Caregiver Revolution

Received the following email from Mark Johnson, who created one of the best and most widely watched videos in the field, Tai Chi for Seniors.

Happy New Year Grant,

I haven’t written in awhile because it seems the holidays are the only free time I have to sit and reflect on what to emphasize in my teaching schedule – so here is my New Year’s Tai Chi resolution…to write more, and to alert everyone to the importance of deep breathing.

As the decades fly by, I have become more aware of the truth of the old Chinese saying: “as you live so you breathe and how you breathe determines how you will live.”

You are all familiar with the adage “calm down by breathing deep” but do you know WHY it works? The latest discovery is that slow, deep, rhythmic belly breathing stimulates and massages your Vagus nerve which is the most complex nerve in your body. It runs down the entire length of your head and trunk, on both sides, and has access to all your major organs. Besides output to the various organs, the Vagus nerve conveys sensory information about the state of the body’s organs to the central nervous system.

Doctors have been using that information to stop epileptic seizures and recently found that stimulation of the Vagus nerve helps with depression. However, their electrical device that attaches to your neck (because the nerve is closest to the surface of your skin there) costs more than $3,000, so here is how to get the same results for nothing… breathe deep all the time.

The Vagus nerve dives deep through your diaphragm and when the diaphragm is expanded and contracted as it is when breathing deep, it stimulates the nerve constantly. So practice deep breathing until it is a constant IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

It is easy to diagnose how a person lives by watching how they breathe. Short, rapid gasping breaths into the collarbone area are signs of chronic stress. Have you ever seen a person have a panic attack? All upper chest breathing is too shallow to get enough oxygen into your lungs to live a vital life.

I have also noticed that when practicing deep, belly breathing (the kind of breathing you did as a child) if the inhale is nonexistent and/or comes in spasms, you have a fear of life. If the exhale is nonexistent and/or spastic, you have a fear of death. A perfect deep breath takes about 2 seconds for the belly to expand out and 3 seconds to contract. It must also be rhythmic to make your life rhythmic or you will end up being a jerk – just like your breathing.

One of the great secrets of “My Life As Play” (get my book on Kindle) is that I have breathed deep for the past 40 years in all circumstances. When my airplane engine stopped and I flew into an industrial building, the helicopter rescue squad said I was breathing deep. The doctors the next day doing facial surgery on me said I breathed deep through the entire operation. It is one of the most useful habits a person can have.

So when practicing with my Tai Chi DVD exercises, take the deep breathing segments more seriously and your life will be long and sweet. Make 2014 a great year with deep breathing. I vow to write an article each month and I hope to see you on our next China trip.

Mark

In addition to your deep belly breathing, here is a longevity practice for you to try, Turtle Breathing Qigong. Many Qigong forms evolved from the ancient Chinese observation of animals and ones that live a long time were of special interest. Turtles live an exceptionally long and peaceful life for which they have become venerated in China. A longevity practice called Turtle Breathing developed from observing and understanding the habits of turtles. We hope you enjoy it and live a very long and happy life! http://www.qigongchinatrip.com/Turtle_Breathing_Qigong.pdf

Mayo Clinic recommends Tai Chi to help reduce stress and anxiety, and also helps flexibility and balance. “Tai chi involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner. Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087

Moment of Death
A Two Day Transmission – given by Patricia Sheldon at The Clearlight Society.

If someone you love were dying at this moment, would you know
what to do to help? What is help at this moment? Perhaps we feel, as
one woman said, “Although billions of people have lived and died before
us, why do we feel so alone, so unprepared and untutored in a situation
that unfailingly comes to every family, every person?” Why are there no
wisdom treasures handed down from generation to generation to help us?
Perhaps we consult books on death and dying, only to find that
books really don’t help much in the actual experience of being in the
same room with a dying loved one during the final hours.

The Moment of Death training weekend will introduce you to the
Clear Light practice for the dying. You will learn how to cut through the
confusions of mind heightened by illness and medications. You will learn
how to meld the consciousness of yourself, that of the dying person and
other family members into a powerful, clear unity flowing inexorably
toward the moment which many consider to be life’s greatest spiritual
opportunity – the moment of the great light of death.

This practice, which brings Peaceful Heart and Clear Mind to all
involved, is non-sectarian and of universal applicability. Although suitable
for the religious and non-religious alike, it accommodates to and blends
easily and beautifully with meaningful segments of the family’s religious
tradition – making it the family’s own practice.

To assist a dying person’s consciousness to become one with the
Clear Light is a compassionate act of great import. It is at once both
inexpressible and unforgettable. It is a treasure worth passing down to
future generations.

Also see the Labyrinth Readers Society Website

caregiver relaxation

As fortune would have it my dear wife fell and broke both of her wrists 2 weeks ago; that is, I signed in to caregiver bootcamp and I aint lookin back. It has been an adventure and I hope to post tips and really practical things that one can do…if he or she has the time, when in an intensive caregiver situation.

All of the tips that are in our book, Caregiver Revolution seem to be holding true to test in this situation. I haven’t found any gaps there. Some small additions, yes. The most critical element I’ve found is the caregiver circle. One has to ask for help. It is the only sane thing to do in a caregiving situation, and it is amazing how willing people are to come forward and bring food, run errands, provide good company or just listen. We have had several very fortunate breaks (sorry) in this little adventure, and they have kept us smiling. We trust our orthopedist and that is huge. That’s one of the trickiest areas to navigate. More on this soon…

CONFESSIONS OF A FUNERAL DIRECTOR » 10 Things You Should and Should Not Do at a Funeral.