Guolin Qigong As An Adjunctive to Cancer Therapy & QUOLIN QIGONG ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA

e-Journal of Traditional & Complementary Medicine RESEARCH ON EFFECTIVENESS OF HERBS AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR CANCER Home ABOUT US EDITORIAL PAIN & WELLNESS CENTRE CA CARE POSTS Qigong As An Adjunctive to Cancer Therapy MARCH 17, 2011 BY CA CARE COMMENTS OFF Abstract: There are two basic kinds of Qigong, internal and external. Internal Qigong is used for self-healing and health maintenance. It can be performed in any position, including standing, sitting, walking, or lying down. External Qigong is practiced by Qigong masters and involves projecting the qi energy out of one’s body to heal another. The practice of qigong increases oxygen utilization, improves blood circulation, and increases the level and flow of qi (internal healing energy), which can help to maintain optimum health and encourage healing of diseased cells and organs. Yeong Sek Yee & Khadijah Shaari 10, Jalan SS 19/1K, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-56342775 / 019-3278092 __________________________________________________________________________ Exercise moves lymph, which collects wastes from your cells and tissue fluids, and helps to eliminate them from your body. It also eliminates toxins from cells and tissues through sweating and deep breathing, as well. In the process, exercise reduces and in some cases eliminates many of the poisons that your illness needs to survive. Among the more systematic programs of movement therapy that can be applied to treating serous illness is QIGONG which is an ancient Chinese exercise involving physical movements and deep breathing. An element of traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to circulate internal qi, which according to Chinese medicine, is the vital energy that flows through the body in a system of subtle channels known as meridians. Qigong is intended to direct the internal qi, and promote health. There are two basic kinds of Qigong, internal and external. Internal Qigong is used for self-healing and health maintenance. It can be performed in any position, including standing, sitting, walking, or lying down. External Qigong is practiced by Qigong masters and involves projecting the qi energy out of one’s body to heal another. The practice of qigong increases oxygen utilization, improves blood circulation, and increases the level and flow of qi (internal healing energy), which can help to maintain optimum health and encourage healing of diseased cells and organs. Done regularly, qigong can be a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle that should include a nutrient-rich plant based diet, physical exercise, sufficient rest and sleep and clean living. There are many styles of qigong, each with its own set of exercises and special discipline. All are beneficial. Qigong movements are gentle and unhurried and the slow movement tends to synchronize with the pace of breathing. Cancer patients practicing such activities will experience a sense of deep relaxation and heightened alertness. The practice of qigong has 3 main beneficial effects on the individual with cancer: a) Improved oxygen supply - during qigong, the body becomes deeply relaxed and oxygen is absorbed from the blood by the tissues. Unlike other more vigorous physical activities in which oxygen is utilized by the muscles, during qigong, oxygen is distributed throughout the body, including those areas that may be harboring cancer cells. Thus qigong accelerates oxygen distribution in the body. The higher the oxygen supply, the more readily the body can reverse a cancerous condition. In addition, there is an increased efficiency of cell metabolism and tissue regeneration through increased circulation of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the brain, organs b) Improved balance of the autonomic nervous system The second major benefit of qigong on the cancer patient involves the person’s psyche and its effect on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). During qigong practice, the individual can achieve a state of deep relaxation, enabling the parasympathetic nervous system to neutralize the stress response. When the autonomic nervous system are in balance, the immune system is more highly activated. c) Improved Lymphatic Function Qigong exercises stimulates circulation of the lymph fluid through the system, carrying the Immune cells to key areas and eliminating toxins from the tissue spaces. Thus, qigong’s main therapeutic benefits for cancer patients are the combined effects of improving the oxygen supply, balancing the nervous system, enhancing mood and relaxation, and strengthening the lymphatic system. QIGONG AS A COMPLEMENTARY CANCER THERAPY In China, Traditional Chinese doctors regard qigong not as an exclusive from of therapy, rather, they emphasize using it in combination with conventional treatment, Chinese herbal remedies, a healing diet, psychotherapy and regular group activities. Research studies of patients with cancer found that qigong helped improve the condition of the immune system, stimulated appetite, and reduced adverse side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Also, qigong appears to raise the cancer patient’s energy levels and improved muscle tone and co-ordination. MAIN TYPES OF QIGONG EXERCISES AVAILABLE AND WHERE TO PRACTISE The following are the main types of qigong exercises known to be practiced inMalaysia. Please call the individual organization concerned and choose a t raining center most convenient to you. a) QUOLIN QIGONG ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA H.Q: 5-4, Tkt Tiga, Jalan SP 2/1, Taman Serdang Perdana, Seksyen 2, 43300, Seri Kembangan. Tel/Fax: 03-89488775 NB : Quolin Qigong is practiced at 10 centres in the Klang Valley Please call the Association for details (between 11 a.m - 4 p.m) Quolin Qigong was named after Madam Guo Lin, who had cancer, used Western Medicine, and was near death. Then she found that by adapting Qigong forms she had learned from her grandparents, she was able to resolve her cancer in a dramatic way. Quolin Qigong has been recommended to cancer patients by several hospitals inChina, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is also the official exercise of many Cancer Recovery Clubs in China. b) THE HEALING CHI ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA(CHI DYNAMICS) The above association was founded by Grandmaster Anthony Wee to teach & promote CHI DYNAMICS QIGONG BREATHING and CHI MEDITATION. Chi Dynamics practices are held at various centers in KL/PJ areas. For more information, please contact: Mr Kong Voon Sim - Chairman 012-2112282 Puan Khadijah Shaari - Deputy Chairman - 019-3278092 Mr Hew Chee Wai - Secretary 016-2200228 NB: website : www.chidynamics.org.my The Association has produced a special booklet by Grandmaster Anthony Wee entitled CANCER CARE WITH CHI DYNAMICS which explains in detail the proper method of breathing (deep diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing) which cancer patients should practise. The booklet is distributed free to all cancer patients and they can seek the help of qualified instructors to guide them. (please call the above for more information)