Paida and Lajin Self-Healing

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques Purpose of Lajin La: To stretch; Jin: Chinese medical term similar to ligaments, tendons; Lajin: To stretch and to restore functions of Jin where Jin-Suo has occurred, so as to self heal illnesses, restore health and prevent aging; Jin-Suo: Contraction, atrophy or degeneration of the functions of Jin, which is the major contributor to aging and most illnesses. Lajin is a simple way of proactive health management. When practiced correctly, it can help enhance overall health and promote longevity by cleansing vital energy channels in the body, thus enabling smooth Qi and blood flow. This in turn improves various acute and chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, gynaecological and prostate illnesses, dislocations as well as pains caused by Jin-Suo.

How do I detect the occurrence of Jin-Suo? If your body manifests one or several of the following eight symptoms, then you are suffering from Jin-Suo:

[Test 1] Ability to squat

[Test 2] Can you lift your legs with ease?

Do you find it increasingly difficult?

Remember climbing stairs in strides?

One way to tell is to try using a squat toilet.

Do you find it increasingly taxing?

[Test 3] Can you bend from the waist effortlessly?

[Test 4] Can you walk or run in long strides?

Each time, bending becomes increasingly

If you can only take small steps,

taxing for you and you might easily

then it’s time to take note.

end up with twists and sprains.

[Test 5] Is your one leg longer or shorter than the other?

[Test 6] Can you stretch and bend the arms? Try holding the rings on a bus or train.

“How come I never realized it?” ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques

[Test 7] Can you stretch your legs in a

[Test 8] Can you turn your body easily?

seated position (assuming a horse stance)?

“Ah, it is not because I am fat,

“Why can’t I stretch out as wide as others?”

but because I’ve got Jin-Suo?”

Learn Lajin in One Minute 1. Lajin in reclining position This position is by far the safest and provides the most comprehensive efficacies. A customized Lajin bench is recommended, but chairs can be used as an alternative. You must coordinate your breathing and stretch your arms as much as you can. This is particularly effective for sagging breasts and overweight females. [Lajin Method] ◆If you are using chairs, place two side by side with the side of one chair against the wall; ◆Lie down on your back, put the arms straight behind your head and keep them flat on the bench; ◆Place the right leg up against the pillar, while the left leg bends down as much as possible to touch the floor; ◆Move your buttock against the pillar and keep (Using a Lajin bench)

(Using chairs as an alternative)

the raised leg flat against the pillar;

◆Avoid legs moving outward; Move the inner thighs closer together to increase intensity; ◆Maintain this position for 10-40 minutes, and then switch your legs.

☆ For best efficacy, practice it daily. 2. Lajin in standing position This can be easily done at home or in the office. It is known to greatly alleviate frozen shoulder and chronic neck and shoulder pain for those who spend long hours deskbound and hunched. [Lajin Method] ◆Stand in a doorframe, raise both arms to hold the doorframe on both sides, and stretch your arms as much as possible; ◆Place one foot forward to do a bow step, and place the other foot behind to straighten it as much as possible; ◆ Keep your upper body parallel to the doorframe, raise your head and keep your eyes looking straight ahead; ◆Maintain this position for 5-8 minutes, and then switch your legs. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques ☆ For best efficacy, practice it daily. 3. Lajin in horizontal position This is a supplementary method to Lajin in reclining position. You can either do it on your own, or, for greater intensity and efficacy, ask someone to press one leg and move the other sideways till you can no longer tolerate the pain. Stay for some time, and then switch your legs. [Lajin Methods] 1. Lie in a bed or on the floor, and stretch both legs sideways in opposite directions. Maintain this position for 10 minutes or more. (On the floor)

(On a bed)

2. Alternatively, place a bed against a wall and lie in the bed. Raise and press both legs to the wall. Place the buttocks against the wall and stretch both legs sideways in opposite directions, like a “Y”.

