It is also worth stating that not all stress is considered bad in that good things can arise from experiencing stress and coping with it (Tripathy 2018).This is actually how one can strengthen their own immune system by learning how to manage their own stresses.

Stress has become known as one of the main factors contributing to the top causes of human death. Heart disease, cancer, unintentional accidents, respiratory ailments, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide are the most common causes that all share a strong connection to stress. Deliberate management of the SNS by regulating respiration rate and volume has been proven through medical research to lower stress (Hartz-Seeley 2014).

The average person breathes 12-18 breaths per minute (BPM) during regular activity of standing, sitting & walking, consequently engaging the sympathetic nervous system. Constant duration in the SNS dumps neurotransmitters of cortisol and norepinephrine into the blood stream putting the vital organs in a state of constant high alert and stress which weakens the immune system. Health and fitness experts suggest that 6 BPM is optimal for the lungs to properly oxygenate the whole body, balance the blood chemistry and also remove toxins. The lungs are responsible for removing 70% of the body’s waste by-products through exhalation. Deeper breathing is a key component to having a long and healthy life. Through focused and deliberate breathing methods, many positive mental and physical benefits can be achieved. This is more easily accomplished through mindful breathing patterns from exercises such as meditation, qigong, tai chi and yoga (Russo et al, 2017).

I have been successful in the past decades, in managing my own stress along with accompanying headaches, anxiety, digestive issues, blood pressure levels and other ailments. When and if I begin to feel ill, fatigued or even flu-like symptoms, my course of action is to practice some tai chi and yoga, followed by a healthy meal and a good night’s rest. Based upon all of this information and my own experiences, I definitely think that our immune system is greatly affected by our nutrition, exercise/activities, thought patterns and lifestyle choices.

References:

HARTZ-SEELEY, D. (2014, March 21). Chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death. Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/living/article1961770.html

Tripathy, M. (2018). Recognizing & Handling the Underlying Causes of Stress at Workplace: An Approach through Soft Skills. International Journal of Management, Accounting & Economics, 5(7), 619–632. https://search-ebscohost-com.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=buh&AN=131442513&site=eds-live

Russo, M. A., Santarelli, D. M., & O’Rourke, D. (2017). The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human. Breathe (Sheffield, England), 13(4), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.009817

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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/7/Thoughts-Can-Affect-the-Immune-System Sat, 01 Jul 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Unhealthy Healthcare Providers – An Irony That Needs to Change https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Unhealthy-Healthcare-Providers-An-Irony-That-Needs-to-Change It is way past the time to take off the blinders and see US healthcare for what it is – SICKCARE

There has been a slow, albeit deliberate evolution of America becoming a cult(ure) of pharmacology as our main healthcare system. Long ago are the days where Americans strived to be well, fit and overall healthy regardless of occasionally becoming sick or ill. Today it is widely acceptable for the majority of people to not really worry about being sick until it happens. And then a trip to the doctor for a prescription is usually the answer instead of making dietary or lifestyle adjustments. With these observations in mind, let’s contemplate the following:

Would you take your car to a mechanic who cannot fix your vehicle?

Trust a dentist who has rotten teeth?

Hire a lawyer with legal problems themselves?

Exercise with a trainer who is not in great shape?

Listen to a healthcare provider who is obviously unhealthy?

Don’t confuse the message. This is not about one particular health issue such as obesity, stress, depression, etc. It is about the mindset that in the US we seem to think that it is fine to not be responsible for being out of shape, sickly, or stressed because we can always rely upon a doctor for pharmaceuticals, surgery and other invasive procedures to fix our lifestyle choices. For immediate physical trauma, I would seek and except help from anyone willing to offer. Other chronic issues, not so much. Many healthcare workers enter the workforce with the intent to help others. Ironically, due to the stress and lifestyle spawned from their professions, many find themselves in the same vicious circle of poor health choices they advise others to avoid. Health care professionals can serve a higher calling or sense of purpose if they were actually striving to be a good example of health and wellness instead of just collecting a paycheck. An inspiration or warning to others, we can all choice what we have to offer regardless of our career path. Physician heal thyself.

The correlation we are observing between healthcare providers in the US and their seemingly poor physical and mental health can be attributed to several factors. It is important to note that while this correlation exists, it does not necessarily apply to every healthcare provider, as individual experiences can vary.

  • Demanding Work Environment: Healthcare providers often work in high-stress and demanding environments, which can take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. Long working hours, irregular shifts, and the pressure to provide quality care to patients can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
  • Emotional Toll: Healthcare providers frequently deal with emotionally challenging situations, such as witnessing patient suffering, providing end-of-life care, or facing difficult ethical decisions. These experiences can contribute to emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
  • High Workload: The US healthcare system often faces under-staffing and resource constraints, which can result in healthcare providers taking on heavy workloads. This can lead to increased stress levels, fatigue, and limited time for self-care activities.
  • Lack of Support and Recognition: Healthcare providers may not always receive adequate support from their organizations or superiors. Lack of recognition, insufficient resources, and limited opportunities for professional growth can contribute to feelings of frustration and job dissatisfaction.
  • Stigma around Seeking Help: There can be a stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues among healthcare providers. This stigma, coupled with the pressure to maintain a professional image, may discourage individuals from seeking the support they need.
  • Work-Life Imbalance: The demanding nature of healthcare work can make it challenging for providers to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Long hours, shift work, and irregular schedules can affect their ability to engage in self-care activities, spend time with loved ones, or pursue hobbies, leading to physical and mental health challenges.

Addressing these issues requires systemic changes within the healthcare industry, such as improving working conditions, promoting a culture of self-care and mental health support, and providing resources for healthcare providers to manage stress and prevent burnout. Organizations can play a crucial role in implementing policies that prioritize the well-being of their employees, including access to mental health services and support programs.

Additionally, healthcare providers themselves should be encouraged to prioritize self-care, seek support when needed, and engage in activities that promote their physical and mental well-being. Taking breaks, seeking therapy or counseling, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining social connections, and practicing stress management techniques can all contribute to better overall health.

Read and research some of my referenced links below if you care to delve further into this topic.

References:

One Year On: Unhealthy Weight Gains, Increased Drinking Reported By Americans Coping With Pandemic Stress. (n.d.). NEWS-Line  for Mental Health Professionals. https://www.news-line.com/SY_news30737_One-Year-On:-Unhealthy-Weight-Gains,-Increased-Drinking-Reported-By-Americans-Coping-With-Pandemic-Stress

Can Overweight Docs Really Give Credible Weight Loss Advice? (2021, July 7). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20210707/overweight-doctors-credible-weight-loss-advice (ARTICLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Reilly, J. M. (2007, March 1). Are Obese Physicians Effective at Providing Healthy Lifestyle Counseling? AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0301/p738.html

American Medical Association. (2021, November 5). What doctors wish patients knew about physician burnout. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-physician-burnout

Battling the bulge — why nurses are prone to obesity. (2017, September 13). Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/ab4559ee-371f-11e7-99bd-13beb0903fa3

Shute, N. (2013, June 5). NPR Cookie Consent and Choices. NPR. https://choice.npr.org/index.html?origin=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/06/05/188920874/fat-doctors-make-fat-patients-feel-better-and-worse

Cody, S. (2014, February 25). Where have all the healthy health care workers gone? Rep Man. https://www.repmanblog.com/repman/2014/02/where-have-all-the-healthy-health-care-workers-gone.html

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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Unhealthy-Healthcare-Providers-An-Irony-That-Needs-to-Change Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Various Theories of Reflexology https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Various-Theories-of-Reflexology Reflexology is based on similar principles to acupuncture as well as some types of massage. Our bodies are mapped by meridians of energy, or “chi” (pronounced “chee’). When we feel pain, discomfort or uneasiness, the flow of energy is blocked in some way. By putting pressure on parts of these meridians, the practitioner sends an impulse or signal all the way along it, which unblocks it and promotes the energy to flow freely again. There are various theories as to where the mapping of the hands, feet and ears corresponds to the different components of the human body. This post focuses mostly on hand positioning methods to achieve better health.

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I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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[email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Various-Theories-of-Reflexology Sat, 24 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
Exercise Affects: Anti-inflammatory Response, Growth Hormone Production & Cerebral Circulation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Exercise-Affects-Anti-inflammatory-Response-Growth-Hormone-Production-Cerebral-Circ
  • Physical exercise can help to produce anti-inflammatory responses from the central nervous system.
    • Physical exercise can help to stimulate human growth hormone production.
    • Physical exercise can help to increase blood flow and oxygenation to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus areas of the brain.

    Only 25% of the US population exercises regularly. We could see a much greater reduction in serious illnesses and related comorbidities if more people exercised on a regular basis. Children especially need to get off the couch, get off the phone, PC or video game, get outside, move their bodies. We all know this, but don’t want to do what it takes to change our own habits, let alone that of our kids. About 20% of US kids are obese. 80% of these will go on to be obese adults. Obesity is not the main issue but rather the illnesses that come along with it. Plant good seeds if you want good crops, right?

    Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are both cytokines involved in the immune response and inflammation regulation

    IL-6 & IL-10 are stimulated during exercise. They play important roles in modulating the body’s response to exercise. Here’s an overview of the physiology of this mechanism during exercise:

    1. Interleukin-6 (IL-6): During exercise, IL-6 is released from various sources, including skeletal muscle, immune cells, and adipose tissue. Several factors contribute to the stimulation of IL-6 production:

    a. Muscle contraction: The mechanical stress placed on muscles during exercise triggers the release of IL-6 from the working muscles themselves. This release is mediated by intramuscular signaling pathways, such as calcium influx and the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

    b. Sympathetic nervous system activation: Exercise leads to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which releases catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). These catecholamines promote IL-6 production in skeletal muscle and immune cells.

    c. Tissue damage and inflammation: Intense or prolonged exercise can cause tissue damage and inflammation. This triggers the activation of immune cells, such as macrophages, which release IL-6 as part of the inflammatory response.

    1. Interleukin-10 (IL-10): IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that helps regulate the immune response and control excessive inflammation. Its production during exercise is influenced by various factors:

    a. IL-6-induced IL-10 production: IL-6, as mentioned earlier, is stimulated during exercise. Interestingly, IL-6 can also induce the production of IL-10. IL-6 acts as a signaling molecule, promoting the release of IL-10 from immune cells. This IL-6-induced IL-10 production helps regulate the immune response and minimize excessive inflammation.

    b. Anti-inflammatory feedback: IL-10 acts as a negative feedback mechanism to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 itself. By promoting the release of IL-10, exercise helps to maintain a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, preventing an excessive immune response.

    Both IL-6 and IL-10 have diverse effects on the body during exercise. IL-6, despite being pro-inflammatory, also has beneficial effects, such as promoting glucose uptake in muscles and stimulating lipolysis (breakdown of fats). IL-10, on the other hand, helps limit inflammation and contributes to tissue repair and recovery.

    It’s important to note that the regulation of IL-6 and IL-10 during exercise is complex, and their levels can vary based on various factors, such as exercise intensity, duration, and individual fitness levels. Additionally, the exact mechanisms underlying their release and interaction during exercise are still an active area of research.

    Strategic Trauma

    The mechanism I am referring to, where interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are stimulated during exercise, is often described as exercise-induced cytokine production, exercise-induced cytokine response or what I have come to know as strategic trauma. It highlights the fact that exercise can trigger the release and modulation of various cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-10.

    The term “exercise-induced cytokine response” encompasses the broader concept of how exercise influences the production and release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune regulation and inflammation. During exercise, various factors such as muscle contraction, sympathetic nervous system activation, and tissue damage contribute to the stimulation of cytokine production, including IL-6 and IL-10.

    This term acknowledges that cytokine responses can vary depending on the type, intensity, and duration of exercise, as well as individual factors. It also reflects the dynamic nature of cytokine production during exercise, as the levels of different cytokines can change in response to the specific physiological demands of the exercise bout.

    Strategic Trauma Effects Production of Human Growth Hormone

    Exercise-induced cytokine production, particularly the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), is related to the secretion of growth hormone (GH). GH is an important hormone involved in growth, metabolism, and tissue repair. The relationship between cytokines, especially IL-6, and GH is complex and interconnected. Here’s an overview of their connection:

    1. IL-6 and GH Release: During exercise, IL-6 can stimulate the release of GH. IL-6 acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to enhance the secretion of GH from the anterior pituitary. This IL-6-induced GH release is mediated through a complex signaling cascade involving the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
    2. Synergy with Other Factors: The exercise-induced release of GH is influenced by multiple factors, and IL-6 is one of the contributing elements. Other factors, such as increased neural stimulation, lactate production, and metabolic stress, also play a role in stimulating GH release during exercise. The combined effect of IL-6, along with these other factors, leads to an overall increase in GH secretion.
    3. Anabolic Effects and Tissue Repair: GH exerts anabolic effects on various tissues, promoting protein synthesis, muscle growth, and tissue repair. It enhances the uptake of amino acids and stimulates protein synthesis in muscles, contributing to muscle growth and repair after exercise-induced damage. The increased GH secretion during exercise, partly mediated by IL-6, helps facilitate these anabolic processes.
    4. Metabolism and Fat Utilization: GH also affects metabolism and the utilization of fats during exercise. It promotes lipolysis, the breakdown of fats, which serves as an energy source during prolonged exercise. This can help spare glycogen stores and improve endurance. IL-6, as mentioned earlier, can stimulate lipolysis as well, and the interplay between IL-6 and GH contributes to the regulation of energy metabolism during exercise.

    It’s important to note that the relationship between cytokines, GH, and exercise is multifaceted and influenced by various factors. The exact mechanisms and interactions involved are still an active area of research, and further studies are needed to fully understand the intricate connections between cytokines and GH in the context of exercise.

    Effects of Exercise on the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus

    Exercise has significant effects on both the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, two key regions of the brain involved in cognition, learning, memory, and mood regulation. Regular exercise has been found to positively impact the structure and function of these brain areas. Here are some of the effects:

    1. Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as decision-making, attention, working memory, and executive control. Exercise has been shown to have several positive effects on the PFC:

    a. Increased Blood Flow and Oxygenation: Exercise enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, including the PFC. This improved cerebral blood flow helps nourish brain cells and supports optimal PFC function.

    b. Neuroplasticity and Synaptic Growth: Exercise promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt. It stimulates the growth and branching of dendrites, the communication pathways between neurons. This synaptic growth in the PFC improves neural connectivity and strengthens cognitive abilities.

    c. Enhanced Executive Functions: Regular exercise has been associated with improvements in executive functions, including attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. These enhancements are thought to be related to the positive effects of exercise on the PFC.

    1. Hippocampus: The hippocampus is a region crucial for learning, memory formation, and spatial navigation. Exercise has profound effects on the hippocampus, including:

    a. Neurogenesis: Exercise promotes the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus, a process known as neurogenesis. These newly formed neurons are believed to contribute to improved learning and memory.

    b. Enhanced Memory and Learning: Exercise has been linked to enhanced spatial memory, declarative memory (facts and events), and associative learning, all of which rely on the hippocampus. Regular physical activity can improve the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories.

    c. Mood Regulation: The hippocampus is involved in mood regulation, and exercise has been shown to have antidepressant effects. Regular exercise increases neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin, which positively influence mood and emotional well-being.

    It’s worth noting that the effects of exercise on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus can vary depending on various factors, such as the type, intensity, and duration of exercise, as well as an individual’s fitness level and genetic factors. Nonetheless, consistent evidence suggests that exercise plays a significant role in promoting brain health and optimizing cognitive functions in these critical brain regions.

    References:

    Chronic Disease Infographics | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/tools/infographics.htm

    Islam, H., Neudorf, H., Mui, A.L. and Little, J.P. (2021), Interpreting ‘anti-inflammatory’ cytokine responses to exercise: focus on interleukin-10. J Physiol, 599: 5163-5177. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP281356

    Petzinger, G. M., Fisher, B. E., McEwen, S., Beeler, J. A., Walsh, J. P., & Jakowec, M. W. (2013). Exercise-enhanced neuroplasticity targeting motor and cognitive circuitry in Parkinson’s disease. Lancet Neurology12(7), 716–726. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70123-6

     Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2009). Aerobic exercise effects on cognitive and neural plasticity in older adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(1), 22-24.

     Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 58-65.

     Cotman, C. W., & Berchtold, N. C. (2002). Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity. Trends in Neurosciences, 25(6), 295-301.

     Kramer, A. F., Erickson, K. I., & Colcombe, S. J. (2006). Exercise, cognition, and the aging brain. Journal of Applied Physiology, 101(4), 1237-1242.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Exercise-Affects-Anti-inflammatory-Response-Growth-Hormone-Production-Cerebral-Circ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:12:41 GMT
    Book 24 – Health & Wellness Graphic Reference Book https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Book-24-Health-Wellness-Graphic-Reference-Book My new reference book is now available on Amazon!

    Book 24 – Health & Wellness Graphic Reference Book (Health and Wellness Study Guides Using Eastern Practices From Martial Arts, Yoga and Qigong) . This book is an encyclopedia of knowledge and is priced accordingly.

    Remember the Indiana Jones movies, where he found his father’s diary which had clues to his search for the Holy Grail? Well, I have been searching for over 40 years for the Holy Grail of health, wellness, fitness and self-awareness. I have been producing graphics to depict what I believe to be the key components of health and happiness.

    Over 400 pages in this study guide, consisting of mostly color graphics of concepts for better health and wellness, from allopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, anatomy & physiology, qigong, martial arts and yoga exercises and philosophy on these topics. Additionally, there are graphics depicting theories on the human life cycle, psychology relative to components of fitness and many other subjects pertaining to mental and physical well being. This reference book contains many exercise sets for rehabilitating injuries and illness as well as others to promote longevity and a better quality of life. Additionally, this book contains an appendix of over 30 pages of my personal typed notes on teaching, coaching and eastern philosophy. Review the watermarked edition just below here.

    book-24-with-appendix-12-06-02-2023-watermarked_compressed-1Download
    Click image to be directed to Amazon.com


    My books, journals and graphics are the summation of over 40 years of my training, education, teaching and public speaking of martial arts, qigong, fitness, wellness, TCM and other facets of self-improvement. Similar to popular study guides such as Quick Study or PermaCharts, these graphic and text guides cut to the chase in order to minimize precious time spent muddling through extensive textbooks seeking understanding of specific concepts. Each guide is packed with the root knowledge regarding specific topics. This format is highly beneficial for the novice as well as experts in the fields of health, wellness and self-improvement.

    The majority of my knowledge base is in theories, methods and techniques from almost 40 years of learning, training and teaching. The Qigong (breathing work) is from Chinese Kung Fu and the Korean Dong Han medical Qigong lineage. The core fitness movements are from Kung Fu and its forms in Baguazhang and Ship Pal Gi (Korean Kung Fu and weapons training). Each martial art and its fitness exercises can complement and enhance one another. The more ways that you can move your body, the better it is for your overall health.

    I have also gained much knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from many TCM practitioners, martial arts masters, teachers and peers. This includes many techniques and practices of acupressure (reflexology, auricular, Jing Well, etc.), acupuncture, moxibustion as well as preparation of some herbal remedies and extracts for conditioning and injuries. I have been studying for over 20 years with Zen Wellness, learning medical Qigong as well as other Eastern methods of fitness and self awareness. I have been recognized as a “Gold Coin” master instructor having trained and taught others for at least 10000 hours or roughly over 35 years. I have pursued my BS degree in wellness and alternative medicine, which has helped me to expand my understanding of health/wellness into other areas of study in anatomy/physiology, integrative methods, meditation, stress and trauma management, psychology, religion, nutrition and other relative topics.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Book-24-Health-Wellness-Graphic-Reference-Book Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Profit vs. Ethics in the Big Pharma View of Business https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Profit-vs-Ethics-in-the-Big-Pharma-View-of-Business From a strictly financial perspective, it may be considered a good business strategy for a pharmaceutical company to generate billions of dollars in profits for a particular product, even if they end up paying millions of dollars in fines or lawsuits. However, this viewpoint does not take into account the ethical considerations and potential harm that may result from the company’s actions. We have seen this play out many times in recent years as some very large pharma corps have been fined substantial amounts, but are still allowed to operate and profit. I am not sure how this works exactly, so I did some research.

    I would think that it is important for companies to operate with integrity and ethical principles, and to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers. When companies engage in practices that result in harm or violate regulations, they may face legal consequences and negative publicity that can damage their reputation and erode public trust.

    Furthermore, paying fines or settling lawsuits does not necessarily address the underlying issues that led to the misconduct in the first place. Companies should focus on improving their practices and ensuring that their products are safe and effective, rather than solely on maximizing profits. However, we all pretty much know that in the US world of healthcare, most of the money is gained in treating the sick rather than preventing illness. Money talks and bullshit walks.

    In summary, while generating significant profits may be a goal for many companies, it is important to consider the ethical implications of their actions and prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers. Engaging in misconduct that results in fines or lawsuits may not be a sustainable or ethical business strategy in the long run. In spite of this concept, big pharma has done pretty well for itself, especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic where record profits were reported, while being exempt from any liability from its mass distribution of products to counter its infection.

    Pharmaceutical industry gets high on fat profits - BBC News

    References:

    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223

    https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2016/03/31/gsk-pfe-bms-nvs-pay-most-in-fines.html

    https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/these-were-the-biggest-pharmaceutical-deals-in-early-2022/

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Profit-vs-Ethics-in-the-Big-Pharma-View-of-Business Sat, 10 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    The Weakest Hand & Wrist Positions https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/The-Weakest-Hand-Wrist-Positions These graphic below images show the various hand and wrist positioning that aside form self-defense applications, are common positions that people accidentally fall onto while trying to mitigate falls. Further down, this page details various exercises to help increase strength, flexibility, and dexterity of the wrists, hands and fingers. One can practice these exercises as a form of preventive maintenance.

    At the root of all physical conditioning exercises is some level of self-induced or “strategic trauma.” While practice these exercises there maybe some pain and discomfort, which as a positive attribute stimulates the nervous system.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes fall prevention health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi wrist injury yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/The-Weakest-Hand-Wrist-Positions Wed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Head, Stomach, Feet (learn – process – implement) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Head-Stomach-Feet-learn-process-implement Many years ago, I was introduced to this concept of “Head, Stomach, Feet,” a Taoist philosophy taught to me by my martial arts teachers. Me and my peers of that time were instructed to use our eyes, ears, nose, taste and touch/feel to observe what was being presented to us. This might have been a particular self-defense technique, exercise method, herbal recipe or maybe complex theories on energetic anatomy, kinesiology or self-awareness and realization. Over some time and repetition of diligent practice, we would be tasked with processing the information and “make it ours.” As even more time, effort and practice was accumulated, we would be able to more wisely discern how we were to use this valuable knowledge, whether for our own benefit or those we also taught, or others we cared to share with.

    This concept need not be kept unique to martial arts, but rather utilized by anyone willing to dissect how they themselves learn something new with the intent on putting it to use later. How can we expect to teach someone else something that we ourselves do not fully understand? Can a parent truly teach their child about algebra, nutrition, fitness, stress management, etc., that they themselves have not learned and experienced on some level? Can a sports coach teach players proper form and technique if they have not personally experienced and benefited from such practices? Similarly would someone pursue learning about health, wellness and fitness, from a teacher who themselves is not healthy? Or even trust a healthcare professional that is not an example of what they preach to others about healthcare?

    Head: Observe, Learn

    The body’s Brain” is the commander of the central nervous system (CNS) that manages most physiological body functions. Input from the sensory organs provides stimulus for the brain to process in order to sustain life, with relative health and happiness.

    Stomach: Contemplate, Process, Digest

    The body’s “second Brain” is the enteric nervous system (ENS) that manages the gut. This extensive network uses the same chemicals and cells as the brain to help us digest not just food, but sensory input to alert the brain when something is out of order or awry.

    Feet: Implement, Put Into Action

    Once the brain observes stimulus, and then processes this input, other thought processes determine the “how and why’s” of putting this input either into short-term memory (STM) for immediate usage or stored into long-term memory (LTM) for later access.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/6/Head-Stomach-Feet-learn-process-implement Sat, 03 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    How to Increase Hand Grip Strength – No Gym Required https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/How-to-Increase-Hand-Grip-Strength-No-Gym-Required Most people do not exercise, only about 25% of the US population. Of those that do, very few exercise for specific outcomes beyond building muscle strength, cardiovascular health and maybe some light stretching for flexibility and range of motion. What about exercising for breath control, vestibular balance (inner ear), symmetry of left/right. top/bottom, inside/outside, coordination, mobility of the fingers and toes? Most people just don’t put attention to these areas until they start to have issues and then they might look into addressing these imbalances. Very important but often neglected is hand grip strength. When the hand grip is weak, people are less likely to hold onto weights during weight training, so they begin to avoid this type of exercise. A weak grip affects the ability to grab onto something stable when losing one’s balance or falling. A weak grip makes it harder for someone to be independent as they become more and more insecure in themselves and depend more upon others to lift groceries, grandchildren and typical everyday tasks. The below exercise are free, simple albeit effective for those committed to the time and effort required to gain the benefits. Start with a few repetitions, eventually building up to sets of 100 or more. These exercises are safe when practiced correctly with the toes, knees and hips always lined up one atop another with no sideways stress on the knee joints.

    Unique to these exercises, is the body posture combined with the correct hand and arm positions, and the extra awareness required to keep the lower body stable while also maintaining the correct body alignments. By squeezing the hands into fist and then opening them moving only the hands and wrists, the fascia trains, the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems are all engaged throughout the entire body. Try to hold the static position while performing the wrist exercise, from steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and back to 1 for consecutive repetitions. Holding the stance generally develops overall strength where as repetitive wrist positions develops stamina, endurance and determination. Relax the body into the positions in spite of any tension in the muscles. Deep and relaxed breathing is essential while performing this exercise. Try 10x each, building to 20x, 30x, 100x 300x. Yes, this is achievable gradually over time and with much effort.

    Variation #1; Arms to the sides, engage the muscles of the pectoral, shoulders, and upper back at different angles increasing strength in many directions.

    Variation #2; Using either/both of the above arm directions, sink the hips into a horse stance. High , medium and low positions of the hips will greatly increase the difficulty and strength building benefits of this exercise set. Additionally, attempting to stay in this lower body position in spite of the cramping, pain and discomfort, this is a method to develop strength of the nervous system due to so many innervated muscles being engaged at the same time. In energetic practices from martial arts, daoyin and yoga, this practice is called “burning of the chong mai” in reference to the thrusting energy vessel (meridian) that extends from the base of the tailbone upwards towards the top of the head.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47QoJim Moltzan407-234-0119www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/How-to-Increase-Hand-Grip-Strength-No-Gym-Required Wed, 31 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Assuming Responsibility for your Healthcare (sickcare) Decisions https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Assuming-Responsibility-for-your-Healthcare-sickcare-Decisions The predominant medical system in the US is the allopathic model. I have found from personal experience that this system works usually quite well for diagnostics, trauma, conditions requiring surgical intervention, as well as treatments for prolonging life.

    Where I feel our allopathic model falls short is encouraging prevention of illnesses and avoidable conditions, treating certain types of chronic conditions, and providing quality of life in spite of prolonging it. A wise doctor I visited once told me that a way to make a decision to have or not have a procedure, was to determine if you have more good days or more bad days, within a particular time frame. His next question was, are you willing to live with the outcome if the results are not 100% successful and possibly giving side-effects that are worse than the original issues?

    I think many people put all of their trust and faith into their doctor’s opinions or suggestions without doing much research of their own. Therefore, they lack the information to better determine what is best for their individual conditions.  When confronted with a serious condition, they feel they lack medical knowledge and therefore options beyond what their doctor might suggest. When things don’t go well with the treatments, procedures, surgeries, etc., they can’t always understand that doctors are human and don’t always make the best decisions in spite of trying their best to do so. 

    I think if people would take more responsibility towards their knowledge of healthcare and their own health status prior to finding themselves in critical situations, we would have a much different healthcare system. The CDC reported the top causes of death in the US as of 2019 were heart disease, cancer, and unintended injuries1. Overall, the risks of the top 10 causes of death all can be lowered with lifestyle choices of diet, exercise, and management of stress. A John Hopkins report of 2018 reported that medical errors was the 3rd highest cause of death in the US2. My point in noting these statistics is that if the total number of these illnesses and errors was much less, then there would be less people having to deal with these critical types of decisions with or without their doctor’s input. I am aware that this is really an unrealistic expectation as the numbers go up every year. However, if doctors are to be held to such a high standard of perfection, why shouldn’t the individual have similar accountability for their own level of self-care?

    Obviously, some situations warrant a decision at the moment, regardless of how the person got to the point of immediate concern.  In this type of event, I would hope that the healthcare professionals involved would have much relative knowledge and medical experience at this point to exercise wisdom in making the correct decisions. From there the patient needs to decide whether to trust in what they know to be true and accurate and/or to have faith in what is unknown and unseen.

    References:

    1 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db395.htm

    2https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/study_suggests_medical_errors_now_third_leading_cause_of_death_in_the_us

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Assuming-Responsibility-for-your-Healthcare-sickcare-Decisions Sat, 27 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Box Breathing: A Method to Manage Stress https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Box-Breathing-A-Method-to-Manage-Stress

    So much inner conflict, anxiety, depression, PTSD. We have tools to combat this that don’t include pharmaceuticals, therapy or other harsh interventions. Americans have been conditioned (operant conditioning, B.F. Skinner) to rely upon others for their own well-being, health and happiness. Happiness comes from within. Most figure this out at some time in their life. Never for some.

    Learning to manage our own breath, leads to managing our emotions, which affects our blood chemistry, relative organ function and overall health. Box breathing and other methods cost nothing but time, effort and a realization that our nation’s healthcare crises can be improved when people take responsibilities for their own health and relative outcomes.

    From a report from the White House:

    “There are several indications that Americans were experiencing a mental health crisis prior to the pandemic. Between 2008 and 2019, the percentage of adolescents (ages 12 to 17) that reported having experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year increased nearly 90 percent, from 8.3 percent in 2008 to 15.7 percent in 2019, while the percentage of young adults (ages 18 to 25) reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year increased a similar 81 percent from 8.4 percent in 2008 to 15.2 percent in 2019 (Figure 1). Over roughly the same period, suicide death rates among individuals 10 to 24 years of age increased 47 percent. Although rates of depression were highest among adolescents and young adults, more broadly in 2019, over one in five adults age 18 or older were classified as having a mental illness, and more than 13.1 million (or 5 percent) of adults had disorders that were classified as serious because they substantially interfered with or limited one or more major life activities. Rates of mental illness were highest among those age 18 to 25, females, and those reporting their race as other, as shown in Figure 2.

    Among children age 3-17, the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders from 2013 to 2019 were ADHD (9.8 percent), anxiety (9.4 percent), behavioral problems (8.9 percent), and depression (4.4 percent). These disorders often begin in early childhood: approximately one in six U.S. children age 2-8 had a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.”

    Deeper breathing is a key component to having a long and healthy life. Through focused and deliberate breathing methods, many positive mental and physical benefits can be achieved. Box breathing is a technique to slow one’s breathing rate per minute (BPM). Slower BPM allows precise self-regulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, also referred to as the or the “rest and digest” response or the sympathetic nervous system also known as “flight or fight” response. Both of these responses regulate our blood chemistry which can affect emotions as well as organ function. This technique needs to practice regularly and often in order to gain the benefits of deep and regulated breathing. One time will not do much.

    ____________

    ____________

    ____________

    Tai chi, qigong, martial arts, meditation, yoga and some other exercise curriculum often offer box breathing techniques and many others. I have been practicing, studying and teaching these methods for almost 40 years with incredible results for myself and the hundreds of others that I have shared this knowledge with.

    Reference:

    https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2022/05/31/reducing-the-economic-burden-of-unmet-mental-health-needs/

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Box-Breathing-A-Method-to-Manage-Stress Wed, 24 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Grip Strength Affects Overall Health & Wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Grip-Strength-Affects-Overall-Health-Wellness

    Weight-bearing exercises can help prevent osteoporosis by stimulating bone growth and increasing bone density. This is because weight-bearing exercises put stress on your bones, which signals your body to build more bone tissue to handle the stress.

    When you perform weight-bearing exercises like walking, running, and weightlifting, the weight and impact of these exercises on your bones stimulate the bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. These cells create new bone tissue, which can help increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.

    Additionally, weight-bearing exercises help to maintain muscle mass and strength, which is also important for preventing osteoporosis. Strong muscles help to support your bones and reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

    It’s important to note that not all exercises are weight-bearing. Non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming and cycling, for example, don’t provide the same impact on your bones as weight-bearing exercises. Therefore, incorporating weight-bearing exercises into your exercise routine can be an effective way to prevent osteoporosis. However, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or a qualified fitness professional before starting any new exercise program.

    Tai chi, qigong, yoga and various other exercises from martial arts offer weight-bearing, and often low impact exercises. These systems have a wide spectrum of these types of exercise within their respective curriculum, for which I have been studying, practicing and teaching for almost 40 years, with truly amazing results.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Grip-Strength-Affects-Overall-Health-Wellness Sat, 20 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Mind and Body Exercises – Heal the Body With the Mind, Heal the Mind by Engaging the Body https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Mind-and-Body-Exercises-Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind-Heal-the-Mind-by-Engaging-the-Body Remember the Indiana Jones movies, where he found his father’s diary which had clues to his search for the Holy Grail?

    Well, I have been searching for over 40 years for the Holy Grail of health, wellness, fitness and self-awareness. I have been producing graphics to depict what I believe to be the key components of health and happiness.

    Find my graphics and/or booklets on my website or Amazon at:

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercisesMind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comwww.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ptsd qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/5/Mind-and-Body-Exercises-Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind-Heal-the-Mind-by-Engaging-the-Body Wed, 17 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Mindful Breathing Practices as an Option for Coping with Trauma https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Mindful-Breathing-Practices-as-an-Option-for-Coping-with-Trauma This is yet another of my posts on my scholarly research into the benefits of exercise, and more specifically methods of mindfulness (such as qigong) as treatments for mental health ailments.

    Various types of traumas exist such as that of child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, community violence, non-interpersonal trauma, death, or serious illness of a loved one, being bullied, physical assault, threats of aggression, exposure to combat among others. Various types of traumas can have a wide range of different psychological effects and outcomes. Potentially traumatic life events (PTLE) are negative incidents that may potentially compromise an individual’s ability to cope with a considerable amount of stress, resulting in a fear of death, destruction, or even insanity. Recent research has found that exposure to trauma is much more prevalent than previously recognized, where between 50% – 75% of individuals have encountered potentially traumatic situations. Self-medicating through use of various substances may be utilized to counter adverse psychological symptoms, however substances can also increase affective dysregulation and mental discomfort. This may lead to a vicious cycle of an increased desire to further self-medicate, creating a possible opportunity for other addictive behaviors (Levin et al., 2021).

    There is evidence supporting that mindful breathing practices can be an effective alternative to using pharmaceuticals for treating those that suffer from past trauma. Mindful breathing practices encourage empowerment of the individual to be proactive towards their own wellbeing. Mindful breathing classes are becoming more popular with those suffering from trauma. While some sufferers of trauma may find mindful breathing practices to be time consuming or not worth the effort, mindful breathing practices can be effective in helping people better cope with trauma, are relatively easy to learn and practice, are generally inexpensive and available to most people.

    It is estimated that more than 80% of the US population will be subject to some type of traumatic event during some time in their lives, with over 8% of those exposed going on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD (Schein et al., 2021b). While there are many types of traumas, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common. PTSD sufferers are more prone to experience symptoms of substance abuse, anger, irritability, depression, distractibility, irritability, sleep disorders, relationship conflicts, issues in their workplace, chronic pain, suicide, and other medical issues (Colgan et al., 2017).

    A recent study reports of PTSD’s 1-year prevalence spanning from 2.6% – 6.0% with civilians and ranging from 6.7% – 11.7% with US veterans. The lifetime prevalence spanned from 3.4% – 8.0% with civilians and from 7.7% – 13.4% with veterans. Women have almost twice the 1-year prevalence of PTSD compared to men, as do veterans also having roughly twice the prevalence of that of civilians. Overall estimates are quite varied due to the underdiagnosed character of this psychiatric disorder, the heterogeneity or diversity of a population, and the potential for misdiagnosis. Various subpopulations have been reported to have higher prevalence of being diagnosed with PTSD such as emergency 1st responders, American Indian/Alaska Natives, trans-masculine individuals, persons with substantial substance use, those having attempted suicide, females with previous military sexual trauma, and refugees. Additional risk factors would be young persons, females, lower income individuals, and those with mental health disorders (Schein et al., 2021b).

    Mindfulness is based on philosophical perspectives from Buddhist teachings, where one would focus on sustaining their attention in a specific manner, with intent, without judgement, and having a purpose, while striving to be present in the moment (Kabat-Zinn, 2003). Mindful based interventions (MBI) are rooted in methods that had been distilled over thousands of years in Eastern philosophies. Most of these methods require the individual to become strongly motivated to commit to making conscious changes in their everyday lives (Marzillier 2014). Researchers have classified 12 various categories of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) which would include focused attention, redirecting disturbing thoughts of events, letting go of negative thoughts, emotions, or physical pain. Also, relaxing/calming and slowing down, coping with sleep disorders, thinking logically and rationally, mantra techniques, reduction in flashbacks, sharing of thoughts and feelings more constructively, and self-awareness of spirituality (Colgan et al., 2017). MBI methods also may include breathing-based meditation (with rhythmic breathing), mindfulness meditation (participants strive to remain present), compassion meditation (loving‐kindness meditation) and Transcendental meditation (practitioners repeat or focus upon a mantra) (Haider 2021). Consistent practice with personal experience in applying mindfulness to one’s own life on a daily basis, is a basic requirement that is found with all the MBIs. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has integrated basic techniques from yoga and meditation to the benefit of people who had never imagined implementing such methods (Marzillier 2014). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was first introduced by John Kabat-Zinn, focuses on the practice and refinement of mindfulness techniques, specifically of sitting meditation, body scanning, and mindful movement of the body with methods of yoga and tai chi (Reangsing 2021). It is important to note that not all mindfulness-based interventions are considered as being yoga, tai chi and qigong. However, by their definition yoga, tai chi and qigong are mindfulness-based interventions in that they all utilize within their practices the concept of mindful breathing (MB). MB is basically where the practitioner attempts to bring sustained awareness to their breath as it enters through their nostrils and then rises and falls in their lungs with each following respiration. There are many more methods that vary in their specific benefits and relative complexity.

    A study was conducted for 6-weeks as part of a bigger study at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Neurology Department ongoing from 2009-2013, with 102 veterans (96 males and 6 females) having been previously diagnosed with chronic PTSD and averaging 52 years of age. The goal of this study was to research the physiological benefits of slow breathing (SB) compared to mindfulness, in people with PTSD. The participants were tasked with engaging with 1 of 4 mindfulness methods consisting of mindful breathing (MB), slow breathing, body scanning (BS) or sitting quietly (SQ). Participants using MB techniques used a tape or CD of a 20-minute guided meditation, where they were to practice daily at their homes. They were directed to sit upright while attempting to bring their awareness to that of their breath as it entered through the nostrils and then fell to their chest and abdomen. If their focus strayed from the breath, they were directed to just acknowledge the distracting thought, allow it to pass, and then return awareness to their breath. The study results reported six key benefits from the participants’ responses, which consisted of a greater ability to relax, an improvement in coping skills, an enhanced awareness of being in the present, an increase in nonreactivity, an improvement in nonjudgmental acceptance, a reduction in stress reactivity and less physiological arousal. The participants in the body scan and mindful breathing groups, reported more positive benefits in reducing PTSD symptoms, then those in the slow breathing or quiet sitting groups (Colgan et al., 2017).

    A randomized control trial from 2014 included 21 US veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Participants were introduced to breathing-based meditation utilizing Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, where they took part in a 7-day, 21-hour total intervention with a daily group yoga class lasting for 3 hours. At the end of the intervention, members reported reductions in anxiety symptoms, and a lower rate of breathing. In a similar study with 102 veterans in 2016, participants were randomized to 3 different types of MBI being that of sitting quietly (SQ), slow breathing (SB), mindfulness meditation (MM), MM with SB, and SB with a biofeedback device. SB and MM groups met once a week for 6 weeks while practicing at home and on their own for 20-minintes a day. The results reported the most improvements in PTSD symptom scores in the MM group, with the next most being the MM plus SB group, followed by the SQ group and finally the SB group (Haider 2021).

    Depersonalization disorder (DPD) is another condition that may result from exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms of DPD would be delusions, or a feeling of being an outside observer to one’s own actions, feelings, thoughts, and sensations, while also experiencing a detachment in regard to their surroundings. Research supports that mindful breathing may immediately help DPD patients reduce feelings of depersonalization by increasing feelings of being grounded. The theory is that by directing self-awareness towards the physical sensations of one’s own breathing while listening to particular sounds, patients become more grounded in focusing on their breathing than losing themselves in ruminative self-observation. Ruminative and detached self-observation are thought to be key components in mechanisms that regulate depersonalization. Mindfulness exercises may allocate cognitive resources to limbic and insular cortices pathways that process emotional stimuli and thereby aid in managing damaged self-awareness (Michal et al., 2013).

    Other research finds that there is a strong correlation between reduced orbitofrontal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) blood circulation derived from childhood emotional abuse, where individuals had experienced repetitive stressful events over a particular length of time. The orbitofrontal and vmPFC sends signals to the amygdala. There is speculation that a deficiency in consistent orbitofrontal and vmPFC activity, along with hyperactivity of the amygdala responding to repetitive stress, might be a strong indicator of being susceptible to depression. Further research indicates that healthy adults may be able to consciously control their emotions by increasing their vmPFC activity if exposed repetitively to a stressor. This is important to note that from previous research, that repeated mindful breathing over a prolonged period of time, can result in reduced agitation of areas of the brain that regulate emotional status such as the amygdala and thalamus, and imagery memory management from the hippocampus and fusiform gyrus (Wang et al., 2013).

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a much different perspective on trauma, from that of allopathic medicine. TCM views our life force or qi, which can become blocked, depleted, scattered, and even injured by a wide spectrum of environmental and psychological causes, such as trauma. TCM recognizes that trauma can be directly experienced and even inherited from our parents. Injuries to one’s qi from external factors as well as traumatic events, affect the energy meridians which transport qi, as well as the physiological organ systems (Aanavi, 2014). One of TCM’s branches of treatment is qigong, or literally translated to “breath work”. Taijiquan (tai chi or taiji) is perhaps the most commonly known type of qigong practice. Qigong offers a huge curriculum of traditional practices that can cultivate, increase, focus, and even heal one’s qi through specific physical exercises and deliberate regulated breathing methods. Qigong offers both medical and martial applications through mindfulness and self-awareness. Recent studies regarding Tai chi qigong (TCQ) practice reported overall high satisfaction. There were no apparent negative reactions nor side effects. In one study participants noted muscle soreness that decreased later in the treatment duration. Other reported that participants found the sessions to reduce stress, were relaxing and/or calming and showed a reduction in mental health symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety and depression. Other studies reported of increased feelings of empowerment and control over their symptoms. Also, better sleep quality, reduction in pain, improvement in physical functioning, increased ability to focus. One study did note some obstacles in their participation, like scheduling conflicts, emotional issues, work conflicts, transportation challenges and physical or health-related limitations (Niles et al., 2022).

    While these studies do offer much to contemplate regarding the many psychological and physical benefits from such practices, the data needs to be more accurately and purposefully organized and compiled. There are many more factors that come into play regarding the efficacy of mindful breathing practices that many of these studies did not address, such as length, duration, and intensity of a particular practice session. Additionally, the type or style of the methods as well as the attitude, experience, and qualification level of the instructor, and sometimes the student/patient can have effects on desired outcomes from practicing these methods. Regardless of these factors, studies do support mindful breathing practices as being an effective treatment option for coping with past experiences from trauma events.

    References

    Aanavi, M. (2014). Trauma, Qigong, And Trust. California Journal of Oriental Medicine (CJOM), 25(1), 23–25.
    Colgan DD, Wahbeh H, Pleet M, Besler K, Christopher M. (2017). A Qualitative Study of Mindfulness Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Practices Differentially Affect Symptoms, Aspects of Well-Being, and Potential Mechanisms of Action. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(3):482-493. doi:10.1177/2156587216684999


    Haider, T., M.P.H., Dai, C., PhD., & Sharma, M., PhD. (2021, Winter). Efficacy of meditation-based interventions on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans: A narrative review. Advances in Mind – Body Medicine, 35, 16-24. Retrieved from https://northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/efficacy-meditation-based-interventions-on-post/docview/2494554894/se-2

    Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016


    Levin, Y., Lev Bar-Or, R., Forer, R., Vaserman, M., Kor, A., & Lev-Ran, S. (2021). The association between type of trauma, level of exposure and addiction. Addictive Behaviors, 118. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106889

    Marzillier, J. (2014). The Trauma Therapies: Vol. First edition. OUP Oxford.
    Michal, M., Koechel, A., Canterino, M., Adler, J., Reiner, I., Vossel, G., Beutel, M. E., & Gamer, M. (2013). Depersonalization disorder: Disconnection of cognitive evaluation from autonomic responses to emotional stimuli. PLoS ONE, 8(9). https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0074331


    Niles, B. L., Reid, K. F., Whitworth, J. W., Alligood, E., Williston, S. K., Grossman, D. H., McQuade, M. M., & Mori, D. L. (2022). Tai Chi and Qigong for trauma exposed populations: A systematic review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 22. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100449

    Reangsing, C., Punsuwun, S., & Schneider, J. K. (2021). Effects of mindfulness interventions on depressive symptoms in adolescents: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 115. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103848


    Schein, J., Houle, C., Urganus, A., Cloutier, M., Patterson-Lomba, O., Wang, Y., King, S., Levinson, W., Guérin, A., Lefebvre, P., & Davis, L. L. (2021b). Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the United States: a systematic literature review. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 37(12), 2151–2161. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2021.1978417

    Wang, L., Paul, N., Stanton, S. J., Greeson, J. M., & Smoski, M. J. (2013). Loss of sustained activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in response to repeated stress in individuals with early-life emotional abuse: implications for depression vulnerability. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 320. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00320

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi trauma winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Mindful-Breathing-Practices-as-an-Option-for-Coping-with-Trauma Sat, 29 Apr 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Yoga as a Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Yoga-as-a-Treatment-for-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder This post continues my scholarly research into the benefits of exercise, and more specifically yoga, its sibling of qigong and other methods of mindfulness as treatments for mental health ailments.

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a large-scale web-based survey of 5000 adults in the United States with results reflecting that almost all were affected by at least one adverse mental or behavioral health issue related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results also showed that more than one-quarter of the participants experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress-related disorder or PTSD (Nagarajan et al., 2022). Post-traumatic stress disorder is described as a psychological health condition that may emerge in response to experiencing traumatic events, such as severe injuries, assault, natural disasters, and war. PTSD is a worldwide health issue and of concern in the United States, occurring across many demographics but with prevalence in affecting post-war veterans (Piotrowski et al., 2022). Alternative methods have been becoming more acceptable within the field of PTSD treatment. The purpose of this paper is to help determine how effective practices such as yoga and similar mindfulness practices can be an option when treating symptoms of PTSD. Veterans and others with PTSD can possibly benefit immensely from yoga and mindfulness methods based upon past and recent research (Neukirch et al., 2019).

    Yoga and mindfulness techniques have shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other psychological health conditions in veterans as well as other demographics. These techniques can continue to be effective if individuals practice what they have learned from experiments and continue the practices while on their own at home. An important side-effect of yoga practice is the decrease in the hypothalamus-adrenal-pituitary-axis (HPA-axis) activity from physiological arousal. The HPA-axis is the main mechanism that regulates the adrenal hormone cortisol, in response to coping with stress. Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol are correlated to compromised cognitive functions (Zaccari et al., 2020).

    The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the lives of millions of people worldwide, making it a traumatic phenomenon of its own, regardless of those having suffered from the disease. Additionally, those previously hospitalized with having severe COVID-19 infection may be more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD. Separate from the disease itself, hospitalized patients may have encountered other challenges such as time away from home and loved ones, social stigmatism, and financial hardships relative to receiving treatment (Nagarajan et al., 2022).

    Demographic factors such as race, age, ethnicity, education, and gender have been associated with notable variations in amounts of exposure to trauma, available support resources, and subjection to other stressors. Younger, less educated, female, and ethnic minorities may be more systematically disadvantaged with having PTSD. Experiences of specific types of traumas such as exposure to combat, moral injury situations and military sexual trauma (MST), as well as increasing trauma and other life stressors also have been connected to an increased risk of PTSD with veterans (Copeland et al., 2022).

    Some of the defining symptoms of PTSD would include diminished interest in activities, irritability, recklessness, aggression, aggressiveness, avoidance, detachment from others, depression, anxiety, mood swings, sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, hyperarousal symptoms, intrusive memories of the trauma, reoccurring and disturbing dreams or nightmares, outbursts of anger, self-destructive behavior, difficulty with concentration and sometimes a continual and distorted sense of blame of oneself or others (Piotrowski et al., 2022).

    The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), administered from February 2001 to April 2003, determined that Americans aged 18 years and older, had an estimated lifetime prevalence of PTSD among men at 3.6% and among women at 9.7%. The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS), administered from November 1986 to February 1988 determined that of those veterans having served in the military during the Vietnam era, the estimated lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 30.9% for men and 26.9% for women. The prevalence of PTSD for Gulf War Veterans and Operation Iraqi Freedom is estimated to be 10.1%. Veterans having served in Afghanistan and Iraq have an estimated prevalence of 13.8%. Studies show that children having exposure to traumatic events may be subject to having a higher prevalence of PTSD, when compared to adults in the same population. Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 were estimated to suffer from PTSD at a rate of 3.7% for males and 6.3% for females (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, n.d.-b).

    Various treatment techniques and therapies exist that have known to offer improvement in some areas while lacking in other certain environments. Issues with unavailability of access to medical care, increased expense of prescription drugs, and the negative attitude that is often attached to those seeking mental health care. This stigma can discourage or prevent those coping with PTSD from fully realizing benefits from therapy. Common treatments for PTSD consist of cognitive-based psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies, but research reflects that 60-72% of sufferers continue to be diagnosed with PTSD in spite of receiving cognitive processing. Additionally, both cognitive-based psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies have significant dropout rates (Zaccari et al., 2020).

    Sleep disturbance and disturbing dreams are considered the main symptoms of PTSD due to these being the most commonly reported in up to 70% of individuals diagnosed with PTSD. Sleep disturbance is a typical physiological response to having experienced trauma and is associated with negative emotional, behavioral, and cognitive ramifications and relative sequelae. Studies show evidence supporting dispositional mindfulness providing an important adaptive strategy for managing trauma related sleep and emotion regulation disturbances. Mindfulness activities may help the practitioner to minimize trauma-related emotional struggles and hyperarousal by becoming more aware of immediate or current emotions and combined with a nonjudgmental viewpoint in the processing of these emotions that may lead to PTSD-related sleep disturbances (Nagy, et al., 2022). Research supports that the practice of yoga can help to enhance cognitive functioning that correlates to reducing PTSD symptoms while simultaneously increasing sleep quality and quality of life (Zaccari et al., 2020).

    A pilot study was conducted with 27 veteran participants diagnosed with PTSD and were recruited from mental health clinics of the Veteran Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). All participants had engaged in some previous type of trauma therapy. However, they were not to be simultaneously enrolled in another trauma processing therapy. The main goal of the study was to analyze the influence of specific yoga practices on response inhibition, PTSD symptoms, and relative cortisol levels in response to stress. The study incorporated trauma-sensitive yoga (TSY) that was based upon hatha-style yoga. Adjustments were incorporated for trauma sensitivity, such as instruction utilizing verbal guidance, elimination of hands-on physical adjustments, class format of a half-circle to allow participants to view the instructor and one another, and use of postures that specifically were not to facilitate adrenaline secretion. Of the 27 veterans who signed-up for this study, seventeen completed the intervention and postintervention assessment. They were required to self-report their symptoms of PTSD, and also their salivary cortisol levels at various intervals before and after practice sessions. Those that participated attended from 3 to 8 sessions total. Results showed improvements in sleep quality along with reductions in symptoms of depression, which support the previously known correlation linking sleep to depression. The change in reduced cortisol levels coincides with increases in the quality of life. This study indicated that yoga interventions such as trauma-sensitive yoga may enhance cognitive response inhibition, reduce symptoms of depression, improve sleep quality, reduce other PTSD symptoms and relative complaints (Zaccari et al., 2020).

    In another study supporting that yoga and other mindfulness-based practices offer other potential benefits for treatment of PTSD. Further research highlights that yoga promotes interoceptive awareness that can be channeled to address root difficulties related to PTSD, Interoceptive awareness helps to enhance the ability to palliatively process trauma symptoms without becoming severely overloaded. Participants reported an increase in their focus on body sensations, prolonged awareness of these sensations and self-regulation of stress by addressing these sensations. (Neukirch et al., 2019). Increased interoceptive awareness as well as self-regulation of the HPA-Axis through the practice of yoga, can potentially empower those suffering from PTSD to better self-manage cognitive-based therapies, and aid in successful management of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors which affect overall health and well-being.

    References

    Copeland, L. A., Finley, E. P., Rubin, M. L., Perkins, D. F., & Vogt, D. S. (2022). Emergence of probable PTSD among US veterans over the military-to-civilian transition. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/tra0001329.supp (Supplemental)

    Nagarajan, R., Krishnamoorthy, Y., Basavarachar, V., & Dakshinamoorthy, R. (2022). Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors of severe COVID-19 infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 299, 52–59. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.040

    Nagy, S. M., Pickett, S. M., & Hunsanger, J. A. (2022). The relationship between mindfulness, PTSD-related sleep disturbance, and sleep quality: Contributions beyond emotion regulation difficulties. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14(7), 1073–1079. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/tra0000572

    Neukirch, N., Reid, S., & Shires, A. (2019). Yoga for PTSD and the role of interoceptive awareness: A preliminary mixed-methods case series study. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 3(1), 7–15. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2018.10.003Piotrowski, N. A., PhD, & Range, L. M., PhD. (2022). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition).VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-b). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/epidemiology.asp

    Zaccari, B., Callahan, M. L., Storzbach, D., McFarlane, N., Hudson, R., & Loftis, J. M. (2020). Yoga for veterans with PTSD: Cognitive functioning, mental health, and salivary cortisol. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(8), 913–917. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/tra0000909.supp (Supplemental)

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease ptsd qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Yoga-as-a-Treatment-for-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder Wed, 26 Apr 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Qigong – Heal the Mind With the Body – Detailed Description https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Qigong-Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body-Detailed-Description This is another post in my series of explaining qigong practices. Qi, Chi or Gi means air, energy or breath in Chinese and Korean. Gong or Kung means work. Qigong therefore translates to energy or breath work.

    The human body is made up of bones, muscles, and organs amongst other components. Veins, arteries and capillaries carry blood and nutrients throughout to all of the systems and components. Additionally, 12 major energy meridians carry the body’s energy. “lifeforce” also known as “qi”. Ones qi is stored in the lower Dan Tien. Daily emotional imbalances accumulate tension and stress gradually affecting all of the body’s systems.Each discomfort, nuisance, irritation or grudge continues to tighten and squeeze the flow of the life force. This is where “dis-ease” claims its foothold.

    Qigong breathing exercises can adjust the brainwaves to the Alpha state, where the mind is relaxed and the body chemistry changes and promotes natural healing. Relaxing of the deep skeletal muscles, and working outward as one tries to release tension accumulated within the muscles, organs and nerves. Whereas conventional physical exercise can deplete energy,Qi Gong helps to replenish your natural energy.

    Our emotional state directly influences how we breathe. The emotions reveal themselves in the breathing patterns:

    • Anger, fear, anxiety – shallow breaths
    • Grief – spasmodic breathing
    • Guilt – restricted breathing
    • Boredom – shallow, lifeless breathing
    • Sadness/depression – under breathing


    Furthermore:

    Dwelling in the past – can produce any of the above breathing patterns


    Worrying about the future – can produce any of the above breathing patterns


    Present in the moment – The goal here is clarity and self awareness to slow and regulate the breath


    Becoming present in the moment can happen in various ways such as:
    1) Immediate trauma – Fear of injury or loss of life can put one into the moment quickly.


    2) Practice of mindful exercises such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and other similar mind and body interactive practices.


    3) Engaging in activities such as singing, painting, performing music, dancing, etc.

    Qigong exercise can change brainwaves to the Alpha state:

    • Alpha – relaxed concentration, creative state
    • Beta – attentive, alert
    • Delta – unconscious
    • Theta – drowsy state of mind

    Benefits of Qigong exercises:

    • Boosts the immune system
    • Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, mood swings
    • Lowers blood pressure
    • Increases the body’s natural healing process
    • Lungs increase their capacity
    • Promotes better respiration and circulation
    • Enhanced self-awareness
    • Helps to change the body’s chemistry for the better

    Qigong utilizes regulated breathing, which calms emotions, which modulates the autonomic nervous system. This engages the parasympathetic nervous system that manages blood chemistry and relative hormones and neurotransmitters.. Blood chemistry affect organ function either in a positive or negative manner.


    Best Times:

    • morning (calm, nature awakening)
    • evenings (calm, tranquil)
    • anytime (even a few minutes)

    Best Locations to practice:

    • outside and peaceful
    • inside and uncluttered
    • anywhere possible

    Qigong practice is a solution to the current health care crisis, where we have seen a drastic increase in diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, suicide and so many other mental and physically related health issues.

    Would it not be wise to at least consider preventing these ailments in the first place rather than using questionable pharmaceuticals and therapies after the fact? Folks, the horse has been out of the barn for many decades now. If government leaders, medical professionals, school boards and parents were to actually promote and encourage physical exercise, good nutrition, meditation and self-responsibility we might have a much different looking nation. Plant good seeds, no?

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Qigong-Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body-Detailed-Description Sat, 22 Apr 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Qigong – A Way to Heal the Mind, By Engaging the Body https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Qigong-A-Way-to-Heal-the-Mind-By-Engaging-the-Body This is a continuation of my previous post of how we can use the knowledge within our thoughts to help to heal the ill, injured, damaged or traumatized human mind and body. Knowledge such as nutrition, appropriate exercise, management of sleep and healthy social relationships. This article delves in deeper on the practice of Qigong or breath work, in order to help heal our body by using knowledge, and conversely heal the mind by using physical exercises.

    No need for a gym membership, a mat, special equipment nor special clothing. Just some time, effort and a willingness to learn something different. Qigong practice is a solution to the current health care crisis, where we have seen a drastic increase in diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, suicide and so many other mental and physically related health issues. Would it not be wise to at least consider preventing these ailments in the first place rather than using questionable pharmaceuticals and therapies after the fact? Folks, the horse has been out of the barn for many decades now. If government leaders, medical professionals, school boards and parents were to actually promote and encourage physical exercise, good nutrition, meditation and self-responsibility we might have a much different looking nation. Plant good seeds, no? Of course there will be some that look at Eastern methods of healthcare such as yoga, tai chi, qigong and meditation as that “weird stuff” that they don’t want their kids exposed to. So be it. Then maybe they can “do something” to fix all that ails our once great country.

    Qi, pronounced “chee,” means energy. You may see it spelled “Chi” or even “Ki” in Japanese, but they all carry the same meaning. Qi is the energy of the body, of the meridians, of food, of the universe. While it may seem a nebulous topic there are refined theories regarding the different types of Qi within the body, the creation and actions of Qi, and consequently, ways to determine where imbalances may arise. “Gong” or “Kung” means work or diligent effort. So qigong translates to “breath work.”

