The laws of nature are: Sow and grow in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter. And our human bodies should follow the laws of nature to prevent illness and preserve health. “To go with it will bring health; to go against it will bring illness”.

The law of spring is: As the yang energy goes up, the yin energy goes down. Spring energy creeps in after the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year). Because it is still very cold, people still think they are in winter, but the energy of spring is there. Winter is the time for storing yang energy, when we stay indoors more than during other seasons, eat more, drink more, wear more, and use heaters to stay warm to increase and store yang energy.

It is not just humans that do this – animals hibernate during winter to store their energy. Plants are the same. When spring comes, the temperature rises and the yang energy increases; all things on earth start to grow and grow; dirt starts to become loose; bugs and animals start to emerge; birds return. This is nature helping us store in winter, waiting for spring, so everything can grow.

For human bodies, the stored energy needs to be released. If you stored too much yang energy, you might become sick during spring because there will be both inner and outer heat. If you didn’t store enough yang energy, or damaged your yang energy in winter, you will have nothing to release, and you will become more and more deficient.

That is why lately, there are a lot of people getting colds, sore throats, phlegm, coughs, allergies, itchiness, there is an increases in strokes, and chronic hepatitis can play up, all during this season.

How do I preserve health in spring?

1. Refresh the spirit: spring time is liver time in Chinese medicine. One of the functions of the liver is that it releases emotions to maintain peace of mind, happiness and control over your anger. Your liver also helps your inner energy tune your yang energy to grow and be released, to prevent depression and strengthen the organs.
2. Ensure you get enough sleep: we often feel sleepy during spring because the temperature goes up; the veins, sweat glands and pores are opened and diastolic; the circulation is exuberant; and, relatively speaking, less blood and oxygen enters the brain. Thus getting enough sleep is especially important for pregnant women, children, and for the elderly to prevent strokes
3. Get up earlier: because sunrise is yang energy increasing, getting up when the sun rises will assist your yang energy in growing. Because spring time is liver time, and the liver nourishes the ligaments, this is the season to stretch and exercise the body, improve circulation, and remove stagnation and toxins to make the body more flexible.
4. Clear heat: after hibernation, we may store some heat. The temperature increases during spring and germs become more active, which is why there are more contagious viruses, germs, sore throats, flus, itchiness and allergies. We can clear the heat in the following ways
   1. Drink lots of water
   2. Eat a lot of green vegetables and less meat
   3. Eat less spicy food
   4. Drink less alcohol
5. Nourish the liver: spring time is liver time; liver is connected to wood, it stores blood, and its indicators are the eyes. This is why during spring, chronic hepatitis plays up, and the eyes become itchy, dry and sleepy. We can nourish the liver in the following ways
   1. Get enough sleep when we sleep, 7 times the amount of blood is stored than when we are active; this helps the liver cells to function, remove toxins and exchange them for nutrients, and helps the immune system deal with spring viruses
   2. Appropriate exercise such as Tai chi, Qi gong, walking, dancing etc to ensure there is enough oxygen, circulation, and happiness
   3. Eat less sour and oily food to help liver energy
   4. Maintain peace of mind to avoid damaging the liver Qi (energy)
   5. The liver’s colour is green – go into nature and seek out green colours to help the liver energy
6. Avoid wind: spring is a windy season; nature is very wise in using wind to blow away coldness, but on the other hand, people can catch the wind, which causes colds, flu, coughs, asthma, arthritis, and stroke. Because the weather is always changing, it is wise not to remove your clothing too quickly.
7. For women’s health: spring time results in more pregnancies; thus women should pay extra attention to the above
8. For people with depression: spring is a good season to receive appropriate exercise and diet to combat depression

Preserving health in spring will boost health in summer.

Traditional Qi's two concepts are prevention and wisdom.

Written by Angela Zhu (Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

One day as I walked down the street I saw a little girl of four or five years having a tantrum and hitting her mother. The mother was very angry and said "if you hit me, tonight you are on the street". The little girl stopped.

I asked myself:

• If the girl didn’t stop, would the mother really put her on the street?
• If not, will the threat still work?
• How does the little girl imagine the street at night?

A friend of mine told me that when she was about seven her mother told her "if you do that you are out of the car". My friend opened the door and walked away. The mother, feeling helpless, got out of the car and ordered my friend to get back in.

