KunTao Silat: The Healing Art (?)

Greetings to all in KTS,

Recently I found myself undergoing an emergency appendectomy, or the removal of my appendix due to inflammation.  While the entire experience is an educational story all its own on many levels (which I may share at some point for those of you who are interested in the healing arts), for KunTao Silat I find it relevant to share how (miraculously) I’ve been able to recover in very short time.  I attribute a great deal of this to Daily Constant Practice in the martial arts and Qigong, coupled with a healthy diet which is supplemented by daily vitamins and Chinese Herbs.

In other words, by following the lifestyle example Pak Steve has advocated for decades, I have experienced first hand the benefits of the Martial Lifestyle.

Following self diagnosis at home and an emergency room confirmation via CT scan and blood tests, I became possibly the first patient in the history of St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston to check myself in for an emergency appendectomy.  While I ended up waiting 10 hours for my scheduled surgery, my pain levels remained manageable via mindful breathing and I did not need any chemical assistance until I was put under.

Some forty minutes after coming out of surgery I was back in my room, standing up and dressing myself.  Within an hour and half I was discharged.

The next morning I awoke at dawn and began assessing the damage done via Chang Style Qigong.  Complimented by my studies in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and various classical Qigong forms, as well as Ryūtai Undō (Japanese Dragon Body Yoga), I began to rehab myself gently but intently.

For six weeks following surgery I am not supposed to lift anything heavier than ten pounds, lest my stitches open, creating the potential for a hernia.  For someone as active as myself, this is a tough pill to swallow.

However, as of this writing only one week after my surgery (but published a bit later), I am already feeling much better.  In fact, I returned to work in my acupuncture clinic treating patients as well as teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong within 4 days of my operation.  Using the gentle practices of Qigong and Dragon Body Yoga I have been able to keep my range of motion and flexibility.  This is vital for encouraging the healthy circulation necessary to heal as quickly and cleanly as possible.  My pain levels decreased so significantly that I only had to take the (dangerous) prescription opioids I was given for a day, and normal anti-inflammatories for three days.

While I cannot perform resistance training in the manner I typically prefer, instead I have taken a “gentle” back to basics approach that is safe in my condition:  Stance work!

I have been alternating days with 30 minutes of Sleeping Horse Stance or 30 mins of Horse/Tiger Stance meditation.  I go through the full Chang Style and Warm Up Sets daily alongside some of the other Qigong practices I study, using the gentle whole body motions to open everything up and oxygenate my blood.  To maintain upper body muscle mass as best I can I have incorporated isometric holds alongside the dynamic tension movements of Pai Yun to keep my chest, shoulder, arm, and back muscles appropriately invigorated and stimulated.

I end my morning practice with a brisk two mile walk, followed by Dragon Body Yoga on the floor to warm down.  Physically, my energy is not 100%, but my body feels loose and relaxed.  One of my coworkers actually told me that I am looking younger and rejuvenated: not what I or anyone else would expect seven days after an emergency surgery.  I have made particular care to avoid processed sugar as best I can (within reason – that stuff is everywhere now!), choosing instead to eat simple foods from organic sources.

I share this not to brag or proclaim I am special in any way:  quite the contrary!  I am lucky enough to have had Pak Steve set an example to follow!  All of us are capable of this kind of healing if we give ourselves the time and care we deserve!  Exercise, diet, nutrient supplementation, adequate sleep, an attitude of gratitude, fellowship with those we love, and a healthy spiritual practice are all vital to our human form.

KunTao Silat is the Martial Lifestyle, but remember that “self defense” is not only against physical assault from another person:  it is defense against aging, ill health, and poor lifestyle choices.  The discipline of martial arts grants us the strength to make the harder choices that will benefit us in the long run.  Standing meditation and posture training are the ultimate metaphor of this principle: they are easy to learn and require no equipment yet so many people find them hard to DO.  Yet if we toughen our resolve and hold ourselves to task, the benefits to our body, mind, and spirit become immeasurable, and we set ourselves up to succeed at everything else we attempt.  As Grandmaster Bill Chang would say, “Before you fight, you win!”

Dr Jon

Dr Jon a few hours before emergency appendicitis. He used Breathwork rather than painkillers to manage his discomfort until the surgery.