Some of the Environmental factors include pesticides and EMF (Electromagnetic Fields). Modern studies have made a positive link between exposure to both ingestion of DDT used in pesticides and exposure to high voltage areas. From a MQ standpoint, Pathogenic Wind can affect the energetic channels and if there is a Deficiency, it can cause the Blood to settle and bind with Qi causing the formation of lumps or masses.

Genetic Factors can play an important part in the development of Breast Cancer. The genetic source can be on the father’s or mother’s side and can double the chances of the disease according to modern studies. However it should be noted that according to the ACS, 85 percent of those who developed the disease did not have a genetic predisposition to the disease. In addition, obesity and hypothyroidism can predispose a patient to the disease.

A history of benign breast disease can predispose a client to Breast Cancer. Benign tumors are typically a result of a Qi deviation that can result in weakened tissues. Chronic Qi Deviation can present the environment for cancer to develop. Tumor formations as described by Jerry Alan Johnson are the following: Liver Fire caused from suppressed anger, creating Excess Heat which burns up the bodily fluids, Heart and Lung Qi Stagnation caused from accumulated grief, sorrow and stress, Thrusting and Conception Vessel disharmony and Spleen Qi Deficiency creating increased Phlegm production.

Exposure to medical x-rays have been linked to Breast Cancer development. Although there are varying types of radiation there are two types that a patient can be exposed. The first and a proven carcinogen is ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is generated in medical x-rays, natural background radiation caused by cosmic rays and naturally occurring ground sources such as radon. It can also be caused by sources that are man-made such as in some workplace facilities. Repeated over-exposure to ionizing radiation is responsible for cancers and when in the chest area can adversely affect the breast tissues causing a weakening and predisposition to Breast cancer.

Hormonal Imbalances on Breast Cancer are influenced significantly by the suppression of emotions which creates a deficiency in the endocrine system which in turn can lead to an imbalance in the sex hormones and a greater secretion of estrogen. An increase in estrogen and estradiol and a lack of estriol can initiate the formation of Breast cancer formation.

The use of contraceptives such as the “pill” that work by manipulating the hormonal balance can increase the potential of a woman to cancer formation, both breast and cervical. The hormonal supplementations act as a powerful imunosuppressant which lowers the guard of the body in fighting the onset of disease formation. Three independent studies have shown an increase of four to five times if the pill is taken prior to the age of 25. The risk increases the longer the pill is taken. Injectable hormonal contraceptives have also been shown to increase the risk of cancer formation by as much as 60% as well as quicken tumor growth.

A history of chronic breast disease can also predispose a patient to cancerous tumor formation. Weakening of the cellular tissues coupled with any other ingredient or cause can easily lead to a cyst or benign tumor growing into a cancerous mass.

Clothing is not often discussed in breast cancer discussions, but it has been shown in research that women who wear restrictive clothing such as bras for more than 12 hours per day increase their likelihood of developing cancer. The risk can be up to 19 times more likely to develop cancer than women who wear bras 12 hours or less. The restrictive nature of bras creates pressure on the lymphatic system and prevents it from efficiently flushing the accumulated waste in the breast area allowing the toxins to become stagnant and trapped within the breast tissue.

Finally and in this authors opinion, the most important factor is the emotional factor of cancer and breast cancer formation. From a MQ perspective the emotional components of breast cancer are suppressed grief, worry, anxiety, sorrow, frustration, anger and depression. I have often asked people during treatments about issues I feel during an initial scan or into a treatment about what I “feel” in their system or in a particular organ. I find that more often than not, we suppress feelings and emotions and we are unaware we are doing it. This suppression leads to Qi blockages and can create distortions in our mind-body-spirit that lead ultimately to a weakened immune system, suppression of Righteous Qi and then to disease. Louise Hay in her book, “Heal Your Body”, explains the cause of cancer as being “Deep hurt. Long-standing resentment. Deep secret or grief eating away at the self. Carrying hatreds.” And finally she suggests that the real issue becomes an “What’s the use?” attitude instead of dealing with the internalized issue.

