Newsletter #19 - November 2002
- Woodwind Hospital
- Community Hospital for the Monterey Peninsula
- How to do a lotus kick
- Life change experience from Don
Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury Minnesota was designed to embrace the healing elements of nature. The rooms have views of wooded wetlands and there are wheelchair accessible paths through the wetlands and gardens. The guest waiting area ofers a peaceful ambiance with a fireplace and tranquil live piano music.
Architecturally and conceptually unique, Woodwinds' holistic approach to healing includes state-of-the-art medical and natural healing alternatives.
The Hospital offers Emergency Care, Critical Care, Maternity and Nursery. The Outpatient care facilities offer a Heart & Lung center, Radiology, Surgery, Lab and Chapel. There is a Community Resource Center which includes a library and internet search service as well as offering health related courses (like TCA).
The Birch Center is home to the Family Practice, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN clinics as well as the Natural Care Center which offers Chiropratic, Oriental Medicine, Naturopathy, Massage Therapy, and health and wellness products.
The Oak Center offers Physical and Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, and Mental Health Services.
you can find more information on their website www.woodwinds.org
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Community Hospital for the Monterey Peninsula, which is usually shortened to CHOMP. It is privately owned by the local community, and features a unique design. Most rooms are private, and the others have private rooms with a shared bathroom.
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How To Do A Lotus Kick
As Exemplified By Sun Style Form 69 Turn Body, Lotus Kick Of the 73 forms
Preparation
Your left knee bent, weight on your left, body upright, hip loosened and right foot about 90 degrees from the left. Right knee bent and right foot with the ball of the foot resting on the ground. Both hands on the right side, right hand slightly higher and both palms facing down. Sink your Qi to the Dan Tian. Beware of your balance, loosen the shoulders and the hands:
Step 1
Lift the right foot towards the left side with the ankle flexed and knee almost straightened. Kick out the right foot to a comfortable level for you and then move your foot across in an arch towards the right. With the knee slightly bent, your foot flexed upwards and the right hip loosened. The right foot should be about chest level if you can kick to this height comfortably otherwise any height is OK. At the same time, both hands sweep across from the right to the left, the left hand first slap on the top of the right foot, the right hand slap across the back of the foot near the ankle. Naturally if you cannot kick this height then just slap your hands across your thigh. Both hands end on the left side.
Step 2
As the right foot bends down ending up about one foot above ground with the foot in a naturally bend position, your right hand describes two curves and turning the palm upwards at the same time, to rest near both hips with palms up and fingers pointing forward.
The martial art purpose with the foot is the sweeping kick aiming at kicking people's waist to and with both hands attacking the neck and the eyes, striking people in the opposite force to increase the effectiveness. When executing a kick, remember to kick to your comfort level. As you kick, breath out, sinking to the dan tian with your left knee is still slightly bent. Don't lean too far forward but you need to lean just slightly forward to maintain balance.
It's important not to practise the kick too many times. You must warm up first and then do kicks a few times and then mix it with other movements otherwise too much kicking might cause straining of the leg, hip or back muscles.
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Dear Doctor Lam.
Once again thanks for your encouragement.
These are the basic facts.
Ever since I did my National Service in 1947 I have suffered from a back problem, due to an injury caused by over enthusiastic attempts at grenade throwing!
A medical arranged by a new employer confirmed "severe lack of mobility", luckily it did not prevent my employment.
Over the intervening years I have grown accustomed to the restrictions this placed upon me, even though I have suffered considerable pain at worst, and discomfort at best!
My dear wife, an experienced and qualified Yoga teacher has always wondered why I seemed to dismiss her abilities as unimportant, not realising that my attitude was really a defence mechanism, employed to justify my failure to join her in the practice of Yoga.
It is not surprising that friction between us grew to serious proportions - perhaps it is best not to elaborate, as it might open up old wounds!
Quite by chance my wife mentioned that there was the possibility of her being asked to include a little Tai-Chi in a course she was conducting for old people in our neighbourhood, and a visit to Amazon U.K.s website led me to your video - "Tai-Chi for over 55's" and "Tai-Chi for Arthritis".
Because I have developed arthritis in my hands, and at 74 years well into the "over 55 category" I ordered both the videos. (In fact I ordered another from a different instructor which whilst "artistic" gave no details at all, and as a teaching aid is practically useless!) at the same time I joined a local group of Tai-Chi players, however this did not work out as the instructor was really a "demonstrator" and I felt that I was adopting bad habits which were not being corrected.
Because your instructions are so clear and well programmed (I think of Dot and the others as old friends now) I decided to have a go myself - this is the best decision I ever made.
In only a matter of weeks, with one hours practice each and every day I have regained much of my mobility with regard to my back, and the arthritis in my hands is so much improved that I have been able to resume playing the 5-string banjo - an ability I thought was lost forever.
So much for the physical side of life, now let me tell you about the emotional and mental aspects. Much to Mary's (my dear wife) surprise
I announced that I would like to join one of her Yoga classes, and have added Yoga to my list of activities. But in my heart I know that without your instruction I would still be incapable!
Because back-pain is like continuous tooth-ache, and having hands which won't work causes so much frustration it is little wonder that I became irritable and morose, everything being too much trouble, and pointless.
But....now that the burden is becoming less and less each day, it is as if the sun is shining once again, I feel that I have been given another chance to enjoy life.
What is the next step......I must seek out someone within reach who can take me further along the road you have charted, to the point at which I can help others in the same way as you have helped me.
My very best wishes to all concerned,
Don Simcock
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