Learn Tantric Qigong ™

.

.

Qigong, Immunity, and Influenza

With debate raging over the efficacy and side effects of the H1N1 flu vaccine, which contains mercury (as thimerosal) and may contain other adjuvants, perhaps it is appropriate to consider carefully some natural alternatives to increase one’s immune response.

It is well known to practitioners of T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong that these arts demonstrably improve one’s overall health and vitality in a gentle, non-stressful manner. The relevant question here is, does the practice of these ancient Qi generating exercises convey additional immunity to protect oneself specifically from influenza infections?

In one study, conducted by Dr. Yang, et al and published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (35(4):597-607), researchers found that Qigong and T’ai Chi can definitely enhance immune response. A group of 50 adults was divided into two groups. One practiced qigong, meditation, and T’ai Chi forms, while the control group did no exercise. The Qigong – T’ai Chi group attended three one-hour Qigong and meditation classes each week.

All of the participants in the study got vaccinated for the flu at the beginning of the study and had blood titres performed periodically during the succeeding months. Results showed that the group practicing Qigong and T’ai Chi had significantly higher antibody responses to the influenza virus than the control group. In the Qigong – T’ai Chi group, results showed a 173%, 130% and 109% increase in antibodies to the flu at 3, 6, and 20 weeks while the control group showed only a 10% -  58% increase in influenza immunity.

From the Abstract of the American Journal of Chinese Medicine:
“… This study was intended to examine whether 5 months of moderate Taiji and Qigong (TQ) practice could improve the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults… Baseline pre-vaccine blood samples were collected. All subjects then received the 2003–2004 influenza vaccine during the first week of the intervention. Post-vaccine blood samples were collected 3, 6 and 20 weeks post-intervention for analysis of anti-influenza hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. We found a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the magnitude and duration of the antibody response to influenza vaccine in TQ participants when compared to CON. The vaccination resulted in a 173, 130, and 109% increase in HI titer at 3, 6, and 20 weeks post-vaccine, respectively, in the TQ group compared to 58, 54, and 10% in CON. There was a significant between group difference at 3 and 20 weeks post-vaccine and at 20 weeks the TQ group had significantly higher titers compared to the pre-vaccine time point, whereas the CON group did not. A higher percentage of TQ subjects also responded to the influenza A strains with a protective (> 40HI) antibody response (37% TQ vs. 20% CON for the H1N1 strain and 56% TQ vs. 45% CON for the H3N2 strain…”¹

What does this mean?

After 20 weeks, the practitioners of Qigong had an average of over 10 times the immune response to the flu than the control group (who were vaccinated, but did not practice Qigong). Additional immunity specific to Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu was detected in the Qigong group.

More ways to reduce the risk of contracting the flu:

–Wash your hands frequently

–Eliminate or reduce white sugar in your diet. Excessive sugar consumption can have a debilitating effect on the immune system.  See some other dietary guidelines for increasing immune function.

–Take a high quality source of omega 3 fats which help strengthen cell membranes, improving resistance to infection.

–Optimize your vitamin D levels. An optimal level of vitamin D can help you fight infections of all kinds.

–Get plenty of sleep.

–Manage your stress. When you are stressed your body does not have the reserve of Chi necessary to fight off viral infections.  See more about programs for stress management here © 2009 Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Presencing ™: The Art of Being Present

Instruction and coaching

Winterize Yourself

Qigong and Immunity

Tantric Qi Gong ™

Learn to Meditate:

Nutrition to Increase Your Immune Response

Garlic
Fresh garlic contains allicin, a sulfur-bearing substance that acts as a natural antibiotic in addition to being a potent antioxidant. You can use garlic in cooked vegetables, sauces, soups, and stews. The trick is not to cook the garlic, which lessens its potency. Cook your food and then add one or more crushed fresh garlic cloves for maximum effect. Use fresh garlic earlier during the day rather than late at night as some people report that fresh garlic can irritate their stomach, so be careful.

Yogurt
Yogurt and yogurt products that contain live active cultures can be a powerful intestinal probiotic. It reduces the ability of those pesky pathogens to colonize your intestinal tract. Lactobacilli can increase T cell production and protect against intestinal flu, yeast, and other nasty infections. If you are taking a lot of garlic, you should alternate your doses with plenty of viable lactobacilli.

