Balance Allergies with Chinese Medicine: The Triple Burner Approach

Balance Allergies with Chinese Medicine: The Triple Burner Approach

Ask Me Anything

Why Allergies Are On the Rise—and What Chinese Medicine Can Do

From sneezing fits to food sensitivities and itchy skin, allergies can feel like an invisible assault on your body. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these reactions aren’t random—they’re signs of imbalance, especially within a vital but lesser-known energy system: the Triple Burner (San Jiao).

This July in Chi Flow with Jo, we’re focusing on core strength, immunity, and emotional resilience—the same foundational systems affected by the Triple Burner. Let’s dive into how understanding and harmonizing this energy pathway can help you feel clear, strong, and allergy-free.

What Is the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine?

Unlike a physical organ, the Triple Burner is a functional system. It regulates the smooth flow of fluids and energy (Qi) across three key areas of the body:

  • Upper Burner – Lungs and Heart: Governs breathing, circulation, and Wei Qi (your defensive immune energy).

     

  • Middle Burner – Spleen and Stomach: Controls digestion, nutrient absorption, and transformation of food into Qi.

     

  • Lower Burner – Liver, Kidneys, Intestines: Oversees elimination, detoxification, and hormonal regulation.

When the Triple Burner is in balance, the whole body works in harmony. When it’s blocked or overwhelmed—especially by stress, excess heat, or poor diet—allergies, inflammation, and immune hypersensitivity can arise.  

How Allergies Disrupt the Triple Burner

In TCM, allergies are often a combination of:

  • – Stagnation – Qi isn’t flowing smoothly between the Burners.

     

  • – Excess Heat – Inflammatory responses go unchecked.

     

  • – Weak Wei Qi – The body’s defense energy can’t fight off invaders.

Your body might overreact to harmless stimuli—pollen, dust, food—as if they were threats. The result? Runny noses, red eyes, brain fog, bloating, and skin flare-ups.

And don’t forget the emotional triggers. Stress, anxiety, and even unprocessed grief can weaken the immune system and further disrupt the Triple Burner.

Acupressure to Balance the Triple Burner

One of the simplest and most effective ways to restore balance is acupressure. Here’s a meridian-clearing technique you can try anytime.

Triple Burner Meridian Clearing

  1. Eyebrows to Temples: Gently stroke from the outer edges of your eyebrows to your temples. 
  2. Ear Line: Massage over the ears and down behind them to the jawline. 
  3. Neck and Shoulders: Stroke down to the shoulder grooves (just behind the top of your shoulders). 
  4. Down the Arms: Follow the outer arm to the ring finger with a flicking motion. 
  5. Repeat on the other side.

This boosts lymphatic flow, clears heat, and promotes detoxification.  Read this study to learn more: NIH: Immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in allergic diseases.

  • Triple Burner 5 (Outer Gate) – Immune Boost Point

    • – Location: Three finger-widths above the outer wrist crease.

       

    • – Technique: Hold or massage gently for 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

       

    • Benefits: Clears heat, reduces inflammation, and enhances immunity.

       

  • Use this point daily during allergy season or when feeling run down.

Eat to Cool and Clear: Chinese Dietary Tips for Allergies

To support the Triple Burner, especially when it’s overwhelmed by dampness and heat, try adjusting your diet:

❌ Foods to Avoid

  • – Processed snacks and sugars (increase inflammation)
  • – Excess dairy (contributes to mucus and dampness)
  • – Warming fruits like strawberries and grapes

     

✅ Foods to Emphasize

  • Cooling foods: cucumber, lettuce, watermelon, seaweed
  • High-fiber fruits: apples, pears, cherries (help reduce heat)
  • Hydrating infusions: cucumber-mint water
  • Healing combo: ginger + mint + pineapple for digestion and inflammation relief 

These foods nourish Yin, clear heat, and help regulate allergic responses from the inside out.

Qigong for Allergy Relief and Triple Burner Harmony

Daily Qigong supports the Triple Burner by improving fluid circulation, calming the nervous system, and balancing immune responses.

Triple Burner Flow Exercise

  • Inhale: Sweep one hand up, palm facing the sky.
  • Exhale: Guide the hand down the front of your body—passing the chest (upper burner), the solar plexus (middle), and the lower belly (lower burner).
  • Repeat with the other hand in a continuous, flowing motion.

This gentle sequence anchors the breath and calms overactivity in both the immune and nervous systems. Practice daily to shift from stress mode into “rest, digest, and restore.”

The Wisdom of Chinese Medicine

As the ancient TCM saying goes, “When Qi flows, health follows; when Qi stagnates, disease occurs.” By nourishing your Kidney Qi with food, activating key acupressure points, and practicing Qi Gong, you’ll not only improve your immune function but also restore a sense of vitality and balance to your life.

So, whether you’re battling winter colds or looking for relief from that awkward sweaty discomfort, these simple practices can make a profound difference. May your days be filled with warmth, health, and joy.

WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

Final Thoughts – Core Strength isn’t just physical

 Just like we build core muscle to support our spine, we also need energetic core strength—grounded breath, stable emotions, and smooth Qi flow through all three burners.

This month in Chi Flow with Jo, we’re diving into how core strength links to bladder health, hormonal balance, and yes, even allergies.

By working with the Triple Burner, you’re not just addressing symptoms—you’re transforming the terrain. So breathe deep, eat cooling foods, press your points, and come flow with us.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. 

You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

Join the Chi Flow online community today!

Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.  

You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Capacitar and Chi: Simple Healing Tools for Big Life Shifts

Capacitar and Chi: Simple Healing Tools for Big Life Shifts

Energy Update

How Gentle Touch, Energy Flow, and Daily Rituals Can Help Women Over 45 Reclaim Balance, Joy and Vitality

At Chi Flow with Jo, we know that change isn’t just something that happens in your schedule. It happens in your bones, your breath, your emotions. It shows up as insomnia, aching joints, grief you didn’t know you were carrying, or a sense of losing direction.
For many women over 45, peri-menopause and menopause don’t just bring physical shifts, they stir up deep emotional tides, a change in identity, and the question: Who am I now?

That’s why I was so honoured to sit down with holistic practitioner and long-time Chi Flow member, Trina Hanlon, for a special Energy Update Podcast. Trina will be leading July’s mid-month health talk (free for Chi Flow with Jo members) where she’ll guide us in a full practice of the Capacitar Finger Hold Technique.

But in our podcast, we talked honestly about:
– Overwhelm and the nervous system on constant high alert
– Loss of self-worth and purpose after retirement, caregiving, or job changes
– Hidden grief, anger, fear and shame that turn inward and lead to stagnation

Trina beautifully shared her journey of moving from burnout and busy-ness to a place of embodiment, healing and joy, thanks to simple tools that reconnect us to our life force energy.

What is Capacitar?

Capacitar (from the Spanish “to empower”) is a body-based, global healing practice developed over 30 years ago to help individuals and communities release trauma, reduce stress and restore balance. It shares roots with the same principles that guide Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine: the body holds energy, and that energy can be moved.

One of its most accessible tools is the Finger Hold Practice:

  • ✋ Thumb → for grief and loss
  • ✋ Index finger → for fear and panic
  • ✋ Middle finger → for anger
  • ✋ Ring finger → for worry
  • ✋ Little finger → for low self-esteem

You simply hold each finger gently for 2–5 minutes, breathing and waiting until you feel a shift. It’s subtle, but powerful. And it’s discreet enough to do in public—on the train, in a meeting, even in bed at night.

It’s also a practice children instinctively know: sucking their thumbs for comfort, twiddling fingers when nervous. This is ancient body wisdom. Capacitar helps us return to it.

How Capacitar Connects with Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), blocked emotions and stagnant energy are root causes of many symptoms experienced during menopause:

  • Liver Qi Stagnation → irritability, anger, menstrual irregularities
  • Spleen Qi Deficiency → fatigue, worry, digestive issues
  • Lung Qi Imbalance → grief, low immunity, shallow breathing

By holding the fingers, we stimulate the meridians that run through the body and out through the fingertips. Just like acupressure and Qi Gong, Capacitar creates flow. 

As Trina said in the podcast: “The change we want to see in others must begin with ourselves.”

Reclaiming Your Energy After 45

Trina’s story is one that many women in our Chi Flow community will recognise:

  • Giving too much to others and neglecting herself
  • Feeling “too busy” to stop, rest, or receive help
  • Reconnecting to her joyful, curious 5-year-old self

The Capacitar practice, along with daily Qi Gong, touch, and food medicine, helped her come home to her body.

