A big NI HAO (hello) from the Editor
Hi Guys, hope you enjoying the good
weather, I know I am. Sandy put in a
special request for me to bring back
some sunshine upon my return from the
Big Red and I think I have delivered,
although maybe we have someone else to
thank and it wasn’t me at all?? Cheers
Buddha!
This time round I have taken an abstract
from an article by a fellow Tai Chi
Instructor from Northampton by the name
of Nick Cheung, I think it’s quite
relevant to us all and our training and
lifestyles.
I have made a few changes to the
original so that it makes a bit more
sense in abstract.
This famous line is from the Tao Te
Ching. It refers to the Chinese ritual
where dogs made from straw are led
through town to soak up negative
influences (sort of like a metaphysical
vacuum cleaner I suppose). At the end of
the ceremony, when their use is over,
they are burnt.
If this idea is a law of nature then it
makes sense to apply it to your
training.
If you look deeply into the tips you
have been given you may find that they
become a little overwhelming. Temper
that feeling with the knowledge that
everything you do in pursuit of your
eventual goal is a straw dog; every
thought, idea, training tool, technique,
form, Chi Kung posture, relationship,
teacher, class and style. Everything is
simply a means to an end.
If you EVER think you have fully
understood something you’ve stagnated by
holding onto a straw dog.
Achieve the paradox of deep involvement
and detachment at the same time and you
will know how, why and when to change
your various tools (straw dogs) in order
to get the most from your training.
[
Thanks Nick |
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GET READY, SUMMERS
COMING
In
Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have a
healing methodology called the 5 Phases
(Elements). Summer is ruled by the Fire
element and is expressed in nature as
well as in the body. Growth, joy and
spiritual awareness between the heart
and mind are the focus during this
season. Summer-heat belongs to the
element of fire and is predominant
during the summer season. The element,
Fire is associated with the Summer
season and with heat. The element is
associated with the heart, pericardium,
small intestines and related to the
tongue.
Symptoms of summer heat are excess body
heat, profuse sweating, parched mouth
and throat, constipation, and heart
palpitations.
The
summer heat can sneak up on you and not
only zap your energy, while you are
outdoors, but it can cause dehydration,
sunburn and actual exhaustion! Children
under four, people over 65, and those
who are obese, already ill, or taking
medications can especially be affected
very easily. Its symptoms can include
heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps,
tiredness, weakness, dizziness headache
and nausea or vomiting.
Here
are some remedies for heat exhaustion:
-
Carry
water with you and sip it throughout
the day. Dehydration can set in and
we don't even realize it until we
begin to feel thirsty!
-
Pace
yourself when working outdoors,
exercising or just having fun.
-
Replace salts and minerals with
electolytes such as Gatoraide or
other power drinks that have
potassium. Avoid drinks with large
amounts of sugar. Dehydration can
stress the heart and impair the
kidneys' ability to maintain the
correct level of fluids and balance
of electrolyte. Electrolytes are
charged elements—like potassium,
sodium, phosporous and
chloride—essential for the normal
function of every cell in the body.
-
Seek
air conditioning, cool breezes under
the shade and/or take cool showers
in order to bring down your body
temperature.
-
Sunburn can happen very easily if
you are not careful. Dilute one part
Tea Tree Oil with ten parts of olive
oil or coconut oil and spread freely
over the affected areas. This is
soothing and pain-relieving and to
reduce blistering and peeling.
-
If
you feel dizzy and/or stop sweating,
quit all activity and get out of the
sun fast. Drink cool, not cold water
with a teaspoon of apple cider
vinegar in it. The vinegar helps to
replace electrolytes and minerals
like sports drinks do.
-
In
ancient Egypt, China and the Far
East, watermelon juice and its seeds
were traditionally offered to
thirsty travellers. This flavourful
fruit is one of the best remedies
for dehydration and summer heat
symptoms, which include thirst
without desire to drink, band-like
headache, nausea, low appetite,
heavy, weighted body sensation, low
motivation, sluggish digestion,
increased body temperature, sticky
sweat, surging pulse, and red tongue
with thick white or yellow coating.
Watermelon cools and cleanses the
system, clearing summerheat and acts
as a natural diuretic.
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