Elderberry
Elderberries and their extracts are anti-inflammatory and may prevent the flu virus from replicating.

Nuts
Certain nuts and seeds contain generous amounts of zinc, an antioxidant known to increase T-cells. Almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cashews, sesame, chickpeas, all contain good amounts of zinc as do baked beans, cheddar cheese, and yeast. Zinc is also found in many over-the-counter cold remedies.

According to NIH, “Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.”

Mushrooms
Certain mushrooms may have an immune boosting effect. They include shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms. Make them into a good homemade soup.

Beets
Fresh, raw beet juice is said to be able to inactivate the flu virus

Flax seed
Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which help strengthen cell membranes, improving resistance to infection.

Tea
All Tea is rich in antioxidants to protect cells. A Japanese study reports that tea acts as a vaccination against flu when used as a mouthwash. According to the UK Tea Council, green suppresses the growth of influenza cells and may actually kill the influenza virus.

Carrots
Carrots contain high amounts of Beta-Carotene, a nutrient vital to the integrity of the mucosa of the respiratory system. Healthy mucous membranes are better able to repel invading bacteria and viruses. Any orange or yellow vegetable such as  squash, pumpkins, etc. will contain good amounts.

Low Fat Protein
Protein is necessary for tissue growth and repair. Inadequate amounts of protein have been found to degrade the immune system and impair T-cells. Low fat diets increase immune response partly by reducing the lipid content of the blood, thus improving the ease of blood circulation and the motility of cellular components of the immune system. Low-fat cheese or cottage cheese, yogurt, and tofu are good sources.

Broccoli
Broccoli, like garlic contains compounds that may have an antimicrobial effect. Broccoli contains quercetin, a potent anti viral compound. According to a study published by The American Physiological Society, mice given quercetin were less likely to contract the flu.

Citrus Fruits
Citrus contains excellent levels of natural Vitamin C, which cannot be stored by our bodies. Vitamin C increases neutrophilic (white blood cell) motility thus increasing immune response. Citrus also contains anti-inflammatory bioflavanoids that can strengthen delicate capillaries and may have antiviral properties. Other foods containing good amounts of vitamin C include tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, pomegranates, artichokes, and strawberries.

A Word About Exercise
Stressful exercise can put a severe strain on the body’s immune system. Aggressive exercise has been shown to increase the susceptibility of mice to infection. We recommend T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong as exercises that increase vitality and resistance to disease.  For those of you taking the Tantric Qigong courses, Raise And Lower Each Hand Alternately is the best. © 2009 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

See also: Winterize Yourself

More nutrition articles

Presencing

Learn Tantric Qigong:

Tomato Sandwich Sutra
Can a Tomato take you to Enlightenment?

The tomato than can be had at market
Is not the true Tomato…
– Lao Tze, Taoist Chef

A sutra is a religious text.  So how, you may ask, is a tomato sandwich recipe like a holy writ? If you’re asking that question, obviously you have never had one of these sandwiches! Sit down, do some Presencing, meditation, or tantric qigong. You are embarking on a spiritual path of bliss.

The Tomatoes

I admit it. I am a severe tomato snob. Those pale pink things you get in the market – you have to know in your heart that they are made of polyethylene. Most likely, the same stuff that those carcinogenic water bottles are made of. Perfectly round, hard, devoid of nutrition and taste, one may suspect they have been bio engineered to degrade your spirit and poison your soma. Probably by DuPont or Dow.

A ripe organically grown tomato, on the other hand, is a singular creature of beauty. You can’t even find her in a farmer’s market. A demoiselle both dainty and voluptuous, she does not abide rough handling and long distance travel very well. You have to occasion her acquaintance locally. Forget those faux supermarket sirens that end up being vacuous and unresponsive upon your tongue, a home grown, fresh-faced, tomato-next-door is what your spirit yearns for.

If you’re going to cultivate the dalliance of a real tomato, an old fashioned heirloom is preferred, although hybrids may blossom into a true belle if cherished correctly. Paradoxically, and in contrast to their elutriated temperament, these scarlet seductresses respond best to dark dirt, composted manure, along with deep, even irrigation.

