Reiki Gong Dynamic Health Presents: 7 Ways to Activate Your Bodies Inherent Healing Ability

By: Philip Love QMT RMT

Qigong Meditation Teacher / Reiki Master Teacher & Healer

1. Mantra & Sound

In the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍūryaprabhārāja Sūtra, the Medicine Buddha is described as having entered into a state of samadhi called "Eliminating All the Suffering and Afflictions of Sentient Beings." From this samadhi state he [5] spoke the Medicine Buddha Dharani.

namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru

vaiḍūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya

arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā:

oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye mahābhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā.

The last line of the dharani is used as Bhaisajyaguru's short form mantra. There are several other mantras for the Medicine Buddha as well that are used in different schools of Vajrayana Buddhism.

There are many ancient Shakti devotional songs and vibrational chants in the Hindu and Sikh traditions (found inSarbloh Granth). The recitation of the Sanskrit bij mantra MA is commonly used to call upon the Divine Mother, the Shakti, as well as the Moon.

Kundalini-Shakti-Bhakti Mantra

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo!

Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Namo Namo!

Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Namo Namo!

Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo!

Translation:

Primal Shakti, I bow to Thee!

All-Encompassing Shakti, I bow to Thee!

That through which Divine Creates, I bow to Thee!

[6] Creative Power of the Kundalini, Mother of all Mother Power, To Thee I Bow!

"Merge in the Maha Shakti. This is enough to take away your misfortune. This will carve out of you a woman. Woman needs her own Shakti, not anybody else will do it... When a woman chants the Kundalini Bhakti mantra, God clears the way. This is not a religion, it is a reality. Woman is not born to suffer, and woman needs her own power.”

“When India and Indian women knew this mantra, it dwelt in the land of milk and honey.”

The basis of Wisdom Healing Qigong is summarized by Dr. Ming Pang as follows: "…use of the mind’s intelligence to direct chi to transform, perfect and realize the conscious potential of the holistic body, thereby uplifting the consciousness of the practitioner from automated condition to that of autonomous wisdom. It is a path to equality, freedom and peace of humanity."

In general, Wisdom Healing Qigong practitioners equate qi (life energy) with consciousness and believe in the importance of the mind and the heart in healing.

Practice[edit]

[9] Six "Golden Keys" form the foundation of Wisdom Healing Qigong practice:

 Haola: a mantra that means "All is well. "  Inner Smile: cultivation of a feeling of deep inner happiness.  Love and Service: practices believed to accelerate healing  Trust and Belief: practices believed to further enhance healing.  The Chi Field: visualizing a sea of healing life energy.  Diligent Practice: a sustained, committed effort involving movement, meditation, visualization, sound healing, chanting, and spiritual awareness

The Shurangama Mantra (found in the 12 page long Shurangama Sutra) is the most commonly practiced source of the Great White Canopy Goddess (White Umbrella Deity form of Shakyamuni) According to Lama ZopaRinpoche, Great White Umbrella is the practice for healing illness, dispelling interferences and spirit harms, quelling disasters, and bringing auspiciousness. To do practice in full requires Kriya tantra empowerment of the White Umbrella Deity. The sadhana cultivation can be performed without such an empowerment with [3] permission from a qualified master, however, one cannot self-generate as the deity.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra[edit]

The Short Mantra for Ushnisha Sitatapatra (Thousand Armed Goddess of the Great White Umbrella) is as follows:

[4] [5] OM SARVA TATHAGATA USHNISHA SHITATA PATRI HUM PHAT

[6] "His Sacred White Canopy protects us!"

Singing bowl

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Rin gong at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

Singing bowls (also known as Tibetan Singing Bowls, rin gongs, Himalayan bowlsor suzu gongs) are a type of bell, specifically classified as a standing bell. Rather than hanging inverted or attached to a handle, singing bowls sit with the bottom surface resting. The sides and rim of singing bowls vibrate to produce sound characterized by a fundamental frequency (first harmonic) and usually two audible harmonic overtones (second [citation needed] and third harmonic).

Singing bowls are used worldwide for meditation, music, relaxation, and personal well-being. Singing bowls were historically made throughout Asia, especially Nepal, China and Japan. They are closely related to decorative bells made along the silk road from the Near East to Western Asia. Today they are made in Nepal, India, Japan, China and Korea.

Contents

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 1 Origins, history and usage  2 Antique singing bowls  3 Modern development  4 See also  5 References  6 Further reading  7 External links Origins, history and usage[edit]

In Tibetan Buddhist practice, singing bowls are used as a signal to begin and end periods of silent meditation. Some practitioners, for example, Chinese Buddhists use the singing bowl to accompany the wooden fish during chanting, striking it when a particular phrase is chanted. In Japan and Vietnam, singing bowls are similarly used during chanting and may also mark the passage of time or signal a change in activity, for example changing from sitting to walking meditation. In Japan, singing bowls are used in traditional funeral rites and ancestor worship. Every Japanese temple holds a singing bowl. Singing bowls are found on altars and in meditation rooms worldwide.

The oral and written traditions from the Himalayan region are vast and largely unknown in the West. It is unknown whether there are any traditional texts about singing bowls. All known references to them are strictly modern. However, a few pieces of art dating from several centuries ago depict singing bowls in detail, including Tibetan paintings and statues. Some Tibetan rinpoches and monks use singing bowls in monasteries and meditation centers today. Singing bowls from at least the 15th century are found in private collections. The tradition may date significantly earlier since bronze has been used to make musical instruments for thousands of years. Bronze bells from Asia have been discovered as early as the 8th–10th century BC and [citation needed] singing bowls are thought to go back in the Himalayas to the 10th-12th century AD.

Singing bowls are played by striking the rim of the bowl with a padded mallet. They can also be played by thefriction of rubbing a wood, plastic, or leather wrapped mallet around the rim of the bowl to emphasize the harmonic overtones and a continuous 'singing' sound.

Both antique and new bowls are widely used as an aid to meditation. They are also used in yoga, music therapy, sound healing, religious services, performance and for personal enjoyment.

Antique singing bowls[edit]

Antique Singing Bowls

Antique singing bowls produce harmonic overtonescreating an effect that is unique to the instrument. The subtle yet complex multiple harmonic frequencies are a special quality caused by variations in the shape of the hand made singing bowls. They may display abstract decorations like lines, rings and circles engraved into the surface. Decoration may appear outside the rim, inside the bottom, around the top of the rim and sometimes on the outside bottom.

Modern development[edit]

Small singing bowl

Singing bowls are still manufactured today in the traditional way as well as with modern manufacturing techniques. New bowls may be plain or decorated. They sometimes feature religious iconography and spiritual motifs and symbols, such as the Tibetan mantra Om mani padme hum, images of Buddhas, and Ashtamangala (the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols).

New singing bowls are made in two processes. The best sounding new singing bowls are made by hand hammering, which is the traditional method. The modern method is by sand casting and then machine lathing. Machine lathing can only be done with brass, so machine lathed singing bowls are made with modern techniques and modern brass alloy.

2. Breathwork Therapy Breathwork

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Breath therapy) Breathwork refers to many forms of conscious alteration of breathing, such as connecting the inhale and exhale, or energetically charging and discharging, when used within psychotherapy or meditation. Proponents believe breathwork technique may be used to attain alternate states of consciousness, and that sustained practice of techniques may result in spiritual or psychological benefits. Breathwork may also relate to optimal healthy breathing in a healing context.

Contents

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 1 Origins of breathwork  2 Types of breathwork  3 Criticism  4 Responses to Criticism  5 See also  6 Notes  7 References  8 External links Origins of breathwork[edit]

Breathwork has been used as a label for yogic Pranayama and Tibetan Tantric Tummo, traditional spiritual practices from which the modern Western therapies most probably derive. Occasional use of the term Breathwork to describe Buddhist Anapanasati, “mindfulness of breathing” or "conscious breathing" appears to be misleading, because the meditator breathes naturally, without attempting to change the length or depth of the breath, simply observing it. This too can be debated as some practitioner would contend that whenever attention is focused and the object of attention changes, in this case breathing typically becomes longer, [citation needed] deeper and more relaxed.

While using movement, T'ai chi and Qigong also make conscious use of the breath.

When the modern breath-oriented therapies were first developed in the 1970s, they were often, as well as the previous spiritual and therapeutic history of breathwork, influenced by ideas from psychotherapy,vegetotherapy or the human potential movement.

Leonard Orr, Jim Leonard and Stanislav Grof are three practitioners from whose work many of the more recently created types of breathwork have derived the basis of their techniques.

Types of breathwork[edit] Leonard Orr's style of Breathwork, Rebirthing-Breathwork is based on the technique of conscious connected breathing; connecting the inhale and exhale without pause or lock in between them. Stanislav Grof's Holotropic [1] Breathwork can include hyperventilation, which Grof believes can aid emotional integration. According toVivation Breathwork, hyperventilation is unnecessary and is caused by a non-relaxed exhale. Emotional integration comes from connecting with the feelings honestly, which is made easier through a relaxed and connected [2] breath.

There are many other types of Breathwork which have emerged over the last few decades, including Integrative Breathwork, Barratt BreathWork, Transformational Breathwork, Shamanic Breathwork, Kris Cassidy's 'Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation', Clarity Breathwork, Conscious Connected Breathing, Radiance Breathwork, Zen Yoga Breathwork, and others. Older non-Western techniques such as Yoga, Pranayama, T'ai chi, and Qigong are also offered as classes and written about in the West more frequently than in the past.

