QiGong equivalent of "homolateral crossover" for PTSD . . . (?)

[Lataif]

Could someone offer any insight, please (?)

 

I'm looking at various techniques for addressing PTSD.

 

I came across an energy method called "homolateral crossover", promoted by someone named Donna Eden.  It references meridians, but is apparently not directly influenced by TCM or Qigong.

 

I've tried some of the exercises and they seem to have a pretty distinct effect considering how really simple they are.

 

I'm not sure I understand why they are thought to be effective.  They are supposed to encourage the "crossing of energies from one side of the body to the other", but I don't recognize any equivalent idea in Qigong (if there is one). 

 

If someone knows about this technique, could you maybe suggest an equivalent Qigong movement that does the same kind of thing . . . and explain how/why it's effective (?)

 

Thanks (!)

[Jetsun]

I think it is meant to help the two sides of the brain communicate which counters the response of trauma which stimulates one side of the brain more than the other. The theory behind EMDR will explain it in more detail which is a specialist treatment for PTSD.

[Lataif]

I think it is meant to help the two sides of the brain communicate which counters the response of trauma which stimulates one side of the brain more than the other. The theory behind EMDR will explain it in more detail which is a specialist treatment for PTSD.

Yes, EMDR is another technique I'm exploring. Thanks for confirming its prevalent use for PTSD and the possible similarity in its underlying theory. Good.

[Leif]

I believe she might have sourced this concept in general from applied kinesiology, Braingym or Touch for Health (both having roots in applied kinesiology). Braingym has these exercises, I'm not familiar with Touch for Health but it was a major influence on Donna Eden when she started.

[soaring crane]

There's a vast assortment of qigong techniques that harmonize not only left/right but also top/bottom, front/back, inside/outside physical/mental and any other pairs there might be out there.

 

A good place to start would be the classic teacup movements. I can write more later

[Lataif]

 

A good place to start would be the classic teacup movements. I can write more later

 

Thanks.  I looked at some teacup movements on YouTube. It's not clear to me how they promote crossover between left and right hemispheres.  Is it a specific teacup movement that would do that (?)

[soaring crane]

Thanks.  I looked at some teacup movements on YouTube. It's not clear to me how they promote crossover between left and right hemispheres.  Is it a specific teacup movement that would do that (?)

 

once you have both arms going at the same time, and are instigating the movement form the legs and torso, it certainly promotes crossover, in all the directions I mentioned above. But I think you need an instructor to bring you to the point that you're doing doing it with the whole body. If you learn from videos, you'll constantly be distracted by the arm movement (in my experience, anyway).

 

This guy gives a good demonstration, watch what happens around the four-minute mark:

 

 

 

 

The movements originated with Baguazhang. Kent Howard demonstrates more here:

 

 

 

[Lataif]

 

This guy gives a good demonstration, watch what happens around the four-minute mark:

Yes, that's doubtless a happy movement.  I can tell (to some non-trivial extent) . . . because I get a response in my own body from just watching it. Not sure what it would take to get up to speed on it.

 

May I ask you to comment on the brief video that first got me interested in this (?)  It's a very simple movement to learn (like 5 seconds) and seems to me to be disproportionately effective:

 

 

What do you think (?)

[Andrei]

 

[soaring crane]

@Lataif - that's a standard technique from qigong self massage. There are many more techniques. But they're an enhancement to practice and as stand-alone therapies not nearly as effective as the practice. Virtually any qigong will help balance, harmonize. That's what qigong does foremost.