An intelligent courtier of these down-home debs will let them linger far past the point that the brash and impetuous beaus of agribusiness would consider. A whole order of magnitude of succulence can be obtained by waiting. Persevere until she is so full of juice that she literally bursts through the corset of her skin, her zaftig bounty on display for your delectation.

Pick them warm from the sun, effulgent and luscious. Slice them. Thick or thin, it doesn’t really matter, salt them to taste, use potassium salt if sodium is a concern.

The Mayonnaise
Hellmann’s. There can be no other. Many are the pretenders to the throne of this most majestic of condiments, but none can compare. Use the full fat version. You’re worth the extra calories, and the season, alas, is so short.

The Bread
It may seem ironic that the best bread may be the cheapest. Perchance Ms. Tomato likes to go slumming, or maybe she just prefers a partner who will not attempt to occlude her opulence.  She is fragile. A hard crust will rudely crush her, and a dense, overly odorous dough is antagonistic to her spirit. A brutish bread can never be her soul mate, whereas a light, airy bread will both complement and decline to compete with her savor. That most prosaic of blue-collar breads, Safeway Oven Joy Wheat, is a fittingly self-effacing confrere for Ms. Tomato’s sensibilities. Light-hearted and affable, it toasts to crisp perfection while not attempting to rival her royal presence.

A continental quality can be obtained by using a latitudinally sliced baguette. The crust is much too hard of a shell to slice longitudinally, as in the déclassé sub sandwich. Our Hot Tomato does not abide being abused and eclipsed by hard and leathery crusts. Of delicate disposition, she is a true August Leo, desiring to be reverently on display at all times. Sliced thinly in sections and lightly toasted, a home baked baguette can provide just the right amount of physical support and charm for our vine ripened honey. Garnish with some fresh basil for a subtly piquant perfection.

The Mudra of the Sandwich
1. Toast the bread. A baguette should be toasted gently while a light whole wheat should be toasted moderately. After it is done, leave it in the toaster so the residual heat drives out any excess moisture. Remember, albeit light, the bread must also be resolute enough to receive the nectar of this lubricous lady, as any astute escort should be.

2. While the bread is toasting, slice la tomate, fresh picked from the garden and warm from the sun.

3. When the toast is cooled, liberally apply the Hellmann’s, warmed to room temperature. Cover the toast right to the edge with a seriously thick layer, a masonry trowel may be helpful.

4. Carefully arrange layers of juice-filled tomato, salt to taste, cover with another mayo-laden toast, or leave open-faced.

5. Serve forthwith on fine china. Or wolf it down immediately, over the sink.

If this doesn’t bring you present to a state of Spiritual Ecstasy, I doubt anything will. Om Shanti! © 2009 Keith E. Hall & www.inner-tranquility.com  All rights reserved.

Nutritional content of one cup of tomatoes, Probably less if store bought, more if homegrown:

Calories 30 Calories from Fat 0
—————————-% Daily Value
Total Fat  0g—————— 0%
Saturated Fat  0g———— 0%
Cholesterol  0mg————-0%
Sodium  15mg —————-0%
Total Carbohydrates  6g—- 2%
Dietary Fiber  1-2g———–4%
Protein  1-2g—————— 2%
Vitamin A ——————– 15%
Vitamin C——————–  50%
Calcium———————— 2%
Iron—————————– 4%
Zinc—————————– 0%
Thiamin———————— 6%
Riboflavin———————  4%
Niacin————————–  4%
Vitamin B-6——————-  6%
Folate ————————– 4%
Vitamin B-12—————— 0%
Phosphorus——————– 4%
Magnesium——————— 4%
Vitamin D———————  60%

Presencing™

More nutrition articles and recipes

I Sing the Rutabaga Electric

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

420 Rough Trade Ruta Baga
4 - 6 Ruta Bagas from the wrong side of the tracks
1/4 teaspoon Old Salt
Water
1 or more tablespoons of olive oil (a fresh virgin preferably)
Nutmeg and pepper to spice her up.

Peel and cut rutabagas until they go to pieces. Put them into a saucepan, add salt and water. Work her up to a boil, then turn heat slowly down to a slow, sinuous simmer and cook until tender and compliant. Drain and save the fluid. With a potato masher, thrash the rutabagas in a pot adding in some of her hot juice as needed.

Add the virginal oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve her in a bowl sprinkled with nutmeg, fresh sage or other herbs.

