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Qi Gong: The Power to Cure Cancer, By Wen Mei Yu and Theresa Marie Hoff
This article is courtesy of and © CFW Enterprises Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Qi
gong is an ancient Chinese healing art used to improve health, prevent and
treat disease, and prolong life. The Chinese have long considered qi the
vital energy of life; through the daily practice of qi gong, students of
this internal art learn to build, assimilate, and store qi within the body.
The different branches of qi gong are Taoist, Confucian, Buddhist, medical, and martial. Within each branch, there are many different sects and schools. This article will consider several medically related effects of qi gong as well as the art's general application in mitigating some of the consequences of cancer. The observations contained in this article are derived from experiences in teaching qi gong to a broad range of students, including those suffering from cancer. Pertinent case histories are proffered, in the patient's own words, in the sidebars accompanying this precis.
Qi gong is an exercise system that emphasizes soft, flowing motions synchronized with controlled breathing. These movements contain form, meditation, walking, and breathing techniques that condition the mind to heal the body and relieve the daily tension that accompanies modern life.
Health Plan
The movements facilitate blood oxygenation and greater control of cardiovascular functions. This improves the body's strength and, thus, facilitates recovery. In China, these exercises are performed as a simple regimen for health.
Medical qi gong involves different types of healing therapies, which include exercises, specific movements, and forms that are directed at bodily problems. The medical establishment in China holds that qi gong can help prevent or heal disease; indeed, patients throughout the world credit qi gong with extending their lives by disrupting chronic ailments.
Qi gong combines coordination, balance, and flexibility techniques into harmonious motions and gentle exercises. Qi gong includes slow, concentrated isometric movements and elements of self-defense that release pressure as well as increase energy and well-being. Considered a medical internal art, Guo Lin qi gong is practiced to improve the body's natural immune system. It derives its power from energizing the same system of internal meridians that acupuncturists use. This system uses the mind to move energy throughout the body. The energy can then be stored within the body for future use.
Stress Relief
Qi gong permits practitioners to handle life changes in a state of relaxation by helping lower anxiety and stress levels. The process of body mastery can be learned through this ancient Chinese art as well as its modern forms.
Guo Lin qi gong was introduced 30 years ago by its namesake as a practice designed to confer distinct benefits to cancer patients. Guo Lin contracted uterine cancer and used both Eastern and Western treatments without effect: cancer spread throughout her body. Having been a master of the wu qinxi (five animal play) style of qi gong as well as a painter affiliated with the Beijing Art Academy, Guo Lin turned to qi gong to help herself combat cancer. In the aftermath of her disease, Guo Lin and her family credited her development and use of qi gong as the principal treatment that prolonged her life.
Guo Lin qi gong stresses scientific theory in its application of forms and exercises for therapeutic purposes. Guo Lin qi gong may be construed as a type of walking exercise that couples motion with stillness and meditation. It consists of five regulatory movements: control of mind (meditation); control of posture; control of respiration; control of voice; and control of movement. These five aspects can be combined in a myriad of ways by teachers and students to treat particular ailments.
By 1979, after a decade of public teaching, Guo Lin qi gong was credited as an agent in the remission of cancer in 20 cases. These successes inspired the creation of a cancer survivor's club in Beijing, which has had more than 50,000 members. The Chinese government, in recognition of the phenomenon, began the scientific study of this new healing art. Following this period, master Wen Mei Yu taught this internal art in China as well as internationally; she also held special workshops in the discipline to disseminate the instruction she had personally received from Guo Lin.
Clinical studies were conducted to demonstrate the difference in treatment outcomes between a control group, which received only standard care, and a group that also practiced Guo Lin qi gong (two hours a day for three months). Chinese researchers noted significant differences in strength, appetite, liver function, and immune system response between the two groups; Guo Lin qi gong dramatically improved the health of the practicing group. Further studies demonstrated that benefits may be obtained by adding the practice of Guo Lin qi gong to the suite of treatments for many kinds of cancer.
