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Swaiso – is a Taoist exercise in the Zen Do - In system. It is claimed as a "simple but most effective healing system" Dynamic Meditation and tool for Stress Management

Introduction
SWAISO exercise is a means of prevention of diseases as well as cure. It is also a means of sustaining and developing health. It is easy and can be done by everyone, young and old, can be done anywhere and at anytime. It is typical of Chinese methods, being simple but having remarkable effects on hundreds of diseases. It is gaining popularity in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, USA, Canada, India, Iran etc. Generally the purpose of exercise is to rejuvenate and invigorate the body, but not actually to cure diseases, SWAISO exercise, however can be started as a healing method and continued as a prevention against diseases. This is so because it is one of the superior DO – IN techniques. DO-IN is, in short, a physical exercise which dissolves the blocks and tensions locked in the body.You may not feel that tensions and stiffness are harmful, but if they are dissolved, the human body remains young and unaffected by disease, and if such condition is attained, the body is not prone to disease.

SWAISO is also very effective for Stress Management, and helps in overcoming stress related problems. SWAISO also helps in overcoming Depression, Anxiety and Relationship Problems. SWAISO- its relevance today becomes more, as most of the people are leading a stress full life and are suffering from various health problems on account of their work and life styles (sedentary work, white colors job). SWAISO also improves Concentration, Memory, Intuitive power, Creativity and Performance. It is a very effective tool for getting rid off negative emotions, attitudes and undesired habits.

Origin of Swaiso
China has been putting lot of efforts in rediscovering its own traditional medicine such as Acupuncture, Moxibution and countless varieties of folk treatments and these have been collected one by one. It was reported that in Kohaku province, 1,60,000 “secret” techniques or remedies were gathered and in Fokken province more than 7,00,000, therefore, in the whole of china the number will be very large. Medical experts then compared, condensed and classified the remedies into about 150 basic treatments. As a result of their comparative research, they concluded that Do-In was the best method of healing. From all the information gathered they developed one specific Exercise to benefit all, and promoted it throughout the country. This is the Swaiso exercise.

History of Do–IN Methods
DO-IN has several thousands years of tradition as Taoist method of attaining long life. Kada, who was a physician about 2000 year ago in China, was a notable DO-IN practioner. Kada is remembered as the first doctor who first used anesthetics for operations, Sen-nins or mountain hermits are considered as Taoist Yogis. Their method of maintaining health is called “Sen. – jutsu ” (hermit method). DO-IN can be considered the basis of Sen. – jutsu. DO-IN which became the foundation of SWAISO exercise has precisely this back ground.

The direct source of SWAISO exercise is the “EKKIN – GYO”. (Ekkin Sutra of Bodhidharma – the founder of Zen). There is a belief that Bodhidharma came from India. Originally Bodhidharam studied Buddhism, however in China the religion was “Do –kyo” (Taoism). And Do-ke (Taoists). The traditions were brought to Japan, spread there and were transformed. The tradition of Do-kya (Taoism) became Mikkyo (esoteric Buddhism) and Do-ke became Zen. The Zen sect was a device conceived by Bodhidharama after nine years of sitting facing a wall (a sort of meditation). Bodhidharama was concerned with how to spread Buddhist teachings to the people. He combined Buddhism with Tao, though favouring more of Taoist methods. His methods are influenced by Indian yoga also and are Known as Ekkin- gyo. Ekkin-Gyo is a method of practice that was derived from Taoist DO-IN, Ekkin means “changing the muscle”. that is invigorating and rejuvenating the body’s muscles. Although “Ekkin –gyo” is called a sutra (Sanskrit word), in this context, means a book which contain teachings. In modern terms it can be called “Ekkin Health Method”.

Salient Features of DO-IN Methods

 * This practice is concerned firstly with ridding body of illness by its own movement, through DO-IN in order to attain a natural, young and healthy body. In other words, creating a body which is available to “Tai –Ki” (Great Ki or prana) that vital principal which is innate in nature and manifest through wind, humidity, cold, rain, snow and aridity (similar to Panchabhutas concept in India).
 * Man maintains his life by inhaling and exhaling that “Tai-ki” (Prana) or simply “Ku-Ki”-the air. The purpose of DO-IN (SWAISO) method is to prevent “Tai-Ki” in short “Ki” from becoming struck and felt in the bodies as tensions or blocks.
 * When this has been achieved a clear consciousness arises, and with that clarity a natural realistic outlook of life is possible, Strains and tensions disappear and future can be viewed with joy and it becomes a source of happiness. Therefore, this is a method for Healing as well as for Health, Happiness and an excellent tool for Stress. Management. [2] Although Do-in is unlimited, there are several techniques which can be used without the particular guidance of master and with good results, SWAISO is one of them.