    Qigong or Chi Kung is breathing exercises, with little or no body movement, can be practiced while sitting, standing or moving, Regulation of the breath can adjust the brain waves to the Alpha state. When the mind is relaxed, the body chemistry changes and promotes natural healing. With deliberate regulated breaths, one is able to relax the deep skeletal muscles working outward, while releasing tension accumulated within the muscles, organs and nerves. Whereas conventional physical exercise can deplete energy, Qigong helps to replenish your natural energy.

    Qigong shares the same branch of origin as yoga. Both systems have sitting, standing and moving exercises with their respective curriculum. Both systems have a strong observance of the breathing mechanism and how it helps to balance out the mind, body and for some, spiritually and/or self-awareness. Qigong does have some exercises practiced like yoga on the ground, but curriculum really depends upon the teacher and intended participants. This curriculum is vast and holds many options and variations to help those that are injured, ill, disable and may have other limitations. The following graphics offer a window into what qigong exercises look like.

    Knowledgeable and well experienced teachers of qigong and yoga, will drill down into the details and subtle nuances of these practices. The development is in the details. Trying to learn these methods and the many specifics can be as easy or difficult as the practitioner cares to engage. However, one of the main benefits of these practices is that by occupying one’s thoughts with the physical details, the mind becomes more engaged with the body. This is where the true healing begins when the breathing frequency is deliberately slowed down, the nervous system adjust the delicate blood chemistry which in turn positively affects organ function.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Qigong-A-Way-to-Heal-the-Mind-By-Engaging-the-Body Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Heal the Mind With the Body, Heal the Body With the Mind https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body-Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.

    – Carl Jung

    Our culture is broken. Out of balance. Many feel traumatized. So many people suffering. So much stress, depression, and anxiety. The solution is not always in pharmaceuticals, therapy, alcohol or recreational drugs. Exercising regularly can help and it is often FREE if you commit to the time and effort.

    Physical exercise is one of the single most beneficial mental and physical activities that we can do for ourselves on a regular basis. When we exercise, our brain produces many chemicals (hormones and neurotransmitters) that manage stress and counteract the sympathetic nervous response. If you are not currently exercising regularly, try to start by simply taking a walk around your block and build up from there. 5 minutes here and there throughout your day adds up cumulatively. One does not need to exercise for hours a day to gain the benefits. Walk, run , swim, stretch, weight train, or my preferences of qigong, tai chi and yoga. This is the “do something,” that will actually affect you and consequently those in your life.

    And we as a nation have been consistently reducing the importance of physical exercise to our youth, as many schools nationwide have greatly reduced and even eliminated physical education within schools on all levels. Perhaps this is why teenage depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD and other ailments have been contributing to the spike in youth suicides over the last few decades. Broken children grow into broken adults. Plant good seeds and harvest a good yield. Plant with rotten seeds and the crop produced will be rotten. This is ancient knowledge that seems to have been forgotten in current times.

    Yin & Yang are relative terms, in relation to content and context. In the concept of Yin & Yang, nothing is
    permanent nor absolute. Opposites are complementary. Many philosophers and scholars view Yin & Yang as the
    motive force for the start, change and end of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based upon the belief that
    the existence of the universe is due to the result of the interactions between Yin & Yang.

    Everyday Uses of Yin & Yang Theory:

    • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
    • Philosophy (Taoism & Confucianism)
    • Science (Chinese)
    • Meditation
    • Feng Shui
    • Spirituality
    • As a Trending Fad
    • Martial Arts
    • Qigong and Energy Movement

    Mind and body – most agree that our mind and body are important and there exists a balance and harmony between the two. Just because someone can repeat the words of “mind and body” does not necessarily mean they have an understanding of this relationship. How do we achieve this beyond just the mere words of “mind” and “body?’ We need to actually use our mind to manage and regulate not only our physical bodies but our thoughts and relative emotions. We need to truly engage our physical body in movement, physical activities and exercises in order to engage our cognitive brain functions. This is how we can link the mind and body together to achieve higher levels of both self-awareness, mental and physical health as well. Self-cultivation is not free in any sense of this understanding. This takes time, effort and often sacrifice of other things we deem as important.

    It is usually much easier to train our body, than it is to train our minds. By becoming aware of our body positions, alignments and movements, we train our minds by using our bodies. When we position our toes, our knees, the hips, the spine, the shoulders, and especially our breathing rhythm, we are disciplining our body into correct alignments that manifest into muscle and bone strength, increased blood and energy circulation and most specifically the change in the hormones within the blood chemistry that not only regulates organ function, but balances out emotional ups and downs.

    We can use the knowledge within our thoughts to help to heal our damaged body. Knowledge such as nutrition, appropriate exercise, management of sleep and healthy social relationships. So why is is such as stretch to consider that our body holds the keys to managing mental ailments linked to emotions of anxiety, depression, anger, grief and others?

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health mental health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body-Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind Sat, 15 Apr 2023 13:46:08 GMT
    US Infant Mortality Rate Explodes in Recent Years https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/US-Infant-Mortality-Rate-Explodes-in-Recent-Years Anthropologists have studied and concluded that there are many varying perspectives and beliefs in defining what good health looks like within different cultures. While some views on healthcare are shared, some are quite different in their culture’s approach. For example, childbirth in the US is often viewed as an emergency medical event (medicalization of a natural human biological function) involving a hospital, various pregnancy specialists and quite often pharmaceuticals. It is important to realize that some births may be more complicated that others that may require a allopathic medical doctor to perform specific procedures to ensure the safety of the mother and infant child. Other developed countries like Holland and Sweden use the hospital but with less specialist intervention. Cultures within Yucatan Mexico use their homes and family members in the birthing process more similar to how humans have given birth for thousands of years of human history (James, 2020).

    Interesting to note and requiring further discussion is that, the US is far behind other countries in the use of midwives for delivery of babies than most other wealthy and developed nations, in spite of the US by far having a higher infant mortality rate in recent years. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation, however…..

    https://tcf.org/content/commentary/worsening-u-s-maternal-health-crisis-three-graphs/

    I think it is important to understand why the US has moved more towards medical physicians, pharmaceuticals and surgeries not only for childbirth but for many if not most health issues, ailments and diseases. Basically, we have been sold that western medicine is better than alternatives and often methods that have been time-proven for many years past, e.g. diet vs. pills. Severe trauma, yes use a medical doctor; high blood pressure, anxiety, depression – check your food intake, exercise, activity and stress levels.

    “Several important milestones happened in the early part of the 1900’s that had a profound impact on midwifery: The 1910 Flexner Report recommended hospital deliveries and the abolition of midwifery. The study has since been recognized for its racist, sexist, and classist approach to medical education”

    “A stark divide began to take root in the 1800’s, when white male physicians began to explore childbirth with greater interest. Their approach was based on a colonialization framework, which devalued birth as ceremony and focused instead on the physical aspect of wellbeing.  

    Many doctors opposed midwife-assisted births. They launched campaigns against the profession, promoting Western science and the pain relief that hospitals could offer. By the turn of the century, they attended approximately half of births, despite having little training in obstetrics.  

    In rural America, however, midwives continued to attend births. In the Southern states, Black midwives, sometimes called “granny” midwives, attended up to 75% of births until the 1940’s. A combination of laws, educational restrictions, and campaigns against the profession led to the dismantling of their practice” (A Brief History of Midwifery in America | OHSU, n.d.).

    So here we are once again, especially over the last 3 years, that the US medical community and astonishing US politicians often tout how great the US’s healthcare system is at providing the best, the safest, the most effective, the most innovative and best technological healthcare in the world. Do your own research and you will find out that the US is often none of these aforementioned. The charade, the fallacy, the wizard behind the curtain, is often the way the US healthcare system works. It is indeed not “healthcare” but “sickcare”.

    https://www.statista.com/chart/23559/midwives-per-capita/

    A Closer Look at America's Infant Mortality Rate

    References:

    James, R. (2020, July 24). Medical Anthropology 101 [Movie]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SvvLnrk77I

    https://tcf.org/content/commentary/worsening-u-s-maternal-health-crisis-three-graphs/

    https://www.healthify.us/healthify-insights/a-closer-look-at-americas-infant-mortality-rate

    https://www.statista.com/chart/23559/midwives-per-capita/

    https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/brief-history-midwifery-america

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health midwives obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/4/US-Infant-Mortality-Rate-Explodes-in-Recent-Years Mon, 03 Apr 2023 07:38:33 GMT
    The Gears of Life – Our Journey Around the Sun https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/The-Gears-of-Life-Our-Journey-Around-the-Sun A universal truth cannot be easily disputed, as everyone can agree on some level with the facts in question. Other universal truths are that water in its liquid state is wet, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and that humans are mortals and eventually die in our physical form. The truth is that we come into this world on the physical level with nothing, and we leave with nothing. The earth’s yearly journey around the sun is another such universal truth.

    It is easy to see how the time of the day affects us. If you pay attention to it you will see the pattern. During a 24-hour period, our body, energy and emotions change. Knowing this pattern makes daily life much easier. This pattern is known as the Horary Cycle or Circadian Rhythm.

     

    • Some of these relationships might seem somewhat obvious as children have a sprouting or growing personality learning and showing their identity and ego from 0-8 years of age.
    • A person from 8-33 is seen as flowering or showing their creativity, intelligence, attractiveness and excessive behavior.
    • The 33-58 is the fruition years where one starts to blossom as an adult using their knowledge and experience to further their career, family and material assets.
    • 58-83 brings the harvest of what was nurtured or squandered from the previous years becomes more apparent. Health issues arrive if prior neglect is not addressed.
    • The last season of transformation from 83-108 is a reflection on what was accomplished mentally, physically and spiritually throughout the prior phases. The realization of self and that the material possessions are only temporary up until this point.

    These truths will still be debated given an audience and someone willing to debate these facts. Often times people will make claims to their “truth” or someone else’s “truth,” where my understanding is that their can only be one truth for a particular topic, but maybe an unlimited number of ways someone can experience the truth, as in their unique reality. We all experience the climatic seasons somewhat differently, but nature without a doubt makes the distinction between summer and winter, daytime and nighttime, everything is impermanent and changing. Either we choose to live in harmony with the patterns of nature, or we become subject to the consequences of attempting to live in opposition to nature.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress management stress relief tai chi trauma winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/The-Gears-of-Life-Our-Journey-Around-the-Sun Wed, 29 Mar 2023 06:39:01 GMT
    Energy Vampire or Energy Sun -Which Are You? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Energy-Vampire-or-Energy-Sun--Which-Are-You We have probably all meet people who when walking into a room, drain the energy of all in their company. Or conversely, the person who comes in and brings up everyone energy and puts a smile on everyone’s’ face. Yin and yang in all things!

    Perform a bit of self-reflection. When you walk into a room, do you bring in your positive energy and personality that can lift others up?

    Energy Sun

    Or do you do the exact opposite by bringing everyone down with your negativity and pessimism?

    Energy Vampire

    None of us are perfect, but should be doing our best to bring more optimism, compassion and empathy into the world? So many people claim to want to change and/or save the world, when they can’t even change themselves for the better. Make your own bed. Check your own backyard. Clean your own house, before you pontificate about others should or shouldn’t do. This is how we can make the world a better place. Start in your own home, looking in your own mirror.

    Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Energy-Vampire-or-Energy-Sun--Which-Are-You Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:38:59 GMT
    Luxury Taxing of Medical Procedures https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Luxury-Taxing-of-Medical-Procedures Tax US citizens for medical procedures due to relative lifestyle choices? This type of reasoning could also be used then to penalize and tax people who eat fast or junk food by saying that they have an option to eat healthier or otherwise. Or perhaps we begin to tax parents for providing orthodontic services which are often not covered by insurance due to the cosmetic nature of the procedures. Where does this type of rationing end? I do not think it is the responsibility of the government to be the morality or vanity police, but support and create legislation that does not have the potential to divide people, due to their choosing procedures that may be considered to some and not others as essential or not to the individual.

    There are many studies and reports of wasted tax income that goes to frivolous expenditures like those reported by Forbes such as taxpayers funded story time at laundromats ($248,200); sex education for prostitutes in Ethiopia ($2.1 million) and Ivy League, Inc. (the eight Ivy universities) received $9.8 billion in federal grants despite having a collective endowment of $140 billion, up $20 billion since 2016.

    Forbes goes on to report that of the US governmental agencies receiving the highest amount of funding for 2017-2019 was the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) having received $1.5 trillion in grants – which was approximately seven of every ten dollars. Twenty-one other governmental agencies were awarded $1 billion or more in grants. Obviously, these are very big dollar numbers and not knowing exactly how the monies were spent can open a debate of if the funds were actually used wisely for the American people. So, where I don’t think, the government should move to impose a “cosmetic tax” I do think the government should be held more accountable for the vast amounts of money that is possibly being spent on frivolous projects that do not help the American people as whole.

    There are many good points on many sides of this issue. As long there is open dialogue by whomever ultimately make these decisions to pass legislation, there is some hope for fair and reasonable measures to be installed. I am all in for helping those who need assistance and cannot work or pay for their basic needs; not so much for those who choose to not work for their needs and wants. Our government has the resources to provide for those in need, but I feel the root problem is in the poor administration and/or management of the already existing resources.

    With that being said, there are many types of cosmetic or elective procedures/surgeries that are not necessarily covered by insurance companies. Some of these procedures could be deemed as a positive factor whether physically or mentally to the patient. Or perhaps detrimental to the patient in not just physical appearance but in accompanying mental issues, such as depression, low self-esteem, bullying and probably others. Who gets to decide if these are necessary procedures or luxury items to be taxed? I see the following cosmetic examples as being questionable:

    • Craniofacial Surgery – examples would be birth defects, cleft palates, auricular issues, etc.
    • Reconstructive Surgery After Disease or Injury – examples like animal bites, injury from trauma, scarring from disease
    • Correction of a Deviated Septum – example such as sinus issues, breathing problems, injury or trauma, snoring which affects sleep quality
    • Breast Reduction – can cause back, neck and shoulder issues
    • Breast Reconstruction – cancers, but also traumatic injury, abuse
    • Eyelid Procedures – issues can affect sight, ability to drive, work, etc.

    There is the discussion if straight teeth are considered cosmetic or otherwise? Also, wisdom teeth removal. Both of these issues can be lived with, but there is much information that the straightness of the teeth can affect eating habits resulting in better or worth chewing of certain foods, which can lead someone to choose some foods that are easier to chew but less nutritional over ones that are healthier but require more mastication. A healthy smile also improves self-esteem which lowers stress and relative stress hormones.

    References:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279590/

    https://www.northtexasplasticsurgery.com/blog/6-examples-of-when-plastic-surgery-is-medically-necessary

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/09/30/wheres-the-pork-us-taxpayers-funded-a-lot-of-wasteful-spending-2017-2019/?sh=79aae41d3dc0

    _______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Luxury-Taxing-of-Medical-Procedures Wed, 22 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Performance Enhancing Drug Usage https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Performance-Enhancing-Drug-Usage I have found that when athletes use PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) there is the possibility of side-effects from using such drugs. Although some of these drugs or supplements are deemed as safe for human consumption by the FDA, there are still concerns of overuse, abuse, allergic reactions, and other issues that might affect one individual differently than another. The user needs to accept the responsibility to read product labels and conduct their own research to best determine what ingredients are used and if they are safe for the individual user and not the general public as a whole.

    https://trinitonian.com/2018/04/25/athletics-dept-to-begin-testing-for-athlete-drug-use/

    When examined as a societal issue, I think that it sends the wrong message that it is fine to bypass the hard work, time and effort that is often sacrificed in order to achieve a particular goal relative to better physical performance for whatever sport one is pursuing. With the competition that is inherent within most organized sports, PEDs are bound to cause issues of jealousy and envy as some athletes will develop animosity towards others that are seen as cheating or acquiring an “edge” over other competitors.

    This discussion can again lead back into last week’s talk about people looking for and relying upon pharmaceuticals to cure all our illnesses and diseases. However, in this case it would be drugs to not only fix our health problems, but to maybe fix issues of low self-esteem, ego, and other psychological imbalances due to the highly competitive nature of organized sports.

    I don’t really see much of a difference between illegal and legal PEDs, when it appears as if many of the supplements that go unregulated as well as those approved by the FDA for prescription use only, are widely available to anyone looking to purchase and use these products at their own risk. Perhaps the whole industry and the FDA are in need of closer scrutiny as to conflicts of interest when it comes to regulating products that have become such a large health issue in sports on all levels.

    References:

    https://www.healthline.com/health/legal-steroids#alternatives

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

    https://taylorhooton.org/how-easy-it-is-to-get-steroids/

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Performance-Enhancing-Drug-Usage Sat, 18 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Food Label Ambiguity https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Food-Label-Ambiguity Labeling on foods can often be misleading, vague, or complicated for the uninformed. I feel that this is a way that food companies can be dishonest by perhaps changing the serving size to be half the portion, making it seem that the fat content is half as much. Food labeling can be like a shell game where if you don’t pay attention to the wording and amounts, it is easy to believe whatever the food companies wish one to believe in order to purchase their products.

    It appears to me that the US government (FDA) that regulates the food companies, have more rights than the consumers buying their products. Unless one becomes well versed in the product labeling, which most people are not in my opinion, it is very easy to think that we are purchasing and ultimately consuming healthy food products where in reality we are not.

    I am in favor of total transparency on food labeling, as to what the nutritional values are, what actual ingredients are included naturally and what is chemically added in the process of preparing for resale. Then let the consumer decide for themselves if they want to purchase a product that is loaded with whatever additives or preservatives. There is a reason why the shelf life for some processed foods is literally years. Why would I think otherwise that these same chemicals would not end up “preserving” something within my body that should not be preserved?

    I have a relative who is a food chemist. Years back he shared with me that one of the most common food colorings, called carmine is a natural red dye also labeled as cochineal extract, E120 or natural red 4, that comes from the female cochineal bug. Even if crushed bugs are not toxic, I think consumers should be able to find this fact more easily than having to research every ingredient for alternative names.

    I read food labels constantly when I shop. I choose to monitor how much sodium and other additives are in foods that I purchase and prepare. Anything frozen, processed, prepared in advance or in a can are often the worst for us as they are at least loaded with salt as a natural preservative and often other chemicals to add shelf life. I have dabbled in the organic food labels also. These can be misleading also as there are various classifications for what can be considered as organic. One really has to take the self-responsibility to pursue the due diligence if one wants to better manage what they consume.

    References:

    https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/carmine.htm

    https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means?page=1

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Food-Label-Ambiguity Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Underage Drinking and Smoking https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Underage-Drinking-and-Smoking Underage drinking on US college campuses has skyrocketed over the last few years, as our youth and seemingly everyone, struggles to cope with mental ailments of depression, anxiety, ADHD and others. The apparent ease of obtaining fake ID’s makes it abhorrently obvious that these institutions and their relative law enforcement, care to turn on blind eye and let the alcohol abuse continue, as long as they themselves are not held responsible or liable when the shit goes sideways. How ironic it is that if someone is caught in the possession of a fake ID, they could be facing a third-degree felony charge, and a potential 5 year jail sentence, and a fine up to $5000, depending upon the state that they get caught within – in spite of the fact that fakes are readily available online (https://blogote.com/10-best-fake-id-websites-complete-reviews-2022/)

    If you are a parent of a kid away at school and don’t think that yours is drinking, smoking and trying whatever drug they please, you my friend are living in a fantasy land, a state of denial or what is more likely described as cognitive dissonance. “Cognitive dissonance is the unpleasant emotion that results from holding two contradictory beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors at the same time” (Halton, 2022). Examples of how are society embraces cognitive dissonance would be:

    • The whole tobacco/vape industry. The tobacco industry is probably the only industry which the FDA willfully allows (but not approves of) to operate in spite of the scientific studies that prove the harmful effects to humans. So, while the FDA is basically in place to protect the American population against substances that endanger the health and well-being of humans, they continue to pander to this deadly industry. It has even been proven that the tobacco companies conspired to make their products more addictive, but these companies are still allowed to operate and earn profits (Kodjak, 2017).
    • We know that our population is dangerously unhealthy, nutrient deprived, overweight or obese, affecting our health, well-being and even the security of our defense as most young adults cannot pass the physical exams to be in the military. Yet, we and our government do little to make this a priority. In the words of Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general of the United States, “You know what will make you and your community healthier but still, you choose not to do it.” He goes on to state that 7 out of 10 of 18-24-year olds are ineligible for military service. They cannot pass the physical, can’t meet educational requirements, or have a criminal history (TEDx Talks, 2020).
    • It is common knowledge that our population, and especially our youth have been experiencing more stress, more depression, more anxiety and more suicides than any other time and even prior to our recent health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, we and our government leaders seem to accept this, by not making it a high priority.

    These issues and many others will not improve due to a lack of money or resources but rather a lack of moral character and fortitude to actually do what it takes to fix our broken culture. Our government can print a few trillion dollars at a moments notice, often billions of dollars for other countries needs and agendas. But won’t do what it takes to fix our own problems. Why? Because fixing some of these problems would put a lot of companies out of business and investors would lose their ill-gotten gains.

    This topic of underage usage of legal substances of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco products is quite relative to current cultural and societal issues. As a parent of two college-age kids, I now have a different perspective than when I was their age and even as a young parent. I personally did much of my experimentation in my early teens as I had access to all of the aforementioned. My parents were either unaware or chose not to appear to know of my actions. I think that back in the 70’s and 80’s many kids were experimenting regardless of what their parents knew or didn’t know. So, what I have learned as a parent is that the more you try to shield or restrict kids from whatever behavior, they will pursue it more out of curiosity, defiance, and rebellion. If we teach and explain issues from a point of concern, love, and respect we have a much better chance of youths making better informed decisions on their own.

    I have had pretty much this same conversation with both of my now grown kids, letting them know that I do not encourage underage use, nor “of age” abuse of any of these substances. I also let them know that I am not naïve as to what young adults are doing and the peer pressure that they live within on a daily basis. I am their parent, their guide and sometimes their lifesaver, and I remind them of this.

    Drug legality is more of a function of social, political, and economic factors not necessarily related to the toxicity or pharmacology of a particular substance. Some drugs are deemed as unsafe by the powers that be (FDA), while others are judged to be safe but can be just as abused and dangerous. Those that offer adverse or deadly side effects are mostly the ones that become illegal. As social acceptance changes, along with peoples’ individual beliefs, legal status of drugs will continue to be in a constant state of change and adjustment. During the early years of the twentieth century, drugs such as opium, morphine, and cocaine were openly sold but later banned is illegal substances. Marijuana was legal throughout the US until 1937, then it was illegal and now it is becoming more legal again throughout much of the United States (Tikkanen, n.d.).

    If we look at the seemingly unlimited resources of the US federal government to fund the “war on drugs” we can see that money, arrests and prison sentences has not been working for the last decades. However, with unlimited resources used more wisely for early education, I feel that knowledge is a root component to not just fix problems in our society, but rather to prevent or decrease the negative consequences. When I saw a movie called “Scared Straight” in middle school, a documentary about life in prison, I received the message. When I saw movies about STD’s in middle school with pictures and interviews of diseased people, I got the message. When my school had a completely crushed car from a DUI accident with a fatality, prominently displayed in the courtyard, I again received the message. From here it was up to me to be responsible to make wise decisions that would affect my life and those around me.

    References:

    Adams, Jerome, “How resilient communities can create a healthier country.” Youtube, uploaded by TEDxMidAtlantic. September 23, 2020.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIY13uvlGLY

    Halton, C. (2022, September 29). Cognitive Dissonance. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cognitive-dissonance.asp

    Kodjak, A. (2017, November 27). In Ads, Tobacco Companies Admit They Made Cigarettes More Addictive. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/11/27/566014966/in-ads-tobacco-companies-admit-they-made-cigarettes-more-addictive

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

    Tikkanen, A. (n.d.). Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.? Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-marijuana-illegal-in-the-us#:~:text=He%20believed%20that%20smoking%20pot,illegal%20across%20the%20United%20States.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/Underage-Drinking-and-Smoking Sat, 11 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    High Cholesterol Levels and Risk of Heart Disease https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/High-Cholesterol-Levels-and-Risk-of-Heart-Disease People in Japan or southern European countries have one-half to one-third the risk of dying from heart disease in comparison with people from the United States or northern Europe, even when their cholesterol levels, on average, are the same. A person with a cholesterol level of 250 mg/dl in Denmark has a two to three times greater risk of a fatal heart attack compared with an Italian with the same cholesterol level.

    These numbers can be misleading if only taking into account the total cholesterol level as opposed to the ratio of the “good” high cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDL) included in the total cholesterol figure. For example, the seemingly high total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dl may not be of concern if there is also a higher HDL level such as 35-60 mg/dl and therefore producing a lower ratio. A higher ratio (lower HDL level) could be interpreted as having a higher risk of heart disease whereas a lower ratio (higher HDL level) would equate to a lower risk.

    The disparity between various cultures having high averages for total cholesterol levels may not be taking into account the dietary intake of a particular country possibly having more HDLs in their diet. The typical French diet was stated to have much fat, along with meats and eggs. Eggs are reported to be a good source of HDL. The typical Italian diet, or more specifically the Mediterranean diet may also include high sources of HDLs such as fish, nuts, and olive oil. This diet also focuses on less intake of sugars and other processed foods. On the other hand, the typical American diet has many high LDHs (low-density lipoproteins) coming from fatty beef, whole dairy products, potato chips, bakery items, fried foods and other processed meats and foods.

    This leads me to believe that the cholesterol numbers don’t always reflect the actual quality of the foods that a particular culture consumes.

    So, I think that is someone ingests mostly poor-quality food that contains high amounts of sugar, high amounts of LDHs, low amounts of HDLs, and lives a mostly sedentary lifestyle, their risk of having heart disease and other relative illnesses will dramatically increase.

    References:

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

    Keck Medicine of USC. (2022, September 1). What Is the Difference Between Good and Bad Cholesterol? https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-good-and-bad-cholesterol/

    HDL & LDL: What You Need to Know About Good and Bad Cholesterol. (2021, September 28). Allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/hdl-vs-ldl-cholesterol/

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317332

    ___________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress stress management stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/High-Cholesterol-Levels-and-Risk-of-Heart-Disease Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    We Wonder Why Our Population Is So Unhealthy https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/We-Wonder-Why-Our-Population-Is-So-Unhealthy – Depression (10%) and anxiety (63%) at all time highs (especially for teenage girls 60%)

    – Being overweight (30%), obese (41.9%) and diabetic (11.3%) at record highs

    – Vitamin D deficiency (42%) at record highs due to less outside activity involving sunlight

    – Osteoporosis rate is skyrocketing due to poor diet and less physical activity

    – Most people don’t consume enough daily fruits and vegetables

    The root causes:

    poor diet

    low physical activity

    loss of purpose and life direction

    Try a class within a community of like-minded health-oriented people:

    Tai chi/qigong/wellness classes at:

    The University Club of Winter Park

    841 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

    Thursdays, 11:30am-12:30pm

    Winter Park Presbyterian Church

    400 S. Lakemont Ave.

    Winter Park, FL 32789

    Mondays and Fridays, 11:30am-12:30pm

    $10 for drop-in class or quantity discounts

    Contact to confirm attendance at 407-234-0119

    I also offer instruction and lectures for qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva and Longwood areas.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well, become healthier, be wise!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/We-Wonder-Why-Our-Population-Is-So-Unhealthy Sat, 04 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    All Working Together – The FDA, Big Pharma and US Academia – It’s All About the Money Baby! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/All-Working-Together-The-FDA-Big-Pharma-and-US-Academia-It-s-All-About-the-Money-Baby Dr. Jon Jureidini is a child psychiatrist in Australia. He is part of the Critical and Ethical Mental Health (CEMH), which is a research group within the Robinson Research Institute. The CEMH conducts critical appraisal, meta-research, teaching, and advocacy, with the goal of promoting safer, more effective and more ethical research and practice in the field of mental health (Staff Directory | Dr Jon Jureidini, n.d.). Dr. Jon Jureidini reports that medicine is mostly dominated by a few very large and competing pharmaceutical companies, that are quite aligned in their methods to expand their profits. He reports on the issues of evidence-based medicine being compromised by the commercialization of academia, failed regulation and other corporate influences. This doctor sees the scientific progress being abused by the medical industry and its relationship with academic researchers, as they often do not share raw data, suppress negative trial results, and fail to report adverse events. Because of this, there is a greater potential for patient death, due to commercial interests influence upon regulators, research agenda, and universities. He strongly suggests that reforms need to be made in all of these areas, in order to bring trust and legitimacy back to evidence-based medicine. Jureidini calls for a separation of regulators from drug company funding, due to regulators often accept funding and industry funded trials in order to approve drugs that a particular company is trying to market (Jureidini, 2022).

    Lydia Green, a pharmacist, and former pharmaceutical advertising copywriter speaks about her goals of decreasing the sway of influence of pharmaceutical marketing and misinformation on the American healthcare industry. America contributes only 5% to the population of the world yet spends 1/3 of the world’s $1.4 trillion pharmaceutical healthcare marketplace. In spite of spending the most, the US often ranks low on the overall health of its population. Medicine is all about the money, and a patient’s well-being maybe second. These pharmaceutical companies are businesses that at their root, just like all business, operate to make a profit. Again, it is all about the money. When healthcare and its relative components of pharmaceuticals, doctors, and the profits that both can gain from promoting their products, in spite of actual need – this whole system is severely corrupt and broken and in need of drastic reform. Green proposes a need for a 3rd party agency to help return trust, in regard to the pharmaceutical industry. This alliance would be made up of communicators, marketers, former pharma-ad writers, medical and pharmacy schools, and doctors that have no influence from companies with profits as their sole motivation. However, Green suggests that such an organization could be funded through payments, but once again from fees attached to monies that pharmaceutical and medical device companies make to doctors (TEDx Talks, 2020b).

    I found an article containing much information on how direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads for the US pharmaceutical industry, proliferated a $5.4 billion marketing campaign back in 2015. The U.S. is one of only 2 countries that legally allow DTC for drug companies. New Zealand is the other. Not coincidently, Americans pay more for drugs and medical devices than any other country in the world (Drugwatch, 2022). Michelle Llamas, a Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) has a long list of experience, but what makes her credible to this article is her almost a decade of medical writing and research experience. She is a trusted source for information on high-risk prescriptions, health conditions, drugs and medical devices (Drugwatch, 2023).

    Drug companies often invest billions of dollars in their attempts to promote off-labeling of their drugs and/or devices that are not approved for other uses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Companies try to convince doctors to prescribe their brand-name drugs or devices, for uses other than their original approval. Additionally, drug companies sometimes create clinical trials focused on swaying doctors and educational courses to highlight expensive drugs for non-FDA-approved uses, in spite of having no scientific evidence of efficacy nor safety. Drug and device companies spent in 2015, about $4 billion on television ads, and about $1.5 billion in magazine advertising. Radio, theaters, newspapers, billboards, and some other types of marketing took up an additional few million dollars. It paid off for these companies to advertise, as every dollar spent on advertising generated increased sales of prescription drugs by $4.40. Big pharmaceutical companies are willing to gamble on being fined for a few hundred million dollars, in spite of their product being found to cause adverse effects, if they know that they can market a product that may generate billions of dollars in profit (Drugwatch, 2022). From a business perspective, this is a good business model. From an ethics perspective, this is downright criminal and inhumane.

    “The approval of rofecoxib (Vioxx) by the US Food and Drug Administration has led to the “single greatest drug safety catastrophe in the history of this country or the history of the world,” charged one of the agency’s own experts, Dr David Graham, in US Senate hearings last Thursday.

    Dr Graham, associate director in the FDA’s Office of Drug Safety, said an estimated 88,000 to 139,000 Americans had heart attacks and strokes as a result of taking rofecoxib. The number, he said, far exceeds earlier disasters such as the 100 children killed in the United States by an elixir of sulfanilamide in the 1930s and the 5000 to 10,000 children born in the 1960s with birth defects related to thalidomide. Both events led to sweeping regulatory changes in the United States.”

    A forthcoming article for the special issue of the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics (JLME), edited by Marc Rodwin and supported by the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, presents evidence that about 90 percent of all new drugs approved by the FDA over the past 30 years are little or no more effective for patients than existing drugs.

    References:

    Lenzer J. (2004). FDA is incapable of protecting US “against another Vioxx”. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 329(7477), 1253. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7477.1253

    Risky Drugs: Why The FDA Cannot Be Trusted. (2013, July 17). Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics. https://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/risky-drugs-why-fda-cannot-be-trusted

    Hidden conflicts? Pharma payments to FDA advisers after drug approvals spark ethical concerns. (2023, February 22). Science | AAAS. https://www.science.org/content/article/hidden-conflicts-pharma-payments-fda-advisers-after-drug-approvals-spark-ethical

    Drugwatch. (2022, November 21). Selling Side Effects – Big Pharma’s Marketing Machine. Drugwatch.com. https://www.drugwatch.com/featured/big-pharma-marketing/Links to an external site.

    Drugwatch. (2023, February 23). Michelle Llamas – Drugwatch Senior Writer. Drugwatch.com. https://www.drugwatch.com/authors/mllamas/Links to an external site.

    Jureidini, J. (2022, March 16). The illusion of evidence based medicine. The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o702Links to an external site.

    Staff Directory | Dr Jon Jureidini. (n.d.). https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/jon.jureidiniLinks to an external site.

    TEDx Talks. (2020b, November 23). Why Drug Marketing Rules American Healthcare and What We Can Do About it | Lydia Green | TEDxMcphs. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7rQbknPyE

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/3/All-Working-Together-The-FDA-Big-Pharma-and-US-Academia-It-s-All-About-the-Money-Baby Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Natural immunity to COVID ‘at least as high, if not higher’ than that from mRNA vaccine, study https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Natural-immunity-to-COVID-at-least-as-high-if-not-higher-than-that-from-mRNA-vaccin Not that long ago, even suggesting that natural immunity from previous COVID-19 infection would label someone as anti-vax, uninformed, selfish, a conspiracy theorist and many other derogatory terms. Now, just recently as of February 16, 2023 a medical review published in The Lancet, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, J Stanton, T Gillespie, and J and E Nordstrom, suggests that the data and the “science” support that natural immunity to COVID ‘at least as high, if not higher’ than that from mRNA vaccine. Most recently, mainstream media news sources such as MSN, CBS, WebMD and Newsweek have finally found this idea to be somewhat newsworthy and reported their own perspective on this highly controversial subject.

    The natural immunity provided by a COVID infection protects a person against severe illness on a par with two doses of mRNA vaccine, a new study says. People who’ve been infected with COVID reduced their chances of hospitalization and death by 88% over 10 months compared to somebody who hasn’t been infected, says the study, published in The Lancet (Ellis, 2023).

    “Our findings show that immunity from COVID-19 infection confers substantial protection against infection from pre-omicron variants. By comparison, protection against re-infection from the omicron BA.1 variant was substantially reduced and wanes rapidly over time. Protection against severe disease, although based on scarce data, was maintained at a relatively high level up to 1 year after the initial infection for all variants. Our analysis suggests that the level of protection from past infection by variant and over time is at least equivalent if not greater than that provided by two-dose mRNA vaccines.” (Stein et al., 2023)

    References:

    MSN. (n.d.). https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/natural-immunity-to-covid-at-least-as-high-if-not-higher-than-that-from-mrna-vaccine-study-finds/ar-AA17CrCZ

    Stein, C., Nassereldine, H., Sorensen, R. J. D., Amlag, J. O., Bisignano, C., Byrne, S., Castro, E., Coberly, K., Collins, J. K., Dalos, J., Daoud, F., Deen, A., Gakidou, E., Giles, J. R., Hulland, E. N., Huntley, B. M., Kinzel, K. E., Lozano, R., Mokdad, A. H., . . . Lim, S. S. (2023, February 1). Past SARS-CoV-2 infection protection against re-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02465-5

    Norton, T. (2023, February 17). Fact Check: Did Study Find COVID Infection Just as Effective as Vaccine? Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-study-find-covid-infection-just-effective-vaccine-1782099

    Ellis, R. (2023, February 17). COVID Infection Provides Immunity Equal to Vaccination: Study. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20230217/covid-infection-provides-immunity-equal-to-vaccination-study

    CBS New York. (2023, February 17). COVID-19 infection offers strong protection against reinfection for about 10 months, study finds. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/covid-19-infection-natural-immunity-reinfection/

    _____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Natural-immunity-to-COVID-at-least-as-high-if-not-higher-than-that-from-mRNA-vaccin Sat, 25 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Weight Loss Through Medication – A Magic Pill to Fix All Our Health Issues? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Weight-Loss-Through-Medication-A-Magic-Pill-to-Fix-All-Our-Health-Issues It is quite possible that in the near future, drugs that are moderately effective in producing weight (fat) loss will be on the market. It is also quite likely that drugs of this type will bring some risks to health.

    I don’t think this is a good option for an “over the counter” drug for weight loss. The American people are already quite dependent upon taking prescription pharmaceuticals to the point of abuse and addiction of many specific drugs. People will often take meds for high blood pressure but won’t change their diet or become more active. Many children and adults as well, are taking medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, where diet, physical activity and exercise have been reported to be helpful with this condition. Every medicine has side-effects on some level, depending upon the dosage and the individual.  Individuals that are overweight, often already have other accompanying health issues that can be exacerbated with use and abuse of particular medications.

    I think these individuals should be diagnosed, prescribed and treated on a case-by-case basis. Recent events surrounding the opioid crisis should lead to some caution as to what drugs are widely available for what seemed like a great solution to the problems of chronic pain, but in fact led to a myriad of other health issues for those addicted to the pain medicines.

    Drugs to solve all of our ills and poor lifestyle choices is a terrible idea and encourages a potential path to continuous downward trends in healthcare self-responsibility. The US has been on a steady increase in body weight for at least the last 50 years. In 1960 the average US male weighed 165 pounds. As of 2010 the average male was 195.5 pounds. I feel drugs are a Band-Aid approach to issues that come down to values and priorities. If we are truly to become a healthier nation, we need to change our actions to reflect what we often state as our highest priorities of wanting healthy minds and bodies for all of our citizens.

    I want to address the point about people not having the time, finances or other reasons that would make it hard to eat healthier, be more active and generally live a lifestyle that would help maximize health and well-being.

    Often these reasons for poor health are attributed to low income and/or other socioeconomic issues, which in some cases might contribute to poor health. However, I feel from my past experiences and interactions teaching and training people of all income levels as well as career paths, that root causes of disease are more from lack of education, low desire and low self-discipline, than lack of income.

    I have given many free classes and lectures over my last 35 years of teaching health and wellness. Even when given the opportunity to attend free events, many times people make the decision to not commit to attending future classes or events whether there is a charge or not.  Here is when the excuses arise of no time, no money and ultimately no desire to change their lifestyle. I think that a true paradigm shift needs to come about were the attitude of people changes to make health and self-care an individual responsibility. Throwing money at social and cultural health issues, has often been shown over time to not fix these issues. Education of health issues can be relatively free, when distributed via television, newspapers, online, and even in person. Here in Florida, when a hurricane is coming almost everyone in the state receives the warning days ahead of time. When there are major news events such as Covid19, elections, national tragedies, a celebrity marriage, an eclipse and other sometimes trivial events, almost everyone hears about it within minutes of the occurrence. If only health issues like obesity, diet, stress and physical activity could receive the same level of priority and concern.

    References:

    https://entrepreneurshandbook.co/no-money-wont-solve-all-of-your-problems-9ba72664624d

    https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/miller/news/fcs/meal-prep-healthy-eating/sorry-there-is-no-magic-pill-for-weight-loss.aspx

    Why Money Won’t Solve Your Problems

    https://www.wisebread.com/9-problems-you-cant-solve-with-money

    https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

    https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

    ______________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Weight-Loss-Through-Medication-A-Magic-Pill-to-Fix-All-Our-Health-Issues Wed, 22 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Organic Foods – Know the Labels https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Organic-Foods-Know-the-Labels Just because food labels say the product is healthy, is it so?

    A concise glossary of food-label terminology:

    Natural: This means a product is free of artificial or synthetic dyes, coloring, flavorings and preservatives. Items labeled “natural” can still contain GMOs, as well as ingredients grown using agricultural chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.

    Free-range: Use of this term only requires that animals have access to the outdoors—no stipulation as to whether they do, in fact, spend any time there.

    Cage-free: This designation, typically applied to eggs, means just what it says: The animals cannot be kept in cages. But they can still be heavily crowded into a single barn.

    Pasture-raised: This descriptor implies that animals spend their lives roaming outdoors and eating grasses, but there is no federal standard for it, and no regular inspections (Dunn, 2022).

    Educate yourself. Don’t rely upon others like the government, the FDA, the CDC, the EPA, schools, the grocery stores and other to watch out for you and your loved ones well-being. Do the work, read the labels, read credible sources. Know what you put in and on your bodies. YOU are your most valuable investment.

    https://www.wsj.com/articles/food-label-guide-regenerative-organic-meanings-11648827356?mod=Searchresults_pos7&page=1#comments_sector

    References:

    Dunn, E. G. (2022, April 1). How to Read a Food Label: A Healthy Skeptic’s Guide to the Buzzwords. WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/food-label-guide-regenerative-organic-meanings-11648827356?mod=Searchresults_pos7&page=1#comments_sector

    _____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Organic-Foods-Know-the-Labels Sat, 18 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Nutrients in Fruits and Vegetables Have Greatly Diminished https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Nutrients-in-Fruits-and-Vegetables-Have-Greatly-Diminished Depletion of vitamins and minerals in the soil have lead to lower nutritional quality in fruits and vegetables.

    It takes more quantity of fruits and vegetables we consume, in order to obtain the same amount of nutrients, than we did in years past. So if we need to eat 8 oranges to gain out nutrients, instead of one, we are probably consuming to much volume. Most people in the US currently are not eating the recommended amounts to begin with. And we wonder why are population has become so unhealthy.

    Become educated to what exactly you put in and on your bodies. No one else should care more about your own health and well-being that you.

    https://abbylangernutrition.com/is-soil-depletion-causing-our-food-to-be-less-nutritious-than-it-used-to-be/

    https://myhealthystyleblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/how-has-the-depletion-of-our-soils-affected-our-food-supply/

    References:

    Dunn, E. G. (2022, April 1). How to Read a Food Label: A Healthy Skeptic’s Guide to the Buzzwords. WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/food-label-guide-regenerative-organic-meanings-11648827356?mod=Searchresults_pos7&page=1#comments_sector

    Langer, A. (2020, June 6). Is Soil Depletion Causing Our Food To Be Less Nutritious Than It Used To Be? Abby Langer Nutrition. https://abbylangernutrition.com/is-soil-depletion-causing-our-food-to-be-less-nutritious-than-it-used-to-be/

    Robinson, K. B. P. A. V. M. (2018, April 14). How Has The Depletion of Our Soils Affected Our Food Supply? Myhealthystyleblog. https://myhealthystyleblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/how-has-the-depletion-of-our-soils-affected-our-food-supply/

    _____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Nutrients-in-Fruits-and-Vegetables-Have-Greatly-Diminished Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:11:45 GMT
    Gratitude Practices to Cultivate Inner Peace and Happiness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Gratitude-Practices-to-Cultivate-Inner-Peace-and-Happiness Our personal happiness has very much to do with having good health, adequate nutrition, positive social interactions, and other resources often not that of wealth, fame, or celebrity. Happiness comes from within an individual, as an inner state of awareness. We can cultivate our happiness. One way is to form a habit to practice deliberate mental exercises. Simple behavior tasks can take about 21 days of repletion to become a habit, whereas more complex or difficult behavior adjustments may take 66-88 days to master, depending upon the individual and their particular circumstances (Morris, 2022).

    This first practice helps us to focus on what is most important in our life. Focus on your maximum net worth, what is most valuable to you – the people in your life, your health and well-being. When you are feeling depressed and your self-esteem is low, think of the people who care about you. This can help bring you back to place where your happiness comes from within and those around you. If you don’t have many or anyone in your life that you feel care about you, realize that you exist by means of something greater than you or anyone around or not around you. What do you think about upon waking up from your sleep? How long does it take for your mind to begin to wander after you wake up? How long do you allow your mind to wander before focusing in on what you need to do in order to get your day started. Now, try this exercise first thing when you wake up before even getting out of your bed. Think about five people in your life that you are grateful for. Lay with your eyes closed while performing this practice. Focus upon the first person in your life you want to be grateful for. Contemplate the various ways this person has impacted your life. Send your silent gratitude to this person. Then focus on a second person. Look deep into this person’s eyes and see the color of their irises. Then send this person your silent gratitude. Now focus upon a third person. Try to see your first memory of this person and then send your silent gratitude to them. Onto the fourth person and see this individual as being very content and joyful wherever that person is at right now. Send them your silent gratitude. Try to think back to a time when you were in grade school and try to see yourself as you were at that time. Draw from your memory of how you looked, the clothes you wore, the things that made you happy. Now send silent gratitude to your younger self. Finally, think about someone close to you who has passed away. See yourself embracing this individual and sending them your love. Send your silent gratitude to this individual. Open your eyes when you feel you are complete and satisfied. If you need a reminder to do this practice, take a Post-It note and write “gratitude” on it and place it to your bathroom mirror. Upon waking up, if you forget this exercise, you will eventually find yourself in the bathroom. See your Post-It reminder and go back to bed and start over. This is how you can make it a habit.

    A second deliberate mental practice is to treat your loved ones as if you have not seen them for days. The saying of “familiarity breeds contempt” is directly relative to becoming so comfortable with one’s family, that they become bored and begin to look for faults and imperfections, in one another. For at least the first few minutes of encountering your loved ones, treat them with the same novelty that you would, if you were reunited a family member or friend that you have not seen in years – but do this on a daily basis. Become genuinely interested in what is of interest to them, while finding praise, rather than trying to judge or improve somebody’s shortcomings.

    The third practice takes literally a few seconds. Look at the world in a way we want the world to look at us. When we meet a stranger, an acquaintance, a co-worker, a service provider, a doctor, a police officer, etc. and we look at one another, in an instant we choose whether to engage with them or not. Is this person trustworthy? Can I trust them with my safety, my health, my family, my house? We develop a judgmental awareness where we begin to make internal judgments about this person’s appearance and character. It takes a mere 30 milliseconds for us to decide if someone is trustworthy or not. 30 milliseconds, before we even begin to know who this person is. However, we all have so much in common in the way of having the same neural predispositions.

    We all spend a lot of time with our minds wandering.

    We all tend to focus on threats and imperfections.

    We all carry negativity bias.

    We all try to adapt to be positive.

    When we see people and before our mind begins to judge others, try for the first few seconds, to embrace your heart with theirs and send them a silent “I wish you well.” “I wish hope upon you.” “I wish you healing and happiness.” This is how we can improve our world by silently wishing each other well. We don’t need to say it aloud but rather say internally as our private intention. What transpires is that our whole engagement with the world changes. Our threat perception goes down. Let’s not be naive and assume that everyone we encounter is free of executing violence and malfeasance towards others. Start in a time and location where it feels safe.

    Once our attention is in our own control, we can take on the fourth practice where we re-frame life’s challenges into higher principles. The five principles of:

    • gratitude
    • compassion
    • acceptance
    • meaning
    • forgiveness

    Take each day of the week and attach a theme to focus upon suing these principles.

    Monday is the day for gratitude or what came before us and what will come after us.

    Tuesday is the day for compassion and to be kind to others.

    Wednesday is the day for acceptance. Will issues today really matter years from now?

    Thursday is the day for seeking higher meaning and purpose.

    Friday is the day for forgiveness; not necessarily to forget but to forgive and let go.

    This is what we and our children need, to be grateful, to be compassionate, to be accepting, to live our life with meaning and have forgiveness, and by doing so we can create a better world for all of us and future generations.

    Reference:

    Morris, S. (2022, February 27). Two Problems Safety Professionals Need to Consider About Habit Formation. Safety Talk Ideas. https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetyprofessional/habit-formation-workplace-safety/

    _________________

    I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.

    More education products can be found at:

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/f82557669

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Gratitude-Practices-to-Cultivate-Inner-Peace-and-Happiness Thu, 09 Feb 2023 07:18:30 GMT
    Fentanyl Overdose Spikes During Pandemic https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Fentanyl-Overdose-Spikes-During-Pandemic During the Covid-19 pandemic, more people were coping with its consequences by staying inside more, contributing to depression, anxiety and many other issues. Drug overdoses have skyrocketed at an alarming rate. This is a very complicated issue, with no apparent simple solution. I feel that our American culture is deeply broken, as so many people look to outside means to find mental stimulation and personal happiness. Abuse of drugs, alcohol, the internet and social media are determining factors in the health and well-being of our population. Fentanyl abuse is now more in the media and political spotlight as many see this as a major healthcare issue.

    https://publichealthinsider.com/2022/11/16/updated-dashboard-shows-continued-devastation-caused-by-fentanyl-and-disparities-in-overdose-deaths/

    There has been a near 30% rise from the same period of time, a year earlier and a near-doubling over the past five years. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that from May 2020 to April 2021, more than 100,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the US. The CDC report another 107,375 deaths in 2022.

    Fentanyl is synthetic opioid and accounted for the majority of those drug overdose deaths being about 64,000. Fentanyl is often used as a painkiller, being 50-100 times more potent than morphine. A mere 2 milligrams can be deadly. Often Fentanyl is cut in with counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet or other drugs.

    https://drugabusestatistics.org/drug-overdose-deaths/

    Fentanyl comes into the use as chemicals ingredients of the drug, coming in from China, India or Mexico for production by drug cartels in Mexico and then later smuggled into the US.

    The current White House administration put $4 billion in funding from the Covid-19 relief package, toward reducing overdose deaths, including increasing services for substance use disorder and mental health. Hopefully, resources will be put towards addressing the root factors of drug abuse, and not just treating the symptoms.

    Reference:

    Fentanyl overdose deaths: Americans are overdosing on a drug they don’t know they’re taking – CNNPolitics

    https://drugabusestatistics.org/drug-overdose-deaths/

    _________________

    I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.

    More education products can be found at:

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/f82557669

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain fentanyl health care osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Fentanyl-Overdose-Spikes-During-Pandemic Sat, 04 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Serious as a Heart Attack https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Serious-as-a-Heart-Attack If you follow the news these days, it seems like people are dropping dead left and right. Violence, shootings, suicides, drug overdoses, cardiac arrest and a host of other health-related issues have seemingly increased dramatically over the last few years. I encourage you to do your own diligent research, if these issues are of importance to you.

    Do you know how to perform CPR?

    Do you know how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver for a person who is choking?

    Can you help someone who is bleeding profusely?

    What do you do if someone is having a seizure?

    Do you consider yourself to have the sufficient mental and physical fortitude to step up when the call comes?

    Trauma, when experienced personally or through others in our presence, has the tendency to show us the true reality of our character. Will you be part of the bystander effect, where a group does nothing to help, or the Good Samaritan, where one reacts selflessly in the face of danger? As the saying goes, “when seconds matter, help is minutes away.

    In our extremely polarized society of today, people are often shamed, shunned or ostracized for not caring enough about others’ health. But are any of us capable of preserving another’s life in their time of need? First responders? Hopefully. The average person, NO. Most people cannot even save themselves in a life-threatening situation, let alone another in drastic circumstances. If we choose to pontificate on how much we care about others, maybe we should actually learn how to save a life. More accurate would be to hopefully “preserve” or “prolong” a life, as we are mere humans and cannot save anyone or any living thing from their inevitable demise. We can only offer to do our best.

    Far below is a graphic for understanding the basic steps of CPR. GO LEARN HOW TO DO IT!

    I am additionally offering here some priceless tools to help revive someone if they become unconscious. Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years. There are specific techniques that can be used to help resuscitate in addition to CPR training. If you are in need of more information or instruction beyond what is available here on applying these techniques, contact me or other qualified experts in this field.

    These are techniques that I was taught over 40 years ago from my martial arts masters and Traditional Chines Medicine teachers to help with stress, headaches and especially LOSS of CONSCIOUSNESS. If you are concerned about the legitimacy or efficacy of these types of techniques, I encourage you to do some of your own research as I have for many years. I have actually used these techniques to help revive others either from over-exertion, illness or trauma, more times than I can remember; maybe 50-100 times. Most often acupoints 1-10 work quite well for feinting and dizziness, and where 11-18 are used progressively for loss of consciousness, lack of breath and weak or nonexistent pulse. Striking of the perineum, also know as the huiyin point, conception vessel-1, or CV-1, is quite invasive and used only for the most dire of circumstances. Kidney-1 (KI-1) is just below the ball on the bottom of the foot, as is often used instead of CV-1.

    It is no coincidence that most of these acupoints are the same ones used to strike and disable a physical attacker.

    Copy, print, or share this image – it might come in handy!
    Copy, print, or share this image – it might come in handy!

    Auriculotherapy is another method of acupuncture and/or acupressure, where the qi or energy meridians are accessed from the inner and outer portions of the ear (auricle). Acupuncture needles are often used for treatments but there are also small seeds or steel pellets can be adhered to the skin to provide longer lasting stimulation usually lasting a few days. For some issues of pain, relief can be experienced within minutes from the start of the procedures. There are usually no complications nor side-effects while patients are subjected to very little or no discomfort.

    I have had auricular therapy in the past from my TCM doctor at the time.  I learned some of the techniques from her at the time and have since learned even more from other TCM doctors as well as qigong and martial arts masters, enabling me to provide my own successful treatments for backache, headaches, and seasonal allergies. 

    Almost 13 years ago the U.S. Air Force begin training physicians deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on how to use these methods. These techniques are quite easy and quick for most people to learn. The doctors would apply small and fine needles to wounded service members and local patients for pain relief.

    At the time, the term “battlefield acupuncture” was used, even though these techniques have been in use probably for hundreds of years and not necessarily to soldiers nor on the battlefield. This battlefield acupuncture was not purposely designed to replace conventional medical care for war-related injuries, but rather to help in pain relief and possibly eliminate the need for pain medications for acute and chronic pain.

    Other TCM doctors are using auricular therapy for various issues or other benefits such as studies on the use of auriculotherapy with distance runners to increase performance.

    I have found some information to be somewhat critical of auricular therapy (and TCM in general as well). Usually, it is the same issues with Western medicine having lack of scientific data or a desire not to deviate from the allopathic medical model.  If these methods have existed in other cultures for hundreds, if not thousands of years, maybe there is something there to be studied further.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine offers an amazing amount of knowledge, methods and alternative options to manage trauma, chronic pain and many other issues, beyond using surgery, opiates and anti-inflammatories.

    References:

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324712#cpr-quick-reference

    Battlefield Acupuncture for the Clinical Practitioner (acupuncturetoday.com)

    https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience/bad-science-lends-friendly-ear-ear-seeds

    Battlefield Acupuncture in the U.S. Military: A Pain-Reduction Model for NATO | Medical Acupuncture (liebertpub.com)

    Battlefield Acupuncture » Battlefield Acupuncture Seminars | Battlefield acupuncture, Advanced battlefield acupuncture, battlefield acupuncture seminars,acupuncture, auricular therapy, auriculothrapy, ear acupuncture

    How to perform CPR: Guidelines, procedure, and ratio

    _________________

    I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.

    More education products can be found at:

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/f82557669

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure acupuncture chronic pain diabetes health care lifesaving firstaid martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/2/Serious-as-a-Heart-Attack Wed, 01 Feb 2023 06:34:51 GMT
    Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Perspectives, Change Your Reality https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Change-Your-Thoughts-Change-Your-Perspectives-Change-Your-Reality The human brain functions as an expansive network of roughly 86 to 90 billion neurons. This network contains two distinct modes of the awake brain, to engage in thought processes. The first mode of the brain is the task positive network (TPN) or focused mode (Dal Lin et al., 2015). Focused mode is engaged when we are actively paying attention, in the present moment, or concentrating upon tasks using short-term memory, as the brain processes information deemed as very important, interesting, or even sometimes dangerous. For example, if you are engaged in an interesting movie, you may not notice time passing by because your thoughts are focused on what is happening in the movie. If one’s life was to be threatened by a venomous snake, they might become extremely focused upon not moving too quickly, while also keeping their focus on the movement of that snake. Playing a musical instrument, riding a bike, taking a test, or using a knife while cooking are other examples of using this first mode of the brain – focused mode. We often enjoying being in this mode, in spite of not spending the majority of our time here. However, too much time in focus mode left unchecked, can often lead to stress and relative psychological and physiological disorders.


    Lin, Carlo & Poretto, Anna & Scodro, Marta & Marra, Martina & Iliceto, Sabino & Tona, Francesco. (2015). Coronary microvascular and endothelial function regulation: Crossroads of psychoneuroendocrine immunitary signals and quantum physics [Part C]. Journal of Integrative Cardiology. 1. 10.15761/JIC.1000137.

    The second mode of the brain is called the default mode network (DMN), the turbid mind or sometimes it is referred to as the “monkey mind”. In this mode we occupy 50-80 percent of our time with this wandering attention, juggling about 150 undone tasks at any particular time. When we perform mundane tasks, such as getting dressed, taking a shower, brushing our teeth, driving to work, or maybe jogging around the block, our mind is often wandering elsewhere. Our brain is not really focusing much on the physical task at hand but rather thinking of other issues or events elsewhere. We sometimes refer to this as multitasking. Our mind is constantly wandering in and out of the past, present, and future. Becoming and staying focused on specific tasks is a large challenge for the human brain.

    Humans have a neural predisposition for our mind to wander. Research studies have shown that the more time we spend in the default mode of wandering thoughts, the greater our risk of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, attention deficiency, dementia, and many others. We constantly toggle between the wandering and focus modes all day long. A major challenge for us, is not to focus solely on negative aspects. We have a tendency to get complacent with the positive aspects within our lives, and then start to focus on more negative thoughts (negativity bias) of safety, survival and imperfections in ourselves and those around us. If we are mainly focused upon negative thoughts, our brain will continue to evolve mostly around these as a means to bring us peace, comfort, and happiness, in spite of being rooted in stressful thoughts. However, we can deliberately control our mind-wandering. When the brain utilizes a particular neural network, it can become stronger. If we spend a certain amount of time practicing on focusing our thoughts on the present moment, this action may become a habit. People can change how they behave and how they think, as a method to decrease harmful mind-wandering. In the clinical setting, this is called cognitive behavioral therapy and can be quite helpful for managing anxiety, depression, and other disorders.

    Our personal happiness has very much to do with having good health, adequate nutrition, positive social interactions, and other resources often not that of wealth, fame, or celebrity. Happiness comes from within an individual, as an inner state of awareness. We can cultivate our happiness. One way is to form a habit to practice deliberate mental exercises. Simple behavior tasks can take about 21 days of repletion to become a habit, whereas more complex or difficult behavior adjustments may take 66-88 days to master, depending upon the individual and their particular circumstances (Morris, 2022).

    Tai chi, qigong and yoga are all methods that specifically focus upon mindfulness and the switching from the default network mode (DNM) to that of the task positive (focused) mode.