☆ For best efficacy, practice it daily. 4. Neck Lajin position This method is suitable for treatment of cervical pain and shoulder-back pain. [Lajin Methods] 1. Lie face up on a bed, a Lajin bench or chairs, move your head off the edge and let it hang down naturally, put your arms behind your head and stretch as much as (On chairs or a Lajin bench)

(On a bed)

possible. Maintain this position for three minutes or more. 2. Remove pillow when you sleep, whether you sleep on your back or on your side. Initially it may make you feel uncomfortable, keep it for a few days and you will get more accustomed to it.

☆ For best efficacy, practice it daily. 5. Lajin in squatting position This is by far the oldest Lajin method. Simply squat down in a posture similar to when you’re using a squat toilet. For some people, this could be quite a challenge in the beginning. Regular practice will eventually help these people squat down with their feet firmly on the ground. [Lajin Method] ◆Squat down, and press the soles of your feet flat on the ground. If you are unable to squat all the way down, go as far down as possible. ◆Keep your legs together, hug your legs with your arms, and lower your head (Taoists call it “baby hugging”, a posture resembling a baby in the womb).

☆ For best efficacy, practice it daily. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques A Few Things to Note about Lajin 1. Lajin is based on natural movements of the body, hence any pain, numbness, soreness or swelling pain are signs of poor blood circulation, which can be gradually improved with Lajin. 2. Lajin can be self-administered where the intensity and duration is fully within your control. Know your limits to avoid injuries. 3. Aches and pains experienced after Lajin can be a sign of ailment. However, such aches and pains should be within your tolerable range. Hence, Lajin enables one to adjust the intensity and duration of the practice to suit individual needs and tolerance. 4. Beginners, those of advanced age and with severe illnesses should practice with medium intensity using a step-by-step approach to get into positions. Intensity and duration can be gradually increased for greater efficacy. 5. For those with stiff muscles from early on, stiff muscles are the body’s alarm signaling decreased liver function — affecting muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. It is therefore even more crucial for them to practice Lajin. 6. When Lajin with increased intensity and duration no longer gives you pain, numbness or soreness — Congratulations! Your body now has agility, perfect alignment and balance, and smooth Qi and blood flow.

What are the common physical responses brought by Lajin? Type 1: Pain, numbness, soreness, swelling pain, itchiness and yawning are some of the natural responses you may experience when you practice Lajin and/or Paida. These physical responses, according to Chinese medicine, are signs of “Qì Chōng Bìng Zào”, i.e. the healthy Qi is charging at disease nidus. To some extent, this is the darkness before dawn breaks. These responses are signs indicating that the stagnated meridians are now being cleared. Type 2: Red spots, rashes, blisters, dizziness, belching, headaches, nausea, thick phlegm, running nose, farting, extremely stinky excrement and urine All these responses are signs of “Qì Chōng Bìng Zào” and detoxification reactions. When such signs appear, you should go on with Lajin and Paida. After internal self-cleansing and detoxification, you will gradually self-heal diseases and improve your health. Continue Lajin and Paida even after these response reactions subside, adjusting to lower levels of intensity and shorter duration should that be your wish.

What is the appropriate duration and intensity of Lajin? Duration of Lajin There is no fixed standard, but 10-40 minutes for each leg in reclining position is recommended. This is, however, dependant on individual tolerance; hence, it serves only as a reference. But the general rule of thumb is the longer the practice, the better the efficacy and health benefits. 1. When doing Lajin in reclining position, it is all right for most healthy people to straighten the raised leg and set the other leg on the ground. However, for those who are frail or have severe illnesses, it can be quite a challenge. Some may feel intense pain the moment they get into position and want to get down at once. For these people, Lajin should be practiced in a progressive manner ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques in terms of both duration and intensity, starting with one or two minutes of Lajin. 2. For people who dance or practice yoga, 10 minutes of Lajin will not be a challenge. If the duration is extended to 30-40 minutes, all kinds of physical responses will come up, such as leg numbness, pain, belching, farting, excrement, sweating…Chronic diseases such as insomnia, constipation, kidney deficiency, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases will be gradually alleviated. Intensity of Lajin The intensity of Lajin varies from one practice to another and has no fixed standard, but should also be within a tolerable range. 1. You can ask someone to help press your leg, or you may use sandbags. 2. Hands stretched backward may carry weights such as dumbbells, bags or dictionaries. This may add to your pain, but is definitely more effective in curing many diseases such as frozen shoulder, chest tightness, breast illness and cardiac diseases. 3. When incorporated with proper breathing, stretching arms backward as far out as possible has obvious efficacies for obese women or those with sagging breasts, because Lajin in reclining position changes the direction of gravity on breasts.

