Seven Stars Wild Goose Qigong Manchester

Stanford Report, June 3, 2009

More than just relaxing, meditation helps improve self-image of anxiety sufferers

BY CASEY LINDBERG

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPE GOLDIN

Before and after meditating, participants in the study went into an MRI scanner that observed their brain activity. The findings suggest that mindfulness meditation might help people view themselves differently.

Philippe Goldin

The thought of public speaking gives most people butterflies in their stomach. But for those suffering from social anxiety disorder (SAD), the idea of addressing a crowd or being evaluated in any other social situation often triggers more than just jittery nerves. Headaches, sleep problems and persistent thoughts of failure and embarrassment are common problems for those with SAD.

Researchers at Stanford now have some advice for those prone to such anxiety: Slow down and listen to the sights and sounds around you, including those of your own body.

In a study headed by psychology researcher Philippe Goldin, participants with SAD underwent Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction—a form of meditation that helped them direct their attention to the sensations of simple things like breathing, lying down or just walking around. After the two-month meditation training, participants were less anxious and thought of themselves more positively.

Results of Goldin's study are slated for publication in the August issue of the Journal of Cognitive Psychology.

People with social anxiety disorder tend to be overly critical of themselves and often believe others are assuming the worst about them. While many people beat themselves up once in a while, people with SAD get stuck on negative views of themselves, Goldin said.

"The idea is that if a person has the psychological flexibility to shift freely from one mode of thinking to another mode, then that is a sign of health," said Goldin. "It's when we get stuck in certain thinking patterns that our beliefs become maladaptive."

Helping people make even small changes to how they think about themselves is a difficult task, but one that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people, Goldin said.

SAD is one of the most common psychological disorders, affecting up to 12 out of every 100 Americans. It usually strikes early—at around 10 years of age. But the disorder is often not diagnosed or treated and leads to other psychological problems later in life, Goldin said.

"Often people will subsequently show up in their 20s or 30s with depression or substance abuse and then if you dig below that you find that what preceded all of that was an internal anxiety about performing in social situations," Goldin said.

Goldin—along with postdoctoral scholar Wiveka Ramel and psychology Professor James Gross—found that nine sessions of mindfulness meditation training made people with social anxiety disorder feel less anxious and less depressed and improved their self-views.

Goldin said the mindfulness meditation works because it teaches people how to focus on things other than their personal criticisms.

Before and after meditating, participants went into an MRI scanner that observed their brain activity and were told to decide if various positive and negative adjectives presented on a screen appropriately described them.

After meditation, participants were more likely to pick positive words like "admired" and "loved" and less likely to choose negative adjectives like "coward" and "afraid."

Mindfulness meditation helped reduce people's habit of grasping at negative attributes, Goldin said.

"Often, people who have either depression or anxiety have a poor or negative self-view," he said.

The meditation also appeared to calm the brain circuitry associated with self-describing adjectives such as "weak" and "insecure" or "strong" and "able." The finding suggests that mindfulness meditation might make it easier for people to shift between ways of viewing themselves, Goldin said.

The mindfulness meditation also caused an increase in brain activity in areas that involve visual attention. People with social anxiety often try to avoid things by diverting their gaze from people and things that might be threatening. But this increase in visual attention "means that instead of running away they were staying with the stimulus," Goldin said.

Goldin said the next step in his research is to compare the long-term effects of the mindfulness meditation training to aerobic exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This work is currently under way and the researchers are offering free training sessions to people interested in participating. More information can be found at http://waldron.stanford.edu/~caan/.

Casey Lindberg is a writing intern at the Stanford News Service.

with thanks to www.qigonginstitute.org/

Benefits of Qigong

It is estimated that in China 200 million people practice qigong everyday. It

is also one of the most broadly applicable systems of self-care in the

world, which can be used by the healthy as well as the severely ill. Qigong

combines movement, meditation, and breath regulation to enhance the flow

of vital energy in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune

function.