    References:

    Dal Lin, C., Poretto, A., Scodro, M., Perazzolo Marra, M., Iliceto, S., & Tona, F. (2015). Coronary microvascular and endothelial function regulation: Crossroads of psychoneuroendocrine immunitary signals and quantum physics [Part C]. Journal of Integrative Cardiology, 1(5). https://doi.org/10.15761/jic.1000137

    Mittner, M., Hawkins, G. E., Boekel, W., & Forstmann, B. U. (2016). A Neural Model of Mind Wandering. Trends in Cognitive Sciences20(8), 570–578. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.06.004

    Morris, S. (2022, February 27). Two Problems Safety Professionals Need to Consider About Habit Formation. Safety Talk Ideas. https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetyprofessional/habit-formation-workplace-safety/

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) human behavior https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Change-Your-Thoughts-Change-Your-Perspectives-Change-Your-Reality Sat, 28 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Chakras, Dan Tiens & The Hierarchy of Needs https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Chakras-Dan-Tiens-The-Hierarchy-of-Needs Various theories exist as to how energy and thought manifest in physical form within and around the human body. These concepts seem new to Western culture, although other cultures have accepted their existence at least for many generations if not, thousands of years. Some modern personality theories have a close relationship with ancient philosophies (some may call these religions) of Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism that have existed and been studied for thousands of years. There seems to me to be quite some overlap and maybe even borrowing from the ancients. Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs also reflects similarities to the 7 chakras found in Buddhism and Hinduism. The 7 chakras or energy centers are thought to hold mental as well as physical aspects of human development. For example, the 1st chakra is the root chakra, similar to Maslow’s basic needs of safety, survival, and primal instincts. The 7th chakra, also called the crown, corresponds to understanding, transcendence and enlightenment, similar to the where Maslow’s self-actualization where an individual struggles with morality and ethics. Again, these are familiar concepts and goals within other Eastern practices of philosophy and/or religion. Whether discussing chakras, dan tiens, energy meridians or the hierarchy of needs, all are intrinsically connect to our thoughts affecting our bodies, as well as our bodies affecting our thoughts.

    Chakras

    Coming from traditional Indian medicine, there exist 7 energy centers within the human body. These points are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Some believe believe the chakras interact with the body’s ductless endocrine glands and lymphatic system by feeding in positive energies and disposing of unwanted negative energies. Each chakra in your spinal column is believed to influence or direct bodily functions near its region of the spine.

    Dan Tiens

    There are 3 Dan Tien, or energy centers within the human body. The upper Dan Tien is located between the eyebrows and is associated with higher awareness. The middle Dan Tien is located near the center of the chest and effects he immune system by stimulating the heart and lungs. The lower Dan Tien is located just below the naval and effects the storage of energy in the kidneys.

    Energy Meridians

    There are 12 main medians and 8 other special meridians within the human body. Meridians are similar to electrical wires or nerves. They run from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and finger. Each meridian is associated with an internal organ. When there is a lack of flow or blockage within the meridians, health problems can arise. Through proper diet, exercises and life style, it is possible to keep the chi flowing through the meridians.

    _____________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chakra chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Chakras-Dan-Tiens-The-Hierarchy-of-Needs Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Salmon – Is it as Healthy as Experts Say? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Salmon-Is-it-as-Healthy-as-Experts-Say I try to pursue a healthy and nutritional diet, with salmon as a source of protein, fats and other vitamins. I do eat salmon 1-2 days per week. Choosing to purchase hormone-free, antibiotic-free salmon from either my local grocer (Publix) or Costco which both claim to sell these types of fish. I recently reviewed an article regarding salmon, that seems very relative to today’s current public debates over what is considered healthy or not. Or how, big corporations have become demonized (sometimes rightfully so) for promoting food or healthcare products with questionable health benefits. I have previously known about most of these issues that the article brought up, but thought it would be good information to share to a wider audience. We only have so many options for our food products, so we need to be even more diligent in reading labels and doing the research on foods in question.


    The article I chose to review is entitled “Salmon – The way they live, the food they eat, and the effect on us” by Douglas Frantz and his wife Catherine Collins. Both authors seem to have strong journalism credentials where Frantz was a managing editor at the Los Angeles Times and where he shared a Pulitzer Prize as a foreign correspondent at the New York Times. Later he was chief investigator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and an assistant secretary of state in the Obama administration. Collins was a reporter and foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and also a contributor to the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. She later became a private investigator where she specialized in international financial fraud. I could not find any personal reasons or information as to why these two chose to investigate the salmon industry.

    The article attempts to bring some light onto the discussion of how salmon consumption has been promoted by doctors and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its health benefits. The authors state that there often exists false marketing of salmon, as being a certified-natural product, organic, sustainable, and naturally raised. The USDA has no approve definition of what exactly is organic salmon. Sustainability comes into question when we learn that salmon are carnivores that feed on other fish. In order to farm salmon on a large commercial scale, salmon need their diet supplemented from other sources that require more acquisition of proteins from larvae, algae or bacteria. Natural is questionable as the ground fish feed used to sustain the salmon, contains chemicals and antibiotics. Salmon are farmed in crowded cages for years that have parasites within them.1

    Salmon comes to the US mostly from far away. A whopping 90% of our salmon is farmed Atlantic salmon, raised then and then flown in from Chile, Canada, Norway, and Scotland. The remaining 10% is mostly wild-caught Pacific salmon commercially harvested from Alaska. Alaska is one of the few places that wild salmon are still fished commercially.1
     
    I think that Frantz and Collins offered a fairly neutral stance as far as presenting the information. One can debate this as being more or less sensationalized depending upon your viewpoint on this particular issue. I did not get the feeling of sensationalism however it is quite sobering to hear that farmed salmon have their own health risks of disease, parasites, and predators. In 2020 the government of Norway reported that 52 million fish died before harvest and in 2019 the figure was 53 million. The government of Scotland reported the mortality rate for farmed salmon quadrupled between 2002 and 2019. And in 2019, Newfoundland had more salmon died in cages than were harvested.1

    The authors do report that there are some positive tentative actions being done to hopefully move to change the salmon industry to being more reputable in regard to natural, organic, and sustainable. This would include a contest of some sort, by a collaboration of governments, academic researchers, nutritionists and the private sector, with the goal of enticing fish feed companies to develop alternatives to the existing feed products.1 This issue of how to feed the salmon that will eventually feed humans seems to be a major issue in regard to sustainability, and at what cost?

    This article does give many insights at how far the salmon industry has veered off from years back where salmon were not farm raised with chemicals and antibiotics. Going back to the late 1700’s and the Industrial Revolution, the decline in salmon consumption was due to waste being dumped directly into rivers and streams. By the mid-1800’s, the salmon population was reduced further by commercial fishing. Additionally, construction of dams and mills destroyed fish habitats and blocked salmon rivers.1 The authors do not come off as experts in the field of nutrition but rather as experts in investigative reporting as noted in their background information.

    There is is good and bad in everything (yin and yang) and it is our individual responsibility to research what food or healthcare products with questionable health benefits, we consume or use.

    References:

    1 Frantz, Douglas, and Catherine Collins. 2022. “Salmon. (Cover Story).” Natural History 130 (7): 22–27. https://search-ebscohost-com.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=aph&AN=157318533&site=eds-live.

    2 Wikipedia contributors. (2021, May 2). Natural History (magazine). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_History_(magazine)

    https://www.verywellfit.com/salmon-nutrition-facts-calories-and-health-benefits-4106641

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Salmon-Is-it-as-Healthy-as-Experts-Say Sat, 21 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Body-Based Health Practices & Cultural Challenges https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Body-Based-Health-Practices-Cultural-Challenges Depending upon which cultures are involved, specific different issues can be discussed. I will comment on Asian body-based methods being assimilated into American culture.

    I think many of the challenges have already been occurring for many years. When President Nixon visited China in 1972, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its body-based practices of reflexology (acupressure) and tuina (massage), where not well known in the US at that time. Thanks to the New York Times columnist James Reston reporting of his experience in a Chinese hospital, the American public was able to receive a firsthand account of the benefits of acupuncture and other hands-on methods. TCM methods had been practiced in the US since the immigrants from China arrived long ago, but never was reported much in mainstream media until Reston’s article (Yong, 2015).

    Back in the early 1980’s, I had direct exposure to Chinese and Korean culture by way of martial arts, cuisine, language and lifestyle. Many of my relatives and adult peers were veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, having deep political, racial and trust issues towards the Asian cultures. I did not agree with many of their viewpoints, but I did respect them as they had lived, fought and some died while unwillingly experiencing the culture that they were drafted into attending. At that time, my relatives would have never even considered seeking treatment from anyone other than an American medical doctor, even knowing that these were options for healthcare. While I think more Americans are open today to alternative medicine and complimentary practices, I think some of these issues may still exist decades after their initial seeding in the US. I think there can be found, good and bad in everything depending upon how it is chosen to be interpreted.

    Other cultures often do not have the same regulations nor requirements as deemed necessary for licensure within the US, making body-based practitioners less likely to seek offering services in the US. I have found that most insurance providers often don’t recognize these methods as legitimate Western allopathic medicine and are seen as quackery or mostly placebo-based treatments.

    Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are probably the two oldest systems of healthcare practiced throughout the world. Ayurveda has its origins in the Hindu religion within India from 5000 years ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine also has origins from thousands of years ago (475–221 BC) but in China. Both systems have been practiced widely throughout the world, with seemingly very little interest in the US when compared to Western allopathic or biomedicine practices.

    What will it take and when will the medical community more fully embrace the benefits of many of these methods and practices that have proven the test of time for many cultures, sometimes over thousands of years?

    Reference:

    Li, Yong. (2015). Acupuncture journey to America: A turning point in 1971. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences. 1. 10.1016/j.jtcms.2015.03.001.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Body-Based-Health-Practices-Cultural-Challenges Wed, 18 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Seasons Change, People Get Sick – Connect the Dots https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Seasons-Change-People-Get-Sick-Connect-the-Dots More people have been staying inside for much of the last 3 years, to avoid Covid19. As a consequence, people may now be suffering more from vitamin D3 deficiency (metabolism & bone issues), seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (depression), drug & alcohol overuse and overdoses, and many other issues relative to sitting far more than previously. These issues were already at record high levels before the pandemic, and now have continued to rise and will continue to contribute to the US’s losing rank of being a healthy nation, trailing many other industrialized nations.

    Vitamin D Deficiency at Epidemic Levels

    The US, and many of the world, have been facing an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency for many years, especially in areas lacking consistent daily sunlight such as the northern states of US. This trend is also seen in areas with much sunlight where people cover up their whole bodies from sun exposure. Now exacerbated by pandemic lock-downs and less outside physical activity over the last few years. Most people are unaware or care to ignore how vital vitamin D is to the immune system and overall health.

    Dr Steven Lin - Sunlight absorbed through the skin is boosting your immune  system a number of critical ways. All light on earth, plants, bacteria, and  mammals primarily depend on the sun

    What can you do to prevent vitamin D deficiency – become educated, be more aware of your own health, get outside during the morning or late afternoon when sunlight is less intense, and get your body moving to engage your muscles and bones to tell your nervous system that you are still alive and need your body to maintain homeostasis through good health and lifestyle practices.

    Get started with these three simple steps:

    1. Consult with your doctor to manage your vitamin D levels twice a year — at the end of winter and again at the end of summer. Ask for a simple blood test called the 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy vitamin D) test. (Optimal blood levels are between 50 and 75 nanomoles/Liter.)
    2. Commit to being in the sun 15 minutes a day without sunscreen. When planning on being outside longer, add some protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
    3. Consume foods high in vitamin D and/or supplement with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. This dose in a convenient, highly-absorbable liquid form together with the potent marine carotenoid, astaxanthin, for added benefits (Micozzi, 2018).

    References:

    Lin, S. (2018b, September 22). Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms. Dr Steven Lin. https://www.drstevenlin.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms/

    Lopez, M. A. (2018, August 23). UV RADIATION: The Importance of the Forecast That We Ignore. https://www.2020mag.com/article/uv-radiation-the-importance-of-the-forecast-that-we-ignore

    Micozzi. (2018a, June 21). Six reasons why you’re still vitamin D deficient. Dr. Marc Micozzi. https://drmicozzi.com/six-reasons-why-youre-still-vitamin-d-deficient

    He, C. S., Aw Yong, X. H., Walsh, N. P., & Gleeson, M. (2016). Is there an optimal vitamin D status for immunity in athletes and military personnel?. Exercise immunology review22, 42–64.

    Sun Safety Monthly Average UV Index. (2022, February 23). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/sun-safety-monthly-average-uv-index

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    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Seasons-Change-People-Get-Sick-Connect-the-Dots Sat, 14 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Herbs vs. Pharmaceuticals – Treatments for Covid-19 https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Herbs-vs-Pharmaceuticals-Treatments-for-Covid-19 I think one of the most relative and current issue facing the American “sickcare” system, is the use of herbs and/or pharmaceuticals, and their relative efficacy of various products used as treatment for Covid-19. From my research, most of the available studies on Covid-19 treatments coming from the US are regarding vaccines and other pharmaceuticals and not so much for herbs or products with natural ingredients. However, I have found several studies from countries other than the US regarding the usage of herbs to prevent or treat Covid-19.

    An article posted in June of 2021 from Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences G. Microbiolog, details research of invertebrates such as earthworms and many marine natural products (MNPs) and subcategories of mollusks and crustaceans all having various medicinal advantages for improving human health. Invertebrate-isolated MNPs have demonstrated therapeutic properties anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immune modulator, antihypertensive, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and other health benefits. Other ancient herbs such as curcumin, licorice and Andrographis are antiviral agents used for prevention and treatment of viral infections including respiratory viral infections. Covid-19 management is based upon enhancement of the immune system to control viral replication or reduce the harmfulness (virulence) of the virus and reduce relative symptoms. This article reinforces the use of natural extracts as available options to produce new therapeutic drugs against COVID-19 (Abd El-Aziz et al., 2021).

    Another article of July 2020 from the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine reviewed 43 papers through a PubMed search, relative to the use of herbs and natural compounds to treat or prevent SARS-COV and related viruses. Roughly more than 450 herbs and natural compounds reviewed demonstrated their activity as antiviral substances against SARS-CoV and related viruses with numerous ones showing the ability to inhibit the coronavirus-host protein pathways and disrupt the different stages of the coronavirus life cycle. Data encourages hope that these herbs and natural compounds may play a bigger role in potential therapeutic treatment options supporting future SARS-CoV treatment protocols (Fuzimoto & Isidoro, 2020)

    Results from a 2021 study reported that here are numerous herbs used in the decoction of “Ma Xing Shi Gan” which include Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome, Ephedrae herba, Armeniacae semen amarum, and Gypsum fibrosum, which demonstrated potential activity in every stage of the Covid-19 cycle (Ang et al., 2021).

    Pfizer pharmaceuticals recently reported record profits from this 1st quarter of 2022 of $25.7 billion, an increase of 61% from past expectations (Pfizer, 2022) One might inquire as to why other less costly or controversial alternatives to Covid-19 prevention or treatment are not being researched? Or if relative data is available, being made accessible for public review? Is the US medical industry even looking into other options? It is fairly common knowledge that the profit from the pharmaceutical companies dwarfs that of herbal companies and are often bought out by big pharma companies. For example, German owned Bayer purchased Germany’s Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk in 2013, a privately held company specializing in herbal medicines (Ladda, 2013) and Australia’s Creso-pharma having bought out Colorado-based Sierra Sage Herbs in 2022 (Herbs, 2022).

    While the global herbal medicine market looks to possibly become a $550 billion industry by 2030 (insightSLICE, 2021), my concern is that these herbs and other natural compounds will be researched, studied and promoted for use based upon profit forecasts of corporations rather than actual implementation of such herbs to help the world population. I have not heard much through mainstream media or other resources, regarding the use of herbs in the US over the last 2 years as preventative nor post-infection of Covid-19.

    References:

    Abd El-Aziz, F. E.-Z. A., Mustafa Kasem, S., Ali, M. F., Mohamed, S. M., & El Shehaby, D. M. (2021). Rational of Invertebrates and Herbs Extracts for Protection and Management of Coronavirus (COVID 19). Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, G, Microbiology, 13(1), 29–47. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.21608/EAJBSG.2021.172883

    Pfizer. (2022, May). PFIZER REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2022 RESULTS. https://s28.q4cdn.com/781576035/files/doc_financials/2022/q1/Q1-2022-PFE-Earnings-Release.pdf

    Ladda, N. (2013, May 19). Bayer acquires herbal medicines manufacturer. Pharmaceutical Technology. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/uncategorised/newsbayer-acquires-herbal-medicines-manufacturer/

    Herbs, S. S. (2022, February 7). Sierra Sage Herbs Acquired By Creso Pharma. PR Newwire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sierra-sage-herbs-acquired-by-creso-pharma-301475970.html

    Fuzimoto, A. D., & Isidoro, C. (2020). The antiviral and coronavirus-host protein pathways inhibiting properties of herbs and natural compounds – Additional weapons in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 10(4), 405–419. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.05.003

    Ang, L., Lee, H. W., Kim, A., Choi, J.-Y., & Lee, M. S. (2021). Network Analysis of Herbs Recommended for the Treatment of COVID-19. Infection and Drug Resistance, 14, 1833+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673853575/AONE?u=vol_l99n&sid=ebsco&xid=0b0d5d20

    insightSLICE. (2021, February 16). Herbal Medicine Market Global Sales Are Expected To Reach US$ 550 Billion by 2030, as stated by insightSLICE. GlobeNewswire News Room. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/16/2176036/0/en/Herbal-Medicine-Market-Global-Sales-Are-Expected-To-Reach-US-550-Billion-by-2030-as-stated-by-insightSLICE.html

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma qigong sickcare stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Herbs-vs-Pharmaceuticals-Treatments-for-Covid-19 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    We Have More Than 5 Senses https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/We-Have-More-Than-5-Senses

    The more we understand how our mind and body function physiologically, the better we can manage our own health, fitness and well-being.

    Most of us grew up learning that we have 5 basic senses of vision, hearing smell, taste and touch. Some may have learned of the 6th sense of intuition or other abilities of sensory perception that exist beyond the basic five. Years ago these “extra” senses were looked upon as fake, coincidence or maybe even a figment of someone’s imagination. However, there is much current research and information regarding humans indeed having more than 5 basic senses (Macpherson, 2011).

    Life and the experiences that it offers, is constantly changing and evolving for all that exist. Our senses are continuously receiving and interpreting stimulus to determine what is good or bad for our survival. Consequently, this input often manifests into what we call stress. We deal with stress through our thoughts and emotions. Our emotions directly affect how our brain processes information that affects all of our physiological mechanism and organ functions through the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems. Basically, thoughts and emotions affect our health and well-being whether with positive or negative outcomes.

    Some of the senses most people don’t think about:

    Equilibrioception or vestibular – a sense of balance. This is what keeps us upright, and helps us make our way around without getting hurt.

    Proprioception – knowing which parts of your body are where without looking. It’s how we can type without looking at the keyboard, for instance, or walk around without having to watch our feet.

    Kinaesthesia – awareness of the position and movement of the parts of the body by means of sensory organs.

    Thermoception – we know whether our environment is too cold or too hot. Being able to sense the temperature around us helps keep us alive and well.

    Nociception – the ability to feel pain.

    Chronoception – how we sense the passing of time.

    Interoception – the ability to have sense of awareness relative to the status or function of our internal organs. We sense when we are thirsty, hunger, the need to urinate, an upset stomach, a rapid heartbeat, arousal and others.

    We do have the ability to consciously control and manage our own life and relative stress. whether through lifestyle choices, diet & nutrition, physical activity and attitude. An awareness of our senses and how they work, can help us to better manage what stimuli we allow ourselves to be exposed to. If seeing bright lights gives us headaches, we can maybe adjust beforehand. When our stomach is gurgling, we know it it time to eat. If we are lacking good stability and balance, we can learn exercises to improve this sense.

    A key component of managing stress is managing the parasympathetic (rest & digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system through consistent regulation of our breathing frequency and relative volume of each breath. This is a topic addressed in many of my other posts. Yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, martial arts and other methods have been proven to help to proactively manage stress and relative cortisol levels.

    Manage your breath, manage your stress, manage your health and well-being.

    Be well!

    References:

    https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/01/humans-have-more-than-5-senses/

    Fiona Macpherson. (2011). The Senses : Classic and Contemporary Philosophical Perspectives. Oxford University Press.

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress management tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/We-Have-More-Than-5-Senses Sat, 07 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    Healthcare – Who Receives vs. Who Deserves https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Healthcare-Who-Receives-vs-Who-Deserves When discussing public healthcare, the same issue seems to come about how much money is needed versus how much money is wasted? I have a difficult time believing that more money is needed for whatever cause, when there are so many reports of resources being spent on trivial endeavors or corrupt activities. The US government seems to be able to print and distribute millions-billions of $$$$ when they feels it fits the agenda.

    COVID-19 Triage: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides? | MedPage Today

    I mentioned in other posts about the frivolous expenditures like those reported by Forbes such as taxpayers funding Hookers for Jesus ($530,190), space alien detection ($7 million), a social media war on tanning beds ($3.3 million), webcast-live streamed eclipses ($3.7 million), and subsidizing the airport on Martha’s Vineyard ($12 million). The Forbes article goes on to report that US governmental agencies receiving the highest amount of funding for 2017-2019 was the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) having received $1.5 trillion in grants. Again, I think the government should be held more accountable for these enormous amounts of money that is possibly being spent on inconsequential projects that do not help US citizens as a whole. Our government leaders waste so many resources on these types of projects that the truly important ones get no attention.

    So who stands on the moral ground to decide who should receive free healthcare or even paid healthcare? Do drug addicts deserve free help and/or counseling? Does an alcoholic qualify for a liver replacement? Do we not treat the person who gets hit by a car because they weren’t looking or tripped into traffic? Do un-vaccinated, but insurance-paying people still receive coverage? Do football players injured during a game, get refused medical care because they knowingly accept that they may be injured?

    As for anyone thinking that “someone ought to know better” is such an ignorant statement as many healthcare issues come about due to socioeconomic as well as psychological issues that often result in them making poor decisions. Our duty as informed citizens would be to support legislation that helps provide for those who cannot, not those who choose not to or will not provide for themselves. Many public health issues are global where eventually all people, animal and plant life and environments of the whole world are affected. Therefore, I feel it is somewhat shortsighted to think that what is happening in other parts of the world won’t eventually come knocking on our door. This is exactly what happened in the early days of COVID-19 being discovered in China, where we might have thought that it was their problem and not ours, until it was.

    References:

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/09/30/wheres-the-pork-us-taxpayers-funded-a-lot-of-wasteful-spending-2017-2019/?sh=79aae41d3dc0

    _______________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/Healthcare-Who-Receives-vs-Who-Deserves Wed, 04 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT
    A Neglected Mind And Body Recognizes No Amount of Wealth Nor Fame https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/A-Neglected-Mind-And-Body-Recognizes-No-Amount-of-Wealth-Nor-Fame Happy New Year!

    Here we are again, making it through a full year of ups and downs – we call this life. Hopefully, we all experienced more ups than downs. After a few years of confusion, chaos and struggles, it has to be even more obvious that we need to take responsibility and accountability for our own life and whatever direction we choose to pursue. Life can end in a split second, whether from one’s own actions or circumstances sometimes beyond one’s control. However on the other hand, mental and physical health is usually not determined in a split-second, but rather over time of either nurturing or neglect.

    A Neglected Mind And Body Recognizes No Amount of Wealth Nor Fame.

    Start a new tradition, by stopping the usual New Year’s resolution shenanigans, which usually are seldom kept or maybe at best last a day, a week or maybe a month until they are revisited another year later. Instead of another face value New Year’s Resolution, this year seriously consider making a REAL promise or commitment to yourself to improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthier, be more active, sleep better, be more positive than negative in your outlook – live a purposeful life without fear.

    If we are not striving to grow as a human being every day, we are consequently dying a little bit every day. Nature and our world within it, are constantly changing, evolving and moving forward. If we are not moving forward within this flow, we are not just stuck in place but rather falling behind.

    While it may seem selfish to put your own health and well-being first, it is actually the most giving of oneself to be a living vessel of love, compassion and knowledge to those around you, for as long as possible.

    My understanding is that you can only give out, what you yourself have an abundance of.

    Tai chi, qigong, wellness classes and lectures might be options in your future. My classes offer a diverse knowledge base covering the following aspects:

    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Body mechanics
    • Wellness concepts
    • Learning concepts
    • Stress management
    • Chronic pain management
    • Physical rehabilitation
    • Functionally specific exercise sets
    • Self-awareness
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine
    • Eastern philosophy
    • Sound Therapy
    • Various meditation methods

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2023/1/A-Neglected-Mind-And-Body-Recognizes-No-Amount-of-Wealth-Nor-Fame Mon, 02 Jan 2023 07:54:03 GMT
    The Kinetic Chain – How Referred Pain Comes About https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/The-Kinetic-Chain-How-Referred-Pain-Comes-About If not having disease nor illness is our goal, we need to focus on being fit, well & healthy. Good health usually comes at a cost of time, effort, sacrifice and resources, or a combination of the prior. Most people don’t care to make the investment into taking care of themselves until after they are injured. even then, most people with health issues often choose pain medicines or sometimes surgery over exercise or lifestyle changes that can improve their situation. Traumatic injuries are often best treated with emergency surgery and that is really not the topic of this post.

    What is kinetic linking?
    The kinetic link principle describes how the human body can be considered in terms of a series of interrelated links or segments. Movement of one segment affects segments both proximal and distal to the first segment.

    Like a machine, it’s made up of otherwise fixed segments given mobility by joints. A kinetic chain is the notion that these joints and segments have an effect on one another during movement. When one is in motion, it creates a chain of events that affects the movement of neighboring joints and segments.

    “When one part moves, all parts move”

    “When one part is affected, all parts are affected”

    Instinctively, as humans we try to center our head directly above our physical center of gravity. Poor posture, short leg
    syndrome, injuries or habitual body movements can cause remodeling of the muscular, skeletal and nervous system.
    These root problems can be the cause of many chronic ailments. A difference in leg length by 7mm or 0.275″ can be enough to throw an individual’s spine out of “calibration”.

    Shoulder pain can occur when ones side of the body is higher or lower than the opposite side.

    Neck pain and headaches can occur when one side of the neck has more tension than the opposite.

    Knee, hip and iliotibial band pain can occur when ones body weight is unevenly distributed between the two legs.

    Knee pain can occur when ones body weight is unevenly distributed between the two legs.

    Ankle pain can occur when ones side of the body is favored due to chronic pain

    In 2019, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (referred to as high impact chronic pain) in the past 3 months.

    Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain both increased with age and were highest among adults aged 65 and over.

    Non-Hispanic white adults (23.6%) were more likely to have chronic pain compared with non-Hispanic black (19.3%), Hispanic (13.0%), and non-Hispanic Asian (6.8%) adults.

    Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db390.htm

    From my experience of over 40 years of martial arts, fitness and wellness training and teaching, I have seen some amazing benefits coming from qigong (yoga), tai chi any many other methods that are considered as “alternative”. For those in fairly good shape, one can develop an amazing amount of strength through out the whole body, but in particular the wrists, forearms, shoulders, lower back and the legs. I have also trained individuals that have had more serious issues such as cerebral palsy, knee injuries, severe trauma to the spine and hip and other ailments that have shown great improvement.

    Kinetic linking is a widely known concept, not only relative to health and injuries but also for sports, athletics, martial arts and others. When a cowboy cracks a whip, kinetic linking is what makes the whip crack. Kinetic linking is what allows a baseball pitcher to deliver a 90 mph pitch, where kinetic linking allows the batter to hit the ball out of the park. In martial arts, it is this concept that lets a much smaller and seemingly weaker individual to defend themselves effectively against a much stronger opponent. An example of this would be in hitting someone in the nose with an open hand, while sitting at a table, versus the same person standing up and taking two steps forward while winding up their arm. Then stepping forward while extending their arm, like that whip to the aggressors nose.

    _____________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care kinetic linking martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong referred pain stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/The-Kinetic-Chain-How-Referred-Pain-Comes-About Sat, 31 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Breathe Through Your Nose https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Breathe-Through-Your-Nose The Importance of Nose Breathing

    There is evidence that breathing through the nose, creates air oscillations which can increase nitric oxide (NO) through the rise in exchange of air between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses can then produce larger amounts of nitric oxide which increase oxygen uptake. Nitric oxide is a powerful and potent vasodialator. Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) was shown in research studies to be reduced during nasal breathing when compared to mouth breathing. Additionally, nitric oxide aids in nonspecific host defense against infections stemming from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (Trivedi & Saboo, 2021).

    anterior view of ethmoid bone and sinus cavity

    In 1988, the Nobel Prize in Physiology was awared to Robert F. Furchgott of the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn, Ferid Murad of the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, and Louis J. Ignarro of the University of California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. The award was for their discoveries regarding nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system.

    Furchgott had previously discovered that endothelial cells that line the interior blood vessels, produce this signaling molecule of nitric oxide (NO). NO makes nearby muscles to relax and consequently help to regulate blood pressure. More recently, scientists have discovered that the enzymes with which cells make the short-lived gas, play a role in activities as such as immunity, memory formation, and tumor suppression. Some brain cells also send messages using NO. Immune cells release bursts of nitric oxide to kill infectious organisms and cancer cells. Doctors are also researching the effects of nitric oxide with premature infants to stimulate blood flow to their underdeveloped lungs (Travis, 1998).

    https://learntosleepwell.com/scientific-research/could-nasal-nitric-oxide-help-to-mitigate-the-severity-of-covid-19/

    Yoga (qigong), tai chi, meditation, martial arts and other methods often put a major emphasis on regulated breathing through the nose.

    References:

    Trivedi, G. Y., & Saboo, B. (2021). Bhramari Pranayama – A simple lifestyle intervention to reduce heart rate, enhance the lung function and immunity. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 12(3), 562–564. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2021.07.004

    Travis, J. (1998, October 17). Medical Nobel prize says yes to NO. (nitric oxide research honored)(Brief Article). Science Newsv154(n16), p246.

    YOU’VE BEEN BREATHING ALL WRONG: Hey mouth-breathers! Use your nose to boost immunity–and mood.(SCIENCE). (2020, July 1). Maclean’s133(6), 76.

    SETTERGREN, ANGDIN, ASTUDILLO, GELINDER, LISKA, LUNDBERG, WEITZBERG, & Settergren, G. (1998). Decreased pulmonary vascular resistance during nasal breathing: modulation by endogenous nitric oxide from the paranasal sinuses. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica163(3), 235–239.

    Struben, V. M. D., Wieringa, M. H., Mantingh, C. J., Bruinsma, S. M., de Jongste, J. C., & Feenstra, L. (2005). Silent and humming nasal NO measurements in adults aged 18–70 years. European Journal of Clinical Investigation35(10), 653–657. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01559.x

    Ethmoid Bone – Location – Structure – Relationships. (2020, December 5). TeachMeAnatomy. https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/osteology/ethmoid-bone/

    ______________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Breathe-Through-Your-Nose Wed, 28 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    What is this Frankincense Stuff Anyway? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/What-is-this-Frankincense-Stuff-Anyway The 3 Wise Men or Maji were said to have brought Jesus three gifts with spiritual meaning, being gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was a symbol of kingship on earth. Myrrh (an embalming oil) was a symbol of death. Frankincense (an incense) was a symbol of deity. This post is my detailed review of frankincense.

    Herbal Monograph – Boswellia (Frankincense)

    Overview:

    Boswellia serrata also known as Boswellia sacra, Indian frankincense, Indian olibanum, or the botanical synonym of Boswellia glabra Roxb. Boswellia is a small tree or shrub belonging to the Burseraceae category of gum trees that also include myrrh. Boswellia is native to the dry tropics of Africa, particularly in the northeast countries of Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, and Oman. Another version originates from a gum tree that grows in India and South Asia. Boswellia is commonly used as an ingredient in many herbal preparations, having immune effects similar to corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, however having none of the side effects. It is often used for osteoarthritis to relieve pain (Micozzi, 2018).

    Fig.1

    Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.

    (Raffaelli, 2005)

    Boswellia has been used for quite some time within Ayurveda (known as Salai guggal) as a pain reliever due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The fragrant resins from many varieties of Boswellia have also been used as incense as well as embalming liquids. Boswellia serrata has been more recently tested in clinical studies for a varied spectrum of inflammatory ailments (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    The Boswellia serrata resin seems to be closely related to the biblical frankincense (B. carterii) which was known, along with gold and myrrh, gifts from the 3 Maji to Christ upon birth (What Is the Significance of the Three Wise Men and Their Gifts? 2020). Based upon this, it would appear that its benefits and usage has been known for at least a few thousand years. If Boswellia was indeed one of the traditional gifts introduced from the wise Magi traveling for thousands of miles, it might be surmised that they knew something about joint pain. As Boswellia and its acids are known to have remarkable anti-inflammatory, complement-inhibitory and analgesic properties. Many years later, the famous Germanic (Frankish) crusader Frederick Barbarossa, also known as “Red Beard, is thought to have brought Boswellia into Europe, thereby coining the common name “frank incense,” or frankincense (Micozzi, 2018).

    Fig. 2

    Boswellia serrata Roxb. resin

    (Anjum, A., Tabssum, K., & Siddiqui, A. (2019). Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb) Resin)

    Medicinal Uses:

    In the traditional medicine modality of Ayurveda, the Boswellia resin, is most often administered externally as an anti-inflammatory agent and astringent applied topically or as an expectorant and stimulant when taken internally (Bone & Mills, 2013). Ayurveda also uses Boswellia as therapy for gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological issues, and diseases of the nervous system (Dohling, 2008).

    Western medicine and pharmacology recognize its use as an analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-atherosclerotic (anti-coronary plaque), hepatoprotective (protects the liver), and anti-hyperlipidemic (controls blood lipids) (Siddiqui, 2011). Medicinal applications would include diarrhea, gonorrhea, syphilis, dysmenorrhea, chronic pulmonary diseases, rheumatic disorders, dysentery, hemorrhoids, liver disorders, general weakness, and loss of appetite. Clinical trials support Boswellia usage as an anti-inflammatory agent for inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Other ailments treated would be those with associated with elevated levels of leukotrienes would include allergic rhinitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, urticaria, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, chronic smoking, gout, liver cirrhosis and significant anti-tumor activity. Boswellia may be a major factor in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    External uses of Boswellia include inflammatory diseases of the skin, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis (Dohling, 2008). Research exists into usage of sports creams with ingredients such as Boswellia and ginger to reduce pain in the neck and shoulders of athletes. Significant improvement in pain and stiffness, was obtained with a reduction in need for rescue medication when Boswellia products were used (Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 2020).

    Pharmacodynamics:

    Boswellia’s seems to have an effect across a varied range of inflammatory diseases, although its clinical anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood. Research indicates that Boswellic acid may prevent the formation of leukotrienes in the body. Leukotrienes are molecules that are understood to cause inflammation. Previous research, reports that Boswellic acids notably reduced the stimulated release of leukotrienes from undamaged human neutrophils, with Acetyl-11-keto-β-Boswellic acid (AKBA) being the most potent. Boswellia also reduced the formation of leukotrienes by obstructing the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase in vitro. Boswellic acids appear to produce a particular in vitro inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase, with minimal effect on 12-lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase (which produces prostaglandins). This mechanism of action is consequently unique when compared to conventional NSAIDs, which obstruct prostaglandin production. Compounds that inhibit 5-lipoxygenase typically do this because they are antioxidants. The activity of the Boswellic acids does not depend upon on antioxidant properties. The research concluded that Boswellia used in treatment of leukotriene-mediated inflammation and hypersensitivity-based disorders, could be beneficial (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Pharmacokinetics:

    Boswellic acids have demonstrated the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier in rats. Studies on the permeation of Boswellia extract within the in vitro Caco-2 model of intestinal absorption, found moderate absorption of 11-keto-β-Boswellic acid (KBA and low permeability for Acetyl-11-keto-β-Boswellic acid (AKBA), with most of these compounds being retained in the Caco-2 monolayer. In the liver microsomes and hepatocytes of rats, and also in human liver microsomes, KBA but not AKBA, encountered substantial phase I metabolism. This was confirmed in vivo, where KBA encounters substantial first-pass metabolism however, AKBA does not. Therefore, metabolism is not mainly responsible for the notably poor bioavailability of AKBA. Boswellic acids bioavailability in humans, has been established in many pharmacokinetic studies, indicating that beta-Boswellic acid demonstrates increased bioavailability, then that of KBA and AKBA. These studies and their results indicated that Boswellia is recommended to be taken orally every 6 hours and consequently achieving steady-state plasma levels following roughly 30 hours (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Dosage and Administration:

    The Boswellia tree produces the Oleo gum-resin which is tapped from an incision made on the trunk of the tree. The resin is then stored in a special bamboo basket for extraction of the oil content and solidification of the resin. Once processed, the gum-resin is then graded according to its size, shape, color, and flavor (Siddiqui, 2011). Boswellia as a resin, demands a 90% content of alcohol for extraction. Consequently, Boswellia is more easily offered as a capsule or tablet as opposed to a tincture, due to the relatively high doses required (Bone & Mills, 2013). Boswellia is also taken using the bark in a decoction to be consumed orally. The recommended dosage is based on relative clinical trials and historical practice. Currently it is not certain what the optimal dose is in order to balance efficacy as well as safety. Standardization of the manufacturing of Boswellia products is challenging as one product and its ingredients can be quite different from another (Siddiqui, 2011).

    The recommended dosage for Boswellia is 200-400mg of extract, taken three times a day, and ingested with meals. Boswellia extract is usually standardized to contain a Boswellic acid content of 60-70% where the dose is relative to an equivalent resin intake of 2.4-4.8g (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Contraindications:

    No known contraindications. However, from an Ayurveda viewpoint, Boswellia is not recommended for during pregnancy or while nursing. Additionally, for those with a weakened digestive system, it may be potentially unbalancing (Pole, 2006). Patients with known allergic tendencies should use caution when using Boswellia, as it is known to produce varied allergic reactions (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Toxicity:

    Toxicity studies have normally indicated that Boswellic acids contain exceptionally low acute toxicity and cause no negative effects after administration. The oral and intraperitoneal LD50 (median lethal dose) was greater than 2 g/kg in rats and mice. No notable changes presented in general behavior, nor in pathological, clinical, biochemical, or hematological data after chronic oral administration for 10 days. A Boswellia extract containing added 30% AKBA exhibited an oral LD50 > 5 g/kg in rats and was categorized as being a non-irritant to the skin. A study for subacute toxicity, with the same extract spanning 90 days at up to 2.5% of feed presented no negative effects. A study with mice that were given experimentally induced colitis, discovered hepatotoxic effects for a methanolic extract at 1% of feed spanning 21 days, which was additionally supported by in vitro data (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Side effects:

    Side effects might include skin rash, nausea, stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhea, skin burning, acid reflux, and feelings of fullness in the stomach (Side Effects and Interactions of Boswellia, 2020). Boswellia has known to produce side effects of contact dermatitis. Boswellia used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease was well tolerated in clinical trials, however mild side effects of hives (urticaria) and diarrhea were reported (Bone & Mills, 2013).

    Drug Interactions:

    No known drug interactions have been reported with the use of Boswellia. However, there is the possibility that Boswellia use might enhance or reduce the effects or toxicity of particular medications, such as some anticancer drugs, Singulair (a medication used for treating asthma), cholesterol-lowering drugs and antifungal drugs. Boswellia may also decrease the efficacy of some anti-inflammatory pain relievers like aspirin. ibuprofen, and naproxen. Boswellia may interact with some herbs and dietary supplements that might have anti-cancer properties like mistletoe (Viscum album), anti-fungal agents like tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), supplements used to manage joint diseases like glucosamine (chondroitin) and cholesterol-lowering supplements like Allium sativum (Side Effects and Interactions of Boswellia, 2020)

    Clinical Reviews/Evidence:

    A clinical trial composed by Raychaudhuri and her co-workers from 2008, in India reported that Boswellia serrata extract, reduces pain and significantly improves knee-joint functions, offering relief within seven days. Raychaudhuri and her co-workers believe that their study was the first to analyze the efficacy of an extract containing a form of Boswellic acid for treating osteoarthritis (Siddiqui, 2011).

    A study published in 2019 with the intent of investigating the effects of 4 weeks of Boswellia consumption on explicit motor memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the elderly. Twenty elderly men with a mean age of 60.2 ± 1.7 years, were randomly divided into two groups of an experimental group (n = 12) and a placebo group (n = 8). Both groups engaged in a 4-week exercise program, using a protocol in order to exercise motor memory. During the 4-week period the experimental group consumed 500mg of Boswellia pills, two times a day. At the end of the 4 weeks, the results showed that Boswellia had a substantial effect on the acquisition and retention of explicit motor memory with older men with moderate mental status. However, there was no difference observed in the serum BDNF between the experimental and placebo groups (Asadi, et al., 2019).

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of inflammatory joint disease. Boswellia serrata is known as a potent anti-arthritic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent that may be used to treat OA. A research article published with BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies in 2020. Reported in the article was a systematic review and meta-analysis which included seven random controlled trials (RCTs) to analyze the safety and efficacy of Boswellia extract for OA. A total of 545 participants engaged in the trials. Boswellia extract demonstrated that it may offer relief from pain and stiffness while also improving joint function. Determined from the reported evidence was that pain, stiffness, and joint function began to show improvement following 4 weeks of sustained consumption of 100-250mg of Boswellia extract. This should be interpreted with discretion due to the uncertain considerable risk of bias for reporting bias (selective reporting), bias for selection bias (allocation concealment and random sequence generation), attrition bias (incomplete outcome data), and the relatively small amount of participants that were all noted in the article (Yu, et al., 2020).

    A 2021 study reported on the use of Boswellia for Gulf War Illness (GWI). GWI is a chronic, multi-symptom condition with unknown etiology. Symptoms are wide and varied for those with GWI, such as respiratory difficulties, pain, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and dermatological ailments leading researchers to believe that GWI is a neuroimmune condition engaging systemic inflammation. The study was a pseudo-randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial to evaluate the effects of nine separate anti-inflammatory botanical compounds for symptoms of GWI. 39 Participants were eligible for the study based upon screening criteria at the time. Boswellia was not any more effective than a placebo at decreasing GWI symptoms at either the lower (p = 0.726) or higher (p = 0.869) dosages (Donovan, et al., 2021). The evidence from this study warrants the need for more research into this ailment and treatments of it.

    The Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology posted an article in 2021, regarding research into the antibacterial activity of Boswellia serrata Extract for inhibition of oral pathogenic bacteria. Samples were collected at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kufa, from twenty periodontitis patients. For this research, Boswellia serrata extract was assessed for antimicrobial activity with the results showing excellent anti-growth intervention against the tested isolates. The results offered promise into the use of natural remedies as a source to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. Boswellia extract demonstrated notable action against Streptococcus orails at 250 and 500mg/ml concentrations and Gemella morbillorum that being affected by the extract at 500mg/ml. Boswellia and its bioactive components, has the potential to offer treatment options for oral bacterial infections (Salman, et al., 2021).

    A study from January of 2022 evaluated the efficacy of herbal extracts from curcumin and Boswellia (as Curcumin Boswellia Phytosome, CBP) and Low FODMAP’s diet (LFD) for relief of abdominal bloating in association with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sixty-seven participants with IBS with small bowel dysbiosis were recruited. The intervention group of 33 subjects showed a notable decrease (p < 0.0001) in abdominal pain, bloating and indican values by the end of the study, compared with the control group of 34 subjects. The subjects within the intervention group experienced a notably better (p < 0.0001) global assessment of efficacy (GAE) when compared to the control group. Participants with IBS and small bowel dysbiosis, and abdominal bloating can successfully reduce symptoms with supplementation of CBP and LFD (Giacosa, et al., 2022).

    From these various case studies there is seemingly much evidence of the medicinal health benefits that can be gained from use of Boswellia. However, in spite of its long history of usage dating back over thousands of years, more current research is necessary for Boswellia to be used within current Western allopathic medicine.

    References:

    Anjum, A., Tabssum, K., & Siddiqui, A. (2019). Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb) Resin [Photograph]. Semantic Scholar. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Kundur-(Boswellia-serrata-Roxb)-A-boon-of-nature-in-Anjum-Tabassum/6839fa4fe83f654c8471c06b1e5a120f5b11bd12

    Asadi, E., Shahabı Kaseb, M. R., Zeıdabadı, R., & Hamedınıa, M. R. (2019). Effect of 4 weeks of frankincense consumption on explicit motor memory and serum BDNF in elderly men. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 49(4), 1033–1040. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.3906/sag-1810-204

    Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon, (2013), Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    Dohling, Carsten. “Boswellia serrata (Frankincense) – from traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) to evidence-based medicine.” Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology, vol. 15, no. 6-7, June 2008, p. 540. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A184613211/AONE?u=vol_l99n&sid=ebsco&xid=2ce2ada6. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

    Donovan, E. K., Kekes-Szabo, S., Lin, J. C., Massey, R. L., Cobb, J. D., Hodgin, K. S., Ness, T. J., Hangee-Bauer, C., & Younger, J. W. (2021). A Placebo-Controlled, Pseudo-Randomized, Crossover Trial of Botanical Agents for Gulf War Illness: Curcumin (Curcuma longa), Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), and French Maritime Pine Bark (Pinus pinaster). International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(5), 2468. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/ijerph18052468

    Giacosa, A., Riva, A., Petrangolini, G., Allegrini, P., Fazia, T., Bernardinelli, L., Peroni, G., & Rondanelli, M. (2022). Beneficial Effects on Abdominal Bloating with an Innovative Food-Grade Formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata Extracts in Subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Small Bowel Dysbiosis. Nutrients, 14(3), 416. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/nu14030416

    Micozzi, Marc S. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (2018). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    Pole, Sebastian. Ayurvedic Herbs: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Churchill Livingstone, 2006. (pg. 179)

    Raffaelli, M. (2005). Boswellia-Dowkah-2.jpg [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boswellia-Dowkah-2.JPG

    Recent Findings from Chieti-Pescara University Provide New Insights into Shoulder Pain [A sport cream (Harpago-Boswellia-ginger-escin) for localized neck/shoulder pain]. (2020). Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 4029. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A635320954/AONE?u=vol_l99n&sid=ebsco&xid=e8a293e7

    Salman, K. A., Jawad, S. M., & Abbas, S. H. (2021). Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Boswellia serrata Extract Against some of the Oral Pathogenic Bacteria. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(3), 3371–3376. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i3.15822

    Siddiqui M. Z. (2011). Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 73(3), 255–261. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474X.93507

    Side Effects and Interactions of Boswellia. (2020, September 22). Chinese Herbs. https://www.chinese-herbs.org/boswellia/boswellia-side-effects-and-interactions.html

    What Is the Significance of the Three Wise Men and Their Gifts? (2020, December 1). Christianity.Com. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/significance-of-the-three-wise-men-and-their-gifts.html (Links to an external site.)

    Yu, G., Xiang, W., Zhang, T., Zeng, L., Yang, K., & Li, J. (2020). Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), NA. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A631896548/AONE?u=vol_l99n&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=6e6a7f49

    _______________

    I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.

    More education products can be found at:

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/f825576692

    ________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/What-is-this-Frankincense-Stuff-Anyway Sat, 24 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT Arnica – A Potentially Toxic Herb? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Arnica-A-Potentially-Toxic-Herb Arnica flowers, Arnica montana, or wolf’s bane, is typically used in a tincture as an analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ecchymotic (against bruises). Arnica has been a widely used remedy, being used (topically) externally in order to stimulate peripheral blood supply for swelling/inflammation, sprains, bruises, wounds and injuries. Additional external uses are for dandruff, dislocations, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, oedema associated with fractures, rheumatic, muscle and joint complaints, surface phlebitis, inflamed insect bites. Diluted arnica is often applied to the skin surface and purposely not covered with bandages. Arnica oil, which is a macerated oil from the arnica flowers, also has topical uses. This herb is sometimes taken internally, although not recommended, as a diuretic and stimulant. Due to irritant and allergenic effects internal use is a much lesser usage. Homeopathic preparations with arnica are also used internally and externally. In injuries of open wounds or where skin is broken or tender, topical application should be avoided as should usage near the eyes and mouth (Bones & Mills, 2013)

    Internal use of arnica is not recommended. Oral use of arnica after oral ingestion may lead to dizziness, trembling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, cardiac rhythm disturbances, breathing difficulties and collapse. There is high risk of damage to the fetus or miscarriage, if taken internally (Bones & Mills, 2013). Taken orally, Arnica may have side effects of muscle weakness, tachyarrhythmia, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal hemorrhage (Canders & Stanford, 2014). Arnica overdose can cause death due to circulatory paralysis with secondary respiratory arrest (Bones & Mills, 2013). When ingested orally, arnica’s exhibits immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects, with its toxic constituent of Helenalin, which inhibits platelet aggregation. Arnica toxicity has no antidote (Canders & Stanford, 2014).

    Key constituents include:

    • sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) of the pseudoguaianolide type (0.2% to 1.5%), including helenalin and 11alpha, 13-dihydrohelenalin and their ester derivatives
    • triterpenes, including arnidiol
    • Flavonoids (0.4% to 0.6%) including quercitin 3-O-glucuronic acid
    • Lignans including pinoresinol
    • Coumarins, carotenoids
    • Non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (tussilagine and isotussilagine)
    • Polyacetylenes
    • Essential oil (0.23% to 0.35%) containing sesquiterpenes, thymol derivatives and other monoterpenes
    • Caffeoylquinic acids (phenolic acids) including 3,5- and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids (Bones & Mills, 2013)

    Arnica is recommended for mostly anti-inflammatory topical usage, with noted occasional side effects of irritant contact dermatitis when used externally. It is not recommended for prolonged usage or for persons with sensitivity to members of the Asteraceae family, such as daisies, ragweed, and chrysanthemums (Bones & Mills, 2013).

    There are alternative herbal options for arnica depending upon the intended use. For wounds, muscular and joint pain, lavender is an option.  Comfrey is used also for wounds, fractures and relative bruising. Aloe is an option for abrasions, wounds and other injuries (Herbs with Similar Uses as: Arnica, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, St. Luke’s Hospital, n.d.)

    References:

    Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon. (2013) Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy (p. 373). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    Canders, C., & Stanford, S. (2014, January 13). A Dangerous Cup of Tea. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(13)00345-1/fulltext#relatedArticles

    Herbs with Similar Uses as: Arnica | Complementary and Alternative Medicine | St. Luke’s Hospital. (n.d.). St. Luke’s Hosptial. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000589.htm

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care inflammation martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Arnica-A-Potentially-Toxic-Herb Wed, 21 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Challenges that are Currently Facing Complementary and Alternative Medicine https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Challenges-that-are-Currently-Facing-Complementary-and-Alternative-Medicine I have commented on this topic in former discussions, specifically big pharmaceutical companies hindering expansion of the herbal market, where they either buy out the smaller herbal companies or use their vast resources to lobby against or stifle growth of alternative natural medicinal options. I really don’t think it is wise to take a ‘let’s wait and see where this goes” approach as opposed to a “be self-reliant in pursuing natural options through due diligence” type of attitude. I feel people need to be more accountable to themselves and their loved ones, for managing their own healthcare or more appropriately “self-care” program. Herbs and other natural remedies will continue to see more re-acceptance and growth as people increasingly become weary of the high costs, side-effects and politics associated with pharmaceuticals. This is evident from a past article on the global herbal medicine market is predicted to possibly become a $550 billion industry by 2030 (insightSLICE, 2021).

    From my own experience, Western medical professionals are not going to offer or steer a patient towards herbs when the whole healthcare industry is based upon mostly quick-fix pharmaceuticals and most often at exorbitantly higher costs to the consumer. For example, my allopathic doctor prescribing Nasacort, Flonase and eventually Claritin for seasonal allergies, when I was able to replace these with a combination of ginger, turmeric and black pepper with great success. Another orthopedic doctor was intent upon me having surgery for a torn meniscus in my knee. I declined and practiced more qigong and applied herbs topically to my injured knee for 6 months, again with much success.

    My botanical medicine history started when my mother gave me warm milk with honey for a sore throat when I was probably 4 or 5 years old. My mother’s family came from what was formerly known as Bohemia and now named the Czech Republic, and my father’s ancestors came from Germany, where decades back traditional medicines and herbal remedies were quite common. Around this same time, I was introduced to Jägermeister (probably considered child abuse these days), the alcoholic beverage that actually has medicinal properties from its herbal ingredients of cinnamon, ginger root, licorice root and rose hips (Arifin, 2017).

    Years later when I was 16, I began martial arts training with Korean and Chinese kung fu.  My teachers were very much Taoists and Traditional Chinese Medicine was inherently bound within our curriculum and knowledge base. I was quite naïve and impressionable at the time, having had little true-life experience. Fortunately for me, this was a very good education to have been introduced to at such an early age, as it gave me a firm foundation in health, fitness, wellness and nutrition for years to come.

    I was taught (along with my peers and fellow students) that the body can innately maintain and cure itself if given the right balance of physical exercise, proper diet and nutrition (including herbs) and appropriate self-management of our thoughts and emotions. Our go to beverage and preventative, was ginger root tea, to aid in good digestion and overall reduction of inflammation relative to physical training. If overly sore or injured, we would use curcumin poultices or store-bought plaster patches with cayenne. We would use herbal extracts called Dit Da Jow, to apply to our hands, arms and other parts of our bodies for what is referred to as Iron Body training. These Jows are somewhat unique in that they reduce inflammation while at the same time increase blood circulation and promote natural healing. We ate kimchi, a known probiotic and were encouraged to eat and cook with garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne and onion as much as possible.

    Years later, the training and knowledge increased to even more Traditional Chinese Medicine methods of moxibustion. This is a method, where herbs smolder on acupuncture needles or sometimes directly on the skin (direct moxibustion) or indirect where the herbs burn on a layer of ginger, garlic or salt which cover specific acupuncture points and meridians.

    Additionally, we were prescribed or instructed on how to use particular Chinese herbal tea recipes for various physical imbalances. These teas were incredibly strong in flavor and potency, and were to help cure whatever issues of cough, allergies, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, headache, and many other ailments. These teas looked like tar by the time they decocted down to a cup size serving and tasted pretty much the same, but they all worked amazingly well. Even more recently, I have been introduced to Ayurveda through my martial arts lineage as well as with my NVU degree program. Ayurveda seems to be the parent of TCM in many aspects, as I have found many of the same herbs and principles of treatment and prevention from using specific recipes.

    I have been fully into the whole concept of phytotherapy for almost 50 years, for all of the reasons I have discussed over previous posts, distilling it down to less side effects, less toxins, less cost, more individual control over my own health and well-being. I see herbalism/botanical addressing the root causes of illness and disease as well as symptoms, versus conventional allopathic medicine treating of the symptoms with little or no expectation of addressing root issues. Herbalism seems to have its greatest benefits as a preventative for chronic and long-term ailments, however having benefits for some acute issues also. Conventional allopathic medicine’s greatest strength is in immediate treatment for trauma and acute illnesses.

    Best wishes and be well!

    References:

    Arifin, E. (2017, December 23). 7 Health Benefits of Drinking Jagermeister #1 Unexpected. DrHealthBenefits.com. https://drhealthbenefits.com/food-bevarages/beverages/health-benefits-drinking-jagermeister

    insightSLICE. (2021, February 16). Herbal Medicine Market Global Sales Are Expected To Reach US$ 550 Billion by 2030, as stated by insightSLICE. GlobeNewswire News Room. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/16/2176036/0/en/Herbal-Medicine-Market-Global-Sales-Are-Expected-To-Reach-US-550-Billion-by-2030-as-stated-by-insightSLICE.html

    _____________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Challenges-that-are-Currently-Facing-Complementary-and-Alternative-Medicine Sat, 17 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Legalization of Marijuana – When Can I Start my own Business? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Legalization-of-Marijuana-When-Can-I-Start-my-own-Business Let’s explore some perspectives on where legalization of marijuana and how it is transforming the nation’s viewpoint on this controversial issue. Personally, I see big pharma and governments still wielding much control of this whole industry.

    Abbott Laboratories and Purdue Pharma are among the biggest contributors to the Anti-Drug Coalition of America, also the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, viewed as one of marijuana’s biggest opponents, invested roughly $19 million on lobbying in 2015 (Reporter, 2017).

    From what I have researched, it will still be very much out of reach for the average individual to have their own business of growing, selling and distribution of recreational marijuana. In order to own and operate a marijuana-based business, one must become licensed in their respective state. Additionally, some cities may also require some type of licensing for where the business is located in (Dispensary Permits, 2020).

    It will be interesting to see where this leads to. More people and states seem to be realizing that marijuana usage might be equivalent to the alcohol industry. We see craft breweries are popping up everywhere and people can make their own alcoholic products. Maybe soon, if not already in some states, marijuana-based products can be produced and consumed in the privacy and comfort of one’s own home.

    References:

    Dispensary Permits. (2020, April 17). Start A Marijuana Business. Seed to Sale. https://dispensarypermits.com/start-a-marijuana-business/#:%7E:text=In%20order%20to%20operate%20a%20marijuana%20business%2C%20you,license%20from%20your%20state%20through%20an%20application%20process.

    Reporter, G. S. (2017, May 7). Inside big pharma’s fight to block recreational marijuana. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/oct/22/recreational-marijuana-legalization-big-business

    ___________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Legalization-of-Marijuana-When-Can-I-Start-my-own-Business Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT Back Pain Management – Book 22 https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Back-Pain-Management-Book-22 Most people in the United States will experience back pain at some time in their lives.  Causes of back pain are many, ranging from poor posture, heavy lifting, and lack of exercise among other issues.  Some may find relief through chiropractic or acupuncture therapy.  Depending upon the root cause, most pain goes away within a few days or weeks, only to return at a later date.  Unless the root cause is fixed, most treatments only offer temporary relief.  In many cases, the root cause of back pain is tight hamstring muscles and/or poor posture.  Excessive sitting can tighten these muscles as well as a lack of proper stretching on a regular basis contribute to many back pain issues. How we sit, how we stand and how we move, or more often don’t move – all affect our posture and relative issues with the spine and the nervous system.

    Not having back pain, does not necessarily mean your spine is in great shape! If not disease nor illness is a goal, we need to focus on being fit, well & healthy. Good health usually comes at a cost of time, effort, sacrifice and resources, or a combination of the prior. Most people don’t care to make the investment into taking care of themselves until after they are injured. even then, most people with back issues often choose pain medicines or sometimes surgery over exercise or lifestyle changes that can improve their situation. Traumatic injuries are often best treated with emergency surgery and that is really not the topic of this post.

    In 2019, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (referred to as high impact chronic pain) in the past 3 months.

    Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain both increased with age and were highest among adults aged 65 and over.

    Non-Hispanic white adults (23.6%) were more likely to have chronic pain compared with non-Hispanic black (19.3%), Hispanic (13.0%), and non-Hispanic Asian (6.8%) adults.

    Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db390.htm

    My booklet sample below, goes into detail, along with graphics to offer information on how these root problems affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I offer information on how to manage back pain without pharmaceuticals nor surgery when at all possible. Yoga, qigong, tai chi, martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, reflexology/acupressure, deep breathing, meditation and other methods are explained in great detail in order to offer many options depending upon individual circumstances.

    Included are many exercises and other methods to develop strength and flexibility which improve posture and relative spine health.  Good health of the entire spinal structure starts with good posture.  Strength in the back, hips and abdomen provide a strong cage that houses the internal organs.  Flexibility in these areas helps to maintain good blood circulation to the organs and lower body.  Lengthening of the spine while exercising reduces stress and tension on the nervous system.  Additionally, there are deep and relaxed breathing exercises included, which can help manage stress and pain. These can be practice while performing the back exercises or as stand-alone methods. I have practiced and taught others all of these methods for over 40 years, and often with much success.

