Yang
Stress
Stress is related to the ‘fight or flight’ response of the sympathetic nervous system. The fight or flight response quickly activates to real or imagined threats. High stress lifestyles continually stimulate this response. Stress without relaxation causes many illnesses. Doctors suggest that 60% to 90% of illnesses are related to stress. Learning to relax counters the stress response.
Yin
Relaxation
Relaxation is related to the ‘rest and digest’ response of the parasympathetic nervous system. The over stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system creates a situation where it is difficult to elicit the relaxation response. In modern cultures relaxation is an art which is taught to help balance one from an overactive stress response.
Stress and Relaxation Discussion
Seven Things You Can Do To Help Elicit the Relaxation Response
Below is a list of seven things one can do to help lessen stress and to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system’s relaxation response. Put them together in the Chi Kung exercise:
- Smiling, relaxes muscles and lightens mood.
- Focusing on the present moment.
- Focusing on the body.
- Focusing on the breath.
- Sighing breath: Inhale, short held breath, long exhale with sound.
- Focusing on the lips on the exhale.
- Visualize gathering and drawing smiling chi from the sky and letting it flow through your body from head to feet and into the earth cleaning out all your stress and filling you with smiling energy.
Putting It All Together
In a Relaxing Chi Kung Demonstration
Begin Inhale Through Nose
Continue Inhale Through Nose
(not locked)
Hold the Breath for Just a Second
Long Exhale Through Lips