Western medicine is continually probing reasons for breast cancer and although there is no definitive reason for the formation of the cancer. The ACS has a great overview of Breast Cancer and Risk factors. It can be found at www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer.

Medical QiGong is the oldest arm of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although it is not popular in the United States as I write this, it is fast becoming known as an effective tool in preventative health. Remember thoughts are “things”, they exist and grow and can manifest. As MQ Practitioners we are taught that there is always a psychological component to a disease but it exists in our conscious thought as a belief system a perception and attitude of life. The real energy, emotion, good or bad, is in the body and will always seek to grow.

Wishing you peace and good health,

~~Michael~~

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and more specifically in the Medical QiGong world we understand that any dis-ease begins slowly and develops over time.   Unlike Western Medicine, the approach of Eastern Medicine is that of prevention and preservation of health.  The ancient masters observed that there is a oneness and wholeness in all existence and that everything is energetically interconnected as one body.  The body as a microcosm of the Universe is energetically charged during events that cause emotion, both positive and negative.  How we deal with them is not a function of the event but how our belief system accepts the event and its internal and external ramifications.  I often use the example of walking up to someone and asking, “who does your hair?”  Many will react as if this comment is negative questioning their style of “do”.  But logically speaking the emotion of the event is neutral, it is merely an inquiry as to who is the hairdresser.  If the perception through our belief system that this is a neutral event, then no harm done.  If perceived as a positive event then even better.  If perceived as a drastic “make or break” your day then the bodily system will absorb it and the energy of the negativity will find its place within you.

Repeated pummeling of these events begins to form energitic blockages within our mind-body-spirit system and these will eventually lead to disease if not identified and mitigated through QiGong, Medical QiGong and internal cultivation.

The Medical QiGong understanding of cancer development recognizes that there are many reasons for the development of cancer in the body.  There are external pathogenic factors, the internal pathogenic factors, environmental factors, chemical factors, physical and genetic factors, and finally and most important (in this writer’s opinion) the psychological factors or the emotional components of cancer formation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the Spirit of an individual is affected by emotions such as anger, excitement, anxiety, grief, worry, fear and shock.  When one or more of these emotions rises up to where the mind-body-spirit cannot tolerate these states, the person will typically suppress them.  As an example, smoking is often caused by repressed grief.  The smoke from a cigarette will blanket the grief as it tries to rise up allowing the person to feel relieved and comforted.  When the emotions are suppressed, then body’s internal organ system will be be in disharmony.  The result is a compromised immune system and the development of cysts and tumors where the Qi is blocked.  It should be noted that the body creates, reacts to and eliminates cancerous cells regularly.  When the emotions are blocked and armored, these areas will defend the cancerous cell and allow them to transform into a tumor.

Breast Cancer begins typically with the formation of a tumor caused by energetic patterning and if left untreated can go on to form a malignant tumor in the breast.  According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) breast cancer is related to the following conditions:  Deficient Kidneys, Liver Disharmony and Spleen Disharmony or a combination of these conditions.

In Medical QiGong, we begin with a “general protocol”.  This acts to purge, regulate and tonify the clients system.  Unlike other energetic modalities of healing such as Reiki, Quantum Touch and others, Medical QiGong Therapy provides a potential indication of disease through the identification of Qi Deviations.  With that information the MQ Practitioner can begin to clear, dissolve and remove Qi blockages with the goal of creating visceral harmony and balance.  The receiving of one to two MQ treatments a month can benefit a patient immensely keeping in check that which we hope we will never face.

Stay tuned for the continuation of this blog on the subject of Breast cancer.

Peace,

~~Michael~~

Medical QiGong and the Law of the Five Elements — The Law of Harmony

Thank you for coming back to the QiGong Institute of Healing and Wellness Qi-Blog.  In the last blog we discussed the Law of Balance or Yin/Yin.  Today we will touch on the Five Elements, their construct, what they are, how they relate to the human body’s emotions, physicality and spirit. Finally we will address how they are applied in the practice of Medical QiGong for diagnosis and treatment.