You can do this too.

Even if:

  • – You’re exhausted and not sleeping well
  • – You feel like you’ve lost your spark
  • – You don’t know where to start

You can begin by pressing a point. Holding a finger. Taking a breath. Stretching before you get out of bed, just like Trina does every morning.

Full Capacitar Practice

This mid-month health talk last July 2025, Petrina will guide us through a full Capacitar practice including:

  • The Finger Holds
  • The Lao Gong point (Palace of Weariness) for spiritual reconnection
  • Gentle self-touch and lymphatic clearing
  • Breathwork for balancing the nervous system

This session is FREE for Chi Flow with Jo members.

Over time, this restores the flow of life force energy, allowing you to access joy, creativity, and mobility in the hips.

Not a member yet? 👉 Try a FREE class and experience the magic of Chi Flow for yourself Or sign up now 

Remember: Change doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can start with your own two hands.

Let your Chi Flow. Let your spirit rise. Let your energy return to you.

Come move with us. Come soften. Come reclaim your flow.  Sign up for the LIVE Free Class at the end of the month and we’ll send you the recording too.

 

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Understanding Tremors and Parkinson’s in Chinese Medicine

Understanding Tremors and Parkinson’s in Chinese Medicine

Ask Me Anything

Today, we’re addressing a heartfelt question from a listener undergoing evaluation for Parkinson’s disease, seeking guidance on reducing spontaneous body tremors.  Remember, the insights I share are complementary and should harmonize with your personal health journey and any advice from your healthcare providers.

Understanding Tremors in Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tremors are seen as manifestations of internal imbalances, particularly involving the liver and kidney energy systems. These systems are not just organs but represent a holistic network of functions. Disruptions in the smooth flow of Qi (chi), your vital energy and blood can create what is known as internal wind. This isn’t flatulence, but rather a chaotic climactic condition that can lead to spasms and tremors throughout the body.

Involuntary movements such as tremors, twitches, and spasms, including conditions like Bell’s Palsy, Dystonic tremor, Essential tremor, Parkinsons, and stroke can be addressed by nourishing the body’s yin energy and calming excessive yang. We want a smooth flow of blood, governed by the liver, and a grounded essential energy, governed by the kidneys. Supporting these systems through dietary choices is an excellent place to start.

Dietary Recommendations for Reducing Tremors

To support yin and anchor the body’s energy, incorporate foods with yin-nourishing properties:

To support yin and anchor the body’s energy, incorporate specific foods into your diet that encourage yin-nourishing properties.

Walnuts are a really great yin food. What do they look like? They look like brains, and they have such a complex range of minerals within them, making them excellent for supporting kidney energy and yin. The kidney governs the winter of the body, that still, quiet, deep time where everything is in transition, just waiting for the rising of spring. So, any foods that nourish kidney energy in Chinese medicine help to calm spasms and tremors.

Find a full outline of Kidney and Liver foods in my 5 element Cook books

Seaweed is a fantastic yin-nourishing food, packed with minerals like magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, and calcium. These nutrients help relax tense, tight, spasming muscles. Barley is another grain that cools the body, often recommended for urinary tract infections, to cool the heat and irritation, super effective for nourishing yin.

Conversely, it’s important to limit yang foods such as refined carbohydrates, refined sugars, and alcohol. These introduce heat and agitation to the body. While some warming yang foods, like ginger, garlic, and chili, can be useful when fighting infections, they may exacerbate tremors. Hydration is also essential; drinking ample water helps nourish the kidneys and support overall balance.

Qi gong for Reducing Tremors

Qi gong (Qi = energy, Gong = work) is an ancient practice that aligns the mind and body to regulate energy. Sometimes, energy rises excessively, leading to heat, anxiety, or jitteriness.

Through gentle flowing movements, Qi gong helps restore the smooth flow of qi and blood, preventing energy stagnation, excess tension and movement.

I offer a free Qi gong class at the end of each month (sign up at the bottom of this blog post), it’s a great way to experience these practices firsthand.

My husband, Davey, has Parkinson’s, and together, we use Qigong to help him manage his symptoms. While Parkinson’s currently has no cure, there are ways to live well with the condition.

Davy shared that before he began practicing Qigong, he often felt as though the tremors were overwhelming his mind, making it difficult to think clearly. Through mindful movement and breathwork, he found that while the tremors may not disappear, they no longer dominated his focus.

Qi gong Practice for Tremors

Before practicing, it’s important to acknowledge the presence of tremors rather than resist them. Fighting against them can increase stress and exacerbate symptoms. Instead, mindful practices help create a deep state of acceptance and tranquility.

Shaking Qi gong Exercise

• Find your space: You can do this sitting or standing. If standing, place your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, tailbone gently tucked under.
• Amplify the shaking: If you are already shaking, lean into it! Place your hands on your lower belly and shake from your core.
• Shift the weight: Move the shaking energy down your legs:
• Inhale deeply, exhale, and shake down one leg.
• Inhale deeply again, exhale, and shake down the other leg.
• Shake through the arms one at a time: Imagine the energy flowing to your fingertips as you shake out your hands.
• Full-body shake: Ensure there is space under your armpits, as Parkinson’s can often lead to excessive tension in the upper body.
• Release into stillness: Let the shaking subside and take a deep breath in through the nose as if smelling a rose, exhaling fully pressing the belly button to the spine, allowing the energy to settle.
• Take 3 breaths: one to land in the stillness, one to integrate the sensation into the whole body and one to let the body accept being here now.

Kidney and Bladder Meridian Qigong

• Rub your kidneys: Place your hands on your lower back and gently massage the area.
• Sweep down the hamstrings/bladder channel: Let your hands glide down the back of your legs, allowing your head to drop forward.

• Inhale, drawing energy up/kidney channel: Place your hands on the inner legs and sweep them up the body, over the pubic bone, and flick the energy off.
• Exhale, descending the energy: Bring your hands down with palms facing the earth, grounding your energy.
• Repeat: Continue this cycle to smooth the qi through the kidney and bladder meridians, which are vital for nervous system regulation.

Finding Peace Within

As you conclude your practice, place your hands over your lower belly and take a moment to connect inward. You may still feel tremors, but you might also notice a newfound sense of stability. This practice isn’t just about reducing shaking, it’s about reclaiming your sense of self and balance.

You may have Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s doesn’t have you.

May you be happy, safe, and well. May I be happy, safe, and well. May all beings everywhere be happy, safe, and well.

WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

 

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. 

You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

Join the Chi Flow online community today!

Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.  

You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Breathe into Your Power: Releasing Hip Tension and Reclaiming Your Lower Dantien

Breathe into Your Power: Releasing Hip Tension and Reclaiming Your Lower Dantien

Energy Update

When we move stiffly, when our hips feel locked or our lower back aches, it’s more than just physical, it’s emotional, energetic, and ancestral. This month in Chi Flow with Jo, we’re bringing loving attention to the lower Dantien, the energetic centre in the pelvis that is key to vitality, power, and fluid movement.

Together with the incredible Julie Williams, practitioner of Consciousness Medicine and Family Constellations, who will give our Mid Monthly Health talk, we explore how trauma, rigidity, and emotional wounds, especially those from early childhood, can get stored in the sacral chakra and hips, creating tightness in both body and mind.

Emotional Baggage in the Hips

Julie shared from the Ayurvedic tradition, the sacral chakra, located in the lower abdomen, becomes active between the ages of five and eight. Any emotional upheaval or trauma during this period can create a dense energetic “wobble.” It doesn’t spin smoothly, and this disruption shows up as tension in the hips, lower back pain, stiffness, or even a sense of disconnection from joy, pleasure, and creativity.

Julie reminded us during our conversation that this trauma isn’t always ours alone. Much of what we carry is ancestral—deeply rooted emotional patterns passed down through generations. As we age, these patterns can harden not only in our beliefs but also in our bodies. Hips tighten. Shoulders stiffen. We become less flexible—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.

But here’s the good news: we can shift it. We can release the trauma. And we can restore flow.

Two Simple Practices to Unlock Hip Flexibility and Emotional Flow

Here are two powerful solutions from our Podcast that you can try today to soften your hips, boost your mobility, and breathe life into your lower Dantien:

1. Creative Expression

Creativity heals. Whether it’s cooking, painting, singing, dancing, or even choosing to wear a joyful colour, creative acts unblock the sacral chakra and invite movement into areas that feel frozen.