Group Therapy
The psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects of practicing qi gong in a group setting are sometimes as important as the material effects of the art. Feeling empowered and being able to share personal information during cancer therapy with people undergoing similar experiences promotes stability and confidence, which are essential to recovery. In the United States, research recently began on the use of qi gong in fighting cancer. Dr. Garrett Yount, a cellular biologist at the Geraldine Brush Cancer Research Institute at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, has been working with a qi gong master from China to assess the medical effects of certain applications of the art. In one series of experiments, Dr. Yount separated cancer cells from a cadaver. The master treated two clusters of cells differently: in the first group, the master willed the cells to die; in the second group, the master bombarded the cells with neutral intentionality. It was the use of neutral intentionality that had the most dramatic effect on the diseased cells — they died rapidly, seemingly influenced by the actions of the qi gong master. That neutral intentionality was more effective than willing death in destroying the cancer cells was predicted by the master, who stated that the enshrining of an intent to kill would disrupt his natural healing field.
It appears that by balancing his energies, the cells died more expeditiously than through other, more negative thought processes. The results of this test are still being assessed and considered.
In China, ongoing clinical studies, also using control groups, seem to support the distant effects of mental intention, with no physical contact, on disease as well as cellular biology. In the future, researchers are hoping to measure changes in the manifestations of genes that control cell growth or in genes that mediate cell death. Currently, the application of group intentionality in supportive and adjunctive qi gong treatments for cancer is being considered in California by your authors.
Research Shows Promise
Los Angeles-based groups presently meet at the Wellness Community in Redondo Beach and at UCLA through the Rhonda Fleming Mann Resource Center for Women with Cancer. The classes at the Wellness Community began in November, 1996; the classes at UCLA began in July 1999. The mission of the Wellness Community (in Redondo Beach) is to help people with cancer and their families fight for health by providing free psychological, educational, and social-support services. These approaches are in addition to prescribed treatment plans, which are based on the application of Western medicine.
As a result of teaching Guo Lin qi gong at the Wellness Community for three years, long-term, anodyne results are now being documented. Continuing classes at UCLA and at the Wellness Community offer cancer patients in the Los Angeles area diverse, complementary, and innovative tools to cope with their illnesses. Enhancing a patient's quality of life and sense of well-being is a goal at both centers.
Harold H. Benjamin, M.D., an innovator in the treatment of cancer, noted, "If you participate in your fight for recovery, you will improve the quality of your life and just may enhance the possibility of your recovery."
The Rhonda Fleming Mann Resource Center is an integral part of the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences (UCLA has, over the course of several decades, earned an esteemed reputation for advanced medical care and research). The resource center itself is part of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA. The staff at the resource center believes it is important to treat the whole person and not just the disease; comprehensive psychological care is an important part of complete care.
Mann explained the work of the center, which was named in her honor, this way: "My prescription for all women with cancer: caring, compassion, communication, commitment." One of the programs offered by the Rhonda Fleming Mann Resource Center is a free monthly lecture series called Insights into Cancer; experts in their respective fields discuss topics relevant to patients and to their families.
After master Wen Mei Yu and David Diehl, M.D. gave a lecture at Insights into Cancer July 13, 1999 regarding the use of acupuncture and qi gong to help restore health during and after conventional cancer treatments, your authors began teaching Guo Lin to a group of cancer patients at UCLA. Although the work is ongoing, master Yu and Hoff are gratified that they have provided assistance to patients. Many patients report feeling more relaxed and stronger after their participation in the groups that practice medical and Guo Lin qi gong. We look forward to future progress as well as clinical support for master Yu's pioneering efforts to integrate Eastern practices of health and recovery into Western medicine. a
Master Wen Mei Yu is an internationally recognized leader in the teaching and development of tai ji and qi gong. A member of the Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame, master Yu’s books and videotapes are available through Unique Publications/Video. Theresa Marie Hoff studies the internal arts under master Yu and for the last eight years has taught tai ji and qi gong to promote health and fitness.
