Tips to Maintain Your Zen This Christmas

The Christmas holiday season is upon us. For many of us, there are celebrations, family & friends, presents, trees, stockings, and lots and lots of food!

‘Tis the season to indulge, relax, and let all the hard workings of the year go, whether they were: dietary changes, lifestyle changes, or mental and spiritual changes; it’s the end of the year, the finale.

However, for those who want to still manage the holiday season and exercise, eat right, and feel calm in Mind and Spirit, here are some incredible tips to consider.

1# Still your mind

If you love the grounding feeling you have after a nice yoga morning stretch, here is a new one for you: Qi Gong.

Get your Qi energy flowing right through your meridians and channeling it to your organs. You will start the day with a perfect balance, and stilled mind.

Don’t be intimidated by the 1000 year old Taoist practice, come join our Qi Gong classes every Wednesday lunch at 12:30!

Or try our new Integrative Qi Gong. This new class is lead by our Traditional Chinese Doctor Stanley Cheung who fuses Qi Gong with Yoga and Meditation to give you a truly holistic health experience. The class takes place every Wednesday evening from 7 – 8 pm.

Feeling a Cold coming on? Then the next tip is for you.

2# Replenish Your Energy Levels

We all know the feeling! You have been working hard, meeting deadlines and you are rewarded with a a well-earned holiday … and then you catch a cold. 

If you’re one of those who gets sick as soon as the holidays come around from built up stress, say no more, just come by for one of our Reiki sessions. Our Reiki practitioners, Catherine Ha and Aurelia Antoskiewicz,  will channel energy where you need it the most, replenishing your energy levels and boosting your body’s self-healing abilities.

Another option is to aid your bodies natural defenses by eating wisely!

The three major antioxidant and immune boosting vitamins are beta-carotene (plus other carotenoids), vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues.

Vegetables which nearly contain all three of these are: broccoli, green and red peppers, spinach, kale or chard, tomatoes, pumpkin and sweet potato.

But what about Christmas Dinners? With these next insider Naturopathic tips you really can indulge without feeling guilty! 

3# Aid your Digestion 

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” – Hippocrates. Discover the power of nutrition for yourself through our Clinic Nutrition Appointment.

As you graciously accept that drink offer and help yourself to each dish on the table, your friend is wondering what your secret is. They are slumped in a chair with a food-coma, and you are care-free and not reaching for the indigestion tablets.

What is your secret? Your secret is that you followed these MIND-BLOWING tips from our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Ken Chu.

• Portion Size: Though the second helping of mash and gravy will take your daily calorie over the top, instead of limiting the quantity of food, you could potentially manage the percentage of it on your plate. This actually does minimise the amount you eat per dish.
• Digestive Enzymes: Taking Betaine HCl or digestive enzymes 30-45 min prior to indulging will help in the breakdown of the food.
• Prepared Stomach: A similar effect can be achieved by drinking 1-2 tablespoons of Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar!
• Super Salad: Another, more palatable trick, is to eat your salad first. The bitterness of the greens will help you release digestive enzymes in your digestive tract.
• When to Drink: Drink only before and after your meal – this will prevent any dilution of stomach acid in the gut.
• Goodbye to Empty Calories: Choose wine instead of beer or mixed spirits – this will limit the amount of empty calories you take in over the holiday.
• On the Rocks: That is unless you drink spirits “neat” or “on the rocks”, that is also a preferred choice!

4# Time to breathe? Time to Meditate

So many people wonder how to keep calm and incorporate meditation moment amidst the family activities. 

As Ajahn Amaro wisely says, “If you have time to breathe you have time to meditate. You breathe when you walk. You breathe when you stand. You breathe when you lie down.”

In order to effectively put this into practice, you first need to accept that Meditation is not the act of ‘not thinking’. Human nature means that, if I told you to ignore the multi-coloured elephant in the room, you will do exactly the opposite. It is the same in meditation.

So, if you don’t have time to attend our Meditation Classes this Christmas, here is our Christmas present to you…

Christmas 3 Minute Meditation Exercise to Top Up Your Zen!

1. Sneak off to the bathroom, or go and check on the Turkey. This is your moment to meditate.

2. Close your eyes and, as you breathe in, slowly count to 7.

3.  Hold that breathe for 3 seconds and then breathe out slowly again counting to 11.

4. Repeat this 3 to 5 times (or until you feel peaceful and calm).

5. Whilst you do this try to be conscious of the air filling your lungs, and your chest falling as you exhale.

6. Suddenly, a thought might enter your mind: “Uh oh, you forgot to turn down the oven!” or “Did I leave the price tag on that present I just wrapped?!”

However tempting it is to follow those lines of thought, just let them pass, not judging or berating yourself for thinking them in the first place. Just bring yourself back to your breathing.

7. Eyes open. You are recharged. Now run and open the windows before the smoke from the oven sets off the fire alarm and slyly peel off that price tag.

8. Repeat as many times as you wish throughout the day!

Seasons Greeting from the Practitioners

TCM Dr. Stanley Cheung

Integrative Qi Gong

Being brought up in Hong Kong but trained in China, Master Stanley has witnessed the strengths and weaknesses of both Western and Eastern medicine, and will often try to employ the best of both worlds in his treatments in an Integrative approach. As a TCM Doctor and Qi Gong Master, Stanley provides a class which fuses the most powerful elements of Qi Gong, Yoga and Meditation with TCM expert advise. Open and enthusiastic, Stanley’s passion to help people return to balance in Mind, Body and Soul.

Dr. Ken Chu

Holistic Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Kenneth J. Chu is a Naturopathic Doctor in Hong Kong and provides Clinical Nutrition and Naturopathic consultations. Ken specializes in pediatrics, gastroenterology, and sports medicine and is well-known for treating kids from infants to teenagers and adults. Open, friendly and approachable, Ken is often remarked for his patience, compassion and ability to provide patients with actionable health advice.

Catherine Ha

Neuroenergetic Kinesiology Practitioner

Catherine is a strong exponent of holistic and alternative restoration methods and is also trained in Yuen and Reiki techniques, which she uses to supplement her approach to Neuroenergetic Kinesiology. Neuroenergetic Kinesiology has been associated with real, tangible results in relieving many conditions including migraines, muscle aches and pains, addictions, anxiety, work stress, phobias, learning difficulties and more.

Maggie Huh

Qi Meditation Facilitator

Our practitioner Maggie Huh explains during the Qi Meditation classes how we can apply Qi during everyday practices. During the class Maggie transfers Qi to the class and individuals to increase the meridian system.
A wonderful meditation that leaves you with the glow of new found energy.  The perfect way to increase your productivity through a new found clarity of mind.

Find Out More

Or book a consultation today:

Tel: +852 2530 3315
E-mail: appt@balancehealth.com.hk