Let’s discover how to clear stagnant energy in our body, mind, and spirit with the healing power of water and Ai Chi. It really can be a very simple process. With the power of integration (allowing for a pause to integrate the sensation) and a basic understanding of nodal points of energy on our body, it’s quite easy. Have you ever noticed a client who has difficulty moving a part of their body due to pain? From a holistic standpoint, this may indicate stagnant energy in the body. Maybe they are ‘carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders’ and that exacerbates discomfort in that area. The physical body is affected by the external and/or internal environ- ment. These can be any kind of stressors in our life, discomfort or pain, and injuries in addition to the way we’ve experienced life. Perhaps it’s a predisposition or sensi- tivity one has or a chemical reaction (e.g., diet). The biochemistry of the brain and body varies greatly with everyone, along with the environment that can add stress on the whole system. But here’s the good news. By bringing awareness to our third eye during our Ai Chi sessions and allowing our bodies to ‘feel’ the sensation that arises, the stagnant energy dissolves and disperses, allowing balance to occur. The third eye is a signif- icant point of energy, where all meridians (pathways of energy) come together in the entire body in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It’s also called the Yintang point in TCM - the point between the eyebrows. Simply by bringing your awareness to the third eye and taking time to witness your breath, energy can clear the entire system, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Yes, it’s that simple! In yogic philosophy the acupressure points in TCM are in the same place as Marma points. During our Ai Chi Integration practice, we begin with Contemplating, and we contemplate on our third eye, the point between the eyebrows. This begins our session clearing stagnant energies, in effect, performing self-acupressure through visualization. There are many other Marma points on the body, and each Ai Chi practice can be customized to meet the needs of the participants. Gentle physical movement in Ai Chi can change the body and open the meridians, while the visualization can change the brain as well as the body. Stress, anxiety, and even depression can be reduced during a session. What a better way to self-heal than use the Ai Chi Inte- gration technique. AUTHOR Donna Lewen is one of AEA’s amazing IAFTC 2023 Presenters. Click here to find out more about Donna and the sessions she is offering. Ai Chi Integration By Donna Lewen, BA 40 | Akwa | March / April / May 2023 ative behaviors that can compromise personal health and relationships. • Mentally well people are positive, self-assured, and happy. • Research shows that our belief in our ability to reach our goals (self-efficacy) is powerful and can increase our chances of success as well as enhance our motivation. So how can we help people improve self-efficacy and increase motiva- tion to continue? We can help clients develop positive thoughts and emo- tions related to exercise. We can use past experiences where clients have had success to build confidence. And we can help clients build relationships (a network) with others in class or oth- ers who exercise. THE SPIRIT • Spiritual well-being is gaining increased attention in the health literature, as researchers have found that spiritual beliefs can sig- nificantly impact the quality of life, mental health, and physical health, such as injury rehabilitation and coping with chronic illness. • Engaging the spirit can help one deal with stress. So how can we help clients engage their spirit? Have them focus on what brings them peace, or how you can bring peace into their life. Consider incorporating some deep-breathing exercises or changing the workout program’s pace. Have the class focus on awareness or being “present” in their own bodies. Consider incorpo- rating progressive muscle relaxation exercises; starting with the feet and moving upward, tense each body part as you and your client inhale, and release tension as you exhale. Have clients set deeper goals. Build on the ritualistic experience of exercise and create a community within your class. AUTHOR Lindsay Mondick is one of AEA’s amazing IAFTC 2023 Presenters. Click here to find out more about Lindsay and the sessions she is offering. Continued from page 39
