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Uighur medicine:
Medical tradition of the Uighurs, the Turkic inhabitants of Xinjiang (Xinjiang
Uygur), an autonomous region of westernmost China. It is a combination of
Ayurveda, TCM, and Unani.
ujjayi (ujaya, ujaya breathing, ujjayi breathing):
Audible form of pranayama whereby one supposedly develops awareness
of one's "subtle body." Ujjayi purportedly affects udana
(also spelled "uddana"), a form of prana that is "upward-flowing"
and functions as something of an escape hatch for the soul at death.
UltraVit 7-Day Juice Slimming Program: Purported way to "cleanse"
the digestive tract and allow selective burning of "damaged and dead
cell tissue."
Unani (Unani medicine, Unani system of medicine, Unani Tibb): System
based on the ancient Greek theory of four basic elements -- air, earth,
fire, and water -- and four bodily fluids (humors) -- blood, phlegm, black
bile, and yellow bile (choler). The goal of Unani is the "balancing"
of humors. Temperament supposedly stems from the dominant humor and is a
determinant of "diagnosis" and treatment. For example, anger and
irritability supposedly manifest an excess of yellow bile. "Unani"
is the Arabic word for "Greek."
Unergi© Method (Unergí holistic therapy): "Self-care"
system that integrates the Alexander Technique, "Feldenkrais Awareness
Movement," Gestalt therapy, and Rubenfeld Synergy. It includes dreamwork,
healing touch, inner child work, meditation, and verbal therapy. Apparently,
"Holistic Therapist" Ute Arnold developed the method in or before
1978.
UN SystemSM: Form of chakra healing wherein seminar-trained persons
purportedly access an "energy" that can conduce to activation
of the immune system, stabilization of "planetary influences,"
and terrestrial "anchoring" of light.
Upledger CranioSacral TherapySM: Apparently, the brand of CranioSacral
Therapy promoted by the International Alliance of Healthcare Educators,
which shares an address in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with The Upledger
Institute, Inc.
urine therapy (amaroli, auto-urine-therapy, shivambu kalpa,
uropathy): Subject of The Water of Life (1937), by English urine
therapist John W. Armstrong. "Urine therapy" refers to any "healing"
method characterized by the application of an individual's urine to that
individual. Forms of urine therapy include ingestion of urine, application
to the skin, enemas, and injection. Some proponents claim that urine is
a God-given panacea.
Vacuflex (Vacuflex Reflexology System, VRS): Variation of Foot Reflexology
developed by Inge Dougans, a Danish reflexologist, in the 1970s. Its theory
posits the meridians of Oriental medicine. The first stage of treatment
involves wearing felt boots.
Vedic Astrology (Jyotish, jyotisha): Ancient system
that allegedly helps to resolve doubts concerning children, health, "spiritual
growth," and other subjects. Suggestions regarding donations, gemstones,
herbs, mantras, yantras (mystic "diagrams"), and rituals
are integral to the system.
VEGAtest method (Vega in vitro test method, Vega method): Variation
of applied kinesiology developed by Helmet Schimmel, M.D., D.D.S., a German.
Purportedly, it is a "bioenergetic evaluation system" for revealing
"disturbance patterns" in a patient's "electromagnetic acupuncture
system." Its theory posits Qi ("inherent human bioenergy").
The VEGAtest method features an alleged multipurpose "kinesiologic
muscle test" (see "muscle testing") whereby practitioners
purportedly can: (a) learn the "key toxin" causing bodily problems,
and (b) select "proper" homeopathic "remedies." Apparently,
practitioners use portable instruments that reportedly measure skin conductivity
and allegedly can help in the loca tion of areas of "energetic imbalance
or weakness."
verbal therapy: One of the main techniques of Imagineering. Verbal
therapy includes auto-suggestion, Direct Command, the five-minute focus,
and sounding.
vibrational medicine (energetic medicine, energetics medicine, energy
medicine, subtle-energy medicine, vibrational healing, vibrational therapies):
"Healing philosophy" whose main "tenet" is that humans
are "dynamic energy systems" ("body/mind/spirit" complexes)
and reflect "evolutionary patterns" of "soul growth."
Its premises include the following. (a) Health and illness originate in
"subtle energy systems." (b) These systems coordinate the "life-force"
and the "physical body." (c) Emotions, spirituality, and nutritional
and environmental factors affect the "subtle energy systems."
Vibrational medicine embraces acupuncture, aromatherapy, Bach flower therapy,
"chakra rebalancing," channeling, color breathing, color therapy,
crystal healing, absent healing, Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV),
etheric touch, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, Kirlian photography,
laserpuncture, the laying on of hands, meridian therapy, mesmerism, moxibustion,
orthomolecular medicine, Past-life Regression, Polarity Therapy, psychic
healing, psychic surgery, radionics, the Simonton method, sonopuncture,
Toning, Transcendental Meditation, and Therapeutic Touch.