Qigong (also referred to as chi-kung) is an ancient Chinese exercise that

stimulates and balances the flow of qi (vital life energy), along the

acupuncture meridians (energy pathways). Like acupuncture and

Traditional Chinese Medicine, the qigong tradition emphasizes the

importance of teaching the patient how to remain well. In China, the various

methods of qigong form the nucleus of a national self-care system of

health maintenance and personal development. Qigong cultivates inner

strength, calms the mind, and restores the body to its natural state of

health by maintaining the optimum functioning of the body?s self-regulating

systems.

Recent medical studies in both China and the United States show that

qigong can reduce stress, increase circulation, and provide resistance to

disease. Today, most hospitals in China include qigong as part of their

health care programs, with certain hospitals devoted solely to its study and

practice. Thousands of qigong institutes also provide qigong instruction,

while major centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzho train qigong

teachers and carry out government-supported research.

Qigong can help resolve digestive problems, asthma, arthritis, insomnia,

pain, depression, and anxiety, as well as cancer, coronary heart disease,

and cases of HIV/AIDS. According to Wong Chongxing, M.D., Director of

Research at the Rei Jin Hospital in Shanghai, China, several thousand

hypertensive patients had been instructed in basic qigong exercises and

experienced dramatic improvement. His studies suggest that daily qigong

practice lowers blood pressure, pulse rates, metabolic rates, and oxygen

demand. David Eisenberg, M.D., a clinical research fellow at Harvard

Medical School, says these studies also indicate that qigong triggers the

body?s relaxation response by reducing the level of dopamine, a

neurotransmitter that controls neurological activity.

Acupuncture.com, January 2009 Newsletter

with thanks to www.qigonginstitute.org

'Alternative' Medicine Is

Mainstream

The evidence is

mounting that diet

and lifestyle are the

best cures for our

worst afflictions.

By DEEPAK CHOPRA , DEAN ORNISH , RUSTUM ROY and ANDREW

WEIL

In mid-February, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of

Sciences and the Bravewell Collaborative are convening a "Summit on

Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public." This is a watershed

in the evolution of integrative medicine, a holistic approach to health

care that uses the best of conventional and alternative therapies such

as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Many of these

therapies are now scientifically documented to be not only medically

effective but also cost effective.

President-elect Barack Obama and former Sen. Tom Daschle (the

nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services) understand that if

we want to make affordable health care available to the 45 million

Americans who do not have health insurance, then we need to address

the fundamental causes of health and illness, and provide incentives for

healthy ways of living rather than reimbursing only drugs and surgery.

Heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, breast cancer and obesity

account for 75% of health-care costs, and yet these are largely

preventable and even reversible by changing diet and lifestyle. As Mr.

Obama states in his health plan, unveiled during his campaign: "This

nation is facing a true epidemic of chronic disease. An increasing

number of Americans are suffering and dying needlessly from diseases

such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV/AIDS, all of

which can be delayed in onset if not prevented entirely."

The latest scientific studies show that our bodies have a remarkable

capacity to begin healing, and much more quickly than we had once

realized, if we address the lifestyle factors that often cause these

chronic diseases. These studies show that integrative medicine can

make a powerful difference in our health and well-being, how quickly

these changes may occur, and how dynamic these mechanisms can

be.

Many people tend to think of breakthroughs in medicine as a new drug,

laser or high-tech surgical procedure. They often have a hard time

believing that the simple choices that we make in our lifestyle -- what

we eat, how we respond to stress, whether or not we smoke cigarettes,

how much exercise we get, and the quality of our relationships and

social support -- can be as powerful as drugs and surgery. But they

often are. And in many instances, they're even more powerful.

These studies often used high-tech, state-of-the-art measures to prove

the power of simple, low-tech, and low-cost interventions. Integrative

medicine approaches such as plant-based diets, yoga, meditation and

psychosocial support may stop or even reverse the progression of

coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer,

obesity, hypercholesterolemia and other chronic conditions.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences found that these approaches may even change gene

expression in hundreds of genes in only a few months. Genes

associated with cancer, heart disease and inflammation were

downregulated or "turned off" whereas protective genes were

upregulated or "turned on." A study published in The Lancet Oncology

reported that these changes increase telomerase, the enzyme that

lengthens telomeres, the ends of our chromosomes that control how

long we live. Even drugs have not been shown to do this.

