Staying Connected |Akhila Health Newsletter | Vol 5 | 10.23 

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Prana runs throughout the body via energy channels called nadis. With more than 70,000 nadis composing the pranamaya kosha, the body and the mind are ultimately connected via the breath. The Pranamaya kosha is greatly influenced by pranayama or breathwork. Some examples of pranayama include alternate nostril breathing, or nadi shodhana, skull-shining breath, or kapalabhati, and three-part breath, or dirga pranayama. 

Actively practicing the regulation of breath via pranayama enhances the movement of prana through the nadis and strengthens the mind-body connection across the pancha koshas. Similarly, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the practice of QiGong helps regulate the breath and balance the body’s vital energy source or qi.

QiGong

One of the offerings Akhila Health provides to our clients is the 3,000 year old practice of QiGong. Translated from Chinese as “Life Force Energy Work”, QiGong encompasses a wide range of exercises and techniques, including gentle movements, standing postures, breathing exercises, visualization, and meditation. These practices are designed to balance and enhance the body's vital energy, known as "qi" or "chi."

Read more . . .

Check out this QiGong Video Exercise created by our featured facilitator Leonard Shen!

The benefits of regular QiGong practice are proven to be numerous.

• Improve flexibility, balance, coordination, and overall fitness
• Boost the immune system, promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity and focus
• Cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and spiritual growth



Quarterly Challenge: 

• Watch and practice the QiGong video exercise once per week

TIP: Be intentional about focusing on your Breath

LEONARD SHEN

Leonard (Len) Shen is a facilitator specializing in providing energetic self-healing skills. Len teaches QiGong, a 3,000-year-old Chinese practice for purging trauma and enhancing well-being, and is a certified Chinese Energetic Medicine Therapist and an ordained priest. Len is also a Harvard-trained lawyer and former corporate Chief Ethics Officer, is the Chairman of the Board of three publicly traded financial institutions, and on the Board of HomeFirst, a nonprofit serving over 5,000 homeless people a year.

What does serving the community mean to you?

• ​​I’ve been truly blessed in my life. It’s always been a part of it to help those less fortunate. Teaching QiGong is my small way to do so.

How do you incorporate mindfulness into your life?

• I incorporate mindfulness into my life by regularly applying a filter (which I think I’ve always had), of seeing things through a positive lens and expressing gratitude particularly when something unfortunate happens. Being aware of the present moment includes being aware of how lucky I am to be in that moment at all.

What do you enjoy about empowering women through Akhila Health?

• I really enjoy empowering women through Akhila Health because they are too often overshadowed in this male-dominated world and not given space and attention on an equal basis. QiGong allows one greater control over one's bodily ailments, including purging and healing from traumas that may have arisen because of men. A small way of repaying karmic debt.



Fall Harvest Bowl*

from *Jar of Lemons

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Brussels sprouts, halved (about 15-20 sprouts)
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, cubed (about 2 large sweet potatoes)
• 2 cups baby carrots, halved (about 15-20 carrots)
• 1/4 cup water (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• salt/pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/4 cup pepitas
• 2 cups cooked brown rice (or cooked wild rice)

Creamy Chili Dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 medium lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp chili powder
• salt/pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the vegetables on a baking sheet and add water to the bottom.
• Drizzle the oil over the vegetables and add salt/pepper to taste.
• Roast the vegetables for about 30 minutes, tossing halfway to ensure that they are evenly cooked. The vegetables should be tender.
• While the vegetables are cooking, mix the tahini, oil, lemon juice, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and salt/pepper in a dressing shaker or bowl.
• Place the chopped spinach and cooked rice in bowls.
• Place the roasted veggies in each bowl, then top with pepitas and dressing.
• Serve and enjoy!



In case you missed our September Akhila Health By the Numbers email, access it here! Get the latest from Akhila Health.

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. – Oprah Winfrey

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