Mike U - ever tried THIS one??? RE: Energy techniques

[Guest guest]

CHANGING LANES

After a relaxing summer, somehow the first weeks of September feel

like a merge onto the Autobahn -- going from zero to 90 in seconds.

Work gets busier... traffic gets worse... kids' activities rev up...

holiday planning starts. Phew!

One key to meeting the challenges of life in the fast lane lies in

being sure that the energy in your body is flowing smoothly. Adair

Heitmann, director of the Center for Creativity and Wellness

in Fairfield, Connecticut, works with individuals to help them

better manage their lives, including their stress levels. She

explains that stress, whether it comes from ordinary life events or

trauma, causes the body's chi energies (its principal energies) to

become out of balance or even blocked rather than flowing smoothly

as they should. She helps her clients keep their energy in check

between appointments with some simple do-it-yourself techniques. I

tried them. They're remarkably effective!

EXERCISE 1 -- WRAP IT

To quickly release tension, Heitmann advises a strategy that comes

from the Japanese healing art called jin shin jyustsu, which is the

basis of acupressure, acupuncture and massage techniques that use

pressure points. While it's best to do this in a restful place where

you can shut your eyes, it's not necessary. Heitmann says you can do

it any time you're feeling out of balance. It's especially good for

nervous airplane travelers.

Here's what you do: Wrap your entire right hand around your left

thumb, as if your hand were a tortilla wrapping the thumb. Hold that

for one to five minutes, and then alternate left hand on right

thumb. Go through each of your fingers this way, always alternating

hands. The energy flow through each of the fingers has a particular

association -- the thumb with worry... the index finger with fear...

the middle finger with anger... the ring finger with grief... and

the pinky with pretense or façade. Although this method is excellent

for releasing tension in general, if you are experiencing one of

these aspects in particular, you can hold the corresponding digits

of each hand, alternating style, to find relief.

EXERCISE # 2 -- SIT ON IT

Another tactic that will help you relieve stress is literally to sit

on your hands. Place your hands palms down under your sitz bones

(the ends of your pelvic bone that you can feel in your bottom) and

hold this position for a few minutes. You'll find this helpful

anytime, whether you are at your office or your dining room table.

It takes just a few minutes to ease your stress, but the longer you

can sit on your hands, says Heitmann, the more grounded you'll feel.

OTHER OPTIONS

While driving, you can relieve the stress that comes with it by

making use of stop signs. When you come upon one, as you brake,

exhale and say, " I breathe out peace. " While you are stopped, inhale

and say, " I breathe in peace. " You also can do this in traffic when

there's no stop sign nearby just by chanting to your breathing.

Music is also an excellent stress soother, says Heitmann, whether

through a CD player in the car or headsets during a flight.

Another way to ease the stress that's involved with travel: Heitmann

recommends using liquid flower essences for several days before you

leave and during your trip. Two good ones are Bach's Rescue Remedy

(www.bachcentre.com) or Travel Ease (Alaskan Flower Essence Project)

(www.alaskaessences.com). Caution: The flowers in Rescue Remedy are

preserved in a brandy-type liquid, making it off-limits to

alcoholics.

The granddaddy tool of stress relief, though, says Heitmann, is

meditation. While that isn't surprising, she has advice that

pertains specifically to people in Western cultures. Because

Westerners find it difficult simply to sit still, we benefit from

having a number of types of meditation available, including those

that engage the cognitive mind with chants or breathing routines.

These make it easier for Westerners to relax into deeper meditation.

Heitmann finds that people do best trying out several different

methods (which can be found in books or through local classes).

Start by fitting in just five minutes a day of meditation. Adopt the

meditation schedule and technique that slips most efficiently into

your day.

Whether it's meditation or some quick-fix balancers, getting your

energy in check can make a big difference when it really counts.

Ohmm.

from: Daily Health News [dhn@...]