Chinese traditional food therapy (Chinese food therapy): Form of food therapy of ancient Chinese origin. According to its theory, food can fortify the vital force and one can nourish any unsound internal organ just by eating the corresponding organ of an animal. (See Chinese dietotherapy and Chinese System of Food Cures.)

(See also: Chinese traditional food therapy , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

AMMA/ANMA

Amma (sometimes spelled anma) is the traditional word for massage in the Japanese language. It comes from the Chinese tradition of massage, anmo. This form of bodywork is based on the principles of Chinese medicine and is more than 5,000 years old. When anmo was brought to Japan, the technique was further refined into its own therapeutic art form, amma.

The amma techniques encompass a myriad of pressing, stroking, stretching, and percussive manipulations with the thumbs, fingers, arms, elbows, knees, and feet on acupressure points along the body’s 14 major meridians. Amma brings to Western culture the ancient art and wisdom of traditional Japanese massage.

Through the structure of kata (choreographed movement), amma teaches the importance of rhythm, pacing, precision, and form in massage. Shiatsu - a style of bodywork popularized after World War II - was developed from the amma tradition. Unlike Western massage, amma utilizes no oils and can be done through clothing with the client either sitting or lying. This makes amma an extremely flexible style of massage suitable to a wide variety of client needs and environments.

(See also: AMMA , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM): Ancient holistic system whose basics include herbology, nutrition, and the concepts of acupuncture meridians, the Five Elements (Five Phases), and yin and yang.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory posits both Organs (the Triple Burner, for example) and Substances (such as Shen, or Spirit) for which scientific evidence is absent. Variations and hybrids of Chinese medicine include Korean medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Chinese medicine probably originated about 2,000 years ago, but it became dogmatic and stagnated for centuries; overall its development has been slow. It probably stems from shamanism. The basis of Chinese medicine is Taoism, a religion according to which spirits (shen) inhabit the human body and take care of its functions. The foundational text of Chinese medicine - known as the Classic of Internal Medicine, the Huangdi Neijing, the Inner Classic, the Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor, the Neiching, the Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor's Classic, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, and the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon - was completed by the first century C.E.

(See also: Chinese medicine , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Chinese auricular therapy (Chinese auricular acupuncture, traditional Chinese auricular acu-points therapy, traditional Chinese auricular acupuncture, traditional Chinese auricular therapy): Group of TCM techniques whose channel theory differs from that of body acupuncture. Its apparent principle is that several areas and more than a hundred acupoints on the auricle (the outer portion of the ear) interactively relate to other areas or to diseases. The fetuslike contour of the auricle inspired the distribution of points thereon. Chinese auricular therapy, which differs from auriculotherapy, includes: auricular analgesia, auricular diagnosis, auricular magnetic therapy, auricular massage, auricular moxibustion, auricular point injection, the auricular point laser-stimulating method, bleeding manipulation, and the seed-pressure method.

(See also: Chinese auricular therapy , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory posits both Organs (the Triple Burner, for example) and Substances (such as Shen, or Spirit) for which scientific evidence is absent. Variations and hybrids of Chinese medicine include Korean medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Chinese medicine probably originated about 2,000 years ago, but it became dogmatic and stagnated for centuries; overall its development has been slow. It probably stems from shamanism. The basis of Chinese medicine is Taoism, a religion according to which spirits (shen) inhabit the human body and take care of its functions. The foundational text of Chinese medicine - known as the Classic of Internal Medicine, the Huangdi Neijing, the Inner Classic, the Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor, the Neiching, the Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor's Classic, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, and the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon - was completed by the first century C.E.

(See also: Traditional Chinese Medicine , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An ancient healing system that views the body as an integrated whole, so problems in one area are seen to affect other areas. It bases diagnosis on an individual’s pattern of symptoms and signs such as pulse, and skin and tongue condition. Therapies like acupuncture and herbal remedies are used to rebalance the forces within the body.

(See also: Traditional Chinese Medicine , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Meridians , Ching Lo, Jing Luo, Jingluo, Luo, Jing ,  :

Classical loci in acupuncture. They are main and collateral channels, regarded as a network of passages, through which vital energy circulates and along which acupoints (ACUPUNCTURE POINTS) are distributed. The meridians are a series of 14 lines upon which more than 400 acupoints are located on the body. (The Pinyin Chinese-English Dictionary, p. 359; Dr. Wu Lancheng, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing)

(See also: Meridians , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Dragon

Dreaming of a dragon depends greatly on the individual’s attitude towards such creatures. In British mythology, dragons were viewed as fearsome and dangerous beasts, while in Chinese tradition dragons were considered harbingers of good luck. Therefore, it is important that the dreamer recall the circumstances of the dream. If the dream was dark and ominous, the dragon probably symbolizes the “beast in you,” which could mean that your own weaknesses could well get the best of you. But if the dream was happy and optimistic, something wonderful is going to happen.

