Sociology Pres. #2 Flashcards
Qi Gong is a ancient Chinese practice that incorporates three important health elements, they are posture, breathing, and focused intention.
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I chose to write about a life course perspective protective factor, that I have actually recently adopted as a personal discipline. It’s called Qi Gong.
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Through consistent practice of Qi Gong, the mind body soul connection is established so that a youthful vitality, maintenance of health, and positive outlook on life remains balanced
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Qi Gong can be practiced by anyone regardless of age, sex, race, Socio economic status, religion, knowledge, disability or special equipment.
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I chose this topic because I believe in preventative medicine and the powers of protective factors, especially ones that are cost effective, safe, easy, scientifically researched and don’t come inside a blue or green pill.
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I am in agreement with George Vaillant and his aging with grace theory. He lists positivity, optimism, hope, curiosity, tolerance and intimacy as factors we can control that benefit and sustain our health.
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Because Qi Gong can also cultivate all those things, it’s true that each of us can in fact influence and shape aspects of our health throughout the life course, working to empower psychological control, individualization and personal agency.
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The emphasis of meditation in Qi Gong is especially useful on our cognitive abilities. In Piaget’s formal operations stage, we can refine our problem solving, abstract thinking, and encourage a multiple perspectives point of view.
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Meditation allows for the inner quiet that inspires and gives way to clear, concise, and complex thinking, which can solidify values, beliefs and the post conventional moralities that emphasize the universal principles of right and wrong.
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The element of Deep breathing in Qi Gong can induce the relaxation response, working to slow the heartbeat, lower or stabilize blood pressure and reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
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Performing an exercise such as Qi Gong can significantly protect heart health, and reduce the impact of some secondary aging factors that were developed as a result of someone’s lifestyle.
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The practice of regular deep breathing can also affect the small percent of the population in late adulthood who are dealing with mental disorders and some of the 3 million seniors who are affected by alcoholism Qi Gong works to improve mood, self efficacy, well-being and decreases the negative reactions brought on by anxiety and stress.
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Due to the nature of the diminishing physicality as we pass middle adulthood, it is important to stay active, to combat the decrease in strength and endurance and retard painful conditions and diseases like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, respiratory conditions, diabetes and pneumonia
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The nature of Qi Gong incorporates the element of exercise for the exact purpose of sustaining and maintaining health and well-being as we age. Qi Gong helps to reduce pain, improve balance and reduce falls, helps with weight loss maintenance, and prevent bone loss in this population
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In terms of life satisfaction, theorists such as Erickson, Jung and Levinson all speak about generativity, reclaiming the self, and paying attention to neglected areas in ones life.
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