You don’t have to be an artist—simply engage in something playful and expressive.

Even something as gentle as pushing a pebble around on a blank page with a pen, letting your hand follow the flow, opens channels of expression. You’re giving yourself permission to move differently—physically and emotionally.

“Whatever we focus on grows. So focus on creation, not just consumption.” – Julie Williams

Start your morning with this mantra: Create first. Consume second. Before you reach for your phone, create something. Morning pages, a smoothie, a sketch. It sets the tone for presence, not reaction.

2. Breath into the Pelvis

Many of us have never been taught to consciously breathe into our sexual organs, the very space where life begins. But this area is a powerhouse of energy, and it’s often shrouded in shame, fear, or disconnection.

By simply placing your hands over the lower belly and breathing deeply into this space, you begin to reconnect with your power. The lower Dantien is where Qi gathers and transforms. It’s the energetic furnace of the body.

Try this:
• Sit or lie comfortably.
• Place both hands over your lower abdomen.
• Inhale deeply through the nose, imagining the breath travelling down to the pelvic bowl.
• Exhale through the mouth with a sigh.
• Repeat for several minutes, sending loving attention to this sacred centre.

Over time, this restores the flow of life force energy, allowing you to access joy, creativity, and mobility in the hips.

Trauma Needs Tenderness

As Julie shared, trauma release must be done with care. Working with a trauma-informed therapist ensures you don’t accidentally retraumatize your nervous system. It’s not about diving deep into the wound. It’s about gently acknowledging it, locating it in the body, and giving it permission to move and heal.

In Consciousness Medicine, practices like timelines, family constellation work, and NLP reframing help you see that you are not your trauma. You are the one who experienced it, and you have the power to transform it.

This Month in Chi Flow with Jo

In our daily Qi Gong practice, we’ll be focusing on hip mobility, pelvic breathing, and cultivating lower Dantien energy. These movements and breath practices help us connect with our power, release stored emotions, and move with grace and ease.

Later this month, Julie Williams will offer a Mid-Month Member Health Talk, diving even deeper into Consciousness Medicine techniques to support emotional release, creativity, and energetic resilience. Her work brings beautiful depth to what we practice each morning in Chi Flow.

You Are Not Just the Trauma

You are a radiant being, creative, powerful, and whole. The emotional body can expand and contract, but the spiritual self remains untouched, always intact. When you move, breathe, and create from this knowing, healing unfolds.

Come move with us. Come soften. Come reclaim your flow.  Sign up for the LIVE Free Class at the end of the month and we’ll send you the recording too.

 

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

How Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Boost Immunity, Banish Coughs and Colds, and Stop Spontaneous Sweating

How Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Boost Immunity, Banish Coughs and Colds, and Stop Spontaneous Sweating

Ask Me Anything

How Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Boost Immunity, Banish Coughs and Colds, and Stop Spontaneous Sweating

When you think about winter sniffles, sweaty discomfort, and that dragging lack of energy, it might feel like you’re stuck in an endless cycle. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms often signal something deeper, an imbalance in your body’s energy, or “Qi”. Let’s explore how acupressure, Qi Gong, and nourishing food medicine can help restore balance and improve your immune system.

Why Sweaty Bum and Frequent Colds Happen: A TCM Perspective

One of my podcast listeners shared that she suffers from frequent coughs, colds, low energy, and, quite uniquely, sweating around the top of her bum and sacrum. From a TCM perspective, these symptoms point to a deficiency in Kidney Qi. In TCM, the kidneys play a vital role in controlling the body’s energy reserves, immunity, and fluid balance.

Sweating around the sacrum often indicates Kidney Qi deficiency, which prevents energy from flowing smoothly up the spine. This stagnation can weaken your immune system, making you prone to external invasions like coughs and colds. But here’s the good news: there are simple, effective ways to restore Kidney Qi and improve your overall health.

Nourish Your Kidney Qi with Food

Diet is foundational in TCM. To strengthen Kidney Qi and support your immune system, focus on blue and black-colored foods, which are considered especially nourishing for the kidneys: For the full outline of which colour food supports which organ see my books.

  • Seaweed – A mineral-rich superfood that’s excellent for Kidney Qi.
  • Black Beans and Adzuki Beans – Perfect for soups and teas. (find the recipe)
  • Black Rice – Traditionally reserved for emperors, it’s packed with nutrients.

Blueberries and Blackberries – Delicious and full of antioxidants.

For additional warmth and nourishment, include:

These foods will fortify your Kidney Qi, giving you the vitality to fight off colds and flu.

Acupressure for Immune Strength and Energy Flow

Acupressure is a powerful tool to unblock stagnant energy and nourish your kidneys. Here are the key points to focus on:

  1. Bladder 31, 32, 33 (V of the sacrum):
    • These points are along the bladder channel and can be stimulated by tapping or rubbing the sacrum with your knuckles. This helps to warm and invigorate the Kidney Qi.
  2. Governing Vessel 14 (The Great Hammer):
    • Located at the base of the neck, this point is crucial for boosting immunity. Massage around the big vertebra at the top of your spine, moving in circles. This encourages the upward flow of energy.
  3. Bai Hui (Hundred Meetings Point):
    • Found at the top of the head, you can locate this by placing your thumbs on your ears and letting your middle fingers meet at the crown. Tap gently while visualizing a line of energy running through your body.

Qi Gong Exercises to Move Stuck Energy

Qi Gong combines breath, movement, and intention to promote energy flow and strengthen the immune system. Try these exercises:

1. Kidney Warming:

  • Rub your palms together until they’re warm, then place them over your lower back, massaging around your kidneys and sacrum. This simple practice is deeply nourishing for Kidney Qi.

    2. Turtle & Crane Neck Exercise:

    • Sit straight with your chin slightly tucked. Slowly roll your chin into your chest, then extend it outward as if you are a turtle emerging from it’s shell.  Then change direction letting the chin lead out like a crane’s beak and rolling it down and in to the chest. Repeat this rolling motion to release tension in the spine and encourage energy flow up the Governing Vessel.

    3. Microcosmic Orbit Breathing:

    • Align your spine and visualize energy traveling up from your sacrum to the top of your head as you inhale. On the exhale, guide the energy down the front of your body to your lower abdomen. This exercise balances the body’s energy and clears blockages.

    The Wisdom of Chinese Medicine

    As the ancient TCM saying goes, “When Qi flows, health follows; when Qi stagnates, disease occurs.” By nourishing your Kidney Qi with food, activating key acupressure points, and practicing Qi Gong, you’ll not only improve your immune function but also restore a sense of vitality and balance to your life.

    So, whether you’re battling winter colds or looking for relief from that awkward sweaty discomfort, these simple practices can make a profound difference. May your days be filled with warmth, health, and joy.

    WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

    Final Thoughts

    Acupressure and Qi Gong offer gentle, yet profound methods to manage incontinence by addressing its root causes. By nourishing the kidneys, stimulating chi flow, and balancing contraction with relaxation, you’ll find greater control and well-being.

    Explore these practices further and incorporate the recommended foods into your daily routine. Remember, contraction and expansion, flow and stillness—this is the way of the body and life. Let Qi Gong guide you to health and joy.

    For more tips, classes, and support, join Chi flow with Jo or contact Jo for individual support

    DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

    The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. 

    You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

    Join the Chi Flow online community today!

    Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.  

    You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

    Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

    Food Medicine for Parkinsons

    Food Medicine for Parkinsons

    Energy of Food Blog, Energy Update, Recipes

    For the month of May, in Chi Flow with Jo we are going to be covering Qi Gong, Acupressure and Chinese Medicine that can help you manage Parkinson’s or caring for someone with Parkinson’s. At present there’s no known cure for Parkinson’s and there’s no pinpoint diagnosis that they can give as to why Parkinson’s occurs. 

    What we’re going to do in Chi Flow with Jo is give you Qigong, acupressure and food medicine to help alleviate some of the symptoms and find ease in your body.  (find list of foods at the end of this blog and more in my five element cookbooks)  

    Plus read to the end and receive the free mini ebook dedicated to living well with Parkinsons.

    My husband, Davy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nine years ago; as a Qi Gong teacher and Chinese Medicine Practitioner, he and I work together so that he sleeps well, maintains flexibility, balance and strength plus working on the emotional aspects that are not so visible. 

