Energy Pathways

In Today's Email:

• Energy Pathways: A mini guide to the meridians...

• Yogi Of The Week Award: This weeks winner...

• Breathing Flow: For happiness...

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Energy Pathways: A mini guide on the meridians...

In the Indian Yogi tradition, Prana moves through energy pathways called Nadis. In the Chinese tradition, Qi or Chi moves through a network of energy pathways called "Jing-luo," which connects and surrounds all tissues and cells. The words Jing and Luo mean "to go through" and "that which connects," respectively. The word means "channels," but most people call it "Meridians."

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the Daoist tradition, which says that there are 12 main meridians, 8 minor meridians, and many collateral meridians. This meridian system can be used to map out TCM acupuncture points.

In yoga, the chakras are seen as the most important places for energy, but in the Daoist model, our internal organs are seen as the most important places for energy storage and distribution.

Below, we'll look at each meridian, the emotions that go with it, and the Yin Yoga poses that can be used to target it. By adding these to our yoga practice, we can help keep our energy and emotions in balance.

Stomach/Spleen

• Element: Earth

• Function: Reservoir for food and water, feeds the rest of the organs.

• Emotion: Worry, anxiety and overthinking.

• Signs of disharmony: When imbalanced, Spleen-Stomach Qi tends to bring disproportion in our interactions with the exterior world. That can manifest as an excessive need for approval, anxiety, and nervousness.

• Yin Yoga poses to work on the Stomach/Spleen meridian: Ankle stretch, Child’s pose, Dragon, Dragonfly, Melting Heart, Saddle, and Swan

Liver/Gallbladder

• Element: Wood

• Function: Stores blood, regulates Qi flow, seat of our soul.

• Emotion: Anger and kindness

• Signs of disharmony: When Liver/Gallbladder Qi is unbalanced, frustration and defensiveness can occur; or we may feel paralyzed and unable to stand up for ourselves. We tend to make rash and impulsive decisions. Petty annoyances can become towering rages.

• Yin Yoga poses for Liver/Gallbladder meridian: Ankle stretch, Bananasana, Butterfly, Dragon, Dragonfly, Frog, Seal, Shoelace, Square, and Swan.

Kidney/Urinary Bladder

• Element: Water

• Function: Regulates water volume, coordinates respiration, and stores Jing: our essence.

• Emotion: Fear and wisdom

• Signs of disharmony: When our Kidney/Urinary bladder chi is imbalanced, we hold on to things and people, unable to let go. As we fearfully stop trusting people around us, we lack trust in ourselves as well.

• Yin Yoga poses for Kidney/Urinary Bladder meridian: Butterfly, Caterpillar, Child’s pose, Dangling, Dragon, Dragonfly, Reclined Twist, Saddle, Seal, Snail Square, Squat, and Swan

Heart/Small intestines

• Element: Fire

• Function: Blood circulation and mental functions.

• Emotion: Happiness and love

• Signs of disharmony: When the Heart/Small intestine Qi is unbalanced, feelings of sadness, desperation or depression can occur.

• Yin Yoga poses for the Heart/Small intestine meridian: Bananasana, Melting heart, and Reclined Twist

Lungs/Large Intestines

• Element: Metal

• Function: Controls respiration regulates water flow.

• Emotion: Sadness/grief and sense of beauty

• Signs of disharmony: When Lungs/Large intestines Qi is unbalanced we tend to feel sadness associated with a sense of loss. Unable to express our grief, a vicious cycle can take place.

• Yin Yoga poses for the Lungs/Large Intestines meridian: Bananasana, Melting heart, and Reclined Twist

San Jiao

• San Jiao meridian describes a function more than an organ. It is not usually linked to a particular emotion.

• Sometimes called the Triple Burner, its function relates to intake, transformation, and elimination.

Pericardium

• Pericardium meridian also called ‘Heart Constrictor’ relates to the function of circulation, and protects the heart. It is not usually linked to a particular emotion.

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😇 POSITIVE NEWS OF THE DAY!

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Yogi Of The Week

The Winner: This week’s winner is Simona. Here is what she wrote to us. Thank you for your support and kind words Simona. We really do appreciate it.

If you are reading this Simona, then we most likely already sent you an email. If you can’t find it please reply to this email.

If you don’t know: In order to reward our wonderful community, we started doing a weekly giveaway every Wednesday to our most engaged readers.

And when we say reward… we really mean it!

We will be sending out one free crystal pyramid and one free chakra bracelet, every Wednesday to one lucky winner (no matter where you are located in the world).

How You Can Win: 

1. The more you read our newsletters the higher chance you have of winning. Make sure you save our newsletter in your primary inbox to read every issue we release.

2. Send us comments and feedback and you instantly get on our rewards list.

3. Generally the more you engage with us the higher chance you have of winning.

Thank you to all for your support and now it’s time to get rewarded!

Breathing Flow for Happiness

This breathing sequence will make you more responsive to happiness. It adheres to a natural transformation of your thoughts and actions. For each breath, imagine that you are breathing in the energy of the earth. As you exhale, imagine releasing any tension or stress that may be building up within you.

Before you begin- Before you start this breathing flow, take a moment to ground yourself in the present moment. Find a comfortable environment and observe your regular breathing. When you are conscious of your breathing and in tune with your senses, the effects of the flow are enhanced.

Bhramari pranayama breathing

Brahmari or the humming breath is a powerful breathing technique to help feel calm and cheerful. To begin, start by sitting in a comfortable position with your back straight, eyes closed, and index fingers in your ears. Inhale deeply through your nose, and notice how it engulfs your abdomen. Following this, exhale slowly while making a sound similar to that of a bee by humming. Focus on the Ajna chakra and embrace the sound.

Nadi Shodhana

Follow this up with Nadi Shodhana. This breathing technique is believed to balance the body's energy flow through the Nadis, i.e, the energy channels in your body. It helps you to balance the left and right sides of your brain, which can help you become more focused and relaxed. Rest your left hand on your lap as you use your right hand to close the right nostril by covering it with your thumb and inhale through the left nostril for one full breath. With your ring finger, now close the left nostril by pressing it and exhale through the right nostril. Alternate between both nostrils for 10 cycles.

Ujjayi breathing

Ujjayi is often compared to the sound of ocean waves. Practicing Ujjayi breathing will help you to bring your mind back to the present moment, which can help you stay grounded. Begin as you inhale slowly through your nose. Then, as you exhale, push the breath out through your nose while contracting your glottis (the part of your throat that closes when you swallow). Observe the sound of waves as you submerge yourself into the natural sound.

Sitali Pranayama

The cooling breath, also known as the Sitali pranayama, is a breathing exercise that can help you find tranquility even in times of distress. To begin, curl your tongue and inhale deeply through the passage made by your curled tongue until your lungs are full. Now, exhale slowly through the nostril.

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