Orr founded conscious breathing as one of the five aspects of spiritual purification that he still supports today. In his low intervention approach, there is breathing guidance at different points and no encouragement for movement or externalising emotion.

Grof's Holotropic Breathwork emerged from his study of the healing potentials of nonordinary states of consciousness since the mid-50s. It utilizes deep, fast breathing in combination with loud evocative music. In Holotropic Breathwork, the sessions are less facilitator-directed and more client-directed, believed to be guided by an innate healing intelligence. Trained facilitators support each individual's process as it emerges with various techniques including bodywork.

Barratt BreathWork® is a progressive system of self-development that combines Eastern breathing practices and meditative techniques to facilitate healing and personal transformation. It offers a contemplative approach to breathwork that is designed to cultivate mindfulness of the inner dimensions of the breath. It is not about mastering a breath technique; rather, it is about creating an environment of "presence" that awakens the transformative healing power of the breath.

Kris Cassidy's 'Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation' combines music, massage, and energy work with verbal support to facilitate profound physical, emotional, mental and spiritual breakthroughs. Physical movement and emotional release are encouraged to promote a deeper connection with the Higher Self.

Aaron Hoopes, founder of Zen Yoga calls breathwork a fundamental aspect of the physical body.

If you are truly concerned with your health and genuinely want to care for your body, you are missing a major if not critical opportunity to satisfy these concerns if you fail to learn how to breathe properly and [3] effectively.

The Russian Martial Art Systema uses breathwork to control and relax the body from tension as well as control the cardiovascular system by extension through the use of various types of breathwork. Those who studySystema can calm their mind and control tension throughout their body. Despite generally being categorized as a martial art, training includes many health-enhancing exercises. Some training exercises could be seen as forms of meditation or self-psychology. Breathwork is a fundamental aspect of Systema.

Breathwork Mastery is a conscious, full, connected body/breath technique which activates an inner non-ordinary experience. This results in a number of internal experiences. One is where thoughts, pains, memories or feelings and blocks that have been held down with the breath, are able to surface to be released, cleared or resolved. The process frees limiting decisions, beliefs or conditioning from previous imprints in early life. Breathwork Mastery uses intention setting to activate the subconscious material as body sensations which discharge over time, within the safety and support of qualified facilitators.

Dan Brulé's Breath Mastery Program synthesizes the ancient methods and modern approaches, focusing on the fundamental principles found in all schools and styles, and presents them as a "Formula for Transformation," [4] and the "Principles of breath Therapy"

Criticism[edit]

There has been specific criticism directed at those breathwork modalities which rely on hyperventilation as part of its practice. Critics have pointed out the alleged dangers associated with hyperventilation. There is littlepeer [5] reviewed scientific evidence of its effectiveness in treating illness. Although breathwork in general can be [citation relaxing for most people, hyperventilation can be a symptom of a panic disorder or even energy depletion needed] .

Some psychiatrists have suggested that more extreme forms of breathwork might bring about psychotic episodes in some people. Other believers in the earlier esoteric ideas underlying much Breathwork have also raised concerns about unskillful or premature psychospiritual awakening of patients or meditators.

Responses to Criticism[edit]

Grof disputes many of the medical criticisms of Holotropic Breathwork, arguing that they are based on misunderstandings of the physiological and psychological processes involved. In his paper reviewing the literature on the effects of faster breathing, he concludes that "The fact that during rapid breathing symptoms surface and become manifest is not a pathological phenomenon...With skillful support and guidance, the emergence of symptoms during hyperventilation can result in healing of emotional and psychosomatic [citation needed] problems...". (Grof 2003)

Rhinewine and Williams (2007), reviewing the medical literature on hyperventilation in the context of a theoretical article on Holotropic Breathwork, state that "The procedure of voluntary hyperventilation has proven to be safe after medical screening for contraindicating conditions, and has been demonstrated across numerous [citation needed] studies to be helpful in treatment of anxiety as a tool for diagnosis and desensitization." 3. Qigong 气功 氣功 Qigong, chi kung, or chi gung (simplified Chinese: ;traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: qìgōng; Wade–Giles: 4 1 chi gong ; literally "Life Energy Cultivation") is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for [1] exercise, healing, and meditation. With roots in Chinese medicine,martial arts, and philosophy, qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (chi) or what has been translated as "intrinsic life [2] energy". It is generally accepted that Qigong exercises have three components: a posture (whether moving or 調身 調息 調心 stationary) , breathing techniques , and mental focus on guiding qi through the body . The [3] prerequisite is a calm relaxing state of mind. Qigong is now practiced throughout China and worldwide, and is considered by some to be exercise, and by others to be a type of alternative medicine or meditative [4] practice. From a philosophical perspective qigong is believed to help develop human potential, allow access to [5] higher realms of awareness, and awaken one's "true nature".

Possible health benefits of qigong have been studied in various medical conditions. Evidence of effectiveness [6] is inconclusive due to the poor quality of the clinical trials.

Contents

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 1 Qigong basics o 1.1 Etymology o 1.2 History o 1.3 Training methods o 1.4 Qi Sensation  2 Application o 2.1 Health o 2.2 Meditation and self-cultivation o 2.3 Martial arts training o 2.4 Forms  3 Theory o 3.1 Traditional view o 3.2 Principles o 3.3 Contemporary view  4 Health benefits o 4.1 Claims and medical research . 4.1.1 Individual reviews o 4.2 Mental health o 4.3 Controversy  5 Shifting views  6 See also  7 References Qigong basics[edit]

Etymology[edit] Main article: Qi

Qigong (Pinyin), ch'i kung (Wade-Giles), and chi gung (Yale) are English words for two Chinese characters: qì( 氣 功 ) and gōng ( ).

Qi (or chi) is usually translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow, and definitions often involve breath, air, [7] gas, or relationship between matter, energy, and spirit. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Gong (or kung) is often translated as cultivation or work, and definitions include practice, skill, mastery, merit, achievement, service, result, or accomplishment, and is often used to mean gongfu (kung fu) in the traditional sense of achievement through great effort. (see MDBG dictionary entry) [1] The two words are combined to describe systems to cultivate and balance life energy, especially for health. 氣功 Although the term qigong ( ) has been traced back to Taoist literature of the early Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the term qigong as currently used was promoted in the late 1940s through the 1950s to refer to a broad range of Chinese self-cultivation exercises, and to emphasize health and scientific approaches, while de- [8][9][10] emphasizing spiritual practices, mysticism, and elite lineages.

History[edit] Main article: Qigong history

With roots in ancient Chinese culture dating back more than 4,000 years, a wide variety of qigong forms [11] have developed within different segments of Chinese society: in traditional Chinese medicine for preventive and [12] [1] curative functions, in Confucianism to promote longevity and improve moral character, in Taoism andBuddhism as [5] [9][13] part of meditative practice, and in Chinese martial arts to enhance fighting abilities. Contemporary qigong blends diverse and sometimes disparate traditions, in particular the Taoist meditative practice of "internal 內丹 行氣 alchemy" (Neidan 术), the ancient meditative practices of "circulating qi" (Xing qi ) and "standing 站 導 meditation" (Zhan zhuang 桩), and the slow gymnastic breathing exercise of "guiding and pulling" (Tao yin 引 ). Traditionally, knowledge about qigong was passed from adept master to student in elite unbroken [14] lineages, typically with secretive and esoteric traditions of training and oral-mind transmission.

Starting in the late 1940s and the 1950s, the mainland Chinese government tried to integrate disparate qigong approaches into one coherent system, with the intention of establishing a firm scientific basis for qigong practice. In 1949, Liu Guizhen established the name "Qigong" to refer to the system of life preserving exercises that he and his associates developed. Prior to this time, the life preserving energy exercises while [15] practiced were referred to as Dao-yin. This attempt is considered by some sinologists as the start of the [16][17][18] modern or scientific interpretation of qigong. During the Great Leap Forward (1958–1963) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), qigong, along with other traditional Chinese medicine, was encouraged in state-run rehabilitation centers and spread to universities and hospitals, but was under tight control with limited access among the general public. After the Cultural Revolution, qigong, along with t'ai chi, was popularized as daily morning exercise practiced en masse throughout China.

Popularity of qigong grew rapidly during the Deng and Jiang eras of the 1970s through 1990s, with estimates of between 60 and 200 million practitioners throughout China. In 1985, the state-run "National Qigong Science [19] and Research Organization" was established to regulate all of the nation's qigong denominations. In 1999, in response to widespread revival of old traditions of spirituality, morality, and mysticism, the Chinese government took measures to enforce control of public qigong practice, including banning groups such asZhong [20][21] Gong and Falun Gong.

Through the forces of migration of the Chinese diaspora, tourism in China, and globalization, the practice of qigong spread from the Chinese community to the world. Today, millions of people around the world practice qigong and believe in the benefits of qigong to varying degrees. Similar to its historical origin, those interested in qigong come from diverse backgrounds and practice it for different reasons, including for exercise, recreation, preventive medicine, self-healing, self-cultivation, meditation, and martial arts training.