Cautions and Suggestions 1. When doing Lajin, it is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep warm. Air-conditioning should be turned off or lowered as the pores are opened up during Lajin, otherwise the chills may induce more diseases. 2. If, in reclining position, your sole cannot touch the ground, you can slightly move your knee and leg to the side to ease the pain. But once the foot can touch the ground, try to draw back the leg close to the other, to avoid splay feet. 3. Patients with hypertension, cardiac diseases, porous bones, or those who have been frail, should first ask for doctor’s advice before doing Lajin. People who have Jin-Suo will definitely feel painful during Lajin, and experience high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, in which case it is best to rest the head on a pillow to ease blood rush to the head. 4. Aged people, patients of porous bones or those who are frail or have severe illnesses might faint away because of pain. Therefore, these people should take it more slowly, and gradually increase intensity and duration, of which there are no fixed standards, and they vary from person to person. But persistent efforts will pay off in the end. 5. If, in the middle of Lajin, a patient is found with numb and cold limbs, paleness in the face and cold sweat, this is known in Western medicine as “Hyperventilation Syndrome”. It can be resolved by covering the patient’s nose and mouth with a paper bag or plastic bag to form an enclosed breathing system. The symptoms should be gone in five minutes and the patient’s condition should return to normal. 6. Women may practice Lajin at any point of the menstrual cycle. Patients suffering from painful menstruation may gain better benefits if Lajin is practiced during the period. 7. Lajin is best complemented with Paida for enhanced efficacy. In particular, for patients who have problems performing Lajin, slapping the joints, hands and feet can help relieve the pain felt during Lajin. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques Purpose of Paida Pai: To pat

Da: To slap

Paida: A self-healing technique which utilizes patting and slapping of external skin areas to draw out and expel poisonous waste in the body and to restore health by facilitating smooth Qi flow in the body’s meridian system. Sha: “poisonous blood” in the body. It is a word unique to the Chinese language, and is used as an indicator for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Qi: Flow of energy or the circulation of life energy in the body. Paida is originated from ancient Taoist practitioners, who used this technique to “treat old injuries”. The technique stems from their belief that patting and slapping activate vital energy channels, thus removing stagnant energy and toxins, curing ailments and improving health. Paida = Elimination of toxicants = Elimination of poisonous waste in the body The Paida technique we are promoting is a unique DIY health management method which combines those of Taoists, Buddhists and methods of Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM). The key to its success lies in one’s positivity and concentration when practicing Paida by oneself or for others, and the intensity and duration of such practice.

Sequence of Paida Generally speaking, you can Paida in the following top-down sequence: Step 1: Pat the head

Pat the top of the head

Pat the sides of the

Pat the back of the

with both hands

head with both hands

head with both hands

Pat the back of the neck with one hand

Step 2: Slap the shoulders

Step 3: Slap both armpits and the inner

Pat the right side with left hand, and vice versa;

sides of the shoulders

Remember to pat all sides of the shoulders. Patients with cardiac diseases, lung and breast diseases should slap the parts in Step 3 more often. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 4: Slap the inner sides of the elbow joints This covers all the meridians on the inner sides of the elbow joints, i.e. heart meridian on the innermost side, lung meridian and large intestine meridian at the rim of the outer side, as well as the pericardium meridian in the middle. Step 5: Slap the knees Pat the front of the knees with both hands and make sure that the knee is covered by the entire palm; then pat the inner sides, outer sides and the back of the knees. This step could be applied to cure all foot and leg diseases, including pain, numbness and swelling pain. When combined with Lajin, it will bring better efficacies. Step 6: Slap the feet Pat the arches, insteps, ankles and surrounding areas with great force. This can not only help cure foot diseases, but also bring good curative effects for all diseases of internal organs. Step 7: Slap any body parts where needed After going through all the six steps, you may Paida any body parts according to your particular condition.