Have you heard sentences such as these: "if you don’t change I will leave you", "if you do this I will kill myself", "if you don’t pass this exam you can’t have a holiday", "if you don’t listen you can’t have a bicycle", "if you do that again I will throw you out of home", "if you don’t stop you will get a hiding" or "if you tell anyone about this, you’re dead". Sometimes people will try to get a quick result without thinking through the right way to achieve what they want.

What is a threat? It is to try to get what one wants by frightening others.

Why threaten? People try to frighten others because of their own fear, or because they have learned it from their parents or other people.

The damage done:

1. Threatening someone will only either undermine trust, or put you in a dead corner. It also sets a bad example to others.
2. Resentment and disharmony will remain.
3. A threat has the potential to damage mental health especially in children.
4. Whatever the outcome, a threat damages both parties. Either the threatened person gets frightened into obedience but is left with fear and resentment or the threat doesn’t work and the person making it is left in a dead end. Both cases plant the seeds of depression.
5. Subconsciously, a threat relies on the belief that everything has a price.
6. A threat brings disharmony into all aspects of a relationship.
7. To threaten is to misuse one’s own power at other peoples’ expense.
8. A threat plants the seeds of ill will and reprisal.
9. A threat plants the seeds of depression. It can bring worry, fear, anger and grief.
   In Chinese Medicine:
   • Worry can damage the stomach and spleen energy, leading to stagnation.
   • Fear can damage the kidney energy.
   • Anger can damage the liver and heart energy.
   • Grief and resentment can damage the lungs.

All these emotions can lead to depression.

What can be done?

It is important to ask ourselves what we are afraid of.

1. What might happen and what would be the worst?
2. How do we face our fear?
3. How should we behave?
   • For example if you are afraid your children will not listen to you then you must first make sure you are listening to them. Always be sure to explain to them the reasons kindly, reasonably and wisely.
   • Do not misuse your power to push those around you down. Especially with children, who are dependent and vulnerable.
   • A threat can be counter-productive.

Wise persons will maintain their own mental health to help the people around them.

True love does not ask for reward. Threatening — what are you asking for?

Traditional Qi's two concepts are prevention and wisdom.

Written by Angela Zhu, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi instructor.

All objects, plants and animals that can stand must have a “column”. For example; houses, buildings, towers, trees and upright animals, etc. Even humans are no exceptions.

From the point of view of vital energies and Qi Gong theory, where is the human's “column”? People often think of the spine as the “column”. But what part of the body supports the spine? Why can our spine bend and curve? Why does our spine compress and lose flexibility as we get older? Why do some people have scoliosis during puberty?

1. Where is a human's “column”?

From the point of view of vital energies and Qi Gong theory, there are 4 components in the “column”: Hui Yin (between the anus and genitals), Dan Tian (under the navel, inside the stomach), the spine, and Bai Hui (on top head of the centre-line of the body, between the ears)

It is the Dan Tian that supports the spine to be upright, grow and move. When the Dan Tian‘s energy deficient then the spine maid curve and bend.

2. What is the “column”?

Hui yin is the biggest yin energy point, Bai Hui is the biggest yang energy point. The “column” combines the yin and yang energy to reflect the human body's natural cycle of birth, growth, ageing, sickness and death. The changes in the “column” reflect these different stages of life. The “column” also represents the condition of a person's energy level, mental state and body health.

3. Why do we need to maintain the “column”?

• Hui yin is the biggest yin energy point, and Bai Hui is the biggest yang energy point; when they connect in the column the yin and yang energy can rise and fall smoothly to adjust, balance and harmonise the body's inner environment.
• Hui Yin connects with the Dan Tian to strengthen the Dan Tian's energy as a Qi core, which provides the pre and post natal energy.
• The Dan Tian opens up the body, Organs, and especially the column. This strengthens the vital energy and nourishes the blood, improves circulation and makes the inside and outside of the body healthier and younger. Gives positive energy and good attitude.
• The Dan Tian stretches and lifts the spine to help prevent scoliosis and helps spinal fluid reach the brain better. In the long term, this helps to prevent Alzheimer’s, dementia, spinal disease (including cervical and lumber) and balances yin and yang energy in the brain to prevent depression.
• The column improves posture to make people look good and feel more positive.