    He practices Qi Gong every day in Chi Flow with Jo which helps him live with ease, confidence and flow, physically and emotionally.

    As his partner, I find strength and support in having my own practice, which strengthens loving compassionate kindness, knowing my limits and how to stay healthy.

    From a Chinese medicine point of view, Parkinson’s, stroke, and other neurological disorders such as dizziness, vertigo, bell’s palsy, and uncontrollable spasms would be a symptom of invading wind. 

    Western medicine is not familiar with climates such as wind and dampness affecting the body but TCM is a holistic medicine. It considers the human body and how it interacts with its environment as a whole. Diseases are attributed to an imbalance between the five different elements found in nature and in the body. 

    In Taoism and Chinese Medicine our life force energy is made manifest in this particular body for this particular lifetime. We are no different to a tree or a blade of grass.  Same life force energy, just different collection of cells and therefore manifestation.  To promote flow and even flow of energy we can use this life force energy when working with the body.

    The term ‘climate’ in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), refers to internal and external agents that can cause disease.  Each of these climatic forces has a specific action on the body, depending upon their characteristics. Balance and harmony of these climates means good emotional and physical health. 

    Wind affects the Liver often working with the other internal climates to invade the body, moving energy, pathogens and symptoms erratically causing tremors, spasms and twitching. 

    Cold affects the Kidney creating contraction, obstructions and slow movement of Chi causing cramps and sharp pain. 

    Heat affects the Heart causing erratic movement of Chi and often associated with inflammation, redness of skin, irritability and inability for the Shen/Spirit to settle. 

    Dampness affects the Spleen causing heavy and foggy energy, generating sticky secretions and protracted, dense pain especially in the middle and lower burner, inability to transform and transport food into energy. 

    Dryness affects the Lung causing dehydration and scant body fluids especially in the mucous membranes of the body including lungs, nasal cavities, digestive tract, skin, hair and nails.

    Wind can bring great chaos to the body.  Symptoms come and go without warning.

    If you have ever been out on a very windy day you will know it can be difficult to think straight.  Wind moves and shakes things that should be still. It produces change and acceleration in what otherwise should be steady and slow. 

    With wind, things appear and disappear quickly. It causes tremors and spasms. You can’t control the muscles; the sinews contract leading to cramps and tightness and that can give you kind of vertigo. Any kind of dizziness and headaches and even a stiff neck are also included in the symptoms of wind. 

    Wind is an exhilarating force.  It shows us how unpredictable and unstoppable nature can be.  You can’t trap wind in a box; it will have its flow and move where it wishes.  However, only when the Yin Yang balance is weak can this pernicious force enter and cause damage to the body.

    In terms of Chinese Medicine we can translate this as a yin deficiency/weakness causes a rise in excess yang.

    Yang is hot and active whereas Yin is cool and calm.  This imbalance is a major factor in creating internal wind which causes symptoms of excess movement, epilepsy, tremors, spasm and Parkinson’s.

    So how can we calm this crazy demon wind?  Firstly by strengthening the YIN in the body.  Blood is a YIN FLUID nourishing, cooling and calming. 

    In TCM we not only focus on the functions and cellular make up of blood but the very quality of blood itself which cool and nourishes all the organs.  

    In Chinese Medicine the function of the Liver is to nourish, purify and stores the blood. It also enhances  Qi/chi(energy) which moves the blood smoothly around the body. 

    THE LIVER

    If the Liver is functioning properly, the blood will move around the body easily without obstruction, nourishing, cooling and calming.

    However in our Western lifestyle it is very easy to overwork the Liver.

    Too many saturated fats, chemical additives, alcohol, caffeine and stimulants make the Liver slow, leading to “stagnation” in the system and weakening of the blood causing symptoms of fatigue, headaches, problems concentrating, night terrors, spasms and tightness of the ligaments and tendons.

    Here are some five element food medicine guides to follow and include in your diet.  Use the books to find recipes in which to use these ingredients on a daily basis:

    LIVER BOOSTING FOODS

    • ☯️ Dark leafy greens including

    • ☯️ Nettles

    • ☯️ Spinach

    • ☯️ Kale

    • ☯️ Broccoli

    • ☯️ Sprouted seeds and legumes

    • ☯️ Good oils in seeds and nuts 

    • ☯️ Oily fish

    • ☯️ Aubergines

    • ☯️ Kimchi

    • ☯️ Fresh & raw food
    • ☯️ Lemon & limes
    • ☯️ Apple cider vinegar
    • ☯️ Plums & gooseberries
    • ☯️ Turmeric
    • ☯️ Avocado’s
    • ☯️ Seaweed
    • ☯️ Umeboshi plum

    For recipes showing you how to use these foods and the five element system, sign up for the FREE mini ebook below or take a look at the cook books.

    Every day in Chi Flow with Jo you receive a recording of the Qi Gong class if you can’t make the LIVE plus a 5 element food recipe, acupressure point of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tip to set you up for the day.

    FOODS TO AVOID

    • ☯️ Ice cream

    • ☯️ Heavy cream

    • ☯️ Cheese

    • ☯️ Fried food

    • ☯️ Saturated fats

    • ☯️ Alcohol

    • ☯️ Processed meats

    • ☯️ Ready meals

    • ☯️ Refined Carbohydrates

    • ☯️ Refined Sugars

    Following the 5 element system, the nourishment of blood by the liver relies on kidney jing to nourish it 

    When kidney jing is weak liver energy and the strength of the blood becomes weak. 

    Read more in my next blog about how to use acupressure and Qi Gong to strengthen Kidney energy helping vital blood to flow and nourish organs, ligaments, muscles and tendons, relieving spasms, cramps, twitching, improving sleep and ease of the body.

    I share an Acupressure point and a Qi Gong move to help you feel at ease in your body.  It’s important to not feel isolated and alone.  There are things you can do and a whole community in Chi Flow to support your Parkinsons journey.

    Chi Flow with Jo uses natural and easy Qi Gong movements, acupoints and food medicine every weekday to nourish the blood, clear the liver and calm your nervous system.  Plus daily Q&A helps you to return to deep acceptance and ease with a community full of support.

    Doors open the last few days of the month so that we begin the new moves together at the beginning of the new month.

    HOW CAN QI GONG HELP REVITALISE YOUR LIFE?

    If you’re eager to revitalise your daily routine and prioritise self-care for both your mind and body, consider exploring Qi Gong as a transformative practice.

    Qi Gong is all about being well and loving yourself with gentle exercise, and the best part is that everyone can benefit from it.

    Hope to see you in the Chi Flow.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Acupoints and Qi Gong Exercise for Parkinson’s

    Acupoints and Qi Gong Exercise for Parkinson’s

    Acupressure Points, HEALTH & WELLNESS

    April is Parkinsons Awareness Month so Im going to be sharing lots of information regarding Chinese Medicine and Living Well with Parkinsons, culminating in a free Qi Gong class at the end of the month, plus a whole month of Qi Gong, Acupressure and Food Medicine during the month of May.  Sign up for the free class at the end of this blog.

    Apathy and fatigue can be the nemesis of people with Parkinson’s.

    Regular physical activity can help your mood, your energy levels, your balance and your motivation, but you need to plan it. You need to make sure it works around your medication timings and be careful that it is not so intense or tiring that you get thrown off course.

    Chi Flow with Jo is a gentle daily exercise class with a dedicated community full of support, when you feel like giving up.

    A Partner’s Perspective: Navigating Parkinson’s with Qi Gong

    My husband, Davy, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago, and together we’ve navigated this journey with the support of Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine.

    As his partner, Qi Gong teacher and Shiatsu Acupressure practitioner I’ve seen how daily Qi gong practice helps Davy sleep better, maintain flexibility, balance, and strength, and address the emotional challenges that often go unseen.

    Qi Gong isn’t just for him, though. Practicing alongside him in Chi Flow with Jo helps me stay grounded, resilient, and compassionate. It strengthens my ability to show up with loving kindness while also honoring my own limits and health. Together, Qi Gong has become our shared source of strength, helping us both move through life with greater ease and flow.

    Click here to watch Joanne and Davy discuss what works for them and how they work together. 

    “I use Chi Flow with Jo to relax the body and helps body move in a smooth way. Even when I’m out walking, I try to think about my Qigong moves so I walk in Qigong way, not a robotic way.” says Davy.

    Simple things like imagining he has little lemons under his armpits, gives Davy space so when he’s walking, his elbows don’t end up stuck to his waist, there’s more flow and less shuffle.

