wk1 - five attributes to cultivate

Question 1

what are the 5 attributes to cultivate as a Tui Na practitioner?

Answer 1

1. relaxation
2. structure / body alignment
3. internal connection
4. intention
5. internal awareness

Question 2

what does Relaxation refer to?

Answer 2

• relax mind + body, so that energy energy flows more freely + can pass through muscle
• listen with hands
• use strength for penetrating
• relaxation + structural integrity –> correct body mechanics

Question 3

what does Structure / Body Alignment refer to?

Answer 3

• align one’s own tissues so force is easily + efficiently generated + transmitted
• work with undue strain on the practitioner
• energy should come from core of body + legs

Question 4

what does Internal Connection refer to?

Answer 4

• use the body as one connected whole + move from core
• transmit info + listen with whole body
• practitioner’s Qi connects + syncs with patient’s Qi
• internal connection is facilitated by the 3 EXTERNAL HARMONIES

Question 5

what are the 6 Harmonies (Liu He)?

Answer 5

3 external harmonies + 3 internal harmonies

Question 6

what are the 3 External Harmonies?

Answer 6

1. shoulder harmonizes with hip
2. elbow with knee
3. wrist with ankle

Question 7

what does Intention refer to?

Answer 7

• guide your whole connected body to affect change in a specific manner
• you are driving the ship
• facilitated by the 3 INTERNAL HARMONIES

Question 8

what are the 3 Internal Harmonies?

Answer 8

1. mind harmonizes with intention (Shen: Yi – sync your thoughts with what you are trying to do)
2. intention with energy (Yi: Qi – sync your breath + energy with what you are trying to do)
3. energy with force (Qi: Li – sync your breath + energy with your force / power)

Question 9

what does Internal Awareness refer to?

Answer 9

• awareness of your own body / Qi / physiological processes (comes from practicing Qigong)
• being able to feel what is going on in your own body will make you more sensitive to what’s going on in the patient’s body