Immunity: How to Gain Strength to Protect Your Body?
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In traditional Chinese medicine, there is the concept of “qi”—vital energy. It is believed that several types of energy circulate in the body, one of which, wei qi, is responsible for protecting against disease and shaping the immune response. Where does one draw this energy from, and how can one learn to use it most effectively? Anna Vladimirova, a physician, expert in Chinese medicine, and founder of the Wu Ming Dao School of Wellness Practices, explains.
Article Contents:
according to ancient Chinese medical texts, health during the changeable autumn season directly depends on the sufficient volume and proper flow of the protective energy wei qi throughout the body. If you want to understand whether you have enough of this energy, recall the image of a person with “milk and blood”: smooth, healthy skin, strong hair, light and graceful movements, a strong immune system, and a quick recovery from illness. Such people usually have a stable and high level of wei qi.
Those who don’t feel this strength should consider how to develop and awaken the body’s internal defenses before the onset of autumn.
Chinese doctors believe that the source of wei qi is nutrition. Moreover, not only the composition of the diet is important, but also the body’s ability to effectively extract the maximum amount of nutrients from food, which, in turn, depends on the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
The better the digestive system functions, the more nutrients it absorbs. This helps a person avoid overeating, naturally choose healthy foods, and get the maximum energy from them. Furthermore, healthy sleep and a balanced daily routine play a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening wei qi. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that energy processes are most active at certain times of the day, when the body needs to rest and renew itself. Regular sleep at set times promotes the harmonious circulation of qi and restores energy.
Physical activity, especially moderate practices like qigong or tai chi, helps stimulate the flow of energy along the meridians and improves overall vitality. Such exercises promote relaxation, reduce stress, and strengthen the immune system at a deep level.
It is also important to pay attention to the emotional state, since the psycho-emotional background directly affects the circulation of qi. Excessive worries, anxiety and stress can disrupt the flow of energy, weakening the body’s defenses. Meditation practices and breathing techniques in traditional Chinese medicine are recommended for
balancing internal energy and improved well-being finally, you need to take into account seasonal changes and adapt your diet and lifestyle accordingly. Autumn is a time to gather and accumulate strength, so your diet should include seasonal vegetables and fruits rich in
vitamins and microelements that support immunity and strengthen wei qi how to improve digestion
How to Improve Digestion
The recovery diet includes the following:
Products that have undergone heat treatment, preferably well-cooked – soups that simmer for a long time, jellied meats, porridges in water. It is better to steam or boil vegetables. The better the product is heated, the easier it is to digest, and the more efficiently the digestive system rests;
- Refusal of dairy products – they slow down the metabolism, and the goal of the diet, on the contrary, is to speed up the processes;
- Complete exclusion of quick snacks, carbonated drinks and unhealthy snacks – there is no arguing here;
- To enrich the body with vitamins, add compotes and decoctions of berries and fruits.
- If there are no contraindications, it is recommended to follow such a diet for at least four weeks to ensure a complete reboot of the digestive system and improve metabolism.
Exercises for Digestive Health
Exercises for Digestive Health
This large muscle works like a pump: it promotes the outflow of venous blood from the abdomen and increases the flow of oxygenated arterial blood.
If the diaphragm is tense and its movement is limited, the function of the pump is impaired, which leads to stagnation. With a decrease in blood supply to the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, their functioning deteriorates, digestion slows down and the production of protective energy decreases.
To restore normal mobility of the diaphragm, there is a simple exercise from the Xinshen (Sing Shen Juang) complex:
Stand up straight, straighten your back, place your feet close to each other. Place your arms along your body, with the top of your head pointing upward.
- Find the 12th thoracic vertebra with your attention: touch the solar plexus, and with your other hand feel the point on the back opposite – this is the vertebra you are looking for.
- Lower your arms and imagine that the lower part of the body below the 12th pectoral seems to be frozen in space, and the upper part slowly rotates slightly around this point. Imagine yourself inside a watch dial: the case turns to the 11:00 and 13:00 marks.
- Move slowly, rotating 10 counts in each direction. Focus your attention on the 12th thoracic area – the attachment point of the diaphragm. With each cycle, relax this area and observe how the solar plexus reacts and your breathing changes. If there is a feeling of intermittent movement, this is a sign that the tension in the diaphragm is beginning to weaken.
- It is recommended to perform the exercise daily for 3-5 minutes throughout the recovery diet.
Additional tips for improving digestive health:
Breathing practices: In addition to core rotations, pay attention to deep diaphragmatic breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your belly with air, and as you exhale, gently draw your belly toward your spine. This method of breathing helps stimulate the diaphragm and increases blood flow to the abdominal organs.
- Regular movement: Light physical activity, such as walking after meals, promotes bowel movements and reduces congestion.
- Proper nutrition: Include foods rich in fiber, probiotics and enzymes in your diet – they support healthy microflora and normalize digestive processes.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Stress and chronic tension have a negative impact on diaphragm function and digestion. Regular relaxation practices, meditation or gentle yoga will help reduce muscle and emotional tension.
- Hydration: Drink enough water throughout the day to maintain normal digestive processes and prevent constipation.
- Integrating these recommendations into your daily life along with the suggested exercise will significantly improve the functioning of your digestive system and improve your overall health.
How to awaken wei qi
How to Awaken Wei Qi
To awaken this energy, it must be “summoned,” as it were. to the boundaries of the body. This is done like this:
Stand barefoot on the floor and start lightly patting your body – go from the periphery to the center. Start with your feet: from your feet, work your way up along the front, back, and sides. Then repeat the same on your arms – from the hands to the center of the chest and abdomen, reaching the back where you can. Patting should be soft, pleasant and even, without unpleasant sensations.
- Perform the practice once a day, preferably immediately after your morning shower, patting your body 1-2 times.
“The main condition for success in classes is regularity,” emphasizes Anna Vladimirova. — Give yourself a month to prepare your immunity for the cold season and strictly follow the plan. Most likely, you will be satisfied with the result, and these practices will become a permanent part of your life!
Immunity: how to gain strength to protect the body?
