Sign Chi Do is a unique stress reduction/relaxation program designed and created in the U.S.A. by a medical physician. It can be practiced by anyone in any place. By incorporating sign language gesture with breathing and movement, one engages both the brain and the body at the same time. This program was developed based on brain function, recognizing that sign language gesture stimulates the brain in a different area than all other movement. It is a medically sound how-to program of literally connecting the mind, body and spirit in a way that has never been done before. The concept of expressing through movement your personal intentions, statements or affirmations have been found to be very effective in strengthening the connection between brain cells. This type of exercise improves concentration, memory and an overall sense of well being.
The physical benefits include core muscle strengthening, balance, improved blood pressure, digestion and enhanced circulation. The slow breathing with intentional sign gestures literally makes the words come alive in movement. Medically speaking, this type of exercise technique unlocks the body’s relaxation response resulting in less fatigue, anxiety and depression. By engaging in the visualization and connecting it to the movement of each sign gesture allows us to realize that the words used like ‘Joy’, ‘Peace’ ‘Patience’ are literally within our grasp.
This program has two different parts:
The first part of this product is the instructional book with DVD that focuses on the tools needed to achieve that relaxation response in the body while at the same time stimulating the brain in a positive way. The book introduces the four principles that Sign Chi Do was built upon; Breathing, Posture, Transitional Movement and Energy.
- Breathing: diaphragmatic deep breathing.
- Posture: alignment of the body but also the attitude of the sign gesture as it relates to the meaning of each word. Incorporating isometric followed by relaxation of the muscles to bring out the meaning of each word.
- Transitional Movement: connecting the breath with the movement.
- Energy: slow movement with breathing allows the body’s inner energy to flow.
A basic overview of stances and postures are introduced followed by a vocabulary of word sign gestures. Once these words are learned with the appropriate breathing pattern (3 step patterns), the practitioner is encouraged to put the words together to make their own set of affirmations or sayings in movement. The book gives several examples of these word patterns that are done to soft background music. The book has a ‘Doc Talk’ section focusing on how Sign Chi Do affects high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia and depression.
The DVD follows the book as an instructional with an illustration of the anatomy of breathing, postures and instructs the techniques of Sign Chi Do. There is a 21 minute guided progressive relaxation segment and two testimonials included.
The second part of this product is the in- home use comprehensive DVD with companion music CD. Certain affirmations, sayings or blessings come alive in movement with original music that is composed specifically to fit the breathing and movement patterns. The Sign Chi Do technique is consistent with what was taught in the book but now takes it a step further by providing an entire song to go along with the forms. For example, ‘Let there be Peace on earth’ or affirmations such as ‘Let me be healthy this day…’ come alive in movement.
The DVD/CD sets are produced in series. Please visit the Products section to view all the different DVD’s available.
