Breath Of FIRE

Dr. Sang Damanpal, L.Ac
Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Deve Namo (3xs).

Ad Guray Nameh, Jugad Guray Nameh, Sat Guray Nameh, Siri Guru Devay Nameh (3xs)

Sit in an Easy Pose with a straight spine and neck locked. 

Eyes: Open and Focused at the tip of the nose. 

Face: Relaxed

Mudra: Gyan (Wrists rest on the knee, palms up, thumbs touch the index fingers)

Breath: Rapid even Inhale, and rapid even Exhale (even rhythm of prana). 

Inhale: Abdomen expands

Exhale: Abdomen contracts (navel pulls toward the spine)

Time: 8 minutes a day everyday.  (start with 3 minutes and work up to 8 minutes)

Benefits: Burns out the old cells; purifies the bloodstream; creates energy circulation to communicate with the electromagnetic field; brightens the auric field; dissipates the negative mental pattern; shifts the stagnated energy.

Note: No 🚫 Breath of Fire during menses and PREGNANCY.

Shock

Dr. Sang Nguyen, L.Ac

“Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body” explained by the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-shock/basics/art-20056620). Shock can derive from an experience, such as a family member dying, divorce, car accident, allergic reaction, etc. Trauma/shock can also affect the Kidneys, making them deficient. These could lead to physiological disturbance, and/or hormone imbalance, and may drain the way the energy (qi) and blood circulate in the body. In TCM, shock is associated with the Heart qi. When it is deficient, it depletes the peripheral circulation. Heart qi deficiency combined with KD deficiency can lead to amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and erectile dysfunction, which aggravate by obstructing energy. 

A shock, which happened during childhood may also influence health many years later in life if it was not taken care of properly. 

Primary symptoms to look for with Heart Qi disturbance: unsettled sleep, anxiety, talkativeness, and palpitation;

Secondary symptoms to look for with KD def: poor stamina, low energy, soreness or weakness in the lower back, creating dark color under the eyes.

When the Kidneys and Heart do not communicate or work synergistically, insomnia may happen. 

What can we do?

Use acupuncture and herbal medicine to nourish heart blood, support Kidneys, calm the spirit, and resolve Heart Qi stagnation. 

What can you do to avoid or manage these manifestations?

1. Spend time hiking or in nature to reground yourself.

2. Practice meditation, QiGong, and Yoga to help calm the mind.

3. Use Acupressure by applying firm pressure for 3 -5 minutes daily on KD 4 and HT 7; follow with essential oil on these points.

Note: KD 4 (Da Zhong: Great Bell) locates on the medial side of the ankle and the anterior border of the Achilles tendon. 

HT 7 (Shen Men: Spirit Gate) locates on the radial side, at the wrist joint.

Why practice Kundalini Yoga and Meditation?

Dr. Sang Damanpal, DTCM, IKYTA

Factors such as emotions, finances, marital issues, relationships, work, and even hormone stress can stagnate or block the flow of energy movement. In addition, our perception, thinking, and communication affect how energy circulates in and out of the body.

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation (KYM) is a fast-track technology used to develop Self Awareness. KYM includes pranayama practice, mantra recitation, kriya exercises, and meditation. When it comes to health and vitality, all aspects of the internal Self ( spirit, mind, physical body, organs, and emotional energy) ought to be flowing in harmony. The energy flow keeps the blood and lymphatic circulation in good shape.

KYM technology works on the ten body energies, the chakras system, and the channel meridians. It helps remove or dismantle subconscious thought patterns which do not serve us. Cleaning and releasing the pressure of subconscious junk (unserved old memories of the past) purify the thoughts and intentions. It shifts us toward a higher alignment with our destiny and purposes.

The key is daily discipline and practice.

Practicing at least 11 minutes a day gradually working up to 62 minutes. Many yogis are committed to 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of practice each day. Two and half hours is one-tenth of the day. In the yogic system, 2 1/2 hours of practice of Kundalini Yoga Meditation each day before the sunrise magnifies our energy up to 40% for the day because the sun is at a 60% angle to the earth. It is the quietest, most calming hour and so is perfect for meditation. Of course, if this is not possible, the 2 1/2 hours can be divided into two segments: 1 1/2 hours before sunrise and 1 hour around the sunset. 

Patients who practice KYM  benefit from more energy and body awareness. It gives them a keen sense of inner awareness of their body energy. The instant they feel their body energy is stagnating, they immediately take care of it either by self-care or by seeking professional help. It is potent for disease prevention.

In the United States, we do not emphasize enough maintaining good health through yoga and meditation, a healthy diet, healthy family (relationships), and a healthy lifestyle. These are ways to build immunity and fight off invading pathogens.

