Meridian Exercise for Self Healing: Classified by Common Symptoms

Index

chapter 1.

INTRODUCTION

1.  Ki, the Life Energy

2.  What Is Meridian Exercise?

3.  Benefits of Meridian Exercise

4.  Dahn-jon, Key Energy Center

5.  Abdominal Breathing

6.  How to Use this Book

1. KI, THE LIFE ENERGY

Ki, also commonly spelled chi or qi, is a fundamental concept embraced by Asian philosophy, arts, medicine, and mind-body traditions. Ki is the word for the vital energy that is the true essence of every creation in the cosmos. Most people begin their understanding of Ki by experiencing it as bio-energy, or the basic life force in the body.

Ki is the bridge linking the body and mind; it is the essential medium of life, moving and flowing freely. The continuous joining together and drifting apart of Ki composes the rhythm of the phenomenon of life. Everything in existence undergoes constant change. Everything around us, as well as each of our very lives, is a temporary manifestation of ki.

Although immersed in this grand flow of energy every moment of our lives, we are unable to sense its currents without properly attuned senses. Our overdependence on rational thought and language has obscured our natural ability to sense the flow of energy. However, we can regain our innate ability to feel the slight but pervasive vibrations that define our existence. It is up to us to reawaken this sense. By opening blockages in the energy pathways and reawakening our innate ability to sense energy flow, we can recover our health and natural balance. When we develop sensitivity to ki, we will be able to reach our body’s potential.

A Kirlian photograph showing energy flow through a leaf

2. WHAT IS MERIDIAN EXERCISE?

The meridian system of the body is a series of channels or pathways running from the feet to the head and from the head to the hands, transporting Ki energy. Meridians can be likened to rivers of the body. The meridian system is responsible for the distribution of Ki throughout its intricate network, nourishing and influencing body, mind, and spirit. Acupressure (or acupuncture) points, which are distributed along meridians, are portals through which energy enters and exits the body.

It is easy to understand the system of meridians and acupressure points if you imagine the body as representing land. The meridians would be the main roads while the acupressure points are the bus stops. Just as goods and merchandise are transported across a highway system, our body can supply energy to the organs and different parts of the body through meridians. If energy flows well through the meridians, it is distributed evenly throughout the body, helping the body and brain to maintain their optimal conditions.

Our body consists of twelve main meridians and eight secondary meridians. In general, only fourteen of the meridians are commonly used. Ki comes into the body through the breath. It then flows through the twelve meridians and collects in two of the eight secondary meridians—one along the back, called the Governing Vessel (Dok-maek), and one along the front, called the Conception Vessel (Im-maek). The two meet when the lips touch.

The twelve major meridians are associated with the internal organs and are named accordingly: kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, pericardium, bladder, gall bladder, stomach, small and large intestines, and the triple burner (body temperature regulator). These twelve meridians are paired, or bilateral, and situated systematically on either side of the body. Ki flows constantly through the twelve meridians of the body, starting in the lungs and ending in the liver.

Meridian exercises are designed to open the meridian system of the body, and to balance the energy of their associated organs. The various exercises introduced in this book are derived from Dahn Yoga principles and methods.

Dahn Yoga is an integrated mind-body training method that combines deep stretching exercises, meditative breathing techniques, and energy awareness training. Its objective is to help practitioners achieve their highest level of personal potential.

The traditional name for Dahn Yoga is Dahnhak, which literally means the study of energy. In Korean, Dahn refers to the primal, vital energy which is essential to all life forms, and hak refers to the study of a particular theory or philosophy. Thus, a Dahnhak practitioner is one who studies the system of energy for the purpose of overall self-development.

Meridian exercises combine proper breathing with various stretching movements. When breath is combined with body movement, metabolism can be influenced more effectively. In order to optimize the effects of meridian exercise, movement, breathing, and awareness must be harmonized. Start the movements while inhaling. Hold your breath for a moment while holding the posture and then exhale slowly while returning to the beginning position. The body should be centered at the lower Dahn-jon, or energy focus in the lower abdomen, and your consciousness should be attuned to the areas being stretched during the movements. When exhaling, imagine that the impure, stagnating energy in the body is leaving. Imagine you are having a conversation with the body and focus on the changes or sensations occurring in it.