S&Mashed Potatoes and Rutabagas
Equal parts rutabaga and potatoes, denuded and nipped into 2-inch pieces
1-3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup milk
Couple slashes of salt, pepper and nutmeg, or to taste

Boil rutabaga and potatoes. When docile, remove from heat. Drain and mash, then add butter, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Whip and beat until they moan a little. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Garnish with a corset of chopped parsley.

Mash on the lovely Ruta with Onions
One rutabaga, dicey.
Chop 1 well endowed onion
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil rutabaga and onion in a small amount water until tender and very willing. Drain, mash with butter, salt, and pepper. You know you are a masher, so do it well.
She will serve four quite enthusiastically.

Put the Carrot in the Rutabaga Casserole
1 large rutabaga, shaved and glabrous
Several medium carrots, well rubbed and glistening.
2 tablespoons butter
A good egg
A couple spoons of your schweet brown sugar
Dash pepper, salt
A cup of evaporated milk (or soy)
A cup of cooked rice

Cook rutabaga in boiling water until obliging and lithesome. Heat carrots in boiling water until just slightly soft but still adequately tumescent.

Transfer cooked rutabaga to a bowl and beat with butter, egg, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until silky smooth and all fluffed up. Stir in milk and rice; put the carrot in her. Spoon her well in a buttered baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.
Serves the higher and lower natures of 6 to 10.

Cheesy Studio 54 Rutabaga
Ms. Ruta Baga baked with cheese sauce and breadcrumbs.

1/4 cup melted butter or butter flavored Tantric massage oil
1/4 cup flour or other white powders
2 cups milk or soy
1 cup totally tattered Cheddar cheese
Salt, pepper
One voluptuous rutabaga, cleaved and cooked.
Toss and fling 1/2 cup bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon butter

Put on a white 3-piece suit and a little too much cologne. Melt butter in a pan over low heat and jounce in the flour. Stir it up until fervent and smooth, then slowly add in milk. Cook, stirring constantly until creamy and thick. Add the cheese and excite until your have a smooth, cheesy 70’s lounge lizard quality. Salt and pepper to taste. Place Ruta in a buttered baking dish, as shallow as your old disco persona, and pour your warm sauce over the top of the slightly stewed Ms. Baga. Sprinkle with buttered breadcrumbs. Drink a few martinis under a mirrored ball and bake at 400° for 15 - 20 minutes or until it is as done as your are.

Be brave, step outside your cultural prejudices and dare to heat up this tuberous little honey. She will likely return the favor. © 2008 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Tomato Sandwich Sutra

Presencing™

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

.

.

.

.

Instruction & Coaching

In deep winter, preserving your lifeforce to maximize health and well being becomes increasingly important. This is a somewhat “tongue-in-cheek” follow up to Winterize Yourself!

More seasonal guidelines for conserving the ojas ( male lifeforce) can be viewed at
Emission Control, The Seasons

The premise here is that following macrobiotic guidelines would indicate that the winter is the time to consume the denser Chi of root foods such as tubers.

My apologies in advance to those with unremittingly serious demeanors…..

I Sing the Rutabaga Electric

“Lonely at home
Call any vegetable
And the chances are good
That a vegetable will respond to you…
Rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga…”
– Frank Zappa - Call Any Vegetable

Genetically Caught between its sulphurous cousin the cabbage, and its distant white trash relatives the turnip family, the hottie half-breed rutabaga is secretly a beet wannabe.

A beet with an attitude.

Somewhere between ruddy and rutty, slightly spicy, but not as hot and tarted up as a radish, this impudent little tuber wants to warm your cockles this winter, if you will only give her a chance.

Ms. Ruta Baga is full of both staunch New England fiber and the sultry heat of the South. She is voluptuous with nutrients such as Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Pantothenic Acid Phosphorous, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin A, B ,C, E, and folic acid.