Ignoring self-care and working to exhaustion to earn a decent living is a bad approach.

We have the power to choose to give some hours to ourselves. By practicing KYM each day, which takes very little time, the immune system will be strengthened, and intuition will be sharpened. Thus you take care of your body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

Notes: Even three minutes a day will be beneficial.

Cold Water Shower Therapy

Dr. Sang (Damanpal) Nguyen, L.Ac.

Yogic Technologies: Cold Water Shower - Ishnaan therapy

When cold water hits the skin's surface, the capillaries open up and the blood rushes out from the organs, up to the skin to defend against the cold.  Simultaneously, it is strengthening the nervous system, the central nervous system (CNS), the glandular system, and the immune system. As a result, the entire body and the organs become stimulated.

Symptoms:

Depression (cold, acute & chronic), Anxiety, Fatigue (mental, energy, emotional, body…), Sluggish, Burn out, Stressed out, Computeritis

Headache due to heat, Poor-eyesight, Pre-arthritis

Pain due to stagnation, Aura (Electro-Magnetic field) stagnation

When: 

A cold water shower should be done ideally in the early morning or during the day. 

Preparation: 

1. Almond oil or coconut oil

2. Dry body brush or Garshana gloves

3. Towel

Steps: 

1. Apply the oil onto the skin

2. Activate the lymphatic system using the dry body brush/Garshana gloves. The order: start from the feet up to the legs, hands up towards the arms, circulate the armpits and breast, abdominal, chest, shoulder, and back (if you can). Then brush gently on the face, the ears, and the crown chakra (top of the head).

3. Turn on the cold water shower. Introduce the feet and legs first, then the hands and arms, then the rest of the body. Massage and tap: the four limbs, the face, the armpits, the breasts, the abdomen, the chest, the neck, the shoulders, and the back. (Choice: Hair wash can be done separately.)

4. Chanting mantra “SAT NAM” while taking a cold shower to strengthen the mind.

5. When finished, dry yourself with a towel. During cold season/weather, make sure to keep yourself warm immediately after the cold water shower.

Contra-Indications: 

1. No cold water shower during menstruation

2. No cold water shower during the third trimester of pregnancy (7th month onward)

Caution:

No more than three minutes of cold water shower in the second trimester

Note: 

Do not take a warm water shower first. A warm water shower can be taken separately, later in the day. 

Tongue Observation →

Dr. Sang (Damanpal) Nguyen, L.Ac.

Tongue examination is a common method of diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and Esogetic Holistic  Medicine (EHM). The tongue is one of the tools used to read your internal health pattern. It reflects the internal organs and their meridian channels' balance or imbalance. TCM practitioners focus on the shape, color, and coating of the tongue. 

Tongue according to TCM: 
Shape: round, swollen, thin, short, contracted, cracked, deviated, rigid, flaccid, teeth-marks

It reflects the constitution, aging, qi and blood, excess, and deficiency of the entire body.

Color: red, deep red, crimson, purple, pink, pale, red dots

It reflects of qi, blood, and the yin organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lungs & Kidneys

Fur/Coating: moist/dry, thin/thick, sticky/powdery, peeled, turbid, glossy

It reflects the stomach and the yang organs: Stomach, Gall Bladder, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder, and Triple Burner. 

Coating color: white, yellow, grey, black, brown

It reflects on Pathogenic Factors: heat, cold, and damp

There are certain foods, drinks, and pharmaceutical drugs which will change the tongue coating.

Food and drink have a shorter effect on tongue color and coating: 

Coffee and Tea: yellow dry coating

Diary and Cheese: whitish yellow sticky coating

Sugary Food: thick white, or yellow sticky coating

Medication long term used can have a significant effect on the tongue color and coating:

Antibiotics: Black and hairy tongue coatings

Anti-Neoplastics: Thick brownish to black tongue coating

Anti-Inflammatory: Red dots and peeling coating

In Ayurvedic, to keep the tongue healthy, it is recommended that the tongue be scraped daily with a tongue scraper made from either copper or stainless steel.  Follow by brushing and flossing the teeth. This process is to remove the overnight bacteria and toxin build-up.

It is your choice to do daily tongue cleaning. However, make sure to observe the tongue first before doing so. Keep the tongue in its original coating when visiting a TCM Practitioner is recommended.  

It is a good idea to observe your tongue daily, especially early in the morning, before brushing your teeth. The healthy tongue that we are striving for has pinkish-red color, a thin white coat, and the least amount of cracks. If there is a thick tongue coating and many cracks, look into your diet, hydration level, emotions, stress level, and lifestyle. You can visit a Traditional Medicine practitioner and/or Ayurvedic practitioner have it check out.