    The Qigong practice that we do every morning helps to just bring centered ease to the body. 

    Pendulum Swing: A Simple Qi Gong Practice for Strength and Ease

    Research shows that exercise and physical activity can not only maintain and improve mobility, flexibility and balance but also ease non-motor PD symptoms such as depression or constipation.

    “People with PD who start exercising earlier in their disease course for a minimum of 2.5 hours per week experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared to those who start later. Establishing early exercise habits is essential to overall disease management.”

    Here’s a super easy exercise (video demonstration in the free mini ebook) called “Pingshuai Gong: The pendulum swing”

    Start: Feet shoulder-width apart, relax shoulders, and bend your knees slightly. imagine a chord coming up out of the top of your head lifting and aligning your spine.

    Inhale: Raise your arms loosely to shoulder height, palms facing down.

    Exhale: Allow your hands and arms to drop in a smooth, pendulum-like motion.

    Inhale: Returning arms back to shoulder height.

    EXHALE: Repeat the pendulum-like swing, slightly bending your knees.   Coordinate your breath with the movement, and find your rhythm

    Finish: Bring your hands to rest over the Lower Dan Tien, below the belly button, using them to “gather” and seal the energy.  Complete the practice with three rounds of slow, deep abdominal breathing, focusing on the warmth and vitality collected in the Dan Tien.

    The Breath-Body Connection: Boosting Vitality Through Qi Gong

    Breathing is often overlooked because it happens automatically, but how we breathe has profound effects on our health and well-being. For those living with Parkinson’s, the way you breathe can either support or hinder muscle function, blood flow, and overall flexibility and vitality.

    A fundamental aspect of Qi Gong is learning to match your breathing with movement which in your daily life can help to reduce stress levels, improve focus and concentration, plus boosting overall physical and mental health.  

    Healing Hands: The Transformative Power of Touch for Parkinson’s

    In my last blog I discussed food medicine for Parkinsons where I discussed the  the 5 element system and the nourishment of blood. When Kidney and Liver energy is weak, the strength and the flow of blood also becomes weak. 

    When we strengthen Kidney energy through exercise, and acupressure we help vital blood to flow and nourish organs, ligaments, muscles and tendons, relieving spasms, cramps, twitching, improving sleep and ease of the body.

    If you are a caregiver, you can do this for somebody and then swap, let your partner do it for you.  It calms anxious nerves and releases excess, stagnated or agitated energy. 

    Simply stroke from the top of the head, down over the spine to the small of the back, following the bladder meridians in the image.  Repeat slowly and gently from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.  Don’t worry about believing all the Chinese Medicine or knowing all the meridians simply try it and see.  

    Either side of the spine is the bladder meridian which is the partnered to the kidney energy system. This simple exercise strengthens the kidney/bladder energy which governs and regulates the nervous system.

    The Magic of Acupressure: Points to Calm and Rejuvenate

    The Kidney energy system in Traditional Chinese Medicine would also govern the bones, the brain, the hormones, glands.  Studies have shown that using this complimentary therapy improves “Non-motor symptoms of PD include cognitive dysfunction, depression, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal, and bladder dysfunction, fatigue, sensory abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction, mentation, behavior, mood, and quality of life problems.”

    ☯️At the same time as stroking the bladder meridian either side of the spine try incorporating some acupressure points.

    This is one you can do yourself of for someone else.

    Begin by rubbing gently the occipital ridge, just where the back of the skull meets the neck.  This whole area is great for relieving neck and shoulder pain, increasing blood flow to reduce headaches and migraines caused by tightness, tension or stress.

    Then find the hollow area at the base of your skull, slide up until your thumb finds the bony protrusion and you have landed on Governing Vessel 16: Wind Mansion.

    This point

    • ☯️ Nourishes the “sea of marrow” and the brain.
    • ☯️ Eliminates wind (not flatulance but rather an internal chaotic energy that causes tremors, spasms and dyskinesia, see previous blog for details)
    • ☯️ Calms the spirit, relieving anxiety, worry, insomnia and mania.

    Traditionally we use the thumb to massage the acupoint with deep and steady pressure.

    How to press a point

    Massage the point in a circular motion without removing the thumb from the skin. You can also hold and gently press, imaging energy travelling from the core of your body, out of your thumb and into the point you are connecting with.

    Massage the point anywhere between 30 seconds and 3 minutes until you feel a change in the energy. This might be an all over body sensation, not just in the point. Remember consistency is key so massage your favourite points daily

    There are many points that benefit the body but even without knowing their location TOUCH is the most important thing.

    Touch: A Path to Well-Being

    Studies show touch can reduce chronic pain and it is recommended it as part of a daily routine

    Touch is one of the most profound ways we can connect with ourselves and others. It offers a bridge between the physical and emotional, soothing the nervous system, easing tension, reducing anxiety, and fostering a sense of safety and well-being.

    The long-term use of levodopa and other medications for Parkinson’s commonly leads to a loss of efficacy and complications. Therefore, many people living with PD have turned to complementary therapies for support and to help relieve their symptoms.

    Integrating Qi Gong and Acupressure: Thriving with Parkinson’s

    Integrating Qi Gong and acupressure into daily life can be transformative for those living with Parkinson’s. Together, these practices nurture physical strength, emotional balance, and inner peace, addressing both visible symptoms and the unseen challenges like anxiety or fatigue. By embracing the gentle movements of Qi Gong and the soothing power of acupressure, individuals and caregivers alike can create a sanctuary of healing and connection. While Parkinson’s presents unique difficulties, these time-honored practices offer tools to thrive, fostering vitality, resilience, and a deeper sense of well-being.

    Try the Qi Gong and Self Shiatsu acupressure and sign up for a free Qi Gong class at the end of every month. Whilst they may not cure you they will help you Live well with Parkinson.   May you be happy, safe and well.

    HOW CAN QI GONG HELP REVITALISE YOUR LIFE?

    If you’re eager to revitalise your daily routine and prioritise self-care for both your mind and body, consider exploring Qi Gong as a transformative practice.

    Qi Gong is all about being well and loving yourself with gentle exercise, and the best part is that everyone can benefit from it.

    Hope to see you in the Chi Flow.

    Chi Flow with Jo uses natural and easy Qi Gong movements, self acupressure point massage, breathwork and food medicine every weekday morning to nourish the blood, clear the Liver, support the Kidney and calm your nervous system.

    Plus daily Q&A helps you to return to deep acceptance and ease with a community full of support.

    Enter your email to receive the FREE CLASS – where myself and Davy are live to ASK US ANYTHING

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

     Joanne Faulkner is a Qi Gong teacher – Chi Flow with Jo – teaching live daily online Qi Gong classes to hundreds of people; a Shiatsu practitioner specializing in the energy of food in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a published Author. Her residential and day Wellness Retreats focus on Chi Gong, self-Shiatsu & Conscious Cooking Demonstrations, and are extremely popular.

    Joanne is currently the Irish representative to the European Shiatsu Federation and until recently was the Chairperson of the Shiatsu Society Ireland.

     “Good Food: Better Sex” and “Shiatsu & the Art of Conscious Cooking” , both written and published by Joanne, are modern cookbooks full of delicious recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine plus acupressure points for health and wellbeing.

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    How can Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Help Women Over 40 Manage Incontinence?

    How can Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Help Women Over 40 Manage Incontinence?

    Ask Me Anything

    How can Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Help Women Over 40 Manage Incontinence?

    This was a question submitted in the latest Ask Me Anything Podcast.

    Incontinence is a common but often frustrating challenge, particularly for women over 40. Hormonal changes, life stressors, and even past medical treatments like those for breast cancer can impact bladder health and kidney energy. 

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers an empowering solution through the practices of acupressure and Qi Gong, which address not only physical symptoms but also emotional well-being.

    Below, we explore how these techniques can strengthen kidney energy and improve incontinence while incorporating specific tips, exercises, and foods for holistic healing.

    Understanding Kidney Energy and Incontinence

    In TCM, the kidneys are considered the source of our vitality. Weak kidney energy, or kidney chi, can lead to poor bladder control, causing the urgency and frequency characteristic of incontinence. This weakening often results from ageing, stress, hormonal shifts, and even dehydration. Strengthening kidney energy helps regulate urinary flow, manage stress, and support hormonal balance.

