Our resistance to illness is in direct relationship with the balance, strength, and flexibility of our bodies. If we take care of ourselves by eating properly, getting enough rest and exercise, and by practicing techniques that release old tensions and blockages and balance our meridians-such as Acu-Yoga, meditation, Acupressure or Tai Chi Chuan-then our resistance to illness is strong. If, on the other hand, we abuse our bodies, push ourselves too hard, eat badly, don't exercise, and don't involve ourselves with practices that release tension and balance our energy, our resistance will be low, or weak, and we will be more prone to illness.
      Fatigue is an important element in your resistance level. In this fast-paced society it is easy to overwork yourself, to take on too many commitments, to push yourself beyond your limits and into fatigue. This imbalance has a weakening effect on all parts of the body.
      When we get enough rest, however, we give our bodies a chance to fully recover from our activities. Deep relaxation furthers the circulation of both blood and Ki in nourishing the whole body, especially the internal organs.

Dietary Considerations
      Diet also plays an important role in resistance to-illness. When we eat processed, preserved, or devitalized foods, we weaken our system and our resistance. However, foods that it yangize," or strengthen, the body build resistance, reinforcing the body's ability to pro-tect itself. Examples are miso soup, parsley, beans, tofu, sea vegetables, sauteed vegetables, and lightly toasted sesame seeds.

Acupressure Points
      There is a particular Acupressure point, Bladder 36, that governs resistance, especially resistance to colds and flus. It is located near the spine off the tips of the shoulder blades. The Chinese book, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine says, "wind and cold enter the pores of the skin"41 at this point. It, as well as other points in this area, helps to strengthen the body's resistance. The opposite is also true in that these points around the tips of the shoulder blades are the first to get blocked up just before an illness, especially a cold or flu, takes hold.
      An ancient Indian method for maintaining resistance against illness is to swing a thick branch or club back and forth. The Yogis would do this when they felt any illness about to come on, since it was common knowledge that the tensions which accumulate between the shoulder blades contribute to illness. The swinging motion helped break down this tension. Swinging a baseball bat around moves and stretches the shoulder blades to release the tensions that collect there.

	Bridge Pose
	1. Lie on your back. 2. Bend your knees so that the soles of your feet are flat on the floor. 3. Put your arms above your head on the floor and relax them. 4. Inhale, arching the pelvis up. Hold for several seconds. 5. Exhale as you slowly come down. Continue to inhale up and exhale down for one minute. 6. Relax on your back with your eye's closed for a few minutes.

		Acupressure Points				Traditional Associations
		Triple Warmer 15 TW 15				Shoulder and neck pain, arm and elbow painful and cannot be raised, stiff neck.
		Gall Bladder 20 GB 20				Alternately hot and cold, eyes foggy, nervousness, painful shoulder, reumatism, stiff neck, upper parts of the body feel heavy or hot.
		Gall Bladder 21 GB 21				The major point where shoulder tension collects. Traditionally used to release stiff neck, regulate hyperthyroidism, and relieve rheumatism.
		Bladder 10 B 10				Head heavy, spasm of the neck muscles, limbs and body not coordinated, throat sore or swollen.
		Small Intestine 10 SI 10				Muscular pain, numbness, swelling or arthritis in the shoulder-scapula region.
	Benefits: fatigue, cold hands or feet, nervous exhaustion, irritability, shoulder pain or ache, excessive anger, hypertension, resistance to colds and flu.