    My booklet can be purchased in hard-copy or Kindle versions at:

    Link to Amazon

    book22-back-pain-managment-watermarked-edition-sampleDownload

    _____________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) back pain chronic pain diabetes health care lower back injury martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional qigong reflexology stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Back-Pain-Management-Book-22 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Nitric Oxide – a Vital Key Messenger Molecule https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Nitric-Oxide-a-Vital-Key-Messenger-Molecule Nitric oxide (NO) is a vital key messenger molecule produced in the endothelium found inside our blood vessels. As a vasodilator NO modulates vascular tone, which enhances healthy blood flow and circulation, and is a key to overall physiological organ function. NO affects blood pressure, vitality, and nutrient absorption which impacts many aspects of health. As blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases to improved exercise performance and improved brain function. The nasal sinuses provide a very large reservoir of nitric oxide (NO). Nasal breathing stimulates nitric oxide production improving oxygen levels throughout the body.

    Yoga (qigong), tai chi, meditation, martial arts and other methods often put a major emphasis on regulated breathing through the nose.

    _____________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Nitric-Oxide-a-Vital-Key-Messenger-Molecule Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Herbs & Pharmaceuticals – Risk vs. Benefits https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Herbs-Pharmaceuticals-Risk-vs-Benefits I find it very interesting how there are so many herbs, that we as humans push the limits of their benefits versus their toxicity. I feel that herbs do sometimes get a bad reputation for this fact, but allopathic pharmaceuticals have been in this same position for the last century.. Too much or too little of any particular herb or pharmaceutical can have devastating side effects or even death.

    I have come across aconite previously with my learning preparations of dit da jow, (recipes for external bruising and inflammation) along with my martial arts and qigong training. Aconite is considered a pungent ingredient within Traditional Chinese Medicine and is used by martial artists to promote the circulations of qi and bodily fluids. I came to understand that aconite needed to be “prepared” in order to neutralize its toxicity, such as treating it with salt and then boiling with licorice and black soya beans, for at least 1 hour (Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) in Chinese Medicine, n.d.).

    I feel compelled to ask why some of these herbs would still be continued to be used, with such potentially toxic side-effects? Many people might respond with “just use Western allopathic pharmaceuticals, they are proven safe and effective to use.”

    Plants and their natural ingredients are the producers of chemical substances, used to produce synthetic drugs. For most of history, herbal remedies were the only available medicine. Current estimates report that one third to one half of drugs in use today, originally derived from plants. Safety and efficacy in the use of herbs used in traditional and modern medicine are features that may apply to some herbs and patients, but not necessarily to others. Similar negative issues are known from conventional chemical drugs, which also are not always effective in all patients. There are risks of rare adverse reactions occurring in various organs relating to both, herbs and synthetic drugs (Teschke & Eickhoff, 2015).

    There are many over-the-counter, as well as prescription drugs that have the potential for dangerous side effects. Although in most cases, the risk of serious side effects is very rare, at less than 1% of the time. Some of these medicines would include ACE inhibitors, where there is the risk of an allergic-type reaction called angioedema. This is a rapid swelling under the skin that may lead to swelling of the throat and tongue and difficulty breathing. Some diabetes medications may cause lactic acidosis, an accumulation of lactic acid in the blood that can lead to hypothermia (low body temperature). Over-the-counter painkillers such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) in large daily doses can damage the liver and lead to liver failure. Alcohol consumption while taking acetaminophen can also lead to liver damage. Long-term and sometimes short-term NSAID use, is linked to kidney issues, ulcers, high blood pressure, stomach bleeding, and increased risk for stroke and heart attack (5 common medications that can have serious side effects, 2020). 

    References:

    Teschke, R., & Eickhoff, A. (2015, April 23). Herbal hepatotoxicity in traditional and modern medicine: actual key issues and new encouraging steps. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2015.00072/full

    5 common medications that can have serious side effects. (2020). Harvard Health Letter45(3), 5.

    Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) in Chinese Medicine. (n.d.). Me & Qi. Retrieved February 26, 2022

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-21/schwager-war-against-natural-medicine/3840682

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care inflammation martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/12/Herbs-Pharmaceuticals-Risk-vs-Benefits Sat, 03 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Fat in Our Diet – Friend or Foe? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Fat-in-Our-Diet-Friend-or-Foe Nutritional information has been evolving and accessible for decades, but we need to look to many diverse sources to find the most accurate information for any particular topic. Particular fats such as saturated, mono-saturated and polyunsaturated fats, all have specific health benefits when consumed in moderation. Saturated fats contain cholesterol that the cells within our bodies rely upon for structure and barriers.1 Over the last few decades, trans fats have been known to mostly have little or no positive health benefits.

    I think it so very important that we seek education in our personal nutrition as to become more aware of exactly what we are putting into our bodies. Over the last decades, consumers have relied upon the scientific and medical industries to inform the general public about what is healthy or unhealthy to consume. Depending on the source of the information, fat and consequently cholesterol are possibly the source of all of our health-related issues or the cure to all that ails us.1 Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between and realizing that we as humans do need specific fats in our diet, albeit in moderation. Additionally, what may be deemed as healthy or beneficial for someone, may not be for another. Everyone has their own health constitution relative to genetics, lifestyle, environment, and maybe other components.

    We have seen phases or trends in US health culture evolve over time. We can rationalize this by realizing that science has continuously been evolving and data has become more accurate due to many technological advances since the early part of the 20th century. Unfortunately, many of the trends have been affected by big corporations and associations that have the vast resources to sway not only the medical and science communities but also the public as well. Cigarettes were promoted by doctors, then they were not but the FDA still regulates and allows their detrimental usage.2 Coffee and its ingredient of caffeine seems to ebb and flow ever year between being good or bad for us. 3 A few decades ago, eggs and beef where demonized as having little positive health benefits to outweigh their negative effects such as high cholesterol and relative higher risk of heart disease from high consumption.

    In the 70’s a diet filled with eggs, bacon, beef, salt and sugar was desired as it was a symbol of social status to be able to afford these items and provide for one’s family. I think this was a side effect of my parent’s having grown up during the Great Depression, where jobs and food were somewhat limited. When I was a teen back in the 80’s, I saw the beginning of the shift from the eggs, bacon and pancake breakfast and steak and potatoes dinners to an awareness that these foods were high in fat and relative cholesterol. With my own pursuit of better health and well-being, I have found that nutrition is highly relative to the individual’s lifestyle choices and awareness that even seemingly healthy foods may not be so much, especially if they have been heavily processed, have pesticides or other chemicals added to them. So I read labels more and consume in moderation.

    References:

    1 Campbell-McBride, N. (2017, November 6). Cholesterol: Friend Or Foe? The Weston A. Price Foundation. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/cholesterol-friend-or-foe/

    2 Little, B. (2020, January 8). When Cigarette Companies Used Doctors to Push Smoking. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/cigarette-ads-doctors-smoking-endorsement

    3 Is coffee good or bad for your health? (2021, April 9). News. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/

    _______________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes diet & nutrition health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Fat-in-Our-Diet-Friend-or-Foe Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Data Shows That Obese Individuals More Likely to Get COVID-19 https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Data-Shows-That-Obese-Individuals-More-Likely-to-Get-COVID-19 Many months have gone by with the world and the United States dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Much has been learned as more data has been compiled to determine patterns of who has been infected. This data is of utmost importance in finding solutions to contain and diminish this severe contagion. In order to produce effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, future research needs to understand the sources of severity and complications.What has been determined is that specific demographics of people seem to have been affected much more than other groups. Certain factors such as individuals with comorbidities (multiple chronic illnesses), specific ethnic backgrounds and older aged people have had a greater risk of contracting the disease. Being obese puts someone more at risk for many serious chronic diseases. Over the last 3 years, obesity is one of the issues that has trended towards making an individual most susceptible to becoming affected by COVID-19 (Mal, et al., 2022).

    https://immunityageing.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12979-020-00212-x

    There is much scientific data that supports why biological and physiological mechanisms that fight off disease and illness become compromised due to the various health issues associated with obesity. COVID-19 and its relevance to adiposity are major predictors of severe disease and illness. Hypercytokinemia, immunological, endothelial dysfunction, dysregulation, and cardiovascular impairments are all possible mechanisms, where excess adipose tissue can increase an acute hyper-inflammatory state. This condition is typical of major SARSCoV-2 infections and relative negative symptoms. Increased levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin, in combination with the anti-inflammatory-acting ACE2 receptors in the lung epithelium of infected individuals, inhibit the innate immune response from being cleared, resulting in a ripple effect of tragic consequences for patients. When adipose tissue and associated immune cells increased cytokine secretion, the immune system can potentially overcompensate as a side-effect of pro-inflammatory “priming,” resulting in a cytokine storm. As a consequence of the immune system’s inability to produce a sufficient immunological response, virus clearance is compromised. High-risk patients that are at an advance age and/or those with obesity, may be more affected from a less robust immune system response and a lower lasting immunological memory, resulting in limited vaccine effectiveness (Mal, et al., 2022).

    The CDC has stated “Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Native American adults have a higher prevalence of obesity and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19.  Racial and ethnic minority groups have historically not had broad opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health, and these inequities have increased the risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 for some groups.  Many of these same factors are contributing to the higher level of obesity in some racial and ethnic minority groups.”

    The pursuit of a healthy lifestyle that can impact the trajectory of COVID-19 disease, has been one of the most important insights reaped from this catastrophe. Hopefully, this insight will not be squandered until the next public health crisis. Government and political leaders stress that everyone should take action to slow the spread of COVID-19, for the benefit of all. We seem to have major public health issues occurring every few years. Personal accountability for ones own health, is indeed a way to change our current “sickcare” system to more of a “selfcare” system where people don’t wait to become sick before adopting a healthy lifestyle.

    Systemic change does not happen overnight. Long-term weight loss is a work in progress. Some immediate steps that individuals can do to help protect themselves as well as their families during a pandemic are:

    • Eat a healthy diet
    • Use supplements as necessary and not as a substitute
    • Become more active
    • Execute regular physical activity
    • Get adequate sleep
    • Learn how to cope better with stress
    • Get adequate sun exposure to promote vitamin D production and natural immunity

    These actions can help most individuals with obesity by improving their overall health. These actions can help to lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, and lower blood sugars. With a lower body mass index or BMI, the risk of severe illnesses contributing to contracting COVID-19, as well as many other common diseases and illness can be reduced.

    References:

    https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/obesity-and-covid-19.html

    Mal, P., Mukherjee, T., Upadhyay, A. K., Mohanty, S., & Pattnaik, A. K. (2022). Connecting the dots between inflammatory cascades of obesity and COVID-19 in light of mortal consequences-a review. Environmental science and pollution research international, 29(38), 57040–57053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21461-x

    Mohammad, S., Aziz, R., Al Mahri, S. et al. Obesity and COVID-19: what makes obese host so vulnerable?. Immun Ageing 18, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-020-00212-x

    _______________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Data-Shows-That-Obese-Individuals-More-Likely-to-Get-COVID-19 Sat, 26 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Learn How Stress Affects Our Bodies, to Better Manage Our Well-being https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Learn-How-Stress-Affects-Our-Bodies-to-Better-Manage-Our-Well-being How do you deal with stress?

    • take a few deep breaths
    • drink a few alcoholic beverages
    • take pharmaceuticals
    • consume some form of Marijuana, hallucinogen, or psychedelic
    • physical exercise
    • listen to soothing music
    • do nothing

    In order to better manage stress, wouldn’t it help to better understand what stress is, and how it affects our bodies physiologically? Do we truly manage our stressors or just go with the “band-aid” approach of treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes?

    Life and the experiences that it offers, is constantly changing and evolving for all that exist. Our senses are continuously receiving and interpreting stimulus to determine what is good or bad for our survival. Consequently, this input often manifests into what we call stress. We deal with stress through our thoughts and emotions. Our emotions directly affect how our brain processes information that affects all of our physiological mechanism and organ functions through the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems. Basically, thoughts and emotions affect our health and well-being whether with positive or negative outcomes.

    The HPA-Axis is the physiological mechanism for how the mind and body respond to stress.

    1 – Receptors sense stress stimuli and send chemical signals to the hypothalamus, which releases corticotropic (CRH) to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland then releases adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) to the adrenal glands.

    2 – The adrenal glands respond with the secretion of cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline to be released into the bloodstream.

    3 – Immediate physiological changes are induced, including acceleration of heart and lung activity, elevated blood pressure, inhibition of digestive activity, tunnel vision, and sweating. Cortisol levels are then reported back to the hypothalamus completing a negative feedback loop to repeat the whole process as necessary.

    Why is this important to understand? Because when cortisol levels are too high for prolonged periods of time, other physiological mechanisms become impaired. When levels are balanced cortisol plays in important role in regulating blood chemistry:

    • Increases gluconeogenesis
    • Mobilizes fatty acids from adipose
    • Breaks down stored proteins
    • Enhances SNS response
    • Puts brakes on inf‌lammation/immune response

    Negative effects would include:

    • Increased insulin resistance
    • Altered perception & emotion in the central nervous system
    • Suppressed GH release
    • Suppressed TSH and inhibits peripheral activation of T4 into T3
    • Inhibited bone remodeling
    • Suppressed reproductive function

    We do have the ability to consciously control and manage our stress whether through lifestyle choices, diet & nutrition, physical activity and attitude. A key component of managing stress is managing the parasympathetic (rest & digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system through consistent regulation of our breathing frequency and relative volume of each breath. This is a topic addressed in many of my other posts. Yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, martial arts and other methods have been proven to help to proactively manage stress and relative cortisol levels.

    ________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) anxiety chronic pain depression diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Learn-How-Stress-Affects-Our-Bodies-to-Better-Manage-Our-Well-being Wed, 23 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Methods Used Within Traditional Chinese Medicine https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Methods-Used-Within-Traditional-Chinese-Medicine One of the various methods often prescribed in TCM is exercise/movement. Meditation, Tai chi and qigong are methods that affect the breathing patterns which in Western medicine would be connected to stimulation of the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system.  TCM recognizes these methods as a way to balance the qi in the energy meridians and consequently the organs. Management of the breath while practicing these methods are a way to balance emotion and psychological issues.

    Various TCM methods of pain management:

    • Acupuncture: very fine needles placed gently in the skin
    • Acupressure, reflexology and/or massage
    • Cupping: heated cups that create suction on your skin
    • Herbs: teas, powders, and capsules made mostly from plants
    • Meditation: a way to sit quietly and calm your mind
    • Moxibustion: dried herbs burned near the skin
    • Tai chi/qigong; exercises with slow movements and focus on the breath

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Methods-Used-Within-Traditional-Chinese-Medicine Sat, 19 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Relieve Stress, Tension and Headaches – Acupressure Methods https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Relieve-Stress-Tension-and-Headaches-Acupressure-Methods

    Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years.

    These is an amazing amount of knowledge, methods and alternative options to manage chronic pain beyond surgery, opiates and anti-inflammatories.

    These are techniques that I was taught over 40 years ago from my martial arts masters and teachers.  The key factor is consistency – practicing the techniques on a regular basis can help relieve the chronic pain associated with headaches and the stress that often accompanies these issues.

    I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.

    More education products can be found at:

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/f825576692

    ________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure acupuncture chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Relieve-Stress-Tension-and-Headaches-Acupressure-Methods Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    How to Build Strong Bones https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/How-to-Build-Strong-Bones Often people seek Western medicine (also known as allopathic or biomedicine) and its strong usage of pharmaceuticals to manage bone density and relative ailments of osteopenia and osteoporosis. I have discussed in other posts about the link to how the autonomic nervous system manages stress, blood chemistry and relative physiological organ functions. However, this post will address more on how a root cause of all types of disease and illness, being the lack of physical weight-bearing activities.

    The joints of our body are composed of two or more bones joining together, along with the muscles, tendons, cartilage, synovium and ligaments that hold the whole structure together. The shape of our bones reflect the forces applied to them. For example, small bumps, ridges and other features on the surface of our bones are the attachment sites for tendons. When muscles are put under more load through activities, stress or exercises, the corresponding attachment sites enlarge to withstand the increased forces. Bones that are under more stress become thicker and stronger, while in contrast bones that are not subjected to ordinary stresses tend to become weaker, thin and more brittle. Wolff’s law, developed by anatomist & surgeon Julius Wolff in the 19th century, states that “bone in a healthy person or animal will adapt to the loads under which it is placed.”

    By engaging our bones with strategic trauma exercise methods (or specific stress without injury) that can be regulated by the individual to make bones stronger and prevent osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. These types of exercises fall into 3 different categories of tension, impact and vibration exercises. Ironically, while some of these methods improve bone and muscular strength, they sometimes can cause pain and injury to the same joints that the individual might be trying to strengthen. Fox example, jumping rope, hiking and tennis might cause more injury to a 60+ than the benefits that might be gained from these practices.

    Regular weight-bearing exercise is an important component for maintaining healthy bone structure. Avid weight lifters often have thick bones with very prominent ridges. Non-athletes or those who have little to moderate amounts of physical activity will find weight-bearing activities are imperative for stimulating normal bone metabolism of maintenance as well as maintaining bone strength. Below are some examples of weight-bearing exercises that require very little equipment beyond ones own body weight. Proper instruction is recommended over learning from a graphic, book or video. Contact me for further information.

    _______________

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis physiology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/How-to-Build-Strong-Bones Sat, 12 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    What is Health? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/What-is-Health “Health is more than the absence of disease symptoms. The true goal is sustainable balance, as recognized by chiropractors and other holistically oriented health practitioners.”

    Micozzi, Marc S.. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (p. 544). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    “The low-grade viral or fungal infections, the persistent catarrhal state, recurrent headaches or migraines, allergies, skin and arthritic disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases, stress problems and anxiety neuroses and cancer are all marked by a failure to cope or adequately to defend. One perspective on this development is that modern medicine has so effectively neutered the acute disease, especially in the too frequent use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, that most people in developed countries have never had to muster their defenses. Life is also much easier in these societies and there is generally less rigorous testing of physiological functions.”

    Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy (p. 85). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    _______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/What-is-Health Wed, 09 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Not Your Basic Wrist Roller Exercise (Shim Yuk) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Not-Your-Basic-Wrist-Roller-Exercise-Shim-Yuk Shim Yuk – A practice to engage the mind and body

    Health and fitness enthusiasts often are on the search for the next best fitness gadget to take them to the next challenge or maybe just increase variety in their routine. For hundreds of years and probably more, martial arts has offered a wide spectrum of what is today marketed as flow-yoga, Cross Fit, function training, high intensity training (HIT) and others. Usage of simple apparatus that can be obtained from Home Depot or other retailers can offer unlimited options to achieve whatever fitness levels are desired, without ridiculous membership fees or equipment costs. An example of how our culture still thinks that we can buy our way to wellness, is paying $1500-$3000 for a stationary exercise bike when $50 worth of odds and ends can do the job (and often better). Either way, YOU have to do the work to achieve YOUR fitness, wellness and relative happiness.

    Unique to this exercise called “Shim Yuk”, is the body posture combined with holding a weighted object and the extra awareness required to hold it stable while also maintaining the correct body alignments. By holding the pole level, moving only the hands and wrists, the fascia trains, the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems are all engaged throughout the entire body. Theories abound regarding the activation of our inherit ability to heal our own illnesses, also known as “vis medicatrix”. Exercises like this, engage our mind, body and spirit thereby, helping to engage “the healing power of nature”.

    Developing a strong grip is directly relative to preventing falls.

    The strength of ones grip when they begin to lose their balance, can be the difference between free-falling to the ground and potential bone fracture, or catching ones balance by grabbing a rail or other stationary structure. Shim Yuk practice definitely goes way beyond being just a hand/wrist strengthening exercise. However, this exercise will produce phenomenal hand and wrist strength if practiced diligently.

    Try to hold the static position while performing the wrist exercise, from 1, 2, 3, etc. consecutive repetitions. Holding the stance generally develops overall strength where as repetitive rolling develops stamina, endurance and determination. Relax the body into the positions in spite of any tension in the muscles. Deep and relaxed breathing is essential while performing this exercise.

    From my experience of over 40 years of martial arts, fitness and wellness training and teaching, I have seen some amazing benefits coming from shim yuk practice. For those in fairly good shape, one can develop an amazing amount of strength in the wrists, forearms, shoulders, lower back and the legs. I have also trained individuals that have had more serious issues such as cerebral palsy, knee injuries, severe trauma to the spine and hip and other ailments that have shown great improvement.

    Strong bones prevent fractures from falls, osteopenia and osteoporosis

    Shim Yuk practice strengthens muscles which consequently strengthens bones, which helps to prevent osteopenia (bone loss) and osteoporosis (severe bone density loss). Wolff’s Law states that bones become stronger and thicker over time to resist forces placed upon them and weaker and thinner if there are no forces to act against. This principle is important for preventing injuries. Thicker bones are harder to break.

    Learning from information on the internet, from video or books can be good. However, to truly get proper instruction, in-person training is usually the best method. Contact me if you have a desire to learn this methods correctly.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/Not-Your-Basic-Wrist-Roller-Exercise-Shim-Yuk Sat, 05 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    The 3 Healthcare Systems in the US https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/The-3-Healthcare-Systems-in-the-US The 3 Healthcare Systems in the US:

    1 – “Health-care” which is truly “sick-care”

    2 – “Self-care”

    3 – “I Don’t Care”

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    _______

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/11/The-3-Healthcare-Systems-in-the-US Wed, 02 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Convalescence https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Convalescence Excerpt from: Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, by Kerry Bone

    Convalescence

    It is ironic that at the very time that healthcare has to deal with so much chronic and debilitating disease it has abandoned the best strategic approach inherited from tradition. In the past it was taken for granted that any illness would require a decent period of recovery after it had passed, a period of recuperation, of convalescence, without which recurrence was possible or likely. For the really debilitating diseases convalescent care was the primary treatment, reaching its apogee in the many European sanatoria for tuberculosis patients.

    Convalescence fell out of favour as powerful modern drugs emerged. It appeared that penicillin and the steroid anti-inflammatories produced so dramatic a resolution of the old killer diseases, including tuberculosis, that all the time spent convalescing was no longer necessary. Then, as healthcare provision became generally more effective and public expectations increased, pressure on hospital facilities led to shorter stays, whilst the increasing angst of the modern working rhythm has conspired to ensure that most people now could not consider time off to convalesce after a bout of flu. That this means they are more likely to get another bout the next year is a cruel irony.

    A good convalescence is a marvellous thing. It rounds off an illness and gives it meaning; it makes the sufferer stronger for having had the illness. In a way no vaccination could do, it arms and strengthens the immune defences and provides real protection against recurrence, possibly forever. It is probably the only strategy that will allow real recovery from debilitating disease, fatigue syndromes, recurrent infections and states of compromised immunity. It is the therapeutic recognition that healing, like the growth of children, is almost inevitable but that it needs to be allowed to proceed. Convalescence needs time, one of the hardest commodities now to find.

    There are four essential features of convalescence, in general agreed through history, though with many cultural embellishments.

    Rest

    This is by far the most important element. It should include maximum sleep, as physiologically this is the body’s time for repair. In the early stages of vigorous convalescence almost constant sleep should be encouraged (as in the former ‘sleep clinics’). Thereafter it should be promoted as much as possible. Rest also means less activity: if work has to be done it should be in brief bouts, switching frequently between different activities (‘change is as good as a rest’). Patients should be encouraged to pace themselves, to go to bed early, sleep late and not to volunteer for any work that is not absolutely necessary. As much as anything rest becomes a mental priority: all other considerations are secondary. That hour of more sleep is more important than a film on TV, a late-night conversation or night out.

    Exercise

    This is the flipside and necessary adjunct to rest, the equivalent to ‘turning the engine over’, to prevent congestion and stagnation. Essentially the body needs to be taken to aerobic exercise (defined for these purposes as any activity producing a pulse rate of between approximately 60–80% of 220 minus one’s age, e.g. 108–144 for a 40-year-old) at least briefly each day. Using the pulse rate to set exercise levels has the advantage of being self-adjusting: the very debilitated will reach high pulse rates with minimal activity. Nevertheless, caution is required. The debilitated will have very little stamina and even a minute may be too long. If exercise is followed by more fatigue, it is too much. Rather, one should build up to being able to undertake aerobic activity for up to 15 minutes each day. The main benefit of the aerobic mode is that it quickly dissipates sympathetic-adrenergic effects on the body (‘adrenaline’), constantly generated during the day in response to perceived stressors, and the enemy of convalescence. Timing one’s exercise for the evening will encourage better sleep that night.

    Diet

    The principle of the convalescent diet is that it should simply nourish. It should not stimulate or impose demands. Subject to individual dispositions, a convalescent diet is based on vegetables, especially root vegetables, cereals and pulses (if tolerated), fish and eggs, as the most easily assimilated protein sources, and chicken and other fowl if acceptable (chicken stock and soup remain one of the most universal and puzzling convalescent recommendations of history!). There should be no stimulants, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or sugar, little dairy food and a minimum of convenience foods and food additives. Patients should thus be encouraged to take a simple peasant diet, sharing also with the peasant a simple respect for the food, taking time over it, building their daily rhythm around it.

    Medication

    It is obviously important to maintain treatment during convalescence: herbal or conventional. However, there is also a key contribution to the measures above in herbal traditions. It was accepted that rest, exercise and diet alone might not be sufficient to bring about recovery. A range of herbal remedies have been directed to facilitating the process, to drive recovery. Many of these are the tonics listed earlier. If recovery is from febrile disease, sustaining warming remedies like Achillea (yarrow), Angelica archangelica (common angelica), Cinnamonum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon), Cardamomum (cardamom) or Foeniculum (sweet fennel) might be indicated. Recovery from low-grade assault on the immune system, chronic viral or fungal infections, conditions marked by swollen lymph glands, persistent sore throats or catarrhal states would need Echinacea, Picrorrhiza or Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo). Digestion is often in need of support, whether from cooling bitters or warming aromatic digestives. Cleansing should be managed, above all, by gentle eliminatives.

    For the phytotherapist convalescence is often the main strategy in making headway in chronic debilitated conditions such as a fatigue syndrome or persistent low-grade infections. Often these problems start with an infection early in life – a glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis, perhaps. The phytotherapist might suggest to the patient that the task is to go back and complete the convalescence from the original illness. The remedies available are probably

    Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy (pp. 86-87). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Convalescence Sat, 29 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Witch Hazel – a Brief Review of This Herb and its Uses https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Witch-Hazel-a-Brief-Review-of-This-Herb-and-its-Uses Witch Hazel:

    Common names for Witch Hazel are common witch hazel, Southern witch hazel, and witch-hazel. Having the scientific name of hamamelis virginiana. Hamamelis comes from the Greek word “hama” meaning “at the same time” and melon, which refers to the fact that this plant can have both fruit and flower appearing at the same time. Witch hazel is in the Hamamelidaceae family of shrubs or small trees and is deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves in winter. Witch hazel however, may grow to 15-20 feet tall. This plant is native to eastern North America and can be found growing along woodland areas and along stream banks from Canada to Mexico (Hamamelis Virginiana (Common Witchhazel, Common Witch Hazel, Southern Witch Hazel, Witch Hazel, Witch-Hazel) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, n.d.).

    Early European settlers witnessed Native Americans using witch hazel to find water from underground sources. This led to the practice of using a “divining rod” to find water where the dowsing end of the forked branch would bend downward when underground water was detected by the dowser (American Witchhazel, n.d.).

    Brief introduction to the traditional and present medicinal use of this herb:

    Medicinal uses of witch hazel include topical treatment for bruises, eczema, hemorrhoids, dermatitis, varicose veins, and inflamed swellings. As an antioxidant, it can be helpful for anti-aging and anti-wrinkling of the skin. Human experiments have shown suppression of UVB mediated sunburn with topical application of lotions containing witch hazel. Application of leaf extract topically produces a noticeable reduction in both skin temperature and vasoconstrictive activity. Hamamelis concentrate demonstrated significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 in vitro (Marciano, n.d.).

    Specific Pharmacodynamics associated with this herb:

    Witch Hazel is an osmotic dehydrating agent that with lubricating and hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture) properties. It causes plasma osmolality, which leads to the movement of water from the extravascular spaces into the plasma via osmosis. (A.E.R. Witch Hazel Actions, Administration, Pharmacology, n.d.).

    Specific Pharmacokinetics associated with this herb:

    Witch hazel is absorbed readily from the GI tract. Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver and is excreted in the urine as an unchanged drug (A.E.R. Witch Hazel Actions, Administration, Pharmacology, n.d.).

    Toxicology and Potential Adverse reactions associated with this herb:

    Toxicity: Witch hazel if taken internally, it should be for the shortest time possible.

    Hydrolysable tannins which can be broken down readily by acid, alkali or certain enzymes can yield gallic or ellagic acid, and ultimately pyrogallol which is antiseptic, caustic and hepatotoxic.

    Contraindications: Relative internal use due to hydrolyzable tannins.

    Interactions: Tannins when extracted in hot water, can produce alkaloids from plants, drugs, metals, minerals, proteins, salicylates, iodine, and B vitamins, consequently, reducing, blocking or slowing their absorption. The drug-tannin reaction may interfere with dosing, if sources from the two compounds are combined in a solution before administration (Marciano, n.d.).

    References:

    Hamamelis virginiana (Common Witchhazel, Common Witch Hazel, Southern Witch Hazel, Witch Hazel, Witch-Hazel) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). NC State University. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hamamelis-virginiana/

    American Witchhazel. (n.d.). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/hamamelis_virginiana.shtml

    Marciano, M. (n.d.). Hamamelis virginiana. The Naturopathic Herbalist. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/2015/09/25/hamamelis-virginiana/

    A.E.R. Witch Hazel Actions, Administration, Pharmacology. (n.d.). Ndrugs. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://www.ndrugs.com/?s=a.e.r.%20witch%20hazel&t=actions

    Photo credit:

    Williams, H. C. (n.d.). Leaves [Photograph]. NC State University. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hamamelis-virginiana

    _____________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Witch-Hazel-a-Brief-Review-of-This-Herb-and-its-Uses Wed, 26 Oct 2022 07:01:11 GMT Mind & Body Exercises – the Original CrossFit Training https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Mind-Body-Exercises-the-Original-CrossFit-Training Before there was Crossfit, there was isometric, aerobic and anaerobic training. Before there was functional training, martial arts utilized exercises that were performance as well as fitness and wellness. Before organized martial arts, there was qigong and its parent of yoga, where exercises were focused on achieving a balanced relationship between the mind, body and self-awareness (spiritual). Many modern exercise and wellness concepts, draw from ancient knowledge and understanding of how humans coexist within nature and not separate from it.

    Good health of the lower back starts with good posture. The following set of exercises develop strength, increase muscular range of motion and to a lesser degree – flexibility. Strength in the back, hips and abdomen, provide a strong cage that houses the internal organs. Flexibility in these areas helps to maintain good blood circulation to the organs and lower body. Unique to this set of exercises is the body postures combined with holding a weighted object and the extra awareness required to hold it while also maintaining the correct body alignments. By holding the bottle at the top using only the fingertips, the nervous system is engaged throughout the whole body. Try to hold the static positions or perform moving exercises from 20 seconds to longer intervals such as 1, 2, 5 minutes or longer, to achieve advanced levels of development physically and mentally. Holding positions generally develops strength where as repetitive movements develop flexibility and endurance. Relax the body into the positions in spite of any tension in the muscles. Deep and relaxed breathing is essential while performing these exercises.

    Advanced levels of physical and mental strength can be achieved by holding these positions for longer periods of time. Start slowly by holding on one side for a few seconds and then switching to the opposite side. Your determination will increase by trying to hold the bottles up without allowing them to drop from your fingertips. Also, holding the postures longer without failure, will dramatically increase mental strength and tolerance to pain and stress. After diligent practice, over a few months of continuous training, 1-5 minutes can be an obtain able amount of time to hold the bottles and body positions without taking a break from switching to the opposite side. Another variation of these exercises would be to adjust the amount of weight or water in the bottles. Begin with a near empty 16 ounce bottle. Eventually, add more water working up to a 2 liter soda bottle over a few months time.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Mind-Body-Exercises-the-Original-CrossFit-Training Sat, 22 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Cultural and Ethical Considerations in Mind-Body Medicine https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Cultural-and-Ethical-Considerations-in-Mind-Body-Medicine I have previously discussed herbs and some of the ways that people self-prescribe with no real education in herbs, or their consumption based upon individual constitution rather than general acceptance of an herb as being healthy for all. I see this as taking the sweet of the benefits from these herbs, but not taking the sour or learning the background or implications of using particular herbs. Basically, taking the culture at a superficial level for personal gain – cultural appropriation.

    https://www.herbazest.com/wellness-articles/10-facts-about-medicinal-herbs-and-prescription-drugs

    Watering-down or cultural exploitation of yoga is an easy target as a big player in this controversial topic. Meditation practices have become diluted from spiritual or self-awareness practices from yoga and its relative qigong counterpart. With more attention towards stress management through mindfulness and mindful breathing or breathwork, many will have an attraction towards these practices without having any spiritual connection to these methods.

    The watering-down of ancient practices

    Living in this time of great technology advances and access to an almost unlimited supply of online information for healthcare and almost every other topic, has its own issues of pros and cons. With great knowledge, comes great responsibility or a similar cliché from pop-culture. A large percentage of people in the US have access to watch YouTube or other online outlets to view and learn about acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine methods, massage, yoga, Ayurveda and many other worldwide traditional mind and body practices.

    https://www.deanlong.io/blog/herb-supplements-boosting-mens-energy-performance-in-sports-and-sex

    With this access many can not only become more knowledgeable but can also often self-prescribe, self-diagnose, and self-administer many of these methods with no real academic nor clinical education. Where we may enjoy the benefits of this access, we must realize that some will abuse this knowledge or interpret it incorrectly and use it themselves or pass it on to others, in the hope of helping others or profiting for their own benefit. If qualified, educated people post this knowledge and information for others to view and/or study, how can some people complain that others are then using this knowledge as cultural appropriation? With most freedoms, there is a cost in order to have and maintain them.

    References:

    Eichhorn, T., Greten, H. J., & Efferth, T. (2011). Self-medication with nutritional supplements and herbal over-thecounter products. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 1(2), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-011-0029-1

    https://www.ayurvedanama.org/articles/2021/3/18/the-dangers-of-self-medicating-with-herbs

    https://www.herbazest.com/wellness-articles/10-facts-about-medicinal-herbs-and-prescription-drugs

    https://www.mydcsi.com/2021/02/24/self-diagnose-on-internet/

    _______________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Cultural-and-Ethical-Considerations-in-Mind-Body-Medicine Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    The Circadian Rhythm Affects Physiological Functions https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/The-Circadian-Rhythm-Affects-Physiological-Functions It is easy to see how the time of the day affects us. If you pay attention to it you will see the pattern. During a 24-hour period, our body, energy and emotions change. Knowing this pattern makes daily life much easier. This pattern is known as the Horary Cycle or Circadian Rhythm.

    Harmonizing our habits with this cycle would look something like this… From 5-7am, the large intestine is most active. This is the time of the sharpest rise in blood pressure. It’s best to take a few deep breaths before rising out of bed. Once out of bed, evacuate our bowels and sit to meditate. From 7-9am, the stomach is most active. The melatonin secretion stops. This is a good time to eat breakfast, take a walk and digest the morning’s meal. From 9-11am, the spleen is most active. Highest testosterone secretion of the day. This is the best time for concentration and planning. By starting our day with this schedule we would maximize both our time and productivity.

    Between the hours of 11am and 1pm, the heart is most active. The body is at its most coordinated by noon. This is the best time to exercise, work and to eat our main meal. From 1-3pm, the small intestine is active. This is a low energy time of the day. Absorbing nutrients, short nap and work is best. From 3-5pm, the bladder is most active. This is the fasted reaction time of the day. Walking, working and studying are most beneficial. The kidneys are most active between 5-7pm. This is when we enjoy the greatest cardiovascular efficiency and muscle strength, highest blood temperature and highest body temperature. Exercise, outdoor activities and a light meal is best. This schedule would regulate the energy throughout the day.

    The evening should be reserved for rejuvenation and recovery from the day’s activities. From 7-9pm, the pericardium or ‘master of the heart’ is active. Light reading, massaging the feet and body. The Triple Burner or Triple Heater is at high tide from 9-11pm. The body begins to release melatonin and suppresses bowel movement. Calm socializing and relaxing with friends and family is best.

    It is best to be fast asleep by 11pm. From 11pm to 1am, the gall bladder is most active. Releasing bile, cellular repair and blood cell renewal. From 1-3 am, the liver is most active. Deep sleep and liver/blood detox begins. From 3-5 am the lungs are most active. Deep sleep, dreams and lung detox. This is when most people tend to snore the most. Keeping to this schedule would ensure optimal health of the mind, body and spirit.

    The Horary Clock (Circadian Rhythm) – 24 Hour Qi Flow Though the Meridians

    Understanding how the human body works and interacts within nature, along with self-awareness are the basis of Traditional Chinese medicine.

    The graphic shows what is known as the Horary cycle or the Circadian Clock. As Qi (energy) makes its way through the meridians, each meridian in turn with its associated organ, has a two-hour period during which it is at maximum energy. The Horary Effect is recognizable by measurable increases of Qi within an organ system and meridian during its time of maximum energy.

    Harmonizing Habits:
    5-7am – Wake Up, Move Bowels, Meditate
    7-9am – Sex, Breakfast, Walk, Digest
    9-11am – Work, Best Concentration
    11am-1pm – Eat Main Meal of Day, Walk
    1-3pm – Absorb Food, Short Nap, Work
    3-5pm – Work or Study

    5-7pm – Exercise, Light Dinner
    7-9pm – Light Reading, Massage Feet
    9-11pm – Calm Socializing, Flirting, Sex
    11pm-1am – Go to Sleep, Cellular Repair
    1-3am – Deep Sleep, Detox Liver & Blood
    3-5am – Deep Sleep, Detox Lungs

    References:

    Reddy, S. (2022, March 23). Why Permanent Daylight-Saving Time Is Bad for Your Health, Sleep Scientists Say. WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-permanent-daylight-saving-time-is-bad-for-your-health-sleep-scientists-say-11648002326?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AThe_master_circadian_clock_in_the_human_brain.jpg&psig=AOvVaw3TSBGxCBA6-sRuo0ptw5Nv&ust=1649364016576000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCMio_falgPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAr

    Leone, M., Campbell, J., & Moltzan, J. (2022, July 26). Journey Around the Sun-2nd Edition (Health and Wellness Study Guides Using Eastern Practices From Martial Arts, Yoga and Qigong). CAD Graphics.

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/The-Circadian-Rhythm-Affects-Physiological-Functions Sat, 15 Oct 2022 07:32:26 GMT
    Herbology – an Alternative to Allopathic Pharmaceutical Dependence https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Herbology-an-Alternative-to-Allopathic-Pharmaceutical-Dependence

    There were seemingly various other healthcare modalities in existence in the US in the late 1800’s, such as homeopathy, osteopathy, herbology and chiropractic, which the American Medical Association (AMA) later would attempt to either assimilate or eliminate.

    Samuel Thomson (1769-1843) was a self-taught botanist and herbalist best known as the founder of Thomsonian Medicine. His method seems to center around the concept of regulating heat within the human body in order to manage instead of eliminate fever or more simply stated as “heat is life, disease and death are degrees of cold” (Bone & Mills, 2013). This is very similar to the concept balancing heat and cold within the body, by regulating the 5 phases or elements from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Similar concepts are recognized with Ayurveda.

    The documentary The Power of Herbs https://youtu.be/NmPi87lndzo is very informative, albeit somewhat dated from almost 6 years ago, as herbology studies and consumer awareness has increased in recent years. Professor Kathy Sykes offers some good examples of how herbs can help various conditions such as eczema, depression, HIV, and intermittent claudication. I am fairly confident that there have been many more studies in recent years proving the efficacy of herbs for many other conditions.

    What will it take and when will the medical community more fully embrace the benefits of many of these herbs that have proven the test of time for many cultures, sometimes over thousands of years? I thoroughly understand that much of this issue comes down to funding of the research to have allopathic medicine’s endorsement, and consequently the FDA’s approval of the efficacy and safety of such herbs. However, I think most would agree that there is little profit for pharmaceutical companies to make only millions in profits, when compared to the billions of dollars that are generated through synthetic drugs sales. While more people today in the US may be more open-minded than ever before to trying herbs such as garlic, basil and others, to manage high blood pressure, the majority of people would rather take pharmaceuticals.  ACE inhibitors like lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), is very popular for high blood pressure in spite of known side effects of cough, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, and mild skin itching or rash.

    References:

    Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, 2013 (Kindle Locations 1066-1068). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    Flannery M. A. (2002). The early botanical medical movement as a reflection of life, liberty, and literacy in Jacksonian America. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 90(4), 442–454.

    The Power Of Herbs – AWESOME BBC Herbal Medicine Documentary. (2016, August 27). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmPi87lndzo

    https://www.rxlist.com/zestril-side-effects-drug-center.htm

    https://steemit.com/health/@flomingo/herbs-vs-pharmaceutical-drugs

    ____________

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and tai chi/fitness classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available onmy YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care herbs martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Herbology-an-Alternative-to-Allopathic-Pharmaceutical-Dependence Wed, 12 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT 10-90% of the Efficacy of Prescriptions Comes Down to the Placebo Effect https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/10-90-of-the-Efficacy-of-Prescriptions-Comes-Down-to-the-Placebo-Effect Our society seems to rely heavily upon interpretation of scientific data, when it comes to healthcare and guidance, relative pharmaceuticals, procedures, etc. However, it is ironic that the US healthcare system relies quite heavily on this perception that medical pharmaceuticals can fix many ailments. The power of suggestion can play a significant role in alleviating pain and suffering. Somewhere between 10-90% of the efficacy of prescriptions comes down to the placebo effect.

    Factors such as trust in the doctor prescribing the medication, specific details regarding the medicine, like its brand, price, name, and place of origin can all affect the patient’s potential belief in the medicine improving their aliment. So, while we keep hearing “follow the science”, the science seems to show that the placebo effect is indeed real and part of the US healthcare system.

    References:

    Colloca L. (2019). The Placebo Effect in Pain Therapies. Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology, 59, 191–211. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021542

    The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, 19 September 2015, Vol 295, No 7880;295(7880):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2015.20069282

    https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3976

    ___________

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and tai chi/fitness classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available onmy YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis pharma qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/10-90-of-the-Efficacy-of-Prescriptions-Comes-Down-to-the-Placebo-Effect Sat, 08 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Address the Root Causes of Pain and Illness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Address-the-Root-Causes-of-Pain-and-Illness Allopathic, biomedicine or Western medicine are based upon treating illness through pharmaceuticals, surgery, and other invasive treatments. This approach works well for traumatic injuries and some life-threatening diseases but often falls quite short in treating chronic illnesses due to choices in diet and lifestyle. Allopathic medicine basically puts the healthcare provider in the role of maintaining the health of the individual instead of the individual being responsible for the consequences of their own actions, whether deemed as good or bad for that individual. This is one of the main reasons why healthcare in the US is so expensive, while at the same time our standard of health and wellness rates far below the best when compared to other countries in the world. The US does not really provide healthcare, but rather encourages “sick care” over self-care.

    Find and research the root cause of your disease, pain or discomfort to help become empowered to make your own educated decisions that affect your health and well-being. It is often very difficult to live a comfortable life, when someone has so much pain and suffering within it. The keys to happiness are truly in our own hands. Self-discipline is the master key to do what we know needs to be done:

    – maintain a nutritional diet

    – consistently exercise and/or be active

    – prioritize sleep quality- nurture healthy social interactions

    – get fresh air and some sunlight everyday

    – be more positive than negative in your outlook and input

    Naturopathic medicine does a fantastic job of outlining how to maintain health and well-being, without 1st jumping to pharmaceutical, surgery and other invasive treatments, before accessing what is appropriate and best for the individual and their particular circumstances. Other medical modalities such as chiropractic and Traditional Chinese Medicine often follow these same principles.

    The Seven-Level Naturopathic
    1- Establish the Conditions for Health
    2- Stimulate the Vis Medicatrix Naturae and Self-Healing Processes
    3- Support and Balance Physiologic and Bioenergetic Systems
    4 – Address or Correct Structural Integrity
    5 – Address Pathology using Specific Natural Substances or Interventions
    6 – Address Pathology using Pharmaceutical or Synthetic Substances
    7 – Suppress or Surgically Remove Pathology

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and tai chi/fitness classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available onmy YouTube channel at:

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/10/Address-the-Root-Causes-of-Pain-and-Illness Tue, 04 Oct 2022 06:40:11 GMT
    Seek the Right Teacher https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/9/Seek-the-Right-Teacher If you need to improve your balance, seek someone who can demonstrate balance.

    If you need to improve your bone strength, seek someone who can demonstrate strength in their bones.

    If you need to strengthen and/or improve flexibility in your spine, seek someone who can demonstrate how to do so.

    Move beyond thinking that your health and well-being are someone else’s responsibility.

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and tai chi/fitness classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/9/Seek-the-Right-Teacher Mon, 12 Sep 2022 05:59:55 GMT
    The Rules for Being Human https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/The-Rules-for-Being-Human

    These ‘Life-Rules’ by Cherie Carter-Scott, from her book, “If Life is a Game, These are the Rules”.  When you were born, you didn’t come with an owner’s manual; these guidelines make life work better.

    1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life.

    2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called “Life on Planet Earth”. Every person or incident is the Universal Teacher.

    3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of experimentation. “Failures” are as much a part of the process as “success.”

    4. A lesson is repeated until learned. It is presented to you in various forms until you learn it — then you can go on to the next lesson.

    5. If you don’t learn easy lessons, they get harder. External problems are a precise reflection of your internal state. When you clear inner obstructions, your outside world changes. Pain is how the universe gets your attention.

    6. You will know you’ve learned a lesson when your actions change. Wisdom is practice. A little of something is better than a lot of nothing.

    7. “There” is no better than “here”. When your “there” becomes a “here” you will simply obtain another “there” that again looks better than “here.”

    8. Others are only mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another unless it reflects something you love or hate in yourself.

    9. Your life is up to you. Life provides the canvas; you do the painting. Take charge of your life — or someone else will.

    10. You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences, and people you attract — therefore, the only foolproof way to know what you want is to see what you have. There are no victims, only students.

    11. There is no right or wrong, but there are consequences. Moralizing doesn’t help. Judgments only hold the patterns in place. Just do your best.

    12. Your answers lie inside you. Children need guidance from others; as we mature, we trust our hearts, where the Laws of Spirit are written. You know more than you have heard or read or been told. All you need to do is to look, listen, and trust.

    13. You will forget all this.

    14. You can remember any time you wish.(From the book “If Life is a Game, These are the Rules” by Cherie Carter-Scott)

    ________________

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and tai chi/fitness classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
    Jim Moltzan
    407-234-0119
    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain health care osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/The-Rules-for-Being-Human Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:30:22 GMT
    Methods to Relieve Sciatica & Lower Back Pain https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Methods-to-Relieve-Sciatica-Lower-Back-Pain

    A key concept in relieving pain is to increase flexibility (range of motion) while building strength,
    to provide stability and support in the injured areas.

    Try to match your body position similar to those as shown. Don’t be discouraged by not being able to achieve these stretches but rather do what your body is capable of. Stretches can be performed on the floor, on a mattress or even in a swimming pool or hot tub. Try for a few seconds in each position for a total of a few minutes. As your flexibility increases in the hamstrings, less tension will be placed on the lower back muscles. Use discretion when attempting any exercise that may cause pain or further discomfort. Exercises where the back is arched forward should be practiced with extreme caution and patience.

    Attempt to do some of the exercises everyday for at least a few days in a row. As the pain is relieved, try to add more time for each exercise working up to a total of a half-hour or full hour. As less pain is present, try to maintain a regular schedule of performing these exercises to keep the problem from reoccurring. All stretches should be performed on both sides. Relax the body into the positions in spite of any tension in the muscles. Deep and relaxed breathing (qigong) is essential while performing these exercises.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
    Jim Moltzan
    407-234-0119
    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong sciatica specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Methods-to-Relieve-Sciatica-Lower-Back-Pain Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:59:36 GMT
    Cause and Effect – Person Responsibility for Health & Well-being https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Cause-and-Effect-Person-Responsibility-for-Health-Well-being

    “Follow the science”…..maybe also “follow the data”.

    Move beyond thinking that your health and well-being are someone else’s responsibility.

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
    Jim Moltzan
    407-234-0119
    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
    www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Cause-and-Effect-Person-Responsibility-for-Health-Well-being Mon, 22 Aug 2022 06:06:48 GMT
    How Did Allopathic Medicine’s Monopoly Come to Exist in the US? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/How-Did-Allopathic-Medicine-s-Monopoly-Come-to-Exist-in-the-US Iatrogenesis – 3rd Leading Cause of Death in US

    Meriam-Webster defines iatrrogenesis as “inadvertent and preventable induction of disease or complications by the medical treatment or procedures of a physician or surgeon” (Iatrogenesis, n.d.)

    The following excerpt is from Marc Micozzi’s Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine:

    In 1847, partially in response to the acceptance and success of homeopathy, and after prior attempts, a group of regular physicians founded an organization to serve as the unifying body for orthodox medical practitioners. The American Medical Association (AMA), initially under Nathaniel Chapman, was founded in Philadelphia. Physicians who belonged to the AMA considered themselves regular practitioners and adhered to therapeutics termed heroic medicine (Rutkow and Rutkow, 2004). Their invasive treatments distinguished these regular doctors to their patients. They often consisted of bleeding and blistering in addition to administering harsh concoctions to induce vomiting and purging. These treatments at the time were considered state of the art.

    The justification behind such harsh treatments was a commitment to a scientific materialist medical theory, actually moving away from empirically based, “rational” medicine. Regular doctors did not share belief in the concept of the healing power of nature (the vis medicatrix naturae), and felt that a physician’s duty was to provide active, “heroic” intervention. Despite this attitude, patients recovered notwithstanding their treatments. This reality had the ironic effect of encouraging both regular doctors’ belief in heroic treatments and natural doctors’ belief in the inborn capacity for self-healing, despite the further injuries caused by many regular treatments. Much like physicians today are pressured to provide an active treatment that may sometimes be unnecessary (such as prescribing an antibiotic for a viral infection), regular doctors of the 1800s also felt pressure to give the heroic treatments for which they were known. James Whorton (2002) wrotes, “it was only natural for MDs to close ranks and cling more tightly to that tradition as a badge of professional identity, making depletive therapy the core of their self-image as medical orthodoxy.”

    Although the AMA initially held no legal authority (like the multiplying medical subspecialty practice associations of today), it began a major push during the second half of the nineteenth century to create legislation and standards of medical education and competency. This process culminated in 1910 with the publication of Medical Education in the United States and Canada, compiled by Abraham Flexner (Fig. 21.2), also known as the Flexner Report. It has been described as “a bombshell that rattled medical and political forces throughout the country” (Petrina, 2008). It criticized the medical education of its era as a loose and poorly structured apprenticeship system that generally lacked any defined standards or goals beyond commercialism (Ober, 1997). In some of his specific accounts, Flexner described medical institutions as “utterly wretched … without a redeeming feature” and as “a hopeless affair” (Whorton, 2002). Many regular medical institutions were rated poorly, and most of the irregular “alternative” schools fared the worst. After this report, nearly half of the medical schools in the country closed, and by 1930 the remaining schools had 4-year programs of rigorous “scientific medicine.”

    Following the Flexner Report, a tremendous restructuring of medical education and practice occurred. The remaining medical schools experienced enormous growth: in 1910 a leading school might have had a budget of $ 100,000; by 1965 it was $ 20 million, and by 1990 it would have been $ 200 million or more (Ludmerer, 1999). Faculty were now called on to engage in original research, and students not only studied a curriculum with a heavy emphasis on science, but also engaged in active learning by participating in real clinical work with responsibility for patients. Hospitals became the locus for clinical instruction. As scientific discovery began to accelerate, these higher educational standards helped to bridge the gap between what was known and what was put into practice. More stringent licensing and independent testing provided a greater degree of confidence in the competence of the nation’s doctors. During this same time period, the suppression and decline of alternative schools of health care occurred, as both public and political pressure increased.

    The 1910 Flexner Report, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, compared all American medical schools against a standard represented by the new Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, which had been founded in 1888. Criticism was so devastating that about three-quarters of American medical schools closed, including many osteopathic medical schools.

    Bernarr Macfadden, founded the “physical culture” school of health and healing, also known as physcultopathy. This school of healing gave birth across the United States to gymnasiums where exercise programs were designed and taught to allow individual men and women to establish and maintain optimal physical health.

    Although so strongly based on common sense and observation, many theories exist to explain the rapid dissolution of these diverse healing arts. The practitioners at one time made up more than 25% of all U.S. health care practitioners in the early part of the twentieth century. Low ratings in the infamous Flexner Report (which ranked all these schools of medical thought among the lowest), allopathic medicine’s anointing of itself with the blessing “scientific,” and the growing political sophistication of the AMA clearly played significant roles. Of course, the acceptance of the germ theory of disease and development of effective antibiotics for the first time provided a strong rationale for the new, “scientific,” regular medicine.

    Additionally:

    Whatever the validity of medical critiques, the American medical establishment’s policy on chiropractic was not that of a disinterested group seeking to serve the public health and well-being. A century-long campaign against chiropractic impeded medical advancement and at times posed a severe threat. Until relatively recently, allopathic medical students were taught that chiropractic is harmful, or at best worthless, and they in turn passed along these prejudices to their own patients.

    A staunchly antichiropractic policy was pursued by the American Medical Association (AMA). In 1990 the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling in which the AMA was found liable for federal antitrust violations for having engaged in a conspiracy to “contain and eliminate” (the AMA’s own words) the chiropractic profession (Wilk v. AMA, 1990). The process that culminated in this landmark decision began in 1974 when a large packet of confidential AMA documents was provided anonymously to leaders of the American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association. As a result of the ensuing Wilk v. AMA litigation, the AMA reversed its long-standing ban on interprofessional cooperation between medical doctors and chiropractors, agreed to publish the full findings of the court in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and paid an undisclosed sum, most of which was earmarked for chiropractic research. This ruling has not completely reversed the effects of organized medicine’s boycott, especially when it comes to application of the most effective and cost-effective treatments for common pain conditions.

    There is good and bad in all things, depending upon the circumstances for whatever situation presents itself. If an arm is severed, a bone is crushed or traumatic injuries – get immediate medical help. If you suffer from allergies, back pain, headaches and a plethora of other non-life threatening issues – become educated as to what options are available. Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    References:

    Anderson, J. G., & Abrahamson, K. (2017). Your Health Care May Kill You: Medical Errors. Studies in health technology and informatics, 234, 13–17.

    iatrogenesis. (n.d.). The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/iatrogenesis

    Micozzi, Marc S.. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (p. 537). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    Micozzi, Marc S.. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (p. 644). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    __________

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/How-Did-Allopathic-Medicine-s-Monopoly-Come-to-Exist-in-the-US Wed, 17 Aug 2022 07:32:15 GMT
    True, Right, and Correct https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/True-Right-and-Correct I have engaged in quite a few discussions regarding “truth” with others over my years. I have learned from my observations and in particular that “kind words are seldom true; true words are seldom kind”. True words can be uncomfortable or even painful for the speaker as well as the recipient. But like you stated, being a desirable dinner guest might not be your goal.

    I was taught from my experiences within martial arts and its background in Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, the concept of balancing true, right and correct. We often find ourselves trying to balance ourselves between what is true, right or correct for any given situation and particular circumstances for any specific time and place. What was true yesterday may not be today. What is appropriate in one setting, may not be for another. If we tell the truth to a young child about birth, murder, drugs and other complex subjects, before their understanding is appropriate, it may cause damage to their perspectives for years to come. However, if we do what we feel is right and maybe shield them from reality, this too may cause potential issues down the road. Correct, however is the balance we seek to find between true and right. So in other words, I do not think truth is totally absolute and appropriate for all situations.

    Wisdom is a recipe of knowledge and experience obtained over time (age) allowing one to differentiate when is the correct timing to react or not to react. When to do, when not to do. Coming up to a stop sign, you really don’t care to stop your vehicle (your true feeling) but you do because it is the right action (the law) to stop. If a blaring fire engine were to suddenly appear in your rear view mirror, you might choose to move through the intersection and to a space clear of the oncoming 370,000 pounds of moving metal and water (correct action for this situation).

    _________

    Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

    Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

    Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.comMindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

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    Masters Council

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/True-Right-and-Correct Sat, 06 Aug 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Wellness & Fitness Graphic Booklets Available on Amazon https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Wellness-Fitness-Graphic-Booklets-Available-on-Amazon I am finally self-published on Amazon! I call this my legacy project. I am trying to document with text and graphics, much of what I have learned about health, wellness and fitness over many years. I have about 20 booklets up and plan on more as I am able.

    Follow me at: www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    These booklets are the summation of over 40 years of my training, education, teaching and public speaking of martial arts, qigong, fitness, wellness, TCM and other facets of self-improvement. Similar to popular study guides such as Quick Study or PermaCharts, these graphic and text guides cut to the chase in order to minimize precious time spent muddling through extensive textbooks seeking understanding of specific concepts. Each guide is packed with the root knowledge regarding specific topics. This format is highly beneficial for the novice as well as experts in the fields of health, wellness and self-improvement.

    Be well, be healthy, be wise!

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/8/Wellness-Fitness-Graphic-Booklets-Available-on-Amazon Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:16:47 GMT
    Shad Darshans – Philosophies From Ayurveda https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Shad-Darshans-Philosophies-From-Ayurveda Sankhya is one of the six Shad Darshans in Indian philosophy which seeks to understand the Truth of life. Sankhya, comes from “san” meaning truth and “khya” meaning to realize. Sankhya is also a Sanskrit word meaning enumeration.The founder of this philosophy was Kapila, an enlightened rishis or seer. Samkhya is composed of a consistent dualism between Prakruti (matter) and Purusha (pure consciousness). Prakruti is responsible for creation of all manifestation of form and diversity within the Universe. Whereas Purusha is the witness to this creation. Prakruti (matter) cannot exist without Purusha (pure consciousness), but conversely there can be Purusha without Prakruti. Obtaining Right knowledge allows one to distinguish between Purusha from Prakruti. Furthermore, Sankhya is comprised of 24 principles that evolve out of each other, that are thought to have brought about other aspects of the Universe. These categories begin to breakdown further into another branch of the Tamas, where the 5 elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth manifest into being. From another branch known as Sattva, the Five Sense Faculties and Five Faculties of Action come into existence (Lad, 2001).

    These balances can be seen as somewhat similar to Taoist Cosmology where the balance of Yin and Yang manifested from the Wuji to create the Dao or Tao (loosely translated as “the way”), which also has theories and beliefs regarding the origin of the universe.

    Mimamsa is another of the six Shad Darhan from Indian philosophy and incorporated within Ayureveda. The philosopher Jaimini is known to be the founder of Mimamsa, whose meaning is to thoroughly understand the truth. God is seen in the here and now as a universal being, that is reflected in nature as well as in every human. In order to truly know and understand oneself, one needs to know God.

    Mimamsa focuses on the teaching of the Vedas which are the most ancient Hindu scriptures. Mimamsa is further divided into Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa. Purva Mimamsa focuses upon the initial teachings within the Vedas pertaining to rituals and actions. Uttara Mimamsa focuses on the higher teachings of the Vedanta. Mimamsa believes that there are many deities that each have significant blessings to benefit mankind.

