The following is a wonderful simple to perform set of body movements that helps to facilitate a bowel movement when things don’t move too well on their own. This set is normally used while performing a yogic kriya (cleanse) technique called Shanka Prakshalana, to move the water out through the intestines, but it works really well for moving the feces through the “plumbing” and out of your system just as well. It also could help with bloating, when the gas doesn’t come out, but be gentle using it in this condition so not to cause any additional pain.

The set of movements

Perform the following sequence of movements. Each movement should be repeated quickly alternating at least four times on each side (therefore four double movements).

1. The first movement. Stand with soles 30 cm apart, fingers inter?locked with palms upward, and back straight. Without twisting the trunk, lean to the left and then to the right without any break. These movements open the stomach, and after each bend some of the digested food leaves the stomach toward the intestines.

2. The second movement. Stand with soles 30 cm. apart. Stretch the right arm laterally (i.e. horizontally), and bend the left arm, so that the thumb and index touch the right collar bone; the left elbow is at the height of the shoulder. Then twist the trunk toward the right, pointing the out stretched arm backward, as far as possible. The gaze must follow the tips of the fingers. Do not stop at the end of the movement, but swiftly re?turn to the start?ing position, and then perform the movement on the opposite side. This move?ment pushes the unwanted matter forward in the intestine.

3. The third move?ment. Perform a variation of the Cobra pose (Bhujangasa?na), in which only the toes and the fingers touch the ground. The soles must be 30 cm apart. Then twist the shoulders and the head until it becomes possible to gaze at the opposite heel (over the shoulder). Do not stop, but swiftly return and continue on the opposite side. This movement pushes the feces further through the small intestine, so that now it reaches the large one.

4. The fourth movement. The feces will be con?ducted through the large intestine until the end, due to this last move?ment. Crouch with your soles 30 cm apart. Place the hands on the knees, which are about 50 cm apart. Next, twist the trunk toward the right, so as to place the left knee on the ground besides the right foot. The hands push the right thigh toward the left, and the left thigh towards the right. Also spin the head in the same direction, so that you gaze backward. Then, without stopping, return, and continue on the opposite side, symmetrically. Of all four, this is the only movement in which the side on which one begins is important. Therefore one should always begin by placing the left knee on the ground. Also, of all four this is the only one which has a variation for those with stiff knees.

Variation. If you find you can’t perform the fourth movement as described, here is an easier variation of it. Sit on the floor with legs stretched out forward together. Bend the right leg and place its sole on the ground, beside the left knee. Twist the trunk toward the right, grasping the right toes with the left hand, and gaze backwards (see picture). Return swiftly, and continue symmetrically.

You may want to repeat this set several times if you see things are on the move but you have not yet been fully evacuated.

(I adapted this material from the course taught at the school of Agama Yoga.)

The Importance of Squatting While Evacuating

While western-style toilets are comfortable to sit on they aren’t the most conducive for evacuating due to the unnatural angle they put your body in. While squatting your “plumbing” gets aligned and opened properly for easy elimination. When sitting on the western toilet your colon gets partially pinched and therefore if you have a tendency for constipation things don’t go too well in this setup.

Finding a squat-toilet would be very difficult in the west, and most westerners dislike those anyway, but have no fear as there is a workaround for that issue – all you need to do is to build or acquire a little squat-stool so that when you sit on the toilet you put your feet up, which emulates almost a perfect squatting position, while you still rest on the toilet sit with your knees up (see the illustration). Squatty Potty is one of the more popular ones (I own one and it just works), but there are other similar products out there and have been on the market for quite a few years now. This would be the best $30+ ever invested for your wellbeing, especially so if constipation is your thing.

See also how to treat constipation with Su Jok.

If you liked this self-healing technique, Self Healing Series has more self-empowering materials.

The Benefits of Stretching

After the physical exercises our muscles are tightened and hardened and this cause discomfort,?tiredness, and after some time even pain and cramps.

To add injury to the insult the affected muscles can negatively affect other body parts. Not once a seemingly unrelated pain in a joint or a bone could be caused by a tight muscle connected to it.