Doing Swaiso Exercise
The word Swai has many different usages literally it means to “swing” or to “throw away”. So Swaiso means to swing the arms back and forth with the feeling of throwing something out, throwing out Ja-ki (the evil or bad ki),which is the cause of blocks and tensions, the root cause of all sorts of illness, physical, mental and emotional. You can also throw out your negative emotions & attitudes and undesired habit too.[2]

A simple exercise Just Swinging of Arms

Follow the procedure given below while swinging your arms:-

While doing Swaiso, the following points may be remembered:
 * 1) Stand firmly on the ground with legs and torso straight. Spread the feet to shoulder width and feel the toes slightly gripping the earth. It is better to do this bare footed.
 * 2) Swing both arms backward and forward together, use force only on the back swing and allow them to go forward by their own inertia. Keep the elbows straight, palms facing down. The eyes should be focused straight ahead. Allow the mind to empty and begin counting silently the number of swings (throws).
 * 3) Begin the first session by swinging two or three hundred times and gradually increase it. For healing one thousand to two thousands throws are recommended. To start with  you should do minimum four hundred throws and this will take just about ten minutes. If you do about one thousand or more you can really feel the effect and lightness in the body.


 * 1) Divide the body into two parts lower and upper. Lower part is below waist, buttocks downward up to heels. Upper part is above waist up to top of head including arms. While swinging the arms backward and forward lower part is kept tight and upper part is kept loose /relaxed.
 * 2) Relax completely the upper body (Upper half). Do not hold the shoulders tight and allow the arms swing naturally.
 * 3) Feel the gravitational pull in the lower body, and at the same time relax the upper body, stand with your soles firmly on the earth and feel a strong pull beneath. Barefoot is more conductive.
 * 4) Allow your mind to become still. Do not let your thoughts wander. Keep your thoughts to counting mentally number of throws.
 * 5) Keep your back straight.
 * 6) Keep your arms loose.
 * 7) Your focus should be on the “SEIKA- TANDEN” (Seika –Tan den is about three inches inside the Navee).
 * 8) Keep your heals on the ground as if they are heavy stones and remember to grip the earth as if your toes digging into it.
 * 9) When you swing your arms keep your palms down
 * 10) While swinging you either use force or swing lightly, but in both cases the proportion of force in the hands and feet should always remain three to seven.   So, if you use force you must balance it with equal force (energy) in the feet. This is the meaning of “upper three, Lower – seven”. Also it is important to remember that if the legs become loose the balance will remain “Upper- Full, and Lower –Empty” and the system is of no use  therefore, while swinging of the arms keep lower half  (buttocks ,thighs, knees, calf  muscles and feet) tight, so that after doing the desired number of throws we can achieve “Lower –Full and Upper-Empty”.
 * 11) A hint in practicing SWAISO is to occasionally alter your direction. It is better to start swinging arms facing east first, do say 100 throws then move to south and do 100, then to west do 100 and finally to north and do 100, thus doing total 400 nos. Similarly one can do 250 in each direction thus doing 1000. In doing so you receive the cosmic energies through your palms (palm chakras) coming from all the four directions namely East (peace), South (protection), West (fulfillment) and North (prosperity).

Balancing flow of KI/Chi/Prana (Energy Balance)
Within the human body all vital organs are in the upper half. i.e. brain, heart reproductive organs, etc. The lower half consists merely of legs and buttocks As a result the upper half is inclined to be overactive and we tend to focus our energy and awareness more in upper half. Our bodies because of the way we live are always in a condition referred to as “upper –full, lower –empty”.[1]To understand it more clearly you can picture yourself having a “Heavy Head”. Imagine that you have been reading intensely for several hours, you feel drained, your head is heavy and your eyes are red, you do not feel able to continue. In this state it could be said your head is abnormally “full”. “Upper -Full” refers not only to head but to the entire upper half of the body. When the upper is full the lower is empty, and when this condition persists, .[1] fatigue builds up and causes various diseases, unhappiness & tensions, because the “JA Ki” (evil ki) also increases. When we do SWAISO “Ja-ki” is expelled, the blocks are dissolved and the fresh “Ki” begins to circulate normally in both the upper and lower halves, when this happens even the most chronic diseases, physical, mental & emotional are eliminated.[1] and we attain a condition “Upper- Empty, Lower –Full”. The most important points in SWAISO exercise is the transformation of “Upper-Full, Lower-empty” in to “Upper-empty, Lower-Full”. To achieve this lower part of the body should be tight and upper loose and desired number of throws should be done (600 to 1200).