4. How do we maintain the “column”?

• Lift the Hui yin up into the Dan Tian, use the Dan Tian to push the spine up and legs down concurrently, through to the top of the head and the brain, along the Bai Hui.
• Aligning the Hui yin and Bai Hui;  It is best achieved by picturing it: the chin in line  the chest bone.
• Walking with heels down and toes up is the better way to open up the body from Dan Tian and “Column”
• Do these whilst standing, walking, and sitting with the column up very day.

Please read articles “million dollars point” and “Dan Tian- Qi core of humanity”, you will have a better understanding of the “Column's”  benefits.

Traditional Qi's two concepts are prevention and wisdom.

Written by Angela Zhu, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi instructor.

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

In Chinese, the definition of “Dan” is red color, or Traditional Chinese Medicine.

“Tian” can be defined as paddy field, or an area that can be mined for treasure or minerals.

In the vast universe, none of the creatures can exist without core. The principle is that the rotation or revolution of everything in the universe moves around their internal core and external core.

In nature, the core of all kinds of plants, trees and flowers are their roots. Plants can not exist without roots, for example, apple, pear, peach, apricot, etc all depend for living on their roots or core. Seeds are another form of core, which induce plants to germinate, grow and produce fruit. Similarly, a country, company, family and each person requires a core to develop and strengthen. Thousands and millions of cores rotate and revolve endlessly to move, restrict, oppose, wane, wax, and interact with each other in order to wisely achieve the balance between internal and external. Core unites all things tightly. Meanwhile, core transmits energy and power to each part of substance from the inside. Core energy is the vital energy of all creatures; they cannot live without core energy.

1. Where is this core of life – Dan Tian?
   The Dan Tian is below the navel inside the stomach area.
2. What is Qi Core of the body?
   Human’s core (Dan Tian) of the body is the source of vital energy of life and blood, which includes pre natal energy, post natal energy, and root of wisdom.
3. Why Dan Tian is the Core?
   Dan Tian is the origin of the seed of humanity.
   The seed of mankind consists of ovum from female and sperm from male, which originates in Dan Tian.Pre-natal energy comes from Dan Tian
   The Dan Tian is a deep source of pre natal energy. Ovum (Yin) and sperm (Yang) combine together in our body (Yin and Yang), to generate embryo, and multiply next generation. Dan Tian is the origin of fetus, humanities’ pre natal energy and body. In addition, Dan Tian is vital energy to induce the fetus forming, growth, and giving birth. The pre-natal energy of each person is inherited from parents; and it comes with uniqueness of energy, which decides constitution and personality of each person.
   Post-natal energy comes from Dan Tian
   The Dan Tian is also a deep source of post-natal energy. After birth, people rely on energy and blood to survive, and maintain health. Energy and blood is obtained from nutrition of food and inhaling of oxygen. People digest and absorb nutrition to form energy and blood. The post-natal energy from Dan Tian combines nutrition from food and oxygen, generates energy and blood, and supplies it to every part of body all the time. Therefore, people give birth and grow; internal organs work; and bodies do activities.
   Wisdom is from the Dan Tian
   Wisdom is from the Dan Tian, the sun in our body. It can be regarded as “Gut Feeling” in western countries to some extent (to be continued).
4. How do we use and strengthen the Dan Tian?
   Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises the movement of Dan Tian energy, improvement of energy and blood, and movement of internal organs. They are effective methods to balance Yin and Yang in our bodies, to cure and prevent disease, to prolong and improve the quality of life, to nourish energy and blood, to maintain optimism and prevent depression.
5. Two methods to use the Dan Tian:
   A. Open up the body from Dan Tian.
   Standing, open up Dan Tian to straighten the body.
   Walking, open up Dan Tian.
   Sitting, open up Dan Tian.
   Benefits:
   • Opening up of internal organs and decreasing extrusion between organs.
   • Improved blood circulation.
   • Opening up skeleton and ligament.
   • Reducing stress and anxiety.
   • Maintaining optimism and preventing depression.
   • Helping fertility and gynecology problems.
   • Helping immune system to prevent cancer.
   B. Breathing from Dan Tian.
   It is a strong performance of energy and blood when we are able to breathe by using Dan Tian. Breath will be weak and shallow when we are ill, weak, and getting older. Breathing from the Dan Tian improves blood circulation, enhances energy and blood, and maintains a healthy body. Strong energy from Dan Tian leads to strong energy and blood. Moreover, strong energy and blood result in physical health and psychological optimism to prevent depression. To exercise Qi Gong and Tai Chi is not only to participate in classes, but also to be considered as daily and natural exercise. Therefore, we can be healthier and have more enjoyment in our busy lives.