Training methods[edit]

[22] Qigong comprises breathing, physical, and mental training methods based on Chinese philosophy. While implementation details vary, all qigong forms can be characterized as a mix of four types of training: dynamic, static, meditative, and activities requiring external aids.

 Dynamic training involves fluid movement, usually carefully choreographed, coordinated with breath and awareness. [23] Examples include the slow stylized movements of T'ai chi ch'uan, Baguazhang, and Xing yi. Other [24] examples include graceful movement that mimics the motion of animals in Five Animals, White [25] [26][27] Crane, and Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong.

 Static training

[28] involves holding postures for sustained periods of time. In some cases this bears resemblance to [29] the practice of Yoga and its continuation in the Buddhist tradition. For example Yiquan, a Chinese [30] martial art derived from xingyiquan, emphasizes static stance training. In another example, the healing [31] form Eight Pieces of Brocade (Baduanjin qigong) is based on a series of static postures.

 Meditative training utilizes breath awareness, visualization, mantra, and focus on philosophical concepts such as qi [32] circulation. For example, in the Confucius scholar tradition meditation is focused on humanity and virtue, with the aim of self-enlightenment. In various Buddhist traditions, the aim is to still the mind, either through outward focus, for example on a place, or through inward focus on the breath, a mantra, a koan, emptiness, or the idea of the eternal. In Taoist and traditional Chinese medicine practice, the meditative focus is on cultivating qi in dantian energy centers and balancing qi flow [11] in meridian and other pathways.

 Use of external agents Many systems of qigong training include the use of external agents such as ingestion of herbs, [5] massage, physical manipulation, or interaction with other living organisms. For example, specialized food and drinks are used in some medical and Taoist forms, whereas massage and body manipulation are sometimes used in martial arts forms. In some medical systems a qigong master uses non-contact treatment, purportedly guiding qi through his or her own body into the body of [33] another person. Qi Sensation[edit]

[34] Eight typical sensations have been observed by qigong practitioners.

1. Motion – involuntary body movement or tingling sensation in muscle 2. Itch – body becoming itchy 3. Lightness – floating feeling 4. Heaviness – the feeling of the body becoming very heavy or the feeling that a force is exerted on the body 5. Cold – cold feeling 6. Warm – warm feeling 7. Rough – the feeling that the body is in contact with rough surfaces 8. Smooth – the feeling that the body is in contact with smooth surfaces

The acquiring time, the strength and extent of the feeling on the body as well as the exact sensation vary widely between individuals. The "mind" part of qigong is the mental [35] guiding of qi sensation (i.e. qi) through the body. All qigong forms unanimously suggest that one should not be afraid of or excited by these feelings. They are just normal sensations during qigong practice. Out of control qi sensation is known as qigong deviation; [36] it is considered undesirable and potentially dangerous.

Application[edit]

People practice qigong for many different reasons, including for exercise and recreation, prevention and self-healing, meditation and self-cultivation, and training for martial arts.

Alternative medical systems

Acupuncture Anthroposophic medicine Bowen technique Chiropractic Homeopathy Naturopathic medicine Osteopathy Zoopharmacognosy

Traditional medicine

Ayurveda · Chinese ·Japanese · Korean ·Mongolian · Siddha ·Tibetan · Unani

Previous NCCAM domains

Mind–body interventions Biologically based therapies Manipulative therapy Energy therapies

 V

 T

 E

Health[edit]

As a form of gentle exercise, qigong is composed of movements that are typically repeated, strengthening and stretching the body, increasing fluid movement (blood, synovial, and lymph), enhancing balance and proprioception, and building awareness of how the body [37] moves through space. In recent years a large number of books and videos have been published that focus primarily on qigong as exercise and associated health benefits. Practitioners range from athletes to the physically challenged. Because it is low impact and can be done lying, sitting, or standing, qigong is accessible for disabled persons, seniors, and people recovering from injuries.

As a healing art, qigong practitioners focus on prevention and self-healing, traditionally viewed as balancing the body's energy meridians and enhancing the intrinsic capacity of the [12] body to heal. Qigong has been used extensively in China as part of traditional Chinese [38] medicine, and is included in the curriculum of Chinese Universities. Qigong is now [39][40] recognized as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. There are three main forms of qigong used to complement medical treatment: 1) Qigong exercises (also called "internal Qigong") performed by individuals for general health or treatment of disease, 2) Qigong massage by a trained Qigong practitioner to treat specific [41] injuries and illnesses (e.g. autism); and 3) External qigong in which a trained practitioner [42] focuses healing energy on patients without touching them.

Meditation and self-cultivation[edit]

Qigong is practiced for meditation and self-cultivation as part of various philosophical and spiritual traditions. As meditation, qigong is a means to still the mind and enter a state of [5] consciousness that brings serenity, clarity, and bliss. Many practitioners find qigong, with its [4] gentle focused movement, to be more accessible than seated meditation.

Qigong for self-cultivation can be classified in terms of traditional Chinese philosophy:

 Confucianism 君子 [43][44] Qigong provides a means to become a Junzi ( ) through awareness of morality.

 Taoism

[45] Qigong provides a way to achieve longevity and spiritual enlightenment, as well as a closer connection [46] to the natural world.

 Buddhism [47] Qigong is part of a spiritual path that leads to spiritual enlightenment or Buddhahood. Martial arts training[edit]

The practice of qigong is an important component in both internal and external [5] style Chinese martial arts. Focus on qi is considered to be a source of power as well as the foundation of the internal style of martial arts (Neijia). T'ai chi ch'uan, Xing yi, and Baguazhang are representative of the types of Chinese [48] martial arts that rely on the concept of qi as the foundation. Extraordinary feats of martial arts prowess, such as the ability to withstand heavy strikes 鐵衫 [49] (Iron Shirt, ) and the ability to break hard objects (Iron Palm, 铁掌 [50] [51] ) are abilities attributed to qigong training.

Forms[edit]

There are numerous qigong forms. 75 ancient forms that can be found in ancient literature and also 56 common or contemporary form have been [52] described in a qigong compendium. The list is by no means exhaustive. Many contemporary forms were developed by people who had recovered from their illness after qigong practice. In 2003, the Chinese Health Qigong Association officially recognized four [53] health qigong forms:

易筋 [54][55]  Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Yì Jīn Jīng 经). 五禽戲 [56]  Five Animals (Wu Qin Xi ). 六字訣 [57]  Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue ). 八段錦 [58]  Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin ).

In 2010, the Chinese Health Qigong Association officially recognized five [59] additional health qigong forms:

太极养生杖  Tai Chi Yang Sheng Zhang ( ): a tai chi form from the stick tradition. 十二段  Shi Er Duan Jin ( 锦): seated exercises to strengthen the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.  Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong Shi Er Fa (导引养生功十二法): 12 routines from Daoyin tradition of guiding and pulling qi.  Mawangdui Daoyin (马王堆导引术): guiding qi along the meridians with synchronous movement and awareness. 大舞  Da Wu ( ): choreographed exercises to lubricate joints and guide qi.

Other commonly practiced qigong styles and forms include the following:

[60]  Soaring Crane Qigong [61]  Wisdom Healing Qigong [62]  Pan Gu Mystical Qigong [63]  Wild Goose Qigong [64]  Dragon and Tiger Qigong [65][66]  Primordial Qigong (Wujigong) Theory[edit]

Traditional view[edit] Main article: Qi

Qigong practitioners in Brazil

Traditionally, the central focus of qigong practice is to cultivate and 心 身 靈 [11][67] balance qi as it affects mind ( ), body ( ), and spirit ( ). In Chinese philosophy, the concept of qi as a form of pervasive life energy includes original qi that a person has at birth, and qi a person acquires from air, [68][69] water, food, sunlight, and interaction with the environment. A person is believed to become ill or die when qi becomes diminished or unbalanced. Health is believed to be returned by rebuilding qi, eliminating qi blockages, and correcting qi imbalances.

Main article: Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on tracing and correcting underlying disharmony, in terms of deficiency and excess, using the complementary and opposing forces of yin and yang, to create a balanced flow of qi. Qi is believed to be cultivated and stored in three main dantian energy centers and to travel through the body along twelve main meridians, with numerous smaller branches and tributaries. The main meridians correspond to twelve main organs (Zàng fǔ). Qi is balanced in terms of yin and yang in the context of the 五行 [11][12] traditional system of Five Phases (Wu xing ). These traditional concepts do not translate readily to modern science and medicine.

Principles[edit]

Whether viewed from the perspective of exercise, health, philosophy, or martial arts training, several main principles emerge concerning the practice of [1][37][4] qigong:

 Intentional movement: careful, flowing balanced style  Rhythmic breathing: slow, deep, coordinated with fluid movement  Awareness: calm, focused meditative state  Visualization: of qi flow, philosophical tenets, aesthetics

Additional principles:

 Softness: soft gaze, expressionless face  Solid Stance: firm footing, erect spine  Relaxation: relaxed muscles, slightly bent joints  Balance and Counterbalance: motion over the center of gravity

Advanced goals:  Equanimity: more fluid, more relaxed  Tranquility: empty mind, high awareness  Stillness: smaller and smaller movements, eventually to complete stillness

The most advanced practice is generally considered to be with little or no motion.