Opening the channels of energy
As per Acupuncture and Acupressure there are meridians running from the soles of the feet upwards and by a firm stance the “Ki” in the soles is stimulated then reaches to the muscles, skin , bones and joints and revitalizes the entire constitution and it removes the blocks if there are any.

Balancing “Ki –Ketsu” (Energy and Blood Circulation)
The diseases and tensions result from the loss of “Ki – Ketsu” (Ki energy and Ketsu –blood). SWAISO offers a means to readjust this balance. By applying a force to the feet, Acupressure Points (Zones/ Meridians) are also activated. Thus SWAISO helps to achieve state of well being –physical well being, mental well being, emotional well being and even spiritual well being .SWAISO has healing effects because the ‘VITAL’ Ki/Chi/Prana flow becomes normal and the blood circulation regular and with this many ailments will disappear.[1].

More about Ki-Ketsu
SWAISO is a Do-in method of circulating “Ki-Ketsu” and improving health. To understand fully how SWAISO works there is a need to understand more about “Ki-ketsu” In Chinese medicine while referring to “ketsu” (blood) it does not mean an isolated drop of blood but rather a dynamic process related to the activity of the blood and physiological process as well .And “ki” in chinese medicine must also be understood in the same way. Masao Hayashima  describes “ki” as a “heat” in the human body. For the heart to beat, for the brain to think for the lungs to breathe, and the blood to circulate, a certain amount of calories (heat) is required. And also in order for the body to respond to the conditions outside it (heat .cold, etc) an enormous amount of heat is required. This heat comes from the food. Food is consumed, digested and assimilated and then undergoes a certain process of chemical change as does the fuel in the engine of the vehicle like car. It combines with oxygen and glucose molecules, which have been absorbed from the food into the blood and becomes heat. In Taoist philosophy it is said that ki is not separate from the spirit, and spirit is not separate from the ki. In the same way Chinese medicine say Ki is not separate from ketsu and ketsu is not separate from ki. Blood conveys energy, energy conveys blood. Thus “Ki-ketsu” transfers the oxygen which is inhaled by the lungs and nutrition which is absorbed from the digestive system to each and every cell of the entire body and allows oxidation and generation of heat. At the same time it eliminates the waste ki and waste matter.

When the circulation of “Ke –Ketsu” is blocked “a hundred diseases breakout” .[1] says Chinese Medicine. DO-IN (SWAISO) is a method to conduct this “Ki-ketsu” to every cell and to nerves, and let it flow and it removes the blocks also.

Rythmic Breathing
SWAISO brings harmony in the breathing pattern (breathing in & breathing out). When you are rhythmically swinging your arms your breath also becomes rhythmic which is desired for relaxation, good health and happiness. .[2]

Power of Subconscious Mind
When you keep on swinging your hands at a particular pace, your breath becomes rhythmic and you are bringing a feeling that you are throwing out ( Ja-ki or what you had selected to throw out) with every throw (when your palms go backward) a stage comes when your thoughts reaches your Subconscious Mind which is very powerful and is capable of executing the commands received by it[2]. Now the power of your subconscious mind start working to help you to, get rid off what you had decided to throw it out. Dr.K.N Krishnaswamy from I.I.Sc. Bangalore and R.K.Dham both founder members of Atamabodh use  SWAISO  in BMP (Body mind Programming a system developed by them for self Transformation). Atamabodh Learning Center (a non-profit organization)at Shankarnagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Bangalore. In association with Dr.C.S.Gururaj, from Achala Ashram, Bangalore.

Energizing Chakras
When you are doing SWAISO the annus is contracted as in Ashwani Mudra in yoga and also the awareness is at SEIKA- TANDEN ( Navak Chakra), therefore, the prana (Ki/Chi) moves upward through the chakras and balances the energy flow in the  chakras, which brings physiological and psychological changes to. achieve state of well  being. [2]

Balancing Homeostasis Mechanism
SWAISO balances the Homeostasis Mechanism which helps in overcoming effects of Stress Reactions and brings to normalcy which in required for Stress Management. It also balances. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) by balancing flow in both the nostrils.