How to Paida properly? 1. Pat and slap attentively: Concentration and faith will unleash the vital energy in your body. You should firmly believe that you are your own best doctor and that you can self heal. Distracting, negative thoughts could bring negative effects; 2. Pat with solid slaps: If you feel the pain of slapping, it means you are on the right way. W ith every painful slap, your ailments will gradually subside; 3. Pat and slap with your mind: When slapping the skin, you can imagine that you are injecting fresh Qi into the body and bringing out the dirty Qi; 4. Make good use of your palm and fingers: When slapping a large area such as the front of the knees, use both palm and fingers; if the area is relatively small, such as the back of the knees, you could mainly use the fingers with agile movement of the wrist; 5. Pat and slap with force, as long as you can endure the pain: Slapping may be very painful in the beginning, but the pain usually subsides once you carry on for more than two minutes; 6. Better recite or chant scriptures during Paida: Reciting scriptures will bring better result; you may choose your favourite ones; 7. Use your fists to avoid too much noise of slapping and patting. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques Basic Principles of Paida: High intensity + long duration + high frequency = speedy improvement; Less intensity + shorter duration + lower frequency = slower improvement; No Paida = no improvement.

Principle of Sha Treatment: Sha, i.e. poisonous blood in the body, is the colourful thing under the skin appearing during Paida. When Sha appears, the body’s self-healing power is at work. So, continue with Paida until it subsides.

Duration and Frequency of Paida 1. Paida can be done at any time of a day. You can make it your habit, and Paida in the mornings and evenings, or in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. 2. Due to different Paida intensity and people’s particular physical conditions, there is no fixed time length for when the Sha appears and disappears. Therefore, the appropriate duration of Paida varies from person to person. We kindly advise that children, the elderly, the frail, and the severely sick should practice Paida following the proper sequence. 3. For health care, you can slap from head to foot for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, at least once or twice a day (particularly the head, shoulders, armpits, elbows and knees for one to five minutes each). For sub-health cases, besides Paida the parts mentioned above, you can pat and slap the disease nidus for a longer time. Generally, the duration should be between five to thirty minutes, and you can do it once, twice, or more times a day. For those with serious illnesses, Paida duration should be extended to no less than one hour. After Sha appears, Paida should be continued. Sha is poisonous blood in the body, and it reveals body waste and illnesses, which can be cleared with continuous slapping. The body will finish the elimination of toxicants as Sha disappears. That’s the secret of the magic efficacies of Paida. 4. For those who feel under the weather or have obvious symptoms, they should pat or slap the nidus for at least half an hour each time. For example, those suffering from knee pains, frozen shoulder, cervical spondylosis, headache or insomnia can pat and slap the knees and elbows more frequently for at least once or twice a day. 5. For those with serious illnesses, such as inability to lift the shoulders or walk, or those diagnosed with psoriasis, heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes or cancer, they should pat top-down from the head to the feet with the focus on the elbows, knees, feet and the nidus for at least one hour and at least three times a day. And the time length of each Paida can be reduced when the symptoms are relieved. 6. After several rounds of Paida, it is not as easy to have Sha as before. But if you continue Paida, it can enhance circulation of blood, keep you fit and even cure diseases. 7. As with Lajin, the duration and frequency of Paida vary from person to person. Whether there is Sha or not after Paida, it can be a daily exercise for both the sick and the healthy. 8. One Paida session can be divided into several, with each session focusing on one particular part of the body. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques A Few Things to Note about Paida 1. Avoid directing the electric fan or air conditioner at yourself during Paida, so as not to catch cold and chills via your open pores. 2. Drink warm water before and after Paida. Warm ginger and date broth is recommended. In addition to staying hydrated, this will also prevent dizziness, fatigue and aid the body’s metabolic process. 3. Avoid showering or taking a bath within one hour of Paida. After one hour, be sure to shower or bathe with warm water and not cold water. On a cold day, it is best to avoid showering after Paida. 4. For those with skin diseases such as psoriasis, Paida with high intensity and for long duration is recommended for best effect. Secretion of liquid(s) is a sign of effectiveness, so it is important to continue Paida. However, do not pat and slap onto parts where there are open wounds. 5. Paida for those with diabetes, varicose veins and edema in the legs: The skin of diabetics is less tolerant of slapping, so slap lightly, taking it step by step. Those with varicose veins and edema in the legs should practice slapping in an upward direction to improve blood circulation. 6. When Sha appears, it is important to continue Paida to speed up the elimination of toxins from the body, in turn eliminating the rashes in a shorter time. Reactions such as rashes usually subside after a few days — this is normally so for those with good physical conditions such as children, young and healthy people. Those of advanced age and with grave conditions will usually experience reactions for a longer period of time.

