Combating Stress with Taiji (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Kung)
Matthew Stampe is an acupuncturist practicing in Alexandria, VA. Dr. Stampe evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and looking at and touching the body. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific... more
If there is one take away to give you the reader, it would be to encourage you to return to breathing as you did as a baby. Our natural breathing originally was from our umbilicus area also known as the navel. In Oriental Medicine and the Chinese culture of Taiji and Qigong, this area is called "Dan tien" or "Field of Elixirs." It is also the area of our body where our center of gravity is and what modern sports calls "The Core."
The method is simple, you only have to think of lower diaphragm breathing, and your pretty much set. Allow the belly to slowly, naturally, and silently rise and fall, expand and contract with inhalation and exhalation. This is very different from breathing up in the chest, but this should allow the diaphragm to pull more oxygen into the lungs.
This is the first step in beginning to understand the 'Mind and Body' connection we have with our brain. This Dan tien area is also sometimes thought of as our second brain as we hear the phrase, "go with your gut instincts." The basic practice of Vipassana yoga is to sit and pay attention to the inhalation and exhalation. This is done for 20 minutes and when the mind wanders off, you simply return to concentrate on Dan tien breathing and be in the present moment.
So if you are stressed and breathing heavy in your chest, try to settle down with Dan tien lower diaphragm breathing. Science will verify that this has a good effect on the Vagus nerve and can calm you down.
