WELLNESS is defined by the "World Health Organization as
"...not simply the absence of disease, but the pro-active approach of the
mind and body (and some say: spirit) to feeling healthy, fit"
2000: A study published in the American Heart Association
journal, "Stroke", examined stress reduction and its effect on cardiovascular
disease: "Participants who practiced meditation saw the same improvements
as those who received medication and adopted a lifestyle change" (Castillo-Richmond)
1999: In the article "Medical Application of Qi Gong",
a study showed that a combination of Qi Gong and drug therapied is superior
to drug therapies alone... in hypertension and cancer" (Sancier)
The Qi Gong Bibliographic Database, developed by the Qi Gong
Institute, holds approximately 1300 to 1600 references covering medical applications,
scientific, and experimental studies of Qi Gong from China, the US and Europe
1999: "Tai Ch'i has been demonstrated by osteoperosis researchers
at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York to improve balance and decrease
the risk of falls in older persons" (Chicago Tribune "Family Health")
1999: Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld talked about Fybromyalgia - ("...defined
by the American College of Rheumatology, and accepted as a disease entity
by the international medical community in 1993") "Fybromyalgia is not "all
in your head"-and that's official! He offers some helpful steps: "...Relaxation.
such as those described in Benson's "The Relaxation Response", and Tai Chi,
Yoga, and Biofeedback" (Press. "Parade magazine, July 18, 1999)
Alyce Sorokie, ownerof "Partners in Wellness" (a digestive
therapy clinic in Chicago) conducts "Gut Wisdom" workshops where the science
of emotions is explored. The human intestinal tract has a much greater capacity
for feelings than the nerve endings of the heart, to which, she says, we assign
matters of love and emotions. "Our brain sends signals to to all parts of
the body, but only the intestinal tract can operate without those biochemical
and bioelectric transmissions. The gut has an independent enteric nervous
system..."
Dr. Michael Gershon, chairman of anatomy and cell biology
at Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons, has stated "...people
should no longer be written off as crazy in the head, it just may be their
guts are what's crazy"" The mind and body are connected: "the new "Neurogastroenterology"
movement has taught us lessons...if a person takes...brain-related drugs,
he should expect problems with the intestinal tract." "The brain processes
our thoughts about love, philosophy, polotics...the nervous system in the
stomach handles...the business..."
Dr. Mona Lisa Schultz, a Maine-based neurophysicist and author
of "Awakening Intuition: Using Your Mind-Body Network for Insight and Healing"
(Harmony Books) states: "Intuition and perception are not just functions of
the brain. Most people are also "wired" in the guts or heart...They can feel
something not right in the pit of their stomach."
1998: "...this one year study of Tai Ch'i training...suggests
SIGNIFICANT improvement in cardiovascular function, muscle strength, and flexibility."
(Lan, C. et al, Medical Science sports Exercise: published in "Rehab In Review"
(produced by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in cooperation w/ Harvard
Med School Dept. of P. M. & R., Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital & Louisianna
State U.'s section of P.M.&R.)
1998: "Tai Ch'i is considered appropriate because it "attends
the needs of the body, the needs of the mind, and the needs of the spirit...One
vitalizes the body, one activates and stimulates the mind, and one raises
the spirit. A good workout circulates energy naturally and vigorously without
over-stressing the body, or over-straining the mind." ("Mind-Body-Spirit Acadamy
of Martial Arts": e-press [web-site])
1998: "Spirituality is being as alive as a person can be.
That means not separating mind, body and spirit. Neglect one, and the rest
of your life suffers" (Richard Woods,Roman Catholic priest/instructor at Loyola
University and Oxford University: in press)
1998: "Stay flexible. Simple stretching, Tai Ch'i and Yoga
are all ways to maintain full range of motion for a lifetime" (American Council
on Exercise: in press)
1998: " Stiffness as we get older isn't just a matter of
age - itcomes with a lifetime of disuse. Consistent stretching will keep you
moving for years to come" (Dr. R. Blake, senior podiatrist at the Center for
Sports Medicine in San Francisco: in press)
1997: "Tai Ch'i training has been shown to be twice as effective...in
the prevention of falls" (J A M A)
1994: "...a one-half hour routine of "no - sweat" physical
activity that, when performed consistently, increases immune system functioning,
effectively lowers blood pressure, and increases muscle strength as well as
bone density, thus lowering the risk and incidence of osteoperosis."(Centers
for Disease Control & American College of Sports Medicine: JAMA)
The editors of "Scientific American" recently suggested that
since there is no reconcilable empirical evidence to validate the undeniable
effects of acupuncture (specifically: claims that placement of needles into
the skin "just so" restores the harmonious balance of Qi) the benefits are
due to the "placebo effect". "Placebos may act psychologically, but it would
be undeniably interesting to know how a psychological phenomenon can mediate
organic changes." Walter Brown (author of "The Placebo Effect") argues that
physicians should be open to employing placebos prudently when dealing with
ailments that cannot be treated more directly...by traditional means. The
medical sciences, after all, are still only part of the healing arts" (John
Rennie, editor-in-chief)
