At my classes at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga I often insert a breathing exercise as a link between series of poses, as a rest and rejuvenate or as a centering activity. This breathing exercise is very rejuvenating because it opens up the lungs for good oxygen exchange, it is also good for the whole body as it activates the Stomach and Spleen Meridians.
The Stomach Meridian starts at the side of the nose, and swirls up to the eye, down to the jaw and back up to the front of the ear and temple, it then descends through the neck, abdomen, groin, along the front of the thigh and lower leg to the top of the foot where it terminates at the outside tip of the second toe. In Chinese medicine it is referred to as ‘the sea of nourishment’ because it controls the digestion of food. It is said to be the most central organ of the body, naturally therefore an imbalance in the Stomach Meridian will directly affect all the other organs.
The Spleen Meridian begins at the base of the big toenail and it travels up the inside of the center of the legs to the groin, through the digestive organs up over the ribs to the outer part of the chest and ends underneath the armpits.
The spleen is responsible for storing blood, forming antibodies and producing white blood cells for immune system. Traditionally the Spleen/Pancreas Meridian is said to govern menstruation and also said to transport the energy in food up to the lungs where the energy from the breath combines with it to form the essential energy for the whole body. This meridian can be damaged due to worry, excessive sugar and obsessive behaviour. Once damaged the person may experience weakness, forgetfulness, worry or digestive disorders.
1. Stand with your feet wide apart, toes turned out slightly and arms down in front of your body with your wrists crossed.
2. Inhale as you raise your arms above the head.
3. Exhale as you open the chest and rotate arms backwards. When your arms are at shoulder height bend your knees into a deep squat, tilting your body forward slightly and sinking your weight evenly to all corners of your feet, (feeling deeply rooted into the ground)…scoop your arms down in front of the body and cross your wrists.
4. Repeat - inhale to raise up, exhale to lower