Meditation
SWAISO is considered as a Dynamic Meditation and you derive all the benefits of meditation. Dr. K.N. Krishna swamy and R.K.Dham from Atamabodh have developed “Blissful Meditation” based on SWAISO and Swara yoga[7] As we keep on doing SWAiSO continuously even for half an hour or even more the breathing rate does not increase indicating that it is a dynamic meditation ,many people have reported  SWAISO is a good preparatory step for meditation and the meditation quality improves if SWAISO is done before the normal meditation practice.Studies at ATAMABODH centre for learning and healing Bangalre reveal that by doing SWAISO both the nostrils open up equally this indicates as per Swara Yoga that ones body mind is ready for  higher things like contemplation about God or any higher enquiry and as per the scientific studies both the hemispheres of brain right and left are equally active.Thus  SWAISO helps in  the WHOLE BRAIN approach.

The Reactions in the Body

 * 1) As you practice DO-IN (SWAISO) many changes occure in the body. For example, there is an increase of perspiration, temperature mucus and drowsiness. These reactions indicate the DO-IN has stimulated the circulation of “Ki” and that the “Jai-ki” is rapidly leaving the body. In doing so disease is overcome and a strong and healthy body is created. [1]
 * 2) The result of SWAISO is that the blocks and heavy feelings in the chest disappear. You feel relieved. The feet become warm as the blood begins circulating and reaches the toes and fingertips. This is evidence that the “ki” is moving smoothly through out the body[1].
 * 3) SWAISO has healing effects because the “vital” flow becomes normal and blood circulation regular. Doctors in china call this the effects of “ki-Ketsu” (Ki- energy, Ketsu –blood). When “ki-ketsu” stagnates, it diminishes, and the quality changes and so many diseases are caused in this condition.[1] But if “Ki-ketsu” is flowing well, many ailments will disappear. According to this principle SWAISO is a very fundamental exercise that makes the “Ki-ketsu” flow and improve body Constitution. This is the greatest effects of DO-IN (SWAISO) as a health technique and it is for this reason that DO-IN was approved as the most superior of Chinese folk treatments.
 * 4) The diseases in which the pulse beats rapidly are caused because “Ketsu” (blood) cannot regulate  “Ki” bringing  imbalance between them and the “Ki” is unable to function normally . The other extreme is when the pulse beats too slowly as a result of a disturbance in the blood circulation causing a shortage of “Ketsu”. As you move your arms in SWAISO exercise, the back, chest, and abdominal muscles are stretched, in this way the circulatory blockages are removed, the pulse is regulated and the meridian flow is improved. [1]

SWAISO AS A HEALING SYSTEM
Masao Hayashima who has clinics in Japan, and china known as SHOBU-KAN has written that the following is a reference to the kinds of diseases curable by SWAISO. Various types of cancers, High and Low Blood Pressure, Cirrhosis of the Liver, Arthritis, Neurosis, Various diseases of digestive system, Heart disease, Kidney disease. CANCER. He has mentioned many case studies of people suffering from  cancer of the lungs, cancer, of the esophagus, lymphatic cancer, Hemiplegia, etc. He has mentioned that he deliberately created a cancer in his stomach, which was diagnosed in hospital and then he cured it by doing Do-in.


 * The reason tumors are formed is because ki-ketsu has ceased to flow and meridians are blocked. When the blood circulation slows down, changes occur in the blood, mucus, lymph, bile etc.
 * The pulse is weakened and the amount of calories in the system is insufficient. The eliminating force loses strength and the process of elimination is disturbed.
 * By doing SWAISO exercise the appetite, increases and fresh blood begins to circulate. By moving the muscles in the shoulders, the feeling of heaviness and stiffness disappears. The up and down motion of the diaphragm becomes more active and creates “Do-Ki” (active ki) between the stomach and intestines. Do –ki in between the kidneys has a soothing effect. And when it enters the blood it creates calories. It also helps to maintain ki and increases ketsu and aids the function of these metabolisms. .[1]

Cirrhosis
Masao Hayashima[1] mentions many cases of curing cirrhosis also, Rai ko Jin, a forty five year old transport worker had his first attack of cirrhosis in 1970. He was determined not to rely on drugs as he was afraid, and began doing SWAISO instead. A diagnosis, one month later showed remarkable improvement to the surprises of the doctors. After three months his complete recovery was proved by a blood test.

