Immunity: Preparing for the Season of Viruses

Immunity: Preparing for the Season of Viruses

As summer ends, despite smoldering temperatures throughout different regions, the season of cold, flu, and viruses officially kicks off. With children returning to school and adults back in the office after vacations and travels, the risk of contracting viral infections increases. Fortifying our immune system and adopting preventive measures is essential. Drawing on and integrating the wisdom of both Eastern and Western medicines, we can develop a holistic approach to enhance our immunity and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season of viruses. 

 Here are five tips that I practice that will help increase your protection against contracting viruses. . .

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The Winter Solstice

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The Winter Solstice

A new cycle begins
With the Solstice we’ve reached the low ebb and so it is the turning point where the Yang energy is returning and our inner flame can find resonance with the slowly strengthening light and warmth. Beside good sleep,

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Covid-19 and Chinese Medicine

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Covid-19 and Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine, including herbs, acupuncture and Qigong were all used extensively in the treatment of the Corona virus in Wuhan, China. When combination treatments (allopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicine) were used for patients with mild symptoms, a significantly lower incidence of those patients became seriously ill and those that did had better outcomes.

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Immunity VII - Immunity support kitchen spices

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Immunity VII - Immunity support kitchen spices

by Peter Francis Cunneen, MATCM


Just as many common kitchen spices are dense in flavor, they also contain a rich supply of anti-oxidants and phytonutrients that can give a boost to your immunity while they augment the tastiness of your plate.

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Cleansing Meditation

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Cleansing Meditation

Invoking the cleansing powers of water, Dr. Mao guides you through a breathing visualization meditation to rid your entire being of negative, toxic and pathogenic energies, leaving you calm, cleared and renewed.

Immunity IV - Self-massage video

Immunity IV - Self-massage video

Acupressure massage has been used safely and effectively to regulate body functions for thousand of years. It is an easy to learn at-home tool for self-regulation and self-healing. This video demonstrates four pairs of acu-points that you can massage to regulate your lungs and immunity.

Immunity IV – Self-massage

Immunity IV – Self-massage

You can use the four pairs of acu-points below to regulate your lungs and immunity, help fight off and recover from the effects of respiratory infections. Select the points that suit your condition and apply the massage once or several times a day depending on the severity of your symptoms.

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Qigong for the Lungs II – Dragon Dance

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Qigong for the Lungs II – Dragon Dance

Dragon Dance, this routine, strengthens metabolism and stimulates immunity. It is famously used as part of successful weight loss programs and is also recommended as an immune-supportive, moderate exercise when suffering illness, a time important to avoid any excess exercise that would drain your needed reserves.

We will demonstrate the standing and seated versions.

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Immunity III - Managing Infection

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Immunity III - Managing Infection

Managing an active infection
See our other blogs in this series for strengthening your immunity to prevent infection. Contact your public health Covid-19 hotline if you have symptoms and suspect an attack.

The advice below can be used additionally to medical treatment for managing your infection - lessoning its severity and duration. But, if you can take corrective action at the very first sign of an infection you have an opportunity to not let it ever become established. This might mean:

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Qigong for the Lungs I

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Qigong for the Lungs I

The Hungry Tiger Qigong strengthens the lungs and supports our immune functions.

The three versions of this exercise open up and strengthen your lung organ and channels that travel down your inner arms. Practice a set once or twice a day using the version that you feel matches your current ability.

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Qigong for the Lungs III

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Qigong for the Lungs III

The Qigong exercises in this video can be used preventively as part of a Lung strengthening program or therapeutically if you have a current or recent infection. The first Qigong exercise, Water & Fire Meet, is good for invigorating the flow of energy in the chest to dissolve phlegm and reduce cough. Use it for any cough or bronchial infection with chest tightness or congestion.

The second Qigong exercise, The Great Bird Spreads its Wings, opens the chest and helps your lungs breathe deeply and fully.

Shielding Meditation

Shielding Meditation

Studies show that meditation practice can optimize physiological functions including the immune system. Dr. Mao shares a simple meditation practice from the Taoist tradition that was originally developed to help one shield from negativity as well as pathogens. This is timely for the pandemic crisis we are facing today.

Qigong for Poise and Calm

Qigong for Poise and Calm

Crane Style Qigong for Poise and Calm
 Our bodies crave movement! Not only that, it is essential for our health and immune system. In the video below, D. Dao helps you stay poised and confident with a very simple qigong lesson.  Perfect for the whole family to practice at home together.

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Immunity II – Lifestyle

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Immunity II – Lifestyle

Activities, attitude & lifestyle to support strong natural immunity:
Balance activity & rest. Overworking physically or mentally or depriving yourself of restorative sleep will surely weaken you and make you more susceptible to infection. On the other hand, being sedentary has been compared to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for its negative impact on your health. Regular physical exercise of 30 minutes or more / day of moderate intensity

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Immunity I – holistic principles

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Immunity I – holistic principles

Welcome to my immunity blog.  In this first section we will go through general principles of immunity according to the holistic energy medicine of ancient China. In future blogs you will discover more detailed dietary advice, demonstrations of self-massage on acu-points and more Qigong practice that can be practiced outside or inside, especially if you might have to spend “sheltered in place” or in various levels of confinement.

2020, Chinese Year of the Rat

2020, Chinese Year of the Rat

Welcome to 2020, the Chinese Year of the Rat!

By Dr Mao Shing Ni

Each year there is a dynamic interplay of elemental forces that can be seen as predictable changes in one’s personal life as well as changes in the world. These changes may upset the delicate balance in ecology, geopolitics, epidemiology, and financial markets an can have a profound impact on countless lives. In this, my annual forecast, you will find a general prediction of changes in the world and how they may affect you personally.

While 2020 may be marked by strong aggression, conflict, and negativity, it is up to you to manage adversity by adjusting your attitude and perspective. Rather than viewing 2020 as a cup that is half empty, look at it as a year that is half full. Be alert for opportunities in which you can add Fire Element sparkle, and bring optimism and positivity to every situation, whether in relationships, health, or work. Most importantly, cultivate your resilience so that no matter how negative circumstances may seem, you can weather the storm and chart a steady course toward the destination you have chosen for yourself.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

Celebrating the return of light

The four quarterly poles in the yearly calendar are times when new energies arise and can be utilized to prepare for these new cycles. By attuning yourself to Nature’s cycles you can benefit from her rejuvenating and healing energy for physical and spiritual renewal. It works the same way as surfing – you use right timing to select the most auspicious wave to carry you in the strong and correct path. The Winter Solstice is a good time to let go, renew yourself and quietly welcome the new cycle of sunlight that will govern all our activities the coming year.

Tree Breathing Qigong. . . .

Tree Breathing Qigong. . . .

The simple practices of Forest Bathing and of ancient Qigong working with trees have great healing benefits, now widely documented in Japan: among other effects, stress hormone cortisol significantly decreased in test subjects after a walk in the forest. Ancient insights and current research note that the cells of the roots and rootlets of trees and our brain cells have similar functions and parallel structures: we are “inverted trees” with our brain on top while trees have their functional brain in their roots.

Meditation and the breath

Meditation and the breath

Be detached and relaxed as the chi generates naturally 

Breathing links the mind and body, establishes an underlying rhythm and calibrates our energy through regulating internal gathering or clearing. When we first settle down to meditate, it is most often useful to clear away debris. This means dispersing superficial tension and opening blockages on our way to clear, healthy functioning.