The Rio Chama Blog

Of the many blogs posted thus far, Peace Begins with a Smile has been the most popular. Numerous people have spoken to me regarding it. In addition, as I’ve been smiling more in my life, I’ve been exquisitely pleased with the responses of others. Of note is when I go to the gym and check in—the people working behind the desk more and more greet me with a smile. And, of course, I smile back!

Because people often wonder what the differences are between Qigong and Tai Chi, I explore these increasingly popular practices in my recent book, The Paradoxical Return of the Feminine. I have personal experiences using each, and today I want to share information about the effectiveness of Qigong. Who knows—it may be time for you to begin and/or deepen Qigong practice!

At the end of the previous blog, reference was made to Mother Teresa, who reminded people that peace begins with a smile. This prompted me to research information regarding the effects of smiling. Much to my delight, I learned how smiling affects the brain and the body:

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that is used to treat a wide range of conditions. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) method is widely used in the United States. Based on the belief that a life force (qi) circulates within the body along pathways called meridians, acupuncture works to balance this flow of vital energy along the meridians at various depths. The practitioner may also gently move or twirl the needles, or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to them. Usually the needles remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes while the patient lies still and relaxes, and the energy flow rebalances. As the Mayo Clinic also points out, even Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.

As mentioned in an earlier blog, one doesn’t have to enroll in a class or travel to a far-off land to learn about shamanism. It is not so much a matter of technique but viewing and living life from the place of shared sisterhood and brotherhood.