Contemporary view[edit]

Similar to the subject of efficacy of Traditional Chinese medicine, the chasm between the Eastern tradition of qi and the Western scientific viewpoints is not insurmountable if the analysis is limited to the effect of qigong practice on biological processes without demanding a material interpretation of qi. Some have argued for an interpretation of qi as a metaphor for biological [70][71] [72] processes or as part of the field of energy medicine.

Health benefits[edit]

Claims and medical research[edit]

Qigong has been purported to enhance health and well-being with many benefits, including improving cardiovascular function, healing specific acute [1] diseases, and increasing longevity. Many of these claims are supported only by anecdotal evidence, traditional lore, and teachings in master/student [14] lineages. Research examining health benefits of qigong is increasing, but there is little financial incentive to support research and still only a limited number of studies meet accepted medical and scientific standards [73] of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Overall, the evidence for the health effects for qigong has been largely inconclusive or contradictory, with almost all evidence based on poor quality data, making any firm conclusions [6] impossible to reach.

Individual reviews[edit]

A systematic review of the effect of qigong exercises on hypertension found that the available studies were encouraging for the exercises to lower systolic blood pressure. However, an analysis of the studies that found these results showed that they were of relatively poor quality, with the lack of blinding raising the possibility of bias in the results, so no definitive conclusions could be [74] reached.

A systematic review on the effect of qigong exercises on reducing pain concluded that "the existing trial evidence is not convincing enough to suggest [75] that internal qigong is an effective modality for pain management." Another systematic review which focused on external qigong and its effect on pain, concluded "that evidence for the effectiveness of external qigong is encouraging, though further studies are warranted" due to the small number of studies and participants involved which precluded any firm conclusions about [76] the specific effects of qigong on pain.

A systematic review of the effect of qigong exercises on cancer treatment concluded "the effectiveness of qigong in cancer care is not yet supported by [77] the evidence from rigorous clinical trials." A separate systematic review that looked at the effects of qigong exercises on various physiological or psychological outcomes found that the available studies were poorly designed, with a high of bias in the results. Therefore, the authors concluded, "Due to limited number of RCTs in the field and methodological problems and high risk of bias in the included studies, it is still too early to reach a conclusion about the efficacy and the effectiveness of qigong exercise as a form of health practice adopted by the cancer patients during their curative, palliative, [78] and rehabilitative phases of the cancer journey."

A 2010 literature review of qigong and tai chi exercises found positive results for qigong and tai chi in nine categories, including bone density, cardiopulmonary effects, physical function, falls and related risk factors,quality of life, self efficacy, patient reported outcomes, psychological symptoms, and immune function andinflammation. Studies that compared qigong and tai chi with other physical exercises found similar effects, and greatest effects were found in studies that compared qigong and tai chi to effects in low activity or inactive participants. Unlike the above systematic reviews, this [73] study did not assess for the quality of the underlying trials.

Mental health[edit]

Many claims have been made that qigong can benefit or ameliorate mental [73][79] health conditions, including improved mood, decreased stress reaction, and decreased anxiety and depression. Most medical studies have only examined psychological factors as secondary goals, however various studies have shown significant benefits such as decrease in cortisol levels, a chemical hormone [73] produced by the body to manage stress.

There are also claims that in some cases, in particular with improper teaching or improper technique, the practice of qigong can result in a mental condition 走火入魔 氣功偏差 known as Zou huo ru mo ( ) or "qigong deviation" ( ), which, among other symptoms, can lead to a perception of an uncontrolled flow [80][81][36] of qi in the body during or after practice.

Main article: Zou huo ru mo (medicine) Controversy[edit]

There is little controversy concerning the benefit of qigong when the definition of qigong is limited to a series of physical movements and a set of relaxation exercises. Conflict has arisen when the claims made by proponents of qigong [8][82] border on the supernatural.

Some researchers have labeled the subject matter of qigong as [83] a pseudoscience. In addition, some claim that the origin and nature of qigong [84] practice has led to misconceptions and misuses, including psychiatric [18] [8] problems and the formation of cults

Skepticism towards qigong is also applied to the field of Traditional Chinese medicine, and extends to the broader subject of alternative medicine. The basic problem is that the information available from these fields often does not fit scientific acceptability or medical interpretation, and is difficult to replicate [83][84][85][86] [87] [88] using double-blind control studies. Skeptics contend that most of the benefits derived from Alternative medicine are, at best, derived from [89] [90] a placebo effect.

The main arguments from the view of skeptics against the correlation between qigong practices and health-related results are:

 The existence of qi, or any form of vitalism, has not been independently verified in an experimental setting. Such a concept is not recognized in [91] the biological sciences.  Demonstrations in martial arts such as breaking hard objects with strikes can be fully explained using physics, without reference to the concept of [92][93] qi.  Reported claims of supernatural abilities appear to be tricks more suited [8][94][95][96][97][98] to magic shows than to any genuine scientific discipline.  Personal benefits for some qigong masters might have provided them with [8] an incentive to exaggerate their claims. Shifting views[edit]

Over the centuries, a diverse spectrum of qigong forms developed in different [9] segments of Chinese society. Traditionally, qigong training has been called esoteric and secretive, with knowledge passed from adept master to student in lineages that maintain their own unique detailed interpretations and [14] methods. Although the practice of qigong was prohibited during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, it was once again allowed in 1976 with an emphasis on meditative practice by scholars and gymnastic or dynamic practice by the [99] working masses. Disparate approaches to qigong were merged as part of [16] the cultural change that occurred as China modernized. In contemporary China, the emphasis of qigong practice has shifted away from traditional philosophy, spiritual attainment, and folklore, and increasingly to health benefits, traditional medicine and martial arts applications, and a scientific [8][10] perspective.

Qigong is now practiced by millions worldwide, primarily for its health benefits, though many practitioners have also adopted traditional philosophical, medical, or martial arts perspectives, and even use the long history of qigong as evidence [4][11] of its effectiveness.

4. Reiki

霊気? [1] Reiki ( , /ˈreɪkiː/) is a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, which has since been adapted by various teachers of varying traditions. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands-on-healing as a form of alternative medicine and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by [2] some professional medical bodies. Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring universal energy (i.e., reiki) in the form of qi(Japanese: ki) through the palms, which they believe [3] allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

There are two main branches of Reiki, commonly referred to asTraditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki. Though differences can be wide and varied between both branches and traditions, the primary difference is that the Westernised forms use systematised hand-placements rather than relying on an intuitive sense of hand-positions (see below), which is commonly used by Japanese Reiki branches. Both branches commonly have a three-tiered hierarchy ofdegrees, usually referred to as the First, Second, and Master/Teacher level, all of which are associated with different skills and techniques.

The concept of ki underlying Reiki is speculative and there is no scientific evidence that it exists; a 2008 systematic review of randomised clinical trials concluded that "the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is [4] an effective treatment for any condition. Therefore the value of reiki remains unproven." The American Cancer [5] [6] [7] Society, Cancer Research UK, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have also found that there is no clinical or scientific evidence supporting claims that Reiki is effective in the treatment of any illness.

Contents

[hide]

 1 History o 1.1 Derivation of name o 1.2 Origins o 1.3 Early development o 1.4 Usui's concepts and five principles  2 Traditions o 2.1 Traditional Japanese Reiki o 2.2 Western Reiki  3 Teachings o 3.1 Training . 3.1.1 First degree . 3.1.2 Second degree . 3.1.3 Third degree . 3.1.4 Variations  4 Practice o 4.1 Healing o 4.2 Whole body treatment o 4.3 Localised treatment o 4.4 Breathing o 4.5 Three pillars . 4.5.1 Gasshō . 4.5.2 Reiji-hō . 4.5.3 Chiryō  5 Research, critical evaluation, and controversy o 5.1 Scientific research o 5.2 Safety and effectiveness o 5.3 Internal controversies o 5.4 Catholic Church concerns  6 See also  7 References  8 Bibliography  9 External links History[edit] Derivation of name[edit]

臼井甕男 Mikao Usui (1865–1926)

林 忠次郎 Chujiro Hayashi (1880 - 1940)

霊気 The English word reiki derives from the Japanese loanword reiki ( , meaning "mysterious atmosphere"), which 靈氣 derives from the Chinese loanword língqì ( , "supernatural influence"). Its earliest recorded usage in English [8] dates to 1975. Instead of the usual transliteration, some English-language authors pseudo-translatereiki as [9] "universal life energy". 霊気 レイキ Reiki is commonly written as in shinjitai kanji or as in katakanasyllabary. It compounds the words rei ( 霊 気 [10] : "spirit, miraculous, divine") and ki ( ; qi: "gas, vital energy, breath of life, consciousness"). The ki (better known as Chineseqi or ch'i) in reiki is understood as meaning "spiritual energy; vital energy; life force; energy of [11] [12] life". Some reiki translation equivalents from Japanese-English dictionaries are: "feeling of mystery", "an [13] atmosphere (feeling) of mystery", and "an ethereal atmosphere (that prevails in the sacred precincts of a [14] shrine); (feel, sense) a spiritual (divine) presence." Besides the usual Sino-Japanese pronunciation reiki, these 霊気 kanji have an alternate Japanese reading, namelyryōge, meaning "demon; ghost" (especially in spirit [15] possession). 靈氣 Chinese língqì was first recorded in the (ca. 320 BCE) Neiye "Inward Training" section of the Guanzi, describing early Taoist meditation techniques. "That mysterious vital energy within the mind: One moment it arrives, the next it departs. So fine, there is nothing within it; so vast, there is nothing outside it. We lose it [16] because of the harm caused by mental agitation." Standard Chinese língqì is translated by Chinese-English [17] dictionaries as: "(of beautiful mountains) spiritual influence or atmosphere"; "1. intelligence; power of [18] understanding; 2. supernatural power or force in fairy tales; miraculous power or force"; and "1. spiritual [19] influence (of mountains/etc.); 2. ingeniousness; cleverness".

