Bruce Frantzis: Energy Arts Master

Bruce Frantzis is to Energy Arts as Bill Gates to Microsoft.   He is the founder of a learning and teaching site by the same Energy Arts name, which spans many eastern practices including Taichi, Qigong and Meditation. 


Recently, Bruce posted a very interesting comparison of Osteopathy vs. Qigong Tui Na.  Osteopathy focuses whole body and interrelationships between structure and function.  Osteopathic doctors are board certified physicians that also use a technique called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) which involves using their hands to diagnose, treat. and prevent illness or injury.  Similary, Qigong Tui Na uses the hands along the Chinese meridian system to adjust, move and free Qi (pronouched Chi), or energy, in an effort to improve the patient's health. 


The overlap between the two types of treatment is really the practitioner - patient interaction and that each are exchanging Qi when the hands are diagnosing and treating.  In both cases, the practitioner has to not only carefully assess and treat the patient but also to assure their own Qi is not adversely affected through repeated work with another's energy. 


Bruce recommends 3 main points that I think are worth reiterating in my own words. 


First, manage your energy. 


Second, take time to release the negative energy. 


Third, always reflect on your energetic state and recognize when action is needed to improve it.  


Your energetic state could be physical, emotional or spiritual.


For me, the take home on this is that these suggestions are not only for practitioners of Osteopaths and Qigong Tui Na, but for everyone.   Know your body and think about how you are feeling.  If something is amiss, think about taking action.  Action doesn't always have to be dramatic or expensive.  Consider a new form of exercise.  Maybe some energy work such as Tai Chi or Qigong.  It could be a new way of thinking about things that are adding stress to you life.  Or maybe it is a combination of all of these things.  Keep it simple, but understanding your body and mind is the first step to feeling better. 


Thanks Bruce for your work, teaching and sharing in the world of Energy Arts!

Phil Black, Navy SEALS and Surviving BUD/S

Since a kid, I've had tremendous respect for fellow countrymen and countrywomen who serve or have served in our Armed Services.  That said, each branch has a unique group of special forces.  In the case of the Navy, it is the SEALS.   A former Navy SEAL and SEAL instructor, Phil Black is one interesting dude.  He is the creator of a cool concept of exercise 'playing' cards called Fit Deck, where each card contains an exercise.  I own the bodyweight Fit Deck and it comes in handy when you don't have have access to weights, bands or fitness equipment.  It comes with a plastic case the size of a deck of cards so you can take it anywhere.  Cool.


When SEALS are initially trained, each candidate must go through what is called Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training, or BUD/S.  It goes without saying this is some of the most intense and exhausting physical and mental training on the planet.  Most recently Phil has put together a series of videos around preparation for Surviving BUD/S that you can watch here.   As a casual reviewer, and not anywhere close to BUD/S, I thought these short videos were great for mental strategy and fortitude.  For more detail, Phil also has a DVD series if you are serious of BUD/S preparation.


I'll cover more on the special forces and the SEALS in a future post on positive thinking.


Thanks Phil for your work and thanks to all of dedicated members and families of our Armed Services.

Jon Barron: The Health Renaissance Man

Jon Barron knows there are no magic bullets in health and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  His philosophy in viewing the human body as a series of holistic and interactive systems is fundamental to his approach as founder of the Baseline of Health Foundation and chief formulator of herbal and nutriceutical products at Baseline Nutritionals.  The products list can be found here.

All of the Baseline Nutritional products are very good but I'll highlight a few today.  To start, Jon is a hugh proponent of use of enzymes to enhance bodily function and decrease systemic inflammation.  The specific proteolytic enzyme formula is called pHi-zymes and the digestive enzyme formula is called Digestive enzymes.   Beside the proven benefits of taking enzymes to optimize your life, the other age defying product that Jon formulated is called Ever Young, which contains L-carnosine, Acetyl-L-carnosine and Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) bitartrate.

Jon also authored the highly acclaimed book, "Lessons from the Miracle Doctors."  You can download a free copy of the first edition of the book here.


Thanks Jon for all your lifelong learning and sharing!