In the Chinese Medical system, prevention of disease is the top priority. The Nei Jing, a medical text written over 2000 years ago, says "to administer medicine after illness begins is...like digging a well after becoming thirsty." Therefore, the ancient Chinese physicians created a complete, effective system of disease prevention called the 8 Pillars of Health, which are:

1. Zhong Qi (Air-Breathing deeply and correctly to oxygenate and nourish the body)
2. Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi-Eating properly for strength, balance, and health)
3. Qi Gong (Exercise- Circulating Qi and Blood with movement and breath)
4. Tui Na (Massage-Manually restoring flow of Qi)
5. I-Ching (Shen/Spirit-Self awareness that includes astrology and other arts)
6. Feng Shui (Environment-Creating a safe, calming, freely flowing living space)
7. Acupuncture (Using needles to restore proper flow of Qi through the meridians)
8. Herbology (The use of plant, mineral, and animal ingredients in skilled combinations)

I call the activities we do as part of healthy living “Self-Care.” Self-care activities tend to be enjoyable, at least once you get started. For some strange reason, we often feel resistance to do that which is best for us. Fortunately, this resistance lessens as we forge ahead. Below you'll find links to helpful information about all of these aspects of healthy living, organized in a way that may be more familiar to us in this day and age.

Nutrition and Proper Eating

Check out myNutrition Basics page! You may also be interested in Pure Aesthetica's Raw Living Classes.

Exercise and Movement

Yoga Journal Online
How to Make the Most of Your Exercise Time

Take a minute to reflect on the care you already do on a regular basis. Thank yourself for that. Is there something that makes you feel good that you haven't done in a while? Would you like to make the time for it Now?