The lovely Ms. Baga

Ruta is rarely prominent on the supermarket’s fluorescent-lit stage. The fruit and vegetable managers, downscale produce pimps that they are, often try to conceal the lovely Rutabaga. They tend to keep her in the dark like a bad mushroom, as if she were a Plain Jane sister that they want to hide from their school buddies. Sometimes they call her (Mellow?) Yellow Turnip, thinking you won’t recognize her brazen sensuality (though they secretly adore her and expend considerable effort to apply wax to keep her skin fresh, moist, and soft. I suspect the waxing is partly Brazilian. )

All this ambivalence, shame, and negativity has made her a little shy. Track her down and you might find that, like an old high school sweetheart, she has really blossomed, matured, and is eager to please. Be bold; ask for her by name.

Rutabagas can be roasted, boiled, steamed, stir-fried, mashed, or stewed. Mash or roast them with potatoes. Stick ‘em in stews and soups. Stir-fry with onions or other vegetables, you can even French fry them. My favorite is the simplest:

Zen Rutabagas, or “Chop Bagas, Carry Water…”
1. Cut up some rutabagas and boil until soft. (They really do coat the root in wax, so you have to peel them)
2. Mash them with some salt and butter; add a little pepper if you like.
3. Eat with gusto.

You can spice them up with some onions, or put them in a pan, top with cheese and / or bread crumbs, and bake yourself a little casserole.

Being a little timid, even embarrassed by her humble roots, Ruta Baga has hired some PR and personal image consultants to improve her public acceptance. Here is some of their work:
© 2006 Keith E. Hall. all rights resverved.

Presencing™

See how the change of the seasons affects your Qi and Life Force:Tantric Taoist Sexology & The Seasons.

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

Instruction & Coaching

Not yet a practitioner of Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi or Yoga? Here are some simple suggestions:

– Get extra sleep. The hectic holidays, traveling, and associated stress place additional demands on your body. If you are sleep-deprived, your body and emotions react more poorly to stress. This can trigger depression and viral illnesses such as colds, flu, cold sores, etc. It is best to get 8 hours of sleep timed so your circadian rhythm is in sync with the daylight hours, i.e., waking up at dawn.

– Drink lots of water. Central heating tends to dry out the air, which in turn dries out your mucous membranes. This can result in nosebleeds, sinus conditions, and leave the nasal passages more vulnerable to attack by respiratory viruses. Hydrating will help you to keep your mucous membranes healthy and resistant to viruses. A humidifier may be helpful also.

– Get a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes of outdoor activity in natural light every day. Gentle, non-fatiguing exercise, sunlight, and breathing fresh air will build your vitality and resistance to winter diseases. You should not exhaust yourself with exercise, as this will steal vital energy from your immune system. T’ai Chi, Tantric Qigong, and Yoga are ideal, but you can substitute walking for up to an hour every day if you don’t know these other exercises. Exercising in full sunlight is an excellent treatment for seasonal affective disorder.

– Other treatments for SAD include light boxes that use intense illumination that provide at least 10,000 lux. Exposure to this bright artificial light has about an 85% success rate if used for 30-60 minutes daily. Some improvement is usually noticed within a week, but it can take a few weeks for full improvement to occur. Here is a good light box that will help, click on the link for more information:

– Do some gentle stretching. Stretching will improve circulation and help remove toxins. Better blood and lymph circulation can improve immune response. You can do this indoors or out. Out of doors has the additional benefits outlined above, but you need to make sure your clothing is adequately warm to minimize Chi loss in the cold. Often jogging trails at the park will have some stations set up for stretching.

– Take some vitamins. When under stress, some water-soluble vitamins can be leached from your system so replenishing these vitamins with a basic multivitamin may be helpful. Additional amounts of vitamin C and zinc can stimulate immune response. B vitamins help with stress, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, and may improve attention deficit. There is some evidence that even senile dementia may be related to a B12 deficiency.* Beta-carotene and Vitamin A fortify the mucous membranes against pollutants, microbes and carcinogens, and strengthen the thymus gland, which produces T cells.

– Eat yogurt. A good brand of yogurt can have a spectrum of friendly lactobacilli that may prevent you gastrointestinal tract from being colonized by pathogens.

– Take some herbs. Astragalus, Echinacea, and similar herbs may help foster immunocompetence. Ginseng is an adaptogen, building your ability to deal with stress. Red Ginseng may increase your vital fire.

– Breathe. Atmospheric Chi contains solar energy and you can absorb this power with various Taoist and Yogic techniques. A very simple one is to do 10 deep breaths. Inhale deeply for count of 5 or 6, then exhale slowly while focusing on relaxing your body and mind and letting go of any negative emotions. Relaxing will help encourage your Chi to circulate in a more unimpeded manner, strengthening your body energetically.

