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Author: Shoshanna Katzman

The Complete Herbal Guide / Articles posted by Shoshanna Katzman

Awakening Qi Immunity According To Ancient Practices

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Awakening Qi Immunity Throughout the ages, Chinese culture has emphasized the importance of preventative measures to stimulate the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Chinese medicine boosts immunity to reduce the likelihood of disease or infection through awakening the flow of Qi, precious vital energy flowing throughout the body. When Qi is strong and balanced the capacity to prevent illness and maintain health is enhanced. Health maintenance through prevention methodologies has thus become deeply rooted within the Chinese healthcare system through Chinese herbs, acupuncture, dietary therapy and therapeutic exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong. Acupuncture Acupuncturists recommend preventative treatments at the change of seasons to maintain vibrant health and wellness. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism with which acupuncture works. The most agreed upon concepts...

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keto

Seasonal Eating: Start this Winter

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Nutrition

Small Steps, Big Changes These days making decisions about how to eat in the most healthful manner can be a difficult and confusing task.  Each person's unique constitution requires variation in the types of foods that are eaten, therefore no one diet is right for everyone.  The quest for reliable information concerning optimum nutrition reveals one diet guru after another espousing what they believe to be the right way to eat.  One day the prescription for finding healthy food includes a diet high in protein, the next day it could be low fat.  We are told to eat an abundance of complex carbohydrates for plentiful energy, yet recent information denounces a high complex carbohydrate diet.  What is a poor health seeker to do?  Most of us throw...

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winter health tips

Winter Tips for Healthy Living

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman

Winter Health Notes Winter is the end of all seasons. To unify with winter, one emphasizes the yin principle to become more receptive, introspective, and storage-oriented; one cools the surface of the body and warms the body’s core.  Cold and darkness drive one to seek inner warmth. It is a time to rest, to meditate deeply, refine the spiritual essence, and store physical energy for the cold season. Even though the slow yin processes predominate, it is important to stay active enough to keep the spine and joints flexible. The winter’s primary element is water and is associated with the virtue of wisdom, the emotion of fear.  The primary organ systems of the water element are the Kidneys and the Bladder.  Like the kidneys, fear is deeply rooted, and...

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of Body, Breath and Mind

Qigong and the Cultivation of Body, Breath and Mind

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

Free flow of qi, the vital energy that moves and motivates all bodily functions and transformations. The simple practice of regulating the body, breath, and mind can be easily adapted for enhancing everyday activities. It has far-reaching benefits for well-being and peace of mind through establishing alignment and regulation of one’s body, mind, and spirit. This serves to open the free flow of qi, the vital energy that moves and motivates all bodily functions and transformations. It is a process that involves paying special attention to physical alignment, regulation of breath, as well as focused mind intent. This specific approach is derived from the practice of the Chinese exercises of tai chi and qigong. A practitioner of these exercise arts ultimately increases integration of mind, body, and...

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MINDFUL BREATHING

The Ancient Art of Mindful Breathing

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

What is Mindful Breathing? The capacity for breathing is a precious life possession, one not easily taken away. Respiration is governed by the autonomic nervous system, a physiological process happening all on its own. In Western culture, people become concerned with their breath when a medical problem such as asthma, pneumonia or chronic pulmonary disease becomes evident. Only then does a true appreciation for this bodily process arise, one commonly taken for granted. Simply look at any baby and breathing into their belly is obvious. Though natural for babies, school-age children have already abandoned belly breathing for a tight abdomen and big chest. As adulthood approaches, respiration becomes increasingly shallower due to exorbitant levels of emotional, social, work and family pressures. This stressful state becomes so extreme...

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Chinese yoga

Qigong: Chinese Yoga for Energetic Momentum

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

Qigong (pronounced ‘chee-gung’) is an ancient Chinese exercise designed to balance and cultivate the flow of energy for health and healing purposes. Qigong is easy to learn and can be performed by anyone regardless of ability. Also known as Chinese Yoga, it is a form of energy medicine that strengthens the body physically as it calms the mind and spirit to promote relaxation and revitalization. It involves slow rhythmical postures and movements integrated with the breath and enhanced with the vocalization of sounds and creative visualizations. How Qigong Works Qigong accomplishes this through various methods that support physical and energetic health. One major explanation for how Qigong works is through invigoration of an energy vortex, a precious energy center of the body known as a dantian - translated as...

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food as medicne

Food as Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Best Kept Secret

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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Daily food choices can make the difference between sickness and health. Much can be learned from the extensive body of Chinese medicine knowledge regarding the therapeutic nature of food. Largely based on the Law of the Five Elements and Yin Yang Theory, food is classified according to its energetic quality such as flavor, taste, color, thermal nature, and vital organ it nourishes. Customized dietary recommendations are made based on this knowledge according to presenting symptoms and constitution; providing super nutrition to help re-claim and maintain maximum health and balance in life. Cooking, baking and drying food preparation methods transforms a raw food that is classified as Yin (cold and wet) into a food that is more Yang (hot and dry). A fundamental Chinese dietary rule is to...

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chinese medicine

Chinese Medicine for Bladder Health

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Acupuncture, Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Urinary Problems

Chinese medicine has been an effective treatment for urinary symptoms such as frequency or lack of bladder control (incontinence) for thousands of years. Urinary incontinence is diagnosed as stress incontinence, which occurs during exertion or sneezing and is attributed to weak pelvic floor muscles. Or, as urge incontinence, which involves contraction of the pelvic floor muscles that puts pressure on the bladder. It is not uncommon for an individual to have a combination of both. These conditions have the potential to significantly impair quality of life. This includes dealing with its associated social stigma, which comes with embarrassment and lack of confidence. It involves overthinking and worry about finding a bathroom at a moment’s notice, especially when out and about. Moreover, it can lead to lack...

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Chinese Medicine and Power of a Happy Heart

Chinese Medicine and Power of a Happy Heart

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Acupuncture, Health & Well-Being, Heart Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Shoshanna Katzman, MS, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. & CH According to Five Element Theory, joy is the positive emotion of the heart, whereas sadness or lack of joy is negative. Experiencing joy in daily life is nourishing to the heart as well as a state of being that is highly desirable on many levels. Such joy is exemplified by a forward-arched chest, spring in one’s step, and ease with laughter combined with kind, loving interaction with self and others. Its attainment is derived through establishing balanced energy within the heart organ system, the cornerstone of Chinese medicine treatments directed toward heart health and emotional balance. Chinese medicine Chinese medicine teaches that the heart stores the Shen, also known as spirit. Shen health leads to clear consciousness, intention,...

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