Building a Healthy Immune Defense

Author: Dietze Olaf
Affiliation: Qigong Healing Arts, Sebastopol, California USA
Conference/Journal: 2nd World Congress Qigong
Date published: 1998
Other: Pages: 39 , Word Count: 424


Objective: Demonstrating the practice of qigong exercise. imagery and relaxation to improve the function of the immune system.

General concept:
Breath: Breath is the elixir of health, oxygenating. cleansing and nourishing the cells and tissues of THC body.
Movement: Linking movement with a particular intention to strengthen certain parts of the body function. Repetition: Every time we repeat an activity or a thought we deepen its influence on our Bodymind. We move it a step deeper into our system.
Vizualization: A picture in the mind has an impact on every cell in our body, including the cells of our immune system. Visualization and positive suggestion gives the Qi that is sent by the brain an informational quality and has an effect upon body chemistry through hormones and neurotransmitters.

In TCM the Weiqi and the yang qualities of the bodies energy system constitute our defences against disease. Physical health and the internal organs are very much influenced by our thoughts and emotions. Stress causes the release of large amounts of the hormones cortisone and adrenaline from the adrenal cortex. This causes the respiratory and cardiovascular system to go into emergency action. This goes at the expanse of the maintenance function of the immune system. Chronic unreleased stress can result in the breaking down of the immune system all together. People who have no control over their stress are the people who get the most damage.
If people take time to relax the body and the mind. they’ll be making a tremendous contribution to their Immune defense as well as the overall health. One way to do this to combine deep breathing. slow stretching and positive suggestion as described in this Qigong practice. Imagery is a natural language of a major part of our central nervous system. One whole side of the brain seems to think in visual images entirely. Through imagery we will help to be more relaxed.
Thymus gland produces T- cells. This gland shrinks in response to stress. The Largest organ of the immune system is the spleen. It contains the principals cells of thc immune system including the T-cells. This qigong exercise set focuses on vitalizing the immune functions of the brain. thymus gland. spleen. lungs. adrenals and healthy production of cells in the bone marrow.
The Qigong Set is performed as a ritual of empowerment. Every part of the ritual has a physical exercise combined with mental Imagery. As a form of Bodymind communication, it is sending information and healing Qi to a particular part or function of the body.