Z

zanfu zhi qi The energy, or qi, of the body’s
organs, according to traditional Chinese medicine.

zang fu The term for the internal organ systems
in traditional Chinese medicine.
See also YIN-YANG.

zero balancing A hands-on mind-body system
designed by Dr. Fritz Smith in 1973 to align body
energy with the body’s physical structure. It aims to
help relieve physical and mental symptoms,
improve the ability to deal with stress, and organize
vibratory fields in order to promote a sense of
wholeness and well-being. Founded in 1991, the
Zero Balancing Association represents the integra-
tion of Eastern views of energy with Western views
of science and teaches how to use energy as a work-
ing tool in relation to body structure. It is the inte-
gration of the client’s body energy with his or her
body structure to create clearer, stronger fields of
energy in the mind-body and balance energy in the
tissues and the skeletal system. More information is
available by contacting http://www.zerobalancing.com.

zheng qi The traditional Chinese medicine term
for normal energy, or qi, that flows through the
meridians (channels) and organs of the body.
See also QI.

Zikr The Sufi practice of remembrance that
includes chanting, drumming, meditating, releas-
ing false impressions and delusions, and embracing
new dimensions of inner reality.
See also ISLAMIC SUFI HEALING PRACTICES.

zone therapy Originally, European technique
that involves the stimulation of the body’s regional

energetic zones for the treatment of a variety of

disorders. After the laryngologist William Fitzger-

ald, of Saint Francis Hospital in Connecticut, found

that zone therapy with finger pressure applied to

certain points on the hands and mouth could

induce numbness and relieve some symptoms, he

introduced its benefits to the American public.

Later, the physiotherapist Eunice Ingham further

developed Dr. Fitzgerald’s work by mapping out

bodily reflexes (reflex points) and regions on the

soles of the feet, which contain approximately

7,200 nerve endings. When finger pressure is

applied to certain areas—the ball of the foot, rep-

resenting the lungs and breast, for example—stim-

ulation and a healing effect are directed to the

lungs or breast. Ingham’s techniques brought forth

reflexology, as it is known today, as a form of

bodywork.

See also ACUPRESSURE; CHAKRAS; REFLEXOLOGY;

YIN-YANG.

zong qi In Chinese traditional medicine energy,

or qi (ch’i), that is gathered in the thorax as other

types of qicombine in that area.

Zukav, Gary The Harvard University graduate

and winner of the 1979 American Book Award

for The Dancing Wu Li Masters(New York: Bantam

Books, 1979). Zukav, of California, became one

of the New Age movement’s intellectual explor-

ers with his vision that goes beyond physics and

science to the new mind-expanding theory of

personal experience, that is, the power of our

own thoughts and how this power can help in

life transformations. Zukav is also the author

of The Seat of the Soul (New York: Simon & Schus-

ter, 1989).

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