    Common Symptoms of Weak Kidney Energy

    – Urgency or frequent urination
    – Hormonal imbalances
    – Weak bones or sore teeth
    – Tinnitus or loss of balance
    – Forgetfulness or mental fatigue
    – Night sweats

    The key to managing incontinence is not simply tightening the pelvic muscles but nourishing the kidneys and promoting a natural flow of energy.

    Foods to Strengthen Kidney Energy

    Incorporating kidney-nourishing foods into your diet can have a profound effect on your overall energy and bladder health. Here are some powerful options:

    Barley Water

    Make barley water and drink it each morning for two weeks to strengthen the kidneys. Over time, this will help regulate urination and support your nervous system. 

    Find the recipe in Good Food cookbook and Shiatsu & Conscious cooking or in the Fatigue blog.

    Nettle Tea

    Nettle tea is highly beneficial for urinary health. You can pick fresh nettles in spring or purchase pre-made tea. This remedy works well for both men and women with urinary issues.

    Kidney-Strengthening Teas

    Incorporate Kukicha tea or nettle tea, both rich in minerals like calcium, to support bone health and kidney vitality.

    Alkalizing Foods

    Focus on foods that reduce acidity and strengthen the kidneys, such as leafy greens, seaweed, barley and pulses.

    Acupressure Points for Incontinence

    Acupressure is a gentle, effective way to stimulate energy flow and support kidney health. Below are key points to practice.  Combining them with the Qi Gong exercise will supercharge and invigorate the Kidney energy system.

    1. CV6 (Conception Vessel 6)

    • Location: Two fingers below the belly button.
    • Technique: Massage this point to activate kidney yin energy. This helps regulate urinary flow and strengthen the core.

    2. Ming Men (Gate of Life)

    • Location: On the spine, at waist level where your middle fingers meet.
    • Technique: Warm this point by rubbing very gently. Place one hand on your CV6 point and the other on your back over the Ming Men point. Visualize an energy connection between the two points to balance kidney yin and yang.

    3. Bladder 31, 32, and 33

    • Location: A V shape following the line of the sacrum, near the crease of the buttocks.
    • Technique: Rub or tap these points to stimulate energy flow and improve bladder control.

    4. Bladder 23 and 52

    • Location: On either side of the spine, level with the kidneys.
    • Technique: Massage and warm these points to energize and protect the kidneys.

    Qi Gong Exercises for Incontinence

    Qi Gong integrates breath, movement, and focus to enhance chi flow. The following exercise targets bladder health:

    Contraction and Expansion Exercise:

    1. Posture: Sit or stand comfortably.
    2. Exhale: Draw your belly button toward your spine, pull up the perineum (pelvic floor muscles), and imagine closing a gate.
    3. Inhale: Relax your belly, allowing it to expand naturally.
    4. Repeat: Perform this sequence 5-10 times, focusing on contraction and release. This mimics the natural rhythm of the body, promoting balance.

     Protecting the Kidneys

    Kidneys thrive in warmth, so it’s essential to protect them from cold, especially during winter. Use these tips:

    * Wear a scarf around your waist to keep the kidney area warm.

    *Avoid drinking excessively cold beverages.

    * Practice contracting and relaxing the pelvic flow and the Kua to allow energy to flow freely.

    Emotional Healing and Trauma Release

    For women recovering from past health challenges like breast cancer, emotional trauma may linger, affecting kidney energy, holding tension and fear in the Psoas muscle and the Kua (hips, soft tissues, sacrum and the perineum)  Practice Qi Gong movements that encourage letting go and use acupressure to remind your body it is safe and well. 

    Shake out residual fear or tension and focus on cultivating joy and connection.

    WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

    Final Thoughts

    Acupressure and Qi Gong offer gentle, yet profound methods to manage incontinence by addressing its root causes. By nourishing the kidneys, stimulating chi flow, and balancing contraction with relaxation, you’ll find greater control and well-being.

    Explore these practices further and incorporate the recommended foods into your daily routine. Remember, contraction and expansion, flow and stillness—this is the way of the body and life. Let Qi Gong guide you to health and joy.

    For more tips, classes, and support, join Chi flow with Jo or contact Jo for individual support

    DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

    The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. 

    You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

    Join the Chi Flow online community today!

    Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.  

    You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

    Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Unlocking the Power of Qi Gong: How to Bring Energy, Balance, and Strength into Your Everyday Life

    Unlocking the Power of Qi Gong: How to Bring Energy, Balance, and Strength into Your Everyday Life

    Energy Update, HEALTH & WELLNESS

    Discovering the Magic of Qi Gong

    What if you had a hidden superpower—an untapped energy source within you that could bring balance, strength, and clarity to your everyday life? That’s exactly what Qi Gong offers.

    For women over 45, this ancient practice isn’t just about movement; it’s about reclaiming vitality, confidence, and inner peace. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be willing to connect with your own energy, your Qi, and let it flow.

    This month at Chi Flow with Jo, we’re honored to welcome Sheena Woods, founder of the Cork School of Shiatsu and an exceptional Qi Gong teacher. Sheena’s journey into Qi Gong is an inspiring one, rooted in her passion for martial arts and her deep understanding of the body’s natural energy systems.

    Like many of us, she first encountered Qi—without even knowing it—long before she officially discovered the practice of Qi Gong.

    Growing up with two older brothers, Sheena took up judo as a way to hold her own, quickly realizing that power wasn’t just about size—it was about energy. That same principle applies to Qi Gong.

    You don’t have to be physically strong to feel powerful. Instead, by connecting with your breath, aligning your body, and moving with intention, you can cultivate an energy that makes you feel grounded, centered, and in control—whether you’re walking down the street or navigating the challenges of daily life.

    Qi Gong isn’t just an exercise; it’s a way of being. As Sheena describes, the real magic happens when you take Qi Gong beyond your dedicated practice time and weave it into your everyday routine. Imagine feeling calm and balanced while hanging out the laundry, centered while cooking dinner, or relaxed while driving in traffic.

    It’s about bringing mindfulness and flow into every moment, transforming ordinary tasks into opportunities for connection and self-care.

    And here’s the secret: it’s easier than you think. By simply shifting your awareness, focusing on your breath, your posture, and your energy, you can begin to feel the profound effects of Qi Gong in your daily life. Whether you’re looking for relief from stress, a way to boost your vitality, or a practice that brings joy and ease into your body, Qi Gong is a tool that every woman should have in her wellness toolkit.

    WuJi – The Art of Standing Still with Power

    One of the most profound yet simplest Qi Gong practices is WuJi—the art of standing in effortless alignment. It may seem like ‘just standing,’ but WuJi is a powerhouse of energy cultivation. This foundational stance is the perfect way to recharge, reset, and realign your energy at any time of the day. Whether you’re waiting in a queue, standing in your kitchen, or taking a moment of stillness in your garden, WuJi allows you to tap into deep reservoirs of strength and balance.

    Sheena describes WuJi as her go-to practice, something she returns to again and again. Why? Because it’s easy to do yet infinitely rich in its benefits. By standing with your feet hip-width apart, your shoulders relaxed, and your body soft yet aligned, you allow Qi to flow freely. Tension dissolves, stiffness melts away, and your energy moves with ease.

    It’s a simple shift with profound results. When you soften your body and maintain an open posture, you create space for the Qi to move, preventing stagnation and blockages that lead to discomfort.

    Often, our joints accumulate tension, making us feel heavy and sluggish.

    But with WuJi, you allow everything to flow, reconnecting with the earth beneath you and the vast energy of the universe above.

    The real challenge? Staying present. As Sheena explains, the mind will naturally wander—thinking about groceries, dinner plans, or a twinge in your back. But the power of WuJi lies in the practice of returning to stillness, again and again. Over time, this cultivates a deep reservoir of energy, like charging your inner battery, leaving you feeling vibrant and centered no matter what the day brings.

    And then, from this stillness, all movement arises. WuJi is the foundation from which Qi Gong’s flowing forms and spontaneous movements emerge. It’s the birthplace of energy, intention, and flow.

    Sheena shares a profound realization from her own journey, an ‘aha’ moment that confirmed Qi Gong’s power. During a deep meditation, she experienced a sensation of complete dissolution, as if she had expanded beyond her physical form, merging with the universe. In that moment, she understood that we are only as limited as we believe ourselves to be.