Case Studies
In Nov., 1997, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had surgery, eight cycles of chemotherapy, and radiation. The cancer treatment wiped out the cancer; but left me feeling fatigued with aches and pains throughout my body. I was referred to physical therapy for two months, which provided little relief. My internist felt I might benefit by complementing Western medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine.
"I was referred to UCLA's East West Medicine Center. With their recommendation in August, 1999, I began practicing qi gong. I have more energy now and feel so much better, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The aches and pains have lessened, my steep patterns are back to normal and I have been able to eliminate some of the medication. My blood counts are back to normal and blood draws are so much easier now. In fact, it is easier than it was before the cancer treatment!
I practice qi gong five times each week. I prefer to practice outdoors in the sun. Some weeks I am able to practice every day. I can feel the qi in my hands. With more practice the sensation increases. Furthermore, if the duration of the practice is extended, I feel the qi even more. Without question, I am doing something very good to take care of myself."
- Claris Shimu-Luke
"Being diagnosed with breast cancer was devastating and scary. Working with alternative medicine and the addition of qi gong has enabled me to beat my breast cancer with increasing health and energy. I'm stronger everyday, cancer free and there is no fear of the cancer returning. Qi gong is a wonderful, nurturing, healing energy that has enhanced my life and healing."
- Sue
"I had an operation for colon cancer Sept. 25, 1998. A month later I began extensive chemotherapy for six months. At the same time I started participating in a qi gong class once a week, offered at the Wellness Community in Redondo Beach. My teacher inspired me to keep coming back.
I also continue to practice qi gong every morning by myself. After each practice I feel so great, it gives me soothing energy from the inside out. I have made this exercise a daily part of my life. Along with the meditation that I learned from Terry, eating the right foods and supplementing my diet, I am hopeful the cancer will not return. After three months, my killer-cell activity improved from 30 percent to more than a 60-percent level despite the chemotherapy. And now my tests after the chemotherapy didn't detect any sign of cancer.
This experience has changed my life. I believe that qi gong is the right type of exercise and has certainly helped me to restore my good health."
- George
"I believe qi gong has helped me feel better physically and mentally and emotionally, understanding energy flow, etc. The teacher has been an inspiration, fun, and participants have lent support, all being in the same situation, experiencing basically the same thing — camaraderie."
- Millie
"Diagnosed: February, 1999. Treatment: Six weeks and one day of pelvic radiation, plus six weeks of Cisplatinum every Monday, plus eight weeks of 5FV, all simultaneously. I attended about seven classes of qi gong. Benefits:
More relaxed after qi gong;
Increased muscle strength, especially in the legs;
Increased stamina;
Learning more effective breathing;
Increased positive attitude."
- Pat
"I have taken qi gong since September, 1998. I am really fine doing
it every day. It helped me so much — very well. Qi gong really works."
- Lourdes
"I feel much better while attending qi gong. I like the support the class offers. Helpful with my mental attitude."
- Cathy
"I have definitely felt much better physically and emotionally. . . just a general sense of well-being. I have also lost five pounds without too much effort. Coupled with yoga exercise once a week I could feel my body and my internal organs, muscles, etc., much better. I have also experienced more spirituality and could feel better the energy within me and the world around me."
- Dan
"I started taking classes with master Yu in July, 1999. I was a breast cancer client. From the first time, I was impressed with master Yu and her approach, her philosophy, and the inherent warmth she displayed to her cancer clients. I feel I have been greatly helped by the qi gong classes — both physically and psychologically. I look forward to attending the weekly classes, interacting with other "cancer survivors", and absorbing the teachings of master Yu."
- Sylvia Franklin
"I feel better after doing the class, but need to do it every day. I enjoy the group. I do try to do the relaxation every day. "
- Carol