    Another aspect of Mimamsa is Dharma, where one strives to achieve spiritual freedom through the performance of duty. Dharma teaches of a path for people to conduct and live their lives with purpose. Teachings include ceremonies, rituals and fasting. Ayurveda draws upon Mimamsa for healing purposes using rituals such as burning incense and candles, flower offerings and sprinkling of holy water, all which are thought to have healing powers (Lad, 2002).

    I can relate very much to this concept of Dharma. Through my years of learning qigong, Chinese and Korean martial arts, we were taught to strive to live a path of self-discipline to manage health as well as our moral compass. Part of our martial arts Dharma was to learn and apply as much of the philosophy as possible to ourselves, with the eventual goal of teaching and helping others to do the same. Teaching of others is regarded as a very high level of self-sacrifice of time, effort, energy and thought, which earns good karma (spiritual credit or debt). Learn so that you earn.

    I am now realizing that many of these philosophies did not originate from just these practices of martial arts or qigong alone, or even from yoga but often having a deeper root in the Indian Shad Darshans.

    References:

    Lad, V. (2001). Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda (1st ed., Vol. 1). Ayurvedic Press.

    _______________

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Shad-Darshans-Philosophies-From-Ayurveda Tue, 26 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Tummo, ‘inner fire’ meditation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Tummo-inner-fire-meditation Many of the posts here have discussed some of the mental or spiritual benefits of Tibetan Meditations. If appears as there is quite a bit of research on the physical benefits as well. Advanced methods of meditation, such as Tummo, may open up options that will help to better treat stress-related illnesses.

    There are events reported where Tibetan monks have demonstrated some very high levels of meditation where they can perform seemingly miraculous feats of the human body. For instance, at a Buddhist monastery in Northern India, a group of monks were lightly dressed and unaffected by the temperature of their surroundings of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They were then covered with ice-cold, wet sheets of fabric. An average person would be shivering uncontrollably to try to stay warm, however the monks remain unfazed. The wet sheets began to steam after about 1 hour, eventually becoming completely dry. The monks had used a yoga technique known as Tummo, which literally means ‘inner fire‘.  This is an ancient meditation technique practiced by monks in Tibetan Buddhism. where a combination of breathing and visualization techniques are used to enter into a deep state of meditation. This method enabled them to significantly raise their body heat, as much as 17 degrees Fahrenheit in their fingers and toes.

    http://35to65.com/meditation-sitting-snow-crazy-video-immune-function-tibetan-tummo-inner-heat-meditation/

    Components of Tummo meditation that can lead to temperature increases are Vase breath and concentrative visualization. Vase breath is a particular breathing technique which causes thermogenesis, a process of heat production. Concentrative visualization is where the practitioner focuses on a mental image of flames along the spinal cord in order to prevent heat loss. Reports from scientists at Harvard University see this phenomenon as an amazing example of the mind’s ability to influence the body.

    References:

    Explained: How Tibetan Monks Use Meditation to Raise Their Body Temperature (buzzworthy.com)Links to an external site.

    Tummo Meditation | Your Inner Fire and the Wim Hof MethodLinks to an external site.

    http://35to65.com/meditation-sitting-snow-crazy-video-immune-function-tibetan-tummo-inner-heat-meditation/

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Tummo-inner-fire-meditation Sat, 23 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Basic Concepts of Ayurveda https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Basic-Concepts-of-Ayurveda

    Ayurveda, meaning the “knowledge of life”, has been practiced for over 3000 years. Perhaps modern society and culture can learn something about health and wellness from the ancients. Many of the basic concepts deal with balance of one’s mind, body and spirit in relation to an individual’s specific constitution. Just because something is considered healthy for one, doesn’t necessarily mean it is healthy for all. Open your mind to other perspectives that maybe there exist other options beyond pharmaceuticals, surgery and other invasive healthcare protocols.

    The 5 elements of ether, air, fire, water, earth manifesting from a state of nothingness consciousness or avyakta, to produce the universe and consequently establishing the basic principles behind Ayurveda science. The ancient rishis (sages or seers) believe that each element has its own unique properties, but maybe more important is the inner relationships of harmony that exist within each. The 5 elements consist of:

    • Ether – came about from the subtle vibration o the soundless sound of Aum
    • Air – came about from the ether moving
    • Fire – the movement of air produced friction to generate heat producing fire
    • Water – came about from the heat of fire dissolving elements to produce water
    • Earth – water solidified to form the molecules of earth

    Each of the elements have corresponding traits or features such as senses, actions, organs and tastes, that again are unique to that element.

    From the 5 elements, the Tridoshas or body type constitutions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha are manifested. Dosha means “impurity” or “mistake” but in this context refer more to organization of psychophysiological responses and physical changes within the human body. Each Dosha are comprised of all 5 of the elements and have interrelationships. However, two elements are dominant in each. The three Doshas and their elemental relationships are:

    • Vata is associated with air and ether
    • Pitta is associated with fire and water
    • Kapha is water and earth

    Within Ayurveda therapeutics, pharmacology and food preparation are 20 attributes or “Gunas” such as Guru (heavy), Laghu,(light), Shita (cold), Ushna (hot), etc. Ayurveda philosophy uses these 20 attributes as a therapeutic guide or diagnostic tool, in order to evaluate which quality is out of harmony within Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. These gunas are further categorized into 10 opposite pairs.

    There are also various states within the combinations of Doshas, as no one is just comprised of one Dosha, but rather a balance of proportions of the three. This is referred to as one’s Prakruti, or the psychophysical makeup as well as functional habits of an individual. There are four categories that describe Prakruti:

    • Janma Prakruti – also referred to as Karma Prakruti, is genetic so it does not change until the end.
    • Deha Prakruti – can change by way of the actions of the mother’s lifestyle, diet, and environment. It is the current Prakruti.
    • Dosha Prakruti – represents the ratio of each Dosha at the time of birth.
    • Manas Prakruti.- defines the mental constitution and is subject to change. Manas Prakruti is further described in the three Gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas.

    Manas Prakruti further breaks down and described in terms of the three gunas of sattva, rajas, and tamas where:

    • Sattva – expresses qualities of the mind such as alertness, love, clarity, compassion, attentiveness
    • Rajas – expresses qualities of selfishness, restlessness, and self-centeredness
    • Tamas – qualities expressed are gloominess, sadness, dullness, laziness

    The 3 Doshas can each be further elaborated upon to determine a more concise profile or constitution of the individual. All Doshas have personality and physical traits that can be perceived as positive as well as negative.

    Vata comes from the Sanskrit word of “vah” with the meaning of carrying or moving. Vata reflects mobility that regulates bodily activities such as movement of food through the body and thoughts over a particular time. Vata is the commander of our life force or prana. When the vata exits the body, physical life ends. Vata individuals are often alert, quick to act and easily excited. There are many other attributes that can define the vata individual, but this is a very basic and general description.

    Pitta comes from the Sanskrit word “tap” meaning heat and represents the fire element within the body. Pitta plays a role in metabolism, digestion, and body temperature. The Pitta individual has a strong capacity to concentrate, learn and understand. Consequently, they become very disciplined and great leaders.

    Kapha’s meaning comes from the Sanskrit words of ka (water) and pha (flourish) or that which is flourished by water. Kapha’s elements are water and earth, composing the cells, tissues and organs of the human body. A Kapha type individual harbors a deep and stable faith, a calm and steady mind. This strong constitution possesses strength, love, knowledge, and longevity.

    This is just a basic overview of some of the many aspects of Ayurveda philosophy.

    References:

    Lad,. (2001). Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda (1st ed., Vol. 1). Ayurvedic Press.

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Basic-Concepts-of-Ayurveda Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    US Healthcare System and Personal Responsibility https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/US-Healthcare-System-and-Personal-Responsibility I think the federal government has the financial resources to provide a national healthcare program to all its population but lacks the fortitude or social responsibility to administer and manage such a program without inevitable waste and corruption.

    Alcoholism has been debated for decades as to whether to be considered a disease or a choice. Which leads me to present the question if we should penalize individuals for their lifestyle choices? If so, I think we can lead this to a myriad of health issues that can be related to lifestyle issues. The CDC reported in 2014 that nearly half of the top leading causes of death can be prevented:

    • Heart disease: tobacco use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, poor diet, overweight and lack of physical activity
    • Cancer: tobacco use, poor diet, excessive consumption of alcohol, lack of physical activity, overweight, sun exposure and exposure to certain chemicals and other substances
    • Chronic respiratory disease: tobacco smoke, exposure to second-hand smoke, indoor air pollutants, outdoor air pollutants, and allergens
    • Stroke: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, tobacco and alcohol use, and lack of physical activity
    • Unintentional injury: lack of seat-belt use, lack of motorcycle helmet use, misuse of consumer products, alcohol and drug abuse, and unsafe home and community environments

    I think that it is unrealistic to think that the US government will pass legislation that will penalize its citizens for poor lifestyle choices for at least 2 reasons. First, we currently still have the freedom to choose what we put into our bodies and for the most part how we live our lives as long as it does not directly impact one another in a negative or dangerous way. Secondly, our US economy is so incessantly interconnected with the healthcare industry and the fast-food industry ($239 billion in 2020) that it is seemingly in the best interest of the US economy for people to actually be healthy enough to work and be productive, but also ill and unhealthy enough to need the resources of the medical industry on a regular basis.

    While we may think that healthcare companies’ goal is provide health and care, realistically they are businesses whose primary goal is to generate income for their owners, stockholders and sometimes 3rd party business partnerships. Afterall, healthcare expenditures in the US for 2019 were $3.80 trillion. Moderna, which produces a Covid19 vaccine expects about a $13 billion profit next year. Pfizer, which also produces pharmaceuticals, expects revenue from its COVID-19 vaccine to reach $33.5 billion this year. Drugstores like CVS Health and Walgreens might generate more than $800 million each in revenue from delivery of booster shots.

    I think that if the American people truly want to change how healthcare is viewed and distributed, we need to look at the root causes and factors of poor health education which often leads to poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, stress at home and in the workplace and mental health issues arising often from the previous factors.

    References:

    Heather N. Why alcoholism is not a disease. Med J Aust. 1992 Feb 3;156(3):212-5. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1992.tb139711.x. PMID: 1545723.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1545723/

    https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-science-health-coronavirus-vaccine-5305defac283ac5f352bc47fcb74c82b (Links to an external site.)

    https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NHE-Fact-Sheet

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/196614/revenue-of-the-us-fast-food-restaurant-industry-since-2002/

    https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2020/07/how-does-the-us-healthcare-system-compare-to-other-countries

    ____________

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) us healthcare (sickcare) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/US-Healthcare-System-and-Personal-Responsibility Sat, 16 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Ritual Postures https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Ritual-Postures I saw many similarities with the ritual body postures from Felicitas Goodman and my own practices of qigong and daoyin (martial arts yoga). Consequently, I decided to purchase her book, Where the Spirits Ride the Wind, to do more research on these methods. Goodman writes about how a specific posture; the “bear posture” can help heal not only the practitioner but for others in the group setting who were not able to hold the posture (Goodman,1990, pg. 33). This goes beyond the thought that we practice healing methods not just for ourselves, but for others in our group or community, quite similar to why people pray for themselves and/or others.

    Goodman has named another posture the “Mayan Empowerment posture” and describes it as being able to help generate healing energies (Monaghan, 1999, pg.41). I have again learned and practiced similar exercises in my qigong training. I think as other cultures, such as Eastern Asian, Native American, South American and others merge into Western and US culture there may be more of a need for scientific research. Documented research may help some of these practices to become more acceptable and mainstream instead of being considered alternative, metaphysical, or even a bit far-fetched for some. Unfortunately, many of these practices do not translate well into the standard of randomized double-blind studies.

    In spite of this factor, I learned that the holding of physical postures engages specific muscles group while simultaneously engaging the nervous systems. Either the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) is engaged with the slow rhythmic breathing or the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) with a rapid rhythmic breathing cadence. Either of these processes can change the blood chemistry to promote healing on different levels. This physiological process can be seen in the other moving meditations practices of yoga, and its offspring of qigong and further spawn of tai chi. I have found (and personally practiced) all of these methods with either slow or fast breathing patterns can put the practitioner in either the meditative or trance state, depending upon background music/sounds, the individual and their intent. This is very much in line with Monaghan’s description of entrainment, where the practitioner’s heartbeat synchronizes with the beat of a drum or other percussion sound (Monaghan, 1999, pg.33). I have learned to practice qigong, tai chi and other martial arts exercises with music consisting of bells, chimes and other percussion instruments with this exact purpose of slowing (or increasing) the heart and breathing rate in order to enter into the meditative state of being.

    Some of the postures explained seem simple enough, until one tries to hold the posture for 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes and maybe even longer. Often times people try a posture the first time for say, 15 minutes or so. But their body and more specifically their muscles and nervous system have not been conditioned much to hold the positions. So their body may begin to fatigue and tremble. Then the blood begins to shunt or pool in the muscles under tension and duress, which draws the blood and oxygen away from the brain which is farthest from the legs, where the blood is pooling. Then the person becomes a little light-headed or faint which leads them to believe they are having some type of weird or spiritual experience, where they probably are not but rather at the beginning steps of trial and error. 

    So my advice is to stay relaxed (especially in the neck, face and shoulders) in spite of the tension that will accompany the holding of the posture. Additionally, take the time to build up the length of holding the stationary positions or postures. 

    References:

    Monaghan, Patricia; Viereck, Eleanor G. (1999) Meditation: The Complete Guide (pg. 33- 41). New World Library. Kindle Edition.

    Goodman, Felicitas D. (1990) Where the Spirits Ride the Wind (p. 108). Indiana University Press. Kindle Edition.

    __________

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong specific methods of wellness practice stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Ritual-Postures Tue, 12 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Strengthen Your Mental Tolerance by Understanding the Energetic Structure of the 8 Extraordinar https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Strengthen-Your-Mental-Tolerance-by-Understanding-the-Energetic-Structure-of-the-8- The 8 Extraordinary Energy Meridians or Vessels

    By strengthening the physical body through exercise – specific exercises such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, and others, are methods to develop self-disciple. By practicing self-induced strategic trauma (training) one can dramatically strengthen their nervous system and in turn, develop mental stress to better deal with the stress of daily trials and tribulations. By manifesting our own internal pressure (mind and body training), it is much easier to manage external pressure (stress) that constantly pushes into our personal space.

    Managing ones physical body, thoughts and emotions all burn a tremendous amount of energy. The brain used 20% of the body’s overall energy expenditure, while only comprising 2% of our body weight.

    Exercise and wellness methods and concepts like these have been known for centuries, but are considered new or “alternative” to modern western culture.

    Fatigue and Vitality – Saskatoon Wellness Centre (saskwellness.com)

    Building stronger muscles can lead to building stronger joints and bones. Additionally, by holding static postures, positions or exercises the nervous system is strengthened. Specific joint alignments engage the nervous system to endure more pain, stress and discomfort. Standing perfectly still for 1 minute can be challenging; 5 minutes of not moving might be considered self-torture for some. And that is just standing and not even trying to hold a difficult posture. Think of tempering steel in fire to strengthen the metal.

    When engaging the muscles, tendons, bones and fascia, the 12 regular energy meridians are engaged plus the 8 extraordinary meridians (or vessels) are opened and filled as reservoirs to adjust the ebb and flow of energy throughout the body and thereby strengthening the immune system among other bodily functions. These meridians and vessels run throughout the body in a spider web-like pattern from head to toe, on the surface as well as deep into the internals of the human body.

    Often times people will ask me, “where did you learn this?” Well…almost 40 years ago I began studying Korean kung fu, then Traditional Chinese Medicine, medical qigong, fitness, wellness and anatomy. It didn’t happen overnight or from a weekend seminar. It took me decades of learning, studying and teaching from and with high level masters and teachers. And I’m not done learning yet, are you?

    The physical exercises are just part of this training in addition to breath control and the self-awareness of the energy flow within the body.

    Read and follow my blog posts to learn more about major health issues and what you can do about it.

    Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    #mentalhealth #stressmanagement #depression

    Jim Moltzan 

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) 8 vessels chi kung chronic pain extraordinary meridians health care lower back injury osteoporosis qigong stress relief stroke treatment tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga traditional chinese medicine (tcm) weight bearing exercises winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Strengthen-Your-Mental-Tolerance-by-Understanding-the-Energetic-Structure-of-the-8- Sat, 09 Jul 2022 05:53:42 GMT
    Iron Palm / Iron Body Conditioning https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Iron-Palm-/-Iron-Body-Conditioning

    Iron Palm Conditioning started with Shaolin Monks practicing methods to make the hands. legs, and feet, feel as strong as iron. Iron Palm liniment is applied on the hands, legs, shins or any part of the body used to strike during training to prevent pain, strengthen the bones, tendons. ligaments. and connective tissue while helping these areas to heal more quickly. Iron Palm and Iron Body are a more advanced practice of acupressure and/or reflexology. As the specific parts of the body are precisely hit, acupoints on the 12 energy meridians are stimulated. These acupoints directly affect the internal organs of the human body.

    This training can consist of punching the hands into large containers of dried beans, sand, rocks, and metal shavings among other media. Kicking bamboo trees, bags of sand, rocks and metal shavings is also part of this training regimen. Proper breathing (Qigong) and concentration develops, literally hands of iron while simultaneously improving blood and energy flow throughout the body and its internal organs.

    Iron Palm (Liniment)
    Iron Palm liniment was formulated to strengthen and heal bones, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue and sinew from injuries and all types of repetitive contact exercises like hitting a punching bag, all types of Iron Palm bags or if you are advanced enough in training where you are breaking objects like brick, boards. etc. Another powerful benefit of Iron Palm liniment is reducing pain very quickly. Iron Palm herbal liniments are used externally. Iron Palm recipes are also used for reducing pain due to conditioning or from everyday injuries. Iron Palm liniments can also help with chronic conditions related to the above-mentioned areas. A person does not necessarily need to practice Iron Palm conditioning in order to receive the healing benefits of these extracts.

    I have learned to produce these Jows ” and have been using them for almost 40 years to externally treat injuries, aches and pains. If overly sore or injured, we can also use curcumin poultices or store-bought plaster patches with cayenne.

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    Jim
    vs181006-004
    cropped-header-image2.jpg

    I started my martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. I have been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.

    As a recognized master instructor, I have trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. My specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, I have also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. I offer regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.

    I am the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.

    I continue training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as my schedule allows. I balance my teaching and businesses with my own personal cultivation and time spent with my wife and two college-age kids.

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain core training diabetes fitness health care inflammation iron palm martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong self reflection senior classes specific methods of wellness practice stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Iron-Palm-/-Iron-Body-Conditioning Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Herbal Extracts for Longevity & Healing https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Herbal-Extracts-for-Longevity-Healing Traditional herbal extracts consisting of various liniments, tinctures, teas, etc. are known for their unique properties, which harmonize both the mind and body, allowing the body to find its natural balance in just a short amount of time. Each traditional herbal extract formula targets a specific area of the body, just as different foods and vitamins supply nutrients to specific areas of the body or different medicines are used to treat specific illnesses. During physical exercise or qigong practice, the application of these herbal extracts helps to relax the muscles and increase circulation, allowing you to challenge yourself further. This then allows you to maximize your full strength and speed while preventing injury caused by shocking different parts of the body, such as: joints, nerves, and muscles. Some herbs allow the body to naturally expel toxins from joints and tissues, enabling oxygen and vital nutrients to reach affected areas. Others stimulate the body’s natural energy to accelerate healing in the muscles, joints, nerves, and ligaments.

    https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/


    Blockages of the Qi, or chi (energy) flow usually result in poor blood circulation followed by illness. Acupressure or “pressure point” massage in conjunction with herbal extracts open the blood circulation and energy pathways increasing a flow of vitality that moves throughout the whole body. Response time to this opening of the energy pathways is usually less than 5 minutes.

    Various Preparations of Herbal Extracts

    Why Conventional Methods Don’t Fix Chronic Pain Issues

    When in pain, receptors become oversensitive requiring ever increasing amounts of input to dull this signal. Over time, the natural pain-killing mechanism will exhaust itself trying to keep up with the oversensitive receptors. The result being that the pain and inflammatory responses become chronic, and the pain becomes increasingly resistant to conventional pain-relief methods (ice, heat, etc.) and pain medications. Chronic inflammation can destroy our joints completely over time. Pain relievers (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, etc.) are ineffective against this gradual degeneration. They may help somewhat with chronic pain symptoms but ultimately, they don’t repair the biological pain receptor nor joint damage. Many pain-relieving drugs are known to have serious side effects. COX-2 inhibitors (Vioxx and Celebrex) have previously been shown to cause an increased risk of heart ailments. NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc.) can cause bleeding ulcers and do damage to the digestive system and kidneys. Often these medicines are unable to keep the chronic inflammation from continuing to cause cartilage degradation and have little or no power to reverse the process.

    Be well!

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/7/Herbal-Extracts-for-Longevity-Healing Sat, 02 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Tibetan Meditation – basics https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Tibetan-Meditation-basics Tibetan medicine seeks to draw attention to the relationship in balancing aspects of the mind, body, and behavior. Meditation is an integral component within Tibetan medicine. Through practices of Tibetan meditation, the practitioner seeks to probe the nature of reality. There is an emphasis to tame the incessant inner dialogue of our thoughts, which is constantly shifting to the barrage of sensory input. This inner dialogue is often referred to as the “monkey mind”. Through these meditation methods one can transform the mind into a conduit to create better health and happiness (University of Minnesota, 2020).

    The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach nirvana or spiritual enlightenment where there is an absence of suffering or realization of the self and its relation to the universe. Nirvana translates to “cessation”, as in removing suffering and its undesired effects of drama, manipulation, aggression, struggle, etc. Practice of Tibetan meditation is a means that can lead to this goal.

    Within Buddhism is the concept of The Four Noble Truths, which are relative to the meditation practices. These truths would be:

    1. Life is painful and frustrating. Everyone experiences painful and frustrating moments.
    1. Suffering has a cause. The cause comes from our attachment to what we know and is familiar.
    1. The cause of suffering can be ended by releasing expectations and attachments. Attachment based on fear of loss and fear of being alone and separate, are the causes of suffering.
    1. Meditation, or the practice of mindfulness and awareness, is the way to end suffering

    We can stop dwelling in the past by being focused on the current moment. Keeping these concepts at the forefront of our thoughts, will help with detachment and concentration, and lead to mastery of the mind (Yugay, 2018).

    Sitting while meditating is a major component of Tibetan Meditation, I think it is important to note that these practices are more of a lifestyle where these truths are experienced and addressed throughout the whole day, every day, for the practitioner and not just something to ponder once in a while when it is convenient.

    I found some information about the Dalai Lama that I found quite interesting. The Dalai Lama actually has his own website! Amazing how he has embraced modern technologies to further spread his teachings of awareness of compassion, suffering and other aspects of Buddhism and Tibetan Meditation. The Dalia Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism. His meditation schedule is a large portion of his daily routine, being quite intense compared to most people who meditate. He starts his days with a few hours of prayers, meditations, and prostrations. After breakfast, he spends another three hours on meditation and prayer. After his 5 p.m. tea, the Dalai Lama concludes his day with another two more hours of meditation and then finishes with his evening prayers. Every day he spends about seven hours a day on mindfulness. He shares that even if you only commit five minutes a day to meditation, one can still gain the benefits of slowing aging, sharpening the mind, and reducing stress.

    Be well!

    References:

    6 Tips for Longevity From the Dalai Lama | Well+Good (wellandgood.com)Links to an external site.

    His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama | The 14th Dalai Lama

    University of Minnesota. (2020, May). How Can I Practice Tibetan Meditation? https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-can-i-practice-tibetan-meditationLinks to an external site.

    Yugay, I. (2018, January 19). The Secret To Enlightenment With Buddhist Meditation. Mindvalley. https://blog.mindvalley.com/buddhist-meditation/Links to an external site.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Tibetan-Meditation-basics Tue, 28 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Singing Bowls Meditation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Singing-Bowls-Meditation A singing bowl or standing bell, are mostly crystal or metal alloy bowls where, by rubbing a mallet around the bowl’s outer rim and edges produce sounds. Singing bowls and sometimes gongs, surround the user with tones that offer the goal of relaxation by decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression. These sounds offer an escape from the everyday incessant inner dialogue or chatter of thoughts within one’s mind. Singing bowl techniques can be very mind engaging, similarly to meditation practices and yoga, and are often practiced in tandem.

    Standing bells historically were a bowl or gong and struck with a wooden or felted mallet. Use goes back thousands of years, with origins in China and Mongolia. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries used the bowls in this manner to keep time or to signal the end of a meditation.

    Theories regarding sound bowls claim that specific sounds can calm the mind by entraining the brain’s electrical impulses to mimic those found while in states of deep concentration, meditation, or relaxation. Theta waves are present when one is in deep concentration or meditation. From listening to singing bowls, one can guide their mind towards theta brain wave activity.

    Click on the link to begin a “A Sound Meditation with Quartz Crystal Bowls”.

    Once I started the audio file, I took a moment or two to take in the sounds I was hearing. I have practiced other meditation practices using sounds and/or music, so I had an idea of what to expect. This was to be a different “flavor” of a wide palette of meditation techniques.

    After a few seconds, I put my focus on my breathing rhythm and body alignments. I find it easier to engage my thoughts by performing a mental inventory of the physical aspects of the meditation practice; kind of a scan from head to toe. I close my eyes lightly while I sit upright, but in a relaxed posture. I also become aware of my head pushing upward as my shoulders relax and sink downward. By gently stretching my neck side to side and forward and backward, I am able to release more tension in my face, neck, upper back and even my shoulders. The sounds continue to change in volume and tones, which is somewhat relaxing to my hearing and consequently, my whole body through my nervous system.

    I then become more aware of my breaths by moving my respiratory diaphragm (belly), to further release and relax the muscular tension, especially during my exhales. 4 seconds to inhale, pause for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, pause again for 4 seconds, and then repeat this sequence with another 4 second inhale. This brings my breaths per minute (BPM) down to just below 4 respirations; more than slow enough to get below the 10 BPM that engages the parasympathetic nervous system. I have been practicing this breathing pattern (box breathing) for decades now, so I don’t really count the seconds but rather go by instinct to lengthen my breaths. The sounds continue in the background and are beginning to sound and feel more like vibrations than individual tones. I can slightly feel my body buzzing or vibrating also during this part of the session. It is quite relaxing and comfortable at the same time.

    Now I can feel my mouth become moist, my palms and feet become warm, and my stomach begins to gurgle a bit. My brain is telling my body that I am relaxed enough to begin “rest and digest”. I become aware of my thoughts and continue the downward scan and release of muscular tension along the way, all the way down to my feet and toes. I maintain just enough tension to maintain my body posture but not too stiff or too relaxed.

    Upon finishing I feel calm, refreshed, at ease and clearer. The room is quieter, but now I can hear the refrigerator and A/C in the background. My emotions feel as if they have been reset, for now at least. The room seems brighter, and my eyes focus a bit sharper for a few minutes thereafter the practice. This is a very satisfying and unique type of practice that I will be adding more into my meditation routines, maybe with or without static stances or posture work.

    Reference:

    Singing Bowls For Meditation: Deepen Your Practice – Insight Timer Blog

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Singing-Bowls-Meditation Sat, 25 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Herbal Tinctures for Pain Management https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Herbal-Tinctures-for-Pain-Management Why Conventional Methods Don’t Fix Chronic Pain Issues

    When in pain, receptors become oversensitive requiring ever increasing amounts of input to dull this signal. Over time, the natural pain-killing mechanism will exhaust itself trying to keep up with the oversensitive receptors. The result being that the pain and inflammatory responses become chronic, and the pain becomes increasingly resistant to conventional pain-relief methods (ice, heat, etc.) and pain medications.

    Chronic inflammation can destroy our joints completely over time. Pain relievers (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, etc.) are ineffective against this gradual degeneration. They may help somewhat with chronic pain symptoms but ultimately, they don’t repair the biological pain receptor nor joint damage.

    Many pain-relieving drugs are known to have serious side effects. COX-2 inhibitors (Vioxx and Celebrex) have previously been shown to cause an increased risk of heart
    ailments. NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc.) can cause bleeding ulcers and do damage to the digestive system and kidneys. Often these medicines are unable to keep the chronic inflammation from continuing to cause cartilage degradation and have little or no power to reverse the process.

    Treatment for Inflammation
    Inflammation can often be treated with over-the-counter medication, natural remedies (like fruits, vegetables, or herbs), or sometimes a change in diet. These options can sometimes be effective in temporarily eliminating pain from inflammation, but often only manipulates certain natural body functions, without dealing with the root cause of the inflammation. Treatment repeats as often as needed, creating a vicious cycle of treatment and then temporary relief.

    The medication method introduces chemicals into the body that can eventually harm the liver and digestive tract over time. For the better results in managing inflammation, Chinese herbs could be incorporated within a healthy lifestyle. Those suffering from inflammation could introduce Chinese herbal remedies (or others) into their daily healthy habits. Natural ingredients often enhance and support various natural body functions. Herbal remedies can help keep manage inflammation and therefore pain.

    Dit Da Jow (Liniment)
    ‘’Dit Da Jow” or “Jiao”, in Chinese means “fall and strike.” This term refers to external recipes formulated in Chinese medicine to treat injuries and trauma. Dit Da Jow is an external liniment and not for ingestion. The recipes vary primarily in whether they clear heat or are warming. Authentic Dit Da Jow recipes move blood and consequently Qi to relieve the pain of many injuries due to trauma or impact. We can also use these herbal extracts to apply to our hands, arms and other parts of our bodies for what is referred to as Iron Body training. These Jows are somewhat unique in that they reduce inflammation while at the same time increase blood circulation and promote natural healing. I have learned to produce these Jows ” and have been using them for almost 40 years to externally treat injuries, aches and pains. If overly sore or injured, we can also use curcumin poultices or store-bought plaster patches with cayenne.

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    Jim
    vs181006-004
    cropped-header-image2.jpg

    I started my martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. I have been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.

    As a recognized master instructor, I have trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. My specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, I have also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. I offer regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.

    I am the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.

    I continue training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as my schedule allows. I balance my teaching and businesses with my own personal cultivation and time spent with my wife and two college-age kids.

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain core training fitness health care parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong self reflection senior classes stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Herbal-Tinctures-for-Pain-Management Tue, 21 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Creative Meditation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Creative-Meditation There needs to be a mental intention behind whatever practice one chooses to pursue. Sometimes people get so hung up with just the word of “meditation” and thinking that to meditate one needs to become more spiritual, metaphysical or adopt some form of religion. I have taught literally hundreds of tai chi and qigong classes where at the end I explain about it being a moving meditation as well as vipassana and body scan meditations all in one. Occasionally, someone will be quite shocked and state something like “I didn’t know this was a religion; I am not interested in changing or doing your religion.” Pretty hard to try to convince someone at this point, being that they felt great while doing the exercises. However, due to some narrow-mindedness or lack of knowledge on the subject, they now feel indifferent towards the techniques. For those still open to learn, I will ask how many enjoy cooking, walking, photography, listening to music, gardening, etc. seeing that these can all be used as various forms of creative or moving meditations. Meditation is not a religion but rather a method to become more self-aware.

    Creative meditation requires alert and active engagement of the consciousness, often with the goal of providing an environmental for an inner dialogue within one’s thoughts as opposed to a passive acceptance of whatever thoughts may arise. Creative practices often have a physical element involved that links the body and mind together, such as sketching, journaling, gardening, tai chi, yoga, and others.

    This is somewhat different from methods like vipassana or loving kindness meditation methods, where the inner dialogue is mostly isolated from physical movements or engagements. On the other hand, creative meditations can be similar to drumming or ritual body postures in that the practitioner still needs to have an awareness of their physical being holding its space in the 3-dimensional world whether holding a yoga-like posture or a paintbrush in hand.

    Another form of creative meditation that I have encountered is that of calligraphy qigong. Qigong is roughly translated to “breath work” and calligraphy is a visual art form of writing. When qigong and calligraphy are combined, practitioners develop their own qi (energy or lifeforce) resources by receiving, circulating, and storing qi while performing each brush stroke of a particular pictogram.

    From my own experiences, all of these practices are neither good nor bad, nor absolute but rather fluid and able to be adjusted to an individual’s goals, perspectives and perhaps the mindset towards particular practices. Similarly, to the chef in the kitchen, who can make whatever meal they care to produce because they are in charge of all of their tools and ingredients within their cooking space, the meditator can pick and choose what suits their objectives.

    References:

    Monaghan, Patricia; Viereck, Eleanor G. (2011) Meditation: The Complete Guide (p. 266). New World Library. Kindle Edition.

    Calligraphy Qi Gong | Calligraphy HealthLinks to an external site.

    _______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Creative-Meditation Sat, 18 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Chart of Various Herbal Preparations https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Chart-of-Various-Herbal-Preparations

    Traditional herbal extracts consisting of various liniments, tinctures, teas, etc. are known for their unique properties, which harmonize both the mind and body, allowing the body to find its natural balance in just a short amount of time. Each traditional herbal extract formula targets a specific area of the body, just as different foods and vitamins supply nutrients to specific areas of the body or different medicines are used to treat specific illnesses.

    Some herbs allow the body to naturally expel toxins from joints and tissues, enabling oxygen and vital nutrients to reach affected areas. Others stimulate the body’s natural energy to accelerate healing in the muscles, joints, nerves, and ligaments.

    During physical exercise or qigong practice, the application of these herbal extracts helps to relax the muscles and increase circulation, allowing you to challenge yourself further. This then allows you to maximize your full strength and speed while preventing injury caused by shocking different parts of the body, such as: joints, nerves, and muscles.

    Blockages of the Qi, or chi (energy) flow usually result in poor blood circulation followed by illness. Acupressure or “pressure point” massage in conjunction with herbal extracts open the blood circulation and energy pathways increasing a flow of vitality that moves throughout the whole body. Response time to this opening of the energy pathways is usually less than 5 minutes.

    __________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology qigong reflexology stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Chart-of-Various-Herbal-Preparations Tue, 14 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Vicious Cycle of Poor Posture https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Vicious-Cycle-of-Poor-Posture Poor posture and relative lifestyle habits are a topic I write about often, as these are such integral components in avoiding chronic pain. Chronic ailments can often escalate to other mental and physical health issues. Coping with chronic pain eventually takes its toll on the individual and those around them.

    Posture is the relative placement of the human body and its components such as, but not confined to, the spine and limbs. Many people in the United States experience some type of chronic pain at some time in their lives. Causes of pain can vary depending upon the individual and their circumstances. Poor posture can be responsible for many ailments ranging from ankle, knee, hip and back pain. A spinal misalignment, due to improper posture, an injury, hereditary or even congenital conditions, can have an eventual ripple effect throughout the human body. A shift of .375″ (13mm) can cause the many ailments. A simple habitual tilt of the head or shift in the body weight over time, changes the alignment of the spine. This re-alignment begins to effect the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves causing a total imbalance within these body systems. An injured ankle or knee can become the spark that cause a ripple effect literally from head to toe.

    Common causes of poor posture:

    • Poor standing habits
    • Driving with one arm forward, back hunched, knees higher than hips
    • Head and shoulder pinching together to hold telephone
    • Sitting or standing cross legged
    • Short leg syndrome
    • Lack of muscle tone and core strength
    • No regular exercise schedule

    NOTE: Occasional execution of the a fore mentioned practices, doesn’t necessarily lead to pain and other problems. It is the repetitive and accumulative effect over years that seem to cause the dysfunction.

    Straining the neck forward to see closer, puts strain on the neck and upper back. This leads to hunching forward of the spine and a gradual realignment of the 3 natural curves (cervical, thoracic & lumbar).

    Poor posture, combined with long hours sitting stagnant in a chair working or driving, can cause muscles within the legs to shorten and tighten over time. These muscles, specifically the hamstrings, cause the pelvis to tilt the tailbone forward. Or the quadriceps can tighten causing the tailbone to tilt backward and the lumbar spine to arch even more forward.

    Habits of stress on the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head, specifically an increase in forward head position. This increases the weight on the cervical spine especially in the C-7 to T-1 vertebrae. Addition bone mass is accumulated in this area to compensate for the extra strain on the muscles, tendons and ligaments within the neck.

    Anterior head position can cause permanent damage resulting in:
    – Back, neck, shoulder arm pain
    – Decrease in spinal curves
    – Gastrointestinal problems
    – Headaches
    – Lung capacity decreased
    – Muscle damage
    – Nerve damage
    – Spinal disc compression
    – Spinal disc herniation

    What is the solution to these issues?

    • get up out of the chair more often
    • become more active
    • consult with your physician or chiropractor
    • have your posture checked
    • stretch regularly
    • perform non-specific symmetrical exercises
    • inspect footwear for uneven wear patterns
    • evaluate poor posture habits and adjust
    • review career choices if necessary
    • exercises from tai chi, yoga and qigong offer methods that specifically focus on balancing poor postural habits.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Vicious-Cycle-of-Poor-Posture Sat, 11 Jun 2022 06:06:06 GMT
    Moxibustion – Basic Theory https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Moxibustion-Basic-Theory Traditional Chinese Medicine Method of Moxibustion

    Moxibustion is the method of burning Mugwort (Ai Ye) or other herbs on, around, or above Acupuncture points. The leaves of the Moxa plant, as Mugwort is sometimes called, are usually dried in the sun, finely ground to a texture like wool or cotton, and then sifted until a fine, soft, and light green consistency is obtained. Moxa holds together well, burns evenly, and is relatively inexpensive. Moxa can be rolled into balls, shaped into cones, or purchased commercially in small or long rolls. The moxa balls and cones can be burned directly on the skin, or indirectly on a medium in between the Moxa and the skin. Small balls can also be used on the end of a needle as in the Warm needle techniques. Tiny pre-rolled Moxa or “Shish” Moxa can be purchased commercially, and is sometimes used at the end of a needle in place of loose Moxa. The longer moxa sticks, eight to ten (8-10) inch are usually used in a circular or “sparrow pecking” (rapidly moving the burning end near and far from the skin) motion around an Acupuncture point.

    INDIRECT MOXIBUSTION
    Practitioner places burning moxa wool on the top of the acupuncture needle. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle(s) removed. Indirect moxibustion is the more popular use of moxibustion because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. Indirect moxa is probably the most commonly used as it can warm a greater area of the body with greater comfort. This too can be further broken down into the two most commonly used forms: warming needle and moxa pole. The moxa pole looks a lot like a cigar. It is lit at one end until it is smoldering hot, and then it is held over an acupuncture point or region of the body to warm it. In warming needle, an acupuncture needle is placed into a point on the body, and then a small ball of moxa is placed on the head of the needle. The moxa is then lit, so that the entire ball of moxa burns and smolders completely, thereby warming not only the surface of the skin below the moxa, but also the needle itself, and in turn the qi deep within the acupuncture point.

    DIRECT MOXIBUSTION
    A small, cone-shaped amount of moxa wool is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. Then it is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. With direct moxibustion the patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain, blistering or scarring. Direct moxa means the moxa is applied directly onto the body. This is further broken down into what is called the scarring and the non-scarring methods. Most practitioners these days don’t perform scarring moxa anymore. It is very strong and quite effective! The non-scarring is the more common direct moxa method, and involves a small bunch of moxa being put onto the body, usually in the shape of cone, and burned down until the warmth is felt by the patient, and then removed. Many rounds of this would be done until a very strong sense of heat was felt at the point.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/6/Moxibustion-Basic-Theory Sat, 04 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Americans are Severely Vitamin D Deficient https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Americans-are-Severely-Vitamin-D-Deficient Vitamin D Deficiency at Epidemic Levels

    The US, and many of the world, have been facing an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency for many years, especially in areas lacking consistent daily sunlight such as the northern states of US. This trend is also seen in areas with much sunlight where people cover up their whole bodies from sun exposure. Now exacerbated by pandemic lock-downs and less outside physical activity over the last few years. Most people are unaware or care to ignore how vital vitamin D is to the immune system and overall health.

    From the National Library of Medicine of May, 2022:

    Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health issue. About 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency, while 50% of the population has vitamin D insufficiency.[1] The prevalence of patients with vitamin D deficiency is highest in the elderly, obese patients, nursing home residents, and hospitalized patients. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 35% higher in obese subjects irrespective of latitude and age.[7] In the United States, about 50% to 60% of nursing home residents and hospitalized patients had vitamin D deficiency. [8][9] Vitamin D deficiency may be related to populations who have higher skin melanin content and who use extensive skin coverage, particularly in Middle Eastern countries. In the United States, 47% of African American infants and 56% of Caucasian infants have vitamin D deficiency, while over 90% of infants in Iran, Turkey, and India have vitamin D deficiency. In the adult population, 35% of adults in the United States are vitamin D deficient whereas over 80% of adults in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are Vitamin D deficient. In the United States, 61% of the elderly population is vitamin D deficient whereas 90% in Turkey, 96% in India, 72% in Pakistan, and 67% in Iran were vitamin D deficient Sizar & et al, 2022).

    This epidemic of deficiency stems from misinformation surrounding the fear of sun exposure, use of toxic sunscreens, and poor dosing recommendations that neglect the critical role that vitamin D plays in protecting against nearly every chronic disease on Earth. Mainstream experts still express fear about taking too much vitamin D, in spite of very few people ever reaching “toxic” blood levels. as well as even less people experiencing side effects from too much vitamin D (Micozzi 2018). Let us be informed that sunscreen sales in the US for 2022 are forecast at $1.83 billion (Statista, 2021) and vitamin D supplement sales spiked to $544 million in 2020 (Grebow, 2021).

    Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease – PubMed (nih.gov)

    Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is produced in the skin initiated from sunlight UVB radiation or absorbed from particular foods. Vitamin D3 is then absorbed into the bloodstream and then metabolized in the liver transforming into calcidiol. From here calcidiol, travels from the liver to the kidneys and changes to calcitriol. Calcitriol then proceeds to affect metabolic functions like absorption in the intestines of calcium and phosphorus, bone regulation and cell regulation. After the age of 50, aging causes vitamin D3 production to decrease up to 75% and causing muscle weakness and a loss in bone strength and density.

    Vitamin D Deficiency

    Causes:

    • Winter side-effects (less sun exposure)
    • Sunscreen
    • Air pollution
    • High altitude
    • Poor diet

    Imbalances:

    • Hypertension
    • Heart disease
    • Urinary infections
    • Tuberculosis
    • Depression
    • Schizophrenia
    • Liver disease
    • Rental failure
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Celiac disease
    • Muscular aches & weakness
    • Osteoporosis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Rickets
    • Diabetes
    • Obesity

    Solutions:

    • Sunlight on skin
    • Diet
    • Vitamin supplements
    • Weight-bearing exercises

    (Charoenngam & Holick, 2020)

    What can you do to prevent vitamin D deficiency – become educated, be more aware of your own health, get outside during the morning or late afternoon when sunlight is less intense, and get your body moving to engage your muscles and bones to tell your nervous system that you are still alive and need your body to maintain homeostasis through good health and lifestyle practices.

    Get started with these three simple steps:

    1. Consult with your doctor to manage your vitamin D levels twice a year — at the end of winter and again at the end of summer. Ask for a simple blood test called the 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy vitamin D) test. (Optimal blood levels are between 50 and 75 nanomoles/Liter.)
    2. Commit to being in the sun 15 minutes a day without sunscreen. When planning on being outside longer, add some protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
    3. Supplement with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. This dose in a convenient, highly-absorbable liquid form together with the potent marine carotenoid, astaxanthin, for added benefits (Micozzi, 2018).

    References:

    Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. [Updated 2022 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/

    Statista. (2021). Sun Protection – United States. https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/skin-care/sun-protection/united-states

    Grebow, J. (2021, February 19). Vitamin D made headlines over COVID-19 studies last year. Sales of vitamin D were also up in 2020. What will 2021 look like? 2021 Ingredient trends to watch for food, drinks, and dietary supplements. Nutritional Outlook. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/vitamin-d-made-headlines-over-covid-19-studies-last-year-sales-of-vitamin-d-were-also-up-in-2020-what-will-2021-look-like-2021-ingredient-trends-to-watch-for-food-drinks-and-dietary-supplements

    Charoenngam, Nipith & Holick, Michael. (2020). Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease. Nutrients. 12. 2097. 10.3390/nu12072097.

    Micozzi. (2018, September 13). Are you dangerously deficient in this key nutrient? Dr. Marc Micozzi. https://drmicozzi.com/are-you-dangerously-deficient-in-this-key-nutrient

    Micozzi. (2018a, June 21). Six reasons why you’re still vitamin D deficient. Dr. Marc Micozzi. https://drmicozzi.com/six-reasons-why-youre-still-vitamin-d-deficient

    Alfredsson L, Armstrong BK, Butterfield DA, Chowdhury R, de Gruijl FR, Feelisch M, Garland CF, Hart PH, Hoel DG, Jacobsen R, Lindqvist PG, Llewellyn DJ, Tiemeier H, Weller RB, Young AR. Insufficient Sun Exposure Has Become a Real Public Health Problem. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(14):5014. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145014

    _________

    I have learned, studied, practiced and teach literally hundreds of various low-impact exercises that can build stronger bones, muscles and joints. Private, small or group instruction.

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    Masters Council

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) bone strength chronic pain diabetes knee pain lower back injury martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology sciatica taoist yoga vitamin d weight bearing exercises winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Americans-are-Severely-Vitamin-D-Deficient Tue, 31 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    We are the Architects of our own Health or Illness, Destiny or Fate https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/We-are-the-Architects-of-our-own-Health-or-Illness-Destiny-or-Fate

    Perception & Physiology

    All of our senses are a pathway into our inner pharmacy where tonic thoughts produce tonic chemicals, and toxic thoughts produce toxic chemicals. Stress and negative emotions help produce cortisol, nor-epinephrine and epinephrine. Relaxation and serenity help to produce dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins.

    We truly are the architect of our own healing and destiny, where our perspectives and beliefs can shift our own biology and physiology.

    Our consciousness is an interpretation of the information that our senses obtain from our immediate internal and external environment.

    Our cells adjust their biology from the chemical messengers produced within our body and circulated throughout our blood chemistry.

    https://www.kindervelt.org/2020/12/01/happiness-hormone-hacks/

    Most people actually have the ability to change the perception of their own environment, thereby adjusting the functions of the cells.

    We need not be the victims of our heredity as we change our perception, change our environment and thereby control our genetic activity. We can become the master of our genetic activities.

    Our health can be viewed as something that we can regulate through the choices we make in our lives.

    What we think, what we feel, what we believe and the emotions we choose to respond with, all affect immunoglobulin A (IGA) in the blood. IGA is the primary defense against bacteria and viruses. circulated in our blood chemistry and affecting relative organ functions.

    American society has been indoctrinated to believe that Western, conventional or allopathic medical doctors know best for everyone’s health and well-being, and the patient should not question this. Pharmaceuticals, surgery and convenience are major components to their healthcare.

    Many people have little knowledge of what naturopaphy, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine and others being legitimate healthcare modalities. Western doctors often will not even acknowledge other modalities beyond being placebos, let alone recommend them for a patient’s specific individual needs. Ironically, the US allopathic healthcare system also relies substantially on the patient’s potential belief in medicine improving their ailment. Factors such as trust in the doctor prescribing the medication, specific details regarding the medicine, like its brand, color, price, name, and place of origin can all affect this perception that medical pharmaceuticals can fix all or many ailments. If placebos can be accepted as a major part of the healing process, more people will be able to take control and accountability of their own well-being. Maybe it truly is “all in our heads”.

    Hope & Gratitude

    People can resist the unfounded fears in their lives. Our bodies know how to be healthy, but our fear affects our body’s ability to heal itself.

    Our lives are as beautiful or terrible as we choose to perceive them.  We have as much or as little opportunity as we choose to pursue.

    We can choose to see what an amazing gift it is to be alive. We can choose to focus on love in our lives, of our family and other loved ones. We can choose to be grateful for what we have, and often for what we don’t have.

    The human body is brilliantly designed to perform seemingly miraculous events of self-regulation and self-healing.

    Regardless of how severe or long someone has been ill, there is a hope that they are capable of some level of healing. Many with much less hope or resources, have achieved much more than those with deep pockets, power and celebrity.

    We Are Not Our Thoughts

    The mind is composed of two independent entities, being the conscious and the subconscious minds.

    The subconscious mind is the default autopilot program, which is where we operate most often throughout our waking hours. This is where we execute mundane tasks, seemingly without much thought or effort. The subconscious mind comes primarily from absorbing other people’s behavior and actions.

    The conscious mind is the engaged, thinking and creative mind. It is in this state of mind that we can become aware as the observer of our thoughts.

    Understand how our mind works, in that it is actually our own consciousness that directs our thoughts and emotions. Once we realize this, we are empowered to become the director of our actions with unlimited potential.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRx4sINzKT8

    Healthcare modalities of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine recognize disease as occurring in patterns, cycles or stages. The idea that an individual just becomes ill one day, is hard to acknowledge when obvious patterns in lifestyle choices affect overall health and well-being over the course of a lifetime.

    6 Stages of Disease

    Six stages of how disease comes into being:

    1 – accumulation

    2 – aggravation

    3 – spread

    4 – localization

    5 – manifestation

    6 – diversified

    These stages have everything to do with the individual’s own accountability of their health and lifestyle choices and not so much about what others are doing or not doing.

    TCM view of stages of disease

    Focus

    The world around us is vastly shaped by what we pay attention to at any given moment. Research shows that most people can only hold their attention for about 90 minutes at a time, depending upon the activity or subject. A huge component of focus is motivation. When properly motivated the human mind, body and spirit are quite capable of accomplishing what might have been perceived as improbable or impossible.

    People often demonstrate amazing levels of focus when performing skilled work or tasks while using their hands. A theory for this is that such tasks provide a framework of values. It is here where the mind engages the body. Heal the body by using the mind. Heal the mind by engaging the body. This has worked for thousands of years, but in recent years this concept has lost popularity to modern pharmaceuticals to improve focus.

    The mind directs the body, while the body protects the mind. Practices such as yoga, tai chi and qigong, all have proven the test of time for their healing properties of the mind, body and spirit. I have personally healed many physical injuries to my spine, shoulders, and knees from these methods. I have treated my own ailments of headaches, allergies and various other aches and pains. Additionally, I have addressed and managed other issues of anxiety, grief, and anger through my diligent practices. I have shared these techniques with hundreds and possibly thousands of others, over my years whether through in person instruction, lectures, publications, or online video classes.

    If we can get ourselves all worked up and stressed by watching disturbing news shows or engaging in other negative issues and activities, we can conversely put ourselves in a state of peace, joy or contentment through our thoughts and actions. We are our own architect of our life, our health, our happiness, our destiny.

    References:

    Colloca L. (2019). The Placebo Effect in Pain Therapies. Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology, 59, 191–211. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021542

    Noonan, K. Schomer, A. 2017, Heal

    ___________

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) accountability chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/We-are-the-Architects-of-our-own-Health-or-Illness-Destiny-or-Fate Sat, 28 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT
    Excessive Sitting Often Leading to Metabolic Syndrome https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Excessive-Sitting-Often-Leading-to-Metabolic-Syndrome Sitting for prolonged amounts of time is as, or more detrimental than tobacco smoking.

    Most people are beginning to realize that sitting too much is unhealthy. Most feel lethargic after sitting after a long day at work or a TV binge . What exactly goes downhill in our bodies when we sit on the average, for nearly eight hours per day?

    Common health issues from prolonged sitting:

    • Tightness of hips & relative muscle groups
    • Weakened abdominal muscles
    • Pancreas over-stimulation
    • Achy shoulders and back
    • Weakened glute muscles
    • Vertebrae issues
    • Heart disease
    • Colon cancer
    • Neck strain

    More specific health issues:

    Head:
    Long periods of sitting can help to form blood clots, which can eventually travel to the brain resulting in stroke.

    Neck:
    Muscles in the neck become strained and tight. Fluid retained in the lower body during the day, returns to the neck region during sleep causing sleep apnea.

    Lungs:
    All day sitting raises doubles the risk of pulmonary embolism or blood clotting.

    Heart:
    Heart disease and diabetes risk doubles for those with a sedentary lifestyle versus those who are more active.

    Stomach:
    Prolonged sitting often leads to obesity, colon cancer and other digestion ailments. Metabolism is impaired as enzymes within muscles responsible for breaking down fats are essential turned off from lack of physical movement.

    Spine (muscles & vertebrae):
    Prolonged sitting puts excess pressure on vertebrae and muscles, compressing nerves connected to the whole body affecting many bodily functions.

    Arms & Legs:
    Lack of physical movement of the limbs helps lead to high blood pressure.

    Glutes:
    Pressure on nerves running through glutes and legs can become compressed causing pain and leading to more lack of activity.

    Posture:
    Posture is the relative placement of the human body and its components such as, but not confined to, the spine and limbs. Many people in the United States experience some type of chronic pain at some time in their lives. Causes of pain can vary depending upon the individual and their circumstances. Poor posture can be responsible for many ailments ranging from ankle, knee, hip and back pain. A spinal misalignment, due to improper posture, an injury, hereditary or even congenital conditions, can have an eventual ripple effect throughout the human body. A shift of .375″ (13mm) can cause the depicted ailments. A simple habitual tilt of the head or shift in the body weight over time, changes the alignment of the spine. This re-alignment begins to effect the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves causing a total imbalance within these body systems. An injured ankle or knee can become the spark that cause a ripple effect literally from head to toe. Instinctively, as humans we try to center our head directly above our physical center of gravity. Poor posture, short leg syndrome, injuries or habitual body movements can cause remodeling of the muscular, skeletal and nervous system. These root problems can be the cause of many chronic ailments.

    What is the solution to these issues?

    • get up out of the chair more often
    • become more active
    • consult with your physician or chiropractor
    • have your posture checked
    • stretch regularly
    • perform non-specific symmetrical exercises
    • inspect footwear for uneven wear patterns
    • evaluate poor posture habits and adjust
    • review career choices if necessary

    _______________

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) 8 vessels chi kung chronic pain diabetes extraordinary meridians health & wellness health care lower back injury martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis qigong stress relief stroke treatment tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga weight bearing exercises winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Excessive-Sitting-Often-Leading-to-Metabolic-Syndrome Tue, 24 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    WSJ Article Highlights That Cardiovascular Disease Cause More Deaths Every Year, Than Covid-19 https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/WSJ-Article-Highlights-That-Cardiovascular-Disease-Cause-More-Deaths-Every-Year-Tha “Stopping a Pandemic Deadlier Than Covid”

    “Cardiovascular disease kills more people each year than Covid at its worst. We know how to prevent it. We just need the political will.”

    Excerpt from the article:

    “First, some basics. In the first two years of the pandemic, Covid killed nearly 900,000 people in the U.S. In those same years, heart attacks and strokes killed more than 1.6 million. Globally, Covid killed more than 10 million people in the first two years of the pandemic; in the same two years, cardiovascular disease killed more than 35 million. The three leading drivers of heart attacks and strokes—accounting for around two-thirds of the global total—are tobacco use, hypertension and air pollution, and all three are preventable.”

    What is the solution to these issues?

    • get up out of the chair more often
    • become more active
    • manage your diet as if your life depended upon it
    • consult with your physician, nutritionist, chiropractor or other healthcare professional regularly
    • have your posture checked
    • exercise and stretch regularly
    • perform non-specific symmetrical exercises (engage both left & right, top & bottom)
    • inspect footwear for uneven wear patterns
    • evaluate poor lifestyle habits and adjust
    • review career choices if necessary
    • have an outlet for your stress and emotional ups & downs
    • evaluate alcohol and drug consumption

    _______________

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) 8 vessels chi kung chronic pain diabetes extraordinary meridians health & wellness health care lower back injury martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis qigong stress relief stroke treatment tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga weight bearing exercises winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/WSJ-Article-Highlights-That-Cardiovascular-Disease-Cause-More-Deaths-Every-Year-Tha Mon, 23 May 2022 06:08:07 GMT
    Silk Reeling Exercises https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Silk-Reeling-Exercises Silk Reeling refers to internal (neigong) movement principles practiced in traditional styles of Tai Chi, especially emphasized within the Chen and Wu styles. The metaphoric term derives from the spiraling and twisting movements of the silkworm larva as it wraps itself within its cocoon. In order to draw out the silk successfully, the action must be smooth, consistent and flowing with no jerking or sharp change in direction. Too fast of a movement and the silk breaks. Too slow and it sticks to itself and becomes tangled. Silk Reeling movements are continuous, rhythmic and spiraling patterns  practiced at consistent speed with a “light touch” of drawing silk. Silk reeling is practiced in solo forms and stances as well as in “push hands” with a partner.

    Key Points of Awareness:
    • The head stays upright as if trying to make the scalp push the ceiling up; chin slightly tucked back.
    • Keep the head level and don’t drop your head when your arms move downwards or to look at your feet. Use your peripheral vision to focus on the arms when they are lowered.
    • The tongue should be gently placed on the top palate (roof) of your mouth.
    • Keep your body upright, with the spine naturally straight while keeping the chest relaxed. Do not hold too much tension in your chest.
    • When the arms are in the lower phase of the movement don’t lean or bend forward keeping the body upright at all times.
    • When moving the arms, try to keep the shoulders relaxed and loose, trying not to lift them.
    • During movements when the arms arc away from the body, try not to lift the elbows too high. Make sure you keep your elbow lower then the hand.
    • When shifting the weight side-to-side, always keep the knees slightly bent. Don’t straighten the empty leg.
    • The breath should be natural, deep, slow and quiet while coordinated with the body movement. Typically when the hand goes across the body, breathe in through the nose. When the hand goes away from the body, breathe out through the nose.

    Embrace the concept of feet, waist, arms:

    1) Push (power) from the feet
    2) Direct with the waist moving
    3) Express with the shoulders, arms & hands

    Watch the video to see one method of stretching the spine, relieving stress, increasing oxygen intake and becoming more self-aware.

    __________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lectures about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain dao yin diabetes fitness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong reflexology senior classes specific methods of wellness practice stress relief stroke treatment tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga weight bearing exercises winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Silk-Reeling-Exercises Sat, 21 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    World Hunger Response vs. Covid19 Response https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/World-Hunger-Response-vs-Covid19-Response All life is valuable, whether in the US or worldwide, correct?

    Saving a human life whether from impending starvation, tobacco related deaths, deaths related to obesity and many other causes, shouldn’t matter more or less from deaths attributed to Covid19. However, statistics show that the US has spent astronomically more, to seemingly “save” less human lives from dying from Covid19 related deaths, when compared to other major causes of death throughout the whole world.

    Just how much money has the US spent in this fight to combat Covid19? The US government spent about $4.7 trillion in response to Covid19 over the last 2 years. This includes medical research, supplies and equipment, distribution costs, loss wages and opportunities, and probably a much longer list.

    COVID-19 & Tobacco - Tobacco Free Living

    Total deaths from Covid19, reported today (01-05-2022) is 828,000 for the US, 5.46 million worldwide.

    However, realize that:

    About 9 million people die worldwide every year from hunger and hunger related diseases.

    About 8 million people die worldwide every year from tobacco related deaths.

    About 2.8 million people die worldwide every year from being overweight or obese.

    Coincidentally, all of these conditions are somewhat preventable and help cause health comorbidities that can increase the risk of Covid19 infection.

