Gua Sha and Physical Conditioning: The Path to Physical and Mental Balance
In the practice system of traditional Chinese medicine, the role of gua sha, as an external treatment method, is not limited to relieving superficial symptoms, but also related to the overall regulation of the internal environment of the human body. With the deepening of our understanding of this technique, we have gradually realized that Gua Sha affects not only the specific physical state, but also the corresponding physical and mental realm.
Physique: the embodiment of the unity of body and mind
Traditional medicine classics point out that the human body has its own characteristics: “there are rigid and soft, weak and strong, yin and yang”. This view reveals that physique is not only reflected in physiological characteristics, but also interrelated with psychological traits.
In practice, it is observed:
· Weak yang energy is often accompanied by fear of cold and lack of decisiveness
· People with insufficient yin fluid are more likely to see deficiency of heat and irritability
· People with heavy phlegm and dampness often have body weight and viscosity of thinking
These phenomena confirm the TCM concept of “physical and spiritual connection” – physiological states and psychological characteristics often influence each other to form a unified physical and mental performance pattern.
The principle of Gua Sha to regulate the physique: to use the pass
The core function of Gua Sha is to dredge the meridians and regulate the qi. By promoting the flow of qi and blood, the body restores its self-regulation ability and realizes the conditioning effect of “tongzhong and supplement”.
Those who have had phlegm and dampness constitution are manifested by high body weight, easy fatigue, and frequent coughing. After phased conditioning, not only does the weight tend to be normal, but more importantly, it is self-reported that “the mind is clear, the energy has improved, and the personality is more hearty”. This change from the inside out is a manifestation of the overall adjustment of the physique.
A shift in perception from treatment to prevention
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes “working to treat diseases before they occur”, and the highest value of scraping practice is to guide people from passively responding to diseases to actively maintaining health.
For example, an office worker who originally had a monthly cold said, “Now I have learned to observe the early signals of my body and adjust it when the problem first appears.” “This change in health concepts reflects the substantial improvement of individual health management capabilities.
The practice of Gua Sha has brought about three levels of change
1. Cognitive level: Building a systematic understanding of health
When recognizing that many health problems are like icebergs, traditional methods often “see ice and chisel ice”, and improving the internal environment through overall conditioning can create conditions for the fundamental improvement of problems.
2. Competency level: master self-care methods
Under professional guidance, learning simple daily scraping methods, such as head scraping, becomes a practical skill for maintaining health.
3. Mental level: cultivate a peaceful attitude towards life
During the conditioning process, many participants found that their emotional state was more stable and they were able to cope more calmly with situations in life and work.
Practical case: The process of simultaneous improvement of body and mind
A retired person sought treatment for insomnia and constipation. In the process of continuous participation, she not only learned to observe her own state, but also saw each conditioning as an opportunity to talk to herself. Half a year later, she shared: “These ten minutes of concentration have allowed me to experience peace from the inside out, which is difficult to replace with any external material. ”
The core value of gua sha: promote harmony between body and mind
The deep meaning of Gua Sha is:
· The patency of the body promotes the clarity of the mind
· The harmony of qi and blood brings clarity of thinking
· The improvement of physical fitness supports the sublimation of life
When people learn to listen to their bodies and follow the rhythm of life, they can maintain inner stability and calmness in their complicated lives.
epilogue
Gua Sha practice is not only a conditioning method, but also a way of mind-body dialogue. It not only helps us improve our specific physical condition, but also guides us towards the wisdom of life in which the body and spirit are united. On this road, every careful practice is a deeper understanding of health and a more real experience of life.