Meditative Movement, Energetic, and Physical Analyses of Three Qigong Exercises: Unification of Eastern and Western Mechanistic Exercise Theory
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1 Study Rationale
1.2. Clinical Research Evidence
1.3. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
1.4. Meditative Movement (MM)
1.5. Energy Theory
1.6. Physical: Western Medicine and Modern Exercise Science Theory
1.7. Purpose
2. Methods
2.1. Design
2.2. Research Team
2.3. Exercise Selection Process
2.4. Data Extraction and Results
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Results
4. Analyses
4.1. Meditative Aspect
4.2. Energetic Aspect
4.3. Physical Aspect
4.4. Meditative Aspect
4.5. Energetic Aspect
4.6. Physical Aspect
4.7. Meditative Aspect
4.8. Energetic Aspect
4.9. Physical Aspect
5. Discussion
5.1. Meditative Aspects
5.2. Energetic Mechanisms
5.3. Physical Mechanisms
5.4. An Example of Application Challenge
5.5. Future Research
5.6. Limitations
6. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Concept | ‘Plucking the Stars’ | ‘Lotus Leaves Rustle in the Wind’ | ‘Pacing Forwards and Backwards’ |
---|---|---|---|
Meditative Aspect | |||
Relaxation response | Intent on exhale | Intent on exhale | Intent on exhale |
Interoception and exteroception | Heightened awareness of internal and external sensations | Heightened awareness of internal and external sensations | Heightened awareness of internal and external sensations |
Energetic Aspect Analysis | |||
Cultivating energy flow by stimulation of acupuncture points through muscle contracting, stretching and fascial compressing of soft tissue and organs. (In addition to general stimulation of all meridians) | Upper extremity and cervical and upper thoracic spine, internal organ meridians. | Internal visceral points: Urinary bladder UB57—mid calf, and additional points along the abdominal core, and gluteal areas. | Lower extremity including Urinary bladder UB57—mid calf when flexing the ankle; and additional points along in the lateral thigh and kidney and liver points within the foot |
Mental Intent | Intent leads Qi: Eyes follow hand throughout the movement (Yi dao, Qi dao). through the Conception and Governing vessels and the biofield. | Clearing the kidneys and mobility of pelvic system. Opening of the Ming Men gate. | Intent to lead movement progression with the Dan Tien (located at center of body mass) rather than the foot or leg. |
Self-massage | Biofield stroking | Hand placement over kidney area. | -- |
Physical Analysis | |||
Flexibility | Maintenance of gleno-humeral rhythm and shoulder range; Cervical rotation | Lower thoracic, costovertebral joints; sacroiliac joints. | Great toe extension; ankle; plantar fascia, heel cords. |
Strength | Scapular stablizers; Shoulder movers. | Lateral costals; Spinal stablizers and core muscles. | Lower limb muscles involved in ankle righting, quadriceps, hip movers and stablizers, trunk core, |
Articular stimulation | Shoulder capsule; cervical rotation. | Pelvic Sacroiliac joint; L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1; acetabulum rotates around the head of the femur | Foot joint mobility; gentle loading and unloading of all weight bearing joints. |
Neuro-integration | Complex synergistic movement pattern. | Isolated body segment (pelvic rotation) movement pattern. | Complex, whole task synergistic movement pattern. |
Cognitive effect | New learning; meditative mind/body practice; adjustment of the mind. | New learning; meditative mind/body practice; adjustment of the mind. | New learning; meditative mind/body practice; adjustment of the mind. |
Respiratory effect | Improved PO2; decreased CO2. | Improved PO2; decreased CO2. | Improved PO2; decreased CO2. |
Fascial stretch | Full body fascial stretch | Mild reciprocating stimulation of fascia supporting viscera. | Lower leg fascial stretch; plantar fascia stretch. |
Visceral massage | Fascial stretch | Pelvic rotation | Pelvic rotation |
Balance challenge | Rising on toes—foot/lower leg strength and anterior/posterior balance challenge; vestibular challenge in turning of the head; visual cueing. | Controlled anterior/posterior and lateral weight-shift. | Extended time in single limb stance; ankle righting challenge; foot placement challenge; foot as a mobile adaptor and stablizer. |
CranioSacral pump | Rhythmic softening of the knees coordinated with pelvic tilting and breathing. | Rhythmic softening of the knees coordinated with pelvic tilting and breathing. | Rhythmic softening of the knees coordinated with pelvic tilting and breathing. |
Lymphatic, venous return, glandular stimulation | Salivary gland stimulation; upper chest and axillary lymphatics; upper arm venous return. | Abdominal and Pelvic lymphatics | Abdominal core engagement for pelvic lymphatic return; calf muscle pump for lower leg venous return. |
Physiologic response re: Relaxation effect (mind/body connection) | Vagal response; Changes in EEG; mental calm; sense of well-being. | Vagal response; Changes in EEG; mental calm; sense of well being. | Vagal response; Changes in EEG; mental calm; sense of well-being. |
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Klein, P.; Picard, G.; Baumgarden, J.; Schneider, R. Meditative Movement, Energetic, and Physical Analyses of Three Qigong Exercises: Unification of Eastern and Western Mechanistic Exercise Theory. Medicines 2017, 4, 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040069
Klein P, Picard G, Baumgarden J, Schneider R. Meditative Movement, Energetic, and Physical Analyses of Three Qigong Exercises: Unification of Eastern and Western Mechanistic Exercise Theory. Medicines. 2017; 4(4):69. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040069
Chicago/Turabian StyleKlein, Penelope, George Picard, Joseph Baumgarden, and Roger Schneider. 2017. "Meditative Movement, Energetic, and Physical Analyses of Three Qigong Exercises: Unification of Eastern and Western Mechanistic Exercise Theory" Medicines 4, no. 4: 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040069