Standard Issue Cold or Flu Checklist
It struck me the other day that a lot of us do not know how the practice relates to the common cold and flu. I thought I would share some things that I have learned along the way.
The most important thing is to know exactly when you are getting sick, and to ascertain why. This requires you to pay attention ongoing! Yes, that thing that Tai Chi teachers are always talking about.
Diagnosis:
1. Where is the cold or flu primarily located in feeling? (head, chest, sore muscles, abdomen?)
2. What parts of the body are hot and warm?
3. Is there an abundance of phlegm and what color is it (clear and thin or colored and heavy?)
First steps to "stamp out" sickness before you have full-blown symptoms - do this when you first say "oh I think I am sick" (and, after ascertaining if you have cold or hot symptoms - this flight may or may not do your condition justice - modification via sensing ability is always needed)
1. Take Yin Chiao. <a href="http://www.yinchiao.com/">you can buy it and read about it here.</a> Follow the directions.
2. Drink White Tea throughout the day. Its high in antioxidants and will help your immune system.
3. Take a hot bath or shower, stay warm.
4. Use a Neti pot with warm salt-water to clear any phlegm from nasal passages.
5. Practice your standing and Chi Gung.
6. Repeat #5
7. Get Acupuncture
8. Repeat #5
9. Repeat #5
10. Repeat #5
Technically, if you take the "day off", stop stressing and thinking, and practice copiously, you can "kick the sickness" and not become fully subdued. If that does not happen, and you still end up getting sick, then make your #1 priority getting better. The practice is about you and your health, use it wisely!
Printer-friendly version