I have a health condition, which body parts should I slap? It is recommended that whatever your health condition is, start by slapping the key areas: head, shoulders, armpits, knees and elbows. Once you have completed Paida the key areas, you can Paida additional areas such as elbow joints, knee joints, arms, and legs for 15 minutes or more each. When Paida elbow and knee joints, be sure to slap all around; When Paida upper arms, place one hand on a knee and slap upper arm using the other hand; When Paida legs, be sure to slap upper and lower parts, inner and outer thighs. After Paida these parts, find your focus areas based on individual health conditions: 1. Conditions of the head and diseases of the five senses such as facial paralysis, headache, dizziness, cold, ventricular diseases, stroke, insomnia, etc.: Paida the head and face; 2. Conditions of the neck, shoulders and various joint problems such as neck and shoulder stiffness, inflammation of the joints, arthritis, and neck pain: Paida joints of shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, ankles, knees, etc. Those who do not have the necessary strength for Paida can ask others for help, as these areas are far from vital organs and require high intensity for best effects; 3. Conditions of the heart, lungs, mammary and thyroid glands: Slap inner wrist joints, armpits, areas below and around the collarbone; 4. Various gynaecological conditions such as ovarian cysts, cervical tumours, fibroids, endometriosis; men’s conditions such as prostate gland diseases, impotence, early ejaculation; conditions of the productive and urine secretion systems, etc.: Paida the base of your thighs where there is a concentration of toxins as well as vital energy, veins, nerves and lymph glands. Please ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.

My Health, I Manage! E-Dao Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Techniques also Paida the inner thighs, navel and lower legs; 5. Old injuries like sprains, twists and sports injuries, etc.: Paida the afflicted areas, scarred areas and surgery incision areas to aid healing. Take special care yourself as these are injury areas. Ensure longer duration, slap for 20 minutes or more for best results; 6. Various itches: Paida afflicted areas and inner wrist joints, knee joints; Stand up and slap both sides of thighs; 7. Those with piles, constipation, water retention, gastro-intestinal problems: Paida with high intensity at navel area, all around knees, inner thighs, base of thighs, and overweight areas for long duration. You can also use your fists in these areas. Using hands to chop the base of thighs is another recommended technique, as it is strong in intensity, yet does not produce much noise; 8. Acute illnesses can be treated by Paida vital energy and pressure points, as per acupoints used in acupuncture. For example, conditions such as acute gastric diseases can be treated by Paida the Zusanli Acupoint on the leg, while acute heart problems and drunkenness can be treated by Paida the inside of elbows, etc.;

Zusanli acupoint

Elbows with Sha

9. All Paida methods can be practiced in combination with Lajin for better results.

Contact us Hotline (Mandarin only): 400-990-5601 Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20.30 (Beijing time) Customer Service E-mails: [email protected] (Chinese simplified/traditional) [email protected] (English and other languages) [email protected] (Mr. Hongchi Xiao’s e-mail) Chinese Website: http://www.paidalajin.com English Website: http://www.paidalajin.com/en/home German Website: http://www.lajin-paida-deutschland.com Mr. Hongchi Xiao’s Chinese Blog: http://blog.sina.com.cn/yixingtx

____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hotline: 400-990-5601 (Mandarin only) Hotline Availability: 8:30 – 20:30 (Beijing time) Website: www.paidalajin.com E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Note: Paida and Lajin are promoted as self-healing techniques, they are not meant for medical treatment.