Origins[edit]

See also Five Precepts and Timeline of Reiki history 臼井甕男 The system of Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui ( ) in 1922 whilst performing Isyu Guo, a [20] twenty-one day Buddhist training course held on Mount Kurama. It is not known for certain what Usui was required to do during this training, though it most likely involved meditation, fasting, chanting, [21][22] and prayer. It is claimed that by a mystical revelation, Usui had gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to what he called Reiki, which entered his body through his crown [21] 臼井靈氣療法學 Chakra. In April 1922, Usui moved to Tokyo and founded the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai (" 會 " in old style characters, meaning "Usui's Spiritual Energy Therapy Method Society") in order to continue [21][23] treating people on a large scale with Reiki.

[24] According to the inscription on his memorial stone, Usui taught his system of Reiki to over 2000 people during his lifetime, and sixteen of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, a [24][25] 福 level equivalent to the Western third, or Master/Teacher, degree. While teaching Reiki in Fukuyama ( 山市 [24] ,Fukuyama-shi), Usui suffered a stroke and died on 9 March 1926.

Early development[edit]

[26] After Usui's death, J. Ushida, a student of Usui, took over as president of the Gakkai. He was also responsible for creating and erecting Usui's memorial stone and for ensuring the maintenance of the [26] grave site. Ushida was followed by Iichi Taketomi, Yoshiharu Watanabe, Kimiko Koyama and the current [26] successor to Usui, Kondo, who became president in 1998. The sixteen masters initiated by Usui include Toshihiro Eguchi, Jusaburo Guida, Ilichi Taketomi, Toyoichi Wanami, Yoshihiru Watanabe, Keizo Ogawa, J. [26][27] Ushida, and Chujiro Hayashi. 林 忠次郎 Before Usui's death, Chujiro Hayashi ( Hayashi Chūjirō) approached Usui about developing a [28] different form of Reiki that was much simpler. Usui agreed. After Usui's death, Hayashi left the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai and formed his own clinic where he gave Reiki treatments, taught, and attuned [26] people to Reiki, and it was to this clinic that Hawayo Takata was directed in the 1930s. Hayashi simplified the Reiki teachings, stressing physical healing and using a more codified and simpler set of [29] Reiki techniques.

After Hawayo Takata received multiple Reiki sessions from Hayashi's trainees at his clinic for illnesses [30][31] including abdominal pain and asthma, Hayashi initiated and trained Takata to use Reiki, and she [30][32] became a Reiki Master on 21 February 1938. Takata established several Reiki clinics [30] throughout Hawaii, one of which was located in Hilo, and then went on to travel throughout the United [33] States, practising Reiki and teaching the first two levels to others, and it was not until 1970 that Takata [34] began initiating Reiki Masters. At this stage, Takata also introduced the term Reiki Master for [35] the Shinpiden level. She stressed the importance of charging money for Reiki treatments and teachings, [34] and fixed a price of $10,000 (roughly £6,500 or €7,400) for the Master training. [34][36] [37][38] Takata died on 11 December 1980, by which time she had trained 22 Reiki masters, and almost [39] all Reiki taught outside Japan can be attributed to her work.

Usui's concepts and five principles[edit] 明治天皇 Usui was an admirer of the literary works of the Emperor Meiji ( Meiji tennō). While in the process of developing his Reiki system, Usui summarised some of the emperor's works into a set of 概念 ethical principles (called the "Concepts" Gainen), which later became known as the Five Reiki 五戒 Precepts ( Gokai, meaning "The Five Commandments", from the Buddhist teachings against killing, thievery, sexual misconduct, lying, and intemperance). It is common for many Reiki teachers and [40] practitioners to abide by these five precepts, or principles.

Kanji Rōmaji

招福の秘法 , Shōfuku no 萬病の霊薬 . hihō, ō 今日丈けは Manby no : reiyaku. 怒るな , ō 心配す Ky dake な wa: , 感謝し Okoru na, The five て , Shinpai su na, concepts 業をは Kansha shite, of Mikao けめ , Gyō wo hakeme, Usui, contained 人に親 Hito ni shinsetsu ni. 切に within the . A whole text 朝 s (Japanese 夕 a writing is 合 y read from 掌 ū top to し bottom, て g moving 心 a from right に s to left). Note: 念 s Commonly じ h called , ō the Five ,

口 s に h 唱 i へ t よ e .

心 k 身 o 改 k 善 o r . o

臼 井 n 霊 i 氣 療 n 法 e n . j 肇 i 祖 , ,

K 臼 u 井 c 甕 h 男 i .

n i

t o n a e y o .

S h i n s h i n k a i z e n .

U s u i

R e i k i

R y ō h ō

.

C h ō s o ,

U s u i

M i k a o .

Reiki written inShinjitai Japanese.

The term Traditional Japanese Reiki is normally used to describe the specific system that formed [41] from Usui's original teachings and the teachings that did not leave Japan. During the 1990s, Western teachers travelled to Japan in order to find this particular tradition of Reiki, though found nothing. They therefore started to establish Reiki schools, and started to teach Reiki levels 1 and 2 to the Japanese. Around 1993, a German Reiki Master, Frank Arjava Petter, also started to teach to the Master/Teacher level, and as a result, the Japanese started teaching their knowledge of Traditional Reiki. Since then, several traditions of Traditional Japanese Reiki have been [42] established, the main traditions of which are listed below.

臼井靈氣療法學會  Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai ( in Traditional Chinese Characters, meaning "Usui [43] Reiki Healing Method Learning Society") is the name of the society of Reiki masters founded by Mikao Usui. His style is assumed to have survived to the present day (assumed as no- one knows exactly how the Gakkai practises nowadays), with Ushida being the one who, upon death, substituted the presidency of the association. This society remained secret for many years and at present, the shihan (master), Masaki Kondoh, is the president of the Gakkai. Though many of their teachings still remain secret, little by little, members of this association — such as Master Hiroshi Doi — have been sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. In spite of this, it continues to be a hermetic society, nearly impossible to [citation needed] access.

靈道靈氣學會  Reidō Reiki Gakkai ( , meaning "Spiritual Occurrence [and] Spiritual Energy Society") is the name given to the system that derives from the masters of the Ryōhō Gakkai, and is led by Fuminori Aoki, who added to the teaching of the Gakkai, though differences in teaching are minimal. In this system, the Koriki (meaning "the force of [44][45] happiness") symbol that inspired Fuminori Aoki has been adopted.

光明レイキ會  Kōmyō Reiki Kai ( , meaning "Enlightened Spiritual Energy Meeting (Association)") is the name given to the system that takes the name of a school of Japanese Traditional 稲本 百天 Reiki, and was established by Hyakuten Inamoto ( ), a Reiki teacher with Western Reiki background. It differs from other systems in that it does not originate with the Gakkai, 山口 千代子 but instead comes from the Hayashi line, through Chiyoko Yamaguchi ( ) that [citation needed] remained in Japan.

直傳靈氣  Jikiden Reiki ( , meaning "The Direct Teaching [of] Spiritual Energy") is the name given to the original system that was taught by Dr. Hayashi, and was founded by Mrs. Yamaguchi 山口 忠夫 [46] and her son, Tadao Yamaguchi ( ). 臼井靈氣療法必携 The Japanese Reiki hand positions presented in the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei ( , Usui Reiki Treatment Handbook) as used and compiled by Usui are considerably more extensive [47] than the hand positions used in Western Reiki.

Western Reiki[edit] 西洋レイキ Western Reiki ( , Seiyō reiki) is a system that can be accredited to Hawayo [48] Takata. The principal difference between the traditions is the use of set hand patterns for internal [42] treatments instead ofReiji-hō, the intuitive skill of "knowing where to place the hands." This style of Reiki places more emphasis on the healing of ailments, and ascension to higher levels of [42] attunement is more formalised.

After being trained by Hayashi, Takata went back to Hawaii, taking Reiki with her. After setting up clinics there, Reiki then spread to the rest of the Western world. As a result of the second world war, Takata decided to modify the Traditional Japanese Reiki system in order to make it more understandable and credible to the mentality of the West.

臼井靈氣式療法  Usui Reiki Shiki Ryōhō ( , commonly translated as meaning "Usui's Spiritual Energy Style of Therapy", but a more literal translation is "Usui's Spiritual Energy Style of 療法 Medical Treatment" (Ryōhō ( ) meaning medical treatment)) is the name given to the Western system of Reiki, and is a system that has tried to stay near enough the same as the original practises of Hawayo Takata. It is taught today by, for instance, the Reiki Alliance, [49] led by Phyllis Lei Furumoto, Takata's granddaughter. In this system, as with most Western systems of Reiki, there are three levels, respectively called the First Degree, Second Degree, and Master/Teacher Degree, which uses Takata's versions of the four original symbols passed to her by Hayashi. Usui Reiki Shiki Ryōhō is also the norm requested qualification (along with Reiki lineage) when seeking insurance to practise Reiki on the general public in [50] the United Kingdom.