In all of Chinese Medicine aside from the Law of Balance or Yin/Yan, there is the also the Law of the Five Elements or what I refer to as the Law of Harmony.  Harmony is when all aspects of an entity act smoothly with one another, each performing its prescribed duties with ease and flow.  In my previous life I studied Chemical Engineering.  When designing a processing plant it was always important that the pipes were clear and that the chemicals could easily flow from one area to the next.  It was necessary that the storage tanks were sized and able to store until the ingredients came together.  The body in Chinese Medicine is the same.  The Qi flows through the body.  When there are no obstructions or blockages, all is well, Qi flows freely, excess is stored  and health is maintained.  As we encounter blockages and stagnations the Qi flows less freely and can be diverted to areas where it shouldn’t be.  Where Qi stagnates there is damage and the energetic onset of disease.

The Five Elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.  Each element corresponds to a series of characteristics, behaviors and influences.  Each of the Yin organs is defined by it’s corresponding element.  The Heart is Fire, the Spleen is Earth, the Lungs are of the Metal element, the Kidneys are Water, and finally, the Liver corresponds to the Wood element.  Through the 5000 years of study, the Five Elements have born out a constructive relationship where harmony can be established.  The cycle of Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water -> Wood and then back to Fire.  This might be read as Wood feeds Fire and creates Earth (ash); Fire and Earth creates Metal (metal comes from the heat and pressure of the earth creating metal ores); Metal condenses Water and finally Water nourishes earth to create Wood.  There is also a destructive or controlling cycle that comes into effect to help bring balance.  For example, Fire melts Metal, Metal cuts Wood and so forth.  If you have ever felt an fleeting pain that comes and goes quickly, this is the constructive cycle in action.  For example, Fire melts Metal, Metal cuts Wood and so forth.

The Five Elements gives us an understanding of the relationship between the organ structure and our health.  When there are no difficulties in the flow of Qi, then there is harmony in all our aspects, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  The flow of Fire (Heart), Earth (Spleen), Metal (Lung), Water (Kidney) and Wood (Liver) is smooth and unencumbered.  When a blockage occurs from a physical, emotional or spiritual trauma, Qi deviates and the controlling cycle kicks in to gear to restore balance and harmony.

For diagnostics in Medical QiGong, the Five Elements are a key factor.  For the practitioner of MQ, knowing a person’s state of mind, their emotional constructs, their spiritual belief systems all become a part of evaluating what might have manifested as a physical condition from simple aches and pains to disease and cancer.

For more information please call the QiGong Institute’s, Medical QiGong division.  Health and Wellness are yours to have, we are here to aid the process.

The first of the Governing Laws is that of Yin/Yan or Yin/Yang.  In understanding this concept, lets first discuss a little Daoism (Taoism if you like).  Daoism many will see as a religion but it is not.  As Thomas Clearly suggests in his book, “Taoist Meditations”, Daoism is more a framework incorporating a methodology of inner cultivation that can be applied to all the world religions or to none at all.  There is no right or wrong there just is.  There is no explanation of why, only living in the now and understanding reality without the barriers and perceptions of a religious belief system.  There is no judgement just experiences leading to higher levels of consciousness.  One does not need to look very hard to see that this framework exists everywhere from the operation of the Universe and to ourselves.

In Daoist cosmology, There is Wuji (Wuu-Gee), the “Infinite Ultimate”, or more correctly, “Ultimate Emptiness”.  I have often visualized this as the white space in the movie “The Matrix”.  It is the place of infinite potential.  There are no boundaries and there is complete and pure state of oneness.  From this place of oneness or “The One”, came “The Two” or Taiji (Tie-Gee).  Taiji is translated as “Supreme Ultimate” and it refers to the  two primordial energies born of Wuji known as Yin and Yan, the infinite state of transformation.  It is the origin of change and transformation and the energy behind the birth of creation.  Yin exists within Yang, and Yang within Yin. Yang energetically manifests as active, creative, masculine, hot, hard, light, Heaven, white and bright. Yin energetically manifests as passive, receptive, feminine, cold, soft, dark, Earth, black and shadow.

