Category Archives: Immune system

Triple Heater Visualisation

Immune system, Temperature regulation, ,

Burning manIn this final blog for 2015, I’m taking a slight detour from our road trip through the Fire points to introduce you to a practice that helps to balance the three burning spaces of the torso. These spaces are three interconnected chambers that together comprise the Chinese medicine concept of the Triple Heater (Sanjiao). This Fire “organ” is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout all of the meridians, acting as a harmoniser of the energy system. It governs the defensive Qi of the body, therefore supporting the immune system. It is also responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body, keeping  it in the Goldilocks zone, neither too hot nor too cold.

The Visualistion Practice

The Triple Heater Visualisation is helpful in balancing the three burners and supporting the Triple Heater Official in harmonising all of the organs and meridians. It can be done sitting in a chair or on a cushion, or lying down. Whichever position you are in, just be relaxed and comfortable.

Begin by placing your right hand over your lower abdomen at a place about two fingers width below your navel. Then place your left hand over your right. Just tune into that centre, which we call the lower burner. Notice the sensations and energies, or lack of energy.

You are going to set up an imaginary windmill in your lower burner. This is an energetic wheel that turns around the point below your navel. The wheel can be any size and move at any speed that feels right for you. It turns in a clockwise direction, like a fan stirring the air. Notice if anything changes as the fan turns the energies in your lower burner.

Allow that wheel to continue to turn on its own as you bring your attention to the middle burner. Move your hands upwards to a place midway between your navel and your sternum, the solar plexus. Notice what is happening there. Are the energies moving or not? Now, imagine another wheel the same size and turning at the same speed as the wheel in the lower burner, like a fan gently turning the air. Notice what happens as that wheel turns.

Now there are two wheels in motion that continue to turn as you bring your attention to the upper burner. Move your hands to the centre of your chest. Notice what is happening there. Are the energies moving or not? Now imagine a third wheel, the same size and turning at the same speed as the other two. Like a fan turning the air, this wheel turns the energies in the upper burner.

Leave your right hand on the upper burner and move your left hand down to the lower burner. What do you notice as you hold the two spaces together? Is one more energised than the other? Does one have more heat? As you hold that combination, you may find that the two begin to equalise and resonate together.

Now move your left hand to the middle burner in the solar plexus. The right hand remains on the upper burner. Notice how these two burners feel in comparison. Are they similar or different in temperature and activity? Once again, as you hold this combination, you may find an equalisation taking place as the two burners resonate together.

Now move your left hand back to the lower burner and move your right hand to the middle burner. Notice how these two burners are in relationship with each other. Notice if anything changes as you continue to hold this combination.

Finally, bring your hands to rest in your lap and tune in to the three wheels turning together. Notice what has changed since you began, and what has remained the same. What has changed in each of the burning spaces and what has changed in the whole of you?

Book cover

 

This is an extract from my second book ‘The Way of the Five Seasons’, due for publication by Singing Dragon Press in March 2016.

The book launch for both books is set for the afternoon of  May 1st 2016 at the Ngeringa Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills. Mark your calendar for this free event.

A Fork in the Road

Arm pain, Asthma, Breathing, Breathing difficulty, Constipation, Grief, Headache, Immune system, Psycho-emotional, Smell, Urination, , , , , ,

Lieque – Broken Sequence – Lung 7

6.11 It was Yogi Berra who advised: when you come to a fork in the road, take it! The Metal fork we are taking here lies on the pathway of the Lung meridian at the point Lieque – Broken Sequence. The break in the sequence refers to the fact that Qi exits the Lung meridian at this point, rather that the last point of the channel, and enters the Large Intestine meridian at LI 4 rather than the first point of that meridian.

The reference to forks doesn’t end here. The famous 12th century physician Ma Dan-yang, who included this point as one of his Eleven Heavenly Star points, described it as ‘a thunderhead splitting fire’. His description is derived from the fact that Leique was an ancient term for lightning which descends to earth in forked bolts. A look at the pathway of Lung channel at this point reveals a sudden deviation that resembles a lightning bolt.

As a significant point on the Lung channel, it treats respiratory conditions such as asthma, phlegmy cough, wheezing and difficult breathing. It is particularly useful for conditions of the nose, including loss of the sense of smell, nasal congestion, discharge and obstruction. Because of its capacity to expel wind, circulate the defensive Qi and stimulate sweating, it is often used in the early stages of colds and flu. For these its effectiveness is increased when used in combination with LI 4 and LI 20.

Not only is Lieque the exit point of Lung, but also the luo-connecting point which connects it to the Large Intestine meridian. This twin connection to its partner meridian makes the point doubly effective in treating conditions along the pathway of Large Intestine, including pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, throat and face. It also treats constipation and headaches, including migraines.

The emotion of grief is said to reside in the Lung and Lieque is helpful in releasing the oppression of grief and sadness that have been held inside. It helps to open the chest, improve breathing and can facilitate the release of grief by crying.

The influence of this point on Metal is only half of its story, for Lieque is also the master point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). This vessel is an energy field covering the area from the perineum to the chin which unites all of the yin meridians. Lieque can release blocks throughout the Conception Vessel but has a particular effect on the chest, uterus, genitals and upon a wide range of urinary disorders such as difficult, burning and painful urination.

As the luo-connecting point of a yin meridian it has particular powers to treat psycho-emotional disorders. It assists in letting go of those things that are no longer serving us, making space for the new. It is also known for uncontrolled laughter and frequent yawning. And one final thing before I forget, it is noted especially for poor memory.

So if you forgot where you put that fork, try Lieque.

6.12Location of Lung 7

 

Located on the side of the radius bone, 1.5 cun above the wrist crease in a cleft between the tendons of brachioradialis and abductor pollicus longus. Use moderate, direct pressure.

 

 

News about the forthcoming book

Thanks very much to all who suggested titles. Your input is appreciated. My publisher and I have decided upon The Way of the Five Elements as a title.

Publisher: Singing Dragon Press (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), London

Publication date: 21 November 2015

Price: £14.99

Colour Hardback 240 pp.

Stay tuned for more news.