Qigong practice in stress management has been studied by several authors and its positive effect is recognized and widely accepted by the scientific community. The objective of this study is to apply this knowledge to a selected group of stressed individuals with very defined characteristics. This group of people were successful businessmen and women, that due to their highly competitive life style and particular mental make up demanded a specialized program of stress management to suit their needs, priorities and expectations. THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, was conceived by Dr. Gaspar Garcia specially for the businessmen and it is the base, on which this study was conducted. The program is a synthesis of Western and Eastern medicine, and is in a broad sense geared to help businessmen lead a healthier, happier, and more productive professional life. In a more narrow sense it is a stress management program. The author's main premise is that, of all the resources that a businessman has, his energy and vitality, his health and his inner strength are the most precious, and that these assets must be developed, protected and maintained at the same level as the specific qualification of his line of work. The program has three main objectives:
1. Protect the health of the businessman, increase his energy and vitality through simple and easy to follow advises on diet, exercise and mental attitudes so that he can use his personal resources more efficiently.
2. Develop the power of the mind, attention and concentration so that he can apply it to any field of his life, including his profession.
3. To form more 'humane' businessmen who have a more sensitive, intuitive and conscious attitude towards themselves and their environment. This new approach is very much in consonance with the Ecology paradigm that is developing in every field of society.
Twenty six businessmen and businesswomen participated in the study (19 men and 7 women). The age ranged from 37 to 65 years old; most of them (18) falling in an age group that went from 45 to 55 years old. The information was delivered on a one to one bases (doctor-patient) in practical and theoretical sessions of one hour duration. The number of sessions varied with the participants and ranged from 2-18, although most patients participated in a program of 8 sessions. The sessions included first an evaluation of the patient life style (working habits, eating habits, exercise and leisure habits, family relation etc. ) from where a personalized program was drawn. The participants were made to understand the negative physiological changes on the organism brought about by stress and a program based on the basic pillars of Qigong; that is: breathing, relaxation, mind control and exercise were implemented. The techniques and the theories taught to the patients were derived from western medical knowledge and Luohan Qigong which included static and dynamic qigong and self massage.
An evaluation made by each participant on the benefits of the program, showed a very high satisfactory rate (90%). The key factors for the success of the program according to the participants were, the relevancy of the matter being treated and the practical application of the information and techniques given. A follow up evaluation will be made in the future.
