Welcome to my first newsletter

Welcome to my first newsletter and the rebirth of my website. I’m excited to be offering new features like Youtube clips of The Spirit of Qi Gong DVD, my new women’s Qigong book, Women’s Qigong for Health and Longevity, and an upcoming blog. In subsequent newsletters, I plan to share Qigong exercises, herbal remedies, health tips and answer readers questions. Please email me and let me know what you’d like to hear about in relation to Qigong, intuition, Chinese medicine and herbal remedies.

In Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to the metal element and the organ systems of the lungs and large intestine. This is the best time to strengthen the lungs which act as our first defense against patho­gens and the changing weather. Lung Qigong will fortify the defensive Qi barrier around your body, called Wei Qi, to increase immunity, overall stamina and the ability to resist colds and flu.

During the fall as the leaves change colors and drop to the ground, it is not uncommon to experi­ence sadness, the emotion associated with the lungs. The metal element also governs the ability to let go (large intestine), which includes the willingness to release emotional and physical wastes as well as outdated beliefs. Being consumed by sadness and grief will weaken the lungs, while holding onto the past will affect the colon. Ask yourself, what are you ready to let go of now? Besides clearing out the garage, what habit, thought or belief is keeping you from your fullest expression in life? Let it go!

In fall, the surface heat of the body begins to move inward and it’s important to dress warmly and protect yourself (especially neck and head) from the cooler winds. Emphasize warmer foods now such as grains, legumes, root vegetables and dark leafy greens to build your body’s energy reserve for winter. Re­duce the cooling foods of summer, such as sweet fruits, juice and salads.

Excessive dryness injures the lungs so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating moisten­ing foods such as soybean products, barley, millet, spinach, pears, apples, seaweed, shellfish, and eggs. The lungs and colon are particularly sensitive to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Overeating, ingesting too much meat, dairy and processed meals, or smoking cigarettes can all create excess mucous, clogging up these organs of elimination. Eat a varied diet, balance exercise with quiet contemplative prac­tices and allow the process of life to move through you with ease and grace.

My favorite lung herb is Osha root, ligusticum porteri, which grows high in the southwest moun­tains, usually above 9000 ft. Natives used it for acclimating to the higher altitudes and I had first hand experience of its efficacy in Tibet. Ten days before flying to Llasa, I took 2 dropperfuls of Osha tincture daily (take it in juice since it has a strong taste). I was the only one in the group of 40 who didn’t experience headaches, nausea, and fatigue. I went out exploring as soon as we landed! I also use Osha to heal the bronchioles, quell sore throats, and increase lung capacity (I’ve used it successfully to build stamina in bike racers and runners). 

There is an issue with over-harvesting this potent plant. When I wild craft, I only take one root, which will last for years. Always thank the plant spirits for their gift of medicine, whether you’re gathering it in nature or buying the herb in a store.

My favorite lung exercise is called Lymph pump which helps expand the lungs, oxygenates the body and gives you instant energy (See p.100 in my Women’s Qigong book/ the first exercise of the Metal element on my DVD).

1) Lymph Pump: Stand in Qigong stance

2) To increase the healing Qi of the lungs, perform the lung qigong (the metal exercises on The Spirit of Qi Gong DVD) around rocks or boulders, facing your body to the west. Concentrate on breathing in the healing energies of the universe and exhaling any sadness, depression or toxins from the body. Allow your entire being to be filled with energy and radiant white light, the healing color of the lungs.

3) Lung tapping: Form your hands into fists or claws and tap your chest, especially below the collarbone, which will stimulate important lung and kidney acupuncture points. This also helps to dislodge mucous and stimulate Qi.

I’m excited to announce the release of my first book, Women’s Qigong for Health and Longevity: A Practical Guide for Women Forty and Older (Shambhala Publications)

I can’t believe I’m finally holding the book in my hands after dreaming of this moment for the last 12 years! Check out my website to read about the book and see the great endorsements I received from Dr. Christiane Northrup and Dr. Susan Brown.

My intention is to help women learn to take care of themselves, especially with the escalating health care costs, poor insurance policies and rising disease in this country.

I want to share this incredible gift of knowledge that my Chinese Qigong teacher has passed down to me. His message is that we all need to care for our own health and not rely on doctors, health practitioners or medication. We have a tremendous healing potential that lies dormant within us and can be tapped to heal disease, maintain health and live long and vibrant lives.

I’ve seen many miraculous healings with Qigong, especially with cancer, where people were on their deathbeds and revived within months by doing these simple exercises (which I’ve included in my book).

These are not exercises that I’ve made up. They have been used for thousands of years and are based on Chinese medicine, targeting specific organ and meridian systems to bring about healing. You don’t need to understand Chinese medical principles to benefit from qigong and you will experience the benefits immediately through renewed energy, better health and reduced stress.

Get out and enjoy your practice outdoors in the beauty and peace of nature before the cold weather arrives. Thanks for joining my newsletter group and enjoy your practice.

Feel free to send this newsletter to friends/family. They can subscribe to my newsletter on my website, www.womensqigong.com

Have any comments or suggestions? Please email me. I look forward to hearing from you.
--Deborah Davis