Feb 27

Have you ever woken up from a dream and tried to remember it, only to have it slip back into the recesses of your memory?

Over the years, I have kept many dream journals and consider recording and journaling dreams to be a potent way to connect with the unconscious mind. Another way to say “unconscious mind” is to say “body.” I like to say: the mind is subtle body and the body is denser mind.

Dreaming, active imagination and visualization are activities associated with the right brain, while language and analyses are associated with the left brain.

I personally don’t like to “analyze” dreams, or equate dream symbols with specific, definite interpretations. Analyzing dreams often reduces powerful archetypes and psychic forces and relegates them to left brain reason.

Another option for working with dreams is to consider them poems or paintings…works of psychic art if you will.

I will often journal my dreams in the form of haiku poetry so that I remember the images.

The image itself can be revealing and illuminating.

One summer in 1992 while living on the coast of North Carolina, I discovered a very unique method for remembering dreams quite by accident. It was my morning habit that summer to take an ocean swim before beginning my day.

One morning as I walked to the beach I tried in vain to recall a powerful dream I had the night before. I could not remember the dream and I was frustrated.

As I entered the warm ocean salt water, I began to float on my back. As I did so, once my ears were submerged, the images from last night’s dream came streaming again through my mind’s eye. I was pleasantly surprised by how easily my dream returned to my conscious mind once my ears were submerged in water.

I repeated my experiment every time I forgot a dream, and every time I floated on my back and submerged my ears in water I could remember the images.

I have since done this technique in the bath as well and it never seems to fail! So if you don’t live near the ocean, or have a pool, try using the bathtub to remember your dreams. Simply submerge your ears in water, close your eyes and breathe slowly and let the dream return.

I suspect that submerging the ears in water cuts out ambient noise and puts the brain in a relaxed state that is similar to sleeping. Matcha also puts the brain in a relaxed state, alpha state, because of the theanine. I use matcha to meditate with and I have noticed that matcha facilitates dreaming and visualization techniques.

Feb 25

I want to share with you 12 more reasons why I drink Living Qi matcha everyday:

Potential Health Benefits of Living Qi matcha Green Tea:

1. Significantly increases energy (over 8-10 hours) without the caffeine “jitters”.
2. Improves mental alertness (theanine component).
3. Increases calmness and reduces stress (theanine component).
4. Boosts metabolic rate by 35-40% in regular drinkers, facilitating weight loss.
5. Powerful “anti-aging” activity due to super-charged antioxidants.
6. Lowers blood pressure.
7. Decreases levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
8. Minimizes symptoms of PMS.
9. Super immune-boosting activity due to high levels of polyphenols and catechins.
10. Stabilizes blood sugar levels.
11. Powerful anti-biotic and anti-viral activity.
12. Strong blood cleanser/detoxifyer and alkalyzer due to high chlorophyll content.

One of my missions is to provide superior nutritional products that help the mind and body to function in an optimal state. Our matcha helps the mind to relax and remain calm. Because matcha is so calming, it is the beverage of choice for meditation and relaxation. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you do so.

To learn more about how we price Living Qi matcha, click here.

Feb 17

One teaspoon of matcha (3 grams) contains about 70mg of caffeine, or about the same as one cup of coffee. I recommend about 1 gram per serving which is one third the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.

Of course you can drink matcha to taste and add as much as you like or reduce the water content for a stronger brew.

The caffeine in matcha is not released quickly as it is in coffee, plus in addition to the slow release of caffeine, there is a high amount of theanine content so that these two effects cancel out the coffee “jitters.” Most people feel very relaxed after they drink matcha tea.

I call the caffeine in matcha “healthy caffeine” and like to point out that it is a profound meditation aid and awareness tool.

Zen Budhist monks often meditate for 3 to 6 hours at one sitting and they harnessed the power of matcha to help them stay focused and concentrated for such long periods.