    Qi Gong teaches us that we are more than just our thoughts, our routines, or even our bodies. We are energetic beings, capable of shifting, expanding, and reconnecting with the world in a deeply intuitive way. By practicing WuJi, by standing in alignment with both heaven and earth, we open ourselves to this powerful truth.

    The Journey of Teaching and the Flow of Spring Energy

    Teaching is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your own practice. This month, Sheena is committing to teaching Chi Flow with Jo, not only to share her wisdom but to deepen her own connection to Qi Gong. Rooting herself in this daily discipline, she embraces the structure of consistent practice—an experience she believes will bring growth and transformation.

    Sheena’s approach to morning rituals has evolved over time. With fewer external demands, she now thrives in a fluid routine, consciously breaking old patterns to invite spontaneity. However, she acknowledges that a structured practice like Qi Gong creates a sense of wakefulness, alertness, and presence, qualities that enhance every aspect of life.

    April’s practice will focus on the dynamic energy of wood, the element of growth and movement in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    But before diving into the wood element, Sheena will first check in with the water energy, ensuring a strong foundation.

    Just as water nourishes the growth of trees, a balanced foundation supports effortless expansion.

    A highlight of the month’s practice will be a powerful liver cleanse,  a Qi Gong remedy routine passed down by Master Zou. This gentle yet effective series of movements supports the liver, an organ closely tied to the wood element. When liver energy is stagnant, we may experience headaches, tension in the neck and shoulders, or emotional frustration. By opening up this energy pathway, we allow vitality to rise naturally, bringing clarity, flexibility, and ease.

    Sheena’s invitation is simple: join her for a month of Chi Flow and experience the profound shifts that arise from consistent practice. Whether you’re new to Qi Gong or a seasoned practitioner, this journey offers the perfect opportunity to align with the energy of spring, embrace new beginnings, and cultivate lasting balance.

    WATCH & LISTEN TO THE
    ENERGY UPDATE PODCAST

    ready to feel the flow?

    Join us in April for Liver Cleanse Qi Gong and discover how a daily practice can transform your energy, your health, and your life.

    Boost your health and vitality with Chi Flow with Jo—a holistic approach that integrates movement, acupressure, and food medicine. Scroll down to watch the podcast episode and sign up for a FREE online Qi Gong class.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage

    Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage

    Ask Me Anything

    Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage

    In my most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Janine asked me about a recurring ear infection. She had had antibiotics but it just kept coming back. Unfortunately with ear infections you can’t really tell if they are bacterial or viral. Often we just throw antibiotics at it and hope it clears and if not we try other measures. So, here I am today to give you some other measures. In Chinese Medicine, with these infections that won’t clear, they usually cause a lot of heat and pain. This tells me that there is stagnation and things are not moving. When we have pain it’s either because things can’t move through joints, vessels, or muscles. Or we don’t have the physical energy to move the blood or energy through the area and that’s what causes the pain. 

    With this ear infection I would think it is due to stagnation within the area. Janine also mentioned that she had a baker’s cyst, which is a nodule at the back of the knee, that wasn’t draining. This tells me that you’re having a problem with your lymphatic drainage. We have lots of lymph nodes around the neck and ear area but also at the back of the knee area. 

    So, I’m going to share some food, points, and movement to help clear this stagnation and this infection!

    If you do have recurring infections please do consult your health practitioner. 

    Foods and Tea

    Antibiotics can be great but one thing that happens with them, is they can cause an internal dampness. When taking antibiotics you aren’t helping the lymphatic system flow. So, one thing we want to do is try and dry this dampness.

    MULLEIN TEA

    I would suggest Mullein Tea for this. You can just take a few teaspoons in your tea strainer and add your boiling water.

    Mullein tea is really good for congestion in the chest and inner ear.

    Great for clearing congestion or any sticky mucus that is hanging around in your upper respiratory. 

    Just like antibiotics, raw food can also cause stagnation. Too much raw food and too many cold drinks is not good for this. There is a place for raw food though, our kidneys love raw food. But when dealing with stagnation, it is better to reduce the amount you eat. Also, in general staying away from cold air conditioning and protecting your ears from the cold. Our ears are linked to the kidney which is where our essential energy is stored. 

    CLEAVER TEA

    Another tea that you might find useful is Cleaver Tea. Also known as sticky willies, they are the little things that grow like weeds in your garden and are really sticky. You can wash them and put them in a jug with water, letting them infuse for at least 20 minutes.

    Drink that cleaver water which is really good for the liver and fantastic for lymphatic drainage. 

    Qi Gong for moving the blood and Qi

    These constant infections could be because the Qi is not moving, the blood and Qi are stagnant. One thing you can do is squeeze and massage your shoulders. Press into the muscle at the top of your shoulder, turn your head away from that muscle and make circles with your nose. This point is called Gallbladder 21 or Shoulder Well. Pressing into this point can really help with any tension that stops blood flow through the neck and shoulders.

    Another exercise you can do is for Lymphatic Drainage. You can make Vs with your fingers and place them either side of your ear and rub. Then you can stroke down the neck to help lymphatic drainage.

    Next we’re going to find Small Intestine 17 just in between your jaw bone and SCM muscle. Behind the SCM muscle you’ll also find Triple Heater 16. You can pinch and massage these two points between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. Whatever is comfortable and feels right to you, as you are connecting to your energy and what your body needs.

    There are so many more exercises I could show you when it comes to Lymphatic Drainage!! If you want to see the full exercises watch the video version of this Ask Me Anything here: 

    WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

    IN CONCLUSION

    In Conclusion, ear infections are a tricky thing to navigate. But with some different foods and exercises we can help stop the stagnation and find relief. I hope this post has helped you and if you have any questions for me, you can go over to my Ask Me Anything page and ask away! 

    DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

    The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. 

    You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

    Join the Chi Flow online community today!

    Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.  

    You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

    Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    The 5 Element Cycle: A Journey Through Nature and Life

    The 5 Element Cycle: A Journey Through Nature and Life

    Energy Update, HEALTH & WELLNESS

    The 5 Element Cycle: A Journey Through Nature and Life

    Nature has an uncanny way of reflecting our own inner journeys. Recently, I came across a poetic text that beautifully encapsulated a cycle of growth, struggle, and hope—a process that mirrors the human experience. Here’s a deep dive into that cycle, and what it can teach us about living, evolving, and embracing life in all its dynamic forms.

    Moonlight and Ripples: The Start of the Cycle

    Imagine standing by a serene lake under a luminous moon. The soft glow casts reflections on the water, and even the smallest disturbance—a droplet—creates ripples that expand outward. In our lives, this represents those quiet, subtle beginnings that hold immense potential. Just like a tiny droplet triggering endless ripples, our smallest actions can influence our future in ways we never expected.

    • Dawn and Emergence: The Call to Awakening

      As night turns into day, the world awakens. Dawn is a metaphor for new beginnings, a time to rise and shed the remnants of yesterday. Whether it’s a personal epiphany or the simple act of opening our eyes to a fresh start, morning invites us to embrace the day with clarity and purpose. It’s a reminder that every day is an opportunity to begin again, full of promise and light.

    Growth in Nature: From Seed to Sprout

    Nature teaches us that growth, though often imperceptible at first, is inevitable. A seed buried in the soil holds the blueprint of a towering tree or a vibrant fern. The process of sprouting and unfurling is gradual yet powerful. This part of the cycle speaks to our own developmental phases—moments of introspection, learning, and gradual change that prepare us for the challenges ahead.

    • Resilience in the Urban Jungle

      Even in the most inhospitable environments, life finds a way. Picture a resilient weed breaking through concrete—a powerful image of defiance and survival. In our urban landscapes, amid the bustle and concrete jungles, we too can find moments of unexpected strength. It’s a testament to the human spirit: no matter the obstacles, there is always potential for growth, adaptation, and transformation.

    The Struggle and Triumph of Life

    Nature is not always gentle. There is aggression in the way brambles leap and ivy invades. This symbolizes the sometimes fierce, unyielding energy required to push forward in life. Challenges force us to adapt, to be proactive, and sometimes to fight for what we believe in. Just as wild vines claim their territory, we learn to assert our presence in a world full of competition and conflict.

    Navigating Complexity: Flexibility and Decision

    Life is a series of decisions—each one a delicate balance between risk and reward. Here, flexibility becomes our strength. Like ligaments that allow for movement and adapt to stress, our ability to bend without breaking is vital. This part of the cycle encourages us to weigh our choices, embrace change, and understand that each decision, however small, paves the way for the next phase of our journey.