    Coronavirus: Five of the countries most at risk from famine in 2020 - BBC  News

    Studies show a wide range of costs, but some state that world hunger could be eradicated costing $11 billion per year. So, my point here is that if there were actual plans to prevent specific causes of death, the world as a whole would maybe be able to reduce these deaths at far less risk and resources than other causes that might not be as deadly. If the US spent $4.5 trillion towards reducing world hunger or reduction in tobacco smoking, instead of Covid19, would we maybe be at much less loss of human lives? $11 billion x 409 years gets us $4.5 trillion. Risks versus rewards. Just my opinion but maybe world health needs to be looked at beyond Covid19.

    Why are obese people more likely to die from coronavirus? | World Economic  Forum

    If the human race were to actually change its focus towards saving millions more lives, would we be able to realistically feed, house and provide for the millions more people that would be existing upon this planet? Ironically, the more lives that are “saved” from one particular disease, may be lost to other if not managed adequately to provide for the various outcomes.

    Be well!

    References:

    https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2020/05/08/national-debt-how-much-could-coronavirus-cost-america/3051559001/

    https://www.usaspending.gov/disaster/covid-19?publicLaw=allLinks to an external site.

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/Links to an external site.

    https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/people-and-poverty/hunger-and-obesity/how-many-people-die-from-hunger-each-year/storyLinks to an external site.

    https://www.iisd.org/articles/ending-world-hunger-within-reach-study-finds-it-will-cost-only-usd-11-billion-more-yearLinks to an external site.

    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobaccoLinks to an external site.

    https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/6-facts-on-obesityLinks to an external site.

    Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

    Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

    Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.comMindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    Masters Council

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) us healthcare (sickcare) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/World-Hunger-Response-vs-Covid19-Response Tue, 17 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    The Fascia Trains (connective tissue) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/The-Fascia-Trains-connective-tissue The human body consists of trillions of cells, all surrounded by a somewhat fluid network of connective tissue called fascia. Fascia is a sticky yet stretchy fabric that both holds us firmly together, yet constantly a adjusts to accommodate our every movement. Fascia consist of collagen, elastin fibers, fluid and proteins. This tissue is crystalline in nature, and formed into extremely tiny microtubules which carry fluid. This allows the microtubules to conduct energy and carry information throughout the body. The term myofascial refers to the unit composed of muscle and connective tissue.

    The standard bio-mechanical theory is that the musculoskeletal system and its muscles attach to bones via tendons that cross the joints and pull bones toward each other. Ligaments connect bone to bone. However, all of these anatomical terms and the separations they imply, are somewhat false. No ligaments exist on their own. Instead they become part of the periosteum-vascular connective tissue that serves as wrapping around the bones, surrounding muscles and fascia trains.

    http://www.Mindandbodyexercises.com

    There are 12 major fascial trains:
    1) Superficial back line — starts at the bottom of the feet and continues up and over the top of the head and ends at the brow ridge

    2) Superficial front line — starts on the top of the feet at the toes and ends behind the ear at the mastoid process (the area where the jaw connects to the skull)


    3 & 4) Lateral line (2 sides) — runs along the lateral portion of the lower body, hips, and obliques

    5) Spiral line — The Spiral Line (SL) winds through the three cardinal lines, looping around the trunk in a helix, with another loop in the legs from hip to arch and back again.

    6) Deep front line — The Deep Front Line (DFL) forms a complex core volume from the inner arch of the foot, up the inseam of the leg, into the pelvis and up the front of the spine to the bottom of the skull and the jaw.


    7 & 8) Superficial front & back arm line — The four Arm Lines run from the front and back of the axial torso to the tips of the fingers.

    9 & 10) Deep front & back arm line — The four Arm Lines run from the front and back of the axial torso to the tips of the fingers.

    11 & 12) Functional Lines — (front & back) The two Functional

    The Superficial Back Line consists of a line of fascia that starts at the plantar surface (bottom) of the foot. It travels up the entire posterior (back) side of the body, moving up over the head and finishes at the brow bone. It is the longest of the 12 facial trains. They are also lines of “pull”. These lines transmit movement as well as strain through the body’s myofasciae within the body. Researchers have found evidence indicating that chronic low back pain may be radiating from the connective tissues, rather than musculature, bone or cartilage. The multitude of low back pain was found not to correlate with the multitude of disc displacement. Evidence indicating that low back pain may be due to inflammation in the lumbar fascia tissue. Further research has indicated perispinal ligamentous tissues and lumbar fascia as common causes of low back pain. There is the theory that the fascia might be the physical substrate referred to as the energy meridian network within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The anatomy of the fascial network within the human body, is somewhat consistent with the classic view of the meridian network. Acupuncture has been shown to rely on interactions with the fascia. It may be that neurogenic inflammation in fasciae may manifest into blockages of the energy (Qi) flow. If the fascia network within the body is the physical substrate of the energy meridians, there are important clinical and research connections. If evidence continues to prove in support of this theory, the fasciae should receive greater scrutiny in diagnostics and subsequent treatments. This view is a more holistic approach to health care, in which the whole body’s interrelationships, interconnections and interactions are to be examined.

    http://www.Mindandbodyexercises.com

    Recent research has found links in form and function between the interactions of the fascial network and acupuncture. Research by health and fitness researchers have discovered that connective tissue, along with collagen fibers and fibroblasts wraps around the end of the acupuncture needle when it is rotated in place. There effects have been seen at up to 4cm away from the site of needle insertion. Researchers have surmised that acupuncture energy meridians may follow the intermuscular or intramuscular myofascial lines. The myofascial meridians do not follow the precise lines of the Chinese energy meridians, which are an energetic connection rather than physical. However, there is some definite overlap. The unrestricted movement, taught in the Chinese internal martial arts, involves free flow of Qi and aligning the myofascial lines.

    http://www.Mindandbodyexercises.com

    The Tai Chi, Gigong and Yoga connection to the facial trains – Physical (and mental) training within Chinese internal martial arts, Qigong and Yoga focus on training the mind and body to move as a whole unit. The traditional Western understanding of muscles and bones functioning separately and mechanically is not very useful within these practices. However, understanding basic anatomy is useful when these known components are seen as encased by the connective tissue making the myofascial lines become apparent. When muscles are seen as floating in bundles or bands of connective tissue, all movements and all components are possible only through the interaction of the contracting muscles with the connecting tissue. Each bone, muscle and organ might exist independently, but the fascia spreads throughout the entire body connecting all of these body components in a network of webbing.

    http://www.Mindandbodyexercises.com

    Another component of the fascial network is a gelatin-like web of mucus. All of the fluid circulation in your body has to pass through these fibrous and mucus webs. The denser the fibers and the drier the mucus, makes the fascial web less able to allow molecules to flow through it. Nourishment goes in one direction while waste comes out another. Tai Chi, Gigong and Yoga types of exercise helps stretch, ease and hydrate the fibrous webbing, making it more permeable.

    Cells are never more than four-deep from your capillaries, which transport food, oxygen and more. Tension in your body, such as constantly rounding the back while sitting activates the fibroblasts to make more fibers that will arrange themselves along the line of stress. These accumulated fascial fibers form blockages that will impede capillary-sourced food from reaching the body’s cells. The mucus that completes your fluid fascial network also becomes denser impeding the flow to your cells. Within a denser fascial network, the exchange of nutrients and waste from capillaries to cells can trap toxins causing even more energy blockages.

    Tai Chi, Gigong and Yoga types of exercise offer deep strengthening and stretching of the fascial network similar to the way you would wring out a wet towel. The nutrients, oxygen and waste products that were trapped in the mucus mesh, rush in to the capillaries and into the bloodstream. Often times practitioners of these exercise methods feel somewhat ill, after the release of the deeply held tension. The liver must work extra to process the toxins squeezed from the tissues. With consistent practice over time, fascial fibers blockages will slowly thin out and become un-adhered. The mucus webbing can change to a more liquid state in minutes, allowing more sliding, less resistance and therefore less pain.

    _______________

    Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/The-Fascia-Trains-connective-tissue Sat, 14 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    The 3 Healthcare Systems in the US https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/The-3-Healthcare-Systems-in-the-US The 3 Healthcare Systems in the US

    1. “Healthcare” which is truly “Sick-care”
    2. “Self-care”
    3. “I Don’t Care

    “Healthcare” is truly “Sick-care”

    what most people think they receive when they go to the doctor after they become sick or injured. Little or no preventative measures are encouraged.

    “Self-care” –

    when the individual takes responsibility for what they think, what they consume, and how they move their physical body (exercise/activity), making up the components of what we typically call lifestyle.

    “I don’t-care” –

    what some people say, when asked why they don’t take better care of their own health & well-being.

    Health is wealth – plain and simple. Ask anyone who has pain or suffering if they would spend their money, once they are already ill to fix all their woes. $30,000-$100,000 for a new knee, $130,000 for a heart bypass, or $1,250,000 for a heart transplant, thousands every year for insurance and prescriptions. You do the math; pay now of pay later.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/The-3-Healthcare-Systems-in-the-US Tue, 10 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT Osteoporosis (bone mass loss) – What You Can Do About It https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Osteoporosis-bone-mass-loss-What-You-Can-Do-About-It Last years of 2020 & 2021 were pretty rough year for most of the world population regarding health and wellness. While some people fared ok, many took many steps backward in being healthy and well. The exact measures many people have been taking to stay safe, have actually been contributing to them becoming less healthy. Staying inside dramatically affected positive social interactions, options to exercise and staying active, fresh air intake as well as less sunlight on the skin to help synthesize vitamin D. Vitamin D is a key component to maintaining innate (natural immunity) and bone health. This issue alone, will contribute to an increase in osteoporosis.

    Osteoporosis or low bone mass, is a disease that causes bones to become thin, brittle and weak, making bones more likely to break, most often from a minor fall. The most common bones that are affected are the spine, wrist or hip. Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease.” You can’t feel or see your bones getting thinner. Many people do not even know that they have thin bones until a bone breaks. Most people with this issue don’t die from osteoporosis, but rather from complications that follow from falling or breaking brittle bones while out and about.

    Osteoporosis is a major public health issue with an estimated 44 million Americans, or for more than half of those 50 or older. In the United States, almost 1 out of 2 Caucasian or Asian women over 50 will experience a broken bone due to osteoporosis. 24 percent of hip fracture patients age 50 and over die in the year following the fracture. Six months after a hip fracture, only 15 percent of patients can walk across a room unaided.

    Things you can do to prevent loss of bone mass:

    • A bone mineral density (BMD) test can diagnose osteoporosis.
    • Eat a variety of healthy (nutrient-rich) foods every day.
    • Get the calcium you need.
    • Get the recommended amount of vitamin D.
    • Get some sunlight on your body everyday (helps the body synthesize vitamin D)
    • Don’t smoke
    • Limit alcohol.
    • Take action to prevent falls
    • Exercise regularly with appropriate methods for your personal situation, limits and expectations

    Being physically active can help prevent bone loss leading to osteoporosis. Your bones get stronger and denser when you make them work. Walking, climbing stairs, and dancing are impact (or weight-bearing) exercises that strengthen your bones by moving your body against gravity when you are upright. Resistance exercises, such as lifting weights or using exercise bands, strengthen your bones as well as your muscles.

    Tai Chi and qigong like in this video are perfect examples of physical activity that improves posture and balance to help decrease your risk for falls and fractures. Tai chi can also strengthen the bones themselves by reacting to the tension that exercise puts on the muscles and consequently the bones.  If the bones are not engaged in everyday use, osteoporosis can find its way into the body. Exercise can be easy; try 10 minutes at a time, adding up the minutes to reach your goal.

    I offer instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes kung fu martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Osteoporosis-bone-mass-loss-What-You-Can-Do-About-It Fri, 06 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Meditation for Kids – Plant Good Seeds https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Meditation-for-Kids-Plant-Good-Seeds I especially like the idea of getting children involved in meditating at a young age. Teaching kids how to manage their own stress and well-being, is like planting good seeds with the intent of a giving them tools for a better future for them and everyone around them.

    I researched that in China, children do meditate at the different age levels in school. It is also different in different schools. In some elementary schools, kids might meditate every day. In middle school they might twice a week. In some high schools, they might meditate once a week. I did find also, that in a particular primary school in Foshan, China, parents objected to meditation practices in place of nap time at school. The school was basically forced to remove the practice from the school setting. Maybe things in China are more like the US than we care to admit. Regardless, mediation practices have been part of many cultures for thousands of years.

    Let us not forget, that in years past, recess and physical education (PE) were part of the school day from kindergarten through elementary school. High school students had PE every school day until graduation. Regular exercise has been known and proven to help manage stress and maintain better health and mental well being. Meditation is a mental exercise that can be accomplished in many ways. Aside from the still of sitting meditation that most people think of, there are also moving mediation methods such as walking, tai chi, yoga and qigong. Gardening can even be a type of mediation as some grade schools get the kids outdoors and get their hands in the dirt.

    Remember, unhealthy kids quickly turn into unhealthy adults. The health of our people is directly affecting the safety of our nation. For the sake of our youth and ultimately our country, put PE, meditation of some sort, and health education back into the school system, as a priority and not just a minimal requirement.

    References:

    https://jeffreyalexandermartin.medium.com/meditation-in-chinese-schools-and-beyond-6c71f18cc01aLinks to an external site.

    http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0907/c98649-8946673.html

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/5/Meditation-for-Kids-Plant-Good-Seeds Wed, 04 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Science, Where to Follow What Fits Your Viewpoints https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Science-Where-to-Follow-What-Fits-Your-Viewpoints Coffee is bad for you, but studies show that it might be good for you.

    Cow’s milk is good for humans, unless you read the studies that say it is not so much.

    Moderate alcohol consumption is good for you, unless you find the medical studies that say it is not.

    Sun exposure is bad for the skin, but good for vitamin D production, immunity and bone health, until one develops skin cancer.

    Cigarette smoking was at one time, recommended by doctors to help promote health and relieve stress.

    The list goes on and on. Which “science” do we choose to believe? Well, whichever science that supports our own individual beliefs, viewpoints and agendas.

    Maybe the truth of the science lies in that all things are relative, yin and yang in all things for those that understand that life is constantly changing and often there are no absolutes. Maybe all of the above are good in moderation, but not so much when in excess or abuse.

    Media and science…kind of like oil and water. I feel these days, that media reports on what they feel the American public should know. News outlets use to be somewhat neutral. Currently, most don’t even try to be neutral but rather tout what direction their reports lean towards. Fox News, Prager U and others, makes no qualms about being quite to the right, whereas CNN, MSNBC and New York Times reports leaning quite to the left. So, who should and shouldn’t report on what leads us to 1st amendment discussions about who determines what is truth and misinformation. Seems like there are now multiple truths these days depending upon the source and the agenda in play. Universal truths that everyone can agree upon, like water is wet, the sun rises in the east and that humans are mortals will still be debated given an audience and someone willing to debate these facts.

    What is true for everyone (not your truth or my truth silliness) is that we need to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less, develop self-discipline. These are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Science-Where-to-Follow-What-Fits-Your-Viewpoints Sat, 30 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Regular Exercise Improves Many Common Ailments https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Regular-Exercise-Improves-Many-Common-Ailments consistent activity is a key factor in reducing disease

    If we are led to believe that the US has the most wealth, the best doctors, the best healthcare, the best vaccines – then why did the US experience the highest rate of COVID-19 cases as well as associated deaths? Because the answers lies beyond the US being the best (far from it) when it comes to personal responsibility for health and well-being. Most in the US look to the broken healthcare system for sick-care after becoming sick or injured than looking to themselves to prevent acquiring disease, illness and injury. True is true; do your own research to see which countries fare the best in overall quality of life, and relative health. The US is far from the top, but by far spends the most money on sick-care.

    An amazing amount of health issues can be reduced by simply exercising consistently (Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity, 2021). Many issues such as stress, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular issues are reduced by exercising a few times per week. Find a method of exercise that works for you.

    Known benefits of regular exercise include:

    • reduce your risk of a heart attack.
    • manage your weight better.
    • have a lower blood cholesterol level.
    • lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
    • have lower blood pressure.
    • have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of developing osteoporosis.
    • lower your risk of falls.

    Walk, run, swim, weight train, yoga, tai chi, martial arts, dance – just do something everyday! Or every other day, 2 times a week, whatever! Get your body moving. Give your mind something positive to focus upon.

    Obesity and Cancer | CDC

    References:

    Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity. (2021, October 8). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:%7E:text=Regular%20physical%20activity%20can%20improve,energy%20to%20tackle%20daily%20chores

    https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/about-physical-activity/index.html

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

    https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world

    Obesity and Cancer | CDC

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Regular-Exercise-Improves-Many-Common-Ailments Wed, 27 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Stress Response Leads to Obesity, Depression and Even More Stress https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Stress-Response-Leads-to-Obesity-Depression-and-Even-More-Stress We all know what stress is, but how does it manifest and what can we do to manage it?

    If we are to grow a garden, do we try to nourish the seeds in a healthy, safe and nutritional environment? Or do we just plant the seeds in sand in a mostly dark place where no one checks to see how they are sprouting? Well, metaphorically, this is how our nation cultivates our youth with little or no education in health, nutrition, fitness, stress management and accountability. No wonder why teenage depression and suicide has skyrocketed in the last few years. And no wonder our nation is a nation of overweight children soon to be obese and sickly adults. We need to move past the politics and cultural correctness of not addressing the American diet and lifestyle choices of being the root causes of obesity that lead to disease and health issues in our country.

    US Obesity https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity-child-17-18/obesity-child.htm

    For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in 2017-2018:

    • The prevalence of obesity was 19.3% and affected about 14.4 million children and adolescents.
    • Obesity prevalence was 13.4% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.3% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 21.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds. Childhood obesity is also more common among certain populations.
    • Obesity prevalence was 25.6% among Hispanic children, 24.2% among non-Hispanic Black children, 16.1% among non-Hispanic White children, and 8.7% among non-Hispanic Asian children.
    Credit: Derek Thompson, The Atlantic; data from the CDC.
    • Anxiety and depression affects many children
      • 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety.
      • 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression.
    • Anxiety and depression have increased over time
      • “Ever having been diagnosed with either anxiety or depression” among children aged 6-17 years increased from 5.4% in 2003 to 8% in 2007 and to 8.4% in 2011–2012.
      • “Ever having been diagnosed with anxiety” among children aged 6-17 years increased from 5.5% in 2007 to 6.4% in 2011–2012.
      • “Ever having been diagnosed with depression” among children aged 6-17 years did not change between 2007 (4.7%) and 2011–2012 (4.9%).

    In years past, recess and physical education (PE) were part of the school day from kindergarten through elementary school. High school students had PE every school day until graduation. Regular exercise has been known and proven to help manage stress and maintain better health and mental well being. Currently, many schools require only 1 credit of PE over 4 years of high school and often offer it as an online course. Today if students are not involved in school or extracurricular sports, few make the time or commitment to stay physically active. Unhealthy kids quickly turn into unhealthy adults. The health of our people is directly affecting the safety of our nation. For the sake of our youth and ultimately our country, put PE and maybe health education back into the school system, as a priority and not just a minimal requirement.

    References:

    https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity-child-17-18/obesity-child.htm

    https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-depression-children.html

    I can help. I have almost 40 years worth of experience in practicing and teaching others to take control of their health and well-being. For more information, contact Jim Moltzan at 407-234-0119 or www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) back pain chronic pain health care lower back injury osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology qigong sciatica self-discipline stress relief tai chi taoist qigong winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Stress-Response-Leads-to-Obesity-Depression-and-Even-More-Stress Sat, 23 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Is Better Health a Priority in the US? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Is-Better-Health-a-Priority-in-the-US In the words of Dr. Jerome Adams from 2020, the former surgeon general of the United States, “You know what will make you and your community healthier but still, you choose not to do it.” He goes on to state that 7 out of 10 of 18-24-year olds are ineligible for military service due to the following:

    • they cannot pass the physical
    • cannot meet educational requirements
    • have a criminal history

    In years past, recess and physical education were part of the school day from kindergarten through elementary school. High school students had PE every school day until graduation. Today if students are not involved in school or extracurricular sports, few make the time or commitment to stay physically active. Unhealthy kids quickly turn into unhealthy adults. The health of our people is directly affecting the safety of our nation.

    https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20201128/annalee-gray-brown-protecting-our-children-marketing-unhealthy-foods

    Ask an average citizen in the US if their health and their family’s is a priority and the response will be something like, “Of course our health is my top priority and we have the healthiest country in the world!” No, not true for both statements based upon data from seemingly reputable data outlets. The Bloomberg Global Health Index for 2020, ranked the US #35 in the world for overall quality of health but ranks #1 for healthcare spending. The US spends more than $3.4 trillion annually on health care, more than any other country. Made obvious from the data is that investing more money in healthcare, does not necessarily make a country or the person healthier. Money does not change our health. We need to improve life expectancy and other indicators of health with better education along with a change in mindset. If someone has great healthcare coverage but eats junk food every day, does not exercise regularly and has a negative outlook, they will probably experience health issues sooner than later.

    As a nation, we eat an extremely high amount of low-quality junk food and then sit for hours per day. We hope to efficiently digest low quality food that will eventually often cause illnesses and even death. More than 36.3% of youth aged 2-19 eat fast food on a given day.This is complicated even more so with the sedentary lifestyle and laissez-faire attitude towards individuals accepting responsibility for their own health. Americans meeting the CDC guideline for aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises is only 23.2% as of 2018.These factors help contribute to the increase of obesity over the last 60 years. Obesity is a key factor in many health issues based on data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other reputable sources. In 2017–2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults was 42.4%. Stats for kids (not shown) are just as appalling. These numbers are truly pathetic. Further issues to discuss would be how many manage their nutrition by monitoring their intake of sugar, salt, trans fat, alcohol, and other consumables? What about managing stress and emotional health? The US economy needs our citizens to support the fast-food industry and consequently gives the health care industry an overabundance of its own customers. It seems as if the US wants its people to be healthy enough to work, but not too healthy as to put the fast-food and healthcare providers out of business. This is our reality that many choose to deny.

    The leading causes of death in the US are all very much influenced by our diet, our sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise and excessive sitting. Also contributing is our attitude towards managing stress or lack thereof. Thinking that more is always better or if we are not stressed, we are not doing enough. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory issues are all leading causes of death by far. Each of these ailments can be much less if we made it a priority to do so.

    Another health issue is our obsession with following the news and the mental stress that can develop from it. Media in the US, love it or hate it, usually focuses mostly on reporting politics, crime and mostly the negative aspects of our society. The phrase “If it bleeds it leads” shows America’s fascination with negative news. This year so far has been mostly the tragedy of Covid19. The media, the government, the entertainment industry and healthcare leaders fail to promote personal responsibility for the individuals’ own actions relative to diet, exercise and lifestyle, and how that can affect on a much broader level the health of our nation. Instead the strong focus is mostly upon wearing masks and social distancing as a way to make an unhealthy nation, somehow immune to disease and illnesses that affect most those that have multiple health issues to begin with. Please understand that even typically well and health conscious people do get sick also.  Athletes and health enthusiasts can get sick too. However, people that are active usually recover faster though.

    We need to honestly look at the root causes for our health issues, instead of looking to politics or others to blame for our own personal accountability. Blaming others will not make us healthier.  We are where we are, because of our choices. I love pizza but I should not be eating it every day of the week. Soda or sugary drinks with every meal? Some TV viewing is fine but 4-7 hours a day is a bit much no?  Sitting for 8 or more hours a day negatively affects our metabolic health. We need to own our individual health and well-being.

    Our actions support the data that we do not truly put exercise, nutrition and stress as high priorities deserving more action than mere conversation. Healthy living and habits are a choice and a mindset that we as Americans as a whole, fail terribly at practicing. It does not need to be this way. There are things that can move us forward to become a healthier nation.

    The 5 Pillars of Health

    Eating healthier can be achieved by managing less intake of junk foods, sugar, and salt, as well as reasonable amounts of alcohol. More fruit and vegetables are healthier snacks that have many nutritional rewards. Become more active by getting up and off the couch, stepping away from the PC, TV, smartphone, and other electronic addictions. Better sleep is a major immune system booster and can be earned by being more active during the day. Relieve stress through exercise, meditation, or breathing deeper and more deliberately, or take more breaks from the news and social media. Be nice to others because what you put out, you receive back. Basically, get moving more, eat healthier foods, sleep better, stress less and be a nicer person.  Enjoy life but know your limits and take all things in moderation.

    Be well, stay healthy, be wise.

    Jim Moltzan

    Works Cited

    Adams, Jerome, “How resilient communities can create a healthier country.” Youtube, uploaded by TEDxMidAtlantic. September 23, 2020.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIY13uvlGLY

    American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

    www.worldhealth.net/news/bloombergs-global-health-index-2020/

    Fryar, Cheryl, et al. Fast Food Intake Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2015–2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 375, August 2020, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db375.htm

    CDC, National Center for Health Statistics. Exercise or Physical Activity, May 11, 2020 www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/exercise.htm

    Hales, Craig, et al. Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 360, February 2020. www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm

    Xu, Jiaquan, et al. Mortality in the United States, 2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 355, January 2020.  www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db355.htm

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain class info covid-19 diabetes health & wellness lower back injury obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Is-Better-Health-a-Priority-in-the-US Wed, 20 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Insight Meditation (Vipassana) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Insight-Meditation-Vipassana Insight Meditation (Vipassana)

    You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.” Or “If you have time to breathe, you have time to meditate.” These are great quotes to ponder but regardless, meditation is an active practice that will not happen if I (we) do not make it happen.

    I think many people confuse religion with philosophy. My understanding of religion is that it is a belief system based upon faith or what cannot be seen. Whereas philosophy is generally a rational investigation of truths. With this being said, I don’t think I would even enter into the conversation of how meditation is not religion, but rather a tool that could enhance one’s religious beliefs or other aspects of their life, unless they had an openness to begin with. I have found that trying to convince someone of something usually doesn’t achieve the desired results.

    Insight meditation is also known as Vipassana and is known to be the oldest of Buddhist meditation practices coming directly from the Satipatthana Sutta which is the “Discourse on the Establishing of Awareness” attributed to the Buddha himself. Vipassana meditation is a direct but gradual training of self-awareness or mindfulness usually over a period of years. During practice, a student’s attention is focused inward towards an intense contemplation of particular aspects of one’s existence. The meditator trains to be more and more self-aware of their own flowing life experience.

    https://therenegadepharmacist.com/what-happens-when-you-hold-your-breath-for-a-few-minutes-a-day-the-benefits-of-intermittent-hypoxia-rechaka-kumbhaka-buteyko-the-wim-hof-method/

    Put aside time on your schedule to practice Vipassana meditation. Find a quiet room or space within or near your home. Sit upright but comfortably and relaxed in a sturdy chair. Relax and clsoe your eyes. Make your breathing deeper and longer with a 4-second pause between each inhale an exhale. Move your attention away from your breathing and onto other observations of your thoughts. Relax your neck and shoulders and work your way down your torso using just enough muscular tension to hold your body upright. Experience going through a progression from physical awareness to mental awareness and then to an emotional release to become present in the moment. Once you are comfortable with the physical awareness of your body, move on to becoming aware of your senses and what is occurring in your immediate environment inside and out. Listen closely to maybe hear the A/C or heater turning off, bringing your focus maybe to the refrigerator now humming away in the background of your awareness. Each time a distraction presents itself, acknowledge it and then become aware of the next sound. If there is no sound, move onto feeling the touch of your body in the chair or your feet on the floor. Then another thought will appear, like how long have I been sitting here, the room is warm, or what time of day is it? All trivial thoughts within your inner dialogue that you can continue to acknowledge and then let fade away. Slowly open your eyes to the room appearing slightly brighter and sharper. You will feel refreshed and calm thereafter.

    References:

    https://tricycle.org/magazine/vipassana-meditation/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo9nG1LeL9AIVDmpvBB1_vA7WEAAYAiAAEgJBXfD_BwELinks to an external site.

    Monaghan, Patricia; Viereck, Eleanor G. (1999) Meditation: The Complete Guide (p. 93). New World Library. Kindle Edition.

    ______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Insight-Meditation-Vipassana Fri, 15 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    The Seven Energy Centers (Chakras) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/The-Seven-Energy-Centers-Chakras The Seven Energy Centers (Chakras)

    Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “wheel.” Chakras and Dimensions are the same thing. Sometimes they will be referred to as the “Seven Dantians.” Coming from traditional Indian medicine, there exist 7 energy centers within the human body. These points are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Some believe believe the chakras interact with the body’s ductless endocrine glands and lymphatic system by feeding in positive energies and disposing of unwanted negative energies. Each chakra in your spinal column is believed to influence or direct bodily functions near its region of the spine.

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    Chakras are energy systems associated with different parts of the body that relay information in the form of energy. It is believed that a chakra is a wheel of energy that spins around its own axis and can spin fast or slowly. These chakras are like spirals of energy, each one relating to the others. A chakra will spin in relation to the energy level of your system, thus understanding your chakras and keeping them in balance can help with all kinds of health and emotional problems.

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    You can think of chakras as invisible, rechargeable batteries.

    Imagine a vertical power current like a fluorescent tube that runs up and down the spine, from the top of the head to the base of the spine. Think of this as your main source of energy. The seven major chakras are in the center of the body and are aligned with this vertical “power line.”

    They regulate the flow of energy throughout the electrical network (Meridians) that runs through the physical body. The body’s electrical system resembles the wiring in a house. It allows electrical current to be sent to every part, and is ready for use when needed.

    Sometimes chakras become blocked because of stress, emotional or physical problems. If the body’s “energy system” cannot flow freely it islikely that problems will occur. The consequence of irregular energy flow may result in physical illness and discomfort or a sense of being mentally and emotionally out of balance. Blocked energy in our Seven Chakras can often lead to illness so it’s important to understand what each Chakra represents and what we can do to keep this energy flowing freely.

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    The universe contains an infinite amount of dimensions of existence. There are seven that are part of the “human experience.” There are infinite dimensions above our “7th Dimension” and infinite dimensions below our “1st Dimension.” We can concern ourselves with seven, however it is important to understand that just as the universe keeps expanding, so do the dimensions. You could even say that there are “infinity + 1” dimensions. That statement points to the ever-expanding universe.

    Heaven and Earth

    Man literally stands in between heaven and earth. Heaven begins at your crown chakra – 1/infinity of an inch above your bahui point. Earth begins at the bottom of your foot (K1). If we look at the “energetic body” we just look at the head, midsection and torso. In other words everything but the arms and legs.

    Reference:

    Leone M., Campbell J., Moltzan J., (2019), Journey Around the Sun

    ______

    My goal is to present an education that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

    More video clips, books, posters & resources at:

    http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care lower back injury martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/The-Seven-Energy-Centers-Chakras Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Why Practice Meditation? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Why-Practice-Meditation Why Practice Meditation?

    My definition of meditation is practices where an individual train their mind to achieve a mode of consciousness to realize benefits. Meditation does not necessarily need to be done in a lotus position nor, hours of sitting motionless. However, these are methods of meditation. So can walking, gardening, playing an instrument, drawing, painting, journraling, yoga, tai chi, qigong, archery, target shooting and many other methods can be used as meditative practices.

    I may have had some second thoughts or skepticism when I first started to learn of meditation practices. However, I was 16 years old at the time and had very little life experience and not much wisdom at this point in my life. Eastern philosophy and meditation practices from martial arts, qigong, yoga and others were not widely accepted in the United States in the early 80’s and definitely not in Midwest suburbia of the Chicago area of Illinois. Martial arts schools at this time in the US were looked upon as being religious, cult-like, or at the very least a cultural-shock to my conservative upbringing.

    When we are young, we can often be more influenced and possibly manipulated by others in order to see their viewpoints or beliefs in their personal agenda. I may have experienced some of these issues to some extent. However, in my case this turned out to not be a bad thing but rather a life-changing event that allowed me to gain benefits from meditation for decades forward.

    Whatever reluctance I held at the time for these methods, soon diminished as I was able to see and feel the benefits of my training, while I saw my elders and peers’ health and well-being suffer from years of unregulated emotional stress and physical tension.

    Meditation practices can offer so much in relation to cultivating the mind, body and spiritual harmony that many seek to achieve but really have no plan, method or goal as to where meditation can guide them to. I have been able to build and nurture (cultivate) a relationship with my mental thought process, my physical being and my spiritual awareness of something bigger and more profound than the mundane life we often possess and accept.

    Meditation has offered me so much. Specifically, on the mental level I have been able to release mental stress and achieve consistent focus and clarity. On the physical level I have learned to be able to recognize and release muscular tension by slowing my breath rate, heart rate and blood pressure. On the spiritual level I have been able to enter into a deeper sense of self-awareness and realization that our life is a series of lessons to be learned to hopefully serve a greater purpose. We can go find religious or spiritual leaders to help guide us through this journey. Or we can venture inward and go direct to the source if this is where we choose to put our efforts. Meditation is not a replacement for one’s faith but rather a way to enhance and understand it. Meditation is a tool to be used for the benefit of the practitioner. Based upon these concepts, I feel that my meditation practices have much more to offer me in my next stages of life.

    Be well, become healthier, be wiser.

    ________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Why-Practice-Meditation Thu, 07 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    We Know What Needs to be Done https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/We-Know-What-Needs-to-be-Done Choices – we almost always have choices. However, we usually don’t like the options.

    – junk & fast food vs. healthy unprocessed foods

    – elevators vs. stairs

    – responsible alcohol consumption vs. drinking to become drunk

    – smoking tobacco vs. never even starting

    – drive vs. walk

    – sit vs. stand

    – lounge vs. exercise or activity

    – smartphone vs. face-to-face interactions

    – watching news or other disturbing info vs. turning it off

    – becoming aggravated over things which we have no control vs. controlling what we actually can affect

    We know these issues to be true, but many don’t have the will power (in the moment) or self-discipline (structured and consistent). Some people innately have self-discipline, while others need to learn and cultivate it. Control the body with the mind. Manage the mind by disciplining the body, through physical activity. Learn to be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong mind, body, immune system, and outlook on life.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/We-Know-What-Needs-to-be-Done Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:12:16 GMT
    Managing High Blood Pressure Using Qigong Practices https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Managing-High-Blood-Pressure-Using-Qigong-Practices

    Managing High Blood Pressure Using Qigong Practices

    High blood pressure or hypertension (HTN) is a major public health issue affecting almost a billion people worldwide. HTN is often called a “silent killer” because while it has no obvious symptoms, untreated HTN can often lead to strokes, heart attacks and other health issues. As of 2015, an estimated 75 million adults in the U.S. had HTN.

    Management of hypertension is typically addressed through lifestyle changes, diet and antihypertensive medications. A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy type foods can help lower blood pressure among people having hypertension, as well as those without. Also, a diet low in sodium can also help to lower blood pressure across age, gender, race, weight, and physical activity subgroups. Other methods for lowering high blood pressure can include weight reduction if overweight or obese, increasing physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption.1

    High blood pressure or hypertension is a disease in itself but also a major risk factor for other diseases. Normal blood pressure is typically 120 systolic (maximum pressure during one heartbeat) over 80 diastolic (minimum pressure between two heartbeats). Systolic blood pressure over 115 mmHg is usually considered as higher than normal. An average and sustained blood pressure of 140/90 would be defined as hypertension and considered to put an individual at risk of specific health issues. Medical studies have shown that an increase of hypertension is connected to an increasing rate of cardiovascular issues such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, myocardial infarction, and premature mortality.

    Blood pressure over 180/110 mmHg, if left untreated can overcome normal microvascular autoregulation. This can often lead to severe damage to the body’s blood circulation within the smallest blood vessels (microcirculation) resulting in a syndrome of accelerated or malignant hypertension and possibly cerebral hemorrhage where there is bleeding in or around the brain, which can be immediate threats to one’s life.2

    information from the Mayo Clinic lists various factors that can put someone at a higher risk of experiencing hypertension and its relative ailments:

    • Age. As people grow older, the risk of high blood pressure increases. Up until around age 64, hypertension is more common with men. Women after age 65, are at higher risk of having high blood pressure.
    • Race. Those of African heritage often acquire high blood pressure earlier in life and more often than other ethnicities. Serious complications related to hypertension such as heart attack, kidney failure and stroke are more common in those of African heritage.
    • Family history. High blood pressure has a tendency to be hereditary.
    • Obesity and overweight. The more someone weighs, the more oxygen and nutrients are needed to be transported through the blood to tissues. Increased blood flow increases the pressure on the blood vessel walls throughout the body.
    • Lack of physical activity. People who are more sedentary often have higher heart rates making the heart having to work more with each contraction. Less physical activity also contributes to the risk of being overweight or obese.
    • Smoking and tobacco use. Smoking or chewing tobacco can immediately raise blood pressure temporarily, while the chemicals in tobacco may cause damage to the lining of the artery walls.
    •  High salt (sodium) diet. High sodium in your diet may cause the body to retain fluid, which leads to an increase in blood pressure.
    • Low potassium diet. Potassium helps keep the balance of the amount of sodium in the cells of our body. If there is not enough potassium in our diet, sodium can build up in the blood.
    • Excess alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking can cause damage to the heart. More than one drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men can affect blood pressure.
    • Stress. Stress left unchecked can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Habits related to stress like binge eating, tobacco use and excess alcohol can lead to further increases of blood pressure.
    • Chronic conditions. Certain chronic conditions can also increase risk of high blood pressure. These would include diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea.3

    In recent years, news and media outlets have brought some attention to complementary alternative medicine (CAM) as options to use with or without pharmaceutical approaches to manage high blood pressure. Among these methods would be meditation, tai chi, qigong and its root origin of yoga. A research study conducted in 2015 titled Qigong for Hypertension: A Systematic Review, investigated the use of qigong practices for hypertension. It was widely distributed through various internet outlets such as PubMed, NCBI, Medicine, ResearchGate, Harvard Library and others.

    Qigong has its root origin in yoga. Tai chi and daoyin are types of qigong (or basically yoga) where the body is trained to perform “yoga in motion” where exercises are linked together to form sets of movements.  While all of these methods have quite different names, they all share the same Eastern Indian origins and similar philosophy. All of these types of exercise use mindful breathing with deliberate body positioning. The mind is focused inward on one’s thoughts, breathing and posture. All have elements for mind, body & spiritual (or higher consciousness) development. These practices have been practiced for thousands of years (origins between 5000-1500 BC), and Tai Chi originated in the 12th century. The following is a basic translation of these methods:

    • Qi, chi or gi = air, energy, or breath
    • Gong or kung = work or effort
    • Qigong = energy or breath work
    • Daoyin = guide the qi, stretch the body (sometimes referred to as Taoist yoga)
    • Tai chi, taiji, tai chi chuan = supreme ultimate fist
    • Yoga = to join or unite

    The systematic review of this study was conducted in coherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Only RCTs investigating the effects of qigong on high blood pressure (hypertension) were included. The results from this meta-analysis study suggests that qigong is an effective therapy for hypertension.

    At the time of this study in 2015, China had roughly 5% of its 1.3 billion population practicing qigong on a regular basis. They believe qigong to improve health, prevent illness, and extend life by addressing a wide range of ailments and conditions. These ailments would include hypertension, chronic pain, fatigue, stress, movement disorders, cancer, depression, anxiety, heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immune function and to enhance the overall quality of life (QOL). Qigong here is widely practiced by middle-aged and elderly people, many who cannot engage in moderate-to-vigorous–intensity aerobic exercise. This makes qigong more appropriate for elderly patients, being a gentle alternative to intense physical activities. Static (non-moving) qigong can be practiced which has even lower physical demands.

    The results from this meta-analysis study suggests that qigong is an effective therapy for hypertension. Qigong is better than no intervention but with antihypertensive drugs. However, it was found that qigong was inferior to exercise in lowering high blood pressure. Additionally, qigong used as a supplemental therapy to antihypertensive drugs, can significantly lower hypertension. Qigong could be recommended as a complementary intervention for hypertensive patients.

    If other well-designed RCTs were to offer a high quality of methodology confirming that qigong is beneficial, it could be used as a recommended evidence-based complementary or alternative therapy for the management of high blood pressure on a global scale.

    Due to inferior systematic quality of some of the included studies, further RCTs with strictly designed methods need to be pursued along with long-term follow-up focusing on definitive clinical outcomes are required in order to confirm the results. From here, a higher level of evidence could support qigong as an alternative to regular conventional exercise for elderly patients. In contrast, negative outcomes can challenge the clinical evidence supporting qigong.

    A methodical search for literature was executed from 7 databases, from their respective inceptions up until April of 2014. These databases included PubMed, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang database. Randomized controlled trials were a mixture identifying interventions of qigong as either practice alone (monotherapy) or adjunctive therapy with antihypertensive (high blood pressure lowering) drugs versus no intervention, exercise, or antihypertensive drugs for hypertension.

    The controls included wait-list control, jogging, conventional exercises, no exercise, oryzanol, or antihypertensive drugs. Participants in the treatment group were given the same type and dosage of antihypertensive drugs, and with the same standard that was used for the control group. All studies were parallel-designed and single-centered.

    A total of 2349 patients with hypertension were evaluated. Participants were of any age, gender, and ethnic origin, being clinically diagnosed as hypertensive in any stage, with at least 1 of the current or past guidelines or definitions of hypertension. Of the trials, 18 were held in China and 2 trials were conducted in South Korea. From data presented in the study, participant ages ranged from as young as 21 and as old as 84. The average age appeared to be in the mid 50’s. The data compiled in this study spanned from as early as 1959 up until 2014. The duration of qigong treatments ranged from 8 weeks to 12 months.

    All studies showed qigong as either monotherapy or supplemental therapy to hypertension drugs in the treatment group. Two of the trials had a 3-group study design with 1 trial including jogging, qigong, and antihypertensive drugs groups, while the other trial included qigong plus antihypertensive drugs groups. Practice sessions for that practicing qigong, were usually at least 15 minutes long and sometimes up to 60 minutes. 1-2 practice sessions per day were reported in the data.4

    I find it quite commendable that there was data compiled from over such a long period of time for this study. Qigong is so embedded within Asian culture for thousands of years, where in the United States it is relatively new to our country. I have found as usual with many of these medical studies regarding ancient Eastern methods, the researchers are careful to say that more research and investigation is required. Regardless of the research, these methods have been used for thousands of years by other cultures that look beyond the scientific data and see a strong correlation between the mind, body and spiritual connection affecting health and well-being.

    I feel that qigong is a great method to reduce hypertension, having worked with hundreds of individuals over my 40 years of teaching these methods. Any methods that encourage mindful regulation of one’s breathing patterns, can have a profound positive effect on their autonomic nervous system. Management of the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous system or “rest and digest” response of the parasympathetic nervous system, is directly connected to the body’s autoregulation of the cardiovascular system and consequently high blood pressure.

    References

    1 Langford, A. T., Solid, C. A., Gann, L. C., Rabinowitz, E. P., Williams, S. K., & Seixas, A. A. (2018). Beliefs about the causes of hypertension and associations with pro-health behaviors. Health Psychology37(12), 1092–1101. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/hea0000687

    2 Gabb, G. (2020). What is hypertension? Australian Prescriber43(4), 108–109. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.18773/austprescr.2020.025

    3 High blood pressure (hypertension). (n.d.). Www.Mayoclinic.Org. Retrieved July 18, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410

    4 Xiong, X., Wang, P., Li, X., & Zhang, Y. (2015). Qigong for hypertension: a systematic review. Medicine94(1), e352. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000000352

    ____________________

    I offer instruction, lectures and seminars on qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes kung fu martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/4/Managing-High-Blood-Pressure-Using-Qigong-Practices Sat, 02 Apr 2022 08:15:00 GMT
    Our Breath is the Link to the Mind-Body Connection https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Our-Breath-is-the-Link-to-the-Mind-Body-Connection Our Breath is the Link to the Mind-Body Connection

    Our mental, physical and spiritual health – all comes down to the quality of our breath. Most people see their breath as an involuntary physiological process that they have little or no control over. While it is the first thing our bodies do when we are born and the last action before our physical body dies, there is a whole life of breathing in between. Every emotion affects the breath, just as managing breaths can affect the emotions, yin and yang in all things. Every respiration affects the body chemistry with hormones that are regulated by the “fight or flight” (sympathetic nervous system) and “rest and digest” (parasympathetic nervous system) mechanisms. Spending too much time in one zone or the other affects the balance of the nervous system, which affects organ functions, affecting the quality of life. Life is all about the breath and quality of it.

    “Breath-work” is the new buzzword for mindful management of the breathing mechanism. Actually, breath-work has been practiced for thousands of years in methods from Yoga as Pranayama and its branches of qigong, as practiced through Traditional Chinese Medicine, tai chi and other martial arts.

    Yogis and Buddhist practitioners of pranayama have long understood that our breath is an especially appropriate object of focus for meditation. The usage of the breath over other possible options came about, presumably because respiration offers a readily available object to focus upon. Additionally, specific aspects of respiration can be observed as the breath adjusts in particular ways relative to emotions and attention (Wager & Cox, 2009). There are various types of Yogic breathing techniques of Pranayama, each offering differing benefits and goals. A few types would include long deep breathing, individual/alternating nostril breathing, and fast breathing.

    With managed and regulated breathing practices (such as pranayama, qigong and others), there is evidence that these practices creates air oscillations which can increase nitric oxide (NO) through the rise in exchange of air between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses can then produce larger amounts of nitric oxide which increase oxygen uptake. Nitric oxide aids in nonspecific host defense against infections stemming from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (Trivedi & Saboo, 2021). Nitric oxide was discovered in 1998 by Dr Robert F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro and Ferid Murad for which they were awarded a Nobel prize. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a molecule that is produced in the nose naturally, as well as throughout the human body. NO has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial effects. NO is a very strong vasodilator that causes blood vessels to dilate (widen) while also stimulating the certain hormones to be released, such as human growth hormone and insulin. Nitric oxide is also used as a pharmacological inhalant as well for various other ailments (India, 2020).

    Our breath is the driving force of the spirit. People get caught up on the word “spirit” and often gravitate towards it being religious in its meaning. I understand (and teach) spirit as being ones self-awareness and further, the awareness that we are not our thoughts but rather the observer to our thoughts. Monitoring and observing our breath allows the individual into the window of their thoughts. Often people will say that they are mad, sad, happy or other emotional states. Really, they are none of these things but rather experiencing anger, sadness, happiness, etc. An example would be when we see something disturbing come about and we can take a few slow deep breaths and then consciously engage our thoughts to think, “NO I’m not going to engage in negative thoughts.” Maybe we change up the environment or conversation thereby making it upbeat and positive. We can consciously change are thought patterns.

    The breathwork can be addressed on the physiology level too, to get the conversation away from the religious or metaphysical aspects of being spiritual. In this narrative we can understand that the monitoring and regulating of the breath affects the thoughts which can affect our emotions, which affects the autonomic nervous system and thereby adjusts the blood chemistry and internal organs and their functions, which circles back to affecting our moods and thoughts once again. So really spirit (or self-awareness) can come down to chemistry and how we can use it as a tool to reach our goals, whether of physical, mental or spiritually based.

    References:

    Wager, K., & Cox, S. (2009). Auricular Acupuncture and Addiction. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.

    Trivedi, G. Y., & Saboo, B. (2021). Bhramari Pranayama – A simple lifestyle intervention to reduce heart rate, enhance the lung function and immunity. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 12(3), 562–564. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2021.07.004

    India, D. T. (2020, October 29). Nitric Oxide- the Nobel prize winning molecule, can play . . . Dental Tribune India. https://in.dental-tribune.com/news/nitric-oxide-the-nobel-prize-winning-molecule-can-play-a-critical-role-in-the-covid-19-cure-2/

    _______________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) breathwork chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Our-Breath-is-the-Link-to-the-Mind-Body-Connection Wed, 30 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Chiropractic and Naturopathic Medicine – a basic summary https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Chiropractic-and-Naturopathic-Medicine-a-basic-summary

    Chiropractic and Naturopathic Medicine – a basic summary

    In 1895 Daniel David Palmer founded chiropractic healthcare based primarily on the importance of the physical structure of the human body and its effects on the vascular system. Also, chiropractic was to have emphasis on the manipulation of the spine due to subluxations or misalignments of the vertebrae (Micozzi, 2018). Chiropractors believe that the nervous system’s signals are transmitted through autonomic pathways to the muscles and internal organs. These signals can cause pain throughout the body and consequently should be able to reduce pain by way of spinal manipulation. Chiropractic draws upon other cultures’ ancient “bonesetting” techniques.The allopathic profession was also becoming stronger in the early 1900’s in establishing a monopoly on medical training and licensure. Allopathic practitioners and the American Medical Association began to forcefully oppose the new chiropractic professions well into the 2nd half of the 20th century (Micozzi, 2018). Chiropractic practitioners’ focus has been mostly to treat neuromusculoskeletal issues, including but not limited to pain in the back, neck, and in the joints of the arms or legs. The main philosophies of using drug free methods of manipulation as a means to promote whole body healing has not changed for chiropractors.

    The naturopathy healthcare modality formed in the United States around the early 1900’s, with emphasis on disease prevention and treatment by way of pursuing a healthy lifestyle with the body’s own innate healing abilities. Naturopathic medicine seeks to diagnosis and treat the root cause of the patient as a whole being, rather than treating the pieces and parts of the person (Millstone, 2019).

    Naturopathic doctors may use a variety of therapy methods such as:

    • Management of diet through nutritional supplements and medicinal herbs
    • Acupuncture
    • Physical therapies (heat or cold therapy, ultrasonography, and massage)
    • Hydrotherapy (warm-water or cold-water applications)
    • Mind-body therapies
    • Exercise therapy (Millstone, 2019)

    Naturopathy also follows a Natural Order of Appropriate Therapeutic Intervention, where:

     1. Reestablish the basis for health:

    • Remove obstacles to healing.
    • Establish a healthy environment.
    • Address inborn susceptibility.

     2. Stimulate the healing power of nature.

     3. Tonify and nourish weakened systems.

     4. Correct deficiencies in structural integrity.

     5. Prescribe specific substances and modalities for specific conditions and biochemical pathways (e.g., botanicals, nutrients, acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, counseling).

     6. Prescribe pharmaceutical substances.

     7. Use radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery (Micozzi, 2018).

    Be well!

    References:

    Micozzi, M. S. (2018). Fundamentals of complementary and alternative medicine (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.

    https://www.hoosiernaturopath.org/blog/taking-steps-two-at-a-time

    Diamond, W. John. The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine. CRC Press, 2001

    Millstine By Denise Millstine, Denise. “Naturopathy – Special Subjects.” Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, Feb. 2019, www.merckmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/integrative-complementary-and-alternative-medicine/naturopathy.

    ________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    If you are looking for a reputable chiropractor, contact https://www.holisticwellnessnow.com/

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Chiropractic-and-Naturopathic-Medicine-a-basic-summary Sat, 26 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT Trust is Earned, and Often Lost https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Trust-is-Earned-and-Often-Lost Trust or Faith?

    The American people have lost their trust (based on what can be seen from actions) in our leaders and experts. Many have lost their faith (beliefs that can not be physically seen) in people having a moral compass.

    Dictionary.com defines ‘trust’ as:

    • Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence
    • Confident expectation of something; hope
    • Confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust
    • A person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust
    • The condition of one to whom something has been entrusted

    Dictionary.com defines ‘faith’ as:

    • Confidence or trust in a person or thing
    • Belief that is not based on proof
    • Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
    • A system of religious belief

    I often see the daily news, on TV or in print and other specials on the current health crisis, but very few report why people view things a particular way. For example, why are there a significant number of health care and law enforcement workers refusing to be vaccinated and consequently resigning, retiring early or risk being fired? Reports may say that they have lost trust in government or the medical community, but why is this so? Why are licensed and long-experienced doctors opposing vaccine mandates, risking their livelihoods and reputations? One answer is long-term effects cannot be determined in the short-term.

    If people are to move in a particular direction that affects the health and well-being of themselves and their loved ones, professionals and leaders need to stop doing things that make some people question these actions. If there is no medical data available yet to support long-term effects of the Covid19 virus nor the relative vaccines, let the public know this and not assume the attitude that people will believe experts if no accurate data is available. I think people would prefer to know the truth even if not good or definitive, rather than feel like the goal post keeps being moved back.

    Professionals that have an audience, can start by just putting themselves out there with some transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy regarding these topics at hand. If a physician (Scott Gotlieb) is interviewed as an expert on a particular topic (appearing almost weekly on CBS’s Face the Nation), have them tell their story of being a director for the FDA and now being a board member for Pfizer, instead of people Googling this fact, seeing it maybe as a conflict of interest and then formulating their own conspiracy theory from it. Per the Pfizer investors’ site, Pfizer reported 2021 second quarter revenues of $19.0 billion, and an operational growth of 86%. For those who think that the vaccines were made free to the public, don’t quite understand that Pfizer billed the US government, who then taxes the citizens, who actually paid the $19.0 billion through taxes and loss of other potential investment or purchases.

    It is worth noting that Pfizer is a sponsor for the following news media:

    Good Morning America

    CBS Health Watch

    Anderson Cooper 360

    ABC News Nightline

    Making A Difference

    CNN Tonight

    Early Start

    Erin Burnett Out Front

    ABC’s This Week With George Stephanopoulos

    Good Morning America’s Weather Report

    Today’s Countdown to the Royal Wedding

    CBS Sports Update

    Meet The Press

    CBS This Morning

    60 Minutes

    Pfizer can be seen as possibly influencing the objectivity of these news outlets, as journalists and reporters might not be as likely to be critical of Pfizer when such powerful companies are spending millions of dollars on advertising during these news shows.

    https://www.addictivetips.com/news/who-owns-the-news/

    Similarly, if the FDA is going to report that they took 108 days to review documents for licensing of the Pfizer covid19 vaccine and will honor a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, don’t take 55 years to fully release the information to the group of scientists that made the request. Stop creating the perfect storm of events that will undoubtedly lead to more conspiracy theories and consequently, more of a lack of trust and faith in leaders and experts having a moral compass.

    I think the best way that political leaders as well as medical experts can help, is by performing any actions that can help rebuild the trust towards the medical community. Interviews, documentaries, news articles, mailing, or whatever mode of information distribution is embraced, do so with transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy.

    Our next healthcare crisis is not that far in the future. I would hope that some have a moral compass that would point towards encouraging people to become healthy and maintain their own well-being before another crisis occurs.

    Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    References:

    Elizabeth Warren tells Scott Gottlieb to resign from Pfizer board (usatoday.com) (Links to an external site.)

    Former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb defends decision to join Pfizer board (cnbc.com) (Links to an external site.)

     Wait what? FDA wants 55 years to process FOIA request over vaccine data | Reuters (Links to an external site.)

    Meet the Santa Barbara Doctor Who Refuses to Be Vaccinated – The Santa Barbara Independent (Links to an external site.)

    COVID: Why some doctors and nurses hesitate to get vaccinated | Germany | News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 07.01.2021 (Links to an external site.)

    Many health care workers are refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine – CBS News (Links to an external site.)

    An Infectious Disease Doctor Explains Why Some Of His Colleagues Are Quitting In The Face Of Vaccine Mandates (forbes.com)

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Trust-is-Earned-and-Often-Lost Wed, 23 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Brief summary https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Ayurvedic-and-Traditional-Chinese-Medicine-TCM-Brief-summary Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are probably the two oldest systems of healthcare practiced throughout the world. Ayurveda has its origins in the Hindu religion within India from 5000 years ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine also has origins from thousands of years ago (475–221 BC) but in China. Both systems have been practiced widely throughout the world, with seemingly very little interest in the US when compared to Western allopathic or biomedicine practices. However, TCM has seemed to have gained more popularity in recent years in the US, maybe starting when President Nixon visited China back 1972.

    Ayurveda and TCM philosophies believe that all things alive or not, are interconnected and have relationships on various levels with one another. When these relationships become out of balance disease can occur.

    Ayurveda is based upon the 5 fundamental elements of space, air, fire, water and earth. Both of these systems use this understanding of the elements as a way to diagnose and treat disease and illness. Ayurveda uses the physical and well-being constitutions of vata, piita and kapha. Similarly, TCM has 5 constitutions of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The human life force or breath is expressed as prana in Ayurveda and as qi in TCM. Both prana or qi flow within the body, are a key component in maintaining balance of the elements and an individual’s health in regard to their mind, body and spirit.

    https://acuproacademy.com/ayurveda-versus-chinese-medicine/

    Both systems have components that include herbs, massage, and exercise in order to balance harmony of the mind, body and spirit.

    I have and will continue to use TCM treatments and methods to help treat ailments as well as maintain better health and wellness. Less invasive methods as well as more natural ingredients are my main reasons for pursuing TCM methods. I am not opposed to Ayurveda if I had a condition that could be better treated through those methods.

    Having a strong background in Korean and Chinese martial arts, which are deeply connected with TCM, I have been exposed to an education that has deep roots in thousands of years in Asian culture, science and practical practice. While some people may look at TCM as an alternative or new age approach to maintaining health, I see a time-proven system that has been practiced by probably millions of people over a very long period of time. When studied and researched thoroughly, I find the methods from TCM of acupuncture, cupping, tuina, qigong, auriculotherapy, herbology and others to make logical sense as to why these options are so beneficial. When looked at from a physiological perspective, I have found the following:

    Acupuncture & Auriculotherapy – stimulates the healing response through regulation of the nervous system.

    https://wai-acupuncture.com/

    Cupping – increases blood and lymph circulation in localized areas.

    Tuina – increases blood, lymph circulation and disperses adhesions in the fascia.

    https://wsimag.com/wellness/55240-tuina-chinese-manual-therapy

    Qigong – regulates the autonomic nervous system through deliberate deep breathing patterns, as well as some styles offering flexibility, strengthening and vestibular balance exercises.

    Herbology – helps to manage systemic organ function through naturally occur plants without use of pharmaceuticals.

    Be well!

    References:

    “What is Ayurvedic Medicine?” National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2007). 30 August 2021.

    Diamond, M.D., J. W. (2001). The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine [E-book]. CRC Press.

    ____________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Ayurvedic-and-Traditional-Chinese-Medicine-TCM-Brief-summary Sat, 19 Mar 2022 13:13:00 GMT
    Where the Rubber Hits the Road – Personal Responsibility https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Where-the-Rubber-Hits-the-Road-Personal-Responsibility Personal Responsibility

    We are here…right here where the rubber hits the road.

    When the action really begins, is when you begin the job, when you really get serious.

    So the question I have is, how serious are you folks about doing anything? Likes and smiley faces are nice, but really don’t make us healthier, more fit or more connected.

    None of us really have “extra” time but rather “make” time for what we prioritize in our lives. True is true, either we walk the talk, or we talk the walk.

    Talk is cheap, time is priceless.

    If every person in American spent 5 minutes (or more) every day by exercising, more people could better manage their weight and suffer less from related illnesses.

    If every person in American spent 5 minutes (or more) every day calming their mind by practicing deep breathing exercises, more people would be less stressed and suffer less from related illnesses.

    If every person in American spent every day becoming more conscious of their nutrition habits, more people would be able to maintain their health through the choices they make while eating and drinking, and suffer less from related illnesses.

    If everyone could assume personal responsibility for their own health, our nation would not have to spend as much time, effort, energy and money trying to keep people healthy.

    These concepts seem easy enough, but in reality, most people lack the desire or self-discipline to take the effort and do what it takes to stay healthy, prevent illness or cure their own ailments. Self-discipline is one of five steps known to help achieve better mental and physical wellness.

    1) Respect – This is where values begin. You must understand and have respect for yourself (self-respect) before you can demonstrate it to others. Taking the steps to take care of your physical and mental well-being effects you first and then those closest to you second.