While there is caffeine in matcha, we here at Living Qi call it “the healthy caffeine” because it is absorbed differently than caffeine in other substances such as coffee. Caffeine in matcha binds to the larger catechin molecules, which are also powerful antioxidants, and is released into the bloodstream slowly over time. Matcha also contains theophylline in small amounts which is similar in chemical structure to caffeine and is absorbed slowly and over time into the bloodstream.

As your body assimilates the catechin molecules, the caffeine is slowly absorbed. In this way, the catechins act as carrier molecules for caffeine and the caffeine may play a role in the healthy absorption of the catechin anti-oxidants. The caffeine in matcha therefore is ‘time-released.’

Smaller dosages of caffeine released over longer periods of time can provide sustained energy for up to 6 to 8 hours.  Though I have found the effect of the caffeine to be very subtle and I am able to sleep after drinking matcha. The caffeine in coffee can hit you like a freight train causing coffee jitters and spikes in your adrenaline and cortisol levels. After the adrenaline and cortisol spike, people often feel a low blood sugar depression.

So if you are interested in a most powerful meditation tool, a superior meditation aid to help you stay relaxed and focused at the same time, try our Living Qi organic matcha.

To order the finest organic matcha green tea in the world at an affordable price just click here.

Jan 6

Some experts say 95% of people who make resolutions for the New Year fail to achieve them, but there are simple ways to dramatically help you focus and achieve your goals. Typically, weight loss and getting fit is the number one resolution people make, according to polls.

I am asking that you start your New Year with our weight loss and detoxification program. It only lasts 3 weeks and I will be doing the program with you and help you with coaching support along the way. I lost 15 pounds of fat the last time I did this program. You can have the program delivered to your door and you do not have to leave your home to participate. read on to learn more about our program and how to keep your New Year’s resolutions.

To help make your resolutions stick this year use these 5 tips:

1. Set Small Attainable Goals and Write Them Down.

* Writing down your goals and making small steps can make a huge difference in your success.

2. Quit a Behavior Cold Turkey, For a Time.

* If you cannot stop drinking or smoking for a month you may need addictions counseling. Start cold turkey and see if you can then moderate your behavior and reduce negative habits.

3. Use the Tool of Your Awareness.

* Meditation is a powerful tool for understanding your cravings. Simply sitting quietly and doing deep breathing for ten minutes can help you decide not to choose a negative behavior.

4. Reward Yourself for Victory.

* For example, after you complete our 3 week detox and weight loss program, spend some money on yourself, take a trip, go shopping or buy yourself a gift to mark your achievement and reinforce it.

5. Make changes in Your Choice of Friends.

* If your friends share all your bad habits and are unwilling to change them, then reevaluate who you spend time with and make a plan to find friends that support your goals.

Are you ready to scorch body fat, rev your metabolism, get on track for the New Year and purify your body?

Our 3 week Program includes:

* Coaching Call: Normally $130.00

* Four Specific Whole food Supplements: Normally $223.00
1. Scorch Fat Formula
2. Feed Cell Formula
3. Detox Liver Formula
4. Intestinal Cleanse Formula

* Healthy Recipe Book and Grocery List: Normally $19.00

* Free Email Support: Normally $150.00

* Detailed Step by Step Program Instructions: Free

The program includes step by step instructions and is very simple to follow:

1.Order program by replying to this email.
2.Pick up program at clinic or receive it at home.
3.Begin program when you wish.
4.Call for free coaching call.
5.Follow the step by step food plan.
6.Take supplements as directed in detailed simple plan.
7.Enjoy recipes as you detox and lose weight!

Normal Program Cost: $522

Limited Time New Year Special: $199

For a Short Time Save $323!

100% money Back Guarantee. You Risk Nothing!

To learn more about what exact supplements are in the program, click here.

Call us at 828.254.4405 to order your program while it is still ON SALE!

Dec 30

I once heard integral philosopher Ken Wilber discuss a powerful combination of using Genpo Roshi’s Big Mind meditation with Holosync audio meditation technology developed by Bill Harris.  Wilber conveyed that combining the two techniques produced a very deep and profound meditative state. After I heard this I tried combining the two myself and experienced a deeply blissful and relaxed state of meditation.