– Have some good sex. Even if you don’t have a partner. Regular sexual activity can be helpful, stimulating the hypothalamus and pineal gland in particular, and the endocrine system in general. This balances the emotions and strengthens the immune system. During the winter season, the Taoists recommend less ejaculation for both men and women.

– Make sure you eat well. Eat a variety of vegetables of different colors. This time of year the denser vegetables are better than leafy or watery vegetables and fruits. Vegetable soups and stews can be warming and fortifying, as can hot oatmeal.

* Hamilton, et.al, Nutrition Concepts & Controversies, 5th Ed., West Publishing, St. Paul, 1991
(c) 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Presencing™

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

.

.

.

.

Rutabagas: sexy winter nutrition

Instruction & Coaching

Winterize Yourself!

From December until February the days are shortest and coldest of the year and there is a serious shortage of the Solar Principle or Heavenly Chi. Most people run on “autopilot” in terms of energy production, passively and unconsciously absorbing and converting the chi around them. This time of year, with less Heavenly Chi interacting with the Earthly Chi, there is a reduction in, or sluggishness of, our life force. It is time to seriously intervene to “winterize” ourselves

The challenges we face during winter are not solely a result of the cold temperatures, though that is part of it. Much is a result of the reduced hours and intensity of sunlight. I can envision a time in the not too distant future when winter temperatures have globally warmed, yet many symptoms of the winter doldrums persist. You might have experienced a hint of this principle if you have taken a winter trip to a subtropical climate north of the equator (this applies to the Southern Hemisphere also during their winter). Though it is warmer, there is still a deficit in sunlight and under these conditions, travelers can still become tired or even ill. Warmth alone is not the full answer here, otherwise everyone with central heating would be impervious to these winter blues.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an example of one of the conditions that has a link to reduced sunlight and the concomitant reduction in stimulation of the pineal gland (third eye). The reduced duration and intensity of natural light in winter affects many people strongly, resulting in lethargy and depression. Mentally we can be unfocused, finding it more difficult to stay on task.

Symptoms can include..

• Excessive Tiredness
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Irritability
• Carbohydrate Cravings
• Weight Gain
• Social Withdrawal
• Depressed Mood
• Decreased Libido

Where the clinical boundary is for the diagnosis of SAD is often not entirely clear. Many people are affected to some degree, though some deal with this much more successfully than others. Dr. Norman Rosenthal estimates the prevalence of SAD among adults in the US varies between 1.4% in Florida and 9.7% in New Hampshire.* See below for information on light boxes to treat SAD.

Beyond the tendency towards being emotionally depressed, our lower reserves of chi can lead us to be easily stressed, which can result in having a “short fuse” or sometimes a strong desire to withdraw into a state of hibernation.

Physically the cold temperatures and the contractive nature of winter’s yin energy can result in stiff, tight muscles, aching or jammed up joints, arthritis, bursitis, etc. We can be more prone to injury due to contracted muscles and connective tissue. This contracted yin state can also result in congested, and thickened mucous membranes, especially noticeable in the nasal passages and lungs, low vitality, reduced sexual vigor, and lowered immunity.

The number of new drugs invented in the past 20 years to treat some of these symptoms is amazing. Taking a drug is easy, though temporary. Self-mastery might require a little discipline. So here are a few suggestions to students of the arts of self-realization for winterizing yourself through your Taoist or Yogic practices. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 2: Taoist & Yogic practices.

Instruction & Coaching

* Norman Rosenthal, MD, Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Here is a light box to treat the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This light box delivers 10,000 lux of full spectrum light to ward off the effects of the winter doldrums, such as: excessive sleep, social withdrawal, weight-loss and melancholic depression. Proven to be effective in elevating mood, increasing energy and restoring one’s inner body clock. Made from all metal and U.V. shielded and portable. Made in the USA.

Diet and Exercise

Diet. Not all dietary sources of calcium are equally absorbable, For instance, leafy green vegetables are a good source, but some contain oxalate, which binds calcium, making unavailable for absorption. Some examples include: spinach, chard, beet greens, also chocolate. Phytic acid will also bind calcium and is found in unleavened bread and oats. Milk is controversial, some nutritionists claim it can contribute to osteoporosis. At minimum, it is a poor source of absorbable calcium. The phosphorus in meat and colas will leech calcium from the bones.

