Issue: 2

January 20, 2010

Dear Subscriber,

Strengthening Your Core throughout Your Day  

When you think of strengthening your core, you might imagine abdomen-busting workouts involving endless crunches, push-ups, and leg-lifts. While these things do indeed work, there is a lot you can do to keep your core in better shape, without ever hitting the gym.

To begin getting the most out of your core strength, it's helpful to view it in terms of energy. In Dahn Yoga, practitioners focus on what is called the dahn-jon, an energy center in the body similar to a chakra. There are actually three dahn-jons, but when we speak of "core strength," it refers to the lower dahn-jon, which supplies physical energy to the body. It is located two inches below the belly button, and two inches inside the body.

Ideally, your dahn-jon should feel warm and strong throughout the day. The common phrase "fire in the belly" reflects the state of vitality that a powerful dahn-jon brings. Unfortunately, many people do not have a strong dahn-jon due to stress and lack of exercise. The best solution is to do rigorous training for the dahn-jon to keep it strong. However, if you are short on time there a few simple things you can do to help maintain core strength.

The most important thing is to try to move your body more, especially your lower body. Even if you are busy, there are ways to sneak in more exercise throughout the day. For example, try to park at the far end of the parking lot when you go to work or to the shopping center. Also, when you are on the phone, stand up and walk around if possible. These extra steps will help strengthen your legs, which in turn translates into a stronger dahn-jon.

Additionally, pay attention to your posture during the day. Your dahn-jon is the center of your physical body, and thus you should use it as your foundation point during the day. Sit up straight in your chair at work with your abdomen strong, supporting your spine and upper body. Slouching prevents energy from accumulating and allows the abdominal muscles to become weak.

Finally, think about what you drink during the day. Cold drinks can make the abdomen cold, robbing energy from the dahn-jon. Whenever you can, drink warm beverages like hot tea and coffee instead of things like soda, ice water, and iced tea. If you would rather not drink hot drinks, at least try to forgo ice in the beverages you choose.

These tips will not give you the same benefit as rigorous training, but they will help stave off some of the core-weakening effects of the typical modern lifestyle. Give them a try and see if you don't feel more energized and youthful.

Where The Mind Goes, Energy Follows

Health Matters

Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care dating back more than 2,500 years that encompasses acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, Oriental massage and nutrition therapy. These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This energy, commonly known as ki, qi or chi (pronounced chee), flows along key channels throughout the body known as meridians.
 
Each meridian is associated with a particular physiological system or internal organ. Along these pathways are 365 specific acupuncture points, each of which has a particular effect upon the energy passing through it. Each acupuncture point in the body has a specific name that represents the physiological system associated with it, the energy flowing through it, what the point can treat, etc.
 
Located at the very center of your body, is the ki-hae acupuncture point-ki meaning energy, hae meaning ocean. Pronounced "chee-high", it is the place where your core strength is accumulated and gathered. When the ki is full and freely moving, health is your natural state. When this ki is depleted or block, dis-ease can result. This area, referred to as dahn-jon in Korean healing systems, or dantien in other Asian practices, is a common point of energy accumulation in all oriental healing systems and martial arts practices. It is your center of gravity.
 
Whenever you lack energy in this area, the ki-hae point can be stimulated through acupuncture or moxibustion therapy, or even through various martial arts forms, pilates or other core strengthening exercises. If this is too much effort, just focus your mind on your abdomen and begin tapping it with your hands. You will soon find that where your mind goes, energy follows. Eventually, you can train your mind to direct energy to wherever you want it to go.

Five Foods to Aid Digestion
Mago's Message

Yogurt contains beneficial acidophilus bacteria (as well as protein and calcium). It delivers healthy bacteria to your intestines, which assists with the process of digestion and keeps unhealthy bacteria in check. This friendly bacteria digests much of your food for you. If you don't like yogurt, consider taking a pro-biotic supplement.

Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral so it has the potential to soothe irritations of the digestive tract, such as ulcers, colitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You can find pure, unsweetened aloe juice in health food stores. If that is unpalatable to you, try one of the sweetened beverages available in Asian food markets and mix it half and half with the unsweetened variety.