Recently I have added matcha to the mix and the results are even more pronounced. Combining Matcha, Holosync technology and Big Mind meditation techniques produces a mini satori experience, at least in my experience. I highly recommend Centerpointe Research Institute and the work of Bill Harris. Audio technology that synchronizes and coheres brain waves combined with the garnered discipline of genpo Roshi’s work with Big Mind can take you to a whole new level of meditation. Since Japanese Zen Buddhist monks, and Taoist monks have used matcha for thousands of years it makes sense to avail ourselves of a combination of these tools to advance our meditation.

Dec 30

We are once again doing our annual 3 week detox program and you are invited to join us. Last year we had more than 15 people participate in the program. Folks lost an average of 15 pounds of fat and had a great time feeling stronger and better than ever. No matter what your goals are for the new year, bringing in 2010 with a detoxification and purification program can give you the energy and motivation to achieve your goals. Our start date is January 4th.

This is the best detox protocol I have found in ten years of research. You do not need to come into the clinic to participate. We can send the program to your home.The program includes four specific supplements and detailed instructions on exactly how to take them. Additionally it tells you exactly what to eat and when and has many fabulous recipes.

For a limited time I am taking $56.00 off the purchase price. The 3 week program is regularly $255.00, but I am charging only $199.00. Don’t miss this opportunity to join me as I will be doing the entire 3 week program again myself and will be available by email for support during the program.

9 reasons to join us in January and detoxify and purify your body!

1) You can lose 10-20 lbs. in 3 weeks.
2) Fat tissue melts.
3) Cholesterol drops an average of 80 points.
4) Pain is usually diminished.
5) This program is not a “diet”.
6) Allergies often clear up.
7) You immune system gets stronger.
8) Puffy eyes and dark circles clear up.
9) Skin clears up and gets shinier.

16 more reasons to detoxify your body with us in January!

10) Energy increases.
11) Headaches go away.
12) Digestion improves.
13) Food cravings diminish.
14) Self-confidence improves.
15) Memory improves.
16) libido improves.
17) Aches and pains diminish.
18) Inflammation decreases.
19) Sleep deepens.
20) Mood improves.
21) Stuffy noses clear up.
22) Vision sharpens.
23) Blood pressure drops.
24) Liver function improves.
25) Because everyone should detox once a year (at least).

What do I do now?

* Simply call or reply to this email and tell us you want to participate.

* We will either send your detox kit or you can pick it up

* Begin program on January 4th

* Email during program with any questions or concerns

To learn more about what exact supplements are in the program, click here.

Detoxification, also known as purification, can help you remove natural toxins from your body and help maintain a healthy weight. We are exposed to external toxins everyday, including pollutants, pesticides, and chemicals. Internally our bodies produce waste byproducts as a result of normal metabolic function. Although your body is designed to rid itself of these toxins naturally, it can become overburdened. Detoxification offers your body additional support to expel natural toxins and minimize your weight, which is important to maintaining your health and vitality.

Call us at 828.254.4405 to order your program while it is still ON SALE! Or reply to this email. Email and phone number are also on our website at www.blueridgeclinic.com.

Now, even if you don’t need to lose weight, purification is still a great idea. In fact, over the years I have found it incredibly beneficial for resolving health problems that just are not responding to any form of treatment.

If you have any questions email or call us today: (828) 254-4405!

Dec 11

By: James Whittle L.Ac.

My old friend Jim Wolf, who passed on a couple of years ago used to like to say “60 seconds now or $600 dollars later.” He was referring to taking 60 seconds to get something done, like changing the oil in your car, so as to save your car from more expensive repairs later; or exercising now to prevent future health problems.

When you get down to the nuts and bolts of healing work, it is most important to think in terms of prevention first. We eat the right foods and stay active to prevent the body from breaking down later. We take “60 seconds” now to do deep breathing exercises to avoid stress and the havoc that stress creates in the body/mind later.

