Staying strong for the 2nd Wave

Staying strong for the 2nd Wave

Events, Home, Powerful Points and Meridian Flows

As we move into Autumn and probably the 2nd wave of COVID it’s important that we address the causes of a weak immune system and not just fix the virus by staying indoors away from every one, with a vaccine, or by wearing a mask when out and about. Whilst these are all solutions to treating the problem we also need to look at the cause and how viruses can take hold.

A weakened immune system in Traditional Chinese Medicine is often as a result of Chi Deficiency in the Lung and Large Intestine organs. Over-reactive immune systems that cause inflammation, allergies and allergic responses are often caused by an imbalance in the Spleen and Kidneys. Both can be caused by a poor diet, a hectic lifestyle, unresolved emotions or a genetic predisposition.

What Chi Gong, Acupressure and a 5 element diet do is to strengthen, tonify (bring energy to) and balance your system. You may notice improvements to other complaints that you didn’t realize where related to your immune system such as bad skin, joint pain, and fatigue. If you’re new to Chinese Medicine one of the key differences to Western Medicine is that it treats the cause as well as the symptom, which is why it’s a great complementary therapy. Even though it can treat symptoms such as colds, flu, eczema, diabetes, high blood pressure, as a practitioner I don’t ask you to stop taking medication or contradict your doctor’s advice. I help you to build up your system, addressing why these conditions occur not simply medicating signs of the illness.

TCM Solution: Tapping into Lung 1 & 2 and all along the collar bone will stimulate the Lung channel. It brings energy (Chi) to the lungs and improves oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. It relaxes the muscles throughout the upper torso resulting in an energized feeling with increase alertness whilst at the same time feeling calm.  You can do this exercise any time talking long, slow abdominal breathes. This prevents shallow breathing which we often do when stressed. Use it before meditating, beginning a yoga practice, or even on a mid-afternoon tea break

Locate Lung points by finding Lung 2 in the depression where the clavicle meets the deltoid muscle. The depression is easier to find when the arm and shoulder is flexed forward. Lung 1 is a thumb width below and slightly to the outside of the body from lung 2 and can be quite painful when pressed.

Gather your fingers together to make a “cranes beak” and begin by gently tapping these points with your gathered fingers. Tap for 30 seconds increasing the strength and tempo of the tapping as suits you.

Then begin to tap along the bottom of the collar bone towards the sternum and then down the outside of the sternum where the ribs meet the outside of the breast bone.

Start to tap on the sternum itself which will help activate the thymus gland and the production of T-cells. These special cells are one of the major components of an effective immune system. They directly kill infected host cells, activate other immune cells, and regulate the immune response.

Here’s a video that incorporates the tapping with a Chi Gong Move called “Rooster Spreading Feathers” 

Every morning I practice Chi Gong with a great group of over 100 women (sessions recorded if you can’t make it and emailed with daily diet and self-shiatsu tips). We get fit, get healthy, and have the craic.  Live Q&A every morning to share your aches, pains, and problems, receiving support and solutions.  

Emotional Healing & Community Support

The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
 Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

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.

Avoid Family Tension and Hang on to your Mojo during COVID-19

Avoid Family Tension and Hang on to your Mojo during COVID-19

Energy of Food Blog, Home

Everyone needs to eat but these days when we are all inside, we may not be eating from hunger but to pass the time.  Grazing and overeating is a real problem when we can’t get out and about.  Perhaps your daily commute, striding trips to the shops or taking a walk with friends has disappeared.  Here are some tips so we don’t exit cocooning with more problems than we went in with.
Love your food but don’t overindulge.

Think of your food as a special lover, keep it sexy.  

Remember sexual energy isn’t about sexual intercourse.  it’s about keeping your passion and joy for life, making sure the Chi is metabolized and flowing.  So keep food light and tactile.  Eat food that won’t slow down your body’s digestive systems such as red meat, cheese or heavy cream.  Rather go for grilled mackerel with poached eggs or a tactile tomato and onion salad with a tangy lemon dressing.  Mix your carbs into a salad so that elements of your diet are raw.  Try the Bulghar and Pomegranate Salad on page 200 of Good Food Better Sex.

These types of food support the liver and detoxify blood so that it flows easily, nourishes organs and maintains libido energy.  To increase intimacy, eat using your fingers including plenty of eye contact with your partner over a table.  Even though the meal could be a chaotic throng of kids and grandparents, your partner will know you are thinking just about them and the delights to come later.  If you are cocooning alone savor your mealtimes and your food.  Turn the TV or radio off.  Enjoy the silence and relationship you have with the food that will become your energy.  Eat your salads with your fingers, take your time, there’s plenty of it.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is also responsible for flexibility and frustration.  So to make sure you stay calm with kids, avoid confrontation with teenagers and maintain your libido avoid other liver straining foods such as alcohol.  Create mocktails instead. Using fresh juice, add sprigs of mint or use a potato peeler to create cucumber slivers so the drink becomes a treat, not a chore.

On a practical note try watermelon and beetroot, as these foods contain vitamins and minerals that aid erectile dysfunction and reduce vaginal dryness.  (more info: Good Food Better Sex)

When everyone is inside, finding space for intimate moments can be tricky but it’s important to remember that sexual intercourse begins way before the bedroom.  Great intimacy requires connection so set a timer for 10 minutes and listen to your partner as they tell you their thoughts and fears.  Maybe they are unsure about the CoronaVirus or the future.  Maybe there’s a particular thing you are doing that’s annoying them.  

Listen to them without comment or interruption as they tell you how they are feeling.  You may encourage them with phrases such as “tell me more” but don’t judge, try to fix or explain yourself.  Then turn the tables and you talk. This requires really deep listening and acceptance for the other person’s opinions and beliefs.

You can use this technique with any family member or a person you are sharing space with, it relieves tension and aids communication. If you want to take this to the next level, set the timer again but this time ask them where they would like to be touched and how they would like to be touched.  This can be done via skype or over the phone.  It can be sexual or sensual. 

You can describe how you would like to be stroked, it is with a feather or fingernails, which part of the body and for how long.  Or you can simply ask to be held and rocked. Honest communication is key to healthy, happy life full of love.

You can also do this exercise solo.  Your pleasure is never someone else’s responsibility and remember:  Outercourse comes before intercourse

I hope this insight into how you can use Chinese Medicine to complement your health by simply using food as medicine.  To keep the body active, join me Facebook Live every morning during lockdown at 8.30 for Chi Gong and Makka-Ho meridian stretches

Emotional Healing & Community Support

The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
 Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

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.