    The Ultimate Goal: Vision, Hope, and Humanity

    At the culmination of the cycle lies the synthesis of all that came before—a clear vision, a sense of hope, and the warmth of human kindness and humor. It’s a call to action: to look forward with determination, to imagine a better world, and to connect with each other through empathy and laughter. In these final notes, we find the reason behind our struggles and the motivation to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles we face.

    Reflection

    This cycle is more than just a poetic depiction of nature—it is a mirror reflecting our inner world. From the quiet ripple of a water droplet to the triumphant flourish of human spirit, every phase of the cycle teaches us resilience, growth, and the transformative power of hope. As you move through your day, remember that just like the elements of nature, you are continually evolving. Embrace your journey, and let each moment, whether gentle or fierce, guide you towards a future filled with light and possibility.

    In sharing these thoughts, I hope to inspire you to look for the subtle signs of growth in your own life and to appreciate the beauty of each phase of your journey. Let nature remind you that every end is simply the beginning of something new.

    spring into action with Chi Flow

    Boost your health and vitality with Chi Flow with Jo—a holistic approach that integrates movement, acupressure, and food medicine.

    Let’s get moving, healing, and flowing—together, every day in Chi flow with Jo.  Scroll down to watch the podcast episode and sign up for a FREE online Qi Gong class.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    WATCH & LISTEN TO THE
    ENERGY UPDATE PODCAST

    Back Pain Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back

    Back Pain Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back

    Energy Update, HEALTH & WELLNESS

    Back pain is an all-too-common struggle. Did you know it’s one of the leading reasons people miss work and the second most common reason for visiting the doctor? Shockingly, 80% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives.

    Whether it’s hours spent hunched over a desk, long drives, sports injuries, or simply the wear and tear of daily life, back pain can seem inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be. With the powerful tools of Qi Gong, Food Medicine, and Acupressure, you can take charge of your health and alleviate back pain—naturally and effectively.

    Instead of accepting back pain as part of life, imagine addressing it head-on, restoring balance, and preventing it from progressing into a more debilitating issue.

    Understanding Back Pain Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine

    In Chinese Medicine, back pain is often rooted in Qi and Blood Stagnation.

    Qi Stagnation:

    Qi, the vital energy flowing through your body, moves along meridians (energy channels). When this flow is blocked, discomfort begins as a dull ache but can develop into sharp, fixed pain.

    For example, women with painful periods often experience lower back pain due to stagnation of Qi, which prevents blood from circulating freely.

    Another common culprit is the invasion of cold or dampness into the bladder meridians of the spine.

    Think of Qi like water flowing through a river. When temperatures drop, water slows, thickens, and may even freeze, unable to move freely. Qi behaves the same way—cold or stagnation can stop its smooth flow, leading to pain and discomfort.

    Moving the body with gentle exercise such as Qi Gong can create heat in the body, warming the meridians, the muscles and the fascia which in turn helps the Qi and blood to flow.

    Blood Stagnation:

    Trauma, injury, or sedentary habits can lead to poor blood flow. Like a bruise that lingers, blood stagnation can intensify pain.

    A sedentary lifestyle without physical activity plus slouching or sitting slumped on your office chair or couch, hunching forward while weeding your garden or standing washing dishes for a long time, can cause Qi stagnation.

    The good news? The treatment is the same: Get moving, stay warm, and stimulate circulation.

    In Chi Flow with Jo, you’ll learn targeted exercises like spinal cord breathing and massage techniques for acupoints BL23 and BL52, which support back health and relieve pain.

    Bladder 23 (Shenshu) and Bladder 52 (Zhishi) are pivotal acupoints along the Bladder meridian, renowned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for alleviating back pain by enhancing Qi and blood circulation.

    Locating Bladder 23 (Shenshu) Kidney Transporter: This point is situated on the lower back, level with the space between the second and third lumbar vertebrae, approximately two finger-widths (1.5 cun) lateral to the spine.

    Locating Bladder 52 (Zhishi) Willpower room: Found at the same lumbar level as Bladder 23, Bladder 52 is positioned further outward, about four finger-widths (3 cun) lateral to the spine.

    Benefits of Massaging and Warming These Points:

    Enhancing Qi and Blood Flow: Gentle massage stimulates these acupoints, promoting the smooth flow of Qi and blood along the Bladder meridian, which can alleviate stagnation and reduce back pain.

    Kidney Support: Bladder 23 is closely associated with kidney health. Massaging this point can strengthen the kidneys, which, in TCM, are vital for maintaining overall vitality and back strength. (See below)

    Therapeutic Warmth: Applying warmth to these areas, such as using a warm compress or engaging in practices like ginger foot soaks, can further enhance circulation and provide relief from discomfort. (see the latest Ask Me Anything for further information) Grief & Back Pain

    Supporting the Kidneys Through Food Medicine

    In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are the foundation of lower back health. When the kidney system is deficient, back pain and other symptoms, like fatigue, sweating, dizziness, or insomnia can arise.

    Whenever there is back pain the Kidney system will be treated in Chinese medicine.
    ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine’ (206 BCE–220 CE) states;

    If there is free flow, there is no pain;
    If there is no free flow, there is pain.

    We have already discussed the Qi and/or blood stagnation in the channel(s), if specifically through the region of the low back, there will be pain.

    The kidneys relate to the water element so again return to the image or a river flowing unimpeded and suddenly a tree falls across the river, we see in our imagination the water no longer flowing freely, but getting blocked by the log, pushing into the banks of the river.
    The basic concept of exercising the meridians in Qi Gong is to re-open the river, create a circulation so that the log lifts and normal flow is restored.

    As I discussed. We can do this with Qi Gong and acupressure but within the five element system of Chinese medicine which I lay out clearly in my books we can also do this with food.

    To nourish your kidneys enhancing the river flow of Qi, incorporate blue/black-colored foods, such as:

    ♥ Black sesame seeds
    ♥ Black beans/Adzuki Beans
    ♥ Seaweed
    ♥ Blueberries
    ♥ Black rice

    These foods are rich in minerals and nutrients that support kidney health and overall vitality.
    The salty flavour is associated with the kidneys so make sure you keep hydrated and take good quality salt, seaweed, walnuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts and goji berries which are packed full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc which are all brilliant to help muscles, ligaments and tendons relax, letting Qi flow.

    In my books, I dive deeper into the 5 Element system and provide delicious recipes like Red Date and Goji Berry Tea, which strengthens the kidneys and spleen while enhancing your immune system. 

    The Connection Between Digestive Health and Back Pain

    Did you know that intestinal inflammation can contribute to back pain? The nerves of your digestive system run through your lower spine, meaning bloating, period pain, or other abdominal issues can trigger discomfort in the back.

    Fascia plays a crucial role here. This connective tissue surrounds your organs and muscles, and when it becomes tight, it can restrict movement and cause pain. 

    Qi Gong works to release these tensions, improve blood flow, and restore flexibility, creating a ripple effect of healing throughout the body.

    Join us in Chi Flow with Jo as we focus on Dragon Qi Gong, a practice rooted in the Water Element of the 5 Element system. This ancient movement targets the Kidney Meridian, a key player in lower back health.

    Benefits of Dragon Qi Gong:

    ♥ Fascia Health: Lengthens and softens fascia in the lower back, improving flexibility and reducing pain.

    ♥ Kidney Meridian Activation: Boosts Qi flow, essential for relieving back pain and promoting kidney health.

    ♥ Spinal Twist & Stretch: Counter-rotation combined with internal pressure from breath has an effect akin to wringing out a towel.

    Simple Practices for Daily Kidney Care

    ♥  Stay Warm: Keep your back and feet cozy, especially during colder months.
    ♥ Hydrate & Nourish: Drink mineral-rich teas like Barley Water and Kukicha Tea to support digestion and kidney health.
    ♥ Try Ginger Soaks: Before bed, soak your feet in warm ginger-infused water to relax your body and promote warmth.
    ♥ Move Your Body: Gentle stretches, twists, and Qi Gong exercises prevent stagnation and enhance flexibility.

    Empower Yourself with Chi Flow

    You don’t have to suffer in silence or rely solely on conventional methods. Take responsibility for your health with Chi Flow with Jo—a holistic approach that integrates movement, acupressure, and food medicine.

    Let’s get moving, healing, and flowing—together, every day in Chi flow with Jo.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    WATCH & LISTEN TO THE
    ENERGY UPDATE PODCAST