For us, man, Thomas Cleary in his book, “Understanding Reality” translates that the human body is a microcosm of the Universe and as the soundness of the Universe is achieved through the balancing of Yin and Yan energies, so are we whole when we can reach this state within.  He says, “when the ying and yang have their counterparts in each other and balance each other, the primordial (original, pure essence) is restored to the temporal.  The mind of the Tao is firm, strong and sound, the human mind is yielding, flexible and adaptable.” and “Yang within Yin is true Yang, sound strength in correct balance: yin within yang is true yin, flexible adaptability in correct balance:  firmness and flexibility both return to correct balance, yin and yang match each other without partiality.”

Bottom line is the Law of Yin/Yan is as real as the law of gravity.  Everything will fall when dropped.  So to, everything will be brought into balance.  If we seek to bring our lives into balance through cultivation, effort and purpose we will begin to harmonize the power of Yin/Yan with us returning us closer to the state of perfection and Wuji.

Good question.  As a Medical QiGong Practitioner I am often asked this question.  Let me however digress into a little background.  There are three basic schools of QiGong.  Martial, Spiritual and Medical.  Although all three have similar characteristics in dealing with the body-mind-spirit integration they each specialize in a major characteristic.  The Martial QiGong School focuses on developing martial skills including strength, power, speed and endurance.  The Spiritual QiGong Schools focus on Spiritual Transformation and Spiritual Enlightenment.  The Medical QiGong Schools focus on training doctors and healers in special Qigong methods for health maintenance and longevity, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders.

It has long been thought that the practice of QiGong is just the performance of Postures, all the while calming the spirit, regulating the breathing and performing gentle and slow movements.  Indeed, QiGong is all that but it is also much more.  From the Medical QiGong perspective, we as Practitioners are taught and trained to develop our intuitive skills as well as a myriad of techniques used in dispersing disease and energetic deviations, stagnations and blockages.  This is done within the clinical practice.

What are Qi Deviations and Energetic Blockages?  Simply put, they are traumas caused at the level of emotional, spiritual or the physical body.  for an example, a trauma can be caused by grief, shame or guilt.  When the body absorbs the trauma and does not immediately remediate it, the emotion settles into one of the Yin Organs.  In the case of Guilt or Shame, the emotion will be absorbed into one of the lungs depending on the source.  It can remain there or through maturity and self-cultivation it can be released. Or, through the process of purging and toning it can be removed by the Medical QiGong Practitioner.  The removal will allow the Qi that was blocked or inhibited to once again flow freely and where there is the free flow of Qi, the tissues are healthier, the mind is freer and the spirit is lighter.  This leads to better understanding, a higher level of wisdom and a body that is stronger and less susceptible to disease.

I wanted to write about QiGong and religion. It is a concern for some people and from my background and perspective, I can understand why.

First, let me explain my background. Since my Junior year in college when I had my awakening in the Eastern Orthodox Faith, I became truly dedicated to the teachings, practices and belief systems of the Church. I spent a year in seminary and later continued my studies while working a day job until I eventually was ordained a Deacon.

My duties as a Deacon were plentiful including Bible Study, education, liturgical and youth ministry. They were fun years and filled with good memories.

All the while I was able to practice my QiGong and Martial Arts, without there being any confusion of the two. In fact, what I began to find was that my spirituality deepened.  It became less and less important about what others thought and believed.  It was a true revelation to me to discover that I no longer had to convince friends and family that what they believed was right or wrong.  At the time it seemed so important that Christmas was on the 13th or that “our” Easter was the correct one.  Now, it’s  commentary.

That all being said, and yes I realize that I may have been ranting a bit, it is now clear to me that it is only important that one find the true meaning of life inside.  All the great Faiths of the world agree that the Spirit is within us and it is to be cultivated into a human dynamic that is powerful and yes… Holy!