Recently I have developed pain in the area of my feet. I thought that more exercise would do good, but the outcome was the opposite – after the additional exercise my feet were hurting even more.

I was lost not being able to figure out the cause of the pain. Luckily someone recommended that ?I start doing stretching ?after each exercise session, and surprisingly after several days of stretching the pain first diminished and then disappeared.

From that day?on I have been always stretching after every physical exercise and I haven’t experienced the pain any longer.

Therefore if you have pain in your joints and/or bones make sure the adjoining muscles are well stretched. You can find hundreds of different stretching approaches on the Internet.

The Calf Muscles Stretching Technique

In this article I will show the one that did the trick for me. In my case the calf muscles on both legs were the cause, therefore I did the following stretching:?

1. Prop your foot on top of an elevated surface like a chair.
2. Lean over and try to reach for your toes.
3. Slightly bend the other leg in your knee.
4. Play with the fingers?to toes distance and try to feel the stretch – it should feel good with a slight pain for some (only a little discomfort)
5. Optionally you can pull on the toes with your hand for an extra strong stretch.
6. Continue for about 30 seconds or longer if it feels comfortable – listen to your body and it’ll tell you how long is enough.

When completed, switch the legs and repeat the same stretching exercise for the other leg.

Now the muscles of both calves should feel more relaxed, more supply and elongated. And if you did previously have pain in the surrounding area you should observe the pain gradually disappearing after a few such sessions.

To conclude remember to stretch after each exercise session.

Some suggest that stretching before the exercise is just as important as after the exercise as it allows the body the time to warm up gently and will prevent a potential injury. So if you have time – do it twice – before and after your workout.

p.s. Pulling on the big toe is an excellent relief technique for calf muscle cramps if you ever get one.

Happy workouts.

The following instructions are on how to quickly eliminate this eyelid infection using one or two Su Jok treatments.

Case Study

I will use a real case with my patient who?got rid of a?Stye in the left eye in 2 days.

This is the photograph of his left eye with the stye on the upper eyelid before the treatment. As you can see the eyelid is swollen and the patient also experienced pain and couldn’t look up, as the swollen eyelid was getting in the way – so it was causing a lot of discomfort.

This is the photograph of the same eye 2 days later, where you can see that the inflammation is almost gone and the pain and discomfort are no longer experienced.

Diagnosis and Su Jok Treatment

Diagnosis:

Stye is the inflammation process of the eyelid. Su Jok Therapy in this case observes an excess of heat and humidity energies.

Treatment:

Part 1. According to TCM?liver has a close?relationship with the eyes. This is an acute inflammation process and therefore first I decided to treat the gall-bladder meridian (AM energy), which is the yang meridian of liver. I based my treatment on?the 6-ki energy theory as can be seen in the following diagram:

In this diagram the dominating axis is Wind-Humidity. The?Hotness, Heat and Humidity Energies are in excess, and Wind, Coldness and Dryness energies are deficient. The goal of this treatment therefore is to reduce the inflammation by reducing?Hotness?(inflammation) and Humidity (oedema) Energies. At the same time we need to increase the energy of the Wind and Coldness. Here is how this is done with Su Jok needles on the left hand of the patient (I work on the left hand since the stye is on the left eyelid).

Here is the same photo with a zoom on the middle finger:

Part 2. In parallel I also used a symptomatic treatment of the eye by stimulating the corresponding point of the left thumb with needles as you can see in the following photograph:

I repeated these 2 procedures on both days. The results were very positive – the pain has completely disappeared and the inflammation was mostly gone. See the photographs of the eye before and after the treatment.

Calendula Flower Infusion Eye Wash

To support and speed up the healing process I also recommended using a Calendula (Marigold) flowers infusion.

Add a spoonfull of the dry calendula herb to a glass of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Once it cools down to room temperature it can be applied to the eye with the help of cotton ball dipped into the glass with the infusion. Gently soak the eye with it for a short period of time (30 secs or so) by tilting??the head back and putting the infusion-soaked cotton ball over the eye. Repeat several times a day.

Where To Find Acupressure Points That Will Help You To Get Rid Of The Toothache?