    2) Discipline – Developing control of one’s own desires, commitments, and ultimately your own actions, leads to self-discipline. Control of physical exercises can lead to management of thought and emotion.

    3) Self-Esteem – As you review your achievements of respect and discipline, your sense of worth is elevated and appreciated.

    4) Confidence – Understanding and accepting your weak areas as well as your stronger aspects removes insecurity. When you feel that you are physically well and mentally sharp, confidence can fill your personality. You can accomplish whatever goal you set out to achieve.

    5) Determination to Achieve Goals – The positive sum of the previous aspects leads to one’s determination. Good judgment and focused effort toward positive goals result in true personal success.

    Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga all are methods to achieve these traits.

    It doesn’t matter so much that you do these exercises, as much as it matters that you do some type of exercise.  Walk, jog, swim or whatever – just get going and do something.  5 minutes here and there can quickly turn into 15 or 30 minutes at one time or over the course of a day.  Once you are moving or mentally engaged, it is much easier to stay motivated and try a few more exercises for a few more minutes.

    Be well, become healthier, be wise.

    Various Exercise Methods.jpg

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure baguazhang chi kung chronic pain core training dao yi dao yin diabetes fitness health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong reflexology senior classes stress relief tai chi weight bearing exercises winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness zen yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Where-the-Rubber-Hits-the-Road-Personal-Responsibility Wed, 16 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Intro to Transcendental Meditation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Intro-to-Transcendental-Meditation The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917-2008) is known to have founded Transcendental Meditation or simply TM, inspired from his teacher and guru Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (who died 1953), and drawing upon the ancient Indian traditions of Vedic. He introduced the technique to the United States in the 1960s, where the British rock band the Beatles and other celebrities embraced the teachings adding to its popularity.

    Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

    Transcendental Meditation is a meditation method that attempts to avoid distracting thoughts while promoting a state of relaxed awareness. Somewhat different from other types of meditation methods, TM teaches practitioners to stay focused on a mantra which is a specific phrase. The mantra is then repeated internally within one’s inner dialogue of their thoughts.  Transcendental Meditation came to be taught and practiced as a non-spiritual nor religious path toward mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

    The goal when meditating, is to “transcend” the regular thought process. It is replaced by a state of pure consciousness. In this state, the practitioner seeks to achieve perfect stillness, rest, order, stability, completely without of mental boundaries. This state of being is thought to lead to increased contentment, creativity and vitality.

    From a physiological perspective, Transcendental Meditation can relax and revitalize the body and the mind by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system where stress and anxiety are reduced, blood pressure (hypertension) decreases, and changing the blood chemistry to help relieve depression.

    A typical TM practice session might follow this progression:

    • Sit in a comfortable chair keeping the feet on the ground and hands in your lap. Legs and arms are uncrossed.
      • Eyes are closed while taking a few deep breaths in order to relax the body.
      • Repeat a mantra in your mind.
      • When you recognize you’re having a thought, return to the mantra.
      • After about 20 minutes, begin to move the fingers and toes, easing yourself back to the world.
      • Open your eyes.
      • Sit and relax for a few more minutes until ready to continue with your day.

    References:

    https://themindfool.com/transcendental-meditation-and-its-various-benefits/

    Edlin, G. PhD, Golanty, E. Phd (2020), Health & Wellness, 13th edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning

    https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/transcendental-meditation-benefits-technique

    How to Practice Transcendental Meditation – DOPE YOGI

    __________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Intro-to-Transcendental-Meditation Sun, 13 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Short Podcast Interview on Tai Chi & Qigong https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Short-Podcast-Interview-on-Tai-Chi-Qigong Listen to my short podcast interview regarding mind & body exercises such as tai chi and its parents of qigong and ultimately yoga and Ayurveda.

    https://tunein.com/search/?query=jim%20moltzan

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional qigong stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Short-Podcast-Interview-on-Tai-Chi-Qigong Thu, 10 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Music & Sound Can Affect Health https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Music-Sound-Can-Affect-Health

    Mantras when practiced with transcendental meditation are repeated in our inner dialogue, but can be practiced with or without background music or sounds. I have some information that a few musically inclined qigong friends and I wrote about in a book we co-authored a few years ago. Whether it is singing bowls, drumming, chanting, or other musical instruments and sounds, it is basically the same concepts. 

    Masaru Emoto, in his book The Hidden Messages in Water, showed that music has a direct effect on water. By playing a certain piece of music, and then looking at water molecules under a high-powered microscope, he saw that when soothing music was played, the water organized itself with symmetry and beautiful designs. When turbid music was played, such as heavy metal, the water looked putrid and disorganized.  The human body is 60 to 80 percent water.  Music, whether positive or negative, has a profound effect on us. It can focus us, or it can distract us, it can make us happy or sad, bringing out a wide range of emotions.

    Children exposed to music develop better listening skills. They do better in subjects such as math, language, and reading. Music also helps the brain’s plasticity and capacity to change and grow.
     
    Studies have shown that when people have listened to music labeled “happy”, their creativity went up, and when your favorite song comes on unexpectedly, you get a small boost of dopamine. Numerous studies have also shown music can help with anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD, PTSD, and schizophrenia.

    Music is uniquely human. Animals, with the occasional exception of some birds, can’t process music or feel rhythm in the same way that humans can. Studies have shown that when an animal is dancing to music, they are imitating the owner and not moving to the beat. Historically, music has played an important role in every culture. 

    Nearly 40,000 years ago, early humans used carved bones with animal skins over tree stumps to make basic instruments. Bone flutes have also been discovered and dated back to 40,000 to 80,000 years ago. Even the early Torah was set to music so people could remember it before they would write it down. People have always used music to remember things.

    I have learned also that for thousands of years, chanting as a form of music has been used as a vehicle to create a deeper spiritual connection. The sound of OM, is said to be the universal sound that contains all other sounds. A study revealed that chanting the word OM triggered the area of the brain that is associated with calmness and a sense of inner peace. The syllable OM was found to trigger that more than any other syllable.

    Om Mani Padme Hum
    It has been said over the centuries that all of the teachings of the Buddha are contained in the simple mantra of Om Mani Padme Hum. This can be roughly translated as “The jewel of the lotus.” Below is a hidden 5 element meaning of the mantra, from the album “The 5 Elements of Om Mani Padme Hum”

    Om: Wood element: rising, spring time, sprouting upwards. The color is green. 

    Ma: Fire element: rising and dispersing. Picture flames flickering and dancing. The color is red. 

    Ni: Earth element: centered and sweet. It does not rise or fall much, always returning to the center. The colors are yellow and gold. 

    Pad: Qi: sometimes referred to as the 6th energy. Similar to fire, this energy dances both upward and downward. The color is purple.

    Me: Metal element: splitting and falling. The season is autumn, and there is grief in the metal element. The colors are white and silver. 

    Hum: Water element: flowing, building up and dispersing. The season is winter. The colors are blue and black. 

    Reference:

    Leone M., Campbell J., Moltzan J., (2019), Journey Around the Sun

    ___________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Music-Sound-Can-Affect-Health Sun, 06 Mar 2022 08:32:37 GMT
    Conspiracy Mentality – huh, what is this? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Conspiracy-Mentality-huh-what-is-this Conspiracy mentality is a generalized belief that secret and powerful forces aspire to control or rule the world. A lack of control has been identified as one of the driving forces of conspiracy beliefs. When people fear a lack of control in their lives, they compensate for this deficiency by seeking patterns, even if these patterns are based on illusion. Events of a large magnitude warrant an explanation of comparable proportions. Studies conducted in both the USA and the UK showed the belief that Covid19 is a hoax or a stronger belief that the virus originated in a medical laboratory (Imhoff & Lamberty 2020).

    A Neuroscientist Explains What Conspiracy Theories Do To Your Brain Video | Technology Networks

    Conspiracy theories are not supported by sound evidence but rather are based on various thinking patterns that are known to be unreliable tools for tracking reality. True conspiracies are revealed through available evidence of actual and verifiable events, along with a healthy dose of skepticism. People might look to a particular conspiracy of scientists to explain a general scientific conclusion when it aligns with their political ideology, but not when the scientific consensus has no relevance to their own politics (Lewandowsky & Cook 2020).

    Not all conspiracies are false theories, as many were actually true such as the US government poisoning alcohol during Prohibition, to discourage people from drinking booze, the CIA testing behavior modification using LSD and other hallucinogenic drugs on Americans in a top-secret experiment, and the Gulf of Tonkin incident of 1964, which was faked to encourage American support for the Vietnam War (Cahn 2021). Another proven conspiracy is The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, which speaks volumes of how America’s medical culture has used race as a way to wield power for its own personal gain (Lombardo, 2006). The list continues with “Operation Berkshire”: the international tobacco companies’ conspiracy, where the industry’s commercial interests were protected by both promoting controversy over smoking and disease and through strategies directed at reassuring smokers (Francey & Chapman 2000).

    Or when the AMA got caught conspiring to “contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession. As reported in Marc Micozzi’s Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine: A staunchly antichiropractic policy was pursued by the American Medical Association (AMA). In 1990 the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling in which the AMA was found liable for federal antitrust violations for having engaged in a conspiracy to “contain and eliminate” (the AMA’s own words) the chiropractic profession (Wilk v. AMA, 1990). The process that culminated in this landmark decision began in 1974 when a large packet of confidential AMA documents was provided anonymously to leaders of the American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association. As a result of the ensuing Wilk v. AMA litigation, the AMA reversed its long-standing ban on interprofessional cooperation between medical doctors and chiropractors, agreed to publish the full findings of the court in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and paid an undisclosed sum, most of which was earmarked for chiropractic research. This ruling has not completely reversed the effects of organized medicine’s boycott, especially when it comes to application of the most effective and cost-effective treatments for common pain conditions.

    Conspiracy mentality is interconnected to a feeling of lack of control to a perceived threat. When people feel more in control of their environment and decisions within it, they are more able to tolerate the seemingly constant ebb and flow of conspiracy theories. If people are educated to be aware of unsound reasoning found in most conspiracy theories, they have a better chance of not being influenced by such theories. When people are educated or prebunked, prior to their knowledge of a particular conspiracy, they can develop a resilience or awareness of the conspiratorial messages. Prebunking, also known as inoculation, consists of an explicit warning of an impending threat of being misled, and an objection to the misinformation’s arguments (Lewandowsky & Cook 2020). 

    Logic-based facts can help to explain misleading methods in unsound reasoning used in conspiracy theories. Educating skeptics about the logical misconceptions found in anti-vaccination conspiracies has been found to be effective by drawing attention to vaccination research that has been conducted by independent, publicly funded scientists who can discredit conspiracy theories about the pharmaceutical industry. Fact-based information can support that the conspiracy theory is false by communicating accurate data. Fact-based and logic-based inoculations have both been successful in prebunking other conspiracies such as some of those surrounding the terrorist attacks of 9/11 (Lewandowsky & Cook 2020). 

    References:

    Imhoff, R. & Lamberty, P. (2020). A bioweapon or a hoax? The link between distinct conspiracy beliefs about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and pandemic behavior. Social Psychological and Personality Science.

    Lewandowsky, S., & Cook, J. (2020). The Conspiracy Theory Handbook. http://sks.to/conspiracy (Links to an external site.) 

    Cahn, L. (2021, July 26). 12 Conspiracy Theories That Actually Turned Out to Be True. Reader’s Digest. https://www.rd.com/list/conspiracy-theories-that-turned-out-to-be-true/

    Micozzi, Marc S.. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (p. 537). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition

    Lombardo, P. A., & Dorr, G. M. (2006). Eugenics, Medical Education, and the Public Health Service: Another Perspective on the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 291-316.

    Francey, N., & Chapman, S. (2000). “Operation Berkshire”: the international tobacco companies’ conspiracy. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 321(7257), 371–374. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7257.371

    _________________

    I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care human behavior martial arts center for health obesity parkinsons disease stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/3/Conspiracy-Mentality-huh-what-is-this Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:41:55 GMT
    Good Health and Well-being Doesn’t Just Happen https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Good-Health-and-Well-being-Doesn-t-Just-Happen Good health and well-being doesn’t just happen. Rather being mindful of your lifestyle choices of diet, exercise/activity and attitudes towards your life in general. These are the key factors in our culture today that have led the US to an epidemic of overweight and obese people. This has led to even bigger crises that can be easily seen over the last 2 years.

    The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults was 42.4% in 2017–2018. The prevalence was 40.0% among younger adults aged 20–39, 44.8% among middle-aged adults aged 40–59, and 42.8% among older adults aged 60 and over. There were no significant differences in prevalence by age group. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db360-h.pdf

    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db360-h.pdf

    From the Mayo Clinic:

    Obesity represents a risk factor for higher severity and worse prognosis in patients with COVID-19 infection. Likewise, obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation and its effects on the immune system play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, it also results in metabolic dysfunction, which may lead to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, CVD, MetS/T2DM, and HTN. Older age also represents a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19 infection. Clearly, prevention of obesity in the first place and especially its progression to more severe forms is desperately needed throughout the health care system and society. These efforts are also needed to help improve prognosis in the next pandemic, as well as for primary and secondary prevention of CVD and diabetes mellitus. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians should recognize that the obese, and more so the more severely obese, are at higher risk for clinical deterioration with COVID-19. As such, these patients need to be carefully monitored and treated more aggressively to reduce morbidity and mortality.

    https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/…/S0025…/fulltext

    Be well, Become healthy, be wise.

    Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less – these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.

    I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Good-Health-and-Well-being-Doesn-t-Just-Happen Sat, 26 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Practice a Body Scan Meditation https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Practice-a-Body-Scan-Meditation Top 10 Benefits of Meditation:

    • Reduced Stress.
    • Emotional Balance.
    • Increased Focus.
    • Reduced Pain.
    • Reduced Anxiety.
    • Increased Creativity.
    • Reduced Depression.
    • Increased Memory

    Carve out time in your schedule to practice a 15-minute body scan meditation practice. You will thank yourself afterwards. Set an alarm for 15 minutes or longer if you care to. As the wise old saying states “if you don’t have time to meditate for an hour everyday, you should meditate for two hours”. We can make time to do the things we prioritize if we care to do so.

    Lay flat on a couch or flat comfortable surface allowing yourself to go through a progression from physical awareness to mental realization, and then to an emotional release to become present in the moment. Become aware of your body becoming a bit heavier as you put your focus into your body instead of everything outside of your physical being. From here focus on your breathing becoming deeper and longer with pauses between each inhale and exhale.

    Start at your head and work your way towards your feet. This allows you to release muscular tension as you move downwards ending in your toes and then out and away from your body. Become aware of the tension in your eyelids, eyebrows, jaw, and lips allowing you to relax these same areas by first tensing and then releasing the muscles.

    Feel the tension in your upper back, and move your neck and shoulders a little side to side, and up and down to feel the contrast between tension and relaxation of these areas. Stressful emotions of anxiety or frustration develop in your neck and shoulders. Once you direct your focus on these muscle areas, you may be able to engage them with your thoughts to relax them and the surrounding muscle areas.

    Work your way down through your torso, letting your skin and muscles hang and sink into the couch beneath you. Your hip bones (pelvis) sink into your glutes. Once you are comfortable with the physical awareness of your body, move on to becoming aware of your senses and what is occurring in your immediate environment. Your fingertips and toe tips may tingle when you focus more so on your breathing, all while relaxing of muscular tension throughout your whole body.

    When your alarm goes off, open your eyes slowly and re-enter into seeing what is around you. The rest of your body may be more relaxed and comfortable, while feeling calm and refreshed thereafter. The room may appear slightly brighter and sharper. You usually will feel better during and after these practices. Sensations of feeling more refreshed, more calm, more aware, and even more energetic after each session. This session allowed you to “reset” your tension in your body, while releasing mental stress. When your body is relaxed, your emotions become neutral or calm once again.

    These practice sessions may become priceless for some people. With these methods, you can have control over your well-being on the levels of physical (body), mental (mind) and emotional (self-awareness). Often, I see people who are constantly seeking the goals of achieving pleasure, peacefulness, joy, love, compassion, ecstasy, and bliss but not being aware that we ourselves are in control of gaining and maintaining these aspects of our lives.

    https://hackspirit.com/25-surprising-meditation-statistics-everyone-needs-to-know/

    ________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Practice-a-Body-Scan-Meditation Wed, 23 Feb 2022 06:55:43 GMT
    Herbs as Botanical Medicine https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Herbs-as-Botanical-Medicine

    Herbs have been used for thousands of years worldwide, as the main source of primary medicine. While it is easy to debate the usage and effectiveness of herbal medicine today, it is worth noting that 75-80% of the world population still relies upon herbs to stay healthy. Herbal remedies are still thought to have little or no side effects, while being relatively inexpensive and available throughout many developing nations.

    25% of modern medicines are derived from medicinal plants. However, prescription drugs have caused many deaths in the US averaging about 1900 per week. Foods, herbs, and spices are often considered to be safe until proven otherwise, coming from many years of human consumption, and not necessarily having been scientifically proven to be safe.

    An area of concern that can be reflected in today’s world culture is that science can be used to distort facts and sometime sway a viewpoint on a particular issue. Pharmaceutical companies as well as herbal medicine companies have pursued research that favors their product, while not necessarily getting a neutral or even factual report of the product in question. For me, this makes doing my own in-depth research on any food, pharmaceutical or herb even more important. I don’t feel that today, we can take benefits or side-effects of any consumable at mere face value and assume that it must be good for us because somebody says so.

    Supplements should not and cannot take the place of eating a balanced high-quality diet. Supplements, whether vitamins, herbs or otherwise should not be used as a replacement for eating foods that have the nutritional requirement to maintain good health.

    Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    References:

    Horne, S.2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv9oXPZHBl4

    http://stevenhorne.com/credential-program

    http://schoolofmodernherbalmedicine.com/users/steven-horne-1.html?page=1

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology stress relief winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Herbs-as-Botanical-Medicine Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:33:13 GMT
    History of Modern Medicine’s Monopoly in US Healthcare https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/History-of-Modern-Medicine-s-Monopoly-in-US-Healthcare Modern medicine, also referred to as Western, allopathic or biomedicine, has roots in the US starting in the late 1800’s. Many people are not as familiar with naturopathy, osteopathy, homeopathy and chiropractic as these practices were basically discredited by the American Medical Association (AMA) as legitimate healthcare modalities in the earlier years of the 20th century. This was proven in court, that the AMA systematically sought to destroy healthcare competition, rather than be concerned with safety or efficacy of alternative medical options. Many beneficial treatments have come from modern medicine, especially for trauma injuries and illness. However, many other methods, proven safe and effective for over hundreds or thousands of years with empirical evidence, have been suppressed or classified as unscientific or quackery. Do your own research for your own health and well-being. Become informed and more knowledgeable.

    https://fee.org/articles/the-medical-cartel-is-keeping-health-care-costs-high/

    The following excerpt is from Marc Micozzi’s Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine:

    In 1847, partially in response to the acceptance and success of homeopathy, and after prior attempts, a group of regular physicians founded an organization to serve as the unifying body for orthodox medical practitioners. The American Medical Association (AMA), initially under Nathaniel Chapman, was founded in Philadelphia. Physicians who belonged to the AMA considered themselves regular practitioners and adhered to therapeutics termed heroic medicine (Rutkow and Rutkow, 2004). Their invasive treatments distinguished these regular doctors to their patients. They often consisted of bleeding and blistering in addition to administering harsh concoctions to induce vomiting and purging. These treatments at the time were considered state of the art.

    The justification behind such harsh treatments was a commitment to a scientific materialist medical theory, actually moving away from empirically based, “rational” medicine. Regular doctors did not share belief in the concept of the healing power of nature (the vis medicatrix naturae), and felt that a physician’s duty was to provide active, “heroic” intervention. Despite this attitude, patients recovered notwithstanding their treatments. This reality had the ironic effect of encouraging both regular doctors’ belief in heroic treatments and natural doctors’ belief in the inborn capacity for self-healing, despite the further injuries caused by many regular treatments. Much like physicians today are pressured to provide an active treatment that may sometimes be unnecessary (such as prescribing an antibiotic for a viral infection), regular doctors of the 1800s also felt pressure to give the heroic treatments for which they were known. James Whorton (2002) wrotes, “it was only natural for MDs to close ranks and cling more tightly to that tradition as a badge of professional identity, making depletive therapy the core of their self-image as medical orthodoxy.”

    Although the AMA initially held no legal authority (like the multiplying medical subspecialty practice associations of today), it began a major push during the second half of the nineteenth century to create legislation and standards of medical education and competency. This process culminated in 1910 with the publication of Medical Education in the United States and Canada, compiled by Abraham Flexner also known as the Flexner Report. It has been described as “a bombshell that rattled medical and political forces throughout the country” (Petrina, 2008). It criticized the medical education of its era as a loose and poorly structured apprenticeship system that generally lacked any defined standards or goals beyond commercialism (Ober, 1997). In some of his specific accounts, Flexner described medical institutions as “utterly wretched … without a redeeming feature” and as “a hopeless affair” (Whorton, 2002). Many regular medical institutions were rated poorly, and most of the irregular “alternative” schools fared the worst. After this report, nearly half of the medical schools in the country closed, and by 1930 the remaining schools had 4-year programs of rigorous “scientific medicine.”

    Following the Flexner Report, a tremendous restructuring of medical education and practice occurred. The remaining medical schools experienced enormous growth: in 1910 a leading school might have had a budget of $ 100,000; by 1965 it was $ 20 million, and by 1990 it would have been $ 200 million or more (Ludmerer, 1999). Faculty were now called on to engage in original research, and students not only studied a curriculum with a heavy emphasis on science, but also engaged in active learning by participating in real clinical work with responsibility for patients. Hospitals became the locus for clinical instruction. As scientific discovery began to accelerate, these higher educational standards helped to bridge the gap between what was known and what was put into practice. More stringent licensing and independent testing provided a greater degree of confidence in the competence of the nation’s doctors. During this same time period, the suppression and decline of alternative schools of health care occurred, as both public and political pressure increased.

    The 1910 Flexner Report, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, compared all American medical schools against a standard represented by the new Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, which had been founded in 1888. Criticism was so devastating that about three-quarters of American medical schools closed, including many osteopathic medical schools.

    Bernarr Macfadden, founded the “physical culture” school of health and healing, also known as physcultopathy. This school of healing gave birth across the United States to gymnasiums where exercise programs were designed and taught to allow individual men and women to establish and maintain optimal physical health. Although so strongly based on common sense and observation, many theories exist to explain the rapid dissolution of these diverse healing arts. The practitioners at one time made up more than 25% of all U.S. health care practitioners in the early part of the twentieth century. Low ratings in the infamous Flexner Report (which ranked all these schools of medical thought among the lowest), allopathic medicine’s anointing of itself with the blessing “scientific,” and the growing political sophistication of the AMA clearly played significant roles. Of course, the acceptance of the germ theory of disease and development of effective antibiotics for the first time provided a strong rationale for the new, “scientific,” regular medicine.

    References:

    Micozzi, Marc S.. Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine – E-Book (p. 644). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

    https://fee.org/articles/the-medical-cartel-is-keeping-health-care-costs-high/

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care obesity parkinsons disease stress management us healthcare (sickcare) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/History-of-Modern-Medicine-s-Monopoly-in-US-Healthcare Wed, 16 Feb 2022 09:23:08 GMT
    Tobacco, Cigarettes & Vaping Use – Yes, this still is deadly! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Tobacco-Cigarettes-Vaping-Use-Yes-this-still-is-deadly It boggles my mind that the FDA recently authorized e-cigarettes for US consumption, as they see vaping products as a benefit to adult smokers.  The US vape market was valued at $6.09 billion in 2020. It is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 27.3% from 2021 to 2028. I often see the Wall Street Journal (I am a subscriber) report on the health concerns regarding vaping, and then sell full page advertisements to tobacco companies who have scientists give their expert comments on the benefits of vape products over smoking tobacco. “Follow the science” right, but whose science are they paying to promote? 

    General information on what is in e-cigarette aerosol.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_of_electronic_cigarette_aerosol
    Cigarette Ingredients

    It is a known fact, that there are many carcinogens that are added to tobacco products to make them even more deadly. When some of these ingredients are burned, they form even more deadly chemicals. find it disgusting that government organizations (FDA) even allow these products to be available. Here is a list of some of the harmful added chemicals and their common usage:

        Acetone—found in nail polish remover
        Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye
        Ammonia—a common household cleaner
        Arsenic—used in rat poison
        Benzene—found in rubber cement and gasoline
        Butane—used in lighter fluid
        Cadmium—active component in battery acid
        Carbon monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes
        Formaldehyde—embalming fluid
        Hexamine—found in barbecue lighter fluid
        Lead—used in batteries
        Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs
        Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel
        Nicotine—used as an insecticide
        Tar—material for paving roads
        Toluene—used to manufacture paint

    I find it quite difficult to have trust in any part of our government that claims to be concerned about the health and well-being of its people when they let this industry thrive and profit.

    Some could debate that smoking is a personal choice that only affects the user, but scientific data has proven for decades that second-hand smoke affects the health of others in the direct vicinity of tobacco smokers. This is not the same as someone who abuses alcohol or chooses to eat poorly and affect only themselves regardless of who they are standing next to.

    When Doctors, and Even Santa, Endorsed Tobacco - The New York Times

    The tobacco industry is probably the only industry which the FDA willfully allows (but not approves of) to operate in spite of the scientific studies that prove the harmful effects to humans. So, while the FDA is basically in place to protect the American population against substances that endanger the health and wellbeing of humans, they continue to pander to this deadly industry. I think that the tobacco industry has been allowed to operate and profit enormously from their efforts to keep people addicted to their products. NPR even reported that tobacco companies conspired (yes, a real conspiracy theory) to add more nicotine to their products to keep users addicted to their usage.

    I feel strongly that the general population should not pay for healthcare costs associated with 1st hand smokers, as this lifestyle choice offers no positive health results but rather leads to a slow and predictable path of disease and illness from its habitual use. a close family member smoked daily up until he was about 65, and only stopped once his health failed so terribly that his doctors at the hospital would not let him leave without 1st performing surgery for a long shopping list of ailments. He acquired from smoking tobacco, spots on his lungs, emphysema, arterial sclerosis, and almost totally blocked carotid arteries. His addiction affected my whole family, almost setting our house on fire numerous times having fallen asleep while smoking. He went on to live 10 more years however, with a continuous downward quality of life due to the effects of his lifelong addiction to tobacco.

    References:

    https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htmLinks to an external site.

    The Facts on the FDA’s New Tobacco Rule | FDALinks to an external site.

    PolitiFact | No, the FDA hasn’t approved cigarettes, or any tobacco productLinks to an external site.

    https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/11/27/566014966/in-ads-tobacco-companies-admit-they-made-cigarettes-more-addictive

    https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/whats-in-a-cigarette

    https://www.npr.org/2021/10/12/1045408023/fda-e-cigarettesLinks to an external site.

    https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-e-cigarette-vape-marketLinks to an external site.

    https://www.medicaldaily.com/what-cigarette-chemicals-and-ingredient-list-confirm-how-dangerous-smoking-really-279718

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Tobacco-Cigarettes-Vaping-Use-Yes-this-still-is-deadly Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:50:58 GMT
    Humans Have Become Disconnected From Nature https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Humans-Have-Become-Disconnected-From-Nature Humans having gradually been losing their connection with nature. It did not happen overnight, but maybe most apparently over the last century. Many now believe that synthetic is better than organic as a rule, rather than the exception. The most scientifically, industrialized, modernized aware specie on the earth – while being the unhealthiest specie as a whole. And here we are.

    My understanding is that if we do not learn to exist in harmony within nature, we will eventually be consumed by nature. As humans, we are part of nature so we cannot separate ourselves from nature and really the universe, without suffering some type of consequence. Cause and effect, yin and yang – it is all the same; everything is interconnected on many levels.

    I feel there has been a big disconnect over the last 100 years in that with the advancement of Western allopathic medicine and its many benefits, we have been taught that many of nature’s cures and remedies are quackery or limited in their benefits to our modern society. How far have we been distracted to believe that pills and pharmaceuticals are the only way to treat illness and disease? Many people can, and do manage stress, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, headaches, allergies and maybe an endless list of other ailments that can be improved through proper diet of chemical-free foods and herbs, consistent exercise (natural movement) and management of thoughts and emotions (an understanding of where humans fit into nature). Nature is indeed medicine, as food tends to be either medicine or poison, especially becoming more evident as we age.

    Many parents have helped to encourage generations of children who prefer sitting in front of the TV, computer or smartphone screens in place of physical outdoor nature related activities. Children playing and exploring in nature, has become mostly a thing of the past as these same children have grown to be adults with no connection to the nature and wildlife existing in their own backyards.

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Look at some of the bigger US cities that have been covered in concrete and metal. Much of the grass and trees have been removed to make way for buildings and development. Some cities like Chicago, New York City, Boston, Miami and others have relatively small parks to help those in need of some “green space” to have an access point to some plant life. Some buildings have gardens or plant life on their roofs, but really these are not grounded to the actual earth below. Other cities like Atlanta and Dallas have made great strides in increasing their public parks and green spaces.

    Another example, however more controversial is the overall health of the human race today. Food producers have been able to provide more food to more people although there are still many starving nations. With advancements in chemicals used to make food look better, last longer and seem tastier, we now ingest these same chemicals which have been proven to cause many other health issues. Americans often have access to many food options, but seem to favor cheaper processed foods over the more expensive organic or supposedly chemical-free foods. Then when people develop illnesses from the poor quality food, they turn to more chemicals through pharmaceuticals to fix the ailments caused by the chemicals in the food. More chemicals in the human body makes the individual more dependent upon modern chemistry rather than using nature’s gift of fruits, vegetables and herbs that have been known to improve many ailments.

    I feel more connected to nature because I choose to be and can make plans and adjustments to be in nature. However, I know that I can be more in nature and that is where the struggle can exist for me.  For me, nature is not just a place in the woods or in the mountains. Nor is it a place in a movie, book or a picture although these modes can put my thoughts of a place in nature in my mind. So where I don’t always have the trees, streams and wildlife right in front of me, I do carry the awareness without them to realize that I do have my connection to nature (and the universe) regardless of if I am in the forest or in a concrete building. This awareness is what gets me out of the building to begin with. We exist within nature as much as nature exists within us. Yin and yang in all things. I try to connect daily with nature if not through actually physically being within the woods, mountains or oceans but through my meditations and awareness of nature.

    I think that if someone opens up their mind to understand that we are all interconnected with nature, the universe and each other, nature will present itself in  ways and experiences that most people would consider to be far outside of what most to believe as “normal”. I am also a professional photographer, who has had many occasions where I sat and waited for a particular image to develop in my mind and then sometimes minutes later in reality. I have waited for the sky to clear and then present beautiful rainbows. I was at a cemetery once searching for my relatives gravesite, when a sun shower started  exactly when I looked down to see the tombstone I was looking for. I was hiking with my wife in Zion, and while we seeked cover on the trail from harsh rain, a boulder came crashing down on the trail where we had been standing moments earlier. I think that if you try to make these types of experiences happen, they probably will not. However, if you can enter into a perspective that all and everything is interconnected on various levels, things will present themselves to us for whatever reason, lesson or thing is to be gained from such events.

    Be well!

    References:

    Robbins, J., Pearce, F., Fleming, P., & Katz, C. (2020, January 9). Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-healthLinks to an external site.

    Scull, J. (2017, April 30). The separation from more-than-human nature. ICE. https://www.ecopsychology.org/the-separation-from-more-than-human-nature/Links to an external site.

    https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/multimedia/infographics/getmoving.htmlLinks to an external site.

    https://www.geotab.com/urban-footprint/Links to an external site.

    https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/01/17/509520895/food-as-medicine-it-s-not-just-a-fringe-idea-anymoreLinks to an external site.

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/2/Humans-Have-Become-Disconnected-From-Nature Thu, 03 Feb 2022 05:53:00 GMT
    Physical Activity Effects on COVID-19 https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Physical-Activity-Effects-on-COVID-19 A root concept of healthcare for literally thousands of years, but apparently dismissed for the last 2 years:

    PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HELPS TO PREVENT DISEASE AND ILLNESS

    Become a researcher of health and wellness for your own benefit. Click on any of the following medical studies, to understand and then perhaps follow the science as to why physical activity & exercise are even more important today than maybe any other time before.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7361852/

    https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/michigan-psychiatry-resources-covid-19/your-lifestyle/importance-physical-activity-exercise-during-covid-19-pandemic

    https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/19/1099

    References:

    Diamond, R., & Waite, F. (2021). Physical activity in a pandemic: A new treatment target for psychological therapy. Psychology and psychotherapy, 94(2), 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12294

    https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/michigan-psychiatry-resources-covid-19/your-lifestyle/importance-physical-activity-exercise-during-covid-19-pandemic

    Sallis R, Young DR, Tartof SY, et al Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study in 48 440 adult patients British Journal of Sports Medicine 2021;55:1099-1105.

    Pitanga, Francisco & Beck, Carmem & Pitanga, Cristiano. (2021). The Big Mistake of not Considering Physical Activity an Essential Element of Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 34. 10.36660/ijcs.20200274.


    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    Jim
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    cropped-header-image2.jpg

    I started my martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. I have been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.

    As a recognized master instructor, I have trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. My specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, I have also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. I offer regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.

    I am the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.

    I continue training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as my schedule allows. I balance my teaching and businesses with my own personal cultivation and time spent with my wife and two college-age kids.

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain core training fitness health care parkinsons disease qigong self reflection senior classes stress relief stroke treatment tai chi us healthcare (sickcare) winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Physical-Activity-Effects-on-COVID-19 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Therapeutic Benefits of Singing Bowls https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Therapeutic-Benefits-of-Singing-Bowls Therapeutic Benefits of Singing Bowls

    Illness and diseases such as addiction, mental health issues, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues have all been linked to stress and tension. Meditation and mindfulness-based methods of relaxation, have shown potential in bringing about the relaxation response, helping reduce anxiety and enhance well-being. The relaxation response is the term used for the body’s physiological response to relieving stress, where respiration and blood pressure is lowered to counter the “fight or flight” response, thereby activating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system (Goldsby, et al 2017).

    Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls and other ancient instruments used for religious and spiritual ceremonies have been in practice for a very long time. Use goes back thousands of years, with origins in China and Mongolia. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries used the bowls in this manner to keep time or to signal the end of a meditation (Pikörn 2021). Cultures including native peoples, throughout the world have been using sound for healing for thousands of years. The didgeridoo is an instrument used by Australian aboriginal tribes for over 40,000 years, as a sound healing instrument. (Goldsby, et al 2017).

    Contemporary music therapy has been known to benefit suffers of various health conditions, including mental illness and pain. Meditation has long been known to also offer improved health and well-being with modern studies indicating that meditation is effective in managing many ailments. such as anxiety, depression, and pain issues (Stanhope & Weinstein (2020). How singing bowls produce health benefits is ambiguous. While sound bowls can help some people to relax and feel better, more research needs to be done to show how they may be able to target the same regions of the mind that meditation does (Pikörn 2021).


    A singing bowl or standing bell, are mostly crystal or metal alloy bowls where, by rubbing a mallet around the bowl’s outer rim and edges produce sounds. Singing bowls and sometimes gongs, surround the user with tones that offer the goal of relaxation by decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression. These sounds offer an escape from the everyday incessant inner dialogue or chatter of thoughts within one’s mind. Singing bowl techniques can be very mind engaging, similarly to meditation practices and yoga, and are often practiced in tandem (Pikörn 2021).


    Alfred A. Tomatis, a 20th-century French otolaryngologist (one who studies diseases of the ear and throat) offered the thought that music can influence brain waves. Don Campbell’s 1997 book, The Mozart Effect, focused on how music could make one smarter and increase concentration (Pikörn 2021).

    The Influence of sound on the human mind and consequently the physical body, has been theorized that sound bowls can help calm the mind, by mimicking the brain’s electrical impulses, also referred to as “entraining”. Here, sound vibrations can “re-tune” the wave patterns of one’s mind, in this case Theta brain waves, similar to the vibrations that occur while in states of deep relaxation or concentration. Theta patterns resonate at 4-8 Hertz, occurring also during REM sleep, states of creativity, and during meditation. Studies report the theory that music can indeed change the brain’s bio-electrical oscillations. However, this effect is most evident in the range of alpha (8-13 Hertz) and beta (13 Hertz or greater) frequencies. From listening to singing bowls, one can guide their mind towards theta brain wave activity (Pikörn 2021).

    A study published in 2017, explored the benefits of using singing bowls along with meditation, using data from a sample of 62 individuals participating. Ages were from 21-77 years old with a mean age 49.7 years. 9 were males and 53 females. The study was held at 3 locations in southern California at The Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas, The Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, and the California Institute for Human Science (CIHS) in Encinitas (Goldsby, et al 2017). From my own personal knowledge, I know this particular area of the US to be a hub for meditation and other alternative medicine practices. So, it really didn’t surprise me that the results would show that these particular methods yielded positive health benefits. People in the 20-39 age group, reported the largest change in a reduction in their tension. However, the study did not specify what type of tension they were experiencing to begin with such as mental, muscular, or otherwise. Those in the 40-59 age group, reported the most noticeable effects from the meditation, with a decrease or even elimination of physical pain before and after the meditation (Goldsby, et al 2017).


    It is not hard to find and purchase singing bowls as they are widely available online and elsewhere, costing as little as $20 per bowl and as high as thousands of dollars on the higher end for complete sets of various sizes and compositions. Also available are bowls that will produce different notes and different frequencies. In particular the 432 Hertz range is thought to be more desirable in achieving the desired results of the entraining the theta brain waves. Some avid practitioners of singing bowl meditations, prefer usage of the bowls or recorded sounds that are tuned to 432 Hertz. There is also some speculation that listening to music or sounds that have a frequency of 432 Hertz is thought to encourage a positive shift in consciousness, providing the listener a greater sense of peace. Meditation practitioners seem to favor this music as well. A frequency of 432 Hertz is thought to be the tone of nature, assisting the listener to become more calm, peaceful, and creative. Benefits thought to come from exposure to sounds with the 432 Hertz frequency include release of stress and tension from the body, induction of healing during and after surgeries and the release of endorphins and serotonin (Bawah Reserve 2020).


    Of further interest may be that a small group of people having a strong dislike to the sounds made from singing bowls, due to the sounds increasing their self-reported depressions and anxiety. This leads to the possibility that the sound bowls themselves have no special powers of relaxation in and of themselves (Pikörn 2021).

    image courtesy of http://www.ZenWellness.com


    I have studied various methods of using sound with meditations, quite a bit over the years and have observed how particular sounds in our daily life, like traffic, thunder, loud music from various genres, yelling, etc. can cause damage on the nervous system. This can happen at the moment or over time, potentially causing even more damage. Consequently, I think the bowls are but another tool to hack the human nervous system to be in a more relaxed state of homeostasis from the parasympathetic nervous system. Any healthcare method that is relatively inexpensive, exhibits no negative side-effects, can easily be obtain by most people, and can offer the user some level of health benefits, is worth further scrutiny and usage by those in particular needing a reduction in their stress levels.

    References:
    Bawah Reserve. (2020, November 9). Sound bathing and the positive impact of 432 Hz listening. https://blog.bawahreserve.com/sound-bathing-singing-bowl-432hz-listening

    Goldsby, T. L., Goldsby, M. E., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. J. (2017). Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 22(3), 401–406. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587216668109


    Pikörn, I. (2021, March 5). The Joyful Use Of Singing Bowls In Meditation Or Yoga Practice. Insight Timer Blog. https://insighttimer.com/blog/singing-bowls-meditation-benefits/

    Stanhope, J., & Weinstein, P. (2020). The human health effects of singing bowls: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102412

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    Jim
    vs181006-004
    cropped-header-image2.jpg

    I started my martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. I have been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.

    As a recognized master instructor, I have trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. My specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, I have also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. I offer regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.

    I am the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.

    I continue training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as my schedule allows. I balance my teaching and businesses with my own personal cultivation and time spent with my wife and two college-age kids.

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain core training fitness health care parkinsons disease qigong self reflection senior classes specific methods of wellness practice stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Therapeutic-Benefits-of-Singing-Bowls Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:07:06 GMT
    Thai Yoga Massage https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Thai-Yoga-Massage Thai massage seems to work heavily with the physical concept of myofascial release, that can be seen in Rolfing and other massage methods that have evolved over the last few centuries. However, Thai massage appears to have originated thousands of years ago. Also, I see Thai massage as a more mutually engaging type of practice where both the patient and practitioner seem to both be engaged in the goal of better health and well-being for both.

    L0027324 Siamese Manuscript, Pressure Massage Manual. Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images [email protected] http://wellcomeimages.org A guide to pressure points for use in ‘Thai Yoga Massage’. Diagram: human figure showing pressure points. circa 1850 Published: – Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Thai massage has deep roots in its origins in Buddhism and yoga. Very similar to TCM concepts of energy flow throughout the body by way of the meridians or sens. The yoga concepts of chakras do align with the Chinese meridian system of TCM. Direct pressure on key points (acupoints) are preferred over kneading of the skin, fascia and muscles. Thai massage is composed of foundation concepts of meditation, postures or stances, rhythmic rocking, and other touch/pressure techniques. Meditation appears to be a very strong component, where the practitioner is actively involved in the present moment. By being engaged with the patient on the 3 levels of mind, body and spirit they are able to help the patient through applying loving kindness or “metta” to their patient.

    Thai massage has deep roots in its origins in yoga from Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha developing it over 2500 years ago. This method of healthcare does appear to me to embody the concept of balancing the mind, body and spirit where if one aspect is out of harmony with the others, disease, illness and suffering will manifest. As with any of these time proven practices that have been passed on for thousands of years, there must be something here regardless of Western allopathic Medicine’s resistance of recognizing the benefits of these mind, body and spiritual methods of healthcare and well-being.

    It is my understanding from many of the modern Western massage practitioners that I have visited, that they often feel exhausted not just after the individual sessions but accumulatively over the time of their career. I found this more prevalent when the massage therapist themselves did not practice taking care of themselves to replenish the energy that they put out during the massage treatments. Those that I have met that cared to share, told me that it was essential for them to practice something like yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation as well as good nutrition to stay balanced, as far as energy conservation goes. I have learned that we can not give out freely, that which we do not already have an abundance of with out some level of detriment to all involved.

    ______

    My goal is to present an education that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

    More video clips, books, posters & resources at:

    http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care lower back injury obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease specific methods of wellness practice winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Thai-Yoga-Massage Sun, 23 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Stand Here, No Here, Over There, Not Here… https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Stand-Here-No-Here-Over-There-Not-Here

    Stand Here, No Here, Over There, Not Here…

    The quest continues to pursue a return to “normal” in spite of the ever-changing facts of science and how we adjust our actions in response. There is plenty of blame to go around, red, blue, green, yellow – pick your favorite color of the rainbow to blame. However, while blame may satisfy our ego in determining whose fault this all is, blame does not fix our problems. Our own actions of personal self-care through self-responsibility are the key to our better health and happiness.

    The root causes of our public healthcare hesitancy, comes from a growing distrust of our government and medical experts that often never seem to agree on any course of action and what is fact or science.  I think there will always be opposition to government intervention, depending upon the issue and who it affects the most. However, in the case of the current pandemic, the distrust has grown seemingly across many demographics. In my humble opinion I think there have been numerous times where government leaders (politicians and medical experts) stated a particular direction and then soon after changed that course. When this continued to happened over the last 2 years, the public trust eroded rapidly to where we are at today. 

    • In late 2019, government leaders said the US was fine and had no worries with the Covid19 virus, as it was contained in China. People were encourage to enjoy the holidays and not be afraid. Obviously it was not contained and Covid19 made its way to the US in early 2020 and probably even earlier in late 2019.
    • Shutting down the US borders in early 2020, in response to Covid19, was considered xenophobic. Late in 2021, the US restricted foreign travelers entry due to the Omicron variant and xenophobia was barely mentioned by leaders and news outlets.
    • Similarly, early in 2020 theories of a possible virus leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology were seen as racist, xenophobic and the product of conspiracy fanatics. Later in 2020, some US leaders and the World Health Organization were supporting investigation of the Wuhan lab, albeit a day late and a dollar short.
    • In early 2020 Americans were directed by the government and medical experts to lock-down at home for 2 weeks to “flatten the curve”, referring to the spike in cases hopefully leveling off with a relatively short amount of time. Instead, lock-downs continued in some areas, off and on for the next 12 months.
    • In December of 2020, then president elect Joe Biden stated if he became president that he would not mandate Covid19 vaccination mandates. In early September of 2021 President Biden mandated vaccines for all businesses of 100 or more employees.
    • The CDC has changed its direction numerous times on masking, distancing, quarantine duration and other relative information. As scientific data changed, so did the CDC’s confusing guidance on quarantining from 10 days to 5 days. However, this change was implemented during a massive increase in infections of the Omicron variant during the end of 2021. More infections nationwide, but less quarantine time led many people to believe the changes were more politically motivated and not science-based, in order to keep people working in healthcare, retail, etc. to maintain the economy through the holidays and coming winter months where many other illnesses often flourish.

    Understanding that science is a process and not a belief system, can help us to better understanding that science is an evolving process of research, discovery and conclusions – that will all continue to change as time proceeds forward.

    Science is always evolving and changing! Science is about predictability! It gives us the ability to predict certain things about the world around us.

    People do pay attention to what government leaders say and often try to hold them to their words. Continuously changing information and direction, if not distributed consistently and with transparency leads to more distrust. I think that it will be very difficult for the US government and medical experts to regain the trust of the American people any time soon. If there was perhaps some transparency, sense of humility or humbleness by leaders, confirming that they really don’t know exactly how to handle our national (and worldwide) crisis, but that they are doing their best and have a ways yet to go, it would maybe instill some level of hope in people.

    Be Curious- look around and ask questions. Be Skeptical- Don’t always believe the first thing you hear or read. Be Flexible- Even if you have found one explanation, look for another one. These three brain exercises add up to what is called Critical Thinking.

    Regardless of vaccination status, social distancing and masking for the greater good, other lifestyle vices too have a ripple effect on our heathcare system & personal well being. If a poor diet, smoking, being stressed all day, drug/alcohol abuse, being overweight/obese, etc. only affects that person, realize that the whole healthcare system takes a hit for these “bad behaviors” as well . This puts a strain on the whole system causing inefficiency due to the shear numbers of ill people or by issues impacting others around you through stress, money, time & other resources. Those relying solely on pharmaceuticals to stay sick-free, still should eat healthier, be active, get sunlight & fresh air, stop smoking, manage stress – in other words “build their natural immunity”. Shouldn’t natural immunity through living a healthier lifestyle be promoted to keep the next virus or pathogen at bay? The top causes of death in the US (cancer, heart & lung disease) and root causes can often be managed through lifestyle choices. Scientific data has proven that the majority of deaths related to Covid19 are from people who had multiple comorbidities, exacerbating death not from Covid19 but rather death with Covid19. More than 81% of COVID-19 related deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 80 times higher than the number of deaths among people aged 18-29.

    The Scientific Method. Observation- Careful watching of something around us. Hypothesis- An educated guess explaining what you are observing or how to change what you are observing. Experiment- Testing your hypothesis by designing and carrying out an experiment.

    Maybe it’s time for us to reevaluate what normal is and choose to not go back to it, but rather move towards healthier, smarter, wiser.

    Be well, become healthy, be wise.

    References:

    Post, Lori & Issa, Tariq & Boctor, Michael & Moss, Charles & Murphy, Robert & Ison, Michael & Achenbach, Chad & Resnick, Danielle & Singh, Lauren & White, Janine & Faber, Joshua & Culler, Kasen & Brandt, Cynthia & Oehmke, James. (2020). Dynamic Public Health Surveillance to Track and Mitigate the US COVID-19 Epidemic: Longitudinal Trend Analysis Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 22. e24286. 10.2196/24286. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347798855_Dynamic_Public_Health_Surveillance_to_Track_and_Mitigate_the_US_COVID-19_Epidemic_Longitudinal_Trend_Analysis_Study

    https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/06/17/1006352333/the-mystery-of-the-origins-of-the-pandemic-can-it-be-solved

    https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

    https://fortune.com/2021/12/30/cdc-guidelines-isolation-five-days-how-long-to-quarantine-covid-exposure-memes/

    https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-profile-of-the-unvaccinated/Links to an external site.

    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm#Comorbidities

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

    https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121919-1Links to an external site.

    https://khn.org/news/article/lie-of-the-year-the-downplay-and-denial-of-the-coronavirus/Links to an external site.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/covid-a-year-later-trumps-15-days-to-slow-the-spread-pledge-shows-how-little-we-knew.htmlLinks to an external site.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55193939

    https://slideplayer.com/slide/11903493/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 health care obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease us healthcare (sickcare) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Stand-Here-No-Here-Over-There-Not-Here Thu, 20 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Acupressure for Common Ailments (online lecture) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Acupressure-for-Common-Ailments-online-lecture Watch my lecture on acupressure, where I discuss the theories and concepts behind TCM, the placebo/nocebo effect, self-care and many other topics. Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years. I have been learning and practicing acupressure for almost 40 years with great results.

    My goal is to present an education that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

    More video clips, books, posters & resources at:

    http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care lower back injury martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease specific methods of wellness practice winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Acupressure-for-Common-Ailments-online-lecture Mon, 17 Jan 2022 07:39:36 GMT
    A New Year’s Commitment to Improve Your Life (Using The 8-Step Path) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/A-New-Year-s-Commitment-to-Improve-Your-Life-Using-The-8-Step-Path A Method to Pursue Mind, Body & Spirit Harmony – The 8-Step Path

    Quite often I hear people talking about wanting to pursue a better understanding of the mind, body and spiritual (or self-awareness) relationship. Usually, most people have little understanding of this concept beyond repeating someone else’s words. Understanding of this relationship cannot come from someone else, but rather grown or cultivated in oneself from personal knowledge, experience and wisdom. There are no books, shortcuts, seminars, gurus or masters that can do this for the individual, however they may help guide one to reach self-realization. I am sharing here what I have learned and have tried to live as part of my daily life. Spirituality and religion are often lumped together but have rather distinctly different meanings. With this article, I look at spirituality more as a level of self-awareness, purpose and life direction and not necessarily a membership to any particular religion or belief system.

    A long-understood method of achieving harmony between one’s mind, body and spirit, is this 8-Step Path. It has its origin in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Daoism but is highly relative to modern culture. The figure “8″ is important to understand that as the infinity circle, there is no beginning nor end to entering into this process. It is a journey of self-awareness that can be entered into at any point throughout one’s lifetime. Life is a challenge, and so is staying on this path of self-improvement. The reward is at the end of one’s journey, knowing that they have pursued a meaningful life with direction and purpose.

    The graphic immediately below shows how the 8 steps are all interconnected. Below that are the brief descriptions of each of the 8 steps.  This is by no means the only method to find this harmony of mind, body and spirit. It is a time-proven method that I have learned and have tried to cultivate for many years.

    8-Step Path
    1-8-fold path
    2-8-fold path
    3-8-fold path
    4-8-fold path
    5-8-fold path
    6-8-fold path
    7-8-fold path
    8-8-fold path

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    _______________

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    Jim
    vs181006-004
    cropped-header-image2.jpg

    I started my martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. I have been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.

    As a recognized master instructor, I have trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. My specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, I have also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. I offer regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.

    I am the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.

    I continue training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as my schedule allows. I balance my teaching and businesses with my own personal cultivation and time spent with my wife and two college-age kids.

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain core training fitness health care parkinsons disease philosophical concepts qigong self reflection senior classes stress relief stroke treatment tai chi winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/A-New-Year-s-Commitment-to-Improve-Your-Life-Using-The-8-Step-Path Thu, 13 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Acupressure for Common Ailments https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Acupressure-for-Common-Ailments Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years. I have been leaning and practicing acupressure for almost 40 years with great results.

    I will be speaking next week at the University Club of Winter Park, about the benefits of this type of self massage. Headaches, low energy, faintness, stress, general & specific pain, and restless leg syndrome are conditions that I will teach specific techniques to better manage.

    If interested in attending this FREE event, please contact me at 407-234-0119 for more details. Class is limited so let me know as soon as possible if serious about joining us for an hour of learning.

    University Park Club

    841 N. Park Avenue, WP

    2-3pm, January 13th

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease traditional chinese medicine (tcm) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Acupressure-for-Common-Ailments Tue, 11 Jan 2022 06:15:52 GMT
    Who Does the FDA Really Work For? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Who-Does-the-FDA-Really-Work-For Why do food companies seem to have more rights than consumers, when it comes to disclosing what ingredients are in particular foods? The FDA loosened food labeling requirements mid-2020, with the stated goal of providing regulatory flexibility, to lessen the impact of supply chain disruptions of product availability related to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

    Why Does the FDA Get Nearly Half Its Funding From the Companies It  Regulates? • Children's Health Defense

    Reports show that the FDA is actually partially funded by the same companies that they are tasked with regulating, raising concerns with conflicts of interest. It is almost always best to do the due diligence and find where this information is coming from and find reputable sources as there is so much information available to the public today that can and will support whatever ones beliefs and viewpoints tend to lean towards.

    The US government at its relative public health agencies, save severely lost the trust of the American people. Medical experts that have an audience, can start to rebuild trust, by just putting themselves out there with some transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy regarding these topics at hand. For example, if a scientist is interviewed as an expert on a particular topic, have them tell their story of being a director for the FDA and now being a board member for Pfizer, instead of people Googling this fact, seeing it maybe as a conflict of interest and then formulating their own conspiracy theory from it. Similarly, if the FDA is going to report that they took 108 days to review documents for licensing of the Pfizer covid19 vaccine and will honor a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, don’t take 55 years to fully release the information to the group of scientists that made the request. Leaders and experts need to stop creating the perfect storm of events that will undoubtedly lead to conspiracy theories and consequently, more vaccine resistance.

    Top 1000 Pharma Companies in 2020 - Pharma Excipients

    References:

    http://www.childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/fda-nearly-half-funding-companies-it-regulates/

    https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-temporary-flexibility-policy-regarding-certain-labeling-requirements-foods-humansLinks to an external site.

    https://today.uconn.edu/2021/05/why-is-the-fda-funded-in-part-by-the-companies-it-regulates-2/Links to an external site.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/08/27/fact-check-some-fdas-budget-does-come-industry-funding/5572076001/

    Former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb defends decision to join Pfizer board (cnbc.com)

    Elizabeth Warren tells Scott Gottlieb to resign from Pfizer board (usatoday.com) (Links to an external site.)

    Soechtig, Stephanie, and Jason Lindsey. “Tapped.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeAtHj9L38o.


    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma stress management winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Who-Does-the-FDA-Really-Work-For Mon, 10 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    You can only give out what you yourself have an abundance of. https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/You-can-only-give-out-what-you-yourself-have-an-abundance-of I have learned a bit about energetics over the years from my massage therapists as well as my martial arts/qigong teachers. During a massage, energy is depleted by the practitioner from the physical effort as well as the mental energy in trying to help and often heal the patient. This is very similar to emergency room doctors, nurses and others that can find themselves very run down or ill, while attempting to treat others. My understanding is that you can only give out what you yourself have an abundance of. If massage therapists and various other health-related professionals continue to draw from their well (life force, qi, prana) but fail to replenish it, they will soon have their own health issues. Exercise, diet and lifestyle choices all affect the practitioners’ own well-being to replenish or retain their innate life force.

    My understanding is that it really comes down to any occupation or activity that one individual loses some level of energy while trying to help another.  It can be a parent taking care of a child; caretaker of a parent, teachers, etc. It is all about intent and energy expelled and received.  This can lead to the topic of energy vampires and energy suns. We have probably all meet people who when walking into a room, drain the energy of all in their company. Or conversely, the person who comes in and brings up everyone energy and puts a smile on everyone’s’ face. Yin and yang in all things!

    _______________________________

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    http://www.umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts stress management stress relief winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/You-can-only-give-out-what-you-yourself-have-an-abundance-of Fri, 07 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Good Body Mechanics, Brings Good Posture https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Good-Body-Mechanics-Brings-Good-Posture I have found that in order to manage posture issues, it helps to have some type of physical exercise program that is geared towards maintaining symmetry while also providing strength, flexibility, control, etc. Examples would be be Yoga, tai chi, Pilates, kettle bells, and some weight training (with lighter weights). Most people don’t realize that they have a posture issue until they have pain and discomfort. It is similar to have tires on one’s car that are out of alignment, where the owner sees and feels their car bouncing around so they replace the balding tires. A few months later the problem returns and they again replace the tires, but the alignment is the root problem. I know a root cause of postural issues is sometimes the lack of flexibility and muscle tone to keep the spine and associated joints and muscles in the proper alignment.   

    I have had issues with my posture due to an old knee injury affecting other parts of my body, causing me to pursue TCM, chiropractic, yoga, massage, rolfing, martial arts and maybe a few others. I attached a graphic I produced a while back showing what I have learned from my teachers and other CAM practitioners.

    From my past experiences, many people lift weights with the goal of becoming stronger or cosmetically more “in shape” which are both admirable results to pursue. I have found that training with lighter weights, with exercises that work more than just the main muscles groups, can actually provide better overall body strength as well as flexibility, control, reflex, speed and eventually power. This latter concept can often lead to better posture and consequently less chronic pain issues.

    Depending upon the trainer, instructor and/or practitioner heavy weight training is often geared towards the main muscle groups of the pectorals, abdominals, quadriceps, glutes, biceps, triceps, etc. Some exercise programs with lighter weights, wrist/ankle weights, medicine balls, kettle bells, etc. are sometime referred to as functional training, where the movement of the body with the weights for resistance is more of the focus than just trying to lift a certain amount of weight.

    From my experience, staying active and even more specifically being engaged in exercise methods that not only stretch but encourage strength and flexibility are key components of managing chronic pain. Many types of pain relief methods whether massage, pharmaceuticals, heat/cold therapy, acupuncture, etc. often address the symptoms of the root cause of the pain. Chronic pain issues of the spine can be relieved but in order to find long-term benefits there needs to be some muscle tone to hold the proper alignments of the muscles, bones, fascia, nerves etc. in place. Flexibility is needed to allow a comfortable range of motion for joint mobility. So to sum it up, pain relief methods can help, but long-term benefits come from strength, stability, flexibility and range of motion, or so I have been taught and experienced.

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology stress management tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2022/1/Good-Body-Mechanics-Brings-Good-Posture Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT
    Is Better Health a Priority in the US? (1 year later; has anything changed?) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Is-Better-Health-a-Priority-in-the-US-1-year-later-has-anything-changed I posted this article of mine almost 1 year ago. I thought it would be interesting to re-post and re-visit to contemplate if much has changed in the last year regarding the health of our nation.

    In the words of Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general of the United States, “You know what will make you and your community healthier but still, you choose not to do it.” He goes on to state that 7 out of 10 of 18-24-year olds are ineligible for military service. They cannot pass the physical, can’t meet educational requirements, or have a criminal history. In years past, recess and physical education were part of the school day from kindergarten through elementary school. High school students had PE every school day until graduation. Today if students are not involved in school or extracurricular sports, few make the time or commitment to stay physically active. Unhealthy kids quickly turn into unhealthy adults. The health of our people is directly affecting the safety of our nation.

