Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ayurveda
The Science of Self Healing


I often write about Asian methods of self healing, with a focus on Taoist healing arts. But my first introduction to alternative wellness methods was the study of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is considered by many in the East as the “Mother of all healing arts”. Pronounced “eye-oor-vay-dah” it is known as the science of life, prevention and longevity.

Ayurveda has its roots in India, where 2,000 year-old Ayurvedic writings have been found. This knowledge is also recorded in two of the Vedic texts: the Atharva and the Rig, which are more than 5,000 years old. Ayurveda was studied in other ancient cultures - in China, Egypt, Tibet and West Africa – who adapted them into their own natural healing systems.

I studied Ayurveda from 1995 to 1997 under Dr. Alex Guervaz at the New York Ayurveda Center. Dr. Guervaz was a medical doctor specializing in pathology (cancer) and allopathic medicine. Dr. Guervaz studied under Seami Sada Shiva and became a certified Ayurveda practitioner at the Bayville, New York, Ayurvedic Center.

Ayurveda specializes in holistic natural remedies and prevention, and it focuses on rebuilding the cells and tissues to support longevity. Its tools to provide healing are: herbs, yoga exercises (Ayurveda was established by the same great sages who created India’s original systems of Yoga and meditation), Vedic massages, steam therapy and sauna aromatherapy.

An Ayurvedic practitioner will use a personalized method of conducting a healing program by analyzing the individual’s constitution, also called the “health blueprint” or “body type”. This information is obtained through questionnaires that identify your body’s characteristics, known as the three doshas, or tridosha: “Vata (air) Pitta (fire) or Kapha (water).” Pulse and urine analysis are also used. It was during this time that I was introduced to Uropathy (see my blog article on this subject at www.theartofwarogers.com )

The focus of Ayurvedic healing is the search for the root cause of illness by using methods related to the 5 senses: taste (herbs); smell (aromatherapy); touch (oil massage); sounds (mantras); and sight (color therapy). In addition, it promotes a healthy balance of the 5 natural elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.

Dr Scott Gerson writes in his book Ayurveda: The Ancient Indian Healing Art that, “All matter is composed of the five elements, which are the building blocks of existence, but only living matter has the three doshas, the three forces which govern all processes. The term dosha means ‘that which darkens or causes things to decay,’ reflecting the fact that, when out of balance, the doshas are the causative forces in the disease process”.

If you want to learn more about Ayurveda I recommend the following books: Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing, by Dr. Vasant Lad , Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide, by Dr. David Frawley and Gerson’s book. You can also contact the National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine www.ayurveda@niam.com 845 278-8700 or New York Ayurveda www.newyorkayurveda@gmail.com 212 616-4127.

As a certified Ayurvedic practitioner I often use my Ayurveda training when giving Ki Energy treatments.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Tao of Health and Longevity

I often write about concepts that have a foundation in the Taoist philosophy. But as the Taoist Old Master, Lao Tzu, once said: “The way (Tao) that can be spoken is not the real way. The name that could be named is not the real name.” Taoist philosophy is considered the way to connect with the mind of the Universe by finding balance and harmony in our life.

A major foundation of Chinese culture, Taoism is regarded as the esoteric part of Chinese tradition, and Confucianism the exoteric part. The exoteric is open and available to everyone, and the esoteric is hidden and only for those who have the requisite spiritual aptitude. Thus states Derek Bryce in his Introduction to Lao-Tzu’s famous historic classic Tao Te Ching translated by Derek Bryce and Leon Wieger. According to Daniel Reid in his book The Tao of Health Sex and Longevity, no other book’s been translated as widely as the Tao Te Ching.

Taoism is a way of life, not a religion. It’s based on the positive and negative poles (Yin and Yang in Taoist terms) of a vast electromagnetic field that’s the core foundation of our universe. The interface of Yin and Yang creates vibrations and all things in existence has its own frequency or vibration. The concept of balancing the Yin and Yang energy in our body to maximize our health and longevity is well over 5000 years old. The Western world is slowly becoming aware of Taoist related health maintenance options such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Chi Kung, Acupressure, Acupuncture and Ki Energy treatments.

Daniel Reid writes about court physician Hu Szu-hui, who presented a medical treatise on the arts of nurturing life to the Chinese emperor in 1330. Hu Szu-hui observed: “Men of high antiquity know Tao and patterned their lives on the harmony of Yin and Yang, living in complete accordance with the rhythms of nature. They observed moderation in food and drink, regularity in their daily lives, and they did not recklessly over-strain themselves. Consequently they lived long lives. People today are different. Their daily lives are irregular, they eat and drink indiscriminately, without knowing what to avoid, and they don’t observe moderation. They give themselves over to dissipation, and are perpetually dissatisfied with what they have. Consequently, most men today are ruined before the age of 50.” This was in 1330 - but it can easily be said today.

I’ll conduct a workshop in the spring at the City College Adult and Continuing Education Program that will focus on the Tao of Health and Longevity. The dates will be announced. I’ll also conduct free Ki Energy Treatments every Wednesday at the Harlem State Office building starting Wednesday, November 4th. to Wednesday, December 30th. I invite you to join me in developing ways to improve your health and longevity. I’ll provide more information on both projects in upcoming articles. You can also send me an email at u.ology@yahoo.com or call my office at 646-329-6727 if you’re interested.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Chunsoo the Way of Ki

I was introduced to Ki treatments and training in 2000 by Laura Abadsantos, who was my financial advisor at the time. I was recuperating from an eight year battle that my late wife, Carmen, lost with cancer in 1989 - and I was in need of financial advice and planning. In the fourth year of my wife’s battle her doctors pretty much gave up on her. That is when we turned to Holistic health options.

I learned a great deal about alternative methods that could address health issues, which gave Carmen almost three and a half more years than the doctors had predicted. Carmen’s last words to me were that she was at peace because she now understood that she had to go through what she did to prepare me for what I had to do.

I told this story to Laura (who was also a Ki master) and she introduced me to an ancient Korean form of stress management called Chunsoo. Ki masters use sound vibration and touch to open energy blockages in the body. The electromagnetic nature of human energy allows it to flow through interlocking energy channels. A Chunsoo treatment, which is a form of acupressure, improves the balance and flow of the body’s vital energy. This process reduces stress, thus giving the body the opportunity to self-heal. Ki treatments and training helped me to improve the quality of my life and I also saw how it could be helpful to others. I now know that this was what I was being prepared for.

In 2001 I found myself in the mountains of South Korea learning an ancient healing martial arts form from senior Ki masters that had been secretly passed down from generation to generation. After my training – which culminated with me taking the vow to never use my Ki abilities for personal monetary profit - I returned to America as the first African-American trained as a Ki master. All things in life happen for a reason. I married Laura in 2002 and we now have a beautiful daughter, Kia, who is named after the way of Ki. I know that this, too, is all part of the great design.

I invite you to experience a Chunsoo Ki treatment this weekend, October 10th and 11th, at the WBLS Circle of Sisters expo (www.circleofsisters.com) at the Jacob Javits Center. We will also have a Chunsoo exhibit next week (October 16th-17th ) at the New Life Natural Health and Fitness Expo (www.newlifeexpo.com) which is being presented at the Hotel New Yorker, located at 34th Street and 8th Avenue. Chunsoo Ki treatments are also given on Wednesdays at Toni’s Touch Day Spa in Harlem, by appointment only. Call 212 234-1171 (www.tonistouchdayspa.com). For more information on Ki treatments send an email to u.ology@yahoo.com or call 917 806-1801.