The herbs amalaki, comfrey, and horsetail are often used. Probably the best supplement is a peptide linked calcium orotate with vitamin D. You should probably do some research, or see a naturopath about your diet as all this can get complicated.

Exercise Resistance and weight bearing exercise stress the bones somewhat, stimulating them to take up calcium. Resistance exercise would include weights, nautilus, and the like. Weight bearing forms would include Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi and walking. Vigorous hatha yoga may help, though Tantric Qigong and T’ai Chi are probably more efficient as the entire skeletal system bears weight at all times. T’ai Chi can be done with wrist weights. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 3: Taoist / Tantric Sexual Practices

Presencing™

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

.

.

.

Burnt out? Life’s fast pace can wear you down, detracting from quality of life & intimacy. Learn about the all-natural dietary supplements that make the difference - simply, naturally. Visit Everest Nutrition today.

Female Ejaculation, Osteoporosis, Tantric Taoist Sex

Kamakshi D asks: I have just been diagnosed with a high percentage of bone loss. A friend of mine with an Indian/Ayurvedic background has told me that daily self-pleasuring…is a cause of bone loss in women. I can understand the loss of some aspects of health in men, due to excessive loss of semen, but I have never heard of any detrimental health effects for women. Through self-pleasuring, I have several orgasms a day. I do experience female ejaculation, but that is NOT on a daily basis. I used to practice the microcosmic orbit meditation with arousal in order to retain and circulate the energy in my body, but have not done that for many years.

Do you know of anything in the Taoist or other teaching that would indicate that daily masturbation and orgasm in women is the source of a loss of vital energy and a problem relating to bone loss? Is ejaculation in women a cause of bone loss? Would practices like Internal Bone Breathing or Bone Marrow Washing be useful for something like this? I’m assuming that going back to my Tai Chi practice would be very helpful to stop any more bone loss. Do you know if any of these practices are helpful to REBUILD bone mass. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Rev. Hall: Interesting, and one of the more esoteric questions I have received about bone loss! First of all, if you have been diagnosed, then there is already some progression in this condition, whether or not it has been labeled as osteoporosis. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 2: Diet and Exercise

The Power of Surrender

Being an externally oriented, aggressive culture, we often forget that Yin is equal in power to Yang, and a balance of both is required for health, longevity, and joy in life. It is best to cultivate not only your life force and power, but also your ability to relax and let go. Without surrender we just enroll our vitality in recreating our old patterns more powerfully, stubbornly insisting in consuming our life force in the repetition of old habits, thought patterns, dysfunctional emotions and behaviors.

Some Practical Suggestions. For those whose of us who wish to balance our yin and yang aspects, power and surrender, action and receptivity, the ego and the awakened Self, I would suggest:

1. 1 hour of T’ai Chi, Qigong, Yoga per day. If your resistance and stress levels are high, you need these practices to ground you and balance your energies, especially if you are also practicing Tantra and / or Kundalini techniques. While Tantric Qigong(sm) takes only 10 minutes, those who are in a state of both high energy and high resistance need more, an hour per day minimum.

2. Bodywork. This is a helpful adjunct to further cultivate surrender. Somatic Release, Rolfing, deep tissue styles are preferred. For some, a vigorous Thai massage can also work.

3. Progressive Relaxation. Teach yourself to relax, breathe, and let go with this helpful tape.

4. Breath Coaching. Focus on the continuity of consciousness and the energizing, yet relaxing power of the breath. Essential skills for Tantra and true meditation.

5. Presencing(sm). Similar to breath coaching. Observing the continuity of consciousness and breath, with the mindfulness of recognizing karmic patterns and cultivating the ability to let them go.

Develop Beginner’s Mind. Let go of your expertise, your hubris. Let go on a physical, emotional, and mental level. Let go of your insistence on recreating your karmic habits. Let go and fall into the arms of your lover, your bliss, your Divinity. Copyright 2006, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved

See also: Orgasmic Kundalini Rush

Instruction & Coaching contact for info on instruction

Instruction available in the Baltimore Washington, DC area.