Basic Theory for Martial Arts and Oriental Health Practice Prepared By

Basic Theory for Martial Arts and Oriental Health Practice Prepared by: Jeffrey W. Helaney, D.Sc. Oriental Medicine & gthDan TaeKwon-Do The theories mentioned in this study guide comprise the basic conceptual framework of most Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities and eastern martial arts styles. When used separately or together the constructs form as simplistic method for viewing the interactions of the human body and the universe itself Regardless of the methodology used to diagnosis an illness, to treat a patient's complaints, or to focus a martial arts attack basic understanding of the process needed to affect change (from an eastern perspective) can be found utilizing one or more of theses theories. It is beyond the scope of this study guide to delve deeply into oriental medical theory or methods of attack. Volumes can and have been written on each subject. This outline is designed to give the student a basic understanding of how most eastern traditions view the functioning of the human body. A basic understanding of these theories and the meridian system is a prerequisite for progressing beyond the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in this school. fig 1-1 Common characters on left, simplified characters on right Pire Water Table: 1 -2 Chart of Common Sun :Moon Concepts in Yin :MaCe PemaCe And Yang Theory 'fuJ:ess (])eficient )lctive Inactive P.nergy :Matter Punction Porm Yin and Yang are opposites, relative to each other. Nothing in nature is either wholly yin or wholly yang. Everything contains the essence of the other inside it. Yin and Yang are constantly changing balance, with each attempting to gain dominance. Things with a Yang nature (e.g., heat) counter and dispel Yin natured things (e.g., cold). This, also, works in reverse. Things with a Yin nature (e.g., cold) counter and dispel Yang natured things (e.g., heat). In Oriental Medical Theory, if one over dominates the other it can cause imbalance and lead to disease. Yin and Yang can not exist independently. Through their opposite natures, they define each other, much as night and day do. Without light there is no darkness and without darkness how could light be defined? The nature of Yin and Yang is that concepts only exist in relation to the other. In addition, they feed off of each other. Yang can be thought of as energy that it needs nutrients to sustain itself Yin can be thought of as the nutrient need to give Yang (energy) its form. Yin and Yang are constantly trying to adjust to each others levels. Outside influences can significantly upset the delicate balance. There are four possibilities that can occur: Yang Excess of Heat Shi, Yang Deficiency or Heat Xu, Yin Excess or Cold Shi, Yin Deficiency or Cold Xu. When utilizing Yin and Yang theory, it is important to be cognizant the patterns that are present in the patient or in the opponent. The practitioner must pay attention to the heat and the cold attributes. It can help with perspective to interchange the words yang and yin with heat and cold respectively. Additionally, by combining with them with deficiency (xu) and excess (shi), the practitioner can get a sense how to apply the theory to the body imbalances. For example, Yin Deficiency can also be thought of as cold Superior Inferior lPosterior )Interior Latera{ fMetf"uU ~ Interior Organ PunctUm Organ Structure Qt (jJfootfjcBody p{uitfs Nollow Organs(Pu) SotUf Organs(ZtmoJ One of the major theories used in Oriental Medicine is based upon the imbalances in the bodies Yin and Yang essences. Observable patterns in illness and disease are used to help determine if a sickness is either Yin or Yang in essence. This becomes very important later in determining the course of treatment. To the martial artist, these imbalances can be an area of attack on a hostile opponent. Like the theory itself, healing and hurting are two sides of the same whole. CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? 1. The Concept of Yin and Yang pre-date Christianity by how long? 2. Originally Yin and Yang were translated to mean? 3. Generally Yang energy flows over what part of the body? 4. Generally Yin energy flows over what part of the body? 5. An imbalance of Yin or Yang energy can cause what? 6. What does the word transformation have to do with Yin or Yang theory? to the next element clockwise to it. It is, also, sometimes called the mother-son cycle. The simplicity of the theory is easy to remember using basic imagery techniques. Close your eyes and think of a stream or rain. The water nourishes the trees that grow making wood. The wood is cut and burned in a campfire. Thus we create the transformation into fire. Fire burns the wood to ash and creates earth. The earth holds metal. Then the rain falls on the earth and flows across the metal to nourish the trees. The Controlling Cycle is sometimes