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sensitive
--- responding readily
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actual --- real; existing
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brainwaves --- activity of the brain shown through electrical data
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electromagnetic --- related to electric and magnetic fields
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practitioner --- a person who regularly
does a specific activity
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observe --- to see
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Sometimes these doctors are able to direct the gi from their own bodies into the
bodies of their patients. Gi meditation,
popular in China, teaches its followers to
send their gi to the muscles of the heart, stomach, face, and neck. These are the
places where stress builds up the most. These people believe
that learning how to
direct their gi to these areas will help them relax and live longer, healthier lives.
Probably the most well-known examples of gi development can be found in
the area of martial arts. Exercises like hapkido, aikido
and tai chi teach people to
develop their gi for self-defense. The Shaolin Monks of Central China are known
for their ability to control their gi and do amazing things with their bodies. They
are able to bend heavy iron bars with their bare hands, touch their tongues to
red-hot swords without injury, and endure freezing
cold temperatures with no
discomfort.
Can science prove the existence of gi? With modern computer technology and
sensitive recording equipment, maybe it can. Researchers from the University of
Southern California have been performing experiments to see if there are any
actual physical changes in the bodies of people who undertake gi meditation, and
they have found interesting results. By attaching special
computers that measure
brainwaves to the heads of gi meditation students, scientists have been able to
detect large increases of
electromagnetic waves in their brains. Also,
computerized
brain scans show that people who do gi exercises use 25 percent more of their
brain area than people who do ordinary meditation. Gi-gong
practitioners are
also able to direct energy to different parts of their body. This energy can be
observed on special machines used to record body heat.
Is gi meditation helpful? Is gi real? Whether
science says it is or not, many
people throughout Asia have no doubt about its existence or its healthy benefits.
Maybe the only way to know for sure is to try for yourself!
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