Zhan Zhuang Exercise to Unblock Your Qi

Mon, Mar 09, 2020

Enjoy our weekly wellness tip from Licensed Acupuncturist, Michael Savalli, from the office of Elizabeth Martin.

Preparing for Spring with the 4 Pillars of TCM – Beginners Zhan Zhuang Exercise

We at Hands On Acupuncture and Massage emphasize all 4 Pillars of TCM to promote health and wellness for our clients.  In our office that means using Acupuncture, Manual Therapy, Herbal Medicine, and Meditation Exercises.  We also like to give you “homework” that you can do on your own, in order to continue on your path to better health.  

We’ve also talked about how health priorities or their focus can change cyclically with the seasons.  For example, Spring is associated with the wood element, and we recommend practices that align with this energy, both literally, and metaphorically.  In Winter, our energy is most at rest, and relatively inactive.  Come Spring, that energy reactivates and begins to circulate more and more.  One way to accommodate this is to perform Zhan Zhuang exercise, or as we call it, “standing like a tree”.

Zhan Zhuang is a form of Qi Gong, or “energy work”.  But it is also physical exercise, and a standing meditation.  That is, its benefits are both physical and mental.  To hold the pose, simply stand erect, with feet about shoulder width apart.  Knees should be bent, with your tailbone pulling downward, and your head extending upward, with the chin tucked slightly.  From a side view, your ankles, hips, shoulders and ears are aligned straight.  Lastly, bring the arms up in front to chest level, as if holding a large beach-ball, or hugging a tree.  This exercise is simple to begin, you could even do it seated if need be.  But it’s benefits, especially when done long term, can be quite amazing.

See if you can hold this posture for a minute, and slowly increase it daily from there.  While you hold this pose, focus on your breath, and relax anywhere that tightness develops.  Holding this stance allows the Qi energy to circulate freely, and by so doing, provide many benefits to your health.  Some practitioners become so adept as to hold the posture for an hour or more, but even just a few minutes each day will be greatly beneficial towards activating your qi, and calming and relaxing your body and mind.

Meet Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

Michael is a board certified NY State Licensed Acupuncturist, who received his Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine from New York College of Health Professions.  While in this program, he also specialized in Chinese Herbal Medicine. If you or anyone you know is interested in staying healthy this season, schedule your appointment and learn how Acupuncture and herbs can boost your immunity. 

631-601-6491

Click to learn more about Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

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Crystal Bowl Sound Healing
Group Meditation

• reducing stress and anxiety
• improves circulation
• deepens relaxation
• increases mental & emotional clarity.
• restores balance

Vibrational sound healing can be traced back from present-day trends to many ancient civilizations including India, Africa, Europe, and the Orient. The idea is to restore balance to the chakra system and clearing the blocked energy within ourselves. Sound healing is similar to reiki healing; It is a form of energy healing that allows your body to self-regulate and self heal.

Let the sounds vibrate through you to feel the power of self-preservation and healing.
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Optional reflective discussion until 9:30pm

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To enhance your healthy lifestyle experience we sell all forms of Chinese herbal linaments, to pain patches and liquids that help the pain, enhance healing, and promote wellness. Each product has been carefully selected and tested. We only sell high-quality medicinal grade products. Ask your practitioner what products would be right for you!

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We all like to move more in Spring, standing meditation is a great way to prepare yourself!

With Love,

Liz

Elizabeth M. Martin, MSOM, L.Ac, LMT and the Staff at Hands on Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, P.C.