The Japanese are arguably one of the healthiest cultures on the planet; they have low rates of cancer of heart disease compared to the US. One reason for this is that they eat plenty of fish, they eat fermented foods like miso, and they drink plenty of green tea, including matcha.

This Christmas when you think of your family and friends, consider giving them the gift of health and prevention. You can easily send them a matcha starter kit and help them get off coffee. Matcha is a unique and healthy gift idea and we are offering free shipping on select items. We will even give 10% of the proceeds of your purchase to a charity that serves homeless and poor children during the holiday season.

Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays!

One of my missions is to provide superior nutritional products that help the mind and body to function in an optimal state. Our matcha helps the mind to relax and remain calm. Because matcha is so calming, it is the beverage of choice for meditation and relaxation. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you do so.

Click here to order Living Qi organic matcha safely and securely over the internet, you don’t need a paypal account only a major credit card to order.

© James Whittle, 2009,  All Rights Reserved.

James Whittle is a healer, a practitioner of energy medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine: www.blueridgeclinic.com, a sought after speaker in alternative and complementary medicine, a writer, and the founder of two companies: for the finest organic matcha green tea in the world visit: www.living-qi.com, to learn about losing weight with Chinese medicine and controlling blood sugar and sugar cravings visit: www.tcmnutra.com.

Nov 26

We are going to use big words here like DESTINY, CALLING and MEANING. Do you believe you have a destiny in life? Do you have a calling? Do you find meaning and purpose in life? Simply put, if you don’t feel you have a purpose or calling then you are missing a deep and important source of joy in your life.

Central to traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the notion that the Heart is the regulator of the entire human being. The meaning in our lives comes from a life lived in relationship to the Heart, aware of what creates peace within and aware of what creates disorder in one’s life. The result of a life lived in accordance with the destiny of the innermost heart is felt as joy. Joy is the emotion of the heart. If we see in a patient that there is no joy, then we must address the heart to understand why.

In fact joy is our natural birthright and a healthy life most definitely should be a joyful life. If you look at your life right now can you truly say that you are most often joyful? If not then it is an important part of healing to release what we call “little mind” and to experience once again, life as it is free of thought. After all, the only thing that suffers is your imagination right? Think about it for a moment. It is the story we tell ourselves in our minds that creates or dissolves our suffering.

Let me give you an example. Have you ever heard of Viktor Frankl? Viktor was imprisoned by the Nazis at the feared death-camp called Auschwitz during World War II. After watching his entire family be tortured and killed he finally decided that there was one thing his captors and killers could not take away from him…his soul and his will to live.

He decided then and there that if he survived he would use the remainder of his life to teach others that happiness is possible even under the most terrible circumstances. I highly recommend his book called “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Here is what Viktor had to say about his purpose:

“I had wanted simply to convey to the reader by way of concrete example that life holds a potential meaning under any conditions, even the most miserable ones. And I thought that if the point were demonstrated in a situation as extreme as that in a concentration camp, my book might gain a hearing. I therefore felt responsible for writing down what I had gone through, for I thought it might be helpful to people who are prone to despair.”

Now if Viktor Frankl can find meaning and joy in life after watching his entire family murdered, then perhaps we should analyze our own lives and see what bad attitudes we can let go of.

I want to thank all of you for supporting our matcha tea company. People are really getting a great benefit from drinking Living Qi matcha.

Here is what a psychologist, who regularly uses matcha green tea, had to say about her experience:

“I’m a bit surprised at how quickly I’ve taken to Living Qi Matcha Green Tea, replacing my morning coffee almost without intention, feeling increased energy with a wonderful sense of calm, and feeling able to focus with intensity for extended periods in the work with my psychotherapy clients.  I have also found that drinking Matcha Green Tea just prior to working on my writing helps me hold creative attention and avoid the distractions that inevitably nudge.  It’s been such a pleasure to witness my clients who drink Matcha experience decreased anxiety.  I highly recommend Living Qi Matcha Green Tea, feel very safe with its history and production, and look forward to experiencing long-term benefits on health and mood!”