 Usui/Tibetan Reiki is the name given to the system that was developed by Arthur Robertson [51][52] and later popularised by William Lee Rand and Diane Stein. This system is derived from Usui Reiki as taught by Takata and includes techniques from the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai, 病専法 凝視法 such as Byōsen-hō ( ,Scanning Method), Gyōshi-hō ( , Healing Eyes Method), 件抑制法 and Kenyoku-hō ( , Dry Bathing Method). There have been a few additions to this system in comparison with Usui Shiki Ryōhō by Rand, such as a modified attunement method [51] that incorporates the Violet Breath, the use of the Tibetan Master and kundalini fire symbols along with the four traditional Usui symbols, the hui yin position (located in the perineum), and [51] also the microcosmic orbit. Along with introducing the above, Usui/Tibetan Reiki can sometimes incorporate psychic surgery. Unlike Usui Reiki Shiki Ryōhō, it has four levels, commonly called First Degree, Second Degree, Advanced Reiki Training (commonly 3A or ART), [51] and Master/Teacher (commonly 3B).

現代靈氣法  Gendai Reiki Hō ( , meaning "Modern Spiritual Energy Method") is a system that [53] incorporates elements of both Japanese and Western Reiki, and was established by Hiroshi [53] Doi. Doi was first trained in Western Reiki by Mieko Mitsui, a Master of the "Radiance [54] [54] Technique." In 1993, he was granted membership to Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai. Teachings[edit]

[55][56] Reiki teachings claim that Reiki is inexhaustible and that it can be used to induce a healing [57] [58] effect. Practitioners claim that anyone can gain access to this energy by means of [59] [60] an attunement process carried out by a Reiki Master.

Reiki is described by adherents as a holistic therapy which brings about healing on physical, [61] mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The belief is that the energy will flow through the practitioner's hands whenever the hands are placed on, or held near a potential recipient. Some teachings stress the importance of the practitioner's intention or presence in this process, while others claim that the energy is drawn by the recipient's injury to activate or enhance the natural [62] [63] healing processes. Further to this notion, the belief is that the energy is "intelligent", meaning that the Reiki knows where to heal, even if a practitioner's hands are not present in the specific area.

Training[edit]

[64] The teaching of Reiki outside of Japan is commonly divided into three levels, or degrees, the most common of which are described below. Traditional Japanese Reiki was taught intensively under Usui's guidance, with weekly meditation meetings where Reiki was given and used to scan [65] the body in order to supply an energetic diagnosis, which is known in Japanese as Byosen-hō, as a Japanese Reiki treatment is intuitive and specifically directed in comparison to a Western Reiki treatment, which tends to generally treat the whole body instead of specific areas.

First degree[edit]

[66] 初伝 The first degree Reiki course, sometimes given the Japanese name of Shoden (" " in [67] Japanese, meaning "Elementary/Entry Teachings"), teaches the basic theories and procedures. A [68] number of "attunements" are given to the student by the teacher. Students learn hand placement positions on the recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the process in a whole [69] body treatment. Having completed the first degree course, Reiki practitioners can then treat themselves and others with Reiki. Course duration is dependent on the Reiki Master Teacher; some hold four sessions spread over a number of days, others hold two sessions over two [70] days.

Second degree[edit]

[71] 奥伝 In the second degree Reiki course, sometimes given the Japanese name of Okuden (" " in [72] Japanese, meaning "Inner Teachings"), the student learns the use of a number of symbols that [73] are said to enhance the strength and distance over which Reiki can be exerted. This involves the use of symbols to form a temporary connection between the practitioner and the recipient, [74][75] regardless of location and time, and then to send the Reiki energy. Another attunement is given, which is said to further increase the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well [76] as empowering the use of the symbols. Having completed the second level, the student can work without being physically present with the recipient — a practise known as "distant [77] healing". Students in Japan sometimes only attained the Second Degree after a period of 10, sometimes 20, years of practice under Usui's tutorship, and the majority of students never attained [78] the Third Degree.

Third degree[edit]

[79] Through the third degree, or "master training", sometimes given the Japanese name 神秘伝 [80] of Shinpiden (" " in Japanese, meaning "Mystery Teachings"), the student becomes a Reiki Master. In Reiki terminology, the word "master" does not imply spiritual enlightenment, and is sometimes changed to "Master/Teacher" in order to avoid this confusion. According to the specific branch of Reiki, either one or more attunements can be carried out and the student learns a [81] further symbol. Having completed the master training, the new Reiki Master can attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees. The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training. There are commonly two types of Master: Master Teacher and Master Practitioner; a Master Teacher is a Master of Reiki and also has the ability to teach Reiki (i.e., attune others), though a Master Practitioner is a Master of Reiki but does not teach Reiki.

Variations[edit]

There is much variation in training methods, speed of completion (i.e., attunement), and costs. Though there is no accreditation and central body for Reiki, nor any regulation of its practice, there exist organisations within the United Kingdom that seek to standardise Reiki and Reiki [82] [83] practises, such as the UK Reiki Federation and the Reiki Council (UK). Reiki courses are also available online, although traditionalists state that attunement must be done in person in order to take effect, as the Reiki Master/Teacher doing the attunement must be able to actually touch the energy field of the person being attuned. A distance Reiki attunement is not always recognised by certain Reiki federations, such as with the UK Reiki Federation, who state, "[a]ll training must [84] have been "in-person" or "face to face" (distant attunements are not accepted)." Some traditionalists also hold the ideal that methods that teach Reiki "quickly" cannot yield as strong an effect, because there is no substitute for experience and patience when mastering Reiki.

Practice[edit]

The seven major chakras used within many Western systems of reiki

A schematic diagram of the human body's meridians.

In Western Reiki, it is taught that Reiki works in conjunction with the meridian energy linesand chakras through the use of the hand-positions, which normally correspond to the seven major chakras on the body. These hand-positions are used both on the front and back of the body, and can include specific areas (see localised treatment). According to authors such as James [85] Deacon, Usui used only five formal hand-positions, which focused on the head and neck. After Reiki had been given first to the head and neck area, specific areas of the body where [85] imbalances were present would then be treated. The use of the chakras is widespread within Western Reiki, though not as much within Traditional Japanese Reiki, as it concentrates more on treating specific areas of the body after using techniques such asByosen-hō and Reiji-hō, which are used to find areas of dis-ease (discomfort) in theauras and physical body.

Healing[edit]

Usui Reiki Ryōhō does not use any medication or instruments, but uses looking, blowing, light [86] tapping, and touching. According to Frank Arjava Petter, Usui touched the diseased parts of the body, he massaged them, tapped them lightly, stroked them, blew on them, fixed his gaze upon [87] them for two to three minutes, and specifically gave them energy, and used a technique commonly referred to as palm healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. Through 掌 the use of this palm healing (sometimes referred to as "tenohira" ( , meaning "the palm"), practitioners believe that they are transferring universal energy (reiki) in the form of ki through the [3] palms that allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

Whole body treatment[edit]

[88] In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, the Reiki practitioner instructs the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind [89] and mentally prepare for the treatment, that is usually carried out without any unnecessary [90] talking.

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing the hands on the recipient in various positions. However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept in a position for three to five minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees, and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting [91] anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.

[65] Many Western practitioners use a common fixed set of 12 hand positions, while others use their [92] intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed as is the practise in Traditional Japanese Reiki, sometimes starting the treatment with a "scan" of the recipient to find such areas. The intuitive approach might also lead to individual positions being treated for much shorter or longer periods. A Western Reiki treatment is considered a type of large-scale treatment in [78] comparison to the more localised-style treatment of Traditional Japanese Reiki.

[78] The use of the 12 hand positions are believed to energise on many levels, by:

 Energising on a physical level through the warmth of the hands,  Energising on the mental level through the use of the Reiki symbols,  Energising on the emotional level through the love that flows with the use of the symbols,  Energising on the energetic level though the presence of an initiated practitioner as well as [78] the presence of the Reiki power itself.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although [93] emotional releases can also occur. As the Reiki treatment is said to stimulate the body's natural healing processes, instantaneous "cures" of specific health problems are not normally observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of one to seven days, is usually [91] recommended if a chronic condition is being addressed, and regular treatments on an on-going basis can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically in the range of one to four weeks, except in the case of self-treatment where daily [91] practice is common.

Localised treatment[edit]

A Reiki treatment in progress.

Localised Reiki treatment involves the practitioner's hands being held on or near a specific part of [94] the body for a varying length of time. Recent injuries are usually treated in this way, with the site of injury being targeted. There is great variation in the duration of such treatments, though 20 minutes is typical. Takata described "localised treatment" as 'hands-on work,' compared to distant [95] or "absent healing."

Some practitioners use localised treatments for certain ailments, and some publications have [96][97] tabulated appropriate hand positions, However, other practitioners prefer to use the whole body [98] treatment for all chronic conditions, on the grounds that it has a more holistic effect. Another approach is to give a whole body treatment first, followed by a localised treatment for any specific [99] ailments.