Prevention and wisdom are the principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

People ask eye doctors for help if they have problems with eyesight. A better vision can be obtained by wearing right eyeglasses.  When people suffer poor hearing, they turn to hearing aids. Dentists help to fill, and extract bad teeth and perform dental prosthesis to patients when they need it. Not only can Qi Gong, this well-known wise exercise with a long history since ancient China, help people to exercise the sensory organs but also the other parts of body. People can receive far-reaching benefits by practicing Qi Gong such as tonifying the Qi, enjoying a long life expectancy and prolonging  youth.

There is an old story about a millionaire.  He came to an old temple and asked the monks for help about how to have a long life span through practicing Qi Gong. After a while of learning and practicing, he acquired the knowledge of preserving health by practicing and making the use of ‘Hui Yin’. When he decided to leave, he donated a million dollars to the temple. Since then, Hui Yin had been widely-known as the Million-Dollar Point.

1. Where is the Million-Dollar point?

The Million-Dollar point is one of the points in TCM, called the ‘Hui Yin’. It is between the anus and the external genitalia of the body. It is called the perineum in English.

2. How do we exercise the ‘Hui Yin’?

Lift up the ‘Hui Yin’ gently. Then connect to Dan Tian, (The Dan Tian is the very core of the Qi. It is under the navel, inside of stomach (abdomen). One of the most important theories of Qi Gong is to imagine it and then bring the mind into the body and picture it. Imagine and picture the ‘Hui Yin’. And then lift it up gently to connect it to the Dan Tian (the core of the Qi, life energy).  Try to practice it every day. Start by practicing it a few times on a daily basic and then this will become a habit of yours.

3. Why do so?

• The ‘Hui Yin’ is the strongest and biggest point of the Yin energy. (Please click http://www.traditionalqi.com/about-traditional-qi/tcm-sydney/ to find out about Yin and Yang).  Lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently is greatly favourable to strengthen, store and exercise the Qi (life energy).
• When we are lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up, the anus, the external genitalia and the prostate glands are lifted up simultaneously, which helps relax and contract the muscles of these parts of the body alternately.(Please reference the articles ‘the Two Directions Wisdom part 1 &2’ at the link http://www.traditionalqi.com/2011/03/31/the-two-directions-wisdom-part-1/ and http://www.traditionalqi.com/2011/04/07/the-two-directions-wisdom-part2/). The energy and circulation of these parts of the body become weak gradually as we grow old and even our physiological activities such as defecate, passing wind, urination, having sex, giving birth and having periods also consume the energy and circulation of these parts of the body. Therefore, by lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently, both of the anus and the external genitalia can be helped to relax and tighten the muscles of these parts of the body, at the same time, can get exercised.
• For women, lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently and connecting it to the Dan Tian can help to nourish the blood and tonify vital energy to the vagina and uterus.
• For men, lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently can help get the prostate glands exercised.
• Lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently, at the same time, helps to strengthen the deep muscles of the bottom and the preaxial thigh.
• Lifting the ‘Hui Yin’ up gently and then connecting it to the Dan Tian can also help keep the good body figure and maintain better posture. This is one of the important  Qi Gong movements.

4. What are the Benefits?

• Help nourish vitality, improve life span and anti-aging.
• Help keep body up right and posture.
• Help prevent and treat urinary and fecal incontinence.
• Help prevent and treat vaginal diseases and make vagina tight.
• Help prevent and treat hysteroptosis.
• Help prevent and treat prostatosis.
• Help prevent and treat the diseases of the colon and anus.
• Help improve sexual life.
• Help strengthen the deep muscles of the bottom and the preaxial thigh.

We today are living a busy life. Therefore, it has a very point of advocating preserving health by exercising the Qi core, Qi gate and the Qi point as part of our daily life. It will benefit us for the whole life.

