Self Sotai – Movements that Encourage Chi

I teach most of my patients some form of Chi moving exercise. Those who maintain a practice make great progress. Not only do Chi-moving exercises speed up the healing process, they also serve to maintain health. Sotai movements are a self-treatment that opens the blocks created by tension, allowing Chi to flow, balancing the under-active and overactive organs and meridians. Increased circulation means more oxygen and nutrients available at the cells, and easier removal of cellular waste.

Dr. Keizo Hashimoto developed Sotai using the acupuncture principle of improving circulation in the meridians instead of building up the musculature. It started as treatments (Sotai Ho) and evolved into self Sotai. Sotai re-educates the mind/body to let go of tension without performing a stretch.

In the West, exercise is a programmed mode of strenuous physical activity. A broader understanding of exercise is one where the activity engages the mind, too. This is where one’s attention becomes focused to integrate the mind with the body. This is the aim in Yoga, Tai Chi, and many martial arts: develop integrated, mindful movement.

All exercise can be classified as either vigorous or gentle. Vigorous exercises like aerobics tend to be externally oriented. Gentle exercises like Yoga and Tai Chi are intended for internal development. Vigorous exercises emphasize power, speed, and discharging pent up energy. Gentle exercises promote relaxation and balance, serving to build energy.

During exercise, our minds tend to wander off while we repeat a set of movements. The faster we move, the harder it is to determine if it feels right or not. Slow, purposeful movement allows us to listen to our bodies. The movements of Sotai are slow and gentle, moving with the breath. Relaxation and increased circulation can be felt with each movement as long as one does not rush or push too far.

Our modern lifestyles create tension that piles up in the body, unnoticed. This leads to poor posture and poor breathing, which in turn increases tension and fatigue. Most physical problems stem from nothing more than abnormal tension. This means that we can prevent and even reverse most of these problems simply by allowing the body to move freely and naturally. The human body is remarkably responsive, fully capable of regaining its balance on its own, providing we give it time and room to adjust. All it takes is periodic breaks where we give our full attention to our body and breathe as we move. By listening to our body and moving slowly in a natural way, necessary adjustments happen by themselves.

Unless we counter daily stress with a program of daily physical activity, good nutrition and bodywork, we have little chance of preserving our health and well being. It doesn’t take much time and energy to stay in balance. I recommend starting out with five minutes a day. Gradually, one learns to incorporate slow movement, bringing greater ease in all activities. This is a very important shift from ignoring our body most of the time to understanding its messages. Sotai helps us develop this awareness, which leads to a mind-body integration, greater health and vitality.