The most effective way to control toothache is to apply pressure on points that are located around your thumb nail. You will have to find which acupressure point is corresponding to your aching tooth. If the aching tooth is located in the lower jaw, then its corresponding acupressure point will be located near the end of the nail (i.e. edge of the finger). If on the other hand, the ache located on the upper jaw, then the corresponding acupressure point will be located near the root of the nail, i.e. where it starts to grow.

(See illustration for clarity)

You can use the thumb either on the left or the right hand.

How To Apply Pressure On The Acupressure Points?

With the aid of a massage stick or a similar object such as a toothpick, or the end of a ball-point pen (without ink), find the most painful spot that is also corresponding to the aching tooth, and massage that spot thoroughly, for several minutes. Usually, the pain will be diminished or even disappear entirely. If it didn’t help check again that you used the right acupressure point. After that, thoroughly warm-up that spot with the help of a Moxa (mini-Moxa would work best) and then attach a buckwheat seed with a help of a band-aid. From time to time, apply some pressure on the seed. It can remain there, until the pain goes away.

If you liked this self-healing technique, Self Healing Series has more self-empowering materials.

Her husband was a teacher. One day at a party he suddenly lost the ability to speak, and he couldn’t recognize his whereabouts. It never happened before. Doctors diagnosed him with a brain tumor after that incident. And the tumor was removed surgically.

That’s when the battle again the decease started. In the beginning all was quite good. He was even able to go back to work, but within a few month his condition got worse. My client had to leave her job to look after her husband. They tried everything they could to help him get him better, but it was all in vain. In a few months he died while he was at a hospital.

I met this women before, and when I saw her this time I couldn’t recognize her. She became thin and looked quite unwell.

After the husband’s death my client got into a deep depression. She felt she had no reasons left to live. Eventually this feeling became dull, but she still had insomnia, apathy and absence of appetite. That’s when she approached me looking for help.

Diagnosis

According to Su Jok theory, emotions of a sadness, which arise in a case of loss of a loved one, can be dominant and lead to depression, as all other emotions are suppressed.

On the energy level excess of the dryness energy (Lung meridian) was observed in my client.

Treatment

For the treatment of this case I used Su Jok technique for reducing of the dryness energy (emotion of sadness) and tonification of the heat energy (emotion of joy ).
In parallel when my patient lay on the bed? the Lung meridian was balanced by means of Jin Shin technique.
From my experience such combination brings very good results.

On the figure you can see the acupuncture points I used according to Su Jok theory.

After three session of the treatment my client regained her normal sleep.

At that same time she started to cough. Yet she had no cold. That confirms that my work on the Lung meridian was successful, as it shows a release of stagnation in the chest area.

The client still feels rather sad, but now she started to have optimism in her future.

Diagnosis

First I performed a computer test using the TestBalance device, according to Su Jok theory. You can see the results of the test on figure 1.

The test showed that meridians of Bladder ( Bl ) and Kidney ( Ki ) were in great excess.

These two meridians concern Coldness energy, therefore it was possible to infer that Coldness energy dominates in her organism at present. It can affect any organs, in particular the Liver and the Gall Bladder.

In traditional Chinese medicine, nail quality is often used to check the condition of the liver, as the two are interconnected. The Coldness energy dominating in the Liver can slow down growth of nails, making them fragile.

The diagram created by the TestBalance device supports that suggestion, since on that diagram we can see Liver deficiency and Gall Bladder meridian excess, which again testifies that there is a problem with patient’s liver.

Treatment

The treatment was designed to reduce the Coldness energy in the liver and the whole system (see figures 2 and 3):

I did two session of the treatment. After the first session the condition of the fingernails was considerably improved and after the second session it was almost normal.

After the second treatment, I performed another computer test using the TestBalance device? and as you can see from figure 4, this time all energy systems are in a much better balance.

Insomnia could happen because of neuroses, some cardiovascular and mental diseases and also due to damages of brain formations regulating correct alternation of a dream and wakefulness.

Normally healthy people could also have an occasional insomnia which could appear after a physical or intellectual over strain, exhaustion, or due to strong emotions.