Prevention and wisdom are the principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

Translated by: Charlie Lee

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

Why is there a higher percentage of death rate from cardio-vascular disease in winter than in any other seasons? Why more depression exists in winter? Why do Asthma, Emphysema and Bronchitis worsen in winter? Why frequent urination, incontinence happens more in winter or cold weather? Should only pollen be blamed for hypersensitivity in spring?

The laws of nature are: Sow and Grow in spring, Grow in summer, Harvest in autumn, Store in winter.  Our human bodies should follow the laws of nature to prevent illness and preserve health. “To go with it will bring health, to go against it will bring illness”.

Winter is the season for preservation and store. But why to preserve and store, what to preserve and store, how to preserve and store?

A. Why to preserve and store?

Winter is the coldest season of the year. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)'s Yin-yang Philosophy, cold is Yin and is dominated by static energy while warm is Yang and is dominated by active energy. With winter's low temperature and cold wind, Yin energy prevails and Yang energy hides. In nature, everything gets into a state of dormancy and animals' hibernation (after the harvest season of autumn). Nature is preserving and hiding its Yang energy. As a part of nature, humans should follow the law of nature, preserve and store the Yang energy inside their body especially in the kidney. Only if enough Yang energy is preserved and stored in the body, especially in kidney, that sprouting becomes possible in spring, growing in summer and harvest in autumn.

B. What to preserve and store?

1. Preserve and store essence – kidney’s essence.

   Kidney’s essence is the basic material of human body and it comes from both prenatal and postnatal. TCM holds the view that kidney’s essence produce sperms and eggs for the continuation of future generations, it is also the material basis for continuation of lives. This prenatal and postnatal kidney’s essence and energy directly affects the body’s immune system, directly affects fertility and growth of lives. For example, the hibernation of animals serves as an illustration of preserving and storing kidney energy. Good preservation and storage of kidney’s essence enables the build-up of strong immune system to prevent flu, cold and pollen hypersensitivity in the coming spring. Children would grow well, adults would feel energised. Also the kidney is connected with the bone and produces bone marrow. With a strong kidney’s essence, the body and bones would be strong to help preventing dementia, depression, Parkinson syndrome etc.

2. Preserve and store energy - kidney energy.

   TCM holds the view that the Yang energy in the kidney is warm and has a driving force. With strong Yang energy in the kidney, our body has resistance against cold, has good blood circulation system and has energy in the body. The Yang energy in the kidney is good for nourishing the body. People are healthy and live a long life with strong Yin and Yang energy in the kidney.

3. Preserve and store the spirit (energy).

   Seven emotions “excitement, anger, anxiety, sadness, grief, fear, shock” are normal emotions of people. But too much of these emotions would damage lots of energy, and have an adverse effect on the body. To balance these seven emotions plays an important role in preserving and storing our spirit energy. Each emotion has a connection with an inner organ. Fear and shock is related to kidney, thus, fear and shock damages the energy in the kidney, people with weak kidney energy could easily fear or get shocked. Winter is a season to preserve and store kidney’s essence and kidney energy, we must adjust our emotions, especially avoiding being affected by fear and shock, good preservation and storage in winter enables us to be healthy (especially children and the elderly).

   To preserve and store kidney’s essence, kidney energy, maintaining the spirit energy helps us to have a healthy body, live well and have a long life.

C. How to preserve and store?

1. Early sleep and late getting up. (at the time when the sun rises)
2. Eat warm food, avoid eating and drinking cold food.
3. Keep warm, especially the lower back (that’s near the kidney), abdomen, head, legs and feet.
4. Less amount of sex. “Control your lust would be good for your kidney.”
5. Appropriate intake of high-calorie food. Such as meat, egg and milk etc.
6. Keep yourself in a stable mood. Keep yourself away from emotions such as too much stress, excitement, anxiety and depression. Too much of these emotions would damage your energy, especially shock damages the energy. (mostly for children and the elderly)
7. Appropriate amount of physical exercise, sufficient amount but don’t make yourself too sweaty.

D. Tips for preserving and storing.

1. For children and women, it is better to wear a singlet to keep the kidney and belly warm, wear socks and hat to keep warm in winter.
2. People who have bronchitis, emphysema and asthma especially need to pay attention to keeping the chest warm.
3. Wash your face with cold water.
4. Brush your teeth with warm water.
5. Soak your feet in the hot water.
6. Eat more sesame, walnuts, nuts and meat. These will help with the frequent urination problem.
7. Ginger and lam soup is good to strengthen the Yang energy in the kidney in winter.
8. Have walnut, honey and ginger at the same time, it is good for your brain, and it helps with the Yang energy and kidney energy.
9. Have soup often to keep the stomach warm.