[100] Usui used specific hand positions to treat specific ailments and dis-eases (discomfort), which [101] included disorders of the nervous system (such as hysteria), respiratory disorders (such [102] [103] as inflammation of thetrachea), digestive disorders (such as gastric ulcers), circulatory disorders [104] (such as chronic high blood pressure), metabolism and blood disorders (such [105] [106] as anaemia), urogenital tract disorders (such asnephritis), skin disorders (such as inflammation [107] [108] of the lymph nodes), childhood disorders (such asmeasles), women’s health disorders (such [109] [110] as morning sickness), and contagious disorders (such astyphoid fever).

Breathing[edit]

Though the specific use of breath and breathing is central to many styles of Japanese Reiki, it is [111] 女神呼 often a neglected topic in Western Reiki. Usui taught a technique called Joshin Kokyū-hō ( 吸法 ), which roughly translates as "the breathing method for cleansing the spirit," though literally [87] translates as "Goddess Breath Method". Joshin Kokyū-hō is performed by sitting straight, with the back aligned, breathing in slowly through the nose. As the practitioner inhales, s/he also breathes the Reiki energy in through the crown Chakra in order to purify the body and make it fit for the [87] flow of Reiki, and is drawn down into the tanden.

Three pillars[edit]

Along with the five Reiki principles, Usui based his Reiki system on three other [112] practises: Gasshō, Reiji-hō, and Chiryō.

Gasshō[edit] 合掌 Gasshō (" " in Japanese, meaning "two hands coming together") is a meditative state where both palms of the hands are placed together, and was practised each time at the beginning of Usui's Reiki workshops and meetings. One technique of Gasshō is to concentrate on the pads where the [112] two middle fingers meet.

Reiji-hō[edit] 霊示法 Reiji-hō ( , meaning "indication of the Reiki power method") is a means of connecting with the Reiki power by asking it to flow through the practitioner three times, and is commonly split into three parts. The first part is to ask the Reiki power to flow through the practitioner. It will either enter through the crown chakra (as this is the highest ascension), the heart chakra (as indicated by the pure love of Reiki), or the hands (as the palms are attuned with specific Reiki symbols). A student of the Second Degree can use the third/distance symbol to connect with the Reiki along with the first/power symbol; the distance symbol is sent first and is then sealed with [113] the power symbol.

The second part is to pray for the recovery of the person if a specific ailment is being healed, [113] or for the general health of the person if otherwise.

The third part is to place both hands, palms facing each other, to the third eye (the area in between the two eyebrows), and ask the Reiki power to guide the hands to where energy is [113] needed. Though similar to the practice of Byosen-hō, Reiji-hō relies specifically on intuition of where to heal, whereas Byosen-hō scans for areas with the hands, feeling for subtle changes in the aura of the practitioner's hands and the aura of the recipient.

Chiryō[edit] 治療 Chiryō (" " in Japanese, meaning "(medical) treatment") requires the practitioner to place his/her 響き dominant hand on the crown chakra and wait for hibiki ( , "feedback") in the form of an impulse or inspiration, which the hand then follows. During Chiryō, the practitioner gives free rein to the hand, touching painful areas of the body until the area no longer hurts or until the hands [114] move on their own to another area.

Research, critical evaluation, and controversy[edit]

Scientific research[edit]

The proposed mechanism for reiki energy is hypothetical as the existence of the ki or "life force" [4][115] energy used in this method has not been proven scientifically.

A 2008 systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the evidence basis of reiki concluded [4] that efficacy had not been demonstrated for any condition. Nine studies fit the inclusion criteria; a modifiedJadad score of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of blinding practitioners. Non-randomised studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results un-interpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was poor as most of the studies suffered from flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting, with even high-ranking [4] studies failing fully to control for placebo effects." As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond [4][116] possible placebo effects. Placebo trials of Reiki are complicated by the difficulty of designing a [117] realistic placebo, although subsequent trials with adequate placebo or sham controls have shown [4] no difference between the procedure and the control groups.

A 2009 review in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that "the serious methodological and reporting limitations of limited existing reiki studies preclude a definitive [118] conclusion on its effectiveness."

Safety and effectiveness[edit] Main article: Testing of safety The American Cancer Society has noted that the research surrounding reiki has been poorly conducted, and stated: "Available scientific evidence at this time does not support claims that reiki can help treat cancer or any other illness. More study may help determine to what extent, if at [5] all, it can improve a patient's sense of well-being." Likewise, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has echoed this position, noting that the existence of [7] energy fields in biofield therapies, such as reiki, "has not yet been scientifically proven." Cancer Research UK say that "there is no scientific evidence to prove that Reiki can prevent, treat or [6] cure cancer or any other disease". It does, however, continue on to say that "many healthcare professionals accept Reiki as a useful complementary therapy that may help to lower stress, promote relaxation and possibly help reduce some types of pain."

Concerns about safety in reiki are similar to those of other unproven alternative medicines. Some physiciansand allied health care workers believe that patients might avoid clinically proven [119] treatments for serious conditions in favour of unproven alternative medicines. Reiki practitioners may encourage their clients to consult a physician for serious conditions, stating that reiki can be [120] used to complement conventional medicine. Clinical trials have not reported any significant [4] adverse effects from the use of Reiki.

William T. Jarvis, of The National Council Against Health Fraud, suggests that there "is no evidence that clinical reiki's effects are due to anything other than suggestion" or the placebo [121] effect.

Internal controversies[edit]

With the many varied ways that have been used to teach reiki, there have emerged points of controversy between different groups, teachers, and practitioners. Controversies exist on topics such as the nature of the reiki energy itself, fees charged for courses and treatments, training methods, [122][123] secrecy of symbols, and attunement methods.

Following the death of Hawayo Takata, through to the mid-1990s, there were rival claims to the title of "Grandmaster" of reiki. However, this dispute largely evaporated when it was discovered [124] that Takata herself had created the term.

Catholic Church concerns[edit]

In March 2009, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [125] issued a decree (Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy) halting the practice of Reiki byCatholics used in some Catholic retreat centres and hospitals. The conclusion of the decree stated that "since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centres, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.

5.Food Healing / Phytochemical Smoothies

Phytochemicals, chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants (phyto means "plant" in Greek). Some are responsible for color and other organoleptic properties, such as the deep purple of blueberries and the smell of garlic. The term is generally used to refer to those chemicals that may have biological significance, for [1] [citation needed] example antioxidants, but are not established as essential nutrients. Scientists estimate that there may be as many as 10,000 different phytochemicals having the potential to affect diseases such as cancer, stroke or metabolic syndrome.

Contents

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 1 Phytochemicals as candidate nutrients o 1.1 Clinical trials and health claim status  2 Food processing and phytochemicals  3 See also  4 References  5 Further reading  6 External links Phytochemicals as candidate nutrients[edit]

Without specific knowledge of their cellular actions or mechanisms, phytochemicals have been considered as drugs for millennia. For example, Hippocrates may have prescribed willow tree leaves to abate fever. Salicin, having anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, was originally extracted from the bark of the white willow tree and later synthetically produced became the staple over-the-counter drug aspirin.

There is evidence from laboratory studies that phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk ofcancer, possibly due to dietary fibers, polyphenol antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Specific phytochemicals, such as fermentable dietary fibers, are allowed limited health claims by the US Food and Drug [1] Administration (FDA).

Some phytochemicals with physiological properties may be elements rather than complex organic molecules. For example, selenium, which is abundant in many fruits and vegetables, is involved with major metabolic [2] pathways, including thyroid hormone metabolism and immune function. Particularly, it is an essential [3] nutrientand cofactor for the enzymatic synthesis of glutathione, an endogenous antioxidant. Clinical trials and health claim status[edit]

There are currently many phytochemicals in clinical trials for a variety of diseases. Lycopene from tomatoes, for example, has been tested in human studies for cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer. These studies, [4] however, did not attain sufficient scientific agreement to conclude an effect on any disease. The FDA position reads:

"Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The United States Food and Drug Administration concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim."

[5] Phytochemical-based dietary supplements can also be purchased. According to the American Cancer Society, "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that taking phytochemical supplements is as good for [5] long-term health as consuming the fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains from which they are taken."

Food processing and phytochemicals[edit]

Phytochemicals in freshly harvested plant foods may be destroyed or removed by modern processing [6] techniques, including cooking. . For this reason, industrially processed foods likely contain fewer phytochemicals [citation needed] and may thus be less beneficial than unprocessed foods. Absence or deficiency of phytochemicals in [7][8] processed foods may contribute to increased risk of preventable diseases.

A converse example may exist in which lycopene, a phytochemical present in tomatoes, is either unchanged in [9] [10] content or made more concentrated by processing to juice or paste, maintaining good levels forbioavailability.

6. Reflexology

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is an alternative medicineinvolving the physical act of applying pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on what reflexologists claim to be a system of zones and reflex areas that they say reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the premise that such work effects a physical change to the [1] body. A 2009 systematic review of randomised controlled trials concludes that

"The best evidence available to date does not demonstrate convincingly that reflexology is an effective [2] treatment for any medical condition."

There is no consensus among reflexologists on how reflexology is supposed to work; a unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can [3] improve health through one's qi. Reflexologists divide the body into ten equal vertical zones, five on the right [4] and five on the left. Concerns have been raised by medical professionals that treating potentially serious illnesses with reflexology, which has no proven efficacy, could delay the seeking of appropriate medical [5] treatment. Contents

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 1 Mechanism  2 Use by population  3 Regulation  4 History  5 Clinical trials  6 See also  7 Notes  8 External links Mechanism[edit]

The Reflexology Association of Canada defines reflexology as:

"A natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and [6] helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body."