It is important to practice meridian exercise in a way that is suitable for your body. For example, a fit person can train more intensely, whereas others should practice the movements much more gently. Even ill and very fragile older people can benefit from gently rubbing and massaging the whole body while breathing and focusing on conscious awareness. In the beginning, try to master the movements first, rather than attempting to harmonize your breathing with the movements. Practice the movements according to your breathing capacity (without straining) when you are familiar enough with the movements to do them very naturally.

Throughout this book, you will see various acupressure points on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine the acupressure points have poetic names. The imagery of point’s name offers insight into either a point’s benefits or location.

But in the West people use abbreviations that reflect the organ system influenced and the position of the meridian. See box, for the abbreviation of each meridian. Also, each point is assigned an identification number to track its placement along the body. Point location numbers, such as Ki 1, BL 8, are standard referencing system used by professional acupuncturist. See box, for key to abbreviations of the meridians. This book uses both an identification number and a Korean name to indicate each acupressure point.

ABBREVIATIONS OF EACH MERIDIAN

3. BENEFITS OF MERIDIAN EXERCISE

Physical Benefits

•  Spine is lengthened and stretched

•  Height can be increased by one inch.

•  Practitioner develops a keen sense of awareness in distinguishing parts of the body where Ki energy has become blocked.

•  Flexibility and strength are developed; stress and fatigue are lessened and released. Internal organs are stimulated, accompanied by a sense of vitality.

•  Pelvis and spine are realigned, as the body reestablishes a natural symmetrical balance. Pain in these areas will diminish as symmetrical balance is optimized.

•  Body’s ability to break down fat cells and increase blood circulation is enhanced.

•  Muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems are strengthened, and meridian system is activated.

•  Toxins and stagnant energy in the body are dissipated.

•  Increased sense of vitality is experienced as Ki energy is gathered in the energy center in the lower abdomen. The practitioner can experience a more vibrant voice projection. Tasks of daily living can be performed with a heightened and more robust sense of well-being.

Mental Benefits

•  The body becomes very relaxed, thus calming the mind.

•  Deep breathing stimulates circulation of oxygen to the brain. The head feels clear and the memory becomes sharp.

•  Stress management ability is increased, as well as the ability to control emotions and thoughts. Positive attitude and joy toward life become intensified and more consistent.

•  When this exercise is performed with sincerity, the practitioner can appreciate the workings of the mind/body/spirit synchronicity.

•  Harmonizing of movement, breathing, and awareness is the hallmark of meridian exercise, optimizing concentration with an accompanying sense of mastery over the body. This facilitates and maximizes the self-healing process.

4. DAHN-JON, KEY ENERGY CENTER

A Dahn-jon is a place in the body where energy is gathered and stored. With enough sensitivity training, one can tangibly feel the gathering of energy in the Dahn-jon. Basically, Dahn-jon has the same definition as the word chakra, which means wheel or circle in Sanskrit.

In Dahn Yoga, we focus on three internal and four external Dahn-jons. The three internal Dahn-jons are located in the lower abdomen (lower Dahn-jon), in the middle of the chest (middle Dahn-jon), and in the center of the forehead (upper Dahn-jon). The four external Dahn-jons are located on each palm and on the bottom of each foot.

If a Dahn-jon is blocked, it will manifest as a physical disease or ailment. Through exercises and breath work, it is possible to facilitate the flow of energy through the Dahn-jon system of the body, resulting in overall balance and health.

When we refer to Dahn-jon in this book, it means the lower Dahn-jon, which acts as the fuel tank that stores energy for circulation throughout the body. When your lower Dahn-jon becomes strengthened, the overall energy balance of your body will be restored, amplifying your natural healing power. You will exhibit more patience and drive, developing a stronger sense of self-confidence. When you practice meridian exercises, it is always recommended to focus on the lower Dahn-jon.