Preserving health in winter, you will get healthier in the coming spring, and will make children grow well.

Prevention and wisdom are the two principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by Angela Zhu (Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

Translated by Alan Huang.

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

One day near Easter when I was shopping in a supermarket in Europe, I saw a Mum holding a little baby with another 4 or 5 year-old child beside them. When I was paying for my stuff, I saw this kid stealing a chocolate Easter egg. Her Mum saw this and shouted out loudly: “Bastard! Do not steal! Shame on you! ” The kid put down the egg. After a while, she continued stealing and her Mum shouted again at her. I was thinking: “Does this little kid know what shame is? Does she know what stealing is? How did she get to know the meaning of the word “steal”? Why didn’t her Mum tell her: “If you want it, I will buy it for you?” While I was thinking and watching, this Mum grabbed an Easter egg after she paid the money for her shopping.

I couldn’t stop thinking:

1. The Mum teaches her child by her own behaviour and action.
2. The Mum teaches to lie.
3. The Mum teaches the child not to care about “shame” by shouting in a public place.
4. The Mum teaches the child to pretend.
5. Although the little baby that Mum was holding could not speak yet, what he saw might have a great impact on him.

I could not imagine what this baby would be like in the future or how he would be affected by what he saw and heard.

There is a saying: “As you sow, so will you reap.”

One day, I got a phone call from a friend’s son. He studies at Monash University in Melbourne. He said: “I cannot stand all this anymore, I feel like I want to die.” I asked “Why?” He answered: “I have just broken up with my girlfriend; also I failed one subject, so I have to do a supplementary exam.  I am   running out of money, and my Mum said she’s not going to send me more money because I spent too much. She called from overseas a few times a day forcing me to write down all the spending items and how did I spend the money. She would only send me money if I list all the items in detail. If I cannot, she would not send me money anymore. I feel so depressed and desperate.” Actually, this friend of mine, she spend lots of money on unnecessary things herself. She buys things no matter if it is useable or not. After sending her son to university overseas, with the expensive tuition fees, her son called back and asked for money every now and then because he spent the money too quick. Only when her son failed his subjects, she started thinking of ways to limit her son’s spending in order to punish him. Whose fault is bigger? What will be the result of the punishment - Depression? Self harm?

What to do?

1. Behavioural and action education is better than oral teaching.
2. Early education is better than late education.
3. Judge yourself before criticizing other people.
4. “Save” people is better than “save” money.
5. Deal with things rationally and sensibly rather than being emotional.

Parents should:

1. Behaviour and action are stronger than what they say.
2. Give behavioural and action education to the children as well as teaching them to distinguish right from wrong.
3. Setting a good example by the parents should be first. Like the sun gives us unlimited warmth, it enables the growth of all living things and gives us power! It doesn’t say anything, but it has infinite power.
4. Educate a child as early as possible and the early education received by the child will affect all his or her life.

The above mentioned true stories are convincing examples.

Prevention and wisdom are the two principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

Translated by: Alan Huang

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

I always think: as the combination of eggs and sperm gives rise to the next generation, the right temperature in the uterus needs to be ensured. It is just like the chicken eggs and duck eggs. Little chickens and ducks will come out of the egg only some days after if they have been kept at the right temperature. The eggs would not become a chicken if the temperature is too cold, also the eggs would be cooked if temperature is too hot. Similarly, if temperature in the uterus is cold, the combination of eggs and sperm would not result in a foetus. Also, if the eggs or sperm itself is cold, it is hard for them to combine.

1. Why would the uterus be cold?

A. External cold factor.

There are many young girls who don’t care about the coldness affecting their bodies. This affects the puberty, menstrual period, and sometimes would cause difficulties for pregnancy.

For example:

1. Sitting on a cold floor too often (especially wet floor).

   The coldness comes through the bottom to the abdomen. It is easier for the abdomen to get affected by the coldness during menstrual period or when one is tired.

