At the last Mini Yoga Retreat at Burleigh Heads we had a workshop on stretching and stimulating the meridians. This is an interesting way to combine two important systems of health and wellbeing. The wisdom of yoga and acupressure.
Just as we have a flow of blood and lymph through our body we also have a flow of subtle energy. This is called prana in the yoga system, chi in the Chinese system and ki in the Japanese system. The energy moves along pathways or meridians and along the course of the pathways are points where the energy can be tapped into. Practitioners in this field recognise that when tension builds up around these points on the meridians the energy is prevented from flowing properly. This creates an excess of energy in one area of the body and a deficiency in another which will result in one organ becoming overactive while another organ will become underactive and may be fatigued. This state of unbalance may eventually lead to serious health issues.
Massage, yoga asanas and acupressure are ways we can awaken the meridians and release tension around the points so that the energy can circulate freely. When the energy is flowing freely the whole body is in a balanced and healthier state.
Massage. The massaging method is one of firm but gentle tapping with a soft fist along the course of the meridian. This wakes up the chi and loosens the tissues around the meridian.
Breathing while focusing on the meridian. The breath nourishes the chi in the body and the mind directs the chi where to go.
Stretching the meridian. This lengthens the meridian and helps to get blockages out of the pathways.
Pressurising the acupressure points. This helps balance the chi in the meridians.
The Chinese have mapped out 12 Organ Meridians and 8 Regulating Channels. The Organ Meridians circulate the subtle energy throughout the body connecting the twelve organs with other parts of our body
All meridians start or finish in the head, chest, hands or feet.
Lung - Starts on chest in front of shoulder, finishes in thumb
Large Intestine - Starts in index finger, finishes at side of nostril
Stomach - Starts under eye, finishes in second toe
Spleen - Starts in big toe, finishes at side of chest
Heart - Starts under armpit, finishes in little finger
Small Intestine - Starts in little finger, finishes in front of ear
Urinary Bladder - Starts at inside corner of eye, finishes in little toe
Kidney - Starts on sole of foot, finishes at top of chest
Heart Constrictor - Starts beside nipple, finishes in middle finger
Triple Heater - Starts in fourth finger, finishes by outside corner of eyebrow
Gall Bladder - Starts at outside corner of eye, finishes in fourth toe
Liver - Starts in big toe, finishes on front of chest or below nipple.