The expressions "energy healing," "energy work," and
"energetic healing work" appear synonymous with "vibrational
medicine."
Vietnamese traditional medicine (Vietnamese medicine): Syncretic
medical tradition of Vietnam. It includes acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion,
and scarification.
Violet Flame Initiation: "Transformational" videotape program
that is part of Artainment. It purportedly "ignites" the "ascension
(Freedom) flame" within one and purifies the mind of limiting beliefs.
visceral meridian manipulation technique (VMM): "Life enhancing
tool" that combines "classic organ manipulation," kinesiology
(see above), and meridian therapy.
visualization therapy: Purported approach to healing that uses "visualizations"
or relaxed "guided meditations" as aids to imaging a desired condition.
(See "creative visualization.")
visual therapy: One of the main techniques of Imagineering. Visual
therapy includes color breathing, color imagination, the Descending Sun,
direct image substitution, the Double Circle, Dream Changing, the Inner
Garden, and Symbolic Action.
Vita Flex: One of the three major components of a theistic system
of self-healing developed by Stanley Burroughs and expounded by him in Healing
for the Age of Enlightenment (1976). It is a largely digital variation of
body reflexology. Its theory posits: (a) a computerlike "reflex system"("Vita
Flex sys tem") -- a "Divine intelligence," "healing
energy," or "life force" that controls the mind and all bodily
systems; and (b) more than 5,000 "control points" over the body
-- "reflected" points that enable indirect treatment of affected
parts. Vita Flex includes four forms of absent healing, two of which are
variations of image magic.
Vitality Fasting and Rejuvenation: Program advanced by Edward Bauman
and purportedly designed to "cleanse" the body, mind, and spirit.
It involves "emotional release," meditation, and fasting with
juices and broth.
Viviano method: Approach to behavior modification developed by Dr.
Ann Viviano, a New York psychologist, minister, "reiki master,"
and NLP practitioner. It reportedly borrows from meditation, New Age mysticism,
and quantum physics.
Vodou (Haitian Vodou, vodoun, vodun, voodoo, voodooism, Voudoun):
Fusion of Roman Catholicism and ancient African polytheism and ancestor
worship, practiced chiefly in Caribbean countries. The words "Voodoo"
and "Voudoun" stem from the West African word vodun (or
vodu), which means "spirit" or "deity."
Wai Lana Yoga: Videotape "program" or "course"
of yogic exercises taught by Wai Lana, a musician and television personality
born in Hong Kong. One of the postulates of Wai Lana Yoga is that yogic
bending, pushing, squeezing, stretching, and twisting "bathes"
internal organs with "vitality." Its theory posits chi.
Waitankung: Ancient Chinese exercise system of Taoist origin. Purportedly,
the Waitankung exercises allow one's "inner energy" (chi)
to fill the body like an electric current.
Warriorobics: Blend of aerobics, aikido, and Ki breathing, developed
by Henry Smith.
water cupping method: Form of cupping that requires boiling water
in a jar, removing the water or covering the mouth of the jar tightly with
a towel, and then placing the jar on the skin.
Watsu (water shiatsu): Component of Bodywork Tantra performed in
chest-high water at body temperature. Watsu borrows from Zen shiatsu. Its
design is to "release blockages" in the meridians ("energy
pathways") of the body.
Weigh Down Workshop: Christian weight loss program founded by nutritionist
Gwen Shamblin, who apparently ascribes it to divine inspiration. According
to a 1995 edition of the television newsmagazine A Current Affair,
Shamblin's "gospel" is: "Eat what you want, whenever you
want, and ask the lord to help you to stop when you've had enough, so you
leave room for a hefty helping of the holy spirit." Then, the program
included au diocassettes, videos, books (e.g., Feasting on the Will of
the Father), and revival-like religious rallies.
Weight No More (Body, Mind, and Spirit Diet; Weight No More
approach to weight loss; Weight No More program): Theistic program
based on the "psychic readings" of Edgar Cayce (see "The
Cayce Approach to Health and Healing"). Its premises include the following.
(a) Humans consist of three "bodies": physical, mental, and spiritual.
(b) Tapping into the "Life Force" in a "positive way"
(allowing it to "flow without hindrance" through the body) is
the key to correcting any physical problem.
white magick (true magick, white magic): Well-intentioned magic.
It includes "healing" rituals. The word "magick" refers
to ritualistic magic.
White Tantra: Alleged "grandfather" of hatha yoga. It includes
pranayama. Practicing White Tantra supposedly balances the positive
and negative "energies" of the body.
Whole Health Shiatsu: Combination of shiatsu and dietary treatment
expounded by coauthors Shizuko Yamamoto and Patrick McCarty.
