Chi Dynamics Cancer Care

CHI DYNAMICS IMPACT ON THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

Chi Dynamics is an "Art" of generating beneficial and healing energy through combining the relaxed but focused mind ("Yi") and the body - in harmony. A key objective and process of Chi Dynamics techniques is to maximize the beneficial assimilation of oxygen in the body to promote well-being and healing.

Why the emphasis on oxygen? And what is its relevance to the prevention and treatment of Cancer?

Whilst there are detractors, there is nonetheless, a wealth of medical research and opinion that suggests that cells that are deficient in oxygen are inclined to mutate, whereas cells that have an optimum supply of oxygen do not mutate (i.e. turn cancerous). In addition, cells that are rich in oxygen, i.e. where oxygen-respiration, is ample and efficient, the body becomes energized and thereby tends to be healthier.

In the treatment and care of Cancer patients, Chi Dynamics' "Block of Breathing" method is highly beneficial, because it promotes:

Pain relief Increased energy
Improved lymphatic drainage
Better absorption of nutrition and enhancement of digestion
Improved disposal of body waste
Enhanced immune system
Increased blood and thermal circulation
Increased release of neuro-chemicals, particularly endorphins for pain relief
Better sleep and relaxation
Improved sense of well being which helps to alleviate depression, anxiety and stress
Regaining and maintaining the balance of Ying and Yang - which is vital to sustaining total health of mind and body

We will go into more details concerning these benefits as we progress on.

GETTING STARTED WITH CHI DYNAMICS IN YOUR TREATMENT OF CANCER

It must be emphasized that Chi Dynamics is not an alternative to conventional medical treatment of cancer. It is a supplementary and complementary therapy!
The "Block of Breathing" method is done in a relaxed state and will bring about no physical 'wear and tear'. Consequently, as this is not an exercise that will result in strain or tiredness (but, on the contrary, promotes relaxation and well being) it should be done five to seven times a day for sessions of half an hour or even longer. In the beginning, each session should last as long as it takes to feel any of the following 'signs'. These signs indicate proper "Chi Flow" (energy flow) through the body.
- Heat waves - heat flow, from very mild to moderate warmth coursing through the body, especially the face, spinal column, hands and fingers.
- A tingling sensation (pleasant - not 'pins and needles').
- A very pleasant bubbling feeling of blood flow just below skin level; sometimes deeper around the face and head; up to a rippling at the hairline and on the scalp.
- 'Tremors' through the body. These may be imperceptible in the beginning. They should then increase (particularly, with regular practice). Do not fight it. Just let it come. It will become more pronounced and you will, in due course, feel a pulsing vibration coursing through your body.
If you have pain, the pain will ease off. Regardless of how intense the pain is, with correct and regular practice of "Block of Breathing”, the pain will go. You should feel:
- A feeling of ‘lightness’ follows; this indicates the flow of endorphins, which is a natural and beneficial neuro-chemical. This is the first step towards healing - and indicates that you are breathing correctly!
- Your breathing becomes rhythmic, effortless, yet consistent and strong. Again, this indicates correct breathing. Do more "Block of Breathing" to ease this pain. If you notice that there is a cycle to your pain, start the "Block of Breathing" session before the pain cycle begins in order to intercept it. If possible, do not wait Until the pain has become intense before starting the breathing session, as it will then be harder to concentrate on doing the exercise correctly.
- The pain eases and then goes away completely.
- A slight numbness and warmth at the pain site.
There is no harm if you "overdose" i.e. do too much of "Block of Breathing" as there will be no adverse side effects if you do it more than suggested.
Emotion controls how you breathe. So, by deliberately changing the way you breathe, you can alter your emotions. To illustrate the last point, think of a time in your life when you were very sad, fearful, angry or anxious. Recall how you were breathing at that time. If you can, you will probably remember that your breathing was shallow, fast and/or irregular and with no rhythm. This is typical of the way a person in an emotionally agitated state would breathe. On the other hand, when one breathes deeply and rhythmicallv (using deep diaphragmatic breathing) one feels more in control, confident, focused and stronger. The latter state is what we want to create and sustain. Indeed, there is on old Qi Gong saying: "Emotions control your breathing. 'Chi' breathing controls your emotions."
As we have mentioned above, a positive mental attitude is important to promoting and sustaining well-being. Smiling is a powerful therapy. Therefore, when doing your "Block of Breathing" exercises, smile as much - and as often - as possible. Smiling relaxes the face muscles and encourages the flow of endorphins - which we need to stimulate the release of in order to achieve natural pain relief. Conversely, frowning tenses us and thus restricts the endorphin flow.
Deep diaphramatic breathing (also known as abdominal breathing) does not mean putting air into the stomach area. What it emphasizes is that instead of inflating only the upper part of your lungs (which most adults tend to do as the “stomach in and chest out” look is almost universally accepted as being attractive) when we breathe in, we should breathe deeply into our lungs, thereby expanding the lungs fully. This could thus be described correctly as "total lung breathing" - which is the natural way of breathing. Indeed, this is how babies breathe. Notice that when they inhale, their abdomens rise rather than their chests. So, this is the proper and healthy way of breathing - as nature intended.

The mechanics of proper breathing are as follows:

When you inhale, let the air go deep down into your abdominal area. This enables your lungs to take in more air without the tension of "upper chest" breathing.
When you exhale, you should squeeze the abdomen back towards the spine, for in doing so the diaphragm is pushed upwards and stale air is expelled from the bottom of the lungs. Think of your torso as a pair of bellows. In order to take in more "clean" air, you need to expel as much as possible of the "stale" air. In order to do the latter, squeeze your "bellows" fully on exhalation.
This way of breathing is, therefore, absolutely efficient. It ensures that every intake brings in more fresh air and that all stale air is expelled.

