JOY LINES LIVE IN OUR BODIES
Do you know that we have JOY lines within our body? Fact.
We have actual meridian lines within our body that can be pressed or stimulated to unblock and allow energy to flow through these lines of our body. This is the wisdom of older, wiser wholistic cultures like that of the Chinese, through their Traditional Medicine where they work with meridians or channels through acupressure or acupuncture (pressing of points either with or without needles) to release blocks and get the energy flowing properly through these channels. Contrary to Western Medicine with its divide and rule strategy of compartmentalising mind, body and various parts. Separation can and will never lead to unity.
While I am definitely still a newbie with Traditional Chinese Medicine I already know in my bones that it is a deeply holistic modality of healing. Through Yin yoga training I was first introduced to these beautiful lines and comprehensive system, learning how we can connect and activate them through various poses and stretches which we hold for 3-5 minutes. The deep holds act as a myofascial release, almost as good as a massage!
TCM is a whole system based on aligning the outer seasons, cycles and rhythms with our inner ones.
Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer (the four we commonly talk about) and Late Summer. Behind each of the seasons there is an elemental energy; the Five Elements - Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood actually creating each of them.
Each organ is paired with another one aligned with the element and season - Heart and Small intestines are paired for the Wood/ Fire element in the season of Summer. If you wish to see or know more about this channel, the beautiful Clara shows and explains well in her video
The heart’s function is to circulate blood and pump nutrients around the body. It controls sweat, blood vessels and pulse strength. It houses the mind, mental activity, memory and sleep. The heart meridian opens into the tongue affecting speech and manifesting on the face.
The Yin organ of the heart meridian when overheated can cause physical and emotional disturbance. As the heart is said to be the emperor of all emotions, when it is imbalanced, it can cause extreme joy or sadness. Imbalances in the heart meridian can raise blood pressure, palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, and insomnia.
The best approach, as always is a holistic one that focuses on calming the heart fire and reducing stress in Summer, or when there is an imbalance in the heart like irregular heart rhythm, mental restlessness, and agitation. When the mind is regulated, the heart is regulate and vice versa. Which is why the Chinese believe that the heart and mind are the same place! Heart energy peaks at 11am - 1pm, which is when the heart meridian is on duty.
So knowing that this channel even exists is absolutely empowering, as even in a solo setting, you can press these points on the heart meridian and within a short space of time you will feel lighter. For a proper session I highly recommend going to an acupuncturist to receive the full benefits and to help you move into Optimum health,
I also encourage you to try a Yin yoga class, whether its a live class in a studio near you or with my Sunday online class, as through Yin yoga when we hold poses for 3-5 min, focusing on certain meridians and elements can definitely give you the same effect of releasing sadness and feeling more JOY!
Hope that gives you some inspiration to find and release JOY in your body! Any questions please do reach out on DM’s..Blessings !