Whole Person Bodywork (Whole Person work): Form of chakra healing
promoted by Stacey Griffin. It includes "energetic field work"
(see "energy field work") and meditation.
Whole System Healthscan (W/S Healthscan): "Healing system"
related to Contact Reflex Analysis. It includes cranial work (see "CranioSacral
Therapy") and purportedly enables doctors to assess nutritional needs
and "biochemical deficiencies" accurately through analysis of
"electrical pathways" and "reflex points."
Wicca (The Craft, Craft of the Wise, modern witchcraft, Wicca Craft):
Form of paganism. It is related to shamanism and includes various forms
of white magick.
Windows to the Sky acupressure (Window to the Sky acupressure): Apparently,
a form of acupressure whose focus is the neck. The expression "windows
to the sky" refers to most of the "acupressure points" thereon.
Wisdom Chi Kung: Group of Healing Tao practices whose theory holds
that the brain is connectible to "Universal knowledge."
wise woman healing (WiseWoman Healing Ways, Wise Woman tradition,
wisewoman ways): Variation of Nature Cure. It emphasizes empiricism and
intu ition and includes herbalism, meditation, ritual, spirit healing, and
"spirit work with plants." One of its premises is that the moon
guides women's bodies.
witchcraft (the Old Religion): Generally, the use of amulets (or
talismans), magical "potions," magical rituals, and/or spells.
For example, The Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft (1980) describes
a "cure" for jaundice: "12 large earthworms, baked on a shovel
and ground to powder, drunk in po tion." The author, Kathryn Paulsen,
added parenthetically: "Somewhat poisonous effects have been noticed
from this recipe." For madness, she recommended consuming a drink containing
mild honey and salt -- before sunrise and from a seashell; and for strength,
a black spider between two slices of buttered bread.
WooJangJu Power Meditation (WooJangJu Power Chant): Variation of
TaeUIJu Healing Meditation. Its purported design is to protect meditators,
while they are healing, from vengeful spirits.
wortcunning: The supposedly knowledgeable use, in witchcraft or Wicca,
of alleged magical and "secret healing" properties of herbs. (The
word "wort" means "plant.") According to Wiccan theory,
the phase and zodiacal position of the moon are extremely important considerations
in the planting of herbs.
Wu Ming Qigong (Wu Ming Qigong system, Taoist Wu
Ming Qigong): Millennia-old "self-healing practice" taught
by the American Taoist Healing Center, Inc., in New York City. It allegedly
helps users connect body, mind, and spirit. Its theory posits a transfer,
from teacher to student, of "energy" that heals and guides the
student. Proponents use the Chinese expression "wu ming," which
literally means "no name," to refer to the "original natural
force" from which everything's "essence" flows.
yagya: Vedic (Hindu) ceremony purportedly designed to engage at least
one deity in promoting health and restoring "environmental balance."
Yantra Yoga (Tibetan Yantra Yoga, Yantra Tibetan Yoga): Tibetan Buddhist
variation of hatha yoga. The purported benefits of practicing Yantra Yoga
include "balanced energy" and "spiritual development."
yoga: 1. Hodgepodge of dozens of religious and quasireligious
systems and methods, many of which are health-related. The word "yoga"
comes from a Sanskrit term that literally means "yoke" and, in
Hinduism, implies harnessing oneself to God. However, contextually or with
a qualifier (e.g., chakra, Chinese, Polarity, Taoist,
or Tibetan), the word "yoga" often seems to mean simply
"religious or quasireligious practice or group of practices."
2. Hatha yoga.
Yoga for Busy People (YBP, Yoga for Busy People method): Form of
hatha yoga expounded and endorsed by minister Dawn Groves. Purportedly,
one learns with YBP how to "re-inhabit" one's body and develops
a "childlike partnership" with it.
Yoga Nutrition: Dietary method endorsed by Richard Hittleman, author
of several books on yoga. Its theory holds that: (a) prana ("life-force")
is absorbable from food and is its "real nourishment," and (b)
eating too many indigestible, rich, "devitalized" foods allows
gastric removal of "vital energies" from other parts of the body,
including one's "mental and spiritual bodies."
yoga therapy: 1. Field of practices that use yoga to treat
mental and physical problems. 2. Psychotherapeutic variation of hatha
yoga whose postulate is that disease is the cumulative lodging of "undigested
experiences" in the "body/mind."
Yogic Flying: An "aspect" of TM-Sidhi. Purportedly, it
is a means of self-levitation whose effects include "bubbling bliss."
Group practice allegedly promotes "harmonious trends" throughout
a society.
Yogic Neuromuscular Therapy: An alleged means of stabilizing the
"mind body connection." This stabilization purportedly allows
the connecting of the spirit and the "unified body and mind."