    Ask an average citizen in the US if their health and their family’s is a priority and the response will be something like, “Of course our health is my top priority and we have the healthiest country in the world!” No, not true for both statements based upon data from seemingly reputable data outlets. The Bloomberg Global Health Index for 2020, ranked the US #35 in the world for overall quality of health but ranks #1 for healthcare spending. The US spends more than $3.4 trillion annually on health care, more than any other country. Made obvious from the data is that investing more money in healthcare, does not necessarily make a country or the person healthier. Money does not change our health. We need to improve life expectancy and other indicators of health with better education along with a change in mindset. If someone has great healthcare coverage but eats junk food every day, does not exercise regularly and has a negative outlook, they will probably experience health issues sooner than later.

    As a nation, we eat an extremely high amount of low-quality junk food and then sit for hours per day. We hope to efficiently digest low quality food that will eventually often cause illnesses and even death. More than 36.3% of youth aged 2-19 eat fast food on a given day.This is complicated even more so with the sedentary lifestyle and laissez-faire attitude towards individuals accepting responsibility for their own health. Americans meeting the CDC guideline for aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises is only 23.2% as of 2018.These factors help contribute to the increase of obesity over the last 60 years. Obesity is a key factor in many health issues based on data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other reputable sources. In 2017–2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults was 42.4%. Stats for kids (not shown) are just as appalling. These numbers are truly pathetic. Further issues to discuss would be how many manage their nutrition by monitoring their intake of sugar, salt, trans fat, alcohol, and other consumables? What about managing stress and emotional health? The US economy needs our citizens to support the fast-food industry and consequently gives the health care industry an overabundance of its own customers. It seems as if the US wants its people to be healthy enough to work, but not too healthy as to put the fast-food and healthcare providers out of business. This is our reality that many choose to deny.

    The leading causes of death in the US are all very much influenced by our diet, our sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise and excessive sitting. Also contributing is our attitude towards managing stress or lack thereof. Thinking that more is always better or if we are not stressed, we are not doing enough. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory issues are all leading causes of death by far. Each of these ailments can be much less if we made it a priority to do so.

    Another health issue is our obsession with following the news and the mental stress that can develop from it. Media in the US, love it or hate it, usually focuses mostly on reporting politics, crime and mostly the negative aspects of our society. The phrase “If it bleeds it leads” shows America’s fascination with negative news. This year so far has been mostly the tragedy of Covid19. The media, the government, the entertainment industry and healthcare leaders fail to promote personal responsibility for the individuals’ own actions relative to diet, exercise and lifestyle, and how that can affect on a much broader level the health of our nation. Instead the strong focus is mostly upon wearing masks and social distancing as a way to make an unhealthy nation, somehow immune to disease and illnesses that affect most those that have multiple health issues to begin with. Please understand that even typically well and health conscious people do get sick also.  Athletes and health enthusiasts can get sick too. However, people that are active usually recover faster though.

    We need to honestly look at the root causes for our health issues, instead of looking to politics or others to blame for our own personal accountability. Blaming others will not make us healthier.  We are where we are, because of our choices. I love pizza but I should not be eating it every day of the week. Some TV viewing is fine but 4-7 hours a day is a bit much no?  We need to own our health.

    Our actions support the data that we do not truly put exercise, nutrition and stress as high priorities deserving more action than mere conversation. Healthy living and habits are a choice and a mindset that we as Americans as a whole, fail terribly at practicing. It does not need to be this way. There are things that can move us forward to become a healthier nation.

    The 5 Pillars of Health

    Eating healthier can be achieved by managing less intake of junk foods, sugar, and salt, as well as reasonable amounts of alcohol. More fruit and vegetables are healthier snacks that have many nutritional rewards. Become more active by getting up and off the couch, stepping away from the PC, TV, smartphone, and other electronic addictions. Better sleep is a major immune system booster and can be earned by being more active during the day. Relieve stress through exercise, meditation, or breathing deeper and more deliberately, or take more breaks from the news and social media. Be nice to others because what you put out, you receive back. Basically, get moving more, eat healthier foods, sleep better, stress less and be a nicer person.  Enjoy life but know your limits and take all things in moderation.

    Be well, stay healthy, be wise.

    Jim Moltzan

    Works Cited

    Adams, Jerome, “How resilient communities can create a healthier country.” Youtube, uploaded by TEDxMidAtlantic. September 23, 2020.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIY13uvlGLY

    American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

    www.worldhealth.net/news/bloombergs-global-health-index-2020/

    Fryar, Cheryl, et al. Fast Food Intake Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2015–2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 375, August 2020, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db375.htm

    CDC, National Center for Health Statistics. Exercise or Physical Activity, May 11, 2020 www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/exercise.htm

    Hales, Craig, et al. Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 360, February 2020. www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm

    Xu, Jiaquan, et al. Mortality in the United States, 2018, NCHS Data Brief No. 355, January 2020.  www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db355.htm

    _______________

    Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness.  Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals.

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes lower back injury obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong tai chi taoist qigong taoist yoga us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Is-Better-Health-a-Priority-in-the-US-1-year-later-has-anything-changed Fri, 31 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT
    Weak People Create Hard Times – and here we are! Yin & Yang in All Things https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Weak-People-Create-Hard-Times-and-here-we-are-Yin-Yang-in-All-Things A new year comes, another new cycle begins. I think most would agree that this is true. Nature demonstrates patterns (universal truths) that have been around before humans and will be here after, such as seasons, weather patterns, natural disasters, etc. Humans being part of nature are subject to its patterns.

    Hard times create strong men (people)

    Strong men create good times

    Good times create weak men

    Weak men create hard times

    Study and contemplate my graphic below, representing relationships between the universal truths of nature, whether manifested in the time of the day, time of the year, phases of the human lifecycle and consequently, how human nature (behavior) is often dictated by the natural environmental that we all exist within.

    I feel we are all experiencing a watershed event, where we are just working through the above cycle. Some people may dispute this theory or cycle but I think it holds true as compared similarly to the sun rising and setting, or the seasons of the year. So I feel we are exactly where we are supposed to be whether viewed as a time for major political, societal and cultural changes, re-evaluation of our moral compasses, world health crises or the advancement of technologies – everything exists within cycles, and it all connects back to nature on some level.

      _______________________________

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    http://www.umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts stress management stress relief winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Weak-People-Create-Hard-Times-and-here-we-are-Yin-Yang-in-All-Things Tue, 28 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT
    New Year’s Resolution vs. A Commitment to Yourself https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/New-Year-s-Resolution-vs-A-Commitment-to-Yourself If you are not striving to grow as a human being every day, you are consequently dying a little bit every day. Nature and our world within it, is constantly changing, evolving and moving forward. If we are not moving forward within this flow, we are not just stuck in place but rather falling behind.

    Well then, Happy New Year!

    Start a new traditional by stopping the usual New Year’s resolution shenanigans, which usually are seldom kept or maybe at best last a day, a week or maybe a month until they are revisited another year later.

    https://sixdegreesofkosherbacon.com/2018/08/09/why-your-new-years-resolutions-fail-by-ben/

    The vicious cycle continues and often never changes, because there is no accountability to take care of yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually. And often there is a loss of proper motivation – until the spark arrives. An illness, an injury, or an event that enlightens us to what is truly important. Then this spark motivates us to pursue better methods to maintain our mind, body and spiritual awareness.

    https://elcidonline.com/features/2017/12/21/coming-to-fruition-or-not/

    How someone behaves when there is no audience or opportunity to gain, is more of a gauge of an individual’s moral compass. Changing one’s behavior when in the presence of family, friends and others can be somewhat manageable, and truly just a facade for many people. Do you really care about your health and well-being, and reflect this in your daily actions or just parrot the words of others encouraging “be healthy, stay safe”? No one should care more about your health and well-being than you, right?

    Instead of another face value New Year’s Resolution, this year seriously consider making a REAL promise or commitment to yourself to improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthier, be more active, sleep better, be more positive than negative in your outlook – live a purposeful live without fear.

    Tai chi, qigong, wellness classes and lectures might be options in your future. My classes offer a diverse knowledge base covering the following aspects:

    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Body mechanics
    • Wellness concepts
    • Learning concepts
    • Stress management
    • Chronic pain management
    • Physical rehabilitation
    • Functionally specific exercise sets
    • Self-awareness
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine
    • Eastern philosophy
    • Sound Therapy
    • Various meditation methods

    While it may seem selfish to put your own health and well-being first, it is actually the most giving of oneself to be a living vessel of love, compassion and knowledge to those around you, for as long as possible.

    My understanding is that you can only give out, what you yourself have an abundance of.

      _______________________________

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    http://www.umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes human behavior martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease stress management stress relief winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/New-Year-s-Resolution-vs-A-Commitment-to-Yourself Mon, 27 Dec 2021 07:39:11 GMT
    How Our Body Responds to Stress – The General Adaptation Syndrome https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/How-Our-Body-Responds-to-Stress-The-General-Adaptation-Syndrome Feeling stressed out?

    We are living in what some people feel, is the most stressful time in their lifetimes. I find it quite ironic that for much of the modernized world, people are no longer living with past daily stressors due to being chased or bitten by wild animals while in their quest for food, or having to find components to build their own shelter while enduring the heat or cold, but still ending up dying from stress related illnesses. Most people are no longer being attacked by a neighboring kingdom, tribe or clan, also in pursuit of more food or better living conditions, but live with daily stress regardless.. However, many people live constantly with other modern day stressors of relative to crime, violence, public healthcare, politics, job security, social issues and most recently – stress from engaging with social media and its various outlets.

    Everyone experiences both negative as well as positive stressors. Regardless, of the source of stress, the human body’s autonomic nervous system responds to stressors, initially to defend the physical body, but after prolonged stress, eventually fatigues leading to disease and illness. Think of having the A/C or heat running all day, every day with no downtime. Eventually, the physical components will degrade and breakdown, if not properly checked and maintained before catastrophic failure occurs.

    The General Adaptation Syndrome

    General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is the continual physiological response to stressors. There are three stages of biological responses. Hans Selye first recognized this concept in 1936, GAS is seen as a modern biological formulation of stress. Understanding the physiology behind GAS, including how it is triggered, can help manage or reduce stress.

    1. Alarm

    A person’s ability to resist any type of stressor is lowered by the need to deal with the stressor, whether it is a scrape, a loss, a fear, a broken bone, the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job.

    Body’s immediate response to stress:

    • DHEA increases
    • Cortisol increases

    Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome alarm stage:

    • Rapid breathing
    • Low blood glucose levels
    • Heightened senses
    • Trembling
    • Tissue catabolism
    • Gastrointestinal erosion
    • Sleep issues
    • Dilated pupils
    • Increased heart rate
    • Pale or flushed skin

    2. Resistance

    The body responds and adapts to the sustained existence of the stressor by making more epinephrine which raises blood pressure, increases alertness, suppresses the immune system, and tenses muscles. lf interactions with the stressor become long-term, the ability to resist becomes reduced.

    This stage is in place when cortisol is made at the expense of DHEA to sustain adaptability:

    • Cortisol increase
    • DHEA decreases
    • Epinephrine may increase to help maintain energy and blood sugar levels

    Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome stage:

    • Sleeplessness due to high cortisol level
    • Bowel issues
    • Headaches
    • Irritability
    • Sadness
    • Frustration
    • Poor concentration
    • Some individuals may remain in this phase for a lifetime, while others further deteriorate

    3. Exhaustion

    When the ability to respond and resist is decreased, the individual may become ill. Prolonged months or years of strain and stress may be present before the body’s resistance is exhausted. DIesease and illness may not manifest until long after the initial interaction occurs with the stressor.

    The body loses the capacity to adapt as the body deteriorates from constant stress:

    • Cortisol level is low
    • DHEA level is low
    • Epinephrine level is low

    Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome stage:

    • Severe fatigue
    • Feelings of “burnout”
    • Inability to sleep well through the night
    • Salt cravings
    • Allergies
    • Decreased tolerance of stress

    Management

    Everyone needs an outlet for regulating their stress. If there is no outlet and the stress stays internalized, eventually the physiological responses will take their toll by manifesting in disease, illness and even more stress, creating an endless vicious circle of pain and suffering. Stress management methods can help one to cope with stress and consequently, General Adaption Syndrome. Examples of some methods include:

    References:

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2018). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

    http://www.sanescohealth.com/blog/general-adaptation-syndrome-stages/

    https://www.verywellhealth.com/general-adaptation-syndrome-overview-5198270


    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease psychophysiology stress management winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/How-Our-Body-Responds-to-Stress-The-General-Adaptation-Syndrome Fri, 24 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT
    Ginger and its Many Benefits https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Ginger-and-its-Many-Benefits No time like right now, to invest in taking better care of your immune system. Ginger has been my “go to” herb for decades in the forms of tea, as a cooking spice as well as capsules as a supplement to other vitamin and diet deficiencies. I have experienced noticeable improvements and/or management of allergies, headaches, joint and muscle inflammation and nausea. 

    Ginger root, also known as zingiber officinale or zingiberis rhizome. The Chinese name is shen jiang. Ginger is native to Asia often used as a food as well as medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ginger is used to remove “cold”, “wind” and “dampness”, while stopping the reverse flow of qi (energy). Use of ginger in Western countries has been mostly for gastrointestinal symptoms and respiratory ailments. Preclinical studies show ginger being antiemetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and possibly helps to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

    Ginger has been used for many ailments including but not limited to the following:

    • stimulates appetite
    • helps relieve drug withdrawal symptoms
    • improves respiratory ailments
    • reduces nausea and vomiting
    • relieves indigestion
    • treats diarrhea
    • reduces rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

    Some people should avoid ginger consumption for certain issues such as those having surgery or bleeding ailments, because ginger has blood-thinning effects. Warfarin or other blood thinners may be less effective due to ginger increasing the risk of bleeding.

    Those with gallstones should refrain from consuming ginger because it can increase the flow of bile and other potential cholagogic effects.

    Individuals who take insulin or medications to lower blood glucose should avoid ginger because it may increase larger reductions in glucose levels.

    Upon my further reading and research, it appears as if different sources might discourage ginger consumption during pregnancy (increase bleeding) while other sources state that it is fine to use during pregnancy to relieve morning sickness and accompanying nausea. Individuals should avoid ginger supplements during pregnancy or lactating because of unknown human gestational development.

    Perhaps the best course of action, would be for the individual to check with their healthcare providers to get a better understanding of the pros and cons of using ginger while pregnant.

    Reference:

    John Diamond, M.D. W. John Diamond, M.D. The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2001. 7.

    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbs-and-pregnancy/

    https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/consuming-ginger-during-pregnancy/

    _______________________________

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    http://www.umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease phytotherapy-herbology stress management winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Ginger-and-its-Many-Benefits Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT
    The Greatest Gift You Can Give, is a Healthy You https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/The-Greatest-Gift-You-Can-Give-is-a-Healthy-You Gifts like diamonds, iPhones, clothes, and maybe even food on the table, all might be very nice and thoughtful gifts. But really, … let’s get real. Time with those you love and care about, is priceless. How can someone spend time with another when they are not healthy enough to be alive in the first place? Or, if one’s life is consumed with managing their own ailments, the consequences of poor health and well-being may affect all in their presence.

    While it may seem selfish to put your own health and well-being first, it is actually the most giving of oneself to be a living vessel of love, compassion and knowledge to those around you, for as long as possible.

    My understanding is that you can only give out, what you yourself have an abundance of.

    Soldiers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and others need to be in good physical, as well as mental health if they are to be of service in protecting and preserving human life. Similar to emergency room doctors, nurses and others that can find themselves very run down or ill, while attempting to treat patients. Others may be a parent taking care of a child; caretaker of a parent, teachers, etc. It is all about intent and energy expelled and received. One individual loses some level of energy while trying to help another. When we continue to draw from our well (life force, qi, prana) but fail to replenish it, we will soon have our own health issues. Exercise, diet, stress management, attitude, and other lifestyle choices all affect our own well-being to replenish or retain our innate life force.

    Health Management

    I have found (and teach) the following methods as being extremely beneficial for many people, regardless of age or current health conditions:

      _______________________________

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    http://www.umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts stress management stress relief winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/The-Greatest-Gift-You-Can-Give-is-a-Healthy-You Sat, 18 Dec 2021 07:44:00 GMT
    Why is There Resistance to Alternative Healthcare Methods? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Why-is-There-Resistance-to-Alternative-Healthcare-Methods American society and culture are very much dependent upon Western allopathic medicine which relies on scientific proof of whether healthcare practices are deemed as safe and effective. The problem herein lies that many of the ancient time-proven methods don’t fit nicely to allopathic medicine’s gold standard of random controlled trials (RCT). It is difficult to quantify results for methods that rely upon the practitioner to assess the patient at the time of treatment and decide how much or how little pressure to apply or other variables that cannot really be controlled during treatments such as emotions, outcomes or experience of the practitioner and/or the patient.

    I feel from my experiences with allopathic medical practitioners, that there is much resistance to sharing the healthcare market with alternative healthcare options such as massage, acupuncture, and meditation among others. I think that most allopathic medical doctors try to stay true to their oath of trying to help people and do no harm in the process. However, my understanding is that medical doctors are trained to follow a flowchart of recommended protocols.

    Massage, yoga, meditation and many other complimentary alternative practices fall way behind use of pharmaceuticals and sometimes surgery for many common ailments and injuries. Let’s be honest and accept that most people don’t go to their medical doctor with the expectation of nutritional advice, a prescription for more activity or the suggestion of a massage to relief mental as well as physical stress. People often go to their doctor to get meds to fix or mask their underlying root causes and then go about whatever might be causing their issues to begin with. So I think that the healthcare industry is only part of the problem/solution with the other part being how many people look at their healthcare as someone else’s responsibility that can be fixed with a pill or surgery. Look how many people are in the waiting room at medical doctor’s office compared to how many are waiting for a massage at a local Hand & Stone massage business.

    Various Types of “alternative” healthcare methods

    With many medical experts calling for more studies and more research, I feel it is mostly an excuse not to promote other alternative therapies. The American Medical Association along with many prestigious research universities have vast resources to conduct whatever studies they care to or rather, care not to invest upon.  The American healthcare system, can be debated as either severely broken or also seemingly miraculous for others. Regardless, US healthcare is an over $4 trillion dollar a year economic powerhouse that will only continue to grow with or without acceptance of alternative therapies.

    Be Well, Stay Healthy, Be Wise.

    References:

    https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/massage-therapy/what-does-research-say-about-massage-theraphy (Links to an external site.)

    https://www.advisory.com/en/daily-briefing/2020/04/03/health-spending (Links to an external site.)

    https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/licensure-complementary-and-alternative-practitioners/2011-06

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health & wellness health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Why-is-There-Resistance-to-Alternative-Healthcare-Methods Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT Strive to have a “relationship with your physical body” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Strive-to-have-a-relationship-with-your-physical-body Strive to have a “relationship with your physical body”. I think often times people hear about the mind, body and spirit connection but really have no idea, plan or methods on how to achieve this state of being.

    From what I have learned from my teachers of martial arts & qigong is that by becoming aware and understanding how the physical body exists and operates (kind of from like a mechanical or physiological perspective) one can begin to better understand how their own mind works. For example, if holding a particular yoga, qigong or kung fu posture for say 1-5 minutes, the muscles and the physical body begin to fatigue. The process of the mind trying to keep the body in the correct position engages the thoughts to express emotional traits of patience, frustration, determination, focus and other levels of awareness. This can also be similarly developed from other mind/body practices such as archery, painting, singing, playing an instrument, carpentry or other trades that all require repetitive engagement of the thought process and the control of the body to accomplish a particular task. These types of activities can be viewed as various types of sitting, standing, or moving meditations all in their own rights.

    Background music can be a pro or con depending upon the goal of the practitioner. Some martial arts or dance styles utilize drums to keep a beat that coincides with the pace of the movements. Others moving meditations like tai chi or qigong might incorporate music that consists of specific tones or tempos to help to coincide the breathing and heart rates to slower paces, thereby hacking the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing stress. Certain tones can either help elevate the heart rate (like maybe Led Zeppelin) while others might lower the heart rate (maybe jazz or instrumentals), where as in TCM specific notes are associated with wood (liver-gall bladder), fire (heart-small intestines), earth (stomach-spleen), metal (lungs-large intestine) and water (bladder-kidneys).

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva and Longwood areas.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 diabetes health care martial arts center for health meditation obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease philosophical concepts stress management stress relief winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Strive-to-have-a-relationship-with-your-physical-body Fri, 10 Dec 2021 07:30:39 GMT
    Qigong, Martial Arts & Yoga – the original CrossFit & functional training methods https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Qigong-Martial-Arts-Yoga-the-original-CrossFit-functional-training-methods Qigong, Martial Arts & Yoga – the original CrossFit & functional training methods, dating back thousands of years.

    US healthcare is truly “sickcare”, where people are mostly encouraged to eat whatever they want, lead a sedentary lifestyle, abuse tobacco, drugs and alcohol – and then expect the system to fix or take care of them.Obesity and its friends of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart & lung disease don’t care if you have healthcare insurance or not – but you should. Hedge your healthcare program with SELF-CARE.

    Be well, get healthy, be wise.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva and Longwood areas.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional ship pal gye winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Qigong-Martial-Arts-Yoga-the-original-CrossFit-functional-training-methods Mon, 06 Dec 2021 06:33:20 GMT
    Covid19 Vaccination Survey https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Covid19-Vaccination-Survey Hello Friends!!

    I need survey data for a college course I am enrolled in. Please help me out by taking this 19 question survey. All information will remain completely anonymous in keeping with anthropological ethics and that there will be no consequences of the research for those helping me. This is all anonymous and answers will remain anonymous – even to me. Thank you & be well!

    Click link to take survey through Survey Monkey:

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26RMNJP

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) misc https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/12/Covid19-Vaccination-Survey Sat, 04 Dec 2021 16:38:37 GMT
    The Cost of Treating Cystic Fibrosis https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/The-Cost-of-Treating-Cystic-Fibrosis “Each year in the United States about 30,000 babies are born with cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes severe lung and breathing problems (Kaiser, 2012). This inherited (genetic) disease occurs because an affected child inherits a defective gene from each parent. Modern medical treatments enable babies born with cystic fibrosis to survive to about age 40. Despite the improved care and therapies, there still is no cure.

    In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the health programs in Canada, the European Union, and other countries approved the drug Kalydeco (ivakator), which can restore lung function in a specific subtype of cystic fibrosis patients—about 4 of 100. Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactures Kalydeco, charges $300,000 for a year’s supply of pills (taken twice daily). Most cystic fibrosis patients who respond to the drug will need to take it for decades to stay alive.

    Many doctors, patients and their families, and insurers, including the U.S. government, which pays for the drug through Medicare Disability and Medicaid, object to the high cost. They point out that the scientific research that discovered the drug was paid for by taxpayers and that Vertex received considerable help from the Cystic Fibrosis Association and hence spent less than the typical $1 billion to $2 billion to develop the new drug. Without some adjustment in the price, as is being demanded by the U.S. and European governments, each patient receiving the drug will produce a multi-billion-dollar profit for Vertex. In the for-profit model of drug development and sale, Vertex is doing nothing illegal to price its product as it sees fit.

    The cost of Kalydeco and other new drugs approved for serious diseases—especially cancer—which is almost always more than $100,000 per treatment or annually if the drug must be given continuously, is a pressing problem facing the healthcare system. With modern genetic technologies to help produce more drugs to treat small numbers of patients, industry and drug developers will be tempted to exploit their advantage financially. Detecting and treating genetic and other serious diseases are rife with ethical and economic concerns that will become critical in the coming years.”

    References:

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

    I am currently offering wellness lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.

    For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.comhttp://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/http://www.umareg.com/masters-c

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 health care obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/The-Cost-of-Treating-Cystic-Fibrosis Tue, 30 Nov 2021 12:16:36 GMT
    FDA/EPA – guardians of the consumer or a shill for Big Pharma & Medical? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/FDA/EPA-guardians-of-the-consumer-or-a-shill-for-Big-Pharma-Medical Should these products have been approved in the 1st place? I realize not everyone has health issues from these items, but who wants to test their luck? I guess if a product generates $XXXbillion, and lawsuits payout $Xbillion, it was a good business plan. Do your research, when it comes to your well-being. No one should care more about your health than you.

    Be well, stay healthy, be wise.

    __________

    Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

    Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

    Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

    https://www.facebook.comMindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

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    Masters Council

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 diabetes health care obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/FDA/EPA-guardians-of-the-consumer-or-a-shill-for-Big-Pharma-Medical Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:12:49 GMT
    “Killing Us Sweetly: How to Take Industry out of the FDA” https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/-Killing-Us-Sweetly-How-to-Take-Industry-out-of-the-FDA “Killing Us Sweetly: How to Take Industry out of the FDA”

    “For more than a century, the Food and Drug Administration has claimed to protect the public health. During that time, it has actually been placing corporate profits above consumer safety. Nowhere is this corruption more evident than in the approval of artificial sweeteners. FDA leaders’ close ties to the very industry they were supposed to be regulating present a startling picture. Ignoring warnings from both independent scientists and their own review panels, FDA decision makers let greed guide their actions. They approved carcinogenic sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose while simultaneously banning the natural herb stevia because it would cut into industry profits. This Article proposes two reforms that can end these corrupt practices and take industry out of the FDA. By strengthening conflict of interest regulations and preventing companies from participating in safety trials, the FDA will be able to gain the independence it needs in order to regulate the food and drug industries.”

    Good essay to read if your are concerned about what you put into your body.Iuliano, J. (2021). Killing Us Sweetly: How to Take Industry out of the FDA. Journal of Food Law & Policy, 6(1). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jflp/vol6/iss1/4

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 diabetes diet & nutrition health care obesity osteoporosis https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/-Killing-Us-Sweetly-How-to-Take-Industry-out-of-the-FDA Sat, 27 Nov 2021 08:46:23 GMT
    Vitamin D – 6 Things You Didn’t Know https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/Vitamin-D-6-Things-You-Didn-t-Know More people have been staying inside for months now, to avoid Covid19. As a consequence, people may now be suffering more from vitamin D3 deficiency (metabolism & bone issues), seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (depression), drug & alcohol overuse and overdoses, and many other issues relative to sitting far more than previously.

    A vaccine or other medicines can’t fix someone if they are not living a healthy lifestyle to begin with.

    Get out and get some fresh air, sunlight (not too much-avoid skin cancer!), physical activity and maybe something safe and fun!

    Be well, stay healthy, be wise!

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 diabetes health care osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/Vitamin-D-6-Things-You-Didn-t-Know Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:12:35 GMT
    FDA, Food & Drug Companies – Overuse of Antibiotics in the Food Chain https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/FDA-Food-Drug-Companies-Overuse-of-Antibiotics-in-the-Food-Chain Good information regarding the FDA, drug and food companies who are all contributing to chemicals allowed into the American diet, in spite of the health risks. Remember when we were taught that “you are what you eat” and thought it was ridiculous? Regardless, most people continue to trust those that willfully make us sick.

    “In the 1990s, the FDA approved two drugs, Baytril and SaraFlox, that could be added routinely to poultry feed. These two drugs belong to a class of extremely effective antibiotics called fluoroquinolones; members of this family of drugs are used to treat the bacteria that cause anthrax and food borne infections. Scientists and the American Medical Association warned that such use in animal feed would lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. After several years of use, this is exactly what happened, and the FDA tried to ban the use of the drugs in livestock. Drug companies fought the FDA, and it was years before the drugs were finally withdrawn from the market. But it was to late; resistance had already occurred. Fluoroquinolone drugs are now much less effective in treating staph infections.”

    “In 2007, the FDA again succumbed to drug company pressures and approved the use of a powerful antibiotic, cefquinome, for use in animal feed. Again the American Medical Association and many other health organizations warned that adding this drug to animal feed would, within a few years, lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria and render this powerful class of drugs much less effective. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the health peril from overuse of antibiotics in animals and people, the US. government still has not restricted the unnecessary use of antibiotics as most other countries have done (Woolhouse & Ward, 2013). Every year in the United States, drug companies sell thousands of tons of antibiotics for use in livestock and people. Time after time over the last several decades, the FDA has bowed to industry pressures and has failed to perform its primary mission to protect the health of Americans.”

    References:

    Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, pg. 273

    Woolhouse, M. E. J., & Ward, M. J. (2013). Sources of antimicrobial resistance. Science, 341 , 1460—1461.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4424433/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) covid-19 diabetes health care obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease pharma https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/11/FDA-Food-Drug-Companies-Overuse-of-Antibiotics-in-the-Food-Chain Thu, 25 Nov 2021 07:12:23 GMT
    11 Banned Foods Americans Should Stop Eating https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/9/11-Banned-Foods-Americans-Should-Stop-Eating Below are some of the most commonly used toxic food ingredients and practices that are allowed by the FDA for use or consumption in the United States, but banned elsewhere in the world. Most are carcinogens or are known to cause harm to our health.

    Do your own research, draw your own conclusions, and do what is best for you and yours.

    #1 — Dough Conditioners

    #2 — Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

    #3 — Propylparaben

    #4 — BHA and BHT

    #5 — Synthetic Food Dyes

    #6 — GMOs

    #7 — Roxarsone

    #8 — Ractopamine

    #9 — Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides

    #10 — Olestra

    #11 — Synthetic Hormones

    https://foodrevolution.org/blog/banned-ingredients-in-other-countries/

    I also offer instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) diet & nutrition https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/9/11-Banned-Foods-Americans-Should-Stop-Eating Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:01:41 GMT
    The Gradual Decline of Physical Education in Schools and Relevance to Adult Health https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/8/The-Gradual-Decline-of-Physical-Education-in-Schools-and-Relevance-to-Adult-Health I thought I’d share my perspective on this subject of state of American health. Mostly just my opinion from my experiences as a father of 2 young adults and teacher (martial arts, wellness, qigong, Taoist yoga etc.) for almost 40 years. Yes, I am showing my age. When I was in elementary school in the 70’s, we had a 1/2-hour recess and 1-hour of physical education (PE) every school day. Middle & high school was PE everyday regardless of weather. I cannot remember more than 1-2 kids during that time as being labeled “hyperactive” however a lot more kids had trouble focusing and getting good grades in particular subjects; so focus had always been an issue on some level. Ritalin was the only medicine that I had even known to exist for a few young people, that had what was to in later decades diagnosed as ADHD.

    Fast forward to the last 20 years of my life. My kids while in elementary school had recess for about 15-20 minutes a few days a week alternating with PE for two days a week. High school required 1 credit of PE over the 4 years of attendance; online or in person were the options. Talking with other parents and teachers over this time led me to understand that a large portion of kids were having ADHD, depression, anxiety, obesity and many other health issues that were dealt with through pharmaceuticals on a daily basis. Sports and PE were often not even considered as methods to manage these ailments. Getting good grades and into a good college are the main focus in high school, leaving little time for such non-academic pursuits of physical activities that actually make the mind work better.

    Having discussed this issue with many school teachers that I knew as friends, most felt that less recess and PE was a major step backwards in child development. Additionally, these teachers felt that it was much more difficult for them to teach while attempting to harness the pent-up energy and emotions of kids sitting for hours on end throughout the school day. Most wished that recess and PE were brought back as a standard daily requirement. 

    So while I strongly believe that yoga and other mindful methods would be great (this is what I teach!) I would be very happy just to see regular exercise of running, swimming, calisthenics, and game play come back to all levels of school.  So many benefits for the mind and body that are associated with whatever level of  physical as well as mental and social engagement that are being left out of schools in lieu of more time spent on academics. If we are to have a strong and healthy population, we really need to be planting seeds of good health education and self-responsibility with our youth, in order to make it grow into the adult years. 

    I offer instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness kung fu martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/8/The-Gradual-Decline-of-Physical-Education-in-Schools-and-Relevance-to-Adult-Health Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:23:04 GMT
    Health is wealth, plain and simple. https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/8/Health-is-wealth-plain-and-simple Health is wealth, plain and simple.

    Many of the chronic diseases in the US are somewhat preventable from lifestyle changes. Most ailments do not manifest overnight but rather over years of personal neglect.

    Having multiple chronic conditions (comorbidities) opens the door to acquiring other illnesses.

    • Eat more fruits & veggies; less sugar, salt and junk food
    • Be physically active daily
    • Be socially engaged
    • Get outdoors for fresh air and sunlight daily
    • Reduce news & social media
    • Control your life, thoughts & emotions
    • Research natural remedies in addition to time-proven options

    New tai chi/qigong class at:

    The University Club of Winter Park

    841 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

    Thursdays, 11:30am-12:30pm

    $10 for drop-in class or quantity discounts

    Contact to confirm attendance at 407-234-0119 or inquire about other learning options.


    I also offer instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well, stay healthy, be wise.


    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBody

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    Masters Council

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness martial arts center for health obesity osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong ship pal gye tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/8/Health-is-wealth-plain-and-simple Mon, 09 Aug 2021 06:42:42 GMT
    Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Chemistry https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Change-Your-Thoughts-Change-Your-Chemistry What You Think Affects Your Health

    Every thought, has an emotional attachment on some level. Positive emotions keep organs in balance for optimal performance. Negative emotions disrupt this balance leading to other symptoms and ailments.

    What You Think Affects Your Outlook

    If your thoughts have a mostly positive emotional attachment on some level, you may have more of an optimistic outlook in your life. Conversely, mostly negative emotions tend to make people have a somewhat pessimistic outlook in their life.

    Managing our thoughts and consequently, our blood chemistry can be accomplished through mindful practices.

    I offer instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain class info diabetes human behavior kung fu martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong stress management stress relief tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Change-Your-Thoughts-Change-Your-Chemistry Tue, 13 Jul 2021 07:11:24 GMT
    Tai Chi, Qigong & Martial Arts for Better Health & Wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Tai-Chi-Qigong-Martial-Arts-for-Better-Health-Wellness If you have 10-minutes to spare, watch my video showing and explaining why tai chi, gigong and martial arts exercises for health are all a great low-impact option for staying mentally and physically active. All ages can practice and benefit from these time-proven methods. I can write about all of this information but watching me explain it and seeing it in action, might help viewers to have a better understanding of these methods and the theories and concept behind the practices.

    My goal is to present an education that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

    Instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being. I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction.

    Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

    More video clips, books, posters & resources at:

    http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    Masters Council

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    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) acupressure chronic pain daoyin diabetes health care martial arts center for health obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease promotional qigong tai chi winter park tai chi yoga zen wellness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Tai-Chi-Qigong-Martial-Arts-for-Better-Health-Wellness Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:24:48 GMT
    Yoga, Qigong & Tai Chi – share the same root origin https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Yoga-Qigong-Tai-Chi-share-the-same-root-origin Yoga, Qigong & Tai Chi – share the same root origin.

    Most people are not familiar with the origins of tai chi being from martial arts, and coming from qigong, which is basically yoga it its root.  Yoga is often presented and taught with postures standing, lying down or positions in between. Qigong is often taught as standing static exercises with little or no body movement. However, both yoga and qigong have standing, sitting, lying, static and dynamic exercises; because they share the same root origin. Tai chi is basically yoga/qigong exercises in motion.

    When I teach a new student or group, I try to simplify the explanation of tai chi to its basic components of gentle stretching/strengthening exercises, regulated mindful-breathing by way of engaged thought.  A bit more involved is that tai chi/yoga/qigong are methods to regulate the nervous system modes of “fight or flight” and “rest and digest”. Beyond that, there are literally hours of discussion on theory and concepts of how and why it all works.

    Many of you who have known me over the years, know me to be a bit passionate and meticulous about my studying, practicing and teaching of martial arts and various wellness methods. I can attribute my quest due to the following facets of diligent martial arts and mind/body/spirit training:

    – Moving the body within the 3 anatomical planes (coronal, sagittal & transverse)

    – Exercising the body’s 600+ muscles- Strengthening the body’s 200+ bones- Stretching of the 12 fascial lines

    – Moving and strengthening the 33 vertebrae

    – Getting the organs moving by engaging the core muscles

    – Rehabilitation of injuries (knees, back, neck and shoulders)

    – Boosting of the immune system- Relieving stress and anxiety

    – Learning to see one’s self as others see me through mindful exercises engaging the mind, body and self-awareness

    – and many more benefits.

    Instruction in qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.

    I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

    Be well!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes martial arts center for health obesity parkinsons disease qigong tai chi taoist yoga winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/7/Yoga-Qigong-Tai-Chi-share-the-same-root-origin Sun, 04 Jul 2021 11:09:45 GMT Mindfullness Used to be called “Paying Attention” (1-hour lecture on Tai Chi) https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/Mindfullness-Used-to-be-called-Paying-Attention-1-hour-lecture-on-Tai-Chi Years back, mindfulness was called paying attention.

    Some smart marketers decided that “paying attention” could be re-branded into “mindfulness” and a billion dollar industry was created. Seminars, retreats, classes, phone apps and a plethora of other events and items have come about to help people learn to pay attention or be more mindful.

    However, Eastern philosophy and its methods of yoga (qigong), tai chi and others, have been around for thousands of years and have already been proven to improve mental and physical health. Better fitness, health and well-being usually help the body’s innate (natural) immunity to combat illness, disease and injuries.

    Mind, Body & Spirit. Many people talk about this but how do you actually be more present. Watch my video below of my introductory Tai Chi & Qigong class at the University Club of Winter Park to learn how these methods help us to pay better attention to what is most important in our lives.

    Physical Exercise (body)

    Regulated Breathing (mind)

    Self Awareness (spirit)

    The former are key components to a healthy lifestyle. However, more important is the quality or specificity of how you exercise for your abilities and limitations. How deep and the frequency of your breaths is more important than just being able to breathe. What you think about determines the quality of your thoughts being positive or negative with both affecting the emotions and consequently the nervous system and blood chemistry.

    It really is that simple. Our health, good or bad is the manifestation of our lifestyle. What we eat, what we think and how we move our bodies – all our reflected in our well-being. Our health is ultimately our own individual responsibility. Obviously some people’s individual situation requires help and/or assistance from within our society. Socioeconomic issues effect many. But mostly, people have choices in the US regarding their own lifestyle and how it affects their own health. People usually are not forced to eat low nutritional junk food, smoke or live a sedentary lifestyle. We make our own decisions and live with the causes, effects and results of our choices.

    Pain is inevitable. Suffering is an option.

    It is often very difficult to live a comfortable life, when someone has so much pain and suffering within it.

    The keys to happiness are truly in our own hands. Self-discipline is the master key to do what we know needs to be done:

    – maintain a nutritional diet

    – consistently exercise and/or be active- prioritize sleep quality

    – nurture healthy social interactions

    – get fresh air and some sunlight everyday

    – be more positive than negative in your outlook and input

    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Be well, be healthy, be wise!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care human behavior obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/Mindfullness-Used-to-be-called-Paying-Attention-1-hour-lecture-on-Tai-Chi Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:30:35 GMT
    Self-defense Skills – Becoming a Thing of the Past https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/Self-defense-Skills-Becoming-a-Thing-of-the-Past Most people cannot defend themselves in a physical confrontation.
     
     

    Few people exercise or stay active (only about 23% CDC 2018) let alone practice the physical and mental skills that can protect themselves or loved ones.

     

    Basic Attacks

     

    Kids don’t play outside or together as much as they use to. Video games and smartphones are the substitute for physical activity and developing social skills. Both of which are needed to avoid physical confrontations. In reality, most kids (and adults) never learn how to defend themselves these days until after the actual need arises – which unfortunately could be too late.

    We live in a very different world than when we did a a few decades back. If you believe television and movies, everyone knows kung fu, boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA). However, this is not reality.

    Good skills to learn:

    • Basic defense skills against being grabbed, touched, punched, kicked, etc.
    • Anatomy relative to “pressure points” or key body parts to defend or attack if necessary.
    • Situational awareness relative to options before and after someone finds themselves in a potentially dangerous and life changing event.
    • Balance, coordination and strength exercises to develop self-esteem and confidence that one does not need to be a victim or rely upon others for their own personal safety.

    Contact Jim Moltzan at [email protected], 407-234-0119  

    (almost 40 years of practicing and teaching of wellness, self-defense and a martial arts)

    www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain class info core training fitness health care human behavior osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong self defense senior classes stress relief tai chi winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/Self-defense-Skills-Becoming-a-Thing-of-the-Past Mon, 07 Jun 2021 06:26:32 GMT
    News Flash – Our health is ultimately our own individual responsibility! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/News-Flash-Our-health-is-ultimately-our-own-individual-responsibility For at least the last few decades, we have known that in order to maintain wellness we need a healthy mind, body and spirit. The state of our health directly impacts our body’s innate (natural) immunity against disease, illness and injury.


    Eat quality food, be active, avoid stress, sleep soundly, drink alcohol responsibility, don’t smoke, maintain positive relationships, enjoy life – these are known and science-proven components to maintain wellness. Why did these concepts lose popularity and credibility?


    For whatever reasons, our society for the last year and half, has pretty much disconnected the key components of health, fitness and wellness from personal responsibility. We have grown accustomed to blaming somebody, anybody, and everybody for our health issues, when we ultimately make the decisions of what we put into our bodies and the lifestyle we live.


    Obviously not everyone’s socioeconomic situation allows for the Utopia of the perfect society many seek. But overall, our US citizens possess the freedom and ability to change the exact things that make us sick and dis-“ease”d.


    “Normal” in the US:

    – 12.2% of adults meet the daily fruit intake recommendation (CDC 2018)

    – 9.3% of adults meet the daily vegetable intake recommendation (CDC 2018)

    – 23% Exercise regularly (CDC 2018)

    – 42% vitamin D deficiency (CDC 2018)

    – 73% overweight (CDC 2018)

    – 42% obese (CDC 2018)

    – 18% obesity age 2-18 (CDC 2018)

    – 70% on prescriptions (CDC 2019)

    – 60% have chronic issues (CDC 2019)

    – 40% have more than one chronic issues (comorbidities) (CDC 2019)

    – 14% Smoke (CDC 2019)

    These are the reasons why the US spends the most $$$ of all nations on healthcare but does not even rank in the top 30 nations for quality of life.


    I am adamantly pursuing opportunities to share and teach methods of mind, body and self-awareness to open and willing health-conscious individuals. I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.


    Be well, be healthy, be wise!


    Jim Moltzan
    407-234-0119
    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) diabetes health care human behavior obesity osteoporosis qigong tai chi winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/6/News-Flash-Our-health-is-ultimately-our-own-individual-responsibility Wed, 02 Jun 2021 12:15:16 GMT
    A Healthy Spine Makes a Happy Person https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/A-Healthy-Spine-Makes-a-Happy-Person Why do most people not take care of their spine, until they have back issues?

    Not having back pain, does not necessarily mean your spine is in great shape! If not disease nor illness is a goal, we need to focus on being fit, well & healthy. Good health usually comes at a cost of time, effort, sacrifice and resources; or a combination of the prior. Most people don’t care to make the investment into taking care of themselves until after they are injured. even then, most people with back issues often choose pain medicines or sometimes surgery over exercise or lifestyle changes that can improve their situation. Traumatic injuries are often best treated with emergency surgery and that is really not the topic of this post.

    In 2019, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (referred to as high impact chronic pain) in the past 3 months.

    Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain both increased with age and were highest among adults aged 65 and over.

    Non-Hispanic white adults (23.6%) were more likely to have chronic pain compared with non-Hispanic black (19.3%), Hispanic (13.0%), and non-Hispanic Asian (6.8%) adults.

    Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db390.htm

    Western (allopathic) Medicine mostly tries to fix spine/back issues once the ailment, injury or disease presents itself. Medications, physical therepy and surgery are common treatments for spinal issues.

    Chiropractic Medicine sees the spine as a major part of the nervous system, mostly treating the imbalances and subluxations (misalignments of the spinal vertebra) to improve health.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the spine as part of the whole body, where each component of the mind, body and spirit affect the components.

    The tai chi, yogi or qigong practitioner might realize that the spine is a conduit to reach higher levels of self-awareness, spirituality in additional to the mental and physical benefits of a healthy spinal column.

    The spinal vertebrae house and protect a vast amount of the body’s nervous tissue. When the muscles, ligaments, bones, veins/arteries or nerves throughout the back are injured, weakened or tight issues of “dis-ease” can manifest. Issues with the nerves or energy meridians can affect organs or areas located distally from the root cause. Tai chi, yoga/qigong are methods to maintain good health of the spine as well as most other areas of the body.

    Pain is inevitable. Suffering is an option.

    It is often very difficult to live a comfortable life, when someone has so much pain and suffering within it.

    The keys to happiness are truly in our own hands. Self-discipline is the master key to do what we know needs to be done:

    – maintain a nutritional diet

    – consistently exercise and/or be active- prioritize sleep quality

    – nurture healthy social interactions

    – get fresh air and some sunlight everyday

    – be more positive than negative in your outlook and input

    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Be well, be healthy, be wise!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health care obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease physiology winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/A-Healthy-Spine-Makes-a-Happy-Person Tue, 25 May 2021 12:12:45 GMT
    Is Returning to “Normal” Really a Good Thing? https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Is-Returning-to-Normal-Really-a-Good-Thing Is Returning to “Normal” Really a Good Thing?

    If not being sick is the goal, we need to focus on being fit, well & healthy.

    Not being sick, does not make someone healthier.

    However, Western (allopathic) medicine and modern science have already proven that being in better mental and physical health usually helps the body’s innate (natural) immunity to combat illness, disease and injuries.

    It really is that simple. Our health, good or bad is the manifestation of our lifestyle. What we eat, what we think and how we move our bodies – all our reflected in our well-being. Our health is ultimately our own individual responsibility. Obviously some people’s individual situation requires help and/or assistance from within our society. Socioeconomic issues effect many. But mostly, people have choices in the US regarding their own lifestyle and how it affects their own health. People usually are not forced to eat low nutritional junk food, smoke or live a sedentary lifestyle. We make our own decisions and live with the causes, effects and results of our choices.

    From the CDC (Center for Disease Control):

    Chronic Diseases: Often Preventable, Frequently Manageable Many chronic diseases could be prevented, delayed, or alleviated, through simple lifestyle changes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that eliminating three risk factors – poor diet, inactivity, and smoking – would prevent: 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of type 2 diabetes; and, 40% of cancer.

    Obesity steals more years than diabetes, tobacco, high blood pressure and high cholesterol — the other top preventable health problems that cut Americans’ lives short, according to researchers who analyzed 2014 data.

    Pain is inevitable. Suffering is an option.

    It is often very difficult to live a comfortable life, when someone has so much pain and suffering within it.

    The keys to happiness are truly in our own hands. Self-discipline is the master key to do what we know needs to be done:

    – maintain a nutritional diet

    – consistently exercise and/or be active- prioritize sleep quality

    – nurture healthy social interactions

    – get fresh air and some sunlight everyday

    – be more positive than negative in your outlook and input

    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Be well, be healthy, be wise!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Is-Returning-to-Normal-Really-a-Good-Thing Tue, 18 May 2021 07:53:41 GMT
    Root Causes of Illness https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Root-Causes-of-Illness Pain is inevitable. Suffering is an option.


    It is often very difficult to live a comfortable life, when someone has so much pain and suffering within it. The keys to happiness are truly in our own hands. Self-discipline is the master key to do what we know needs to be done:

    – maintain a nutritional diet

    – consistently exercise and/or be active

    – prioritize sleep quality- nurture healthy social interactions

    – get fresh air and some sunlight everyday

    – be more positive than negative in your outlook and input


    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Be well, be healthy, be wise!

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) back pain chronic pain diabetes health & wellness health care obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Root-Causes-of-Illness Tue, 11 May 2021 05:57:17 GMT
    Heal the Body With the Mind – Heal the Mind With the Body https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind-Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body Heal the Body With the Mind (knowledge of how the body works)

    Heal the Mind With the Body (skillful practices that engage one’s mind)

    Many chronic health issues can be managed or eliminated with appropriate knowledge of how the human body works. Ailments such as joint or muscular pain are often due to injury or postural issues. Proper knowledge of exercise and physical movement can usually help. Issues such as stress, headaches, high blood pressure, obesity and many others can be improved through the appropriate methods for each individual’s personal situation.

    Additionally, many emotional and mental issues can be improved or managed through skillful practices that engage the individuals mind and body simultaneously. Examples of mind and body engaging methods would be tai chi, yoga, pilates, meditation. Other methods might include playing a musical instrument, painting or engaging in nature.

    Be well!

    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Masters Council

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care human behavior lower back injury obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease sciatica winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/5/Heal-the-Body-With-the-Mind-Heal-the-Mind-With-the-Body Tue, 04 May 2021 07:24:55 GMT
    Root Causes of Chronic Pain https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Root-Causes-of-Chronic-Pain

    Be well!

    I teach and encourage people how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    Masters Council

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain class info covid-19 diabetes health care lower back injury obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease sciatica winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Root-Causes-of-Chronic-Pain Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:56:14 GMT
    Get your jab, and if you behave you get a FREE cookie! https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Get-your-jab-and-if-you-behave-you-get-a-FREE-cookie WOW, free goodies from Budweiser, Junior’s Cheesecake, Krispy Kreme, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, White Castle and others for getting a jab.

    Seems so gracious on the surface. Good marketing ploy and press for the junk food industry. But really counterproductive in principle if we truly are trying not to be sick, these are 1st items we should remove from our diet. Being healthy is not the same as not being sick.

    Excessive consumption of junk food (low nutritional value items), and abuse of alcohol, help cause diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other commorbidities, WHICH ARE the leading risk factors with COVID-19. Being part of the solution shouldn’t really contribute to the root problems of poor diet & lifestyle.

    Instead, maybe give out free vitamins and a brochure on how to to live a healthier life through better nutrition, consistent exercise, management of stress, fresh air, healthy social interactions, sunlight, connection with nature, a sense of purpose.

    Got vaccinated?

    Here’s all the free stuff you can get that is truly terrible for your health:

    Be well!

    I teach and encourage how to live a healthy lifestyle. Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]> [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care obesity osteopenia osteoporosis parkinsons disease qigong us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Get-your-jab-and-if-you-behave-you-get-a-FREE-cookie Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:16:57 GMT Viscious Cycle of Healthcare Mentality https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Viscious-Cycle-of-Healthcare-Mentality Allopathic medicine or allopathy is a health care system in which medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals are licensed to practice and treat symptoms of ailments and diseases. Treatment protocols generally address the symptoms of particular issues, often regardless of the root cause of the condition. For example, treating chronic headaches with pharmaceuticals, rather than a change in lifestyle factors such as stress or poor diet. Obesity might be treated with Lap-band gastric surgery to restrict the size of the stomach rather than the individual adjusting their diet.

    Allopathic medicine came to dominate health care over the span of the nineteenth century. This new scientific path to health was attributed to the increase of university medical training to guarantee practitioners were experts in the science of medicine. Consequently, the laboratory became the desired venue for medical research.

    Doctors and medical professionals saw their social status increase as they established their own associations to set rules and standards regarding who they felt could or should not be allowed to practice health care methods. As the American Medical Association (AMA) formed in 1847, it gained its influence in society, as healers of various medical models, such as osteopaths, chiropractors, herbalists and midwives were discredited as not being “based on science”. The first chiropractic organization was the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and was founded in 1905.

    The American Medical Association is an extremely powerful organization with its political influences as well as vast financial resources. The association and many of its members previously (and maybe currently) did not want to give away patients to other methods that the public sees as more effective, cheaper, less invasive and sometimes easier to obtain. For example, up until 1976, the AMA labeled chiropractic as unethical and unscientific and conspired to destroy chiropractic medicine.  A lawsuit in this year revealed that the AMA’s intent was to decrease competition for financial reasons rather than to protect the public from unethical practitioners.1

    During the proceedings it was shown that the AMA attempted to:

    • Undermine Chiropractic schools
    • Undercut insurance programs for Chiropractic patients
    • Conceal evidence of the effectiveness of Chiropractic care
    • Subvert government inquires into the effectiveness of Chiropractic
    • Promote other activities that would control the monopoly that the AMA had on health care2

    To have CAM practitioners and their methods become more integrated within the US healthcare system, things need to change with how the AMA recognizes these other healthcare systems.

    Allopathic medicine is the most common healthcare model in the United States. Other names for allopathic medicine are:

    • Western medicine
    • biomedicine
    • mainstream medicine
    • conventional medicine
    • orthodox medicine

    Typical treatments consist of:

    • medications
    • surgery
    • radiation
    • chemotherapy
    • other therapies and procedures

    Other approaches to health care are sometimes called complementary alternative medicine (CAM), integrative medicine or alternate medicine. Western and alternative approaches often disregard any integration with one another. However, some more open-minded practitioners of Western allopathic medicine are beginning to integrate alternative and complementary methods along with their treatment protocols. These include:

    • homeopathy
    • naturopathy
    • chiropractic care
    • Chinese medicine
    • ayurveda

    Many people have grown weary of the amount of time, money and effort they spend at their allopathic doctors with little or no improvement of their chronic or occasional conditions. However, the US system of biomedicine does seem quite miraculous when it comes to treating trauma such as re-attaching a severed limb, re-setting of broken bones, reconstructive surgery, diagnostics and other immediate types of injuries. However, chronic issues like lower back pain and sciatica, allergies and headaches being treated entirely with pharmaceuticals have lost some recent market share to CAM options such as exercise, herbs and lifestyle changes.

    1https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/chiropractics-fight-survival/2011-06

    2https://chiro.org/Wilk/

    Be well!

    Learn how this works and relates to your health and well being.

    .Jim Moltzan

    407-234-0119

    http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

    https://www.facebook.com/MindAndBodyExercises

    https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

    https://umareg.com/masters-council/

    ]]>
    [email protected] (www.MindandBodyExercises.com) chronic pain covid-19 diabetes health care obesity parkinsons disease qigong us healthcare (sickcare) winter park presbyterian winter park tai chi yoga https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Viscious-Cycle-of-Healthcare-Mentality Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:30:01 GMT
    Qigong for Stress Management and Effects on the Autonomic Nervous System https://www.mindandbodyexercises.com/blog/2021/4/Qigong-for-Stress-Management-and-Effects-on-the-Autonomic-Nervous-System Stress has become known as one of the main factors contributing to the top causes of human death. Heart disease, cancer, unintentional accidents, respiratory ailments, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide are the most common causes that all share a strong connection to stress. Stress-related conditions account for more than 75 percent of all physician office visits.  The autonomic nervous system (ANS), and more specifically the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is what controls the body’s physiological response to stress. Deliberate management of the SNS by regulating respiration rate and volume has been proven through medical research to lower stress.1 Qigong, tai chi, and yoga are safe, relatively inexpensive, and non-pharmaceutical options for managing stress through regulation of the SNS utilizing mindful breathing exercises.

    Stress can be defined as an individual’s consciousness and body’s response to tension or pressure in regard to specific events or changes in one’s environment. Causes of stress vary widely depending upon the individual and their coping mechanisms. Much stress comes from the workplace as people struggle to manage workload, deadlines, competition, relationships, and sometimes physical changes also. These stresses can be seen or unseen by the person. Increased breathing rate is necessary when experiencing truly stressful situations, like being chased by an animal, running from a fire or similar life-threatening situations. However, continued breathing at this pace for an extended period of time puts accumulative stress on all of the body’s systems. It is also worth stating that not all stress is considered bad in that good things can arise from experiencing stress and coping with it.2

    Emotional states directly influence respiration. Our emotions reveal themselves in various breathing patterns. Emotions of anger, fear, and anxiety result in quick, shallow breaths. Grief causes us to breathe spasmodically. Boredom leads to shallow breathing, while sadness and depression produces shallow and inconsistent breathing.

    The average person breathes 12-18 breaths per minute (BPM) during regular activity of standing, sitting & walking, consequently engaging the sympathetic nervous system. Constant duration in the SNS dumps neurotransmitters of cortisol and norepinephrine into the blood stream putting the vital organs in a state of constant high alert and stress (see figure 1). Health and fitness experts suggest that 6 BPM is optimal for the lungs to properly oxygenate the whole body, balance the blood chemistry and also remove toxins. The lungs are responsible for removing 70% of the body’s waste by-products through exhalation. Deeper breathing is a key component to having a long and healthy life. Through focused and deliberate breathing methods, many positive mental and physical benefits can be achieved. This is more easily accomplished through mindful breathing patterns from exercises such as meditation, qigong, tai chi and yoga.3

    The brain and body typically react to stress in the following steps (see figure 2):

    1. Receptors sense stress stimuli and send chemical signals to the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), which releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to the adrenal glands.
    2. The adrenal glands respond with the secretion of cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline to be released into the bloodstream.
    3. Immediate physiological changes are induced, including acceleration of heart and lung activity, elevated blood pressure, inhibition of digestive activity, tunnel vision, and sweating.

    Long-term stress can lead to over-secretion of the adrenal steroids causing Cushing’s Disease.4

    Figure 1. Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System. J. Moltzan 2021
    Figure 2. Stress Response. J. Moltzan 2021

    Qigong, yoga, tai chi and daoyin are quite different names for exercise methods that all share the same Eastern Indian origins (see figure 3). Tai chi is sometimes referred to as “Yoga in motion” or tai chi chuan. All of these types of exercise use mindful breathing with deliberate body positioning. The mind is focused inward on one’s thoughts, breathing and posture. All have elements for mind, body & spiritual (or higher consciousness) development. These practices have been practiced for thousands of years (origins between 5000-1500 BC), and Tai Chi originated in the 12th century. The following is a basic translation of these methods:

    Figure 3. Methods That Activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System. J. Moltzan 2021

    All of these methods have a strong focus on the correlation between the physiological health of the spinal column, all of its related components and the health of the central nervous system (CSN). The CSN also has a direct connection to the body’s immune system in fighting off disease and illness. The human body is made up of bones, muscles, and organs amongst other components. Veins, arteries, and capillaries carry blood and nutrients throughout to all of the systems and components. Additionally, 12 major energy meridians carry the body’s energy (see figure 4). “life force” also known as “qi”. One’s qi is stored in the lower Dan Tien. Daily emotional imbalances accumulate tension and stress gradually affecting all of the body’s systems. Stressors in the forms of discomfort, nuisances, irritations, or grudges can continue to tighten and squeeze the flow of the life force. This is where disease claims its foothold.5

    Figure 4. The 12 Primary Energy Meridians. J. Moltzan 2021

    Qigong is sometimes referred to as standing-yoga, but basically qigong and yoga share the same root origin. Often people think of qigong as standing or sitting still for hours in meditation, and it can be for the advanced practitioner. People often think of yoga as sitting or lying on the ground for most of the exercises. Yoga and qigong are much the same but can differ based upon the teacher and the goals in practice. Qigong has moving exercises (tai chi and daoyin) and yoga has standing exercises (see figure 5). It all depends on who is teaching and what their background of knowledge includes.

    Qigong breathing exercises can adjust the brainwaves to the theta state where the mind is relaxed and the body chemistry changes promoting natural healing. Relaxing of the deep skeletal muscles, working outward. Release of tension accumulated within the muscles, organs, and nerves. Whereas conventional physical exercise can deplete energy, Qigong helps to replenish your natural energy.6

    Figure 5. Various Stress Relief Methods. J. Moltzan 2021

    A randomized controlled trial for qigong practices from their start date up until December 2018, included 9 studies involving depression as well as any neurophysiological and other psychological mechanisms results were included.  The sample sizes varied between 24 and 116 participants, aged between 18 and 84. Within these studies, seven suggested that qigong was effective in decreasing depression, often a side-effect of stress. A noteworthy effect on lower diastolic blood pressure was also found. However, no obvious effects were reported for the levels of cortisol level nor lowering of systolic blood pressure. This trial was able to demonstrate that qigong is an effective method to reduce depression by activation of the parasympathetic nervous