Reflexologists posit that the blockage of an energy field, invisible life force, or Qi, can prevent [3] healing. Another tenet of reflexology is the belief that practitioners can relieve stress and pain in other parts of the body through the manipulation of the feet. One claimed explanation is that the pressure received in the feet may send signals that 'balance' the nervous system or release chemicals such as [7] endorphins that reduce stress and pain. These hypotheses are rejected by the general medical [4] community, who cite a lack of scientific evidence and the well-tested germ theory of disease.

Reflexology's claim to manipulate energy (Qi) has been highly controversial, as there is no scientific evidencefor the existence of life energy (Qi), 'energy balance', 'crystalline structures,' or 'pathways' in the [8] body.

In Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial, Simon Singh argues that if indeed the hands and feet "reflect" the internal organs, reflexology might be expected to explain how such "reflection" was derived from the process of Darwinian natural selection; but Singh observes that no argument or evidence has [9] been adduced.

Use by population[edit]

An example of a reflexology chart of the Hand, demonstrating the areas of the hand that practitioners believe correspond with organs in the "zones" of the body.

Reflexology is one of the most used alternative therapies in Denmark. A national survey from 2005 showed that 21.4% of the Danish population had used reflexology at some point in life and 6.1% had [10] used reflexology within the previous year.

A study from Norway showed that 5.6% of the Norwegian population in 2007 had used reflexology within [11] the last 12 months.

Regulation[edit]

In the United Kingdom, reflexology is coordinated on a voluntary basis by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Registrants are required to meet Standards of Proficiency outlined by [12] Profession Specific Boards, as CNHC is voluntary anyone practising can describe themselves as reflexologists. When the CNHC began admitting reflexologists, a skeptic searched for and found 14 of them claiming efficacy on illnesses. Once pointed out, the CNHC had the claims retracted as it conflicted [13] with their Advertising Standards Authority.

History[edit]

Practices resembling reflexology may have existed in previous historical periods. Similar practices have [4] been documented in the histories of China and Egypt.

Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872–1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and Dr. Edwin Bowers. Fitzgerald claimed that applying pressure had [14] an anesthetic effect on other areas of the body.

Reflexology was modified in the 1930s and 1940s by Eunice D. Ingham (1889–1974), a nurse [15][16] andphysiotherapist. Ingham claimed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and mapped the [17] entire body into "reflexes" on the feet renaming "zone therapy" to reflexology. Ingham's procedure and [4] related practices developed by Laura Norman are used by modern reflexologists. Clinical trials[edit]

This section

requires expansion. (July 2012)

Reflexology has had several clinical trials dedicated to it over the years with mixed results. One systematic review found, "The best evidence available to date does not demonstrate convincingly that [2] reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition."

7. Digestive Cleansing

Detoxification in the context of alternative medicine is an approach that claims to rid the body of "toxins" – accumulated harmful substances that are alleged to exert undesirable effects on individual health in the short or long term. Detoxification usually includes one or more of: dieting, fasting, consuming exclusively or avoiding specific foods (such as fats, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, juices, herbs, or water), colon cleansing,chelation [1][2] therapy, or the removal of dental fillings.

Body cleansing has been described by the British organisation Sense About Science as "a waste of time and [3][4] [5] money"; many researchers agree that there is no clinical evidence that such diets are effective. The [6] "toxins" are usually undefined, with little to no evidence of toxic accumulation in the patient.

Contents

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 1 Background  2 Types o 2.1 Detox diets o 2.2 Colon cleansing o 2.3 Heavy metals o 2.4 "Detoxification" devices  3 Criticism  4 References  5 External links Background[edit]

The premise of body cleansing is based on the Ancient Egyptian and Greek idea of autointoxication, in which foods consumed or in the humoral theory of health that the four humours themselves can putrefy and produce toxins that harm the body. Biochemistry and microbiology appeared to support the theory in the 19th century, but [7][8] by the early twentieth century, detoxification based approaches quickly fell out of favour. Despite abandonment by mainstream medicine, the idea has persisted in the popular imagination and [9][10][11] amongstalternative medicine practitioners. In recent years, notions of body cleansing have undergone something of a resurgence, along with many other alternative medical approaches. Nonetheless, mainstream [9] medicine continues to produce evidence that the field is unscientific and anachronistic.

Types[edit]

Detox diets[edit]

Detox diets are dietary plans that claim to have detoxifying effects. The general idea suggests that most food is contaminated by various ingredients deemed unnecessary for human life, such as flavor enhancers, food colorings, pesticides, and preservatives. Scientists, dietitians, and doctors, while generally judging "detox diets" to be harmless (unless nutritional deficiency results), often dispute the value and need of "detox diets", due to [12] lack of supporting factual evidence or coherent rationale. In cases where a person is actually suffering from a disease, belief in the efficacy of a detox diet can result in delay or failure to seek effective [13] treatment. Detox diets can involve consuming extremely limited foods (only water or juice, a form [14] [15] offasting known as juice fasting), eliminating certain foods from the diet (such as fats), or [16] eliminatingprocessed foods and irritants from the diet. Detox diets are often high in fiber. Proponents claim that this will cause the body to burn accumulated stored fats, releasing fat-stored "toxins" into the blood, which can then be eliminated through the blood, skin, urine, feces and breath. Proponents claim that things such as an altered body odor support the notion that detox diets are working; this claim has been criticized for [2] misinterpreting the body undergoing ketosis. Although a brief fast of a single day is unlikely to cause harm, prolonged fasting (as recommended by certain detox diets) can have dangerous health consequences or can [1][17] even be fatal.

Colon cleansing[edit] Main article: colon cleansing

Colon cleansing is giving an enema (colonic) containing some salt, and sometimes coffee or herbs to remove food that, according to proponents, remains in the colon, producing nonspecific symptoms and general ill-health. However, the colon usually does not require any help cleaning itself. The large amount of water with large surface contact to the bloodstream through the intestines will however remove toxins from the blood/body tissues through diffusion, as well as removing helpful molecules. The practice can be potentially dangerous if [1] incorrectly practised.

Heavy metals[edit]

Detoxification may be employed as a quack treatment to address the false notion that mercury poisoning arises from dental amalgam fillings – Quackwatch states: "Removing good fillings is not merely a waste of money. In some cases, it results in tooth loss because when fillings are drilled out, some of the surrounding tooth [1] structure will be removed with it." There are many herbal compounds designed and marketed to help the body excrete toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury. Among those, a common basic ingredient is often the herb Cilantro (Coriander) [citation needed] and/orChlorella.

"Detoxification" devices[edit] See also: Energy medicine

Certain devices are promoted to allegedly remove toxins from the body. One version is a foot bath using a mild electrical current, while another involves small adhesive pads applied to the skin (usually the foot). In both cases, the production of an alleged brown "toxin" appears after a brief delay. In the case of the foot [18] bath, the "toxin" is actually small amounts of rusted iron leaching from the electrodes. The adhesive pads change color due to oxidation of the pads' ingredients in response to the skin's moisture. In both cases, the same color changes occur irrespective of whether the water or patch even make contact with the skin (they [1] merely require water—thus proving the color change is not a result of any body detoxification process).

Criticism[edit]

Body cleansing and detoxification have been referred to as an elaborate hoax used by con artists to cure [1][19][20] nonexistent illnesses. Some doctors contend that the "toxins" in question do not even exist. Medical experts state that body cleansing is unnecessary as the human body is naturally capable of maintaining itself, [21] with several organs dedicated to cleansing the blood and gut. Professor Alan Boobis OBE, Toxicologist, Division of Medicine, Imperial College London states that

The body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. They have to be, as the natural environment that we evolved in is hostile. It is remarkable that people are prepared to risk seriously [12] disrupting these systems with unproven ‘detox’ diets, which could well do more harm than good.

The apparently satisfied testimonial and anecdotal accounts by customers can often be explained byastroturfing companies or individuals creating false anecdotes, legitimate customers who are experiencing theplacebo effect after using the products, natural recovery from an actual illness that would have occurred without the use of the product, psychological improvements on illnesses that are psychosomatic or the result ofneurosis, or the lack of a larger number of dissatisfied customers not posting equally applicable anecdotes [22] about their poorer experiences.

Reiki Gong 7 Protocol Natural Healing

1. Medicine Buddha Mantra 43 times daily 2. Bio Dynamic Breathwork / Gamma, Warrior, Fire Belly 3. Reiki Gong Meditative Exercise 4 times a week minimum 4. Reiki Energy Healing two one hour sessions per month 5. Prescriptive Phytochemical Smoothies 6. Reflexology with Reiki sessions 7. Digestive Cleansing Detox once every three months

***These protocols are suggested as preventative therapies, alternative disease therapies, and complimentary therapies to traditional allopathic treatements

***Always discuss any treatments for disease with a qualified medical doctor or professional

Contact info: Philip Love QMT RMT Phone: 937-716-0490 Email: [email protected] Website: www.reikigongdynamichealth.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/reikigongdynamichealth Radio show: www.blogtalkradio.com/reikigong DVD Series: www.facebook.com/reikigongdvdseries Community: www.facebook.com/groups/reikigongcommunity