referred to as the Father/Son or Grandparent/Grandson Cycle. In this cycle each element is kept in check by the element two steps to counter clockwise to it. Using the same cycle as above water controls fire, fire controls metal, metal controls wood, wood controls earth, earth controls water. The Over-Acting Cycle occurs when an element attacks another in direct opposite to the controlling cycle. The over-acting cycle invariably causes problems when any given phase is overly strong and not controlled enough. It then takes the element it controls and does damage to it (e.g., water controls fire, but if too much water is used the fire will go out completely, etc.) Easy to remember imagery for this cycle can include the following: Water can be used to put outfire. Hot flames are used to melt metal. Metal given the form of an axe or saw will cut wood. Wood breaks through the earth as a tree to grow. Earth mixed with water turns to mud. CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? 1. The Concept of Five Elements is an extension of what? 2. Explain the generating cycle. 3. Explain the controlling cycle. 4. Explain the over-acting cycle. Basic Theory for the Martial Arts and Oriental Health Practice Lesson Three: ZanglFu Theory The eastern perspective on human physiology differs dramatically from the western view. Although these differences can be disconcerting at first glance, they are not impenetrable. Generally speaking, the differences lay in the way anatomical functions are understood. Eastern constructs tend to look at physiological function from an interdependent standpoint. Body functions are seen as not solely the province of one individual organ, but rather of an organ system that is interrelated to other organ systems. On the other hand, western understanding of anatomical functions is based on the 'scientific method'. As we look delve into Oriental Medical Theory it is important to note the not only the interdependent relationships of organ systems, but the channels or meridians that transport Qi throughout the body and keep us in harmony. The body contains twelve primary Qi channels and eight extraordinary meridians. Understanding the basic function of the organ system is extremely important. Additionally, our bodies contain six Yang organs and six Yin organs. These organs are associated with each other through a special relationship that we will discuss later in this paper. Yin and Yang channels are sequential to each other in the circulation of Qi, and their functions are closely related. Disease in one organ system usually affects the other. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the channel corresponding to the Yang organ is often used to treat disorders of its Yin organ. When looking at channels located on the bodies extremities, the Yang channels are located on the lateral side of the limbs while the Yin channels are on the medial side. Looking at this from a martial arts perspective, the outsides of the limbs are more Yang which makes them more resistant and prepared for an attack, while the internal sides are more Yin and weaker. Zang-Fu Theory explains physiological function, pathological changes, and mutual relationships of every zang and fu organ. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the zang and fu organs are not simply anatomical substances, but they represent the generalization of the physiology and pathology of certain body systems. Twelve of the major channels/meridians consist of paired Zang-Fu organs. The five Zang (Yin) organs are the heart (six including the pericardium), lung, spleen, liver, and kidney. The six Fu (Yang) organs are the gall bladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, urinary bladder and the sanjiao (three areas of the body cavity). Zang and Fu are classified by the different aspects of their functions. The five Zang organs mainly manufacture and store essence: qi, blood, and body fluid. The six Fu organs mainly receive and digest food, absorb nutrient substances, transmit and excrete wastes. They, also, store essential qi and regulate its outflow. The Fu organs transform and transport substances without storing them and for this reason they may be over-filled but cannot be filled to capacity. Another category of organs are called the extraordinary Fu organs which include the brain, marrow, bone, vessels, gallbladder, and uterus. Although they are named Fu organ's their functions are similar to that of the Zang organs. Briefly, the brain is often referred to as the 'Sea of Marrow and controls the memory, concentration and the five senses. The bones and bone marrow are basically repositories for and dependent on kidney essence. (This is one reason the kidneys are treated to speed up bone breaks.) The vessels contain the blood and the gallbladder is considered an extra Fu organ in its function of storing bile.

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