Core Faculty Member
J. Michael Wood,  MMQ, PBMC, OBDS

J Michael Wood has been practicing alternative health modalities for over 40 years. Since 1999, he has trained in Breathwork with the Hendricks Institute (Drs. Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks) and Michael Grant White, author of Optimal Natural Breathing. He was certified as a Professional Breath and Movement Coach with Hendricks, and as an Optimal Breathing Development Specialist with White, and serves as a Core Faculty Member of the school. In addition, he received the Masters of Medical Qigong from the International Institute of Medical Qigong, and has taken advanced Medical Qigong training in Cancer Therapy from Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson, Dean of the IIMQ.

JMichael has been accepted by the AOBTA as a Certified Practitioner in Medical Qigong, a Level 4 Qigong Teacher, and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with the National Qigong Association, carries on a private practice of Medical Qigong, and provides adjunctive therapy in Breathwork at the Centre for Integrated Health.

JMichael has studied in China with the monks of the Celestial Masters Daoist Sect, and trained in Medical Qigong with Master Duan Shi Liong, as well as Master Robert Peng, a Shaolin trained healer.

JMichael is the former Chairman of the Board of the National Qigong Association (www.nqa.org), and has been a presenter at their National Conference, and has taught Medical Qigong as a Post Graduate course at Logan College of Chiropractic. He is also serving as Director of the Middle Tennessee Branch of the International Institute of Medical Qigong where he is presently teaching the 200 - hour course for certification as a Medical Qigong Practitioner, and the 300 – hour course for Medical Qigong Therapist. (www.medicalqigong.org).

JMichael has taught optimal breathing techniques for sports performance to World Champion Billiard players,  a NCAA Division I football team for 4 years, and other college athletes. He believes that proper breathing mechanics are the foundation to emotional and physical health, personal peak performance, and the gateway to the higher levels of consciousness and abilities found in all energy based healing systems.

Testimonial – May, 2003

Dear Mike,
First I would like to thank you for the training to become an Optimal Breathing Development Specialist (OBDS).  Not only was the "hands on" training a great learning experience, but it helped me get the "feel" required to work with patients and clients.

An added benefit was discovering the glitches in my own breathing mechanics and posture, and the chance to use the Optimal Breathing techniques to correct them during our classes.  It was particularly notable that I was able to reduce my pulse rate by 6 beats/min., and increase my blood oxygen level by 3% in just 5-6 breaths after correcting the problem. I have now been able to create the "over the top" breathing experience at will, and the paradox of more relaxation and more energy is constantly present.

I also noticed that while I was doing QiGong meditation in the supine position and using the Optimal Breathing Primary Rest Position, I had one of the best energetic meditations I have experienced in 4 years!  I will be looking forward to the results I achieve in moving meditation.
The custom backrest you made for my automobile allowed me to make the 4 1/2 hour drive home after the workshop without feeling the fatigue I normally experience. I was able to draw deep, relaxed breaths while driving with the backrest and the seat angle changes you recommended. I thank you, and my back thanks you!

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in our class. It will provide a lifetime of relief for me, and I will be able to pass it along to the people I will work with in my practice.

Comments about Learning New Habits – April, 2009

A Harvard study showed that habituation, once fully ingrained, showed that it only took 10 microvolts (mv) of stimulus energy to activate the habit , while the diversion of the stimulus to a preferred response/new neuronal pattern (a more parasympathetic PNS  response) required 100 mv of stimulus energy to activate the new pattern. This equates to the willpower to make a change of the current learned pattern.
As time goes by (approximately 10 - 12 weeks) with constant effort (changing the breathing pattern to the PNS mode) these numbers will reverse themselves, and the new habit (PNS) will only need 10 mv of stimulus energy to activate and the old pattern (SNS) will require 90 - 100 mv of stimulus energy to activate.
What is occurring over that period of sustained effort is similar to the electrical resistance created in a wire of small gauge vs that resistance if you put the same charge through  a wire of a gauge 10 times larger.

Over time the "gauge" of the neuronal pattern increases with use, while the "gauge" of the neuronal pattern less used ( unused) decreases and creates more resistance.
This creates a "default" system in the ANS, and is reflected in our human nature (made of our habituated patterns - good or bad) to take the way of least resistance.

By habituation of a PNS breathing pattern - abdominal dominated - the diaphragm can be used to promote the PNS habituation.
The diaphragm is the largest muscle/organ connected to the ANS over which you have conscious control. Therefore, you can effect the change you desire by changing the habituation of the diaphragm's action."

JMichael is a CE provider for:  NCCAOM Tennessee Massage Therapists                                            
NCBTMB Provider #450844-08

Phone: 615-366-8940

Email:  jmichaelwood@comcast.net

Website:  www.5virtuesqigong.com