Our "health-care system" is primarily a disease-care system. Last year,

$2.1 trillion was spent in the U.S. on medical care, or 16.5% of the

gross national product. Of these trillions, 95 cents of every dollar was

spent to treat disease after it had already occurred. At least 75% of

these costs were spent on treating chronic diseases, such as heart

disease and diabetes, that are preventable or even reversible.

The choices are especially clear in cardiology. In 2006, for example,

according to data provided by the American Heart Association, 1.3

million coronary angioplasty procedures were performed at an average

cost of $48,399 each, or more than $60 billion; and 448,000 coronary

bypass operations were performed at a cost of $99,743 each, or more

than $44 billion. In other words, Americans spent more than $100 billion

in 2006 for these two procedures alone.

Despite these costs, a randomized controlled trial published in April

2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that angioplasties

and stents do not prolong life or even prevent heart attacks in stable

patients (i.e., 95% of those who receive them). Coronary bypass

surgery prolongs life in less than 3% of patients who receive it. So,

Medicare and other insurers and individuals pay billions for surgical

procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery that are usually

dangerous, invasive, expensive and largely ineffective. Yet they pay very

little -- if any money at all -- for integrative medicine approaches that

have been proven to reverse and prevent most chronic diseases that

account for at least 75% of health-care costs. The INTERHEART study,

published in September 2004 in The Lancet, followed 30,000 men and

women on six continents and found that changing lifestyle could prevent

at least 90% of all heart disease.

That bears repeating: The disease that accounts for more premature

deaths and costs Americans more than any other illness is almost

completely preventable simply by changing diet and lifestyle. And the

same lifestyle changes that can prevent or even reverse heart disease

also help prevent or reverse many other chronic diseases as well.

Chronic pain is one of the major sources of worker's compensation

claims costs, yet studies show that it is often susceptible to

acupuncture and Qi Gong. Herbs usually have far fewer side effects than

pharmaceuticals.

Joy, pleasure and freedom are sustainable, deprivation and austerity are

not. When you eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, exercise, meditate

and have more love in your life, then your brain receives more blood and

oxygen, so you think more clearly, have more energy, need less sleep.

Your brain may grow so many new neurons that it could get measurably

bigger in only a few months. Your face gets more blood flow, so your

skin glows more and wrinkles less. Your heart gets more blood flow, so

you have more stamina and can even begin to reverse heart disease.

Your sexual organs receive more blood flow, so you may become more

potent -- similar to the way that circulation-increasing drugs like Viagra

work. For many people, these are choices worth making -- not just to

live longer, but also to live better.

It's time to move past the debate of alternative medicine versus

traditional medicine, and to focus on what works, what doesn't, for

whom, and under which circumstances. It will take serious government

funding to find out, but these findings may help reduce costs and

increase health.

Integrative medicine approaches bring together those in red states and

blue states, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans,

because these are human issues. They are both medically effective

and, important in our current economic climate, cost effective. These

approaches emphasize both personal responsibility and the opportunity

to make affordable, quality health care available to those who most need

it. Mr. Obama should make them an integral part of his health plan as

soon as possible.

Dr. Chopra, the author of more than 50 books on the mind, body and

spirit, is guest faculty at Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical

School. Dr. Ornish is clinical professor of medicine at the University

of California, San Francisco. Mr. Roy is professor emeritus of

materials science at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Weil is

director of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

with thanks to www.qigonginstitute.org

FREE TALK

Open to EVERYONE

FRIDAY 31st July

at New Dawn Centre, Button Lane, Northern Moor, Manchester, M23 0ND

7-9pm FREE TALK, open to anyone but of particular interest to those on the following courses. (see below)

Dr Hu will talk about the serious, substantial teaching of Wild Goose Qigong.