So is QiGong a religion.  No!  Is it spiritual?  Yes!  Is it a tool for cleansing and purification at the levels of mind, body and spirit?  Yes!

Ultimately one’s spiritual path is a highly personal and not for the judgement of others.  Jesus warned us about this constantly.  But I do invite you to come down to the Institute and see why QiGong is not just movements and not just breathing but about the understanding and integration of The Divine into a practice that is fulfilling and wonderful.  Mind  -  Body – Spirit.  Separate in nature, Divine as One!

Join me the next time when I will talk about QiGong and it’s roots.  It will be an important addendum to the above.

Blessings,

~~Michael~~

For example one of the oldest beliefs of Chinese Medicine and QiGong practice is that to begin the process of healing we must begin to start thinking about healing.  In the Chinese language this change of thinking is called “changing your moral character”.

Modern culture would have us think that the only modality of healing is Western Medicine and its plethora of modern technology.  In Eastern Medicine, the focus is on the person as a whole being and absolutely capable of initiating and maintaining the healing process through ages of ancient practices that include diet, excercise and energy work or Qi (Chi = vital energy) and Gong (work).  In the new world or modern times we hear many authors and public speakers promoting the idea and practice of positive thought.

So today I want you to think about something.  That even before you step in to a training hall, gym, or studio, that the practice of QiGong really begins with your desire to find your path or your way.  What is it that you want? Good health, good emotions, good spirituality?  Do you want to be balanced and flow through life in Harmony with the Dao?  Is your mind body and spirit in alignment with your purpose?

Just beginning the contemplation of these questions and others will start the process of “changing our moral character”.  The next step is to take action.  Get up and out.  Find a local teacher and get to a class and find out how you can begin the path of a fulfilled life!  Take control of your own wellness.  It is of course, you that knows best what is on the inside.  I suggest that you begin with what has been practiced for over 5000 years.  QiGong!

Blessings,

~~Michael~~

One of the questions I am often asked is why I started training in QiGong (Chi-Kung) in the first place.  It started in 2002 when for no apparent reason the right side of my mouth went numb.  At the time is was a very curious thing and I thought temporary.  After I realized that it was going to be more persistent that I originally expected I went to the doctor to figure it out.  To make a long story short the diagnosis progressed from Palsy to finally Multiple Sclerosis.

I did the typical thing from there: investigated options, scoured the internet, went to seminars on the latest drugs and therapy and sought out second opinions.

As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear so too in my case, at a martial arts weekend seminar I met Sifu George Picard who spoke to me of QiGong and it’s powerful ability to heal and maintain wellness.  So after learning some postures, breathing and understanding, I decided that this was worth a try.  After all, it was better than shots 3 times a week of a chemical that was not even a cure, but at best a mitigation of symptoms.

From that point on I found that my life was profoundly changed.  I started practicing the 24 Posture Therapeutic Chi Kung system in the WuYiJieHe tradition and not only have I not experienced any relapses of MS, but I am healthier, my martial arts is better and I have found my Divine Purpose in life.

In 2009 I founded the QiGong Institute of Healing and Wellness and have been teaching in the Erie, Pennsylvania area ever since.  In 2010 I have expanded my practice to include Clinical Medical QiGong while studying under the International Institute of Medical QiGong and Dr. Bernard Shannon.

Dr. Oz when asked what practice he recommended for people to stay healthy, he responded that if you want to live to be 100 do QiGong.  I agree, its practice is simple, effective and gentle.  It is appropriate for the elderly and is even gaining popularity amongst the young.  Working both the bone structure and internal organ systems, QiGong brings Yin and Yan into balance.  When the body, mind and spirit find their harmony and balance, circumstances in our lives change for the better and our approach to a well-rounded and Divinly inspired existence manifests.

For more information, please contact me at the Institute.  I can be reached at info@qihw.com or by phone at 814.406.9244.  Or visit our new website at www.qihw.com.

Blessings,

~~Michael~~