Source: Astrocenter, http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/DreamDictionary.aspx

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Dragon , Meaning of Dreams about Dragon , Dream Interpretation Dragon )

Chi

(Chinese, "ether," "matter-energy," "vital energy," "material force")

An important and multifaceted term in Chinese religion, philosophy, and science, the root meaning of which is "moist vapor" or "breath. "

• Early Chinese teachers spoke of chi as a vital spirit or energy that animated living beings. As such, it had to be properly nourished.
• For Confucians, that required moral cultivation so that one's chi, undistracted by external things, would conform to the dictates of will.
• For Taoists, it required mastery of the self through meditation, breath control, diet, yoga, and other techniques so as to harmonize one's chi with the material force of the universe ordered by the Tao (undifferentiated unity).

Traditional Chinese medicine attributed illnesses primarily to imbalances in the chi that pulsed through the body. Acupuncture, moxibustion (placing burning cones made of the dried leaves of the Artemisia moxa plant on the patient's skin), and other techniques helped to restore its balanced circulation.

Chi was also an important concept in the correlative philosophy that blossomed in the early Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 8) systematizing the correspondences between like things that explained their mutual interactions.

In the Neo-Confucian metaphysics of the Northern and Southern Sung dynasties (960-1279), all phenomena were said to be manifest through the intrinsic relation of principle (li) and material force (chi). Li constituted the essential, unchanging, perfect nature of all things, while chi represented their corporeal, transitory, and potentially flawed aspect. Individuals were instructed to perfect their humanity, to purify and harmonize their chi with their true Heavenendowed nature through the external investigation of things and mental introspection. Also Ki.

(See also: Chi , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE: The basis of much ancient healing wisdom which also shows a similarity to other traditional in both thought and delivery of treatment. The belief stems from the concept of Ying and Yang – Yin being about the feminine traits, quiet calm and introspection whilst Yang represents loudness, light and masculine traits. These must be balanced to achieve health and well being.######Treatments include exercise and Manipulation (TUINA), Herbal medicines, Healing (QI GONG)and Acupressure amongst others.

(See also: TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Kampo medicine , Kampo, Kanpo, Kanpo medicine ,  :

System of herbal medicine practiced in Japan by both herbalists and practitioners of modern medicine. Kampo originated in China and is based on Chinese herbal medicine (MEDICINE, CHINESE TRADITIONAL).

(See also: Kampo medicine , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

See also these related archives:

Cam, Candle Gazing, Candle magick, Candles, Cathiodermie, Cayce Approach to Health and Healing, Cayce diet, Cayce Reilly massage, Cayce-reilly Massage, Celestial Soul Clearing, Celestial Training, Cell salt therapy - tissue salt therapy, Cellular Theta Breath, Celtic magic, Chair Massage, Chakra & cellular memory healing, Chakra Armor Release of Emotions, Chakra balancing and energizing, Chakra breathing, Chakra Energy Massage, Chakra healing, Chakra healing & light energy implantations, Chakra Innertuning Therapy, Chakra System, Chakra yoga, Chakral pranic healing, Chakras, Champissage, Chan Mi gong, Channelling - Mediumship, Characteristics Of Body Types, Chelation Therapy, Chelation therapy, Chen style, Cherokee healing, Chi Gong, Chi Healing, Chi Kung, Chi Kung / Chi Kong / Qigong, Chi Kung Empowerment, Chi Kung Meditations, Chi Lel, Chi Nei Tsang, Chi Nei Tsang II, Chi Self-Massage, Chi Weight Lifting, Chi yoga, Chi-gong, Chinese aromatic Qigong, Chinese auricular therapy, Chinese Chikwando, Chinese Diet for Weight Loss, Chinese dietotherapy, Chinese Energetic Healing, Chinese Energetic Technique, Chinese hand analysis, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese Herbalism, Chinese herbalism, Chinese Massage, Chinese Medicine, Chinese medicine, Chinese physiognomy, Chinese Qigong massage, Chinese System of Food Cures, Chinese traditional food therapy, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Chinese Wushu, Ching Lo, Chirognomy, Chiropractic Manipulation, Chiropractic Network, Chiropractic Practice, Chi-Therapy, Chitshakti:, Chocolate Therapy, CHOI KWANG DO, Choice Of Partner, Choice Of Pet, Christian counseling, Christian hypnotherapy, Christian Positive Thinking, Christian psychology, Christian Science, Christian Yoga, Christopher Method, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,

Energy Medicine:

Energetic medicine as defined within the mind/body/spirit model, involves therapies that affect energy fields that defy measurement. These therapies are based on the oncept that human beings are infused with a subtle form of energy. This vital energy or life force is known under different names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ki in the Japanese Kampo system, doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, and elsewhere as prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, and homeopathic resonance. Vital energy is believed to flow throughout the material human body, but it has not been unequivocally measured by means of conventional instrumentation. Nonetheless, therapists claim that they can work with this subtle energy, see it with their own eyes, and use it to effect changes in the physical body and influence health.