It is possible and necessary to cope with this disease. But ideally without the pills, as they don’t help to bring a normal sleep, which must include dreaming, and also pills can create a dependency and the body could create a tolerance to drugs, requiring an increased dosage.

Therefore I would like to offer simple and accessible to everyone ways to get rid of insomnia without resorting to medicine.

The Techniques

First using Moxa heat up the basic power points as shown on figures 1 to 3.

Next massage areas corresponding to neck, back of the head and epiphysis ( figure 4 )

and points corresponding to kidney. These points are on the back of a palm in small recesses ( figures 5 and 6 ). Massage those areas using your fingers, without applying too much pressure.

Do these two procedures before going to sleep.

If after trying those techniques a few times you are still not getting the desired effect, try to add the following technique in addition to the ones mentioned earlier.

Place fingers according to figure 7 and hold them for 3 to 4 minutes. You should feel relaxed now and will quickly fall asleep.

If you woke up and can’t fall back asleep simply paint up finger tips by dark blue felt-tip pen. This procedure is especially good for children who can’t sleep.

Finally, if you are tormented by bad dreams, before you are going to sleep, massage the point specified on figure 8.

Use for this purpose any not too sharp object (for example a ball pen without ink, etc.). Massage this point on both feet for 2 to 3 minutes.

If you liked this self-healing technique, Self Healing Series has more self-empowering materials.

You probably heard that in order to have a strong immune system you need to avoid smoking (including passive smoking), moderate alcohol consumption, keep low stress levels and most importantly — follow a healthy diet.

However it’s also known that the immune system’s strength naturally diminishes with years, which explains why older generations are so prone to illnesses. Therefore it’s really critical to strengthen your immune system as you get older.

Now I’m going to explain how you could strengthen your immune system using techniques from Su Jok.

Self-Healing Technique

Step 1

Find out points as per figure 1:

Now heat up those points using Moxa.

Do this procedure once a day on both palms.

Step 2

Massage those points according to figure 2.

For this purpose it is very good to use massage stick or any other suitable subject for example a ball pen without ink.

Press these points with a moderate effort and begin a slow rotation of the stick in two directions. Carry out this massage for several minutes once a day.

Step 3

The final step is to apply buckwheat seeds to points according to figure 3.

Use a band-aid in order to attach them to fingers. Leave those grains in place for 10 to 12 hours. If water gets onto the seeds, simply replace them with fresh ones and use a new band-aid.

Do this procedure 2-3 times a week.

Finally remember that physical activity strengthens the immune system and helps prevent infections and illnesses.

Foods Strengthening The Immune System

• Green leafy vegetables
• Nuts, especially almonds
• Broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips
• Garlic (It is one of the most potent foods for the purpose of immune system strengthening)
• Deep-water sea fish ( such as salmon or tuna )
• Algae
• Raw grains and cereals

Vegeterian Recipes Strengthening The Immune System

Fresh Cabbage Salad

Ingredients:

• 500 gram of cabbage
• 100 gram sour cream

Grate or slice cabbage, knead it, add salt and sugar to taste. Mix in sour cream.

Optionally add olive oil and lemon juice.

Broccoli Salad with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• Fresh Brocolli
• Tomatoes

Bring a pot of water to boiling and add broccoli. Cook for 5-6 minutes (keep the temperature so that the water is boiling). Take broccoli out to cool off and then slice it.

Cut tomatoes in slices, and then mix with sliced broccoli.

Add finely cut parsley and fennel herbs, salt and sugar to taste. Add olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

If you liked this self-healing technique, Self Healing Series has more self-empowering materials.

The chronic hemorrhoids behave cyclically, i.e. the condition improves and deteriorates in cycles. However left without a serious treatment this illness gradually progresses and can suddenly take the acute form which could lead to thrombosis.

The acute form of disease is characterized by a strong splitting pain and a sensation of having an alien object in rectum. These sensations are very acute during bowel movement, walking and sitting.

One of the main reasons for hemorrhoid problems is inadequate diet, with too few fibers, which leads to hard bowel movements and frequent constipations, which create constant straining during bowel movement.

Inactive way of life, sedentary work, adiposity, pregnancy and childbirth, unnecessary body weight, too many hot baths, smoking and constant stresses also provoke development of hemorrhoids.

