Last night Dr. Min (PhD in Alzheimer’s research) spent two-and-a-half hours with us, his tiny group of Wisdom Ways breathing students. He brought us dinner and then showed us his recent research data using MRIs from the Mayo Clinic. It was fascinating, all about the results of deep breathing and the brain. Some contributors had learned breath techniques a few months earlier. Some had more than five years of experience and some had done thirty years of breath work. The techniques did not have to be Dr. Min’s process from Korea, Seokum-Hoheup. His charts showed how deep breathing (below the diaphragm, in the belly) created the ability of our lungs to help the brain eliminate toxins: quickening the movement of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) from the brain down the spinal column, through the blood and eventually to the kidneys. The longer the history of breath work, the stronger the influence on CSF. I was absolutely stunned by his data.
I shared with Dr. Min (we call him Paul) my upcoming appointments at the Mayo Clinic. He asked if a certain doctor is the one I will be meeting with but I don’t have any names yet. I also told him about the neurologist who does acupuncture for Alzheimer’s. I did not know if he would blow off that healing idea but he asked me to send a link to that doctor. He was very interested. Which inspires me even more to see the acupuncturist, if I can afford it. My Medicare only pays for acupuncture for joint pain.
I have bookmarked two Vimeo videos that lead through the Seokum-Hoheup (Hang-Gong) steps. After last night, I feel this is an important procedure I need to do at least three times a week: a form of relaxation and meditation, but a body/brain benefit too.