2. Not paying enough attention to keep warm in the stomach and back area.

   Some young ladies often wear clothes that do not cover the navel and the waist at the back, they wear sandals and shorts no matter what the weather is like.  Wind, cold and dampness could attack the body from the navel; go through the waist and back to the uterus. Also the cold could go through the feet to the legs and finally reach the abdomen. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the channels which are located on the inside of the feet and legs will eventually lead to the abdominal area. Thus, lack of awareness to keep warm in the stomach, back and feet would cause cold in the uterus, sometimes resulting in difficulties in pregnancy.

3. Swimming during the menstrual period.

   The body becomes sensitive, the endocrine changes and the cervix opens during the menstrual period. The body is easily getting cold during this time. When people are swimming at this time, the cold would go into the uterus directly or indirectly. Thus, swimming is not a proper activity to do during the menstrual period.

4. Cold from the rain

   Wearing wet clothes after the rain is another possible cause for the uterine cold.

B. Internal cold factor.

1. Too much cold drink.

   This is not only bad for the stomach energy, it also causes uterine cold. So does ice cream or frozen food from the fridge. The accumulation of the cold in uterus will result in dysmenorrhoea, irregular menstrual period and it could lead to difficulties in pregnancy.

2. Deficiency in Yang energy causes cold.

   Coldness damages the Yang energy. Cold is Yin, heat is Yang. The cold Yin energy is constrained by Yang energy. When the Cold has accumulated too much the Yang energy is not able to constrain it, the cold will damage the Yang energy. Thus, deficient Yang energy would lead to internal cold in the body. When the internal cold accumulates in the uterus, sometimes pregnancy will be difficult to occur.

C. Internal cold and external cold

Although there are differences between internal cold and external cold, they interact and affect each other. Deficient Yang energy indicates an internal cold in the body, this type of body could be affected by external cold easily. When the external cold attacks the body and further damages the Yang energy the result is internal cold. Both factors would cause difficulties in pregnancy due to cold uterus.

2. How to prevent uterine cold?

1. Do not sit too much or too often on cold and wet floor or chairs.
2. Keep warm in the feet, stomach and back area. Wear clothes that cover the navel and back. Wear socks or stockings and shoes in cold weather.
3. Do not swim during menstrual period.
4. Change clothes after getting wet in the rain as soon as possible.
5. Dry your hair after shower before you are going out.
6. Try not to drink cold drinks, cold water or eat frozen food, especially during menstrual period. (Do not cold drink on an empty stomach.)
7. Take proper treatment if you have a deficient Yang energy type of body with internal cold. (  Symptoms of this type of body: likes warm and dislikes cold, cold feet and hands, aching in the knees because of cold, deficient energy, depressed, pale face)

3. How to treat uterine cold?

A. Self – treatment:

• The ways mentioned above to prevent uterine cold;
• Eat warm food and food with hot/warm attribute. ( Please read article “Food’s attribute – cold or hot/warm” for more detail.
• Soak your feet in hot water every day for 10 – 20 minutes. Keep the feet warm after the feet are dry.
• Hot bag method: Put a hot bag on the abdomen and another one at the back area to warm up the area every day or every second day.
• Put a few pieces of ginger and black sugar in tea, boil it for a few minutes and drink it every day.
• Moxibustion. Put ginger on the navel. Do moxibustion for ten minutes.
• Physical exercise. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are one of the good ways.
• Self – massage at the two acupuncture points called “Sanyinjiao”
  Location: 3 cun ( around 3 inches) above the tip of the medial alveolus, on the posterior border of the medial side of the tibia.

B. Other treatments:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Qi Gong exercise
• Tai Chi exercise

Prevention and wisdom are the two principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

Translated by: Alan Huang

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

The wise Traditional Chinese Medicine divides food by its attribute, the application of the food’s attribute is good for adjusting the inner environment of the human body, thus helping with the prevention and recovery of the diseases, it is called “food treatment”.  It is a natural, effective way to prevent and help treating diseases and helping recovery. The attribute of food is generally being categorised into cold and hot/warm.

Generally speaking, cold food helps the body to get rid of heat. It also helps to remove toxins in the inner environment. Hot/warm food helps to warm up the stomach (middle of the body), clear coldness, and strengthen the body.

Generally speaking, people who have an inner environment with a cold manifestation should eat more hot/warm food, and people who have an inner environment with a hot manifestation should eat more cold food.