Special Points to bear in mind before starting:

Inhalation: When you begin, inhale only a small amount of air. Just inhale enough to comfortably move your diaphragm (i.e. the "stomach" area just below your solar plexus). Do NOT try to take too much in! In this case, "less is more". The aim is to relax and be comfortable. Even a little air will be sufficient to enhance the 'Chi' flow. When you have become comfortable with the deep diaphragmatic breathing technique, you may then inhale a little more. However, never over inhale to the point you feel "light in the head" or any clear discomfort.
Complete exhalation is vital! Your aim should be to rid your lungs of all stale air every time you exhale - so that you can then fill it anew with fresh air.

THE "BLOCK BREATHING" OR "CHI MEDITATION BREATHING for HEALING" METHOD

NOTE: Use Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing throughout

Step 1 - Preparing and positioning yourself

Lie down on your back, or if that is not comfortable you can be inclined. (The key is to be comfortable).
Place a small firm pillow or a rolled up towel under your neck to support it - as the weight of the head should not be on your neck.
Elevate your legs to help your circulation e.g. Place them on Cushions, pillows or a stool.
As your energy level is low, place a hot pack or a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen, below the navel. This will help to bring the heat and energy level up quickly.
Focus your mind on the lower abdomen or ‘Tan Tien’, located some 2 inches (5 cm) below the navel. (The ‘Tan Tien’ is the energy centre known in Qi Gong as the “the Elixir Centre” (home of the ‘Chi’) and should be kept warm.)

Step 2 - Relaxing

Relax and "soften" your shoulders and upper body. One way to achieve this is to curl forward from the waist, lift each of the shoulders up towards the ears and then roll them forward. When you have done so, lie back and you should find your shoulders more relaxed. You may adjust yourself until you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Step 3 - Retaining the 'Tan Tien' focus

Check to ensure that your focus is still on the lower 'Tan Tien'. If other thoughts come into your head, realize that you have been distracted and then consciously, regain your focus. Keep bringing your mental focus back to the 'Tan Tien'. "Where your focus is, that is also where your energy is!"

Step 4 - Inhaling

Inhale gently through the nose only (never inhale through the mouth as it is unhygienic). No count required here.
Allow the air to gently inflate (ie. Not too much) the lower abdomen. (This causes the diaphragm to flatten and the lungs to elongate – which allows more air to be taken in comfortably).

WARNING: DO NOT hyperventilate i.e. don't breathe too deeply and/or too fast. If you find that, in addition to expanding your abdomen during inhalation, your upper chest is also inflating and rising, you are breathing incorrectly. If you continue to do so, it will result in tension and stress, which in turn, will block the benefits of the "Block of Breathing" exercise.

Step 5 - Holding your breath - The Pause

Hold your breath for 4 seconds, then in a relaxed manner:

Gently draw up the pelvic floor/scrotum, and then smoothly and naturally tighten the anus. Do NOT strain.
This will result in a gentle tilting upwards of the pelvic area. NOTE: The Pause generates energy and heat that will be used beneficially in the next Step.

Step 6 - Exhaling ("pursed lip exhalation")

Pucker your lips - as though you are preparing to whistle. Exhale by blowing through your pursed lips gently and evenly for 6 seconds. As you get stronger, extend this to 9 or even up to 12 seconds.
IMPORTANT: As you exhale, draw the tummy - starting with the 'Tan Tien' area - back towards your spine. Maintain constant but not excessive pressure on your 'Tan Tien' (which you may, recall, lies about 2" below the navel).
NOTE:
- Exhalation is the most important part of 'Chi' breathing. It acts as a "pump", sending out the heat and healing energy (which you would have built up during the Pause) throughout your body.
- Generally, the longer the exhalation, the more relaxed and alkaline the body will become. (Remember that stress and tension makes your system acidic.)

Step 7 – The 2nd Pause

This is the last step in the “Block of Breathing” cycle. After fully exhaling, pause for 4 seconds before inhaling again. Relax the entire lower pelvic area during this (2nd) Pause.
Repeat the cycle as in Steps 4 to 7 for a minimum of half an hour more. Be assured that with consistent practice, the benefits will follow!

Maintaining and persisting

As with learning anything new, you will initially feel that you are following instructions in a mechanical or even robotic manner. It will feel unnatural and you may even feel frustrated as you forget the steps or the "finer points" for correct technique. This is only normal and to be expected. Do not let it dissuade you from continuing, for it will pass.

As you continue to practice, it will become more and more "natural" and rhythmic and your ability to focus on your 'Tan Tien' will become easier. Remember, "Rome was not built in a day"! Things take time. But you will be amazed at how quickly the technique - and with it, the benefits - will come.

When you start feeling tired, don't fight it. Just allow yourself to go to sleep. Tiredness is merely your body's way of letting you know that it needs to rest and recover. Being at rest is in itself a "self-healing state"! When you awaken or become alert again, just continue with your "Block of Breathing".

Summary: Sensations that you may feel while doing the correct "Block of Breathing"

You will know that you have done a good "Chi Breathing" session, when you 'feel' in your body the following sensations (these are general indications although individual experiences may vary):

'Heat Flow': Waves of heat flow, from very mild to moderate warmth, coursing through the body, especially the face, spinal column, hands and fingers. (Peripheral circulation is enhanced).
'Tingling' sensation: A pleasant feeling, not ‘pins and needles’.
‘Bubbling’ feeling: A very pleasant bubbling feeling of energized blood flow felt just below skin level. It will sometimes be felt deeper around the face and head and there may also be a rippling sensation at the hairline and scalp.
'Tremors' through the body: Initially, a slight feeling of tremors will be felt. Again, do not 'fight it'. Just let it come. It will become more pronounced as it develops into a stronger vibration-like sensation.