Key Energy Centers in the Body

5. ABDOMINAL BREATHING

Deep breathing occurs naturally if we breathe with our awareness focused on our Dahn-jon. It is located roughly two inches below the navel and two inches inside the body, in the center of the abdomen.

As you do your breath work, focus your mind’s attention on this area of your body. Feel your lower abdomen rising when you breathe in and falling when you breathe out. Do this slowly and concentrate on your breathing. If this method seems difficult, place one hand on your lower abdomen and the other on your chest. As you breathe, feel the hand on your lower abdomen moving while the hand on your chest stays still. This approach is called abdominal breathing or Dahn-jon breathing.

If you take time to practice this daily, soon your mind will do it automatically— abdominal breathing will simply become part of how you breathe. One part of your mind will do this deep breathing while other parts of your mind focus on other things that allow you to move through your day.

Abdominal breathing is a perfect companion to meridian exercises. After relaxing your body through meridian exercises, perform abdominal breathing for about ten to twenty minutes. It will enhance your health dramatically.

Abdominal breathing is related to the movement of the diaphragm, a dome-shaped structure that assists in breathing and acts as a natural partition between our heart and lungs on one side, and our stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bladder, and small and large intestines on the other.

When we breathe deeply, our diaphragm moves downward as we inhale and upward as we exhale. The more the diaphragm moves, the more our lungs are able to expand, which means more oxygen can be taken in—and more carbon dioxide released—with each breath.

When we breathe fully and deeply, the belly, lower rib cage, and lower back expand on inhalation, thus pushing the diaphragm down deeper into the abdomen. The same structures retract on exhalation. In deep abdominal breathing, these rhythmic movements help to detoxify our inner organs, promote blood flow and peristalsis, and pump fluid more efficiently through our lymphatic system.

6. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Meridian exercise is different from general exercise. Meridian exercise is bringing positive energy to the body for creative energy. The synchronous movements can have far-reaching healing benefits. If you perform these exercises with honesty and sincerity, you can significantly self-heal the symptoms that cause you distress.

Look through the table of contents and identify your particular symptoms. These correspond to specific exercises you can perform to ameliorate your ailments. This book specializes not only in healing painful symptoms, but also in enhancing over-all health for the body as a preventative measure. Some of the exercises for certain symptoms will be repeated in different parts of the book. You can individualize the approach according to your body condition.

If you are experiencing specific health issues, it is best to consult a trusted health care professional prior to proceeding with meridian exercises. Always listen to your body. There is no need to rush your progress or to push through your discomfort. All bodies are unique, and you will find your own level of practice naturally.

The meridian exercises will help to correct the misuse of the body from habits accrued over time. It is important to practice consistently. Some people want quick remedies and thereby become frustrated when the results are not immediate. Meridian exercises must be practiced and nurtured over time. You will feel when the condition of your body improves.

As you develop astuteness in recognizing the nuances of your body’s workings and skill in deciphering a problem before it intensifies, you will continue to progress in becoming an active participant in your own self-healing.

chapter 2.

BASIC MERIDIAN EXERCISES

1. Whole Body Patting

2. Circulation Exercise

3. Abdominal Clapping

4. Intestine Exercise

5. Anal Contracting Exercise

WARM-UP

AWAKENING THE ENERGY

When you experience tightness in the chest, you would naturally want to relieve it by patting the chest with your hands. If you sense coldness in your hands, you would automatically rub the hands together to circulate blood for accelerating warmth. The meridian exercises utilize natural body movements. When certain energy pathways or points are blocked, you pat them, open them, and get relief. The five methods described here, which could be practiced anywhere with ease, are the warm-up sequence prior to doing the meridian exercises and abdominal breathing. Twenty minutes of daily exercise will enhance your good health immensely.

Stand with your legs shoulder width apart. Begin by patting your chest with both hands. Move them back and forth across the chest, stimulating all the acupressure points on your upper chest. Increase the strength of the patting until it almost becomes a slapping movement. Extend your