Yoshida taido (Yoshida taido technique): Fitness "technique"
apparently developed by Toshiro Yoshida. Its apparent main premises are
that (a) all diseases stem from leg disorders, and (b) maintaining
"a good physical balance" and enabling adequate intake of "natural
energy" are the keys to pre serving soundness of body and mind. "Taido"
means "body guidance." Yoshida taido and the seitai
control technique are related.
Zarlen Therapy (Zarlen direct channelling, Zarlen Therapy technique):
Purportedly, a very advanced "mental healing" technique "discovered"
by Dr. Jonathan Sherwood, author of Zarlen Speaks: A New Beginning,
in 1984 in New Zealand. Supposedly, Zarlen is both Sherwood's guide and
a "past life existence" that he'd had. Zarlen Therapy allegedly
can "re-pattern" one's "higher brain functions" so that
one is "completely back in tune." Application of the "technique"
takes about three minutes.
Zazen: Ancient form of meditation that purportedly enables touching
the "source of life." Apparently, Zazen supposedly also helps
to "awaken" jariki, a form of "spiritual energy."
Zen Alexander Technique: "Interdisciplinary" method that
involves the Alexander Technique and "Chinese energetic synthesis of
MindBodySoulSpirit." The Zen Alexander Technique allegedly furthers
"unique synergistic healing powers," a means of creating one's
own reality.
Zen Macrobiotics: Early form of macrobiotics, endorsed by Herman
and Cornelia Aihara. The Aiharas were students of George Ohsawa (see "macrobiotics")
and coauthored Natural Healing from Head to Toe: Traditional Macrobiotic
Remedies (Avery Publishing Group, Inc., 1994). They also founded, in
1974, the Vega Study Center, in Oroville, California. The school teaches
Zen Macrobiotics. (See "diet #7.")
Zen Shiatsu: Type of shiatsu developed by Shizuto Masunaga. It includes
kyo-jitsu. Zen Shiatsu theory posits a shareable "heart-mind
essence."
Zen Shiatsu Acupressure (Zen Shiatsu Acupressure massage): Method
that encompasses herbology, meditation, "Oriental diagnostic techniques,"
prayer, Shiatsu Acupressure, tai chi, visualization, and Zen Shiatsu. Its
theory posits the Five Elements.
Zen Tantra: Combination of shiatsu and other oriental techniques,
developed by Shizuto Masunaga, the originator of Zen Shiatsu. Zen Tantra
is an antecedent variation of Bodywork Tantra.
Zen-Touch (Zen-Touch body balancing, Zen-Touch therapy): "Health
balancing system" developed by Seymour Koblin and promoted by the School
of Healing Arts, in San Diego, California. It is a combination of: (a)
Shiatsu Acupressure, and (b) "way of life" counseling,
which includes recommendations concerning behavior, exercise, and nutrition.
Zero Balancing (ZB, Core Zero Balancing): System of acupressure-like
bodywork originated in the 1970s by osteopath and acupuncturist Fritz Smith,
M.D. It purportedly integrates "body energy" with bodily structure.
Its theory posits "bone energy," chakras, and an "energy
body."
Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung (Zhan Zhuang): Form of Qigong that purportedly
is the foundation of healing, spiritual development, and the martial arts.
Zhenjiu (acu-moxibustion, acu-moxibustion therapy, acupuncture-moxibustion,
acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, chen-chiou therapy, China Zhenjiuology,
Zhenjiuological science, Zhenjiulogical [sic] therapy, Zhenjiuologic
therapy, Zhenjiuology, Zhenjiu therapies): Combination of acupuncture and
moxibustion. "Jiu" means "moxibustion" in Chinese. Moxibustion
(see "moxabustion" and "moxibustion") allegedly supports
yang, the masculine cosmic principle.
Zhineng Chigong: Form of Qigong practiced at the Wahzhan Zhineng
Chigong Clinic and Training Center, a "medicineless hospital"
in Qinhuagdao, China. It includes the "Lift Chi Up and Pour Down Method"
and the "Three Centers Merge Standing Method."
zone therapy (Reflex Zone Therapy, reflex zone massage): Early form
of Western reflexology introduced in the United States in 1913 by William
H. Fitzgerald, M.D., a specialist in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.
Fitzgerald, author of Zone Therapy, or Relieving Pain at Home (1917),
divided human anatomy into ten zones and professed that "bioelectrical"
energy flowed through these zones to "reflex points" in the hands
and feet. His method, which was also called "zonotherapy," included
the fastening of wire springs around toes. Fitzgerald's associate, Edwin
F. Bowers, M.D., coined the name "zone therapy." Today, zone therapy
may include the attachment of clothespins to fingertips and the use of pencils
and aluminum combs.
Zulu Sangoma bones: African "divination method" promoted
by the Katush Motivational & Holistic Centre, in South Africa. The method
features herbal "remedies," and its theory posits "Sangomas":
links with instructive ancestral spirits.
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