It’s really important that you see a doctor at the first appearance of hemorrhoids.

It is possible to considerably accelerate the healing process using a simple technique used in Su Jok therapy.

Treatment

First find most painful points on areas corresponding to the rectum according to figure 1.

Now find a little stick with a not too sharp edge (a toothpick with a broken sharp edge, a ball pen without ink and will do). You’re going to use this stick to massage those painful points. Press these points with a moderate effort and begin a slow rotation of the stick in two directions. Carry out this massage for several minutes. See figure 2.

Next paint over these areas with dark blue color. For this purpose it is possible to use an ordinary felt-tip pen.
Finally apply buckwheat seeds to these areas. This is the same technique as explained in “How To Get Rid Of Neck Pain” step 3.

If you have a constipation refer to How to Treat Constipation.

Advice on diet

As mentioned in the introduction, your diet is really important if you have hemorrhoids or you want to avoid those.

Your daily diet should include sufficient amount of liquids (between 2 to 3 liters) and products possessing salutary action on intestinal peristalsis – black and bran bread, crude vegetables and fruit, prunes, cereal and buckwheat groats.

It’d be beneficial to avoid entirely consuming whole milk and products from refined white flour. Sour-milk products on the other hand, like yogurts, are good for your diet.

Recipes of vegetable dishes for people suffering of hemorrhoids

Pumpkin Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 500 gram of grated pumpkin
• 3 grated apples
• Juice of one lemon or orange
• Crushed walnuts
• 3 table spoons of honey

Mix all the ingredients together.

Onion Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• 1 apple
• 50 gram of grated cheese of any kind

Cut the onion in small slices, pour boiling hot water on it and then cold water. (Boiling hot water will make the onion less bitter)

Slice the eggs and mix all the ingredients together. Now add olive oil and lemon juice to taste.

If you liked this self-healing technique, Self Healing Series has more self-empowering materials.

Why we need to keep our stomachs flat?

The obvious reason – is to look “good”, the less obvious one is to be healthy. Having a flat stomach helps prevent injuries and various diseases that can otherwise develop.

Goal Setting

Before you even start the process on getting your stomach flat, it’s very important to set the intention and visualise your stomach flat. Your sub-consciousness will play a big part in this process and it’ll do everything to bring you to the image you’ve created. So every time you start exercises, see yourself the way you want to look.

These exercises don’t take a lot of time – only 5 to 10 minutes daily. But you need to do those regularly, so that they become a second nature to you.

Most likely the transformation will not happen overnight, so get ready to persevere and get where you want to be. It’ll be a long journey, and every step brings you closer to the goal. Self determination is a key here.

Nutrition

You can exercise forever, but if won’t do you any good if your eating habits are bad. This is because any weight you lose exercising, you can quickly re-gain because you don’t eat properly. So it’s important that as you set off on this journey you review your dietary habits and make some adjustments.

Avoid eating too much fat foods. Eat more healthy foods like vegetables, fruit, whole wheat bread, low fat cheese, yogurts and foods containing complete proteins, vegetable fats. Drink natural fruit juices and a lot of water.

Exercise

There are two approaches to choose from:

1. – To train all three groups of stomach muscles daily
2. – To train only one group of muscles per day. For example:

1. first day – the abdominal exercises
2. second day – oblique
3. third day – muscles of the bottom part of stomach
4. the fourth day – rest.

When you do your exercises do them very slowly, keep your eyes close and imagine the muscles you’re exercising at that moment.

Don’t forget to breath.

Don’t forget to suck in your stomach all the time: while walking, standing and sitting, both at work and outside of it.

Example of exercises for stomach muscles.

In a prone position on the back make 30 straight sit ups, then 30 sit ups to the right knee and another 30 to the left. Carry out these exercises slowly, then repeat them in the same order. Next do the same exercises with a faster rate.

Next time try to freeze at the top of the sit up, hold the breath and execute 15 short and fast micro-sit ups.

With time gradually increase the number of sit ups.

Before and after the exercises it’s very helpful to do stretching.

I wish you good luck on your journey to flat stomach and trim waistline.