The doctor who treated him learned SWASIO from him in order to cure his own liver disease. If infection has set in and abdomen has begin to swell it is already too late and SWAISO will not help. BREATHING PROBLEMS,ASTHAMA SWAISO activates/energises the lunges and the cardiovascular system,circulatory system,respiratory system thus helping in breathing and asthmatic problems.Regular practice of SWAISO helps in over coming these problems,it helps in veezing problems too by providing more oxygen to the system and the results are good and quick also.At ATAMABODH  in Bangalore thousands of  people have benefitted ,for the last twenty five years people are being trained in SWAISO free of cost.People from other countries  also have been coming for learning SWAISO.

EYE DISEASES
SWAISO improves eyesight and also it helps in cataracts and other eye diseases In ancient medical book called “Kotei Daikyo” (Yellow Emperor Inner Sutra), it is written that “by receiving “ketsu” in the eyes a vision of depth is gained”. [1]

KIDNEY DISEASES
SWAISO is effective for kidney as well as liver diseases because both are concerned with Ki-ketsu. [1] HEART DISEASES SWAISO improves Cardiovascular System and helps in Heart diseases. A person with a weak heart will find it beneficial to combine SWAISO with other Do-in methods. [1]

MASAO HAYASHIMA[1] has reported that from his personal experience at the clinics in Japan and China (Shobu-Kan) SWAISO is quite effective for Neurosis, High and Low Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Arthrites and he has cured many patients with SWAISO..

Psychiatry
Maosao Hayashima  has reported success with people suffering from Neurosis and psychosis.Dr.Pallavi Nayyar a Pshcheitrasit ,working presently at Adeliade Australia has also mentioned the usefulness of SWAISO in Depression and Anxiety Neurosis problems.

BREATHING PROBLEMS & ASTHAMA
R.K. Dham at Institute of Health & cosmic Harmony Bangalore[4] has reported that many people with Asthmatic Problems have been benefited by regularly practicing SWAISO and got rid of inhalers.

Swaiso as a tool for Relaxation and Stress Management
.Prof Dr.k.N. Krishnaswamy and Dr. R K Dham[2]Atamabodh foundation Bangalore, have been helping people with stress related problems thro’ SWAISO with excellent results. SWAISO balances the Homeostasis Mechanism which helps in overcoming effects of stress reaction, and brings it to normalcy which is required for stress management. It dissolves blocks and tensions locked in the body. People who practice SWAISO everyday for about 15 to 20 minites are able to change “stress cycle of sickness” into “stress cycle for wellness;”.[2]feel energetic, their performance also increases. It is an excellent tool for the people working in IT, Call Centers; BPO’s and other places where there is sedentary work. [2]. Combining SWAISO with BMP Visualization etc they have developed a system Swing your arms to Live a Happy, Healthy & Stress Free Life. [2] .ATAMABODH Learning and Healing Centre is launching a health movement especially for IT,BPO,Call Centers,Knowledge Industry and other organisations where there is sedentary type of work  -"Body and Mind Fit and Fine " based on SWAISO and Swing Your Arms to Health(SYATH) [2] ,they plan to convince the management to permit their employees to do it in office hours for just twenty minutes once every day,ATAMABODH will provide know how and training free of cost .As per newspaper report in China similar practice is going on covering at present  thirty percent of work force and they are targeting sixty percent of work force in coming years,it is said the scheme is a great success.

SWAISO FOR MIND CLEANSING
SWAISO literally means swinging your arms back and forth with a feeling of throwing out. You can throw out your negative attitudes and emotions like fears, jealously, greed, anger and also undesired habits. [5]  It is being used to enhance EQ (Emotional Quotient) and also to overcome undesired  habits like smoking & Drinking etc; by  Dr. K.N.Krishnaswamy  and R.K.Dham. [5]

SWAISO AS A DYNAMIC MEDITION
In Zen SWAISO is considered as a dynamic mediation and can be used to improve concentration, memory and for body mind relaxation. It is also a tool for spiritual upliftment as it balances the flow if prana (Ki/Chi/) through chakras [2]  and enhances Intuitive powers. It prepares the body for higher things. Shehnaz a soofi from Iran, who learnt SWAISO From R.K.Dham has been practicing and teaching SWAISO in Iran and she finds it effective for spiritual pursuits. [4]