Practitioners of energy medicine believe that illness results from disturbances of these subtle energies (the biofield). For example, more than 2,000 years ago, Asian practitioners postulated that the flow and balance of life energies are necessary for maintaining health and described tools to restore them. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, and cupping, for example, are all believed to act by correcting imbalances in the internal biofield, such as by restoring the flow of qi through meridians to reinstate health. Some therapists are believed to emit or transmit the vital energy (external qi) to a recipient to restore health.

Examples of practices involving putative energy fields include:

• Reiki and Johrei, both of Japanese origin

• Qi gong, a Chinese practice

Healing touch, in which the therapist is purported to identify imbalances and correct a client’s energy by passing his or her hands over the patient

Prayer specifically for health purposes – such as intercessory prayer, in which a person intercedes through prayer on behalf of another.

(See also: Energy Medicine , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese Massage: Also called Tuina, it has the same importance, in Chinese traditional medicine that acupuncture, the moxibustion, the pharmacopeia or dietetics. Work in Chinese massage is carried out along the meridian lines which traverse the body. The expert stimulates the blocked points and reactivates energy along the meridian lines. This process makes it possible to awake the natural curative capacities of the body.

(See also: Chinese Massage , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese Herbalism: One element of Traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as an integrated whole of body, mind and spirit. Medicinal herbs derived from plants and animals are used to rebalance the life energy within the body.

(See also: Chinese Herbalism , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese Qigong massage (An Mo, Chinese massage, Qigong massage): Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that emphasizes the proper level, quality of circulation, and preventive uses of Qi. The categories of Chinese Qigong massage are amma, Tuina, dian xue, and Qigong therapy.

(See also: Chinese Qigong massage , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

ACUPUNCTURE: Fine needles are inserted at specific points to stimulate, disperse and regulate the flow of chi, or vital energy, and restore a healthy energy balance.

The acupuncture, which puts back on an old philosophy of several thousands of years, is based on balance between the yin and the yang like on the doctrines of the five elements: wood fire, hearth, metal and water. In Occident, it is the most known component of Chinese traditional medicine. It consists in introducing fine needles on points located along the meridian lines (each one of these points corresponding to a part of the body) in order to stimulate and to rebalance the energy which circulates there.

(See also: Acupuncture , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Energy: Qigong

The word Qigong (pronounced CHEE-gung) is a combination of two ideas: "Qi" means air, breath of life, or vital energy of the body, and "gong" means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement.

The art of Qigong consists primarily of meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises. Practitioners of Qigong develop an awareness of Qi sensations (energy) in their bodies and use their minds to guide the Qi. When the practitioners achieve a sufficient skill level (master), they can direct or emit external Qi for the purpose of healing others. 

Qigong has evolved from many sources throughout the East. Although China is seen today as being the origin of both ancient and modern Qigong, all of the Asian countries have histories filled with examples of these traditional forms and styles of Qigong. From India, monks traveling to China thousands of years ago introduced many methods into the Chinese culture.

From Buddhist traditions, Qigong methods promoted a sense of acceptance and ways of harmonizing life as a reflection of the greater unfolding of one's purpose in the world. Taoist (DOW-ist) Buddhist monks often prefer forms of Qigong that help achieve balance and promote longevity as a way of prolonging life and achieving optimum health. From the martial arts world, Qigong is used to develop both internal and external strength for fighting and self-development.

The emerging field of Chinese medical Qigong is rapidly spreading throughout the world and utilizes the energy stored in and transmitted through the healer to aid in the treatment of many acute and chronic diseases. This form is referred to as Qi-emission.

(See also: Qigong , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese Wushu (gongfu, kung-fu, martial arts, Martial Qigong, Wu Gong, Wushu): Variety of fighting methods that encompasses neigong (inner exercises) and tai chi. Its philosophy emphasizes traditions, experience, and rational understanding.

(See also: Chinese Wushu , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

FENG SHUI

Feng shui (translated as “wind and water”) is the Chinese system of balancing the energy patterns of the physical environment. A composite of mystical beliefs, astrology, folklore, and common sense, the Chinese believe feng shui blends ancient wisdom with cultural tradition.

The laws of feng shui provide for positioning homes/businesses and designing room and office layouts in ways that promise to enhance the quality of their owners’ lives and businesses by channeling energy in positive ways. These principles strive for creating balanced, peaceful dwellings by bringing together the external and internal and living in harmony with natural and man-made environments.

Good feng shui promises occupants health, happiness, prosperity, and long life - a conscious connection between the outside environment and the world within. These same principles can also be applied to the human body (called min xiang shue) to promote inner character and restore harmony to areas of imbalance. Through meditation and daily exercises, min xiang shue can allow a deeper self-awareness and regeneration.

(See also: FENG SHUI , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)