For those attending the seminar(s) this will make you physically and psychologicaly ready for the following 2 day seminar. It extends the time you are 'submerged' in the right qi field and enable better results. It is highly recommended that you attend.

It would be useful to know if you are attending for chairs and refreshment purposes. 0161 998 2113.

email sheila.waddington@btinternet.com

2 days August 1st and 2nd Kunlun Bagua -

New Dawn Centre, Button Lane, Northern Moor, Manchester

4 days  August 7-10th Five elements and Bagua Fists

Hoylake Community Centre, Hoyle Road, Hoylake

See website 'Dr Hu's Seminars' for further details

From JCM  http://www.jcm.co.uk/

TEA IS GOOD FOR THE BRAIN
A cohort study of 2501 people from Singapore has found that regular tea consumption is associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment and decline. The effects were most evident for black (fermented) and oolong (semi-fermented) teas. In contrast, no association between coffee intake and cognitive status was found. (Tea consumption and cognitive impairment and decline in older Chinese adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

2008 Jul;88(1):224-31).

TWENTY MINUTES HOUSEWORK ENOUGH TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH
Taking part in just 20 minutes of any physical activity per week is enough to improve mental health. Researchers interviewed 19,842 Scottish men and women about their state of mind and weekly physical activity. Doing any form of daily physical activity (including housework, gardening, walking and sports) was associated with a lower risk of psychological distress, although a dose-response pattern was demonstrated with greater risk reduction for more activity. Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes per week of physical activity. (Dose response relationship between physical activity and mental health: The Scottish Health Survey. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

2008 Apr 10.  

Dates and times for Dr Bingkun Hu's seminar are as follows:-

August 8th - 11th 

10am-5pm Rack House Primary School, Yarmouth Drive,

Northern Moor, Manchester M23 OBT

WILD GOOSE BASIC TRAINING - WILD GOOSE 2 (second 64 movements)

Health Benefits:

• Clear dirty, sickly qi and negative emotions.
• Increase mental clarity and enhance cognitive function for better memory and a sharper mind.
• Boost the body's immune system.
• Enhance muscoskeletal tone.
• Develop physical strength and agility.

Techniques Learned:

• The basic principles of Wild Goose Qigong.
• Movement induced Microcosmic Orbit.
• Reverse abdominal breathing.
• Centre-periphery movement.

Beginners Welcome!

Cost:

Early bird discount:-

£190 for 4 days (if booked by 8th July)

£230 after 8th July

Deposit to confirm a place:

£60 ? balance to be paid by 6th July.

To Register:

Cheques made payable to and sent to:-

Ken Morgan

19 Barnfield Drive, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3UA. UK. Please include contact information.

Places Limited

Contact :

Ken Morgan 07957 802069

Sheila Waddington

0161 998 2113     07977610333

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day's 10th anniversary happens the last Saturday in April (26th), 2008. To mark this 10th anniversary, WTC&Q Day will have red T-Shirts, the Chinese colour for "luck" and the energy frequency of "Emotion/Change". The graphic and text on the red shirts will be in black. One World ... One Breath T-Shirts are now available for pre-order at a discount until January 7th, 2008. Orders will begin shipping on approximately January 21st, 2008. Click here to view or pre-order t-shirts.

thanks to the Qigong Institute for this news.

Qigong Endorsed on Oprah Winfrey Show
On November 1, 2007 the first of a two-part series by Dr. Oz aired. Oz was asked out of all the health practices that one could do, what was the one practice that he would choose and recommend people practice to stay healthy. His response? ' If you want to be healthy and live to 100, do Qigong.' He added that Qigong reverses the ageing process. The second part of the Oprah series was on Monday, November 6, 2007. Dr. Oz interviewed a couple who had been very over weight with many illness. Previously, he started them onto a program of better nutrition and a Qigong practice. They now have lost much of the weight, improved their energy, decreased most medication and reversed their aging. These improvements are attributed to Qigong and eating better.

with thanks to the Qigong Institute for this news.