—–Jennifer Daigle, Psychotherapist, Author.

Want to learn more about matcha? Click here.

Can matcha increase my creativity and focus and enhance my energy? Click here.

Why do Zen monks meditate with matcha green tea? Click here.

One of my missions is to provide superior nutritional products that help the mind and body to function in an optimal state. Our matcha helps the mind to relax and remain calm. Because matcha is so calming, it is the beverage of choice for meditation and relaxation. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you do so.

Click here to order Living Qi organic matcha safely and securely over the internet, you don’t need a paypal account only a major credit card to order.

© James Whittle, 2009,  All Rights Reserved.

Nov 20

Check out the amazing video about how one cup of matcha can cut cancer risk by half:

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Nov 19

Dear Patients and Friends,

I have worked with hundreds of people over the years who have shared their profound frustration in trying to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets come and go and many are downright dangerous. I have distilled some simple but powerful principles for losing weight below. If you would like me to tailor an optimal weight loss plan for you personally, you can call (828) 254-4405, and I will give you a free 15 minute consultation about what I can do for you. Acupuncture is an incredibly simple and relaxing way to stimulate your body to lose weight, especially in the thighs and abdomen.

1. Build lean muscle more than do aerobic exercise.
•    Lean muscle is 5 times more metabolic than fat tissue.
•    Simple weight lifting exercises creates a metabolic furnace that burns fat 24 hours a day.
2. It’s not just what you eat, it’s when you eat it. (most people make the huge mistake of not eating all day, or eating lightly only to become extremely hungry later in the evening at which time they eat a large dinner, this is HUGE mistake and causes people to gain weight)
•    Understand the glycemic index of the foods you eat and eliminate fried, fatty, greasy and sugary foods (this is the what you eat)
•    Eat more frequently but in smaller portions: 6 small meals, or three regular meals with 2 snacks in between. (For healthy food ideas and recipes just call us at the clinic: 828.254-4405).
•    Eat a good size breakfast, have snack, a decent lunch, have a snack, eat a smaller dinner, have a snack. (this is the when you eat)
3. Detoxify your liver and rid your body of excess acid.
•    Most people do not know that a toxic or stagnate liver can cause an immense backup of toxins that then get stored in fat cells. The creation of fat cells is often a defense mechanism that protects other cells from toxins; fat cells hold the toxins in a kind of hibernation until the liver is ready to deal with them.
•    Experts agree most people need to detoxify the liver at least once a year. (To learn more about our detoxification program call us at (828) 254-4405.)
•    As you detoxify your liver, you will automatically begin shedding fat because your liver will then have the ability to neutralize the toxins that have been stored in your fat cells.
•    I have seen so many people eat all the right foods and exercise more but they still could not lose weight, only when we detoxified their livers did they begin to shed the extra pounds.
4. Get more sleep.
•    Sleeping 6 hours a night raises your risk of developing obesity to 23%, sleeping 4 hours a night raises your risk of developing obesity to 73%.
•    Continuing research demonstrates that 8 hours really seems to be ideal for most people regardless of age or constitutional type.
•    During sleep, the body does cellular repair, and rids itself of stress hormones that cause fat tissue to accumulate.
5. Let stress go.
•    Realize that food acts as a stressor: Fatty foods, refined foods, coffee, tobacco and excess alcohol all cause adrenaline and cortisol to be released into the bloodstream and this in turn cause the body to break down lean muscle and to store fate.
•    Coffee causes stress by inducing the body to increase stress hormones.
•    Matcha green tea on the other hand causes the body to relax and the polyphenols in green tea help the body detoxify and burn fat.

To learn more about matcha and weight loss click here.

One of my missions is to provide superior nutritional products that help the mind and body to function in an optimal state. Our matcha helps the mind to relax and remain calm. Because matcha is so calming, it is the beverage of choice for meditation and relaxation. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you do so.

Click here to order Living Qi organic matcha safely and securely over the internet, you don’t need a paypal account only a major credit card to order.

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