As a rule, people who have an inner environment with a cold manifestation are likely to have the following symptoms:  Feel cold, cold hands and feet, aching knees resulting from coldness, like hot weather and dislike cold weather, inconstant urine, faeces with undigested food in it, deficient in energy, depressed, need lots of sleep, in favour of hot food, pale face.  In contrast, people who have an inner environment with a hot manifestation are likely to have the following symptoms: like cold weather, dislike hot weather, hot in five “little centres” (two palms, two feet and chest), thirsty with dry throat, feel stressed, upset and nervous, insomnia, like to eat cold food.

Prevention and wisdom are the two principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

Translated by: Alan Huang

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011

3. Wisely using nose in two-directions

Physically

General speaking, we use the nose to breath and smell. Normal breath enables us to breathe in enough oxygen and ensure our blood circulation. “Two-way” of the nose’s function is breathing in and breathe out. The breath should be even, slender and soft. If you breathe in more and breathe out less, or breathe in less and breathe out more, those both show an unhealthy status of your body. (for example, the sickness of the lung and bronchitis) etc.

When the emotion fluctuates, an even, slender and soft breath helps to release the stress and deal with difficulties calmly. Otherwise, sicknesses are likely to occur, especially high blood pressure, heart attack and depression.

We smell the flowers, food and other fragrance as well with our nose. Other than the smells from outside, the application of “two-way” function of the nose goes to the secreted smell from our bodies as well.

For example:

Smell from the mouth:

Smell from the faeces and vomit:

Smell from the urine:

This is good knowledge for mum to diagnose the children.

Spiritually

If we know how to use the nose in two directions, try to open our nose to various “smell” in order to prevent sickness and problems in life.

4. Wisely using mouth in two-directions

Physically

Human beings use the mouth to eat and talk. People express their emotions, attentions, needs, judgements, vent by talking outwards.

Spiritually

It is also important to talk to yourself inside. Ask ourselves “How do I feel?” “Why do I feel this way?” “Why do I need to say this?” When the answers come out and you will understand about yourself and others. If we did something wrong, we will realise it from inside, maybe that makes it easier to forgive ourselves than the criticism from others. Especially when you feel depressed, you can talk to yourself like talking to a friend, ask yourself: “Why am I unhappy?” “What should I do?” “Is this important to me?” “What if today is the last day of our life, would I still care about it?”  The cloudy sky would turn to be a sunny day when you can answer yourself these questions. Train yourself to talk to yourself as if you are talking to a good friend, these help reducing the stress and get rid of the feeling of being depressed, thus release and bring us a peace of mind and the harmony around us. This is the wisdom of “two-way” philosophy apply to the mouth.

5. Wisely using anus and urethra in two-directions

Anus and urethra are used to discharge waste matter, waste fluid and dirty air. If people only eat and drink and the waste don’t come out, sickness would easily occur to us. Anus and urethra have their “two-way” function. One direction is that the anus and urethra discharge the waste matter, waste fluid and waste air, the other direction is they can hold them too. If we don’t pay attention to the health of the anus and urethra, sickness would follow so that there would be trouble to the “two-way” function. For example: diarrhoea, the infection from the urinary, urinary incontinence, prolapsed of the anus as well as gynaecological diseases and prostate disease. So  pay attention to the “two-way” function in the anus and urethra in order to keep yourself healthy. What’s more, keeping a good “two-way” function of the anus and urethra will help to have better sexual life.

How to ensure a healthy “two-way” function of the nine holes? One of the ways is Qi Gong and Tai Chi. They adopt the Yin Yang Philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine as theoretical foundation. The harmony and health of body and peaceful mind would be achieved through the visualisation, breathing, meditation combined with slow movements involved in the Qi Gong and Tai Chi practices. These two practices are aiming to strengthen the vital Qi (energy) which is the only way to keep the two-directions functioning well.  Try this ancient Yin Yang and “two-way” Philosophy to enable you to have a healthy body, a peaceful mind and a harmonious inner and outer environment.

Try this two directions wisdom to connect to the outside and our inside world. Find out how much more peaceful, better and beautiful life can be!

Prevention and wisdom are the two principles of Traditional Qi.

Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor)

Translated by: Alan Huang

© Copyright Angela Zhu 2011